ASEAN NOW News

The newly built passenger terminal of the Clark International Airport will help ease air traffic congestion in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), promote more convenient travel, and boost economic growth in Luzon, President Duterte declared Saturday.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Secretary Vivencio Dizon during an inspection of the new passenger terminal building of the Clark International Airport With them is Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation CEO Bi Yong Chungunco. (Malacañang)

 

The President visited the new airport terminal building located in Clark, Pampanga on Saturday and lauded the “massive achievement” that would benefit the people.

 

The new passenger terminal will have a capacity of eight million passengers a year, which will double the existing capacity of the Clark airport.

 

“I just hope that the local economy can absorb the number of people coming to visit the Philippines,” the President said in his speech.

 

“It will surely help decongest traffic at the busy Ninoy [Aquino] International Airport and provide a better flying experience for locals and tourists alike,” he said.

 

The President has commended the Department of Transportation, Bases Conversion and Development Authority as well as partners from the private sector for the completion of the new passenger terminal in Clark airport. It is considered a major project of the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

 

 

“The structure before us reflects the administration’s unyielding commitment to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing big ticket infrastructure projects such as this that will improve connectivity, mobility, create jobs, and disperse economic activity to the regions,” the President said.

 

“This development will also certainly boost economic growth in North and Central Luzon and provide these regions their own gateway to the rest of the Philippines and the world,” he added.

 

As the nation recovers from the pandemic and adapt to a new normal, the President also said people could “look forward to a safer, easier, and more comfortable travel experience here at the Clark International Airport.”

 

Among the official’s present were former President and now Presidential Adviser on Clark Programs and Projects Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

 

 

Great for tourists

 

For those foreigners who have experienced the traffic delays in the past, when driving the two-hour journey for Manila’s international airport to visit Angeles City or Clark, this new terminal will be a huge boost for tourists.

 

 

Let us hope when the pandemic is finally under control, that many airlines, especially the budgets carriers, will schedule flights to Clark.

 

One would certainly expect that the landing fees charged should be lower than Ninoy Aquino International Airport

 

 

The Jutanugarn sisters won the Dow Great Lakes Invitational team event in Michigan yesterday taking home US$276,538 each.

 

Defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura from Pattaya came in second and Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn and Aditi Ashok (Spice Girls) finished in a tie for third.

 

It is very unusual to find some many Thai golfers at the top of the leader board, and with these wins they will all advance up the LPGA money list.

 

Team M & M

 

Team M&M for Mo and May, family nicknames by which they are commonly known, began the day at 13-under and in a crowd two shots off the lead held jointly by the defending champions, Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura, and Aditi Ashok and another Thai, Pajaree Anannarukarn.

 

Not only were the Jutanugarns not in the final game, but they also were not in the penultimate or antepenultimate grouping. 

 

So, starting the day two shots off the lead, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn knew an impressive day of best ball was needed to come away with the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational title at Midland Country Club.

 

That is just what the sister duo did. Team M&M finished at -24 overall after recording a 59 on Saturday to earn the victory in the second edition of the official team event.

 

“We had a pretty good momentum at the start. It is just more like supporting, just I said over and over again, and of course I had a great support from my sister this week. No matter what, like she probably hit a few trees out there, but she still makes a lot of birdies for me, so I forgive her,” joked Moriya. “We very enjoy it.”

 

The Jutanugarns also posted a 59 on Thursday, the first day of the fourball format. They are the only team to shoot sub-60 in this year’s tournament.

 

With the win, Moriya earns her second LPGA Tour title and first in 1,182 days.

 

Ariya has now won for the second time in eight starts and is the second player with multiple wins in 2021, joining World No. 1 Nelly Korda.

 

Ariya, who now has a total of 12 wins on Tour, said this week in Midland, Mich. may rank above her major championship victories.

 

“It's a tough one. I would say going to be the top one because like every tournament we spend, she is always with me, and this time even more special because we win together. So far, this one the best one, yep.”

 

Another Thai was Second

 

Defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura from Pattaya put up a final-day fight after sharing the 54-hole lead, finishing in solo second at -21 after recording a 6-under 64. The team combined for seven birdies and just one bogey.

 

The partnership of major champion A Lim Kim and 2020/21 Tour rookie Yealimi Noh (Team Giant Lims) along with Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn and Aditi Ashok (Spice Girls) finished in a tie for third at -19.

 

With the holding spots for The Amundi Evian Championship released following the Jutanugarn win, Ashok officially became exempt into the championship next week, her fourth appearance in the major.

 

2021 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Yuka Saso and Tour winner Minjee Lee finished in fifth at -18 after posting an 8-under 62. Four teams finished in a tie for sixth at -17, with Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome (Team Killer Beez) rounding out the top of the leaderboard in 10th at -16.

 

Jutanugarns were playing for Grace Godfrey

 

This week at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Ariya Jutanugarn had Morgan Pressel’s veteran caddie on the bag, Barry Cesarz.

 

Her usual caddie, Pete Godfrey, was in Dallas, Texas with wife and Tour player Jane Park and their daughter Grace.

Ten-month-old Grace has been hospitalized since July 2nd with undiagnosed seizures and brain swelling, and as the sisters Ariya and Moriya fought hard on the course, they also played with little Grace in their hearts.

 

“I’ve been talking to Pete like every night. He has to get through a lot of things. Yeah, baby get better, but we still continue like praying for her. He gives me the best support. He never shows me like his sadness. At the same time, I just want to come out and play well for him, also, because I do not want him to worry about me,” said Ariya. “We did a good job. We done it. Just please like continue praying for Gracie.”

 

Ariya said she and Moriya were constantly thinking of Pete, but knew he was giving his usual support from afar.

 

“We keep telling him like we miss him because like last time when we here, he caddied for me and we had so much fun. We wish he here with us,” said Ariya.

 

 “He always put a smile on his face to make us happy, and he's always like give us the best support, and he keep telling us, ‘you got this, go win for Gracie,’ and we did.”

 

 

 

 

Defending Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura from Thailand  (Team All In), along with Pajaree Anannarukarn also from Thailand, and Aditi Ashok (Spice Girls) sit in a tie for first at -15 after the third round in Midland, Mich.

 

Both teams posted bogey-free rounds in the alternate shot format, with Anannarukarn and Ashok carding birdies on Nos. 3, 6 and 15 to post a round-three 67. Clanton and Suwannapura recorded their third-consecutive 65 thanks to five birdies on the day, including two on the closing holes.

 

“We've played good, and I think again today we stayed very patient because we didn't have many good looks until the very end, and then Jasmine made some clutch putts on 17 and 18,” said Clanton, who also held the 54-hole lead with Suwannapura at the inaugural event in 2019 en route to their victory.

 

“And so we stayed really patient again, so I think that was another good key today.”

 

Jasmine Suwannapura

 

“I think we stayed pretty patient. I don't think just because we win two years ago, it doesn't mean that the golf course was easy. Doesn't mean that we're going to be able to play some good golf,” said Suwannapura.

 

“It's just golf. Like we just stay patient and find opportunities for ourselves to make birdies and have fun with each other.”

 

After a bogey on the second hole, the team of Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda (Reidy to Fiestas) rallied to record five birdies on the day to finish with a 66 and in solo third at -14 overall.

 

Four came on the pair’s back nine at Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 16. One stroke below them sit three teams at -13 in a tie for fourth: 2020/21 Tour rookies A Lim Kim and Yealimi Noh, Tour winners Jeongeun Lee6 and Mi Jung Hur (MI6) and Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn.

 

Eight teams are five shots out of the lead at -10, including Jessica and Nelly Korda, who followed up their 69 during the best-ball format on Thursday with a 66 that included four-straight birdies from Nos. 3-6. Major champion Cristie Kerr and partner Stephanie Meadow (Team A Z) are also among those at -10, and know how important going low during fourball is for the final round.

 

“You literally could shoot 10 to 14-under in best ball. I think we're going to have to bring it tomorrow to have a chance to win. It'll be nice to be a couple groups back and have less eyeballs on us. But if we can get off to a hot start and continue, there is no reason why you couldn't get most of them,” said Kerr, who is a nine-time U.S. Solheim Cup Team veteran.

 

“Weather is supposed to be good, and we're just going to go out there and do our best.”

 

WITH A WIN:

Cydney Clanton would be the first player since Lydia Ko (2012, 2013) to win the same event twice as her first two wins on Tour, after winning the Dow GLBI with Jasmine Suwannapura in 2019.

 

It would be the first successful title defense for Clanton and Suwannapura since Danielle Kang (2018, 2019 Buick LPGA Shanghai).

 

It would be Suwannapura’s third-career victory on Tour.

 

Aditi Ashok and Pajaree Anannarukarn would be the fifth and sixth Rolex First-Time Winners of 2021

Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, aka Team M&M, cruised to the top of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational leaderboard after a second-round 59 (four-ball) to take a two-stroke lead at -14. The sisters posted 11 birdies, including four straight between Nos. 4-7.

 

 

Ariya Jutanugarn (left) celebrates a birdie on the 15th hole with her sister and teammate Moriya during the second round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club on Thursday in Midland, Michigan. (LPGA PHOTO/ AFP )

 

Closing with two on their final holes, the Jutanugarns matched the second-lowest four-ball round in the tournament’s history; in its inaugural year, Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura recorded a 59 in the final round to secure the victory, only bested by a fourth-round 58 recorded by Jin Young Ko and Minjee Lee, who ultimately finished in a tie for second.

 

“To be honest, I don't know how many birdies we're making today or like we're going to make -- we're going to shoot 59, like make that putt.

 

But just what she said, like when she feels uncomfortable and she want to just take the tee shot first, so I do the same thing on the last hole because I don't really feel comfortable with the pin tucked on the left side.

 

I'm like, can I go first, and it kind of makes her a little nervous because I take a little longer time, and after I hit the shot, she's like, I'm a little nervous because it seems like you take a little longer time,” said Moriya, who made a five-footer on No. 18 to earn the sub-60 round.

 

 “But it comes out good, and just like momentum, I guess. It's not like I feel really comfortable with that shot, but I know she will get my back.”

 

In 2019, the sisters finished in a tie for third at -20, recording 65-61 in the four-ball portions of the event.

 

The two said they have a competition within the tournament, trying to beat each other with the number of birdies each of them makes throughout the day. Tomorrow, they said they’ll work on “playing without fear.”

 

“We have to play without feeling sorry to each other because of course we're going to miss some. What I always told her, just have good commit, and if you miss it, you miss it. I'm going to try to do the same thing,” said Ariya.

 

Pajaree Anannarukarn and Aditi Ashok, the Spice Girls, followed up a first-round 65 with a four-ball 63, making five birdies and an eagle from the Thai on No. 12 to sit in solo second at -12.

 

Ashok said the duo do not have a preference when it comes to playing either foursomes or four-ball, and are more than satisfied with their play in each so far this week.

 

“I think both are equally nerve-racking because sometimes -- yesterday's format is difficult, but sometimes it feels easy because there's no choice. No matter what happens you have to play the next shot; whereas here sometimes you see the other person and you kind of -- it changes your approach a little bit,” said Ashok.

 

“I think both are equally very difficult. But yeah, we've enjoyed both. We're playing good, so we're happy.”

 

The team of MI6 – Jeongeun Lee6 and Mi Jung Hur – along with Wichanee Meechai and Pavarisa Yoktuan (World War 3) are tied for third after Thursday’s round at -11. Hur sealed herself and Lee6 a 62 on the day after a final birdie on No. 18, their fifth of the back nine, but said she trusted Lee6 with the putter more over the last two days.

 

“Even she had a long par putt, have to make it, I just give to my caddie putter away, because she's going to make it,” said Hur. "Like yesterday, foursomes, especially foursomes, if she missed the putt I have to finish out, but I always give to my caddie my putter. She's going to make it.”

 

Rounding out the top five are defending champions Team All In, Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura, and Reidy to Fiesta, Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda, at -10.

 

Six teams sit in a tie for seventh at -9, including major champion duo Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko (Sisters From Another Mister). There were 41 teams that made the cut at -4. The teams of Maia Schecter/Laura Gonzalez Escallon and Ashleigh Buhai/Lizette Salas were disqualified under Rule 23.2(b).

 

Each score on the scorecard must be clearly identified as the score of the individual partner who made it; if this is not done, the side is disqualified. It is not enough to identify a score as the score of the side in general.

 

 

Singapore's tourism board said on Wednesday a ship operated by Genting Cruise Lines on a so-called cruise to nowhere has returned to the city-state after a passenger was suspected of having contracted COVID-19, and remaining guests were asked to stay in their cabins. 

 

A cruise ship is docked at harbour after turning back due to positive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case on board, in Singapore 

 

A Singapore cruise liner returned to its port after a passenger was suspected to have COVID-19.

 

That is according to Singapore’ tourism board on Wednesday, which added the 40-year-old passenger tested positive onboard the Genting-operated cruise ship, despite testing negative prior to the trip, as required in pre-departure.

 

The ship was a so-called 'cruise to nowhere'.

 

Meanwhile, the nearly 3,000 guests and crew were asked to stay in their cabins and all on-board leisure activities were suspended.

 

Passengers were asked to stay in their cabins until test results and contact tracing was complete.

Genting did not immediately comment.

 

Singapore, which has seen relatively few COVID-19 cases, last year began allowing a limited number of luxury liners to operate, but the global industry has taken a major hit amid the pandemic, with some of the earliest outbreaks found on cruise ships.

 

This latest issue will be bad news for the cruise industry, that is already taking on board huge losses.

 

During the Covid pandemic, there have been many photos of empty supermarket shelves as shoppers all over the world panic buy goods.

 

Well now HCMC supermarkets have decided to try to stop this and are giving customers tickets to schedule their shopping, seeking to reduce stockpiling as the city experiences its worst Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Starting this Wednesday, Saigon Co.op began trialing shopping ticket issuance at certain outlets and would expand the mechanism to other crowded locations to mitigate queuing and congestion, a chain spokesperson said.

 

Tickets issued by a supermarket to organize shopping time. Photo by VnExpress/LInh Dan.

 

According to VNExpress, at 9.30 a.m. Thursday, lines are no longer seen outside of Co.opmart on Chu Van An Road in Binh Thanh District as on previous days.

 

40 Minutes to fill your trolley

 

Within the lobby, 30 customers were sitting and waiting their turn, while inside the shopping area about 20 customers were picking their goods. Each customer is allowed a maximum 40 minutes of shopping.

 

Meat, vegetables, and fruit shelves were full, opposed to the previous days when they were empty even in the morning.

 

Apparently, customers can pick up their tickets at the supermarket and return at the specified time, said Bui Thi Giang Thu, director of the supermarket.

 

If they are late, they might have to take another ticket and wait, she added.

 

Some other retail chains are also applying new regulations to keep shopping organized. Bach Hoa Xanh allows customers to shop for 10 minutes at most, while MM Mega Market lets only 30 customers in at a time.

 

Supermarkets and grocery stores across Ho Chi Minh City these days have been packed with long queues as people stockpile food in fear of a lockdown.

 

Authorities have repeatedly confirmed there would be enough supply for all. The city will set up 1,000 sales points to reach out to customers who cannot shop at supermarkets.

 

Meanwhile HCMC is in its sixth day of a 15-day social distancing campaign with over 19,400 local cases confirmed since April 27.

 

 

 

Nguyen Kim An (C) is brought out of the HCMC People's Court where he was sentenced to death for robbery and murder, June 2015. Photo by VnExpress/Binh Nguyen.

 

The police in HCMC are desperately searching for a 27-year-old death row convict infected with the Covid-19 virus who has escaped from the prison.

 

According to a report filed by VNExpress, Nguyen Kim An was sentenced to death for robbery and murder in June 2015, a police spokesperson said Thursday.

 

"He's 1.63 meters tall with short hair, fair skin and carries a limp due to an injury," the spokesperson said, not revealing any details about the escape.

 

Back in 2014, An lost his motorbike and computer, so he decided to poison one of his friends from school and steal his belongings as well.

 

Apparently on February 25, 2014, An bought five sleeping pills and invited his friend, Dat, to a cafe.

 

He then deliberately spiked a drink with the pills, but it was not enough to knock the friend out.

 

So the next day, he bought a stronger drug and invited the friend to his apartment in Tan Binh District.

 

This time, the spiked drink caused Dat to have a seizure. An then strangled Dat till he stopped moving. He took Dat’s iPhone, put his body into a bag and dumped it into the river from the Phu My Bridge in District 2.

 

Prisoner asked for Ransom

 

An then contacted the family, informed them that Dat had been kidnapped and demanded VND500 million as ransom. After a few days of pressing the family to pay, he stopped.

 

The murder came to light when another resident found the bag containing Dat's body. An was later arrested and confessed to his crime.

 

An was jailed at the Chi Hoa Prison in District 10, where at least 81 Covid-19 cases were detected among inmates and staff early this month.

 

Chi Hoa was originally built by the French colonial government in 1943 to replace Maison Centrale at the corner of Ly Tu Trong and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Streets.

 

It has for long been considered one of the most secure prisons in Vietnam, with only two successful breakouts in its history.

 

 

 

A police officer inspects travelers between Dak Lak and Lam Dong Provinces in Vietnam. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre

 

This week, three men have been caught trying to swim across a river to evade a COVID-19 checkpoint, established between two provinces in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

 

According to a report by Tuoitrenews, the three men are Nguyen Ngoc Quyet, Tou Prong Dam Man, and Bo Nah Ria Ya Lap, from Lam Dong Province.

 

They were each slapped with a VND5 million (US$218) fine for failing to comply with pandemic prevention and control measures following a decision by local authorities on Thursday.

 

On Tuesday, Lap and Man drove a car from Dak Lak Province to Lam Dong Province and was required to turn around when reaching a COVID-19 checkpoint at the border of the two localities.

 

They failed to present certificates proving they had tested negative for the novel coronavirus in accordance with regulations.

 

The two men later contacted a friend who had already tested negative for COVID-19. So, they handed over the automobile for that friend to drive through the checkpoint.

 

Meanwhile, Lap and Man met Quyet, who showed them the way to the Krong No Riverbank.

 

The three men then swam across the river to get to Lam Dong Province but were discovered by eagle eyed authorities afterwards.

 

They were then required to file health declarations and undergo rapid COVID-19 testing.

 

The men also admitted to their wrongdoing at the police station.

 

Meanwhile Vietnam had documented 38,239 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday morning, with 9,624 recoveries and 138 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health's statistics.

 

The country has recorded 34,710 local infections in 58 provinces and cities, including 13 cases in Lam Dong and seven in Dak Lak, since the fourth outbreak began on April 27.

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Lieutenant General Vu Hai San, Deputy Defense Minister and Head of the MND's Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control chaired a recent meeting to discuss the current Covid pandemic.

 

Speaking at the meeting, General San requested military units in pandemic hotbeds to help provinces prevent and control the disease while implementing quarantine measures.

 

 

Over the past time, the military has always embraced all directions and instructions of higher levels in COVID-19 prevention and control.

 

Reportedly, the Military Medical Department under the General Department of Logistics directed military units to establish nearly 1,500 testing teams and provide over 211,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots to the people.

They also organized 188 quarantine areas for 13,000 people.

 

According to Vietnam Breaking News, during the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, units stationed in Military Region 7 are maintaining 55 quarantine areas with more than 12,500 beds and pandemic prevention and control mobile teams.

 

The MND also sent mobile container labs for COVID-19 testing to the areas as well as establishing Field Hospital for infectious diseases No.5A with a scale of 500 beds.

 

Meanwhile, Military Region 9's affiliated units set up 178 testing teams and Field Hospital for infectious diseases No.6 with 300 beds for COVID-19 patients.

 

On implementing the Prime Minister's directions, the MND has worked with the Ministry of Health to ensure the success of vaccination campaigns nationwide.

 

In particular, the Military Medical Department was asked to organize training programs and vaccinate military forces. In addition to COVID-19 prevention and control mission, the whole military should be ready for dealing with any circumstances and ensure training and combat readiness.

 

 

Members of the Makabayan bloc have filed a resolution seeking to investigate the alleged dumping of human waste and sewage of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

 

 

According to a report by Politiko, mentioned in House Resolution 1961, the lawmakers urged the House Committees on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and on Foreign Affairs to conduct the investigation.

 

The call for an investigation stemmed from the report by US-based tech firm Simularity, that large number of Chinese ships have been dumping human waste and sewage on West Philippine Sea for many years.

 

“Whereas the feces and sewage discharge has caused chlorophyll A to increase. It resulted in too much phytoplankton that cannot be consumed by reef inhabitants. Therefore, it caused massive destruction to the maritime resources,” the resolution read.

 

Can even see waste from Space

Simularity said the damage have become visible from space, and that large number of Chinese ships have been dumping human waste and sewage on West Philippine Sea for many years.

 

“Whereas the feces and sewage discharge has caused chlorophyll A to increase. It resulted in too much phytoplankton that cannot be consumed by reef inhabitants. Therefore, it caused massive destruction to the maritime resources,” the resolution read.

 

 

The Makabayan bloc said the destruction of reef could lead to a decrease in food supply and “eventually result in a hunger crisis for the entire world since WPS became the source of food for migratory fish.”

 

“Whereas the bold act of Chinese vessels is a brazen manifestation of China’s utter disrespect to the sovereignty and landmark victory of the Philippines on the WPS dispute,” the resolution further read.

 

The Makabayan bloc is comprised of Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, Bayan Muna Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago.

 

Yesterday, Simularity stood by its report of Chinese ships dumping waste in the West Philippine Sea.

 

The tech company defended the controversial report in response to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. who cast doubt on the authenticity of its report.

 

The company also stressed that its research was backed by science.

 

“We encourage verification of our findings by the Philippine government, and stand by our research methods, sources, and findings,” Simularity tweeted.

 

In a quote-retweet on Tuesday, Locsin reacted to a reporter who sought his comment about Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto’s proposal to file a diplomatic protest over the incident.

 

Looks likely things are going to hot up internationally.

 

 

 

 

Several Metro Manila mayors have passed a resolution urging local governments in the region, to issue orders that will affirm the government’s latest policy allowing children aged 5 and older to go outdoors in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

 

 

According to a report in the Philippine Inquirer, the resolution, unanimously approved by all local chief executives of Metro Manila on Wednesday, applies to areas considered as “child-friendly” or are not under heightened restrictions.

 

Under Resolution No. 21-11 Series of 2021, local mayors should make a list of allowable outdoor areas or parks, with the latter defined as alfresco areas with proper ventilation.

 

They will impose a 50-percent limit in the venue capacity to avoid overcrowding.

 

 

They also plan to deploy marshals to privately owned outdoor areas or parks, to ensure compliance with the minimum public health standards and protocols.

 

All minors must be accompanied by adults in these areas.

 

Local governments may impose other reasonable conditions “to ensure the promotion and protection of the welfare of the minors.”

 

“With reference to the children below 18 years of age, it should be clear whether they should be accompanied by adults. There should be marshals to monitor certain limits,” said Metro Manila Development Authority chief Benhur Abalos, also the concurrent chair of the Metro Manila Council.

 

Speaking at the televised Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday, Abalos said the Metro Manila Council unanimously agreed that “the ground and open-areas outside the mall proper could be considered as parks, one of the child safety zones” that the government’s pandemic task force said children aged 5 to 18 would be allowed to go to as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

 

Airflow must be continuous

 

 

“Since Metro Manila does not have a lot parks, like Luneta (Manila’s Rizal Park), we deemed it better to define a park as anything that has no roof, alfresco, where the air flow is continuous, even if there are walls, and outside the mall, like the ones we see at Trinoma [in Quezon City] and Bonifacio Global City [in Taguig City],“ Abalos said.

 

He said open areas, whether publicly or privately owned, must adhere to the 50-percent minimum capacity regulation.

 

Marshals should also be designated to control crowds and implement health protocols such as the wearing of masks and social distancing.

 

Adults accompanying the minors must always be with them, so that the children would not stray, he added.

 

Another guest in this program, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, said allowing children to go out to exercise and play would also be beneficial to their mental health.

 

She added that she had received from the city police reports of suicide among minors who reportedly suffered depression due months of home confinement.

 

She said private owners of open spaces must apply with City Hall before being allowed to become “child-friendly safe zones.”

 

On July 8, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Resolution No. 125 Series of 2021 allowing children 5 years old and older to go to outdoor areas under GCQ and MGCQ, except those under heightened restrictions, subject to the observance of minimum public health standards.

 

(PNA photo by Joey Razon)

 

MANILA July 16th 2021  – The Department of Education (DepEd) announced today that President Rodrigo Duterted has approved September 13, 2021 as the opening date for School Year 2021-2022.

 

In a statement, the DepEd said the date was among the options recommended by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

 

"We thank the President for his full support to the delivery of quality basic education for the incoming school year," the statement read.

 

The school calendar for SY 2021-2022 will be released soon.

 

"We hope for our stakeholders' continued cooperation and support as we prepare for another challenging yet worthwhile endeavor of educating our children amid a global health crisis," the statement read.

 

Since the pandemic last year, schools have adopted a blended learning approach.

 

Resumption of limited face-to-face classes in areas considered as "low-risk" is still postponed.

 

Despite the challenges, Briones assured the public that classes would continue, and no learner will be left behind. (PNA) 

 

Personnel of the Malay Municipal Police Station (MPS) apprehended three tourists for entering Boracay using fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results on July 14, 2021.

From June until July 14, the MPS has already apprehended 17 tourists with fake documents. (Photo courtesy of Malay MPS)

 

Three tourists from Silang, Cavite were apprehended by authorities for using fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results to enter Boracay on July 14.

 

Those apprehended were a couple, Benjamin P. Pastrana, 64, and his 56-year-old wife Marichu; and Luisa L. Mingi, 55. 

 

Lt. Col. Don Dicksie de Dios, chief of police of the Malay Municipal Police Station (MPS) in an interview on Thursday, said upon receiving the information from Aklan Provincial Tourist Validating Office that RT-PCR results were fake.

 

The three tourists were immediately extracted from their hotel, less than three hours after checking-in.

They were brought to the provincial quarantine facility in the municipality of Kalibo for swabbing.

 

Charges for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and Article 175 of the Revised Penal Code or falsification of public documents and certificates are also being prepared against the three, De Dios said.

 

“At the same time, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay is declaring all tourists with fake certificates as persona non grata,” he added.

 

The latest apprehensions brought to 17 the total number of tourists arrested for using fake documents to enter the island since June 2021.

 

De Dios said that hopefully, local tourists who wanted to go to Boracay for a vacation will make sure that the molecular laboratories where they will undergo the RT-PCR are accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).

 

“They should not attempt to fake their documents because surely they will be detected by the provincial validation team,” he said.

 

In case the validation by the province is delayed but later, their documents were found to be untrue, then the police extraction team will pull the tourists out from their hotel.

 

The tourists will also shoulder the swabbing costs. (PNA)

 

After the first day of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, four teams lead the official team event at Midland Country Club at -5 overall.

 

Jasmine and Cydney this weeks defending champions

 

Defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura (Team All In) were among three partnerships from the morning wave to record first-round 65s.

 

Playing alternate shot, the two rebounded from a bogey on No. 4 to card six birdies in the next 14 holes before closing in prime position, including a 40-footer by Clanton from the fringe on No. 16. 

“I made some long putts and Jasmine made some crucial pars on just the first two holes. My speed was a little off on the first two holes, which she just -- she putted amazing,” said Clanton, who became a Rolex First-Time Winner with her win in 2019 alongside Suwannapura. “When the putter is hot and you're in this format, it makes it a little bit easier.” 
 
Also, T1 were Pajaree Anannarukarn and her playing partner Aditi Ashok (The Spice Girls), who posted bogey-free 65s to join Clanton and Suwannapura as leaders.

 

Team Jelly, which features Rolex Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda and sister Jessica, were the lone team from the afternoon to reach the top spot.

 
Two teams sit in a tie for fifth at 66 were Wichanee Meechai and Pavarisa Yoktuan (World War 3), and European Solheim Cup Team stalwarts Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda (Reidy to Fiesta).

 

Meechai and Yoktuan were 5-under through their first nine holes but struggled on the back-nine with a bogey on No. 14 and eight pars.

 

Ciganda credited her “200%” trust in Reid en route to their 66. 

 

The Jutanugarn sisters were well placed at T7, and another four Thais are also in the field.

 

Patty Tavatanakit and Leona Maguire withdrew prior to the first round to make it 71 total teams competing in Midland, Mich. 

 

 

 

 

Well known performer, Manila Luzon has just announced on Instagram that she will be hosting the upcoming reality show, “Drag Den Philippines”.

 

Manila Luzon

 

According to a report on www.wheninmanila.com, it will be the country’s first-ever drag reality show and will be open for auditions real soon!

 

She wrote: This is it! ???? @DragDenPh auditions are just around the corner and as the Drag Lord of this cartel, I will be running the Philippine-wide search for the first-ever Drag Supreme!

 

In the IGTV video, the Filipino “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Queen calls for hopeful contestants to put on their brightest eyeshadows and biggest wigs!

 

Manila Luzon teases that the search for the Philippines’ first-ever “Drag Supreme” is just around the corner. Watch it below: Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects will be producing the drag reality show along with “Mamu, and a Mother Too” director, Rod Singh.

 

However, they have yet to announce the reality show’s platform and actual launching date.

 

Know someone who should audition?  

 

 

Artists around the world are embracing online performances as a way to entertain their fans during the lockdowns, when theatres and clubs are closed.

 

Manila Luzon’s realty show should attract a huge following not just locally but across the World as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (File photo)

 

MANILA – Skyway O&M, operator of the Skyway system and a unit under San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) SMC Infrastructure, expects more seamless movement along the new Skyway Stage 3 with the implementation of new measures to avoid congestion on access and exit points following the first day of toll collection on the elevated expressway.

 

These measures have resulted in faster throughput of vehicles even at high-volume toll plazas just a day later. 

 

“It’s unfortunate that many motorists were caught in traffic last Monday. We apologize for the inconvenience. While this was not totally unexpected on the first day of toll collection, for our part, we know we must do better. Hopefully, with the measures we put in place, traffic conditions will continue to improve and normalize,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said in a statement Wednesday. 

 

 

Ang said that traffic throughput at toll plazas slowed down Monday primarily due to vehicles with insufficient load, as well as those availing of free radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker installation and re-loading onsite.

 

“Our Skyway teams are always on the ground, and we monitor our expressways via cameras 24/7. If there is any issue, we can respond and make corrective measures very quickly,” he added.

 

Among the new measures Skyway has since implemented are, the deployment of more personnel for traffic management, toll collection, and Autosweep RFID sticker installation.

 

They have also opened more lanes for Autosweep RFID installation and reloading, plus the installation of more signs to guide motorists who are unfamiliar with the expressway, its toll plazas, and the start of toll collection.

 

No RFID sticker Motorist

 

Motorists with no RFID stickers, who insist on paying in cash, or have insufficient balance are asked to exit the toll booth and park on the side, so as not to inconvenience existing ETC users. They are given the option to have RFID tags installed or reloaded or pay in cash.

 

Vehicles with no RFID or have insufficient balance are directed to Del Monte Toll Plaza B coming from Balintawak where they can have their RFID tags installed or reloaded. 

 

Skyway O&M reported that traffic throughput at toll plazas was significantly better starting Tuesday, or the second day of toll collection. 

 

For instance, traffic queues at the Buendia southbound exit, which only has two lanes and where there was significant buildup Monday, was considerably shorter at only up to 200 meters. This was observed only during rush hour starting at 8 am.

 

Only 4% still pay with cash

 

While most motorists utilized electronic toll collection, a small percentage, or 4 percent, consisting of cash-paying motorists and users with insufficient load, slowed down transaction times at toll plazas. 

 

The additional measures implemented have since addressed these issues, bringing about a smoother traffic flow. 

 

Skyway 3 was soft-opened last December and has provided the public free unlimited use for nearly seven months, with SMC’s foregone revenues reaching PHP3 billion.

 

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had just recently issued a notice to start collecting toll to Skyway 3.

 

“Before, if you were stuck on NLEX or Quezon City and you were headed to Alabang or Makati, or vice-versa, motorists simply had no choice but to endure two to three hours of traffic. Today, with Skyway Stage 3, motorists can opt to use it for convenience and faster travel times. With more vehicles diverted to Skyway 3, there will be less congestion on Edsa, C-5, and other major thoroughfares, resulting in improved travel on our public roads,” Ang said. 

 

SMC and TRB worked together to arrive at toll rates that are much lower than the original toll fee matrix, particularly for vehicles traveling shorter distances.

 

 

Apart from foregoing revenues for seven months, SMC had also deferred recovery of a significant portion of the right-of-way costs for the project in consideration of the economic impacts of the pandemic. 

 

With Skyway Stage 3 now operating 24/7, SMC said that Autosweep sites along the elevated expressway are also open 24/7. 

 

“I would like to request our motorists who have not yet availed of their free RFID stickers to please do so, and make sure they are activated with sufficient credit. This measure, which was pushed by (the) government last year, is for everybody’s safety and for your convenience,” Ang said.

 

He said using RFID will ensure they have better, safer, and faster trips on the expressways. 

 

“Also, as a reminder, please be conscious of which toll lanes you are using. Do not use ETC- only lanes if you have insufficient balance, as there are penalties that come with this. If you have insufficient balance, please use the assigned lanes for RFID installation or reloading. Most of all, please always show courtesy towards fellow motorists and tollways workers,” he added. 

 

Site locations that offer RFID installation and reloading are from the south, Zobel northbound (After Entry), Quirino northbound exit, Nagtahan northbound exit, Quezon Ave. northbound entry, and Del Monte northbound toll plaza; and from the north, Del Monte southbound toll plaza, Quezon Ave. southbound entry and Plaza Dilao southbound entry.

 

Meanwhile, motorists are also advised to utilize the numerous Autosweep reloading platforms to avoid further delays while using the expressways. (PR)

 

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Today, Thursday July 15th, 2021, the new Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX)which is expected to benefit some 11,000 motorists and commuters daily, will open to the public.

 

 

Secretary Mark A. Villar from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) made his final inspection of the four-lane expressway project connecting the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija yesterday.

 

He said, "Tomorrow, July 15, is the opening of CLLEX and that is why we are conducting final inspection. For the information of our countrymen, 18 kilometers will be opened tomorrow up to Aliaga. The entire alignment is 30-kilometer that will start from Tarlac to Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija). As of now, Nueva Ecija will have expressway connection, and this is one of the laterals we are doing now. Finally, we will benefit from this. The good thing about CLLEX is it is free. This is the first expressway that is free),"

 

FINAL INSPECTION. Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (2nd from right) leads the final inspection of the Central Luzon Link Expressway on Wednesday (July 14, 2021). CLLEX will be opened to motorists on Thursday (July 15, 2021). (Photo courtesy of DPWH)

 

The first 18-kilometer section of CLLEX is from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)/Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) connection in Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.

 

Villar led the final safety checking of the new road network, accompanied by DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain, and project director Benjamin A. Bautista.

The toll-free expressway project implemented by DPWH UPMO-Roads Management Cluster 1 is one of the key infrastructure projects with funding assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Build, Build, Build program.

 

Sadain said the CLLEX sections covered by three contract packages that will be opened are the 4.10-kilometer (km) Tarlac Section, 6.40-km Rio Chico River Bridge Section, including the 1.5-km Rio Chico Viaduct, and the Aliaga Section with up and down ramps at the Guimba-Aliaga Road.

 

The DPWH is committed to complete the entire 30-kilometer expressway project within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte with the 10.3-km Cabanatuan Section under Contract Package 4 already at 88.7-percent completion.

 

The Zaragoza Interchange Section under Contract Package 5, on the other hand, is at 26.9 percent and expected to gain significant progress as site possessions are secured for the project’s right of way (ROW) requirements.

 

Once fully operational, the PHP11.811-billion expressway is expected to shorten the usual travel time of 70 minutes between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes.

 

 

The new expressway will also form an important east-west link for the expressway network of Central Luzon to ensure a continuous seamless traffic flow for the motoring public from Metro Manila and vice versa passing through North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), SCTEX, and TPLEX. (PNA)

 

 

Beijing [China: China's construction of large hydropower dams along the River Mekong is starting to cause serious problems downriver, leaving the region dry.

 

This is having devastating impacts on water availability and the fertile soil that feeds hundreds of millions of people in Southeast Asia.

 

The Mekong is reeling from the combined onslaught of climate change, sandmining, apart from the incessant damming of the river, which combined to help cause the worst drought recorded in over 100 years in July.

 

People living along the river and even those dependent on its water are now staring at survival.

 

China's dam in the upper Mekong region has led to a decrease in water levels in the lower river basin, causing droughts. This has impacted Vietnam significantly, forcing people to travel a long distance to get water for daily use.

 

 

However, the South-East Asian countries are too weak to demand China to stop blocking water. They continue to face the ill- effects of Chinese dam constructions.

 

River Mekong that originates in the Tibetan plateau and flows through six countries is home to the world's largest inland fishery and supports the livelihoods of over 60 million people in poor countries like Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

 

Future Dams

 

The gravity of the problem can be gauged from the fact that Laos, which has a poor rating for transparency and accountability, has planned to build 140 dams on the Mekong and its tributaries with financial assistance from China.

 

China has built as many as eleven giant dams in the mountainous region of the upper Mekong to meet its energy needs.

 

Xiaowan Dam 

 

Moreover, it has plans to widen the river and build hundreds of dams in the Lower Mekong River and its tributaries as a part of the Belt Road Initiative (BRI).

 

Owing to China's haphazard construction activities in the upper Mekong, the regions in the lower basin area are witnessing droughts as well as the destruction of fishery and agriculture activities.

 

Now, the further construction activities under BRI, which include altering Mekong's flow, are going to have serious negative environmental impacts that will destroy millions of livelihoods in poor South Asian countries.

 

A 2018 report by Mekong River Commission, an inter-governmental river basin organisation, said the dam construction activities will have a negative impact on the ecology and health and livelihood of poor people living along the River Mekong.

 

"Hydropower projects reduce wet-season flows and increase dry-season flows under normal operations (except for climate extremes). This increases irrigation potential, reduces flood damage, provides drought relief, but has negative impacts on river ecosystems, sustainability and food security associated with fisheries," warned the report.

 

Not just riverbeds but villages along the river were demolished to make a way for giant Chinese-constructed dams.

 

In 2019, the water level in the Mekong River had dropped to its lowest level in a century. This had impacted fish supplies, rice plantation and overall health of the ecosystem around the river badly.

 

One of the most polluted river in the World

 

The Mekong is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, transporting an estimated 40 thousand tons of plastic into the world's oceans each year.

 

As dams were constructed without any checks, the Mekong region was leading toward "ecological peril," accelerated by climate change, which may cause the river to die soon, said Brian Eyler, Director of the Southeast Asia program at the Stimson Centre.

 

The construction of the Nuozhadu dam by China has led the Mekong River to change its natural course, leading to a "severe lack of water in the lower Mekong", showed satellite data from 1992-2019.

 

In Cambodia, the fishery and rice cultivation have been impacted as hydroelectric dams caused a reduction in the supply of fish and nutrients.

 

In Thailand, the army had to be called in to assist people who were affected by droughts, fueled by the Xayaburi dam on the Mekong.

 

Moreover, the Beijing government has plans to widen the Mekong by detonating explosives to blast rocks and sandbars to create a passage for large 500-ton Chinese riverboats.

 

Environmentalists blamed China for giving primacy to economic interests brought about by hydroelectricity, rather than acknowledging the adverse impacts on the Mekong River and communities in the lower flow.

 

This problem should be put to the top of the agenda across all Asian governments now before Chinese mustle their way into constructing anymore dams.

 

Beijing [China], July 14 (ANI): China's construction of large hydropower dams along the River Mekong is starting to cause serious problems downriver, leaving the region dry.

 

Xiaowan Dam

 

This is having devastating impacts on water availability and the fertile soil that feeds hundreds of millions of people in Southeast Asia.

 

People living along the river and even those dependent on its water are now staring at survival.

 

Future Dams

 

The gravity of the problem can be gauged from the fact that Laos, which has a poor rating for transparency and accountability, has planned to build 140 dams on the Mekong and its tributaries with financial assistance from China.

 

River Mekong that originates in the Tibetan plateau and flows through six countries is home to the world's largest inland fishery and supports the livelihoods of over 60 million people in poor countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

 

China has built as many as eleven giant dams in the mountainous region of the upper Mekong to meet its energy needs.

 

Moreover, it has plans to widen the river and build hundreds of dams in the Lower Mekong River and its tributaries as a part of the Belt Road Initiative (BRI).

 

Owing to China's haphazard construction activities in the upper Mekong, the regions in the lower basin area are witnessing droughts as well as the destruction of fishery and agriculture activities.

 

Now, the further construction activities under BRI, which include altering Mekong's flow, are going to have serious negative environmental impacts that will destroy millions of livelihoods in poor South Asian countries.

 

A 2018 report by Mekong River Commission, an inter-governmental river basin organisation, said the dam construction activities will have a negative impact on the ecology and health and livelihood of poor people living along the River Mekong.

 

"Hydropower projects reduce wet-season flows and increase dry-season flows under normal operations (except for climate extremes). This increases irrigation potential, reduces flood damage, provides drought relief, but has negative impacts on river ecosystems, sustainability and food security associated with fisheries," warned the report.

 

Not just river beds but villages along the river were demolished to make a way for giant Chinese-constructed dams.

 

In 2019, the water level in the Mekong River had dropped to its lowest level in a century. This had impacted fish supplies, rice plantation and overall health of the ecosystem around the river badly.

 

As dams were constructed without any checks, the Mekong region was leading toward "ecological peril," accelerated by climate change, which may cause the river to die soon, said Brian Eyler, Director of the Southeast Asia program at the Stimson Centre.

 

China's dam in the upper Mekong region has led to a decrease in water levels in the lower river basin, causing droughts.

 

This has impacted Vietnam significantly, forcing people to travel a long distance to get water for daily use.

 

The construction of the Nuozhadu dam by China has led the Mekong River to change its natural course, leading to a "severe lack of water in the lower Mekong", showed satellite data from 1992-2019.

 

The South-East Asian countries are too weak to demand China to stop blocking water. They continue to face the ill- effects of Chinese dam constructions.

 

In Cambodia, the fishery and rice cultivation have been impacted as hydroelectric dams caused a reduction in the supply of fish and nutrients.

 

In Thailand, the army had to be called in to assist people who were affected by droughts, fueled by the Xayaburi dam on the Mekong.

 

Moreover, the Beijing government has plans to widen the Mekong by detonating explosives to blast rocks and sandbars to create a passage for large 500-ton Chinese riverboats.

 

Environmentalists blamed China for giving primacy to economic interests brought about by hydroelectricity, rather than acknowledging the adverse impacts on the Mekong River and communities in the lower flow. 

 

 

The white sand and sparkling water of Cambodian beaches still remains a tourist’s favourite. 

 

According to local media reports, Cambodia remarkably seems to be bucking the trend around its neighbours as it hosted more than 70,000 international tourists on the first weekend in July.

 

Even though the country was experencing a raging pandemic, fear of infections, and closed locations, Cambodia still managed to attract tourists, both international and domestic, with a promise of good fun in the country’s varied attractions.

 

The Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, said that during the first 2 days of the first weekend of July, a total of 73,797 international tourists and 1,116 domestic tourists, enjoyed the sunny beaches, forested mountains, picturesque temples, and bustling cities, among other attractions, of Cambodia.

 

The main tourist destinations included the busy capital of Phnom Penh with its vibrant street life and culture saw more than 15,808 visitors.

 

Kampot province and its wildlife sanctuaries received 11,207 tourists, and Battambang attracted 9,536 tourists with a promise of a glimpse of its stately, ancient temples.

 

Sihanoukville played host to 7,911 tourist and provided an experience of its famous sandy beaches, Kampong Speu had 5,700 tourists visit its hot springs and wildlife sanctuary among other attractions, and Kandal received 5,282 tourists explore its provincial wonders.

 

These were just some of the provinces visited by curious tourist looking to take a break and enjoy the wonders of the country.

 

Despite the seemingly large numbers, of tourists, the amount of tourist is about 17.87% decrease from the week prior to July’s first weekend, and about 60.11% decrease compared to the same period of last year.

 

The slight dip in tourism is due to the various tightening of administrative measures in Covid-19 prevention implemented by the government as the nation tries to contain the spread of the virus.

 

The suspension of various tourist attraction and activities also play a role in the decline. Coastal destinations and eco-tourism spots still see several tourists and remains a favoured destination for domestic tourists.

 

One citizen shares police encounter that proves that there really are good cops are still out there.

 

Chic Francisco says that last week, Feb.26, she encountered policemen who still live by the code “To Serve and Protect.”

 

According to the Lifestyle Inquirer one citizen shares such an anecdote via Instagram after her car failed while on Manila’s busy streets.

 

As Francisco was navigating her way through regular errands, she found herself in an unfortunate situation when her vehicle’s gear mechanism failed.

 

Stuck and without a solution in sight, suddenly, her luck turned around.

 

 

Out of sheer coincidence, a Philippine National Police truck passed by. She quickly asked for help from the three uniformed officers in it.

 

The policemen then helped push my nine-year-old pickup truck, when it malfunctioned and stalled on San Andres Street 30 feet away from the corner of Mabini Street.

 

They promptly offered their services until she needed it and was able to ask for further assistance.

Photo courtesy of Chic Francisco

 

After helping her out, Mrs. Francisco offered these policemen a thank you in the form of PHP500.

The policemen declined and insisted that they were only doing their job.

 

She was relieved but still not satisfied and called the Malate police station the next day to get the names of the officers who helped her out.

 

Corporal Fortaleza who answered the phone proved to be my fourth angel in police uniform.

 

He promised to help me identify them if I send him via Viber some the pictures my helper took.

 

Her three angels were PSSG Michael Cordova, PCPL Judah Elog and Patrolman Christopher Barongan from MPD Station 5, Jorge Bocobo Police Community Precinct.

 

I am now convinced that not all policemen are bad cops, some of them will prove to be our angels in time of need or trouble.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Chic Francisco

 

 

HCMC authorities are preparing for scenarios in which the number of local COVID-19 cases increases too fast.

 

 

It has been confirmed to various media sources, that two of the three towers at District 5's Thuan Kieu Plaza, now known as the Garden Mall, are being converted into a field hospital amid the city's severe COVID-19 outbreak.

This will be Saigon's fifth field hospital, and work on the project began Thursday morning.

 

Two of the 33-floor towers have been requisitioned, and the entire facility has been disinfected. 

 

It is expected to take a week to establish the field hospital, and the facility will be handed over to the municipal Department of Health upon completion.

 

Thuan Khieu Plaza was built in 1994 and has hundreds of apartments, but it has a complicated history thanks to a number of urban legends that left many believing the towers are haunted. 

 

In 2017 the towers received a much-needed facelift and the commercial center on the ground floors was remodeled into a more upscale shopping area, but the apartments have remained largely empty.

 

City officials previously converted a 1,000-bed dormitory at the National Defense and Security Training Center and a 4,000-bed dorm at the Vietnam National University-HCMC into field hospitals.

 

In addition to also using the resettlement apartment buildings in Thu Duc City, District 12, and Binh Chanh District.

On Thursday night, Saigon entered 15 days of strict social distancing under Directive 16 as officials work to beat an extremely complicated outbreak that has accounted for over 10,000 COVID-19 cases in just a few weeks.

 

 

Huge amounts of fines have been levied since Directive 16 went into effect in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

VND1.23 billion (US$53,000) in fines were collected on the first two days of the city's strict lockdown, which began at midnight last Thursday.

 

According to various news sources, police officers and government officials throughout 21 districts and Thu Duc City, have booked numerous people for breaches.

 

These include not wearing a mask in public, going outside without a valid reason, gathering with more than two people, and operating non-essential businesses.

 

 

Specifically, administrative fines from district-level authorities totaled VND841 million (US$36,600), while police levied fines of VND389 million (US$16,900). 

 

Almost 900 people were warned for their social distancing violations, while over 200 were officially fined.

Over the weekend, around 300 checkpoints were set up across Ho Chi Minh City, both at entrances to the area and within districts and neighborhoods.

 

To pass through them, drivers had to present paperwork showing that they had a valid reason to be out.

 

However, on Monday this created huge traffic jams, particularly in Go Vap District, and earlier today officials agreed that all checkpoints would be removed, while mobile inspection teams will now check people commuting on the roads.

 

Ho Chi Minh City is battling by far its worst COVID-19 outbreak since the pandemic began, having logged over 16,000 community infections since late April.

People ride on the street decorated to promote the election day as Vietnamese went to the polls, in Hanoi, Vietnam, May 23, 2021. REUTERS/Thanh Hue/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Vietnam vowed at his Senate nomination hearing on Tuesday to boost security ties with Hanoi while seeking equitable market access and pressing Hanoi to respect human rights.

 

Marc Knapper, a career diplomat currently serving as deputy assistant secretary for Japan and Korea, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the relationship between Washington and its former Vietnam War foe had undergone a "profound transformation" since normalization of ties in 1995.

 

"Our two countries have moved from a history of conflict to a comprehensive partnership that spans political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties," he said, while adding that the relationship was not without its challenges.

 

"We have serious, serious concerns," Knapper said. "Only when we see significant progress on human rights can our partnership reach its fullest potential."

 

Knapper highlighted Hanoi's restrictions on internet freedoms and referred to a "troubling trend of harassment, arbitrary or unlawful arrests, unjust convictions, and harsh sentences of journalists and activists."

 

He said he would "press" Hanoi "to respect the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief."

 

Knapper, a linguist who speaks Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese, said bilateral trade with Vietnam had grown from nearly nothing in 1995 to more than $90 billion in 2020, but said there were challenges as well.

 

He said he would "advocate for a level playing field for U.S. companies and investors, including by urging Vietnam to maintain equitable market access for U.S. digital services and agricultural products."

 

Strengthen security ties

 

Knapper, the son of a Vietnam War veteran, vowed to strengthen security ties, saying Hanoi and Washington both believed there was "no greater challenge" than that posed by China, including in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and China have rival claims.

 

"Right now, we have what we call a comprehensive partnership; we hope to raise it to a strategic partnership, and I will take steps to do that by strengthening even further our security relationships with Vietnam," he said.

 

From Wednesday July 14, vehicles will be allowed to travel on the overpass on September 2 Street, as part of the under-construction traffic infrastructure project at western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge.

 

Covering an area of 131,521m2 in the wards of Hoa Cuong Bac and Hoa Thuan Dong, Hai Chau District, the VND723 traffic re-arrangement project borders Binh Minh 6 Street to the north, 29 March to the south, the Han River to the east, and military agencies and residential areas to the west.

 

As planned, the costly traffic project will consist of three levels.

 

The lowest level will be a 4-lane road tunnel taking Duy Tan under the busy junctions with Le Dinh Tham and the western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge.

 

The upper level on ground will be a roundabout, whilst the highest level will be a 14m-wide 4-lane steel overpass over 2 September Street. There will also be two 6m-wide frontage roads at both sides of the overpass.

 

Once it is put into use, traffic project at the western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge will significantly reduce the current traffic congestion at intersections nearby during peak hours.

 

 

It will also reduce the volume of traffic on roads leading to the Da Nang International airport.

The whole project will be open to traffic not later than December 31, 2021 as per recent request of the municipal administration.

 

For many of us who have in the past took taxis into town after landing at the airport it will hopefully dramatically cut down the trip to their hotels.