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‘Time to explore ODAs from other countries’ Poe says after Chinese ODA withdrawal
Senator Grace Poe on Thursday expressed her belief that it is high time for the Philippines to look for alternative sources of funding from other countries for the proposed Mindanao Railway Project. According to Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, the country may pursue official development assistance from other countries following the Department of Transportation's move to drop China as a funding source for the P83-billion railway project in the southern Philippines. “It’s time to explore ODAs from other countries and seek available funding options from multilateral institutions and international assistance agencies that can deliver the goods,” she said in a statement. Poe noted that the withdrawal of the ODA from China for a railway project “should not derail the implementation of our infrastructure programs,” “In the past years, Chinese banks have also kept us in suspended animation with delays in our loan applications putting in limbo a number of government projects,” she said. “While appearing attractive, the loans are not exactly that benevolent as they come with hefty interest rates and other strings that could be detrimental to the country in the long term,” she added. She also suggested to the government to tap the private sector which she said “holds the potential of accelerating infrastructure development and bringing innovative and efficient services.” She issued the statement after Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed that the Philippines is no longer loan financing from China for the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project. The first phase of the railway project aims to reduce travel time between Tagum in Davao del Norte and Digos in Davao del Sur by one hour from the current 3.5 hours. Quoting Bautista, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said in August that the Philippine government would no longer engage Chinese state-owned companies for major infrastructure projects in the country. “I talked to Secretary Jimmy Bautista, he was at the Senate recently. We talked one-on-one. I told him: ‘Secretary, you are seeing what they are doing to your Coast Guard, right?’” he said “I told him not to give Chinese state-owned companies projects here in the Philippines such as trains. We have the North to South Railways…. Let us not give it to them. Let us give it to South Morea or Japan instead,” he added. He continued: “I was glad because Secretary Bautista said they would no longer Chinese state-owned companies for their trains, airports, and big-ticket items.” The construction of the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of the Mindanao Railway Project was supposed to start in January 2019. The post ‘Time to explore ODAs from other countries’ Poe says after Chinese ODA withdrawal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crypto crackdown intensifies on Hamas finance
Cryptocurrency has become the latest front in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, analysts say. Israeli and US authorities have intensified their financial hunt into Hamas in recent days as they track illicit funds via digital currencies. Ari Redbord, global policy head at crypto tracking specialist TRM Labs, said there is now less crypto transfer activity on pro-Hamas support networks as a result. "We are seeing a lot less activity in some respects since the war began," Redbord told AFP. This is "primarily because Israel has been very aggressive and successful in taking down these fundraising efforts", he added. Israel has bombed Gaza in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas militants who, while firing a massive rocket barrage, killed more than 1,400 people and took 222 hostages on 7 October, according to Israeli authorities. Israeli strikes have now killed more than 6,500 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Shadowy world Cryptocurrency is regarded as a speedy way to move cash that is unregulated by any central bank and is less traceable than a traditional bank transfer. The shadowy world of digital units, based on decentralized blockchain technology, has gained notoriety for illicit transactions due to its under-the-radar appeal. Two weeks ago, Israeli police revealed they had located and frozen accounts linked to Hamas that sought "to solicit donations on social networks" via Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange. A Binance spokeswoman said it "follows internationally recognized sanctions rules, blocking the small number of accounts linked to illicit funds". Redbord, formerly a senior US government adviser, said Hamas had adopted crypto from 2019 at the latest, to seek funding via the Telegram messaging network and even on its own website. Hamas decided in April that it would no longer accept cash via Bitcoin due to increased global surveillance of the world's biggest digital unit. Crypto fundraising is now operated via a network of Hamas-linked support groups. TRM Labs has closely monitored virtual crypto wallets linked to such support groups since the start of the war. And it has concluded that much smaller amounts of cash than usual are being moved. Two weeks after the attacks, support group Gaza Now received less than $6,000 in one of its crypto wallets, Redbord noted. That compared with $800,000 in total since the wallet's creation in August 2021. Meanwhile, authorities are well aware that digital assets are a minor part of a complex funding picture. The US State Department estimates that Iran funnels $100 million per year to Palestinian groups including Hamas. 'Small piece of puzzle' "Cryptocurrency is a very small piece of a larger financing puzzle for Hamas," said Redbord. "They are looking to Iran; they're... imposing taxes on the Palestinians; they have a network of charities and a diaspora of supporters who are sending donations not in cryptocurrencies." "But crypto does play a role," he said. Digital currencies still represent a significant revenue stream for Hamas and other allied groups. Crypto addresses identified by Israel as being linked to Hamas received about $41 million between August 2020 and July 2023, according to Israeli analytics and software firm BitOK. Other crypto addresses linked to Islamic Jihad received in excess of $154 million between October 2022 and September 2023, with some still active, it adds. Some players in the sector simply turn a blind eye. "Some cryptoasset businesses are intentionally or unwittingly allowing misuse of the crypto ecosystem," said Joby Carpenter, an expert on the industry. "This trend is magnified where exchanges are based in lightly or unregulated jurisdictions," he told AFP. The post Crypto crackdown intensifies on Hamas finance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘LTO’s LTMS project on time, feature complete’
After state auditors flagged the P3.14-billion Land Transportation Management System project of the Land Transportation Office due to delayed implementation, German firm Dermalog Identification Systems said that the LTMS was “on time” as it “passed user acceptance” in August 2019 and is “feature complete.”.....»»
LRT-2 ridership highest in August
The Light Rail Transit Line 2 is showing signs of recovery in terms of passenger traffic, as it recorded in August its highest monthly ridership since 2019......»»
Japan sees hottest September since records began
Japan has seen its hottest September since records began 125 years ago, the weather agency said, in a year expected to be the warmest in human history. The scorching September's average temperature was 2.66 degrees Celsius higher than usual, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday. This was "the highest figure since the start of statistics in 1898", the agency said in a statement. This year is expected to be the hottest in human history as climate change accelerates, with countries including Austria, France, Germany, Poland and Switzerland each announcing their warmest September on record. Across Japan last month, 101 of 153 observation locations broke an average temperature record, including in Tokyo, with an all-time high of 26.7 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit), in Osaka with 27.9C and in Nagoya with 27.3C. The average temperature jump of 2.66C was "extraordinary" and "easily topped previous highs", weather agency official Masayuki Hirai told AFP on Tuesday. "If this is not an abnormally high temperature, I don't know what is," he said. French weather authority Meteo-France said the September temperature average in the country will be around 21.5 degrees Celsius, between 3.5C and 3.6C above the 1991-2020 reference period. The UK, too, has matched its record for the warmest September since its records began in 1884. The average global temperature in June, July and August was 16.77 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous 2019 record, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said in a report. In September, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told world leaders the climate crisis had "opened the gates to hell". In his opening address at the Climate Ambition Summit, Guterres evoked this year's "horrendous heat" but stressed: "We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees," referring to the target seen as needed to avoid long-term climate catastrophe. The post Japan sees hottest September since records began appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Court approves Yanson matriarch’s last will disinheriting 4 children
A Bacolod City regional trial court approved the petition of Yanson Group of Bus Companies matriarch Olivia Villaflores Yanson for probate of her last will disinheriting four of her children and naming two as her universal heirs. Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 44 Presiding Judge Ana Celeste P. Bernad in Special Proclamation No. 19-2771 dated 31 August 2023, said: “The last will of Olivia Villaflores Yanson is allowed probate as it complied with the formalities required by law”. Olivia, who together with her husband, the late Ricardo Yanson Sr. established Vallacar Transit Inc. in 1968 that eventually became the largest bus company in the Philippines, named her children Leo Rey and Ginnette as the universal heirs in her will. It may be recalled that on 15 April 2019, Yanson filed a petition for probate of her last will and testament, which was docketed as Special Proceedings No. 19-2771. Olivia’s four other children—Roy, Emily, Ma. Lourdes Celina and Ricardo Jr.—who are collectively known as the Yanson 4, opposed the probate of her will, saying their mother was under due and improper influence and pressure from Leo Rey and Ginnette. Judge Bernad, in her proclamation, said the oppositors to the probate process had not presented any evidence to the court that would show that there was undue influence or pressure exerted on the petitioner before or during the execution of her last will and testament. The court said the petitioner (Olivia) had shown to the court and proved that it was her personal decision to make a last will and testament and that she asked her lawyers to prepare a draft containing all the provisions she wanted. Olivia was 85 years old when she made her last will and testament and proved she was in full possession of all her reasoning faculties or her mind was unbroken, unimpaired or unshattered by disease, injury or other cause at that time. The petitioner said she knew the nature and extent of her estate and she clearly understood the importance and consequences of making a last will and testament. The petitioner signed the will in the presence of four subscribing witnesses. The will was also acknowledged before a notary public by the petitioner and the instrumental witnesses. Judge Bernad said that in considering the petition and the opposition, the court kept the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in mind and only looked at the issue of the extrinsic validity of the last will and testament of Olivia Yanson. The Supreme Court in a 2020 ruling said "the main issue which the court must determine in a probate proceeding is the due execution or the extrinsic validity of the will as provided in Section 1, Rule 75 of the Rules of Court.” It said the probate court could not inquire into the intrinsic validity of the will or the disposition of the estate by the testator. Thus, due execution is "whether the testator, being sound of mind, freely executed the will in accordance with the formalities prescribed by law." The post Court approves Yanson matriarch’s last will disinheriting 4 children appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go bats for health budget increase
In a Committee on Finance hearing on Thursday, 28 September, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go called for an increase in the proposed 2024 budget for the Department of Health in order to ensure proper implementation of the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act, as well as the establishment of more Super Health Centers, and continuing operations of Malasakit Centers nationwide — all aimed at bringing medical services closer to Filipinos in need. Go highlighted the importance of Republic Act No. 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the measure, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on 24 August. "Masaya po ako na priority din ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos," he said, noting that the act garnered a unanimous 24-0 vote in the Senate. "Lahat ay sumuporta dito dahil na-explain natin ng mabuti na makakatulong talaga ito sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap," he elaborated. This legislation aims to decentralize specialized medical services, making them accessible across all regions. "Nabanggit ko parati na tulad yung mga taga-Zamboanga ay pwede na po sila… may paglalagyan na doon ng Heart Center," he said, emphasizing the hardship people from remote areas face when seeking specialized healthcare in Manila. "Alam naman natin napakahirap pong pumunta dito sa Maynila. Wala silang pamasahe — ‘yung mga pasyente," he continued. On the budgetary front, Go stressed the need for adequate funding to establish the specialty centers under the law. He pointed out that while a more substantial fund is expected for 2025, thanks to other sources such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support, the budget for next year must be made sufficient to ensure proper initial implementation of the law. On the other hand, Go continues to advocate for more Super Health Centers which are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its Konsulta program. ”Ito pong Super Health Centers makaka-complement po ito sa programa ng PhilHealth, sa Konsulta package ninyo," he said. Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine. The senator also addressed the need for a comprehensive assessment to ensure there are no personnel shortages and that the Super Health Centers operate effectively. "Tama yung sinabi ni Senator Loren (Legarda) kanina, importante po ay ma-assess nang mabuti para masiguro na hindi magiging... magkakaroon ng kakulangan sa personnel, baka hindi po kayanin ng LGUs," he cautioned. Finally, Go also emphasized the vital role of Malasakit Centers in providing medical financial aid to indigent patients all over the country. "Marami sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan ang umaasa po sa tulong ng gobyerno kapag sila ay na-oospital," he said, urging for the centers' continued efficient operation to benefit the nation's impoverished citizens. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The most recent center was inaugurated at Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, an event Go attended on 15 September. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided assistance to more than seven million Filipinos so far. The post Bong Go bats for health budget increase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR suspends Socorro Bayanihan’s protected area agreement
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday said it ordered the suspension of the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement of the controversial organization Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga issued a Letter of Suspension to SBSI pending further investigation into its alleged gross violations of the terms and conditions of the PACBRMA. Based on DENR records, the SBSI originated from the “Tinabangay” group of Socorro, Surigao del Norte who were organized as early as 1974 by the late Don Albino Taruc. The group was incorporated and registered as a People’s Organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 20 December 1980. SBSI applied and was subsequently awarded a PACBRMA by virtue of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992, implemented by DENR Administrative Order 2004-32, issued on 31 August 2004. The agreement, signed on 15 June 2004, covers 353 hectares of land located in the northeast part of Barangay Sering, overlooking the northeast portion of Bucas Grande Island. A PACBRMA is a legal instrument between the DENR and tenured migrant groups to develop and conserve a portion of a Protected Area for a 25-year period. Under the provisions of the PACBRMA, SBSI was granted certain rights and privileges over the awarded area within its established Multiple-Use Zone. Together with the DENR, SBSI developed its Community-Based Resource Management Plan, which was affirmed in 2013. In 2019, the DENR began its investigation of alleged SBSI activities that violated the PACBRMA, including restriction of entry into the area; establishment of checkpoints and military-like training; the resignation of teachers, uniformed personnel and barangay officials; and establishment of structures within the PACBRMA area. Inter-governmental efforts were also made to address the concerns raised against SBSI and to get them to comply with the terms of the PACBRMA. In 2019, SBSI submitted its updated CBRMP but was disapproved by the DENR due to non-compliance with certain provisions under the agreement. SBSI has not been able to resubmit its CBRMP. In 2021 and 2022, the DENR called the attention of SBSI on recurring violations. In both instances, there was no response from SBSI, triggered the issuance of a Letter of Suspension on Friday, 29 September 2023. Loyzaga said the DENR will work with the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and other authorities to ensure the smooth and peaceful enforcement of the suspension notice and the possible resettlement of the occupants. The post DENR suspends Socorro Bayanihan’s protected area agreement appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DITO passed 4th technical audit
DITO Telecommunity, a China-backed company that broke the industry duopoly of Globe and PLDT, has passed its fourth government-mandated technical audit that measures its compliance with network coverage and internet speed commitments. In a letter sent to DITO Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC confirmed that it passed its fourth yearly technical audit. The independent audit is part of the conditions outlined in the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or CPCN given to the company. The Independent Auditor’s Report of Factual Findings from the Conduct of Specified Procedures — Year 4 Committed Levels of Service dated 29 August submitted by R.G. Manabat & Co. to the NTC stated that DITO surpassed its target. As part of the issuance of its CPCN in July 2019, DITO Telecommunity needs to record 70.01 percent network reach with a minimum speed of 55 Mbps in the third year of its commitment period. Notably, the audit showed that DITO now covers 80.65 percent of national population coverage. Affordable Internet fulfilled Its minimum average broadband speed or MABS, meanwhile, clocked in at 74.97 Mbps for 4G and 639.32 Mbps for 5G for all sites with a combined MABS of 357.14 Mbps. “Despite all the challenges that we have faced, we continue to achieve our commitments to government and the Filipino people, to provide affordable world-class service and to serve the underserved. This is in support of the Marcos administration’s drive towards digitalization and Nation-building,” Tamano said. If DITO fails to fulfill its commitments on time, the government forfeits, in its favor, the P25.7 billion performance bond that DITO paid before construction activities. DITO has promised to cover 84 percent of the Philippines and offer a minimum average speed of at least 55 Mbps by the end of its commitment. DITO recently conveyed that unresolved interconnection issues with its rivals have been affecting its subscriber base expansion as well as its development of new products for users. The PCC affirmed DITO’s complaints last year over the alleged anti-competitive behavior of its rivals regarding their interconnection deals. PCC said it found “reasonable grounds to open a preliminary inquiry into the complaints filed by Dito Telecommunity against Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.” Under Executive Order 59 issued by late President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993, interconnection is a mandated and important component of the telco industry as it allows interoperability and exchange of calls, SMS, and other information from one network to another. The post DITO passed 4th technical audit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides more support to TESDA graduates in Negros Occidental
Senator Bong Go congratulated Technical Education and Skills Development Authority trainees who graduated in Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Friday, 15 September. During the program held at the Victorias City Training Center, in partnership with E-Tech Global Training Academy, Go’s team provided shirts, grocery packs, and snacks to 75 graduates. In his video message, the senator seized the opportunity to applaud the graduates for their dedication and resilience in successfully accomplishing their training programs. “Binabati ko po ang lahat ng mga graduates ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ngayong araw na ito. Malaking tagumpay po ito para sa inyong lahat dulot ng inyong mga pagsisikap upang makumpleto ang inyong pag-aaral,” said Go. The senator also underscored the significance of vocational education in empowering individuals and fostering the progress of communities. He recognized the role played by TESDA in delivering accessible and high-quality training programs that equip Filipinos with the necessary skills to attain improved job prospects and actively participate in the country’s economic development. “We need more skilled workers in various industries, and I encourage you graduates to use your newly acquired skills to help our country's economy grow. You are now equipped to contribute to our society and make a positive impact in your respective communities,” Go encouraged. "Your hard work and commitment to honing your skills have not gone unnoticed. Today, you stand as a testament to the power of determination and the transformative impact of vocational education. I commend each and every one of you for your achievements," he added. Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography encouraged the public to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Center located at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital located in Bacolod City. Go, principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, has championed the cause of providing convenient access to medical assistance programs for particularly poor and indigent patients. Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers established throughout the nation, which have already assisted more than seven million Filipinos, as reported by DOH. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has backed numerous initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and raising the standards of public service delivery within the province. These include the construction of a revetment, multi-purpose public facilities, and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto. Other initiatives that Go pushed for include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City; road maintenance in Bago City; and construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City. Last 25 August, Go’s team provided assistance to struggling small business owners in Cauayan. The post Bong Go provides more support to TESDA graduates in Negros Occidental appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success
In 2007, sports patron and prominent business executive Manny V. Pangilinan flew to Geneva to mend the country’s scarred relationship with FIBA when the Philippines was suspended due to a struggle between the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Olympic Committee. Over the years, MVP, along with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or SBP, were able to make amends and formed a strong bond with FIBA. And as they say, the rest was history. MVP’s vision to host the FIBA World Cup in a tri-nation bid was approved. The country, together with Japan and Indonesia, was granted to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, with 32 teams competing for the coveted Naismith trophy for the 2023 Last Sunday, the World Cup curtain finally closed, with several records written, erased, and etched in FIBA history. First, the expanded World Cup adopted by the organizers successfully achieved a more competitive playing field. Nine of the 32 that came to this World Cup did not play in the previous World Cup. After two weeks of grueling competition, six of the eight countries that previously entered the quarterfinals in the 2019 World Cup failed to advance to the next round. Argentina, France, Spain, Poland, Australia, and the Czech Republic were eliminated earlier in the group stages, with only the US and Serbia moving to the semi-final round. Second, for the first time since it participated in the tournament, Germany won the World Cup championship, beating all its opponents in the elimination rounds for an immaculate 7-0 and completing an 8-0 game sweep by beating Serbia in the final, 83-77. FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis was quoted by AP saying the expanded qualification field “has changed global basketball on the men’s side.” Third, the three host countries had record-breaking attendance, a rousing success for the tri-nation hosting of the world’s biggest basketball show. Across 92 games in 15 days in five different venues (three in Manila, one each in Okinawa and Jakarta), Zagklis said the World Cup drew a total of 700,000 fans pending the final numbers from the bronze-medal match between USA and Canada and Serbia-Germany finale. In the opener on 25 August, the Philippines tallied a World Cup record featuring 38,115 fans who witnessed the thrilling battle between home team Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The milestone highlighted the Philippines’ hosting and smashed the previous record of 32,616 spectators who watched the gold medal match between the USA and Russia in the 1994 games in Toronto, Canada. Zaglis was all praises for the three countries, especially the Philippines, whom he described as an excellent host. “I don’t think it’s easy to find anywhere in the world that has this kind of service to the visitors. Always with a smile and kindness and with a solution-oriented approach. I can only express how grateful FIBA is to the Philippines,” Zaglis said. SBP president Al S. Panlilio had mixed emotions as the FIBA World Cup ended. “We have proven that our country can host a global basketball event as huge as the FIBA World Cup. Everyone involved — the local organizing committee, various private and public stakeholders, volunteers, peace and order personnel, traffic enforcers, the LGUs, and basketball-loving Pinoys who bravely trooped to the venues to watch the games — must be congratulated for making the event a whopping success.” “But there’s also a feeling of extreme bittersweetness as it comes to an end, yet overshadowed by extreme hopefulness for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar,” he added. Panlilio spearheaded the country’s bid for the multiple-nation hosting of the World Cup along with MVP, SBP chairman emeritus, in 2017. He acknowledged what MVP did to bring the FIBA World Cup to the Philippines with his creative vision of bidding for multi-nation hosting. “It was a privilege to help realize that creative vision by collaboratively working with various groups and stakeholders and successfully hosting the World Cup. We are proud of the effort everyone contributed to make this huge undertaking a monumental and amazing feat,” Panlilio said. The post A resounding FIBA World Cup hosting success appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go urges DOH to intensify info drive on health programs
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has made an urgent appeal to the Department of Health (DOH) to intensify its information dissemination efforts in light of a recent national survey, which showed that most Filipinos are unaware of the various health programs intended to benefit them. The survey, conducted by data analytics firm Capstone-Intel Corp., found that while 83 percent of the 1,205 participants were aware of DOH's functions, only 50 percent were aware of the government's HIV/AIDS programs. Awareness levels for other programs like Universal Health Care, National Tuberculosis Control, and mental health were even lower, ranging from 28 to 45 percent. Go, who has been an advocate for better access to healthcare services, urged DOH to take these findings seriously. "The lack of awareness is a reflection of lives that could be at risk. We need to step up our information campaigns, especially in far-flung areas," said Go. “Lagi nating tandaan na ang katumbas ng kalusugan ay buhay ng bawat Pilipino! Tayong mga nasa gobyerno, ilapit natin ang serbisyo sa mga taong nangangailangan nito lalo na pagdating sa kanilang kalusugan,” he stressed further. Go emphasized the importance of utilizing various platforms, including social media, to reach a wider audience. "We need to be where the people are. Gamitin natin ang teknolohiya at gawing abot-kamay sa lahat ang impormasyon tungkol sa ating health programs," he suggested. Go also stressed the need for collaboration with local government units (LGUs) to ensure that information reaches even the most remote areas. "Mahalaga ang papel ng mga LGU sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon. They are our partners in making sure that every Filipino is aware of the health services available to them," he said. “Bukod sa impormasyon, dapat ilapit natin talaga ang serbisyo at tulong, kasama na dyan ang gamot, konsultasyon, primary care at early detection of diseases sa mga komunidad,” he added. Meanwhile, the senator also highlighted his ongoing efforts to bring services closer to the people through initiatives like Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 159 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH. He likewise reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots. Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine. Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on August 24. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure. Go then emphasized that the ultimate goal is to bring both vital information and actual services closer to the Filipino people. "We have to bridge the gap. Let's make healthcare not just something people hear about but something they can actually experience and benefit from," he concluded. The post Bong Go urges DOH to intensify info drive on health programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoC reveries
An aversion to table the West Philippine Sea conflict and speeding up the progress of the Code of Conduct, or CoC, between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and China is very evident in the ongoing Summit in Indonesia. The maritime conflict is not even on the official agenda and will be tackled only through optional bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the yearly assembly, which is all under the wishes of China. ASEAN, thus, is pushing itself into irrelevance by acceding to the wishes of China and its cohorts in the regional bloc like Cambodia. Despite its existence as an Economic Community since its inception, with full integration envisioned in 2025, much of its aspirations, including being a cohesive body to advance the interests of its members, remain a pipe dream. The CoC would have been a stellar achievement, but it was described as a moving goal post for more than two decades. In the ongoing ASEAN meeting, all that host Indonesia was able to commit to was a three-year deadline to finalize a CoC. Another set of guidelines is, thus, expected after the Jakarta assembly instead of a pact that will bind all the claimants in the maritime conflict. The guidelines, moreover, will have to be endorsed by regional leaders during the ASEAN-China Summit that is scheduled later. The Philippines is not confident about a substantial progress in the CoC despite its being the most urgent matter to maintain stability in the region. An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said the outcome of talks on the long-delayed CoC will be limited “to mere reporting of past discussions.” “At most, there will be a report on what happened during the last meeting in the Philippines of the joint working group on the CoC,” which hardly equates to progress. During the third round of CoC talks in Manila from 22 to 24 August, discussions were stuck on the contentious issues of whether or not the CoC would be “legally binding.” China has historically resisted a legally binding CoC, the reason for the existence of the non-binding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DoC. In 2019, Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated his optimism that a CoC would be completed within three years, or by 2022. It is now 2023. He also announced that China supported a CoC that had “binding force” and was “an upgraded and strengthened version” of the DoC. The discussions then came to a head due to the different perspectives among those at the negotiating table, which are the same obstacles blocking the resolution of the maritime rift. China has refused to recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration award that the Philippines and other claimant countries use as a basis for their position in the DoC negotiations. In not recognizing the arbitral ruling and insisting on its historical basis for the territorial claims, China and ASEAN are not on the same page in the negotiations, meaning that hopes for an agreement are futile. Like what happened in the local context when the Communist Party of the Philippines sued for negotiations with the government and used it to consolidate its forces, China uses the CoC discussions as a delaying tactic to fortify its position. Its recent release of the 10-dash line, which was a rewriting of its territorial boundaries again based on historical data, proves China is not about to change its position. According to reports on the Summit, China will only support a legally binding code when its historical version prevails. Another term that China wants included in the negotiations is barring countries outside the region from interfering. It also wants economic activities at sea, including oil and gas development, “to be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region.” China also wants the CoC signatories not to “hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection.” The untenable conditions appear designed to prevent the CoC from ever coming into being. The post CoC reveries appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Deforestation in Brazil Amazon falls, more Indigenous reserves approved
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 66 percent in August versus the same month last year, the government said Tuesday, while also announcing the demarcation of two new Indigenous reserves. "In August, we had a reduction of 66.11 percent in deforestation" in Brazil's share of the world's biggest rainforest, Environment Minister Marina Silva told a ceremony marking Amazon Day. That followed a similar year-on-year drop of 66 percent in July -- both crucial months in the Amazon, where deforestation typically surges this time of year with the onset of drier weather. According to satellite monitoring by Brazil's space research institute, INPE, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon wiped out 1,661 square kilometers (641 square miles) in August 2022, the last year of far-right Jair Bolsonaro's term. Bolsonaro (2019-2022), an ally of the powerful agribusiness industry blamed for driving the destruction, presided over a sharp increase in deforestation in the Amazon. "These results show the determination of the Lula administration to break the cycle of abandonment and regression seen under the previous government," Silva said. "If we don't protect the forest and its people, we'll condemn the world to a brutal increase of CO2 emissions and, as a result, accelerating climate change." New indigenous reserves Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who previously led Brazil from 2003 to 2010, returned to office in January vowing to protect the threatened Amazon, whose carbon-absorbing trees are a vital buffer against global warming. Key to that pledge, researchers say, are Indigenous reserves, considered bulwarks against deforestation. "If there is no future for the Amazon and its people, there will be no future for the planet either," Lula said in his announcement of the two new reserves. His government in April already issued decrees recognizing six new Indigenous territories, authorizing Indigenous peoples to occupy the land and have exclusive use of its resources. Another six could be demarcated by the end of the year, the government said Tuesday. The country has some 800 reserves, but around a third of them have not been officially demarcated, according to Brazil's Indigenous Affairs agency. No new reserves had been demarcated under Bolsonaro. The demarcations -- of the 187,000-hectare (462,000-acre) Rio Gregorio reserve and the 18,000-hectare (44,000-acre) Acapuri de Cima reserve -- come as the country awaits a key Supreme Court decision that could derail or enshrine Indigenous gains. The law currently only recognizes ancestral territories that were occupied by Indigenous communities at the time Brazil's constitution was promulgated in 1988. But Indigenous leaders say certain territories were no longer occupied at that point because communities had been expelled from them, particularly during the military dictatorship from the 1960s to the 1980s. The case will either validate or invalidate the 1988 cut-off. So far, six of 11 judges have voted -- four against the cut-off, and two in favor. Voting is set to resume on 20 September. Indigenous reserves occupy 13.75 percent of Brazil's territory, with most -- like the two approved Tuesday -- in the Amazon. The post Deforestation in Brazil Amazon falls, more Indigenous reserves approved appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides additional support to micro-entrepreneurs in Roxas City, Capiz
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, on Thursday, August 31, provided livelihood support to 43 microentrepreneurs at Barangay Dayao in Roxas City, Capiz, who had previously been impacted by different crises. The identified microentrepreneurs are also beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program. Aside from the livelihood assistance, Go’s team also distributed snacks, masks, shirt, shoes, and basketballs to the beneficiaries. Select beneficiaries also received cellphones. “Nais kong magpasalamat sa DTI sa inyong PPG program dahil hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tulong kundi pati na rin ng sapat na kaalaman at kakayahan para sa mga pamilyang apektado ng iba't-ibang kalamidad, tulad nitong pandemya,” Go said. “Ang PPG program ay isang malinaw na halimbawa kung paano natin maipapakita ang malasakit at suporta sa ating mga kababayan na tinamaan ng mga pagsubok. Ang inyong pagsisikap ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga pamilya at indibidwal, kundi pati na rin sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan ng pagbangon,” he continued. Go pushed for DTI’s PPG program during the Duterte administration to help boost the livelihood of communities affected by crises. He continues to support the implementation of the program to help uplift individuals and families, particularly those engaged in micro-enterprises, who have been adversely affected by health disasters like epidemics and pandemics, calamities such as fires, armed conflicts, and the like. “Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo. Kapag lumago ang inyong negosyo, dalhin niyo po ang mga kita sa inyong mga pamilya... mas masarap sa pakiramdam kapag pinagpawisan at pinaghirapan niyo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo at napalago ninyo,” Go said. Go likewise conveyed his appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the enactment of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program into law. The OTOP Philippines Program, authored and co-sponsored by Go, represents a governmental stimulus strategy strategically crafted to nurture the expansion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide. The program places a strong emphasis on harnessing local resources while concurrently safeguarding the rich tapestry of cultural heritage. Meanwhile, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go encouraged residents to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in the city where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from existing programs of the government. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, mandates DOH-run hospitals, plus the Philippine General Hospital, to provide necessary assistance to indigent patients by covering various patient services and fees. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped over seven million poor and indigent Filipinos, according to DOH. Meanwhile, citing how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial need to fill in the gaps in the country’s healthcare system, Go continues to push for the establishment of Super Health Centers. Go said that the centers can significantly help reduce occupancy rates in main hospitals by making available basic health services in communities, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit, among others. Through Go's initiative and with the help of his fellow legislators, some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022. He also successfully pushed for the funding of at least 322 more Super Health Centers in this year's health budget. Super Health Centers will also be established in strategic areas in the province, such as in Dumalag, Tapaz, Jamindan, Mambusao, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, President Roxas, Sigma, and Roxas City. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of several river control structures, road rehabilitation along Iloilo East Coast to Capiz Road, and the road concretion along Maayon to Palagian Provincial Road. #### The post Bong Go provides additional support to micro-entrepreneurs in Roxas City, Capiz appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC orders localized class suspension
The Quezon City government early morning Monday left the discretion of suspending classes due to continuous rain to barangay and school officials , Angelbert Apostol, the city information chief, announced. Those who immediately ordered the suspension of classes are Barangay Holy Spirit for its (Public Pre-school to Senior High School — Morning and Afternoon Class); Barangay Bagong Silangan (Public Pre-school to Senior High School) and Barangay Payatas (Public Pre-school to Senior High School). Apostol said the discretion is allowed through Memorandum Circular No. 10-A series of 2022 under the Department of Education Order 037 series of 2022. Suspension of classes in private schools, on the other hand, is left to the discretion of school officials. Apostol added that decision to suspend classes is left to the barangay for having their own “pre-disaster risk assessment” in consultation with school officials. Over a year ago exactly on 22 August 2022, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a Memorandum Circular No. 10 instructing the local School Division Office and Public and Private Education Institutions to adhere to Localized Suspension of Classes due to typhoons, floodings and other weather disturbances and calamities. The circular noted an “automatic suspension classes” based on Department of Education 014 Series of 202, that dictated “classes shall automatically be suspended in case the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has declared the following typhoon signal: Signal Number 1 — all public and private pre-school kindergarten classes; Signal Number 2 or higher — public and private pre-school kindergarten elementary and secondary classes. College and university level classes are suspended if the typhoon signal is raised to Number 3, pursuant to Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 15 Series of 2019 ordering an automatic suspension of classes on Higher Education Institutions when Signal Number 3 is raised by PAGASA. It also carries an order that suspension of work in public schools “shall be in accordance with DepEd Order No. 14 Series of 2021 and CHEd Memorandum Order No.15 Series of 2012 for HEIs.” Meanwhile, the cities of Parañaque and Pasay yesterday suspended classes in all levels in public and private schools due to inclement weather. Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez ordered the suspension in all levels both in public and private schools upon the recommendation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The mayor said the recommendation of suspension of classes by the DRRMO was due to the continuous southwest monsoon rains enhanced by typhoon “Hanna.” Residents were told, especially those living in low-lying areas, to immediately call the city government in case of emergencies through its hotline numbers. (For landline: 8820-PQUE (7783), for Smart : 0961-096-6341 and for Globe users at 0956-394-0176.) All residents were advised by the mayor to just stay home for their safety. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano also suspended online and face-to-face classes in all levels both in public and private schools. The mayor advised residents living in flood-prone areas to be alert and vigilant as rains continue to pour. The post QC orders localized class suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Return separation pay, viral ex-cop told
Brig. Gen. Niño David Rabaya, director of the Philippine National Police-Retirement and Benefits Administration Service, demanded from viral road rage ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales the return of the money he received despite his dismissal from the police service. Gonzales was dismissed for grave misconduct in 2018, two years after he retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 where he got his separation pay. His dismissal which stemmed from a gun-toting incident he was involved in in 2006 led to the forfeiture of his benefits retroactively. In a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday, Rabaya, said Gonzales is required to bring back to the PNP around P588,000 sending him letters demanding the return of the money, since 2019 but they have yet to get any response from him. “It’s basically his terminal leave or leave credits as he also received ‘three’ year lump sum pension starting 2016 to 2019 but when the PRBS was able to receive the dismissal order, his monthly pension which was supposed to start in 2019 was not anymore activated. So basically he is not anymore receiving pension from us,” Rabaya told reporters. “As a matter of procedure, we are already preparing the demand letter for patrolman Gonzales to return the money. We will be taking civil action against him. We have already referred this to our legal then civil action will be taken against him if he refuses to return the amount,” he stressed. The QC People’s Law Enforcement Board started the conduct of a thorough investigation of the incident upon the order of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. The probe aims to identify the lapses committed by the police during the settlement of the case. Gonzales is currently in hot water after he was involved in a viral altercation with a cyclist in Quezon City on 28 August. He hit the cyclist on his head and even pulled out and cocked his gun. Gonzales said they had already settled the matter in a police station. It was reported that the cyclist paid Gonzales P500 for the damages to his vehicle during the settlement. Gonzales is now facing charges for alarm and scandal filed by the Quezon City Police District. The PNP Firearms and Explosives Office also revoked the License to Own and Possess Firearm, Firearm Registration and Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence of Gonzales. The Land Transportation Office also issued a 90-day preventive suspension on Gonzales’ driver’s license pending the conduct of an investigation on the matter. The post Return separation pay, viral ex-cop told appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Delivery Rider ibinandera ang ‘Cum Laude’ niyang anak sa trabaho viral na: ‘Nakaka-proud maging magulang!’
NAKAKAANTIG damdamin ang ibinandera ng isang netizen sa social media matapos nitong madaanan ang isang rider na proud na proud sa achievement ng kanyang anak habang siya’y nagtatrabaho. Ayon sa Facebook post ng uploader na si Mark Palanca, nadatnan niya si kuya rider sa daan habang pauwi na siya noong August 25. “’Yung pagod ka The post Delivery Rider ibinandera ang ‘Cum Laude’ niyang anak sa trabaho viral na: ‘Nakaka-proud maging magulang!’ appeared first on Bandera......»»
DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects
A partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila, along with other Rotary Clubs in the country can realize the government’s objective of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia. [caption id="attachment_179067" align="aligncenter" width="2430"] Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, in her speech as guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club's weekly meeting at the Manila Polo Club last 31 August, said it was her ‘sincere hope that with the partnership of the Rotary Club, as well as its members and the captains of industry who contribute in one way or another to the project of nation-building, we can ensure that our country — through tourism — will have a more primary role in Asia as a tourism powerhouse.’[/caption] This was the call made by Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Frasco after presenting the stance of the tourism industry in the country before members and officers of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club’s membership meeting at the Manila Polo Club last Thursday, 31 August 2023. Frasco reported that the efforts of the DoT, along with the whole-of-government approach ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in implementing the department’s projects with an eye to restoring the glory of the tourism industry has resulted as of 30 August 2023 into 3.6 million international arrivals, surpassing the total number of international arrivals last 2022. The figure is already 75.92 percent of the country’s target of 4.8 million tourist arrivals this year. “Philippine tourism contributed 6.2 percent to our gross domestic product in 2022; it is being hailed by our economic managers as the second growth driver in the first six months of this year,” she said. By the end of 2022, Frasco said the tourism industry has contributed over P1.87 trillion to the Philippine economy as a composite of international and domestic spending, representing a 67 percent recovery since 2019. “Tourism also contributed over 5.5 million in tourism employment, an 11 percent share of the national employment, and also represents over 93 percent in recovery from 2019 data,” she added. Frasco also said that the rallying of Philippine tourism after the battering it got from the pandemic stands at 66.3 percent, higher than the 54 percent average recovery of ASEAN nations in 2022. As per tourism receipts, Frasco said the industry has already breached P285.9 billion as of 31 July 2023. Pillars of Tourism The Tourism secretary stressed that to give the Philippines a fighting chance at standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its neighbors in the ASEAN region, her department had crafted the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028, which does not only focus on the promotion of tourism alone but also in analyzing and understanding the essential pillars of tourism. Approved by President Marcos Jr. last May 2023, the NTDP provides a framework to guide the development and implementation of programs, projects, and activities towards a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism industry. NTDP’s seven strategic goals include improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility; cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity; enhancement of overall tourist experience; equalization of tourism product development and promotion; diversification of the tourism portfolio through multidimensional tourism; maximization of domestic and international tourism; and strengthening tourism governance through close collaborations with national and local stakeholders. Putting the Plan into concrete action, the DoT hopes to have an accumulated total of 51.9 million tourist arrivals and 34.7 million tourism-related jobs in the country by 2028. Frasco said in terms of infrastructure, the DoT has partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve accessibility in the regions with tourism sites. “This is by constructing, rehabilitating and adding tourism roads leading to tourist destinations. This year, over 158 kilometers of tourism roads have already been constructed,” she said. Aside from this, Frasco said the DoT has also coordinated with the Department of Transportation in improving connectivity, primarily in the country’s gateways for the improvement of flights and tourist journeys. With this, Frasco said the country is starting to see robust recovery of connectivity in the country, including a 100 percent increase in flights in Clark International Airport; a 614 percent increase in flights in Kalibo International Airport; and over a 300 percent increase in flights in Mactan-Cebu International Airport, among other airports in the country. Moreover, she said they also partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the purpose of improving internet connectivity across 94 tourist destinations in the country. Connectivity in 47 of these destinations have already improved, according to Frasco. e-VISA Furthermore, Frasco said the DoT has engaged with other government agencies, namely the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the DICT, and the Bureau of Immigration for the streamlining of the visa application process, aiming to enhance convenience and accessibility for all international travelers, starting with Chinese visitors. Last 24 August, the DFA implemented the Philippine e-Visa system in Philippine Foreign Service Posts in China. The Philippine e-Visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitor visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile devices. Other initiatives conceptualized by the DoT to improve the tourism experience include the “Hop in Hop Off” project; being part of the “Love the Philippines” tourism slogan; the “Philippine Experience”; facilitating a cultural tourism circuit development focused on heritage, culture, and arts to enhance current tour and domestic circuit offerings, which include Food and Gastronomy, Pilgrimage and Wellness, Living Cultures and Heritage, and an Arts caravan. In order to equip Filipino tourism workers, the DoT is set on training 100,000 of these workers and capitalize on the world-renowned Filipino hospitality. “We have already managed to train over 71,000 Filipino workers,” Frasco said. Optimistic “Frasco said the Marcos administration remains optimistic about tourism recovery and the resurgence of the nation. “Our numbers will indicate that tourism will continue to be a top economic driver that will provide massive employment and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos and our MSMEs,” she said. With the launch of the enhanced “Love the Philippines” branding, Frasco maintained that it would give the country a better opportunity to be reintroduced to the world. The post DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lone Phl, SE Asian entry vies for Venice short film honors
Sam Manacsa’s sophomore film Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, the only entry from the Philippines and Southeast Asia, vies to win the Orizzonti Short Film Competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Produced by Chad Angelic Cabigon and Carlo Francisco Manatad, Cross My Heart and Hope to Die tells the story of a girl named Mila who remains unpaid at work. She finds comfort in her love interest’s constant phone calls. But that promise of hope may lead to tragedy and sad love songs. [caption id="attachment_179113" align="aligncenter" width="1391"] BEHIND the scenes of ‘Cross My Heart and Hope to Die.’[/caption] “There are dire consequences in a culture devoid of empathy and morality. But who will be there to witness it and suffer? This chronicles a woman in her struggles, of oppression that stems from a semblance of entitlement and the depths of desperation where it leads to, grasping onto anything that may provide solace,” Manacsa said in a statement. On 30 August, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Milan and some members of the Filipino community attended the film’s world premiere at the prestigious film festival held at Lido de Venezia. Cross My Heart and Hope to Die will go against Marina Alberti’s Aitana, Leila Basma’s Sea Salt, Erenik Beqiri’s A Short Trip, Wissam Charaf’s Et Si Soleil Plongeait Dans L’Ocean De Nues, Nina Gantz’s Wander to Wonder, Margherita Giusti’s The Meatseller, Aldo Luliano’s Dive, Iggy London’s Area Boy, Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani’s Dar Saaye Sarv (In The Shadow of the Cypress), Esteban Pedraza’s Bogota Story, Xandra Popsecu’s Sentimental Stories and Wu Lang’s Duan Pian Gushi (Short Story). [caption id="attachment_179114" align="aligncenter" width="1572"] Jorrybell Agoto as Mila. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ‘CROSS MY HEART HOPE TO DIE’[/caption] Manacsa helmed Kung Wala Nang Tulad Natin in 2016. She also served as art director for Whether the Weather is Fine (2021), Sila-Sila (2019) and Never Tear Us Apart (2018). Winners of different categories in the film festival will be announced on 9 September. The post Lone Phl, SE Asian entry vies for Venice short film honors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»