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DavOr, UNDP partner on disaster resilience
DAVAO CITY — The provincial government here and the United Nations Development Programme under the Australia-supported Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change program recently signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the disaster and climate resilience of its emerging tourism and agribusiness sectors. In a statement Thursday, Governor Niño Sotero Uy Jr. and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrié recently signed the agreement for SHIELD in Mati City. Uy said that climate change continues to advance at an unprecedented rate and the signing of the MoU is timely as it serves as their commitment to actively build institutional and community resilience to disasters and climate change.” “It will support the updating of our Provincial Physical Development Framework Plan and help us prepare for the rollout of the Community Based Monitoring System in the province, making our communities safer and more empowered in the face of extreme events,” Uy said. Representing the Australian Embassy, First Secretary Paul Harrington said that: Through the flagship resilience initiative SHIELD, they aim to further strengthen local government capacities by working closely with provincial and municipal governments towards a safer and more resilient Davao Oriental. Tourism is booming in Davao Oriental and is a major economic driver in the province due to its pristine forests, beaches, waterfalls and historical sites. However, the constant threat of disasters and climate change looms over the province due to its geospatial features. Davao Oriental is situated along the eastern seaboard of the country and portions of the province are located along the Philippine Fault system. The province has experienced destructive earthquakes and typhoons in the past, such as typhoon “Pablo” in 2012, which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of families. The post DavOr, UNDP partner on disaster resilience appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Australia’s biggest warship deployed in Philippine drills
Australia's largest warship took part in joint drills with the Philippines and the United States in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, as they seek to strengthen defence ties in the face of China's growing military presence. China deploys hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarize reefs in the contested waters, which it claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis. HMAS Canberra is one of several ships involved in Exercise Alon in the Philippines, which is being held for the first time as part of Australia's annual Indo-Pacific Endeavour activity. Alon is Tagalog for "wave". More than 2,000 troops from Australia and the Philippines are taking part in the August 14-31 air, sea and land exercises. About 150 US Marines are also participating. Monday's simulated air assault in the south of the Philippine island of Palawan happened around 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the Spratly Islands, where longstanding tensions between Manila and Beijing have flared. "Like the Philippines, Australia wants a peaceful, stable and prosperous region which respects sovereignty and which is guided by rules-based order," Hae Kyong Yu, Australia's ambassador to Manila, said at Tarumpitao Point Airfield. Such exercises were "critical" because "through these we are putting our words into action", she said. The United States, Japan and Australia will also hold joint naval exercises off the Philippines this week. "That's always been the plan," Captain Phillipa Hay, commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Force, told reporters on board the HMAS Canberra. "Those ships have come from Talisman Sabre (exercises in Australia) and everyone is on their way home, it's very normal for us to train in company with partners when we proceed to and from exercises." The drills come after a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratlys was blocked by Chinese Coast Guard vessels using water cannon on August 5, triggering a diplomatic spat and international outrage. One of the charter boats carrying supplies to the outpost was prevented from reaching the shoal, while the other succeeded in unloading its cargo. The Philippine military has said it will send more supplies to the remote outpost, where a handful of Filipino marines are stationed on a rusty navy vessel. The BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on the reef in 1999 to check China's advance in the waters. China has demanded the Philippines remove the vessel and defended its actions as "professional". The post Australia’s biggest warship deployed in Philippine drills appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Allied nations tell China: Acknowledge arbitral ruling
The Philippines marked the seventh anniversary of its landmark victory against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration with an outpouring of support from different countries. At least eight nations on Wednesday renewed their support for the 2016 Hague ruling that cemented Manila’s claim to the West Philippine Sea. Diplomats from the United States, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and the European Union called on China to acknowledge the ruling and stop its “harassment” of claimant states in the South China Sea. On this day, seven years ago, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands favored the Philippines’ claim to the West Philippine Sea, rejecting China’s nine-dash line claim. “We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; to cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; [and to] halt its disruption of states’ sovereign right to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage their natural resources,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Miller called on Beijing to end its “interference” with the freedom of navigation and the overflight of states lawfully operating in the region. “We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law,” he said. Last week, Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and carried out “dangerous maneuvers” against Philippine Coast Guard ships in the Ayungin Shoal. Beijing, however, countered Manila’s claim, saying the Chinese maneuvers were “professional and restrained.” It also insisted on its territorial claim over Ayungin Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Reef, saying the Philippines “intruded” into its waters. Ayungin Shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. ‘Final, legally binding’ Japan also joined the growing pressure on China to recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling which it described as “final and legally binding.” “As the tribunal’s award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the parties to this case, the Philippines and China, are required to comply with the award,” Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshima said in a statement. “The claim by China that it will not accept the award is against the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS, and undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community,” he added. According to Hayashi, Tokyo “strongly hopes” that the parties’ compliance with the award will “lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.” “Upholding and reinforcing the free and open international order based on the rule of law will be to the benefit of all countries, large and small,” he said. He noted that Japan renewed its objection to China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, saying that these were “inconsistent” with UNCLOS. He also said that it remained “seriously concerned” about the current situation in the area. “Japan will continue working in coordination with ASEAN and other countries concerned to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law.” ‘Strongly opposes’ Likewise, the European Union “strongly opposes” any “unilateral attempts” to change the peacefully established status of territories by “force or coercion” anywhere in the world, be it in Eastern Europe or the South China Sea. In a forum organized by the international think tank Stratbase ADRI Institute, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron reiterated that the Permanent Court of Arbitration laid down very clearly that there is “no legal basis” for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. “We are one with the Philippines and other international partners in stressing the importance of upholding international law, including UNCLOS and the peaceful settlement of disputes as the basis for peace and stability in this part of the world, as elsewhere,” Veron said in his speech. “Respect for the rules-based international order is at the core of the EU’s approach towards cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” he added. According to the envoy, the EU is “determined to work with the Philippines and other partners in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific and, more broadly, a free and open international order” based on the rule of law.” “The EU also stands ready to facilitate activities which help build confidence, and prevent and defuse tensions,” he said. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu echoed the same sentiments, stressing that Canberra wants to see a “peaceful South China Sea where international law is respected and adhered to, and waterways are open for trade.” Yu also stressed that maritime claims inconsistent with UNCLOS are causing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. “Australia is deeply concerned when countries pursue claims or engage in activities that are inconsistent with international law where they undertake activities that are provocative and destabilizing or where they don’t respect the rights and freedoms of others or when they advance their claims by intimidation and coercion,” she said. “UNCLOS provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas and it provides the foundation for peace and security and stability in the maritime domain,” she said. She continued: “Adherence to UNCLOS is vitally important for the region and maritime claims within the South China Sea or elsewhere must be consistent with it.” Outgoing French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz also supports Manila’s position in the West Philippine Sea, saying that Paris is “concerned” by the recent development in the area. “There is indeed no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. This position was clearly stated in April during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ communiqué,” Boccoz said. “Also last week, together with the Philippines and other like-minded countries, France expressed its concern with regard to the recent developments involving Chinese vessels in the South China Sea,” she added. She also noted that France welcomes the growing support for the 2016 arbitral award while reaffirming its commitment to the Philippines. “In the current context of rising tensions, the relevance of the 2016 Award is gaining stronger momentum, as reflected by the wider support of like-minded nations,” she said. “We welcome this trend and we will continue to show our support. We will continue to walk the talk,” she added. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran likewise expressed New Delhi’s support for the arbitral award. “Let me take a few minutes to also say that today’s discussion on the arbitral award is a reflection of the broader approach that both India and Asean have taken and our bilateral relations with the Philippines as well,” Kumaran said. “And accordingly, I think in the joint statement, we did recognize the need for adherence to international law and called for the arbitral award to be respected in that context,” he added. The post Allied nations tell China: Acknowledge arbitral ruling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA floats possible Marcos visit to Australia
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday floated the possibility of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. making an official visit to Australia next year. In a press briefing with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Manalo noted that Marcos's visit to Australia may happen during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. “There is an opportunity for the President to visit Australia for the 50th ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations in March 2024,” he said. “And a bilateral visit is also possible at a mutually agreed date." Australia was the ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1947. Since then, the country has been supportive of the regional bloc’s vision of a rules-based, inclusive and economically integrated regional community, according to Manalo. The Philippine government “appreciates the very sustained high-level engagements with Australia, which as I said earlier reflect the strong relationships between our two countries. We expect that high-level engagements will continue as the Philippines and Australia work harder to strengthen our cooperation in quite a number of practical areas of mutual interest,” he added. For her part, Wong, who is on her four-day official visit to the Philippines, reaffirmed Australia’s “steadfast commitment” to ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led architecture. In a joint statement, the two foreign ministers welcomed the Quad’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable, rules-based region with ASEAN at the center through its efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific and support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States, which is a key pillar of Australia’s foreign policy. Likewise, the two officials agreed to continue transparent discussions on AUKUS, particularly its objective to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In March, the Philippine government expressed its support for Australia's nuclear submarine deal with the United Kingdom and the United States. The post DFA floats possible Marcos visit to Australia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Australian foreign minister hopes to advance Philippine relations to strategic partnership
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UAAP volleyball enters break amid wide-open semis race
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Paolo Contis happy for It s Showtime, open to guest in new GMA noontime show
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Talk to Papa Joe: Open minded ka ba?
Talk to Papa Joe: Open minded ka ba?.....»»
Down Under Promotions supports ICC Bluehawks and BPBL
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Davao City s Paolo Miguel Labanon, Eirron Vibar top 2 in 8K open swim
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SMC OK to add MPTC Indonesia in joint venture
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Kate Middleton na-diagnose ng cancer, sumasailalim na sa chemotherapy
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Cebu Pacific receives fuel-efficient A321 aircraft
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Why Business Should Start Investing in the Mental Well-Being of Their Employees
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Lenka binanatan ng netizens, dapat raw magpasalamat kay Shaira
KINUKUYOG ng mga netizens ngayon ang Australian singer at songwriter na si Lenka dahil sa copyright issue sa pagitan nila ng Queen of Bangsamoro Pop na si Shaira Moro. Sa kanyang mga Instagram posts ay makikita ang iba’t ibang mga negatibong komento ng mga fans matapos i-take down ang kanta ni Shaira sa streaming apps.....»»
Shaira Moro dinipensahan si Lenka: Tigilan na po ang pamba-bash sa kanya
NAGSALITA na ang binansagang Queen of Bangsamoro Pop na si Shaira Moro laban sa mga fans niyang sumosobra na sa pambabatikos sa Australian singer-songwriter na si Lenka. Ito ay matapos tsugihin ang viral song niyang “Selos” sa mga streaming platforms dahil sa umano’y pagkopya ng tunog at melody sa 2008 song ni Lenka na “Trouble.....»»
Jayda may hugot sa TOTGA, nilabas ang single na ‘Right Lover, Wrong Time’
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Big Slaysian energy : Abigail Adriano, Seann Miley Moore on their Miss Saigon roles
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Stemming the tide at Terrafirma
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On Australian TV: No ill-gotten wealth? Only a few dared to speak up in Manila
On Australian TV: No ill-gotten wealth? Only a few dared to speak up in Manila.....»»