Argee Guerrero ng I Belong To The Zoo nagpositibo sa COVID
POSITIBO sa COVID-19 ang OPM singer na si Argee Guerrero ng I Belong To The Zoo. Ibinalita ni Argee sa madlang pipol ang malungkot na balita sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account. Ayon sa nagpasikat sa kantang “Sana”, “Tested positive for mild COVID. Quarantined in my room since July 26.” Siniguro naman siya sa lahat […] The post Argee Guerrero ng I Belong To The Zoo nagpositibo sa COVID appeared first on Bandera......»»
‘Serenade of the Seas’ arrival restarts Subic cruise tourism program
The arrival here of GTS Serenade of the Seas, a 12-decker cruise liner operated by Royal Caribbean International, is expected to resurrect Subic’s cruise tourism program, which had gained momentum before being halted by the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago......»»
Jodi Sta. Maria tinamaan ng COVID kaya hindi nakarating sa party ni Mr. M
MAY balidong rason pala si Jodi Sta. Maria kaya hindi nakadalo sa “Night of 100 Stars” tribute para kay Johnny Manahan na kilala bilang Mr. M. Hindi raw totoo na binawi ang imbitasyon kay Jodi dahil mas pinaboran daw si Claudine Barretto sa event. Tinamaan daw ng COVID-19 si Jodi. Nasulat namin dito sa BANDERA ang.....»»
Hong Kong, Philippines work to enhance relations
Filipinos are slowly beginning to travel back to Hong Kong following continued efforts by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to woo tourists from the Philippines, as well as renew and improve trade and economic ties between the two nations following the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
Marcos, Duterte factions urged to halt bickering
Former rebel solider-turned-senator Gregorio Honasan stressed the ill effects to society posed by bickering among public officials and politicians who belong to opposing interest groups......»»
China drives away Philippine vessels for intrusion near Huangyan Island
The China Coast Guard on Saturday took necessary measures to drive away three vessels that belong to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that were intruding into the waters near China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard said on Sunday. The measures, taken after repeated dissuasion and warnings from the China Coast Guard had been ignored by the P.....»»
China drives away Philippine vessels for intrusion near Huangyan Island
The China Coast Guard on Saturday took necessary measures to drive away three vessels that belong to the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that were intruding into the waters near China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard said on Sunday. The measures, taken after repeated dissuasion and warnings from the China Coast Guard had been ignored by the P.....»»
Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes
Five Myanmar nationals asked the Philippines on Wednesday to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 10 serving or former members of Myanmar's military against the mainly Christian Chin minority. Filipino lawyers representing the Myanmar nationals told reporters they lodged the "landmark" criminal complaint against junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and nine others at the Department of Justice in Manila. They asked prosecutors to open an investigation into alleged war crimes under a Philippine law penalising "crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity". The five Myanmar nationals are from western Chin state, but now live in Australia, Britain, Canada and India. They were at the justice department in Manila. "This is a landmark suit because this is the very first time that such a case is being brought before the Philippines," Romel Bagares, one of the lawyers, told reporters. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said his department would "evaluate" the complaint, which he described as "very novel". "If this is sufficient in form and substance, that's the time when we will require the respondents to answer these complaints," Remulla told reporters. Among the accused is Chin Chief Minister Vung Suan Thang, who is a former military officer. The others are serving members of the military. The complaint alleged that members of Myanmar's military killed a pastor and two church elders in Thantlang town, Chin, in September 2021. It also accused the 10 of "intentionally" directing attacks on churches and the burning of hundreds of houses in the same town between August 2021 and June 2022. They also allegedly blocked relief supplies from reaching people in Chin state in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May. 'Truly historic day' Philippine law allows for the prosecution of war crimes committed elsewhere. One of the stipulations of the law is that the accused must be present in the Philippines. According to Gilbert Andres, another Filipino lawyer representing the Myanmar nationals, if the Philippine justice department were to decide to mount a case against the 10 accused, it could issue subpoenas to Myanmar's Central Authority or go through diplomatic channels. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of Myanmar. Some of the bloodiest fighting has been happening in Christian-majority areas, including in Chin state. "This is a truly historic day," Salai Ling, one of the five complainants and also of the Chin Human Rights Organization, told reporters in Manila. "We are really hoping that with the solidarity and support from the Filipino people and people in the ASEAN region, that we will be able to get some form of justice for the atrocities that our people suffered." Myanmar and the Philippines belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The regional bloc's efforts to defuse the Myanmar crisis have been fruitless so far. The Philippines is now the subject of an international human rights probe, with the Hague-based International Criminal Court investigating "possible crimes against humanity" during former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drugs crackdown. In July, President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines was "done talking with the ICC" but would continue to question the tribunal's jurisdiction. The post Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim
Crisis brings out the best and the worst in man. It reveals his true persona behind the façade of photo-shopped and public relations-created images. Amidst the Israel-Hamas war, former president Rodrigo Duterte outrageously advised Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu to make “Gaza the world’s biggest cemetery.” And just recently, our ambassador to the United Kingdom twitted on social media (taken down later) that “Palestinian children should be killed . . .” These comments went viral among Moro netizens who unleashed a barrage of angry libelous words against the source. Now, juxtapose this with the public statements by regional leaders about the crisis. And from the gallery of regional statesmen, I pick Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’Seri Anwar Ibrahim whose poignant messages earned the praise of not a few, including non-Muslims. The reaction of these leaders betrays the dichotomy of opinions along religious lines. The Muslim countries, true to their affiliation with the Muslim Palestinians, as members of the World Brotherhood of Muslims or “Ummah Islamiyyah” stood should-to-shoulder with the Palestinians. On the flip side are the non-Muslims led by the United States which condemned the 7 October surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. The world is now on edge because of the strong words of revenge of rightist President Benjamin Netanyahu using the world media stage for his threats of annihilation and cutting off of basic supplies of food, medicines, water, electricity, and fuel to the Palestinians of the Muslim City of Gaza. According to jurists, these are crimes against International Humanitarian Law and other UN covenants and Geneva Conventions. And they claim that while Israel has the right to defend itself, that is not a license to commit genocide. Prime Minister Ibrahim stood tall among Muslim leaders in expressing the sentiment of his government. He had been vocal at every turn of the crisis. He must have had a premonition of the impending catastrophe. His eloquent speech before the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September, which in my book is in the same league as the “What it means to be a Muslim” speech of King Abdullah of Jordan, has earned praise from many observers. He said, “In the Middle East, the politics of dispossession continues with a vengeance with more illegal settlements being built, stripping Palestinians of land that rightfully belongs to them. This constitutes a gross violation of international law. It also poses an insurmountable obstacle to a two-state solution, not to mention the continued killings. There is also flagrant hypocrisy in dealing with the issue of Palestine. The international community must speak up against the atrocities committed towards the Palestinians even as they so vehemently speak out against human rights violations, injustice, and abusive regimes.” When the war broke out on 7 October, one of the countries that reacted immediately was Malaysia. PM Ibrahim issued a statement expressing his country’s solidarity with the struggles of the Palestinians and reiterated his indictment of the international community for its “one-sided actions regarding . . . cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians. The confiscation of land and property belonging to the Palestinian people . . . done relentlessly by the Zionists.” After the bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which killed more than 500 innocent civilians, PM Ibrahim described it as being “on an insane and inhumane level. What is most regrettable is that Western countries, which speak about human rights, seem to differentiate between peoples, with some considered first-class and others as subordinates.” PM Ibrahim knows how geopolitics works. There will be consequences for standing up against the position of the world powers, the US and Europe, which had expressed total support for Israel. There might be a price to pay. Economic, trade, and political relationships might be put in jeopardy. But the Islam in him outweighed other interests. And for that, Muslims salute him. We are proud to belong to the Malay race. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Message of PM Anwar Ibrahim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Political dynasty ban in SK can be challenged, expanded’ to other positions’
This was the question raised by a young official in the Manila city government about a provision in a law that apparently banned candidates of the SK or Sangguniang Kabataan who belong to so-called political dynasties......»»
QC, Greenpeace to combat plastic pollution
Quezon City government announced over the weekend that it has partnered with Greenpeace Philippines to tackle the urgent plastic pollution crisis and enhance existing city ordinances regulating the use of single-use plastics. Co-developed with community stakeholders and the city government, “Kuha sa Tingi” seeks to provide accessible and affordable alternatives to sachets and plastic-packaged goods. The project aims to empower communities to access goods without contributing to plastic pollution by promoting reuse and refill systems. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte believes this is a critical initiative, stating, “Kuha sa Tingi” is a testament that being sustainable and eco-friendly can be affordable and inclusive, especially for those who belong to the marginalized sector. “With this initiative, we were able to lessen the usage of products in sachets, and at the same time prevent these from ending up in our waterways when not properly disposed of,” she said. The program started last 10 July with 30 participating pilot stores. Throughout the 8-week program, sari-sari stores were able to gain a total of P143,286 in sales, an average of 4,776 per store, and consumers were able to save P143 per week. They were able to divert 47,601 sachets or a total of 1,428,030 mL of plastics in volume. Given the magnitude of this issue and the surge in plastic production in recent years, Greenpeace believes it is imperative to implement effective and impactful solutions to reduce production and dependence on single-use plastic. The post QC, Greenpeace to combat plastic pollution appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Kuha sa Tingi’ aims to combat plastic pollution
Quezon City government announced over the weekend that it has partnered with Greenpeace Philippines to tackle the urgent plastic pollution crisis and enhance existing city ordinances regulating the use of single-use plastics. Co-developed with community stakeholders and the city government, Kuha sa Tingi seeks to provide accessible and affordable alternatives to sachets and plastic-packaged goods. The project aims to empower communities to access goods without contributing to plastic pollution by promoting reuse and refill systems. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte believes this is a critical initiative, stating, "Kuha sa Tingi is a testament that being sustainable and eco-friendly can be affordable and inclusive, especially for those who belong to the marginalized sector. "With this initiative, we were able to lessen the usage of products in sachets, and at the same time prevent these from ending up in our waterways when not properly disposed of,” she said. The program started on 10 July 2023 with 30 participating pilot stores. Throughout the 8-week program, sari-sari stores were able to gain a total of P143,286 in sales, an average of 4,776 per store, and consumers were able to save P143 per week. They were able to divert 47,601 sachets or a total of 1,428,030 mL of plastics in volume. Given the magnitude of this issue and the surge in plastic production in recent years, Greenpeace believes it is imperative to implement effective and impactful solutions to reduce production and dependence on single-use plastic. The project does so by developing a sustainable business model anchored on concepts of reuse and refill as well as providing consumers with an array of zero-waste alternatives that are simple, affordable, and readily accessible for their daily needs. “Extending across multiple barangays and various types of enterprises in Quezon City, Kuha sa Tingi is a testament to the broad range of positive impacts of reuse and refill systems. This proves the viability, affordability, and accessibility of reuse and refill systems as alternatives to sachets, offering a tangible solution to diminish plastic pollution within our communities. The results of Kuha sa Tingi show that companies can adopt reuse and refill, and they should do so immediately,” said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. Cities, communities, and local enterprises are currently at the forefront of pioneering solutions to combat plastic pollution through the advancement of business models centered around the reuse and refill systems. Under the Global Plastics Treaty, governments are mandated to support these existing efforts and future development by establishing global standards and mechanisms to enable refill and reuse to be supported, replicated, and scaled across countries and regions. “Major contributors to plastic pollution, such as plastic-dependent corporations and fossil fuel companies that are reaping benefits from the proliferation of plastic products, should be held accountable to reduce plastic production and phase out single-use plastics. Companies must be obligated to adapt and integrate the reuse and refill systems into their business models. This shift is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of their operations,” said Ledesma. "The program empowers our community to do their part in protecting our environment. This will serve as an inspiration to other sari-sari store owners, barangays, and even companies to reduce their plastic waste and switch to reusable and sustainable options," Mayor Belmonte added. Greenpeace is calling on governments to engage in reuse and refill initiatives like Kuha sa Tingi, and urging them to strengthen public policies that regulate the production and use of single-use plastics. The post ‘Kuha sa Tingi’ aims to combat plastic pollution appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA: 6 Pinoys unaccounted, 2 injured, 1 allegedly taken hostage in Israel
At least six Filipinos are confirmed missing, two were injured, and one was allegedly taken hostage by the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist Hamas in Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. Citing a verified report from the Philippine Embassy in Israel, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the six Filipino nationals remain unaccounted for after being unable to contact them through their mobile numbers and social media accounts. “The Embassy is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition. We continue to await feedback from them,” Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message. She reported that both of the two hurt Filipinos were being treated in medical facilities. During the rescue, one of them had minor injuries, and the other one received treatment for smoke inhalation. “Both have been visited by our Labor Attaché and Welfare Officer who provided assistance and essential supplies,” she said. She noted that the two injured Filipinos belong to the 18 others who have been rescued and transferred to safer areas. ‘Hostage’ According to Daza, the DFA is verifying if one of the hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza is a Filipino. She noted that this was after a Filipina woman in the country reached out to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to report that her husband was taken hostage by Hamas in one of the viral videos on social media. Daza said the Philippine Embassy in Israel had already relayed the report to the Israeli military authorities. “Post cannot independently verify his identity based on the video alone but considers the report of the wife as important. We are also working with community contacts on his case,” she said. ‘Repatriation’ Meanwhile, Daza said at least 25 Filipinos have expressed their intent to be repatriated from Gaza. “Numbers may change as some are still undecided, but as of date, 25 who have signified their intention, informed Post they want to leave Gaza,” she said. There are a total of 137 Filipinos in Gaza. The DFA previously said that there are almost 30,000 Filipinos who consider Israel their second home. Most of them work in the caregiving, hospitality, engineering, and healthcare industries. The post DFA: 6 Pinoys unaccounted, 2 injured, 1 allegedly taken hostage in Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Approvals drop
Double-digit drops were seen in the trust and approval ratings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, as published by Pulse Asia. These numbers may have been normal for certain officials of past administrations, but for Marcos and Duterte, these figures could be unsettling. We must be reminded that our top officials were elected by the majority of the voting public in a virtual landslide against their competition. Further, this steep decline was not realized by our previous populist president. Thus, this should be taken seriously by our leaders. President Marcos Jr. downplayed the decline, saying he was “not surprised” by it. He correctly pointed out that among the reasons for the drop would be the government’s failure to lower the price of rice — a campaign promise often repeated. Another reason could be his concurrent holding of the Agriculture Secretary position, which is a delicate Cabinet post since it relates directly to bringing food to the table of every Filipino. Rice matters in the Filipino household. The United States Department of Agriculture reported that the Philippines is now the world’s top rice importer, overtaking China. According to its report titled “Grain: World Markets and Trade,” the USDA projected that the Philippines would reach 3.8 million metric tons of rice imports for the marketing year 2023-2024, compared to China’s decreased projection of 3.5 million MT. This is a sad statistic, considering the Philippines used to be known as a leading rice producer, even the go-to country for our neighbors to learn about rice production. Our Banaue Rice Terraces is a heritage and tourist site that may very well belong in a museum since rice irrigation may be a thing of the past. Food security was a campaign promise that should be endeavored to be achieved. There is no rice crisis because of the incessant importation of rice by prominent businessmen, but it has become difficult to encourage other investors to put their capital into rice farming. The government should provide the answer by incentivizing farmers and businesses to invest in rice farming, but all this is easier said than done. As for our Vice President, her ratings drop should be related to the controversial confidential and intelligence funds she defended heavily in the budget hearings. I cannot fathom a worthy explanation for why the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education should have P650 million in these funds without proper accounting and explanation. As for the reported realignment of these funds by the House of Representatives to agencies tasked with the protection of our national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, we are still waiting to see if this will happen after it hurdles the Senate and is later signed by the President. The ratings drop may be ignored, but it’s continuing cannot be risked. The ratings can be expected to rise, especially if the surveys are taken during the Christmas season when the Filipino nation becomes forgiving. The leadership should take concrete action on how to cause an uptick, such as by providing concrete solutions to the promises made during the campaign. If something can be learned from former President Rodrigo Duterte, it would help to be very visible locally to show your genuine and sincere compassion and empathy for your countrymen. But as I have written before, it is unfair to compare two leaders with varying styles. Let’s trust our President, and he has the privilege of time to make a huge turnaround. For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com. The post Approvals drop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IT-BPM seen key economic driver
The head of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines or IBPAP, Jack Madrid maintained that the Informatiorn Technology-Business Process Management, or IT-BPM, sector will remain the Philippine economy’s essential pillar, given its large contribution to the government coffers for its nation-building. “This is an important message that we always communicate to our partners in the government and to our employees and to their families. What we do is more than what people think as we are not just call center or contact center work.” “The nature of what we do range from basic customer service to more complex industries such as healthcare, engineering, IT software development, and even creative industries such as animation and game development, “Madrid said in an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE’s online digital show ‘Straight Talk’. “We do not just do call center work and I think we need to respect the kind of work that we do even more than before, more than what people think it is,” continued Madrid., Export service revenues Madrid said in terms of export service revenues, the IT-BPM sector this year earned a growth rate of 8.8 percent, which translates to an estimated $35.4 billion in revenue, exceeding the global industry’s 7.7 percent average. “We started 2023 with 1.7 million direct jobs for Filipinos, while by revenue, in 2022 the industry generated $32.5 million, the second largest source of foreign exchange to the country, next to OFW remittances. But we are almost at par with them,” he said. “This year, we will grow over $35 million in revenues,” according to Madrid, coming from close to 2,000 IT-BPM firms that are operating in the country. US biggest client GHe said the United States remains the Philippines’ biggest client, in which over two-thirds of businesses come from US companies, serving US customers. “That is why as the flagship association, we oversee all the different industry verticals. But you will be amazed at the number of multinational companies that have been doing very successful shared services operations here in the Philippines. You name the multinational, they are here whether it is in banking, financial services, or healthcare. Even energy. They are all here,” he said. According to Madrid, healthcare companies doing business in the country are at 15 to 20 percent, while the creative side has the smallest workforce, but is considered a sector that has large potential. “The creative side will be quite a bit smaller than that in terms of number of employees but it’s still a sector that has large potential. I think another significant sector would be the global in-house centers. These are all the multinationals who have moved their back-office operations here. Hard to classify by industry because they belong to many different industries. And then, of course, the contact center sector is still the biggest one. About 60 percent of our employees are in the contact center sector and that includes many multinational and global BPO companies who have set up operations here,” Madrid explained. Caring for employees As contact center employees work at odd times, Madrid said the mental well-being of their employees is very important to the industry, which goes along with their aim to make the industry continue growing. “I’m happy that our membership and our industry players are paying a much stronger focus on the mental health and well-being of the employees. Our industry relies primarily on human capital. This is very much a people’s industry. It is the bedrock of how our industry has grown. So, this topic is very important. I think it’s all about balance. I think balancing the demands of work and personal life is very important and nowhere was this more evident than the challenging years of the pandemic, wherein we had to mobilize our employees from working in the office to a work-from-home setup. Something that was not done before,” he said. Madrid said working from home is not as easy for Filipinos as it is for the rest of the world, as Filipinos don’t typically have a home office, unlike Americans and Europeans. Challenging transition “So, the transition for us was quite challenging. Many of our employees don’t have very big homes with an extra room to be used as an office. So, I think I spent a lot of time describing this to investors and locators because it demonstrates the agility, resilience, and survival instinct of the Filipino people,” he said. “And I think we have shown to the world that we were able to perform the work in those challenging years of Covid without any impact on productivity or customer satisfaction. We were able to perform the work so much that there was even more demand from our customers for more jobs to be done here in the Philippines,” he continued. Madrid said that during the pandemic, the ITBPM industry grew as an industry to 255,000 new jobs and will continue to grow. The Philippines is a clear number in terms of ITBPM, next to India, but the Philippines is the number one nation when it comes to delivering customer experience, according to Madrid. The post IT-BPM seen key economic driver appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Livehood kits for families in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao
It has been over a year since typhoon “Odette” devastated provinces in the Visayas region, but its impact still remains especially among residents whose livelihoods were severely affected. For Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Microfinance, Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Pilmico Foods Corporation, recovery is the most important step for communities and families to be able to bounce back and become more resilient. On their second year of “Padayon sa Pagbusay (Paddle Unceasingly)” program, the Aboitiz business units gave egg machine livelihood kits to several families in Samar, Leyte, Negros Oriental and Misamis Oriental. In addition to the egg machines, the families will be provided technical and knowledge assistance to help them manage their businesses better. Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan highlighted the importance of empowering recovering communities. “We in the Aboitiz Foundation try our best to help the communities where we operate. We want to see the communities rise and succeed. Our goal is to help them recover and become more resilient communities. We thank our local partners, the Aboitiz business units, who came together to extend valuable assistance,” she said. The group’s integrated agribusiness and food subsidiary said it is always ready to extend assistance across the nation. “At Pilmico, we’re not just supporting farmers, we’re aiming to elevate the agriculture industry as a whole. With the help of the Aboitiz Foundation, our commitment to empowering farmers nationwide extends beyond this project. It’s a testament to our unwavering dedication to advancing business and communities,” said Greg Canoy, CSR supervisor of Pilmico. Last year’s beneficiaries of the group’s livelihood kits were in Cebu and Samar. Each kit included an egg machine, 144 ready-to-lay hens, Pilmico feeds, a weighing scale and animal health products. “I thank Pilmico, Aboitiz Foundation and RAFI-MFI for choosing me as one of the beneficiaries for this project. This huge opportunity will be of great help to us. Thank God for this blessing,” said Marietta Cadayday, one of the beneficiaries. “Padayon sa Pagbusay” is part of RAFI-MFI’s livelihood program that aims to empower families by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. “This is the start of our rebuilding, which includes rebuilding our businesses and lives, not just ours but our families and communities where we belong. These livelihood kits, which I am thankful for, would be impossible without our partners. We have our grantors who unselfishly helped us in Leyte, Negros Oriental and Misamis Oriental,” said Iris Dorado, vice president for Business Development of RAFI-MFI. The post Livehood kits for families in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aboitiz Foundation empowers communities
Aboitiz Foundation highlighted the importance of empowering recovering communities. “We in the Aboitiz Foundation try our best to help the communities where we operate. We want to see the communities rise and succeed. Our goal is to help them recover and become more resilient communities. We thank our local partners, the Aboitiz business units, who came together to extend valuable assistance,” president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan said. The group’s integrated agribusiness and food subsidiary is always ready to extend assistance across the nation. “At Pilmico, we’re not just supporting farmers, we’re aiming to elevate the agriculture industry as a whole. With the help of the Aboitiz Foundation, our commitment to empowering farmers nationwide extends beyond this project. It’s a testament to our unwavering dedication to advancing business and communities,” Greg Canoy, CSR supervisor, Pilmico Foods Corporation, said. This year the foundation extended more livelihood kits to several families in Samar, Leyte, Negros Oriental and Misamis Oriental in addition to last year’s beneficiaries in Cebu and Bohol. Each kit includes an egg machine, 144 ready-to-lay hens, Pilmico feeds, a weighing scale, and animal health products. “I thank Pilmico, Aboitiz Foundation and RAFI-MFI for choosing me as one of the beneficiaries for this project (Padayon sa Pagbusay). This huge opportunity will be of great help to us. Thank God for this blessing,” Marietta Cadayday, one of the beneficiaries, said. Livelihood opportunities offered “Padayon sa Pagbusay” is part of RAFI-MFI’s livelihood program which aims to empower families by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities. “This is the start of our rebuilding, which includes rebuilding our businesses and lives, not just ours but our families and communities where we belong. These livelihood kits, which I am thankful for, would be impossible without our partners. We have our grantors who unselfishly helped us in Leyte, Negros Oriental, and Misamis Oriental,” Iris Dorado, vice president for Business Development, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. — Microfinance, said. Pilmico Foods Corporation and Gold Coin Management Holdings are the integrated agribusiness and food companies of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. Gold Coin is now fully-managed and owned by Pilmico International and to date, it is the largest investment in the Asia-Pacific region in their shared history. Pilmico comprises four divisions: Flour, Feeds, Farms, and Trading; enabling growth to its partners through its consistent quality products and unparalleled supporting services. Meanwhile, Gold Coin is a pioneer in animal nutrition and the manufacturing of scientifically-balanced animal feed in Asia. The post Aboitiz Foundation empowers communities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 14K indigent seniors get aid
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A total of 14,428 indigent senior citizens in Basilan province received cash subsidies of P3,000 from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Ministry of Social Services and Development’s nationally funded program, the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens. BARMM-MSSD Minister Raissa Herradura Jajurie disclosed that the cash distribution covers the P500 monthly stipend for elderly beneficiaries from January to June of this year. She added that 2,428 persons from Lamitan City received the SocPen from MSSD, 2,329 from Maluso, 1,781 from Sumisip, 1,435 from Tipo-Tipo, 1,323 from Ungkaya Pukan, 1,195 from Hadji Mohammad Ajul, 1,111 from Lantawan, 1,065 from Al-Barka, 891 from Akbar, and 870 from Tuburan. The SocPen Program is one of the initiatives implemented by MSSD in the Bangsamoro region, providing a monthly stipend to elderly and frail senior citizens who belong to the most indigent and vulnerable sectors to support their daily needs and access to medicines. Meanwhile, 670 workers of the Cash-for-Work program received P2,750 each from MSSD during simultaneous payouts across the BARMM Special Geographic Area on 14 September 2023. Each recipient rendered 10 days of community service, which involved tasks such as gardening, reinforcing flood-prone areas, and constructing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene facilities. The CFW Program extended its aid to 300 beneficiaries from Pikit A Cluster, 170 from Pikit B Cluster and 200 from Midsayap, primarily consisting of fisherfolk and farmers. The post Over 14K indigent seniors get aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Child rights to clean Earth
The first authoritative and comprehensive interpretation of member-states’ obligations in fulfilling children’s rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was issued under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “General Comment 26 on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change,” explicitly addresses the climate emergency, the collapse of biodiversity and pervasive pollution. A child-friendly version of the General Comment has also been released today. The CRC is the most widely ratified treaty in the world, created in 1989 and ratified by 196 states. It outlines universal children’s rights such as the right to life, survival and development, and the right to health. The Philippines was one of the first countries to ratify the CRC in August 1990. The Philippines ranks first in terms of disaster risk according to the World Risk Index for 2022, as well as the first in the East Asia and Pacific region on the Child Climate Risk Index. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency, and slower onset climate impacts, such as rising sea levels and increasing temperatures are affecting the health, nutrition and education of children in the country. Poor children, children with disabilities, children who belong to indigenous groups, children in situations of armed conflict, and girls, are especially vulnerable. General Comment 26, a result of global and intergenerational engagement, requires States to be responsible not only for protecting children’s rights from immediate harm, but also for foreseeable violations of their rights in the future. States can be held accountable for environmental harm occurring within their borders, as well as the harmful impacts of environmental damage and climate change beyond their borders. Children’s views must be considered in environmental decision-making, and equipping them with education and tools to act, advocate and protect themselves from environmental harm are also critical. Member-states, such as the Philippines, are also urged to take immediate action including organizing the phase out of coal, oil and natural gas and shifting to renewable energy sources, improving air quality, and ensuring access to clean water, transforming industrial agriculture and fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food, and protecting biodiversity. The post Child rights to clean Earth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes around island
Taiwan told China on Monday to stop its "destructive unilateral actions" after more than 100 Chinese warplanes and nine navy ships were detected in areas around the self-ruled island. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary, and has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taipei in recent years. Taiwan's defence ministry described the number of warplanes detected in 24 hours as a "recent high", while Beijing has so far refrained from issuing any official comment on the sorties. "Between the morning of September 17th to 18th, the Ministry of National Defence had detected a total of 103 Chinese aircraft which was a recent high and has posed severe challenges to the security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region," it said in a statement. Beijing's "continued military harassment can easily lead to a sharp escalation in tension and worsen regional security," the ministry said, as it called on China to "immediately stop such destructive unilateral actions." Of the total number of warplanes detected, 40 crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from China, and entered its southwest and southeast air defence identification zone (ADIZ), the statement said. 'High alert' Last week, Taipei also reported an increased number of incursions by Chinese warplanes and ships. The uptick came as Beijing said its troops were on "high alert" after two ships belonging to the United States and Canada sailed through the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's defence ministry said 68 Chinese aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected around the island between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. Some of those planes and warships were heading to an unspecified area of the Western Pacific to "conduct joint sea and air training" with China's Shandong aircraft carrier, the ministry said. The Shandong, one of two operational aircraft carriers in the Chinese fleet, was detected last week around 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) southeast of Taiwan heading into the Western Pacific, Taipei authorities said. Japan's defence ministry also said last week its navy had detected six ships -- including frigates, destroyers, one fast combat support ship and the Shandong -- sailing through waters some 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of Miyakojima island, east of Taiwan. It confirmed that jets and helicopters had been detected taking off and landing from the Shandong, though China has not commented officially on any drills being conducted in the Western Pacific. 'The same China' Analysts said China could be flexing its muscles to counter US influence in the Asia-Pacific, as it leads multiple rounds of military drills with allies across the region. "Politically, China aims to counter the military containment of democratic allies led by the United States," Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research told AFP. Following last August's visit to Taipei by Nancy Pelosi, then-speaker of the US House of Representatives, China staged its largest-ever war games around Taiwan. Then in April this year, Beijing conducted a three-day "Joint Sword" military exercise to simulate the encirclement of the island, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. While Beijing has yet to issue any statements on its latest sorties, China's Global Times state tabloid posted a comment on the Weibo social media platform. "The mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China, and Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of China," the post said, reiterating Beijing's long-standing policy. "The People's Liberation Army's relevant combat training activities are necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added, referring to China's military. The post Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes around island appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
'SoxIsNext in your bucket list
Most people assume that some provinces in Mindanao are not safe places to travel, so this region is perhaps one of the less visited in our country. From a recent visit, allow me to show some things that will enlighten every explorer. If you looking for beautiful places in Mindanao, start in Region XII — more popularly known as SOCCSKSARGEN and formerly known as Central Mindanao. The name was coined from the names of the four major provinces and a highly urbanized city that make up the region: South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City. SOX for short This region is one of the most exciting and unique trips for thrill-seekers and nature lovers. Along with stunning sceneries is the region’s well-preserved culture and extraordinary hospitality. Ideally, a minimum of five full days will let you get a real feel of the place, and you have to choose entry and exit points at either General Santos City Airport or Cotabato Airport. Sarangani Province The first destination is Sarangani Province, the capital of which is Alabel. It takes about three hours to get there from General Santos City. A popular activity there is the whitewater tubing in New La Union at the Municipality of Maitum. On the other side is the Municipality of Glan where one may find majestic white-sand beaches. [caption id="attachment_185061" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KingKim Beach Resort in Glan, Sarangani.[/caption] General Santos City Also called GenSan, this place is known as the Tuna Capital of the country. Being highly urbanized, the city is easy to explore. [caption id="attachment_185064" align="aligncenter" width="525"] General Santos City Fish Port Complex.[/caption] You must visit the General Santos City Fish Port Complex, claimed to be the largest producer of tuna in the country. You will be amazed by the sight of the fresh, huge tunas. For local fare, you can head to the Tiongson Arcade where they serve fresh and delicious grilled seafood. Sultan Kudarat Named after Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, one of the greatest leaders who ruled this area under the Sultanate of Maguindanao, this province is known for its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. It is gradually gaining attention as a tourist spot in Mindanao because of attractions like the La Palmera Ridges located in the Municipality of Columbio. [caption id="attachment_185062" align="aligncenter" width="525"] La Palmera Mountain Ridge in Sultan Kudarat.[/caption] You will also love with the mesmerizing sights and perfect rock formation of Pangadilan falls. The grand capitol in Sultan Kudarat is also an attraction in the province and is labeled as the biggest capitol in the country. It is open to the public. Lake Sebu Lake Sebu is the Land of the Dreamweavers and first-class municipality of South Cotabato. It is surrounded by placid lakes and mountains. Most of the residents here are T’Boli, an indigenous people of South Cotabato. Tourism here is slowly booming because of the activities, one of which is the zipline in 7 Falls, also known as the highest zipline in Southeast Asia — perfect for the adrenaline junkie. [caption id="attachment_185063" align="aligncenter" width="525"] 7 Falls, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICHAEL PINGOL[/caption] Lake Sebu’s famed T’nalak is a sacred cloth woven by the T’boli people. Traditionally made by women of royal blood, these fabrics depict different kinds of patterns that reference folklore and stories. Lake Sebu is also known for its majestic waterfalls, lakes, rivers and springs, its rich biodiversity and culture, and for being a major supplier of tilapia in nearby areas. Cotabato City Cotabato City does not belong to the Province of Cotabato or South Cotabato, as it politically and geographically belongs to Maguindanao Province. It was formerly a part and the regional center of Region XII, but due to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, it is now part of Bangsamoro and serves as its regional center. It now has an independent component city status. One of its attractions is the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque or the Grand Mosque. It is the second-largest mosque in Southeast Asia after the Istiqlal Mosque of Indonesia, and the largest Mosque in the Philippines. It is considered an Islamic architectural masterpiece. Pastil is one of the most popular Maguindanaon delicacies. It is steamed rice with shredded chicken that is wrapped in banana leaves. It is available in every street in the city. Lnguages spoken here are Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Maguindanao, Cebuano and Chavacano, but they also speak Tagalog. Most of the residents are Islam and Roman Catholic. SOCCSKSARGEN is a treasure trove of experiences. To further promote safe travels to this region, the Tourism department created the hashtag #SoxIsNext. The post #SoxIsNext in your bucket list appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»