Damage caused by China in West Philippine Sea could affect food security — scientists
The warning comes as hundreds of ships suspected to be part of China's maritime militia continue to swarm reefs and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone......»»
WPS tension: Chinese vessel blocks PH research ship
A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again made “dangerous maneuvers” on Thursday and tried to block a Philippine fishery vessel carrying marine scientists conducting research in the West Philippine Sea or WPS. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, told a press briefing on Friday that CCG vessel 5204 crossed the.....»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’
MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks.....»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
‘Trade with China should continue’
The Philippines should continue to pursue stronger trade ties with China despite rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of firing water cannons at supply boats
Manila [Philippines], March 23 (ANI): The Philippines has accused China's coastguard of firing water cannons at one of its supply boats in South China Sea, Al Jazeera reported. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that BRP Cabra managed to manoeuvre and reach Unaizah May 4 to provide assistance to the Philippine supply boat, which had sustained "significant damage."According to the Philippine military, the confrontati.....»»
Heightened security for Degamos after Teves arrest | The wRap
The wRap's highlights: Roel Degamo, West Philippine Sea, Kate Middleton.....»»
Fish catch in West Philippine Sea grows despite tensions with China
Despite rising tensions with China, the Philippines expanded its fish catch in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last year to a four-year high of over 200,000 metric tons on the back of higher state support to fishermen......»»
Philippines accuses Chinese coastguard of firing water cannons at supply boats
Manila [Philippines], March 23 (ANI): The Philippines has accused China's coastguard of firing water cannons at one of its supply boats in South China Sea, Al Jazeera reported. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that BRP Cabra managed to manoeuvre and reach Unaizah May 4 to provide assistance to the Philippine supply boat, which had sustained "significant damage."According to the Philippine military, the confrontati.....»»
China coastguard uses water cannons against Philippine ships in South China Sea
MANILA/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China’s coastguard said it had taken measures against Philippine vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, while the Philippines decried the moves, including the use of water cannons, as “irresponsible and provocative”. China’s actions led to “significant damage” and injury to personnel on a civilian boat hired to resupply.....»»
‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr.
In an interview on Bloomberg TV last Wednesday, as reported in another national daily, he made two related comments that could represent important government policy stands. First, regarding China’s increasing aggressive moves against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea; second, about the United States’ repeated assurance of its “iron-clad” defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. The post ‘Not war with China; don’t rely only on US’ – Marcos Jr. appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Australia, Britain Criticize China for Actions in Hong Kong
SYDNEY - Australia and Britain on Friday criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.The two countries called out 'recent unsafe and destabilizing behavior by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,' in a statement that contain.....»»
Losses to Philippine agriculture due to El Nino reach 31 mln USD
MANILA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The El Nino dry spell and ensuring drought have caused over 1.75 billion pesos (roughly 31 million U.S. dollars) in damage to Philippine agriculture, a senior government official said Wednesday. This year's losses due to El Nino are still low compared to 2009 when the damage to agriculture reached 17 billion pesos (302 million dollars), Presidential Communications Office Assistant Se.....»»
Slower Q2 growth as inflation bites
The economy may have slowed further in the second quarter, private economists said, as persistent inflation and higher interest rates continued to affect consumer spending. Forecasts in the survey conducted by Daily Tribune spanned from 5.6 percent to 6.1 percent, yielding a median estimate of 5.9 percent gross domestic product, or GDP, growth from April to June this year. The economy grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter, the weakest growth rate since the first quarter of 2021, when it contracted by 3.8 percent. This year’s first quarter growth is slower than the 8 percent increase in the same period last year and the 7.1 percent growth in the preceding quarter. The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to report the second quarter GDP growth data on Thursday, 10 August. Security Bank: 6.1% growth Security Bank’s senior assistant vice president and chief economist Robert Dan Roces expects the Philippine economy to grow by 6.1 percent in the second quarter. He added growth may have been driven by the still robust consumer spending and improved exports. “Private investments continued in the second quarter, supporting economic activity, while low government consumption served as a dampener,” Roces said in an emailed commentary. “The downside risks to growth include the risks to sticky inflation, elevated interest rates, and weaker global economic growth,” Roces added. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., who predicted a 6 percent growth, noted the stronger consumer spending and election-related expenditure amid easing pandemic restrictions, but not without flagging the impact of inflation in the second quarter. He also said that the lower individual income tax rates that went into effect earlier this year might have caused the increase in consumer spending. “Lower individual income tax rates starting January 2023 for most income brackets as part of the TRAIN Law, could lead to increased consumer spending, which accounts for at least 75 percent of the economy, and, in turn, lead to faster economic growth,” Ricafort told Daily Tribune in a Viber Message. China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez expects a 5.9 percent GDP growth due to some factors, including higher inflation, which could have offset post-pandemic spending, and lukewarm government spending. “We saw substantial increases in infrastructure spending, but both PS and MOOE growth remained lukewarm,” Velasquez said in a Viber message. “There is a need to hasten government spending in identified agencies lagging behind.” Moving forward, Velasquez expects continued moderation in economic activities as elevated policy rates impact business and household spending. In the third quarter of this year, Velasquez expects the country’s economy to grow to around 5.5 percent and full-year growth to average 5.8 percent, just shy of the government’s 6.0 percent low-end target. In a virtual briefing last 19 July, First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific that the Philippine economic growth likely slowed to 5.6 percent in the second quarter. “I do expect a slowdown in the second quarter to 5.6 percent,” UA&P economist Victor Abola said in the virtual briefing. “It’s really the carryover of inflation to the second quarter; even though it’s lower, people are still a bit more reluctant,” he added. While consumption is expected to slow down in the second quarter, Abola expects a rebound in the second half of the year. The post Slower Q2 growth as inflation bites appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl economic growth may slow in Q2
The Philippine economy may have slowed further in the second quarter of 2023, private economists said, as persistent inflation and higher interest rates continue to affect consumer spending. Forecasts in the survey conducted by Daily Tribune spanned from 5.6 to 6.1 percent, yielding a median estimate of 5.9 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth from April to June this year. For context, the Philippine economy grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter, the weakest growth rate since the first quarter of 2021, when it contracted by 3.8 percent. This year's first quarter GDP growth is slower than the 8 percent increase in the same period last year and the 7.1 percent growth in the preceding quarter. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is scheduled to report the second quarter GDP growth data on Thursday, 10 August. Security Bank's Senior Assistant Vice President (SAVP) and Chief Economist Robert Dan Roces, who expects the Philippine economy to grow by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023, said the growth may have been driven by the still robust consumer spending and improved exports. "Private investments continued in the second quarter, supporting economic activity, while low government consumption served as a dampener," Roces said in an emailed commentary. "The downside risks to growth include the risks to sticky inflation, elevated interest rates, and weaker global economic growth," Roces added. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., who expects a 6.0 percent growth, noted the stronger consumer spending and election-related expenditure amid looser pandemic restrictions, but not without flagging the impact of inflation in the second quarter this year. He also said that the lower individual income tax rates that went into effect earlier this year might have caused the increase in consumer spending. "Lower individual income tax rates starting January 2023 for most income brackets as part of the Train Law, could lead to increased consumer spending, which accounts for at least 75 percent of the economy, and, in turn, lead to faster economic growth," Ricafort told Daily Tribune in a Viber Message. Meanwhile, China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez expects a 5.9 percent GDP growth due to some factors, including higher inflation, which could have offset post-pandemic spending, and lukewarm government spending. "We saw substantial increases in infrastructure spending, but both PS and MOOE growth remained lukewarm," Velasquez said in a Viber message. "There is a need to hasten government spending in identified agencies lagging behind." Moving forward, Velasquez expects continued moderation in economic activities as elevated policy rates impact business and household spending. In the third quarter of this year, Velasquez expects the country's economy to grow to around 5.5 percent and full-year growth to average 5.8 percent, just shy of the government's 6.0 percent low-end target. In a virtual briefing last 19 July, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) that the Philippine economic growth likely slowed to 5.6 percent in the second quarter. "I do expect a slowdown in the second quarter to 5.6 percent," UA&P economist Victor Abola said in the virtual briefing. "It's really the carryover of inflation to the second quarter; even though it's lower, people are still a bit more reluctant," he added. While consumption is expected to slow down in the second quarter, Abola expects a rebound in the second half of the year. The post Phl economic growth may slow in Q2 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»