LGU Datu Abdullah Sangki intensifies solid waste management programs
The municipal government of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao operates a Centralized Material Recovery Facility where segregated garbage from households is collected once a week. Drug surrenderees.....»»
PSALM expects P100 billion from CBK privatization
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is expected to generate as much as P100 billon from the privatization of the 796.46-megawatt (MW) Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric power plant complex in Laguna, bolstering the cash position of the cash-strapped state firm......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
DOT seeks inclusion in protected areas board amid Chocolate Hills issue
Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco —INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo After the recent controversy surrounding a resort development near Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced plans to advocate for its inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated during a.....»»
MAP wants Metro under ‘state of traffic calamity’
Business group Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is calling on the government to declare a “state of traffic calamity” in Metro Manila, citing the economic losses from the congestion on roads......»»
BPI unit targets to onboard more wealthy clients
The wealth management arm of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) aims to onboard more clients with high to ultra-high net worth by the end of the year......»»
Wanted for high-profile crimes killed in Bangsamoro police operation
A suspect in a series of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, extortion and operation of a drug den, who has links with local terrorist groups, was killed while his companion was wounded in a shootout with policemen in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday......»»
DBM releases P1.3 billion to light up public schools
The Department of Budget and Management has released nearly P1.3 billion for the electrification of public schools nationwide......»»
Addressing the Philippines’ 2024 Threat Landscape: Kaspersky Launches KUMA Platform
To help Filipino businesses and organizations stay safe in cyberspace while embracing digitalization, Kaspersky announces today the launch of Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA), its integrated software solution that includes a set of functions for security information and event monitoring and management. The Philippines is expected to continue its double-digit growth towards $35B […].....»»
Netanyahu says Israel ‘preparing’ Gaza ground war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel is readying a ground war in Gaza, pressing ahead with plans that have troubled allies and threaten to worsen an already cascading humanitarian crisis. Facing ever-louder international calls to temper Israel's ferocious 19-day bombing campaign in the Hamas-controlled territory, Netanyahu delivered a nationally televised address. He told fellow Israelis still grieving and angry after Hamas's bloody attacks: "We are in the midst of a campaign for our existence," while insisting Israel will decide how the war is prosecuted. On 7 October, throngs of Hamas gunmen poured from Gaza into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 222 more, according to official tallies. US President Joe Biden is among the foreign leaders stepping up public calls for Israel to "protect innocent civilians" and to follow the "laws of war" as it pursues Hamas targets. Thousands of Gazans are already believed to have died in Israel's aerial assault, with the toll expected to rise substantially if tens of thousands of Israeli troops massed around Gaza move in. Biden on Wednesday said he had privately suggested Israel should get hostages out if possible before any ground invasion. "It's their decision, but I did not demand it", Biden said, as he called on Congress to allocate more money for Israeli defense. Speaking in Cairo, French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "A massive intervention that would put civilian lives at risk would be an error." But boasting of "raining down hellfire on Hamas" and killing "thousands of terrorists", Netanyahu said his war cabinet and the military would determine the timing of a "ground offensive" to "eliminate Hamas" and "bring our captives home." "I will not detail when, how, or how many," he said. 'It's a massacre' Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry puts the number of Palestinian deaths at 6,500, including many children and 700 people killed in a single 24-hour window this week. AFP could not independently verify the ministry's claims, and US President Biden has stated he has "no confidence" in the Hamas ministry figures. While the exact toll from the war in Gaza is unclear, the depth of the suffering is not in question. Entire neighborhoods have been razed, overflowing hospitals carry out procedures without anesthetic, and residents have been forced to use ice cream trucks as makeshift morgues. "They're not waging war on Hamas, they're waging war on children," raged Abu Ali Zaarab, after his family home was bombed in the southern town of Rafah. "It's a massacre." About 1.4 million people -- more than half the population -- have been displaced, according to the United Nations. The UN says 12 of the territory's 35 hospitals have closed due to damage or insufficient fuel, and a key UN aid agency serving almost 600,000 Palestinians "began to significantly reduce its operations." Israel has cut off Gaza's normal supply corridors for water, food, and other necessities, and fewer than 70 relief trucks have entered the impoverished territory since the war began. None contained fuel, which Israel fears Hamas will use for rockets and explosives. Aid agencies have warned that more people will die if medical equipment, water desalination plants, and ambulances stop operating because of a lack of fuel. Once the generators stop, hospitals will "turn into morgues", the Red Cross has warned. Hospitals are also struggling with a shortage of medicines and equipment. "There's not enough anesthetic," said Ahmad Abdul Hadi, an orthopedic surgeon working at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. "The wounded are in severe pain but we can't wait for the procedure, so we're forced to do the operation. We performed a number of surgeries without anesthetic. It's tough and painful, but with the lack of resources, what can we do?" A regional 'explosion' The war has sparked fears of a regional conflagration if it draws in more of Israel's enemies. Since October 7, Israel has launched thousands of reprisal strikes in Gaza, but it has also hit targets in Lebanon and Syria. Late Wednesday, Lebanon-based Hezbollah fired what Israel said was a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli drone. Israel's military said it had intercepted the missile and "struck the source of the launch" in retaliation. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria's government are backed by Iran, which denies Israel's right to exist. Tehran's top diplomat on Wednesday accused Israel of carrying out "genocide" in Gaza. Jordan's King Abdullah became the latest leader to warn that ongoing violence could "lead to an explosion" in the region. His wife Queen Rania accused Western leaders of a "glaring double standard" for not condemning Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians in its bombardment of Gaza. Violence has also risen sharply in the occupied West Bank, where health officials said more than 100 Palestinians had been killed, mostly in raids by Israeli troops or in clashes with Israeli settlers. The post Netanyahu says Israel ‘preparing’ Gaza ground war 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......»»
UN chief urges ceasefire to end Gaza’s ‘godawful nightmare’
UN chief Antonio Guterres pleaded Saturday for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in the war between Israel and Hamas militants that has devastated much of Gaza, demanding "action to end this godawful nightmare". Addressing a Cairo summit that ultimately proved fruitless, according to Arab diplomats, Guterres said the Palestinian enclave of 2.4 million people was living through "a humanitarian catastrophe" with thousands dead and more than a million displaced. The latest bloodshed began on October 7 when Hamas militants killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, and took more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli officials. Israel has hit back with a relentless bombing campaign, killing more than 4,300 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, and cut off supplies of water, electricity, fuel and food. According to Arab diplomats who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, the meeting in Cairo failed to reach an agreement, with Western representatives seeking "a clear condemnation placing responsibility for the escalation on Hamas", which Arab leaders refused. The Western officials also wanted to call for the release of those held by Hamas. Egypt's presidency instead released a statement -- drafted with the approval of Arab attendees, the diplomats said -- saying the war had laid bare "a defect in the values of the international community". World leaders have long "sought to manage the conflict, and not end it permanently, by proposing temporary solutions and palliatives that do not live up to even the lowest aspirations of a suffering people", the statement read. In response, Israel bemoaned the lack of a condemnation of what it called "Islamic terror" that endangered the region and entire world. "It is unfortunate that even when faced with those horrific atrocities, there were some who had difficulty condemning terrorism or acknowledging the danger," a foreign ministry statement said. "Israel will do what it has to do and expects the international community to recognise the righteous battle." 'Global silence' In the opening session, Guterres had said "the grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long" after "56 years of occupation with no end in sight" but stressed that "nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorised Israeli civilians". He then stressed that "those abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people". In the meeting which also included the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Italy, Jordan's King Abdullah II called for "an immediate end to the war on Gaza" and condemned what he labelled "global silence" on Palestinian death and suffering. "The message the Arab world is hearing is loud and clear: Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives," he charged. "The application of international law is optional. And human rights have boundaries -- they stop at borders, they stop at races, and they stop at religions." The summit came on the day a first convoy of aid trucks rumbled into southern Gaza, which Guterres said needed to be rapidly scaled up, with "much more" help sent through. The UN has said that about 100 trucks per day are needed to meet worsening needs in Gaza. The Palestinians need "a continuous delivery of aid to Gaza at the scale that is needed", the UN chief told the Cairo "Summit for Peace". 'We will not leave' Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi argued that the "only solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "justice" and said that "Palestinians must realise their legitimate rights to self-determination" and have "an independent state on their land". Abbas stressed his demand for a two-state solution and an "end to Israel's occupation" and rejected what he has warned could be a "second Nakba" -- a reference to the more than 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their lands during the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. "We will not leave," he repeated three times at the end of his speech. Cairo and Amman have repeatedly rejected calls for large numbers of refugees to enter Egypt from Gaza, warning that the "forced displacement" would lead to the "eradication of the Palestinian cause". Egypt and Jordan were the first Arab states to normalise relations with Israel, in 1979 and 1994 respectively, and have since been key mediators between Israeli and Palestinian officials. Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan urged for the current conflict to become, "rather than a regional conflagration, a breeding ground for a just and lasting peace". He also condemned "unconditional military aid to Israel which only serves to maintain the occupation", while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan condemned the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire after a US veto. The post UN chief urges ceasefire to end Gaza’s ‘godawful nightmare’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No Nipah virus in PH, says health officials
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, October 2, that there are no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in the Philippines. Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. and DOH Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas issued the clarification following reports that students and faculty members of a school in Cagayan.....»»
‘Ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa mga Pilipino’ — Bong Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the local government of Zamboanga City and the Department of Health (DOH) for the successful ceremonial turnover of a Super Health Center in Barangay Sangali on Thursday, 21 September. In a video message, Go expressed his confidence that the said health facility would be able to provide accessible healthcare services to the residents. “Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya. Sa mga itinayo ng Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa malalayong lugar,” said Go. “It is a significant step towards enhanced healthcare services in communities. Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he added. Through the collective efforts of Go, DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. The Super Health Center is an enhanced version of the rural health unit, offering a wide range of health services such as database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation areas, diagnostic services (including laboratory tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds), pharmacy services, and ambulatory surgical units. Additionally, these centers provide services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which enables remote diagnosis and treatment of patients. Go emphasized the critical role that Super Health Centers play in decongesting hospitals, facilitating early disease detection, and providing essential healthcare services such as primary care and medical consultations directly to the community. “Ano po itong Super Health Center? It’s a medium type of a polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ‘yung panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray, pagpapabakuna. Alam n’yo naisipan ko po ‘yang Super Health Center noong 2021. Sa kakaikot ko po ng buong Pilipinas, ‘yung mga may sakit anlayo ng byahe, yung mga buntis nanganganak na lang sa tricycle o sa jeepney dahil malalayo ang hospital. Ngayon po magkakaroon na kayong sarili ninyong health center. Pwede na po diyan ‘yung panganganak, pagkonsulta, at iba pa,” shared Go. “Malaking tulong po ito na ma-decongest ‘yung mga hospitals. Makakatulong rin sa early disease detection para maagapan ang sakit. Hindi na kailangang ilakbay pa natin ng napakalayo para makapunta sa hospital,” he added. Go also extended his heartfelt appreciation to the officials for their unwavering commitment to public service. Among those present were Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, Vice Mayor Pinpin Pareja, DOH Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama, and Regional Director Joshua Brillantes. The council was well-represented by Councilors Vino Guingona, Cary John Pioc, Jerome Santos, Jimmy Villaflores, and Gerky Velasco. Barangay Captain Ruben of Ullas was also acknowledged for his contributions. Go also encouraged individuals with health concerns to avail of the services available at the nearby Malasakit Center, situated at Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital. Functioning as a one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center facilitates access to medical assistance from various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. 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. 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. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than seven million Filipinos. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go remains committed to supporting various projects in the city, aligning with his vision to foster progress even in challenging times. These projects include the construction of a multipurpose building that will be turned into a sub-national laboratory capacity building for serology and molecular testing, the construction of a children’s park, and a two-story building inside Camp Navarro General Hospital. The post ‘Ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa mga Pilipino’ — Bong Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sulu handed new school division office
JOLO, Sulu — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, has formally turned over a new three-story school division office to Sulu province. MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said the new building aims to provide security, protection, and adequate facilities to education officials in the Sulu Schools Division office. “They play a major role in stabilizing our education system, and their safety and satisfaction is one of our top priorities,” Iqbal said. He added that the newly constructed building was funded under the BARMM Special Development Fund 2020. Iqbal also reported that Sulu Province currently has 39 high schools, 418 elementary schools, and 20 annexes. MBHTE Director General for Basic Education Abdullah Salik, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and Sulu Schools Division Superintendent Kiram Irilis led the turnover ceremony on Monday. Iqbal emphasized that the school division office is vital in strengthening the education system in Sulu, serving as a home to an impartial and quality education system. For his part, Governor Tan expressed his gratitude to MBHTE for providing Sulu with a new Schools Division Office building. “We thank BARMM-MBHTE for giving us this new schools division office building. This is the best Schools Division Office building so far, (I think) in the whole BARMM,” Irilis said. The post Sulu handed new school division office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysian court upholds ex-leader Najib’s audit tampering acquittal
A Malaysian court upheld on Tuesday the acquittal of jailed former prime minister Najib Razak on an audit tampering charge in the investigation into corruption at the 1MDB state wealth fund. Najib is serving a 12-year prison term on other graft charges related to the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad financial scandal. The plundering of the fund led to investigations around the world, including in the United States, Switzerland and Singapore, into the use of their financial systems to launder money. But Malaysia's Court of Appeal struck out the appeal by state prosecutors against the acquittal of the audit tampering charge after prosecutors did not submit documents in time, Najib's lawyer Mohamed Shafee Abdullah told AFP. "In this case, the prosecution evidently found no grounds for appeal, resulting in no petition being filed," he said in a statement. Najib, the 70-year-old leader of Malaysia for nine years until 2018, was acquitted in March after a Kuala Lumpur High Court judge ruled prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence that he had tampered with an audit report on scandal-racked 1MDB. That charge focused on allegations that Najib ordered a report by the government's official audit body on the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund to be altered in February 2016. Najib's co-accused, former 1MDB chief Arul Kanda Kandasamy, was also acquitted. The former Malaysian premier's acquittal from the tampering charge does not affect his current jail sentence and he faces dozens more charges that could lengthen that term. Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor was found guilty of graft in 2022 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. She remains on bail pending an appeal. The post Malaysian court upholds ex-leader Najib’s audit tampering acquittal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Saudi, Iran exchange ambassadors after years-long rupture
Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Iran arrived Tuesday in the Islamic Republic, and his counterpart landed in Riyadh, cementing a restoration of ties between the Gulf rivals after a seven-year rupture in ties. Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies following a China-brokered deal announced in March. Riyadh and Tehran severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Saudi Arabia's leadership recognizes the "importance of strengthening ties, increasing engagement... and taking the (relationship) to broader horizons," Ambassador Abdullah Alanazi said upon his arrival in Tehran to take up his duties, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. Also on Tuesday, Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, arrived in the capital Riyadh where he was received by foreign ministry officials and embassy staff, according to Iran's official IRNA news agency. Alanazi was formerly Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Oman, while Enyati was previously Iran's Kuwait envoy. Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran resumed operations last month. In June, Iran marked the reopening of its embassy in Riyadh with a flag-raising ceremony. Last month Iran's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, preached unity and dialogue during his first visit to Saudi Arabia since the surprise rapprochement was announced, saying bilateral ties were "progressing in the right direction". Iran and Saudi Arabia have backed opposing sides in conflict zones across the Middle East for years. Since the March deal, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Iranian ally Syria and ramped up a push for peace in Yemen, where it has for years led a military coalition against the Iran-backed Huthi forces. The post Saudi, Iran exchange ambassadors after years-long rupture appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI’s Poland port expands Asia links
Baltic Container Terminal, or BCT, the business unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. or ICTSI in Poland, has inaugurated its first-ever direct container connection with Chinese and Korean ports — a move that will open up new opportunities for the company’s container transport development. In a report on Monday, ICTSI confirmed that BCT received the first direct call from Mediterranean Shipping Company’s or MSC SWAN service on 23 August. The service links ports in Europe and the Far East and provides the Port of Gdynia with a direct connection to the Chinese and Korean ports. Revised port rotation Following the development, the recently revised port rotation now includes Qingdao — Busan — Ningbo — Yantian — Tanjung Pelepas — Antwerp — Gdynia — Gdansk — Klaipeda — Bremerhaven — King Abdullah Port — Singapore — Qingdao. The addition of Busan to this rotation enables a direct connection between the port of Gdynia and South Korea, according to the company. “I would like to congratulate MSC and the Port of Gdynia, for this historic moment in which we inaugurated the first-ever direct container connection with Chinese and Korean ports. This milestone redefines the status of BCT and the entire Port of Gdynia. We are changing its role from the current feeder port to a full-fledged maritime import and export gateway,” BCT chief executive officer Wojciech Szymulewicz said. Szymulewicz noted that expanding direct calls allows the company to extend further its intermodal offer to new markets, including Ukraine and other Central European countries. SWAN’s service maiden call The SWAN service’s maiden call to BCT was marked by the arrival of the 318-meter box ship KURE, which discharged 1,320 containers and will take almost 2,000 containers on the return journey. The MSC DOMNA X, another ship operating the SWAN service and sailing directly from the Far East, called on BCT on 28 August. Back in 2003, the Razon Group’s secured a 20-year concession deal from the Port Authority of Gydnia to develop, operate, and manage the container terminal in Pomerania, Gydnia, Poland. ICTSI purchased Baltycki Terminal Kontenerowy Sp. z. o. o., which had held the lease to the terminal. The post ICTSI’s Poland port expands Asia links appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An Evening with Club Bulakeño Royalty
I spent an evening in the presence of royalty. Club Bulakeño made a regal comeback with highly anticipated ball after three years of hiatus due to the pandemic! This year’s theme brought European Royalty to the Manila Hotel, dubbing the night as “A Royal Affair: A Night of Majestic Opulence.” [caption id="attachment_177753" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Mario Katigbak, Baby Tan, Milo Bondoc, Ofelia Trinidad, Sonny Tanchanco, Nedy Tantoco and Patrick Jacinto.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177763" align="aligncenter" width="1368"] Joel Cruz, Edgard Cabangon, Gerard Ramirez and Nini Licaros.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177769" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Malou Martinez, Ruby Chua, Angola Consul Helen Ong and Irene Montemayor.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177765" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Yoli Ayson and Beging Soriano.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177764" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Shirley Sobremonte and Roselle Rebano.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177762" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Shelly Lazaro and Florence Monzon.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177761" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Connie Garcia and Shilpa Tolani.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177760" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Becky Garcia, Cocoy Cordoba and Mayenne Carmona.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177759" align="aligncenter" width="1445"] Atty. Sal Panelo and Connie Haw.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177754" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Marissa Fenton, Bulakeño 'Empress of Austria.'[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177756" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Nene Leonor and Tokie Tantoco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177757" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Alice Samson and Bong Prada Lim.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177758" align="aligncenter" width="1199"] Lydia Abastillas-Reyes, Bulakeño founder.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_177768" align="aligncenter" width="1077"] Angel Fenton, Club Bulakeño’s muse, and her escort Prince of Kuwait Abdulah Delah.[/caption] As we expected, we got nothing but grandeur all around. Kings and queens arrived in ornate attire at the Manila Hotel Ballroom, transformed into a rich, red Royal Court. The night started with a dance, followed by the entrance of the servers who were also dressed as courtiers. It was like being transported back to the Renaissance era. A feast fit for kings and queens satiated us for an eventful night ahead. The juicy steak was cooked to perfection, which we savored with the flawless sound of live opera serenading us. As for dessert? We got a feast for the eyes as the past Club Bulakeño queens descended the grand staircase. Not long after, this year’s crowned Club Bulakeño muse, Angel Fenton, walked in with Prince Abdullah Dellah of Kuwait. She was joined by her proud father, Ian Grant, for her first waltz, while her mother, Marissa Fenton, was glowing with pride as she sat regally on her chair, as though the queen mother’s throne. Sounds like modern royalty to me with a touch of history! Before being dismissed from the royal festivities, we were treated to a grand raffle, giving a lucky few something to remember the evening by. One last curtsy to the royal court and we were off on our own chariot rides home from one of the most exquisite evenings ever. Already, we are looking forward to the next Club Bulakeño Ball. You gotta believe me. Cheers! The post An Evening with Club Bulakeño Royalty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 Maute members surrender
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group surrendered to government security forces in Lanao del Norte, saying they no longer believed in the group’s ideologies. The two men, identified as Abu Talha and Abu Anas, gave themselves up to soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade. They also surrendered one Cal. 45 pistol and one Cal. 9mm pistol. Bangsamoro Transition Authority Commissioner Al-Haj Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, and the representative of Munai, Lanao del Norte Mayor Racma Andamama accompanied the two men in their surrender. The two men said they decided to surrender after realizing that the group’s ideologies were not worth fighting for. They also said they were convinced by the government’s programs for former outlaws and the continuous dwindling of their group. Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido welcomed the surrender of the two men and reiterated his call to the remaining members of the Daulah Islamiyah to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law. Galido also commended the soldiers for their efforts to intensify intelligence, combat, and civil-military operations in the area. The post 2 Maute members surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P1.5-M shabu seized near Malacanang
Operatives of the Manila Police District -Police Station 14 arrested two illegal drug traders during a buy bust operation Tuesday in San Miguel Manila. MPD-PS14 SDEU (Station Drug Enforcement Unit) led by P/Maj Gil John L Lobaton identified the suspects as a. Fatima Enriquez y Abdullah, @Fatima, 24, a resident of Rawatun Street, Barangay. 648, San Miguel Manila and Darrell Orbe y Cortez, 46, a resident of 270 Barcastique sreet, Barangay 644, San Miguel Manila. They were arrested on 11:30 August 15 along Rawatun Street, Barangay 648, San Miguel Manila. The arrest stemmed from a complaint on the illegal trade being conducted by the two suspects. The post P1.5-M shabu seized near Malacanang appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»