It's all in how you express love as hundreds rush to exchange vows on special day
It is because 520 [or May 20] sounds like "I love you" in Putonghua. Last year, about 400 couples married on May 20, while there were some 200 on the same day in 2021 during the peak of Covid. According to the Immigration Department, 68 applications were received from new couples who intend to wed at marriage registries. To ensure smooth operation and solemnization of the marriage ceremonies, the department officer said "sufficient manpower resources will be deployed to marriage registries." Some young couples said the cost of raising a child and the city's competitive culture - which begins at toddler levels - have caused emotional stress and financial burden.
Source:The Standard
May 19, 2023 01:13 UTC
Philippines, Vietnam vow to work for 'substantive' South China Sea code
Philippines, Vietnam vow to work for 'substantive' South China Sea codeMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Vietnam vowed to strengthen their collaboration on maritime issues in regional and multilateral bodies, with the conclusion of a “substantive” Code of Conduct on the South China Sea among their priorities. China’s sweeping nine-dash-line claim overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam and the Philippines. Both countries have had incidents with Chinese vessels either intercepting or harassing their fisherfolk in their waters. “They committed to work together to protect their rights and legitimate interests under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and enhance confidence-building measures between relevant agencies.”China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are still working on the South China Sea Code of Conduct. China has stressed that tension in the region should be addressed through bilateral dialogues and engagement with countries in the South China Sea — a rebuke at involvement by the US, which it has accused of stirring up trouble from afar.
Source:Philippine Star
May 19, 2023 01:12 UTC
Ayala putting up $1 billion data center, biggest in Philippines
Ayala putting up $1 billion data center, biggest in PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — The Ayala Group and its Singaporean partner are investing at least $1 billion to build the largest data center in the Philippines as they prepare for the entry of tech giants locating here. ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) Philippines will spend about $1 billion to put up STT Fairview, a 124-megawatt data center in Quezon City, to support the country in its pursuit to become a hyperscale hub. STT GDC Philippines president Carlo Malana said STT Fairview would start running by 2025 with an initial capacity of 28 MW that can be scaled up depending on incoming demand. According to think tank Oxford Economics, a 20-MW data center bolsters the economy by up to $5.3 billion and creates over 28,000 jobs. With this, Uy said DICT is educating students on data center management to supply the manpower for future investors.
Source:Philippine Star
May 18, 2023 23:27 UTC
DSWD, DoJ sign implementing rules for law vs sexual abuse online of children
SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Rexlon "Rex" Gatchalian and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed implementing rules and regulations of a law passed to protect children against sexual abuse online. The IRR was crafted for Republic Act (RA) 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act. Gatchalian welcomed the signing of the IRR as a significant step toward better protecting children from online abuse. "It is the responsibility of all, from the government to everyday citizens, to protect the innocence and well-being of our future: the Filipino children," Remulla said. The IRR presents comprehensive standards and strategies to address OSAEC, ranging from effective reporting to effective international collaboration.
Source:Manila Times
May 18, 2023 22:22 UTC
Maternity benefits pushed for women workers in informal sector
According to a report by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), most of the female workers in the informal economy are home-based business owners, home-based subcontract workers, and street vendors. However, there were not enough data on the informal economy, except for the percentage of private household workers (3.9 percent), paid family workers (0.4 percent), self-employed (27.9 percent), and unpaid family workers (8.3 percent). But in the report published by the CHR, which cited a more recent data from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), there were 8 million female workers in the informal economy in 2012. The bill stated that providing a maternity benefit to women workers in the informal economy equivalent to about $350 for every mother is paltry compared to the potential economic benefits of improving breastfeeding rates at population level. al., a non-contributory maternity cash transfer to informal sector workers could provide health benefits by helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 18, 2023 19:36 UTC
Hongkonger among 35 injured in Phuket speedboat crash
Thirty-five people, including one from Hong Kong, were injured after the tour speedboat hit a channel marker on the Thai holiday island of Phuket on Wednesday. The accident occurred when the speedboat was bringing 21 Russians, nine Kazakhstan nationals, one Hong Kong visitor, one Chinese national and one Ukrainian back from the Phi Phi islands to Chalong Bay at about 5.30pm. The boat smashed into the channel marker located about 700 metres from the Chalong pier and sustained heavy damage. It was learned that the injury included a 20-year-old Hong Kong citizen surnamed Lai. An initial investigation found that the boat driver might have dozed off, said Natchaphong Pranit, Chief of the Phuket Marine Office.
Source:The Standard
May 18, 2023 17:37 UTC
Chinese envoy asks Australia to increase search for 39 aboard capsized fishing boat in Indian Ocean
China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian speaks to media at the Embassy of China in Canberra. (AP)A Chinese envoy asked Australian authorities Thursday to increase efforts to find survivors in an Indian Ocean search for 39 crew members missing from a capsized Chinese fishing boat. Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the Australian authority had already sent four airplanes and three ships to the search area, which is in the center of the Indian Ocean. Australia was liaising with the Chinese Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, with three Chinese naval ships continuing the search. Transport Minister Catherine King, who is responsible for the search authority, was traveling overseas and was not available for comment, her office said.
Source:The Standard
May 18, 2023 17:02 UTC
‘Onion prices could spike anew to P500-P700/kilo’
‘Onion prices could spike anew to P500-P700/kilo’MANILA, Philippines — Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) warned yesterday that the retail price of onions could reach as high as P500 to P700 per kilo amid the abrupt spike in the cost of the bulbs. BPI spokesnan Diego Roxas confirmed So’s statement that the stocks of white onions are only good until July. “Our white onions will last until mid-July and for red onions, we expect enough supply until November or December,” Roxas said. “Let me tell you frankly, we have not issued any permit for onion importation for the last four months. “We cannot do anything about it if the institutional buyers used all the stocks of white onions,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
May 18, 2023 14:33 UTC
Immigration: 9 trafficking victims rescued in Thailand, Malaysia repatriated
Immigration: 9 trafficking victims rescued in Thailand, Malaysia repatriatedTravelers line up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on December 20, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration on Thursday said nine human trafficking victims have been rescued from Malaysia and Thailand, and repatriated to the Philippines. The bureau said the two batches of repatriated workers arrived in Manila from Malaysia on May 9 and from Thailand on May 11. RELATED: Suspected traffickers behind cyber fraud hub in Clark face criminal rapsSex trafficking in MalaysiaMeanwhile, three other victims from Malaysia left the country via boat through Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi. Tansingco reiterated the bureau’s warning to the public to not fall prey to human trafficking schemes.
Source:Philippine Star
May 18, 2023 13:33 UTC
Death penalty vs law enforcers who disobeyed anti-agri smuggling law sought
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla has formally sought the passage of a measure seeking to impose capital punishment against personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other uniformed or law enforcement agencies found violating the anti-agricultural smuggling law. 2214, amending the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which the senator announced just before a Senate hearing on alleged unabated agricultural smuggling was suspended on Thursday. READ: Robin Padilla lashes out inattentive customs execs at agri smuggling hearing“Bakit ko po ginawa ito? Assistant BOC Commissioner Vincent Maronilla explained that pending investigation, these erring customs personnel are relieved from their posts so they could not influence the probe. RELATED STORIESVillar says anti-agri smuggling law a ‘failure’Agriculture smuggling: An unending torture for PH farmersBill charging gov’t execs involved in agri smuggling with economic sabotage filedHouse bill wants tobacco smuggling classified as economic sabotagekgaYour subscription could not be saved.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 18, 2023 11:35 UTC
Consultation service halted as Kwun Tong health center catches fire
Healthcare services were temporarily suspended after a fire broke out at a health center in Kwun Tong on Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of about 200 staff and patients. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the men's bathroom at the Yung Fung Shee Memorial Centre East Kowloon Health Centre located in Kwun Tong at 8 am today and was dense enough to affect the patients awaiting consultation in the lobby. Services were temporarily suspended during the fire, and no one was found injured during the incident. They said the fire delayed their service by about 45 minutes but have since resumed regular operation. The spokesperson added that no staff or patients have complained of feeling unwell.
Source:The Standard
May 18, 2023 04:57 UTC
Marcos eyes revival of Philsucor
Marcos eyes revival of PhilsucorPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. graces the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at its central office in Batasan Road, Quezon City on January 31, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is eyeing the revival of the Philippine Sugar Corp. (PHILSUCOR), a state-run firm that provided financing to facilities used in the manufacture and distribution of sugar and its by-products, which was abolished during the previous administration. PHILSUCOR was created in 1983 through Presidential Decree 1890 issued by the President’s late father and namesake Ferdinand Marcos. On Monday, Marcos approved the importation of as much as 150,000 MT of sugar to stabilize the price and increase the country’s stock. Importing an additional 100,000 MT to 150,000 MT of sugar is needed to prevent a shortfall, the SRA said.
Source:Philippine Star
May 17, 2023 23:33 UTC
SAF troopers eyed to fight drug trafficking
SAF troopers eyed to fight drug traffickingMANILA, Philippines — From fighting suspected rebels and terrorists, members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) could soon be battling illegal drug syndicates. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said yesterday transferring SAF troopers to the police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) could be an option. “We will consider getting personnel from SAF, particularly those who… want to have some changes in their pattern of law enforcement life,” he said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the SAF’s 40th founding anniversary at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Acorda noted that “whenever there are questions or whenever there are trust issues, we always consider SAF.”However, Acorda clarified that transferring police commandos to the PDEG is not yet final as they don’t want to diminish the strength of the SAF, the PNP’s elite strike force trained in internal security, counterterrorism and rescue operations. The PDEG is embroiled in controversy after some of its personnel were accused of being “ninja cops” or police officers involved in the illegal drug trade.
Source:Philippine Star
May 17, 2023 23:23 UTC
Elderly man arrested for breaking pigeon’s wings in Tseung Kwan O
A 66-year-old man was arrested in Tseung Kwan O early Wednesday morning after he was caught red-handed by police breaking the wings of a feral pigeon. The arrest came as police earlier received a video from a citizen that showed a person brutally killing a feral pigeon in King Lam Estate. Officers immediately intercepted the man and examined the pigeon’s condition, only to find its wings broken. Police said the arrestee was a resident of King Lam Estate and was a retiree. Police have yet to confirm the arrestee’s motive and believed he was discontent about nuisance and hygiene issues caused by feral pigeons in the area.
Source:The Standard
May 17, 2023 20:32 UTC
3 arrested in Thailand for alleged murder of Chinese businessman
Police in Thailand’s southern province of Satun have apprehended two men and a teenage girl in connection with the death of a Chinese businessman at a resort in Trang province. The 40-year-old businessman, identified as Li Zhri Rui in his passports, reportedly owned several para wood processing plants in southern provinces. He was found dead, with several knife wounds, in the bathroom of a resort in Trang yesterday (Tuesday). Natdanai allegedly said they hatched a plot to take revenge on the businessman, with the teenage girl leaving a window of the resort room open, to allow him to slip in and attack the businessman with a pocket knife. After the fatal assault, the trio fled from Trang to their hometown in La-ngu district of Satun province in the victim’s Honda Accord.
Source:The Standard
May 17, 2023 20:12 UTC