Big freeze sees tourism numbers worsen in second Covid year
"There were no tourists at all and the tourism sector was suffering," Yiu said. Even if the border is reopened, the travel business won't be able to resume as quickly, Yiu said. The tourism sector relied on local tours last year, including green lifestyle local tours, spend-to-redeem local tours and "cruise to nowhere" trips. "But we cannot always rely on the local market because local travel is only a small part of our travel business. The help provided by local tours is very limited," Yiu said.
Source:The Standard
January 18, 2022 01:16 UTC
Marcos camp ‘extends hand of unity’ after COC cancellation bid is thrown out
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said it is extending its “hand of unity even to the fiercest of adversary” as it called for clean and fair elections after the petition to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president was denied by the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Second Division. Marcos’ spokesperson, Atty. Theodore Te, who serves as the lawyer of the petitioners composed of political detainees and human rights and medical organizations that opposed Marcos’ dictatorship, said the petitioners would seek reconsideration of the decision. abcSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 17, 2022 23:02 UTC
PH to get Indian missiles system in 2023
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said that the country is expected to receive its Indian-made anti-ship missile system next year. The anti-ship missile project is a big-ticket project in the nation's defense modernization program. Lorenzana signed the Notice of Award for the project last December 31. On March 2, 2021, the Department of National Defense and India's Defense Ministry signed the implementing agreement on the procurement of defense material and equipment. The Defense chief said that the Philippine Marine Corps' Coastal Defense Regiment will be the primary user of the BrahMos missile system.
Source:Manila Times
January 17, 2022 22:14 UTC
Air pollution worsened last year as Covid outbreak stabilized: green group
Air pollution in Hong Kong has turned worse last year as the city went through economic revival amid a mostly stable Covid situation and lenient social distancing measures, a green group has found. But the worsened air pollution last year was estimated to have led to 1,329 premature deaths and a total economic loss of HK$15.8 billion, Clean Air Network found after analyzing the air quality data released by the Environmental Protection Department. Among them, the level of nitrogen dioxide last year was 37 milligrams per square meter of air, 12 percent more than 33 milligram per square meter of air in 2020. The third major pollutant is respirable suspended particulates, which general reading was 28 milligrams per square meter, comparing with 26 in 2020. “In 2021, as those measures were relaxed, the level of air pollution bounced back, though yet to reach that in 2019 before the pandemic.
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2022 20:58 UTC
'No vax, no ride’ policy starts in Metro Manila’s public transport
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday (Jan 17) started the implementation of its “no vaccination, no ride” policy in Metro Manila’s public transportation in order to further restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals. The DOTr policy mandates that only fully vaccinated individuals may ride public transportation by presenting their vaccination card and a valid or government-issued identification card. “According to [Secretary Arthur] Tugade, implementation of the ‘No Vaxx, No Ride’ policy must be tolerant and patient, but firm,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said in a statement. The policy covers land, sea, and air travel going to, from, and within Metro Manila. This move was viewed by some groups as a form of shame campaign in violation of the constitution.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 17, 2022 20:56 UTC
Moreno proposes drive-thru vaccination sites at toll booths
Moreno proposes drive-thru vaccination sites at toll boothsMotorists queue for booster shot for COVID-19 during a drive-thru vaccination at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Jan. 15, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday urged the government and private sector to use the toll booths in expressways as drive-thru vaccination sites. The mayor made the call during the opening of a drive-thru booster vaccination for public utility vehicle drivers at the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila. There are even those who drive three to four hours to Manila, plus the number of hours lining up for shots at the Luneta drive-thru booster facility,” Moreno said, referring to the city’s drive-thru vaccination site at Quirino Grandstand. Moreno asked the Toll Regulatory Board to recommend the proposal for the drive-thru jab site to business tycoons managing the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, among others.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2022 19:17 UTC
Biz groups urge Congress to ratify transport safety bill
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign business groups are urging Congress to approve a bill that would create a body to probe transportation-related accidents and incidents. Groups Safe Travel Alliance, International Air Transport Association and Air Carriers Association of the Philippines have also joined JFC’s call. After the bill is ratified, it can be endorsed to President Duterte for approval into law. In the creation of the PTSB, the aim is to improve transportation safety measures to help prevent accidents and mitigate dangers to human lives and property. The PTSB would also ensure transportation safety standards are implemented.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2022 17:46 UTC
Incentives eyed for green financing
Incentives eyed for green financingBSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said during the Asian Financial Forum 2022 that regulatory incentives could be extended to banks that embrace sustainability principles. According to Diokno, the extension of regulatory incentives falls under the third phase of the Sustainable Finance Framework. Since 2017, Philippine banks have issued $1.15 billion in foreign currency denominated and P85.4 billion in local currency denominated green, social and sustainability bonds. Banks operating in the country have issued $701 million worth of green bonds, $300 million worth of sustainability bonds, and $150 million worth of social bonds in the offshore debt market. Likewise, these entities have also raised P48.9 billion via the issuance of sustainability bonds, P21.5 billion from social bonds, and P15 billion from green bonds in the onshore debt market.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2022 16:52 UTC
New Cathay rival considering possible US$1.8 billion plane order
An aircraft operated by Greater Bay Airlines lands at Hong Kong International Airport on Jan. 6. Such an order could amount to as much as US$1.77 billion, according to calculations by Bloomberg News and Avitas Inc. using current aircraft prices. The timing and eventual size of the order depends on the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong, the person said. The upstart carrier received its air operator’s certificate in October, enabling it to carry out charter and cargo flights. Greater Bay Airlines has a leased Boeing 737-8 jet.
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2022 16:17 UTC
Philippines likely to post strongest growth in ASEAN this year
Philippines likely to post strongest growth in ASEAN this yearMANILA, Philippines — The Southeast Asian region is expected to continue its recovery this year, with the Philippines seen registering the strongest growth, but new COVID-19 variants remain a threat in the region’s rebound. Of all economies in the region, the Philippines is seen posting the strongest growth at around 7.2 percent. This is also way above the average five percent economic growth for the whole region. Biswas emphasized that domestic demand would be an increasingly important growth driver, as the rapidly growing consumer markets of populous ASEAN nations, notably Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam, help to drive consumption spending. While economic growth momentum is seen improving this year, Biswas emphasized that most ASEAN countries will face the medium-term challenge of fiscal consolidation.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2022 13:49 UTC
Horses jump bonfires as Spain’s purification ceremony returns after pandemic break
SAN BARTOLOME DE PINARES, Spain — About a hundred horses jumped through bonfires in a purification ceremony on Sunday during the Spanish festival of “Las Luminarias,” which was held for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The traditional nighttime celebration takes place in San Bartolome de Pinares every Jan. 16, the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day, Spain’s patron saint of animals. Revelers rode their horses through the narrow cobble-stoned streets, which according to tradition, purified the animals with the smoke and flames of the bonfires for the coming year. After an hour of horses jumping over flames, revelers then took to dancing and drinking. About 100 horses and their owners took part in the festivities, Reuters witnesses said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 17, 2022 13:35 UTC
Philippines logs 37,070 more Covid-19 cases; over 33K others recover
Currently, there are 290,938 active cases of Covid-19 in the country, according to the DOH bulletin. According to the DOH, 36,001 of the 37,070 new cases occurred within the past 14 days. The nation’s capital was followed by Region 4-A with 9,048 new cases and Region 3 with 4,173 more infections. Further, two cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation. The DOH said 12 labs were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 17, 2022 11:32 UTC
Haus Talk shares rally in first IPO of 2022
Haus Talk shares rally in first IPO of 2022The company, which will be listed at the Small, Medium and Emerging (SME) Board of the PSE, will be offering up to 500 million primary shares. MANILA, Philippines — Investor interest proved robust in Haus Talk Inc.'s stock market debut on Monday, shedding some rust left behind by maiden share sales last year. Shares in the low-income housing developer jumped 6.67% from its offer price to finish trading at P1.6 apiece. For Luis Limlingan, head of sales at local brokerage Regina Capital, investor appetite for HTI shares came through despite the local bourse closing in the red today. "Strong volumes and price action in HTI point to strong investor sentiment amid prevailing risks.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2022 11:08 UTC
Philippines poll body rejects petition to bar Marcos from presidential race
The Philippines' election commission on Monday threw out a petition seeking to bar the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos from running in this year's election, one of several complaints filed in an attempt to derail his presidential bid. The petition had sought to invalidate the candidacy of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has emerged as a clear favorite, after accusing him of misrepresenting his eligibility because of a prior tax conviction. But the second division of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) dismissed the complaint, lawyers in the petition said. The lawyers said they will file a motion for reconsideration with COMELEC with a full bench of judges. The election to choose a successor to Rodrigo Duterte, who is barred by the constitution from a second term, takes place on May 9.
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2022 10:57 UTC
RHRDC-11 announces P1-M research funding grant
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development will give a P1-M grant to researchers and faculty members of Regional Health Research and Development Consortium-Region 11 member institutions to help develop scientific solutions for research and development. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOTHE Regional Health Research and Development Consortium-Region 11 (RHRDC-11) announced a call for health research and development proposals for calendar year 2022. Over P1 million in funding support from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DoST-PCHRD) was to be granted to researchers and faculty members of RHRDC-11 member institutions that would like to collaborate and develop scientific or technical solutions to strengthen health research and development amid the ongoing public health challenges in the country. All proposals needed to be feasible within six months to one year and should be based on the priority areas indicated in the 2017 to 2022 Region 11 Regional Unified Health Research Agenda, which may be downloaded through this link: http://region11.healthresearch.ph/index.php/downloads-2/category/16-ruhra. For more details and information on the DoST-PCHRD science and technology information and promotion, kindly visit https://region11.healthresearch.ph/, or send a message on the official RHRDC-11 Facebook page.
Source:Manila Times
January 17, 2022 10:25 UTC