Day: December 17, 2023

MANILA: The low pressure area (LPA) east of Surigao del Sur has developed into Tropical Depression Kabayan on Sunday, prompting the weather bureau to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over several areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

In its 5 a.m. forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hoisted TCWS No. 1 over the following areas:

Southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut)

Southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes)

Eastern and southern portions of Leyte (Mahaplag, Abuyog, Javier, Macarthur, Tabontabon, La Paz, Mayorga, Tolosa, Tanauan, Julita, Dulag, Palo, Tacloban City, Babatngon, Matalom, Hilongos, Bato)

Southern Leyte

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Agusan del Norte

Northern and eastern portions of Agusan del Sur (Bunawan, San Francisco, City of Bayugan, Esp
eranza, Talacogon, Rosario, Sibagat, Prosperidad, San Luis, Trento)

Northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel)

Eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan)

Camiguin

At 3 a.m., PAGASA located the center of Kabayan 535 kilometers east of Davao City, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving westward at 10 km/h.

‘Kabayan is forecast to follow a generally west northwestward path across the Philippine archipelago over the next two days and is likely to maintain its strength until its initial landfall over Mindanao. However, the possibility of reaching tropical storm category pre-landfall is not ruled out,’ PAGASA said.

In the track forecast, the weather bureau said it is likely to make landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental Sunday night or Monday early morning, cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao before emerging over either the Bohol Sea or Sul
u Sea Monday noon or afternoon.

PAGASA said that due to frictional effects associated with landfall, Kabayan is forecast to weaken over land and the possibility of being downgraded into a low pressure area while over land or after emerging over the sea is not ruled out although in such a case, redevelopment may occur over the Sulu Sea.

It said the tropical depression will move across the Sulu Sea south of Cuyo Islands for the remainder of Monday and into early morning of Tuesday.

‘The tropical cyclone is forecast to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning, then emerge over the Philippine Sea by noon or early afternoon of the same day. Afterwards, Kabayan may pass near or over Kalayaan Islands in the West Philippine Sea,’ it added.

PAGASA warned the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone.

‘Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less st
rong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction,’ it said.

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1, it added.

The weather bureau said the surge of the northeast monsoon will bring also gusty conditions for the next two days over the following areas not under any Wind Signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Cuyo Islands, Bicol Region, Visayas, the northern and eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, the eastern portions of Isabela and Nueva Ecija, and portions of Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Pampanga, Cavite and Mindoro Provinces.

‘Under the influence of the northeast monsoon surge and Kabayan, a gale warning is in effect for the coastal waters along the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. Sea travel is risky for small seacraf
t (including all motor bancas of any type or tonnage). Mariners of these vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor,’ PAGASA added.

Alert levels

Local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region have already raised alert levels, based on advisories.

In Surigao del Sur, Governor Alexander Pimentel issued Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Advisory No. 1 on Sunday, outlining the preparedness measures for Task Force Kabayan.

‘All mayors in the province are directed to be on standby protocol and take the necessary measures to attain zero casualty,’ Pimentel said.

He also ordered the local DRRM offices to continuously monitor advisories and weather updates activate their respective operation centers.

The Coast Guard Stations (CGSs) in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Island also issued separate temporary suspension orders on travels of all types of sea vessels and watercrafts.

CGS-Surigao Norte, in particular, said only roll-on/roll-off vessels wit
h over 300 tonnages are allowed to travel within its areas of jurisdiction at daytime.

Other areas

Meanwhile, there will be cloudy skies and scattered rainfalls in the Caraga, Davao Region, Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region and Quezon due to Kabayan and a shear line.

Cloudy skies with rains will also be experienced in the Cagayan Valley, Apayao and Kalinga provinces due to the northeast monsoon.

Residents are warned against possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon and the rest of Calabarzon will have partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to northeast monsoon but with no significant impact.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines is eyeing partnerships with Japan and other countries to increase its share in the global creative industries market, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Sunday.

In his speech during the Creative and Sustainable Economy Through Innovation event spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry in Tokyo, Japan, Marcos said the Philippine creative economy remains a prime contributor to sustainable economic development.

‘One way to accelerate this is in partnering with like-minded countries such as Japan. In the Philippines, we are not just witnessing economic growth. We are crafting a legacy of innovation, creativity, and sustainability for generations to come,’ Marcos said in his speech on the sidelines of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

The President said the global creative industries market is expected to grow to USD3.4 trillion in 2028 from USD2.6 trillion in 2022.

He said the Philippines intends “to increase our shar
e of the pie of these numbers.”

Marcos said he looks forward to seeing the works of Filipino talents in computer animation specializing in Japanese-stylized animation.

‘I am very optimistic that this collective effort towards a creative and sustainable economy will foster great opportunities and prosperity for the Philippines and Japan,’ he said.

The President acknowledged the efforts of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in assuming the role of patron for indigenous textiles, design services, micro, small and medium enterprises, public health services, and other causes aimed at protecting the environment, and supporting many creative projects and innovative enterprises.

Highlighting the immense challenge in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 that requires an annual global investment of USD5.4 trillion, Marcos said the Tokyo event is an intersection of innovation, creativity, and sustainability where the global community could collaborate to secure a brighter and more sustainab
le future.

Food security

The President likewise called on the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit to come up with a 10-year roadmap on new technologies and climate-resilient plans to ensure food security in the region.

Marcos said he encourages new agricultural technologies and the crafting of a climate change-resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered ASEAN-Japan Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap beyond 2025.

The Philippines also encourages ASEAN member states and Japan to undertake novel joint ventures to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and enhance environmental sustainability.

‘I am confident that this partnership will continue to grow and expand with the AJCEP (ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership) Agreement and RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) in place,’ President Marcos said in his intervention during the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Session Two.

‘Furthermore, with the recent addition of the ASEAN-Japan Economi
c Co-Creation Vision that recommends the future direction of ASEAN-Japan cooperation, we anticipate an even more vigorous economic relation,’ he added.

The President welcomed new cooperation initiatives with Japan that facilitate the development of robust supply chain strategies against future disruptions and shocks in ASEAN, through diversification, digitalization, and risk management.

‘As the world becomes more interconnected, ASEAN must develop its physical connectivity and digital infrastructure as foundations for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, economic integration, competitiveness, and resilience,’ Marcos said.

‘We would appreciate, in this regard, the continued exchange of technological know-how and best practices between ASEAN member states and Japan and investment in human capital and upskilling through various scholarship programs for ASEAN member states,’ he added.

Japan is currently ASEAN’s fourth largest trading partner and the fourth biggest source of Foreign Direct Investments.
S
ource: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The center of Tropical Depression Kabayan was estimated based on all available data at 385 kilometers (km) east of Davao City or 315 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of the 5 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in the Visayas is in effect in Southern Leyte and Leyte; southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao); southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes); Cebu including Camotes Islands and Bantayan Islands; and Bohol and Siquijor.

In Mindanao, the affected areas are Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; Surigao del Sur; northern portion of Davao Oriental (Cateel, Boston, Baganga, Manay, Caraga); Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, Misamis Occi
dental, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur; northern and central portion of Davao del Norte (Santo Tomas, New Corella, Braulio E. Dujali, City of Panabo, Asuncion, City of Tagum, Talaingod, Carmen, Kapalong, San Isidro); Davao City; northern portion of Cotabato (Arakan, Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, President Roxas, Kabacan, Matalam, Antipas, Magpet); and northern portion of Maguindanao (Buldon, Barira, Matanog).

Additional provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao may be placed under TCWS No. 1 in the next PAGASA bulletin.

Surigao del Sur is still recovering from the damage caused by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on Dec. 2.

Governor Alexander Pimentel has placed the province on red alert through the issuance of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Advisory No. 2.

All mayors must enforce forced evacuations, activate emergency centers and ensure the availability of evacuation centers. Work in government and private offices are suspended Monday.

In addition, the shear line coinciding with the p
assage of Kabayan may bring heavy rainfall over the eastern portion of Luzon on Monday.

Kabayan is forecast to track generally westward or west northwestward path across the Philippine archipelago over the next two days and is likely to maintain it strength until its initial landfall over Mindanao. However, the possibility of reaching tropical storm category pre-landfall is not ruled out.

On the track forecast, it is likely to make landfall along the coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental Sunday night or early Monday morning, cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, and emerge over Bohol Sea or Sulu Sea until the afternoon.

For the remainder of Monday and into early morning of Tuesday, Kabayan will move across the Sulu Sea south of Cuyo Islands, make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as a tropical depression by Tuesday morning, and emerge over the Philippine Sea by noon or early afternoon of the same day.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine National Games (PNG) and Batang Pinoy (BP) National Championships will kick off Monday with 18,000 athletes from 193 local government units participating in various sports.

The athletics events will be held at PhilSports in Pasig City.

Swimming will have two venues – BP at Teofilo Yldefonso Aquatic Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and PNG at PhilSports.

The PNG is for athletes 18 years and above while the BP is for those 17 years and below.

Other sports are archery, athletics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, football, gymnastics, judo, karate, kickboxing, lawn tennis, muay thai, pencak silat, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, beach volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting and wushu.

‘I stand before you with immense pride and excitement as we gather for the opening rites of the 2023 Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games,’ Richard Bachmann, Philippine Sports Commission chair, said in his speech during the opening
ceremony at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Sunday.

‘It is truly an honor to witness the convergence of our nation’s finest athletes, representing the wide spectrum of talent that makes our country unique and vibrant. In the heart of every athlete lies a seed that grows in the pursuit of excellence and the passion to overcome challenges,’ he added.

Bachman advised the athletes to ’embrace the lessons and cherish the experiences.’
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested a total of 73 persons wanted for various crimes during operations on Dec. 4 to 10.

Twenty-five were listed as Most Wanted Persons and 48 were “other wanted” persons, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

QCPD Director Brig. Gen Redrico Maranan commended his officers for their relentless operations, consistent with the Philippine National Police’s anti-criminality drive.

He also encouraged the public to report illegal activities through QC Helpline 122

Meanwhile, QCPD has partnered with the United Kingdom Counter Terrorism Police Liaison to conduct training for more effective use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in surveillance and criminal investigations.

The course will cover key lessons on CCTV retrieval strategy, practice and resourcing, exhibit retrieval, viewing techniques, and logging statements and presentation in courts.

“In an era where technology plays an essential role in law enforcement, leveraging advanced CCTV syst
ems is paramount,” Maranan said.
Source: Philippines News Agency

ROME: A Vatican court has sentenced Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a former adviser to Pope Francis, to five and a half years of imprisonment for mismanaging a property portfolio, including a luxury flat on London’s Sloane Avenue.

Becciu, the highest-ranking Vatican official ever to face financial charges, was convicted on two counts of embezzlement and one of aggravated fraud.

The cardinal, who was also once seen as a papal contender, was acquitted in other counts of embezzlement and abuse of office.

The trial centred on a London property deal that ended in huge losses for the Catholic Church.

The promoter of justice Alessandro Diddi had requested a sentence of seven years three months for the 75-year-old Sardinian and former Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State.

The court also fined the Italian Cardinal 8,000 euro and banned from public office for life.

Becciu’s defence lawyer, Fabio Viglione, said he and his client “respect the sentence, but we will certainly appeal”.

Becciu is one of
10 defendants in the case for whom Diddi had collectively requested a total of 73 years’ imprisonment.
Source: Philippines News Agency