Day: April 13, 2024

Hoa Binh: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 13 launched a campaign aimed at eliminating temporary and ramshackle houses across the country by 2025, in a significant move to improve living conditions for impoverished people.

The hybrid launching ceremony was held in Da Bac district in the northern province of Hoa Binh, and was connected online to 63 provinces and centrally-run cities.

Addressing the housing issues facing the poor is part of a great policy of the Party and the State to alleviate poverty and stabilise the lives of the disadvantaged. Between 2000 and 2023, over 1.7 million houses were built or repaired for poor households and people with difficult backgrounds.

In his speech, PM Chinh, who is also Chairman of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council, said that currently, there are still over 315,000 households classified as poor or near-poor who need housing assistance.

He expressed his confidence that the campaign, with a goal to construct or refurbish 170,000 homes by the end of
2025, will garner robust support from society.

The PM called for the mobilisation of resources from the State, society, businesses, and citizens and stressed the need for effective mechanisms and policies and the assurance of quality construction, serving the right beneficiaries and ensuring transparency and efficiency without corruption and waste.

Furthermore, PM Chinh recommended the establishment of a fund to eradicate substandard houses across the nation.

At the event, several organisations, businesses and individuals pledged to donate a total of 336 billion VND (13.42 million USD), a sum enough to construct 6,720 houses. The first allocation of funds will prioritise 40 provinces with high poverty rates and a substantial number of inadequate homes.

Following the ceremony, PM Chinh, along with other Party, State and provincial leaders, visited several families in Da Bac district to observe and support the housing improvement efforts underway./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hoa Binh: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 13 launched a campaign aimed at eliminating temporary and ramshackle houses across the country by 2025, in a significant move to improve living conditions for impoverished people.

The hybrid launching ceremony was held in Da Bac district in the northern province of Hoa Binh, and was connected online to 63 provinces and centrally-run cities.

Addressing the housing issues facing the poor is part of a great policy of the Party and the State to alleviate poverty and stabilise the lives of the disadvantaged. Between 2000 and 2023, over 1.7 million houses were built or repaired for poor households and people with difficult backgrounds.

In his speech, PM Chinh, who is also Chairman of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council, said that currently, there are still over 315,000 households classified as poor or near-poor who need housing assistance.

He expressed his confidence that the campaign, with a goal to construct or refurbish 170,000 homes by the end of
2025, will garner robust support from society.

The PM called for the mobilisation of resources from the State, society, businesses, and citizens and stressed the need for effective mechanisms and policies and the assurance of quality construction, serving the right beneficiaries and ensuring transparency and efficiency without corruption and waste.

Furthermore, PM Chinh recommended the establishment of a fund to eradicate substandard houses across the nation.

At the event, several organisations, businesses and individuals pledged to donate a total of 336 billion VND (13.42 million USD), a sum enough to construct 6,720 houses. The first allocation of funds will prioritise 40 provinces with high poverty rates and a substantial number of inadequate homes.

Following the ceremony, PM Chinh, along with other Party, State and provincial leaders, visited several families in Da Bac district to observe and support the housing improvement efforts underway./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Tel Aviv: The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on April 12 recommended Vietnamese nationals residing, studying, and working in the Middle East country to proactively take security measures amid the escalating tension between Israel and Iran.

The escalating tension followed an April 1 attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria, which has raised concerns among international media and governments about the potential for direct confrontations between Iran and Israel. Israel’s national emergency portal issued safety guidelines effective from 6pm on April 11 to 6pm on April 14.

The Vietnamese Embassy has advised the Vietnamese community to stay updated on the situation through reliable local media sources and safety-related apps, implement necessary safety measures, comply strictly with local regulations and guidelines, avoid crowded places, and maintain regular contact with the embassy.

For emergencies or further information on citizen protection plans, the embassy has provided direct contacts and hotlines for
the community, as well as links to relevant websites of the host administration./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine National Railways (PNR) said construction of the Metro Manila portion of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will go full blast by October this year.

At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, PNR chair Michael Ted Macapagal said the National Capital Region (NCR) pre-construction works involve fencing, removal of old tracks and resolving right of way (ROW) issues.

‘Nilalagyan po ng fences iyong mga areas so that hindi na madadaan ng mga tao at hindi na puwedeng may titira doon or whatever. Isi-secure iyong mga areas (We’re putting up fences in areas so that people can no longer pass and no one can live there or whatever. We will secure those areas),’ Macapagal said.

He said old tracks will be migrated to other areas while clearing operations and ROW concerns are already being attended to.

In NCR, there will be construction of elevated and at-grade tracks and stations from Blumentritt, Manila to Sucat, Parañaque City.

He said the northern line of the NSCR is 50 per
cent complete and he sees the entire project completed by 2027.

The PNR’s Metro Manila line (Manila to Muntinlupa) is temporarily suspended, starting March 28, to give way to NSCR works.

The entire project from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Asian Development Bank.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of dangerous heat index levels in nine areas across the country on Saturday.

Based on the weather bureau’s 5 p.m. forecast on Friday, the following areas may have a heat index ranging from 42°C to 45°C on Saturday:

Laoag, Ilocos Norte – 42°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 45°C

Aparri, Cagayan – 44°C

Tuguegarao, Cagayan – 42°C

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 42°C

Aborlan, Palawan – 42°C

Masbate City, Masbate – 42°C

CBPSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 42°C

Catarman, Northern Samar – 42°C

PAGASA said heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

The weather bureau advised the public to limit the time spent outdoors, especially at noon, and drink plenty of water.

People going outdoors are reminded to use umbrellas or wear hats and sleeved clothing.

Meanwhile, most parts of the country will continue to experience generally fair we
ather conditions, with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in some areas.

The entire archipelago will have light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas.

The temperature in Metro Manila will range from 25°C to 33°C; Baguio City, 17°C to 25°C; Laoag City, 25°C to 33°C; Legazpi City, 25°C to 32°C; Metro Cebu, 26°C to 32°C; and Metro Davao, 25°C to 34°C.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez said Saturday he is optimistic that the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in Manila this year would draw a surge of foreign investments into the country, which could lead to more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.

The 6th IPBF, to be held in Manila on May 21, is expected to bring together about 500 business leaders, project developers, government officials, and financing sources to discuss issues related to infrastructure, supply chain resilience, critical minerals, clean energy, the digital economy, emerging technologies, and inclusive trade.

In a press statement, Romualdez said the forum would serve as a springboard for increased investment inflows into the country.

“By bringing together key stakeholders to discuss critical issues and explore collaboration opportunities, we aim to propel the country’s economic growth and development to new heights, creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities for our people,’ he said.

The fo
rum will not only highlight the Philippines’ growing prominence as a hub for business investment but will also strengthen ties with international partners.

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Philippine government will co-host the 6th IPBF in Manila in partnership with the US Department of State.

In his keynote address at the Philippine-US Business Forum in Washington DC on Friday afternoon (US time), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. invited top US business leaders to participate in the event.

The IPBF is the premier public-private US government event to promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the United States and its partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

This year’s IPBF will build upon the success of the previous five forums that have brought together more than 8,500 participants from 67 countries.

Source: Philippines News Agency