Day: May 25, 2024

The Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) said it gained nearly 8.5 trillion VND (2.24 billion USD) in revenue in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 4%. It contributed 8.46 trillion VND to the state budget. During the period, the corporation mined 13.72 million tonnes of coal, up 2% from the same time last year, and generated 3.42 billion kWh of electricity, or 6% higher than its set plan. It eyes to produce 3.3 million tonnes of coal and import 1 million tonnes while producing 130,000 tonnes of aluminium, 9,450 tonnes of copper ores, 2,400 tonnes of copper sheets, and 850 tonnes of zinc ingots, as well as generating over 1 billion kWh of power.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the government is committed to elevating the Philippines as the premier destination for tourism, relaxation, and entertainment, in line with the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) vision.

In his speech during the inauguration of the Solaire Resort North in Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, Marcos highlighted that the Philippine tourism and hospitality industry has made an “impressive recovery” after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have slowly started to witness how hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities and tourist spots have slowly but surely risen to the challenge of travel resurgence, welcoming 5.45 million inbound tourists in 2023. This is more than double the 2.65 million visitors recorded in 2022,” Marcos said.

Marcos said it is the government’s goal to “let the entire world know that the Philippines is open for tourism, for business” following its pandemic recovery.

He said the Solaire brand, which is owned and operated by Bloomberry Resorts Cor
poration (BRC), will help make the Philippines’ “unique brand of hospitality” known worldwide.

“I am certain that Solaire Resort North is with us in our desire to capitalize in this strength further to improve our position in the global hospitality sector. It is truly a bold and ambitious move to make the Philippines the perfect destination for tourism, relaxation and entertainment,” Marcos said.

“I hope that you all would continue to work with us in making each visit to us a safe, rewarding, and memorable experience. Help us in making this goal the center of efforts in building a Bagong Pilipinas that we dream of,” he added.

Marcos said the Solaire brand has redefined the resort stay experience here in the Philippines by setting a “new benchmark” for luxury, entertainment, comfort and service.

“Its first development, the Solaire Resort Entertainment City, already set the standard for quality and innovation in providing tourism and hospitality services to its guests from around the country and all over th
e world,” he said, referring to the first branch in Parañaque City.

He said its second integrated resort, Solaire Resort North, will further raise the country’s image on the international stage.

“So as we open the doors of Solaire Resort North, let us open the arms to the world, inviting them to experience the warmth and beauty of our country and Solaire Resort North will certainly play a very, very big part in that. Let us show them that we are ready to embrace the opportunities they offer to us and I am confident the world is also ready to embrace us back,” he said.

The President said the gaming industry has provided jobs to Filipinos and contributed to social development, employing about 100,000 Filipinos in 2019, supporting various roles in casino operations.

The industry also expanded into crucial sectors, such as hotels, retail centers, movie theaters, and dining establishments.

Marcos said revenues from these ventures contributed huge funding for the operations of government agencies such as the P
hilippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission and Dangerous Drugs Board.

‘It redounds to the implementation of the universal healthcare, early childhood care and development fund, integrated sports development program, the national endowment for culture and arts, and the establishment and the operation of adequate drug rehabilitation centers,’ he said.

BRC chair and chief executive officer Enrique Razon Jr. said Solaire Resort North is a US1 billion investment that is expected to elevate the “entertainment experience” in Quezon City.

Razon expressed hope that the new integrated resort will bolster economic activity in the city by encouraging more local and foreign visitors.

“We envision Solaire Resort North to be a destination resort of choice with Solaire’s distinct mark of sophistication and uniqueness in its lifestyle offerings. We hope to hope to serve the burgeoning tourism demand north of Metro Manila and the nearby provinces enjoying rapid commercial and residential developme
nt,” Razon said.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chair Alejandro Tengco said the opening of the new resort marks a new era not only for the Philippine gaming history but also for the country’s tourism industry

“We shall all witness its full grandeur and glory as the newest landmark in Quezon City, one that will definitely become a leisure and entertainment destination in this part of Metro Manila,” Tengco said.

“By raising the bar incredibly high, Solaire Resort North instantly becomes the benchmark upon which future integrated resorts will be measured against,” he added.

The 38-story Solaire Resort North has 530 guest rooms, 14 dining options and leisure facilities that include gaming levels, health club and kids’ waterpark.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos took a tour of the resort’s facilities following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Pedestrians and fitness buffs will have portions of Roxas Boulevard in Manila all to themselves on Sunday mornings starting May 26.

The stretch of Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Avenue to P. Burgos Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Alternative routes have been prepared and traffic enforcers will be deployed to assist motorists.

Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo will lead the ‘Move Manila Car-Free Sunday’ launch at the corner of South Drive-Kalaw Avenue and Roxas Boulevard (beside Museo Pambata) at 5:30 a.m.

There will also be a Zumba competition pitting Parent-Teachers Associations against each other.

The car-free ordinance was authored by Councilor Philip Lacuna of the 6th district to allow walking, jogging, running, biking, skateboarding or roller skating without vehicles and harmful fumes.

“There will be first aid stations and water stations. If people want to have their blood pressure checked, the first aid stations will be there to do that. The water s
tations are there to make sure people are hydrated and protected against heat stress,” Lacuna said in a statement.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday clarified that the technical working group (TWG) did not recommend the termination of the five-year motorcycle (MC) taxi pilot program.

‘The TWG did not endorse the termination of the program. What it terminated is the gathering of data and the program continues,’ LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III explained.

Guadiz pointed out that the recommendation to limit the program to only three players in Metro Manila is untrue.

‘The endorsement of the TWG MC Taxi group is to add more players and expand it to more places,’ he stressed.

By expanding the number of players and the places of operation, the LTFRB chief said it will enable the TWG to effectively ascertain the impact of the pilot study.

Legislators, according to the LTFRB chair, believe that a limited study of three players within Metro Manila is not reflective of an encompassing study on the impact of MC taxis on safety and security, economy, traffic, and on other pu
blic transport modes.

‘The study was stretched to more players and outside the borders of Metro Manila,’ he said.

Recently, the LTFRB chief accredited four more transport network companies with 8,000 accredited riders in the Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions.

Guadiz said the LTFRB remains committed to ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive evaluation of the MC taxi pilot program by expanding its scope and participants.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reaffirmed its push to further enhance partnership and cooperation with states in Africa as it spotlighted its ‘renewed’ focus on the region.

In his message on Africa Day, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo acknowledged the vast opportunities with building stronger ties with the individual states of Africa.

‘Despite the geographical distance, the Philippines shares common values and aspirations with Africa, including a firm belief in democracy, human rights, and sustainable development,’ he said.

‘Acknowledging the vastness of the opportunities that Africa represents, the Department has renewed its focus on building stronger ties with individual African nations,’ he added.

Under his directive, Manalo said cooperation on various fields with bilateral partners in the region has been enhanced.

The Philippines has also intensified its presence in the African continent.

In March 2022, the DFA inaugurated its reopened embassy in Morocco, paving
the way for closer cooperation with the North African state on political consultation, people-to-people, tourism, culture, and media, among others.

The Philippine News Agency and its Moroccan counterpart, Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), signed a news cooperation agreement in the same year, which led to the deployment of a correspondent to Manila to monitor the growing Philippine engagements with states in Africa.

This year, Manalo said the DFA expects a number of exchange of visits by senior officials from African partners and the Philippines.

‘Together with the six resident African Embassies in the Philippines, complemented by the hard work of the seven Philippine Foreign Service Posts covering Africa, and in line with the renewed focus on Africa of our foreign policy direction, the Philippines hopes to build ever stronger bonds with our African partners,’ Manalo said.

Africa Day marks the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, the precursor to the African Union.

Manalo said the Philippines
is one with the entire African continent in celebrating this occasion.

‘It is a pivotal moment in Africa’s history that symbolizes unity, solidarity, and the collective aspirations of African nations for independence and self-determination,’ he said.

‘Africa Day is a celebration of the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that define the continent. With over 1.2 billion people and more than 3,000 ethnic groups, Africa is a testament to the beauty of diversity,’ he added.

Source: Philippines News Agency