Category: General

DUMAGUETE: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has awarded PHP500,000 to an association of fruit and vegetable vendors at the city public market here to support their livelihood venture.

The Dumaguete Public Market Fruits and Vegetables Vendors Association, comprising 87 members, mostly women, received the assistance recently, Luchel Taniza, labor information officer of DOLE 7 (Central Visayas) said in an interview Thursday.

Taniza said the Dumaguete West City Vendors Association, being the DOLE-7’s accredited co-partner (ACP), would ensure that the livelihood project intended for the fruit vendors’ group would become operational sooner.

‘The budget for the livelihood assistance will be downloaded through the ACP and they will take charge of the canvassing and procurement of all the materials and equipment that the beneficiary association will need for their project,’ she said in mixed English and Cebuano.

The ACP will then turn these over to the beneficiary association and will also be responsi
ble for the liquidation of the funds, she added.

The livelihood program – a major component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) – is one of the flagship programs of the department, which continues to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged and self-employed individuals struggling to make both ends meet.

Also covered by the program are unpaid family workers, those with low wages, seasonal workers, and those facing displacement, the DOLE-7 said in a media release.

Lourdes Nalam, association president, thanked the DOLE-7 and assured them that the association would be responsible for managing the livelihood assistance that the DOLE-7 handed to them.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BUTUAN: The city government of Surigao received a PHP3.6 million livelihood support fund from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

‘The financial support is a substantial boost for the livelihood programs of the city government under the administration of Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II,’ the local government said in a statement Friday.

The livelihood fund, released on Thursday afternoon through the Kabuhayan Program of the agency, will be utilized to help 123 individuals from the Muslim community in the city by providing them with livelihood programs and projects.

DOLE Surigao del Norte chief labor and employment officer May Velonta handed over the check containing the livelihood fund to City Councilor Baltazar Abian, who chairs the Labor and Employment Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The city government also recognized the continuing support of the DOLE for its livelihood programs and initiatives.

‘The Kabuhayan Program represents a vital initiative aimed at enhancing the capabilities of
impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized workers in our communities,’ the statement said. ‘The selection is a way of ensuring that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries, especially those facing employment challenges.’

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A Catholic prelate on Friday urged the faithful to pray for the victims of the March 6 attack of rebels at the Gulf of Aden where three crew members, two of which are Filipino seafarers, were killed.

“In this moment of war, chaos, and uncertainty, let us all turn to God for His divine intervention. Let us pray for peace in the Middle East, entrusting everything in His power and mercy…We are one and united with the families of the victims. We urge them to be strong and lift up everyone and everything to God,” Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

“We call on the Houthis to stop all the attacks, aggression, and intrusion in the Red Sea. This incident underscores the danger to human life, property, and the marine environment in the area,” the Catholic prelate added.

The attack on MV True Confidence was the first fatal assault due to the tension at the Red Sea, one of the important trade routes from Europe, Middle East and Asia.

According to an official s
tatement by the Indian Navy and released by Anadolu news agency on March 7, the Barbados-flagged Bulk Carrier MV True Confidence was reportedly ‘hit by a drone/missile’ in the south-west of Aden on Wednesday, resulting in fire onboard and critical injuries to some of the crew members forcing the crew to abandon the ship.

“INS (Indian Navy Ship) Kolkata, deployed for maritime security operations arrived at the scene of action and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national, from the life raft using its integral helicopter and boats.”

Santos said he is praying for God’s intervention to touch the hearts of contrasting parties and stop the hostility that is affecting innocent people.

“We place our trust in God’s miraculous love for peace, diplomatic settlements, and to soften the hearts of both sides. May each one respect life, promote the common good, and protect the individual rights and welfare,” he said.

It was in November 2023 when the Yemeni militia group, Houthis started attacking the Red Se
a in support of Palestinians at the start of Israel – Hamas militant war.

The group also took hostage 17 Filipino crew members of Galaxy Leader cargo ship at the Red Sea.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The White House announced on Friday (Manila time) that 22 high-level business executives will be part of the delegation of US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in her Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila from March 11 to 12.

The delegation will be exploring business opportunities in the Philippines as part of the two countries’ commitment to further strengthen commercial ties.

Joining Raimondo’s delegation to Manila next week are GreenFire Energy, Inc. president Steven Brown; Sol-Go chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) Scott McHugo; Marquis co-founder, vice president and director of marketing Thomas Marquis; and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) founder and CEO Francesco Venneri in the power sector.

USNC, together with power company Manila Electric Company (Meralco), is exploring the opportunities in nuclear energy here through micro-modular reactors.

Last month, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said USNC will be sending
its delegation to the Philippines to present the results of the feasibility study on micro-modular reactors and possible sites of these technologies in the country.

Aside from power firms, US companies that will be part of the trade and investment mission here include digital and technology firms such as Google, to be led by its Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier vice president Sapna Chadha; Microsoft Corp.’s Office of the President Global Strategic Initiatives vice president Mary Snapp; UltraPass ID co-founder and CEO Eric Starr; InnovationForce founder and CEO Kimberly Getgen; and EchoStar/DISH co-founder and chairman of the board Charlie Ergen.

Senior officials of card payment service providers will also participate in the US mission here including Visa Inc. Asia Pacific chairman Chris Clark and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth founder and president and EVP for Sustainability Shamina Singh.

United Airlines president Brett Hart is also joining Raimondo’s delegation, following the company’s anno
uncement of a new route-Tokyo-Narita to Cebu, starting July 31.

US logistics companies FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) will be represented by their Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Region president Kawal Preet, and EVP and chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer Laura Lane, respectively.

Other members of the delegation are Capital One Philippines president Sara Murphy, Black and Veatch Corp. Asia Pacific and India president Narsingh Chaudhary, Boston Consulting Group global chairman Rich Lesser, Bechtel East Asia and Pacific regional president Anne-Marie Padgett, and KKR head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure and co-head of KKR Asia Pacific David Luboff.

Raimondo will also be accompanied by President’s Export Council chairman Mark Ein, and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council president Ted Osius, and Apl.de.Ap Foundation International founder Allan Pineda a.k.a Apl.de.Ap.

In a press chat in Makati City Friday, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said this visit o
f the US Secretary of Commerce is a significant mission to the country as this was initiated by US President Joe Biden himself.

‘The mission was initiated by President (Joe) Biden at the time that our President visited Washington DC,’ Pascual said.

Pascual will also have a bilateral meeting with Raimondo during the latter’s visit here next week.

Raimondo will also be meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council and Philippine business organizations.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Hanoi: Together with countries around the world that are making efforts to protect and restore rivers, the Government of Vietnam has been implementing many important policies and practical actions to protect and revive the Earth’s source of life and respond to the International Day of Action for Rivers (March 14), according to insiders.

Data of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment show that Vietnam has 3,450 rivers and streams with a length of 10 km or more. They are located in 108 river basins spreading across the country with a total basin area of about 1.16 million sq.km, of which only 330,990 sq.km, or 28.3%, are located within Vietnam’s territory.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on February 6 signed a decision approving a plan to implement the master plan on water resources for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

According to Director of the Department of Water Resources Management Chau Tran Vinh, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) will coordinate with m
inistries, sectors, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities to manage and organise the implementation of the master plan. The People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities will direct relevant organisations and individuals to review and adjust operation procedures for irrigation systems, irrigation and hydropower reservoirs and ensure the effective and multi-purpose use of water sources.

This year, the MoNRE is working with management and operation units of downstream irrigation works to closely monitor hydro-meteorological developments, and forecast, calculate and develop scenarios for reservoir operation and regulation, while providing information and data of inter-reservoir operation procedures, and ensuring safe water supply requirements for downstream river basins till the end of 2024’s dry season./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MALASIQUI: La Union’s month-long Ayat Fest founding anniversary celebration got another attraction after the arrival of the world-traveling floating book fair through MV Doulos Hope at Poro Point Freeport Zone in San Fernando City on Thursday.

La Union provincial information officer Rowan Joshua Dimaculangan, in an interview on Thursday, said GBA Ships, the operator of Doulos Hope, and the provincial government of La Union have partnered to promote knowledge, sharing of compassion and giving back to the community through the book fair.

‘There are many sets of books. From children’s books to novels, to activity books and devotional and religious books. Visitors may read or purchase the books. The price ranges from PHP40 to PHP500,’ he said.

‘Every part of the ship is also perfect for taking photos,’ he added, citing that the ship also has a café where visitors can lounge.

MV Doulos Hope book fair is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. with 8 p.m. as the last entry. The ship is closed on Mondays.

Entrance fee is PHP50 but free for senior citizens, persons with disability, and children who are 12 years old and below.

Visitors may pre-register at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/douloshope/ or visit the Facebook Page Doulos Hope (Doulos Hope).

As part of community service, Dimaculangan said GBA Ships and Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David are arranging a schedule for the chosen children from underprivileged communities in La Union who will have the chance to tour and experience the ship and be able to bring home books for free.

Source: Philippines News Agency