Category: General

Binh Thuan: Vietnam FesTrival Binh Thuan 2024, a triathlon competition, was held in in the central province of Binh Thuan on March 24, drawing nearly 500 athletes from 19 countries.

The event was jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, the Stop And Sports JSC and the Vietnam Triathlon Club.

Athletes competed in two categories with the first one featuring a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycling race and a 21.1km run and the second a 950m swim, a 45km cycling race and a 10.55km run.

Following the success of the inaugural season, the tournament received extensive positive feedback from athletes and experts. This year, the organisers aim to deliver another professional tournament while also providing a festival-like atmosphere for athletes to meet, interact, and share their passion for the sport.

This large-scale sports contest is part of activities held to commemorate the 49th anniversary of Binh Thuan Liberation Day (April 19, 1975 – April 19, 2024).

The tournament aims to showcase the s
cenic beauty of Binh Thuan to both local and international audiences, thereby supporting the province’s goal of becoming a national marine sports centre./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in providing In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) service, marking a new step forward during the digital transformation process.

Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines plans to offer Internet access to passengers on some of its aircraft in 2025 on international flights to the US and Europe, and some domestic flights.

The service will be carried out on the remaining aircraft and flights from 2026.

To that end, VNPT will coordinate with Vietnam Airlines to build a roadmap, complete procedures, install hardware and software, and support operations. The speed of the carrier’s in-flight internet network is expected to be up to 60 Mbps.

There are currently more than 1,000 commercial aircraft worldwide equipped with IFC, and the figure is hoped to increase to more than 24,000 by 2035./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released PHP6.037 billion to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) for the implementation of the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Program.

In a statement Monday, the DBM said the amount will enable the PFDA to construct and rehabilitate fish ports and other fishery facilities.

‘Enhancing and maintaining strategic and globally competitive fish ports would allow our ships and crews access to essential supplies and services, and for vessel operators to successfully bring in their catches, safeguarding the livelihood of our fishermen,’ Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

According to the World Bank, the fisheries sector contributes 1.3 percent to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) and roughly 1.6 million jobs or around 4 percent of the labor force, which includes low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing.

Of the amount, PHP1.1 billion will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of fis
h ports and other fishery post-harvest facilities in the country.

The Special Allotment Release Order for the budget allotment was signed by Pangandaman on Feb. 28.

“Kapag maayos at napangangalagaan ang ating mga fish port, malaking pakinabang ito sa kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda at sa kaunlaran ng komunidad. Kaya sinisiguro po natin na sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, may kaukulang suporta ang mga proyekto para sa kanila (When our fish ports are well-maintained, it greatly benefits the livelihood of fishermen and the development of the community. So we are making sure that under the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos, the projects intended for them have appropriate support),” the Budget chief said.

The PFDA sustains the operation of the nine regional fish ports particularly in Navotas, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Camaligan, Lucena, Sual in Pangasinan, Davao, General Santos, and Bulan in Sorsogon.

It likewise jointly manages the Tacloban fish port in Leyte.

The PFDA, a government-owned and
-controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture, was created to promote the development of the fishing industry through the provision of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and essential services that improve efficiency in the handling and distribution of fish and fishery products.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Malacañang suspended work in all government offices from noon onwards on Holy Wednesday, March 27 to allow state employees to prepare for the observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

In a memorandum circular released on Monday, the Palace said the half-day work on Holy Wednesday aims to provide government employees a full opportunity to observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country.

‘To provide government employees the full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on 28-29 March 2024 and to allow them to travel to and from the different regions in the country, work in government offices on 27 March 2024 is hereby suspended from 12:00 o’clock in the afternoon onwards,’ read the circular signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

‘However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other
vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services,’ it added.

The suspension of work in private companies and offices, meanwhile, is left to the sound discretion of their respective employers.

Authorities are bracing for the exodus of commuters as Filipinos rush to the provinces for the annual observance of the Holy Week.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A total of 13,420 out of 37,937 examinees passed the latest Philippine National Police (PNP) entrance and promotional examinations, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said on Monday.

It translates to a 30.37-percent passing rate of the Dec. 10, 2023 exams held in 24 designated testing centers across the country and on Feb. 11 in Butuan City.

The total number of passers includes 8,399 or 28.76 percent out of a total of 29,205 examinees of the entrance exam and 5,021 or 57.50 percent out of 8,732 active officers who took the promotional exam.

The 5,021 police officers who passed the promotional examinations per category are as follows:

–Police Officer 1st Class examination for major and lieutenant colonel, 39 passers;

–Police Officer 2nd Class examination for lieutenant and captain, 234 passers;

–Police Officer 3rd Class examination for master sergeant, senior master sergeant, chief master sergeant and executive master sergeant , 2,897 passers;

–Police Officer 4th Class examination for
Police Corporal and Police Staff Sergeant (1,851 passers).

The eligibility conferred upon passing the entrance examination is one of the requirements for appointment in the PNP as a patrolman/patrolwoman, while passing the corresponding promotional examination is a requirement for a higher rank.

The list of successful examinees will be posted at the Napolcom One-Stop Shop central office in Quezon City and can be viewed at www.napolcom.gov.ph.

An individual Certificate of Eligibility or Report of Rating will be sent by mail to all examinees.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Monday honored all women who were recognized during the recently concluded Awards Rites for the 2023 Outstanding Government Workers.

‘As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honor the invaluable contributions of the 20 female civil servants who emerged as winners of the 2023 Search for Outstanding Government Workers,’ CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said in a news release.

‘They proved that public service knows no gender. Their extraordinary dedication and impact in advancing national development inspire not only women, but all public servants on the importance of championing gender equality and pursuing excellence in government.’

On February 14, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan (PLB) Award on six women for their exceptional contributions, which have significantly influenced public interest, security, and patrimony nationwide.

They are:

Raquel R. Rivera, Master Teacher I at the Alaminos City National High School in Alaminos
, Pangasinan;

Julie Ann A. Salido, Professor III at the Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan;

Baguio Lead Contact Tracing Team Leader Donnabel T. Panes, Medical Officer V, and member Mischelle R. Junio, Administrative Assistant III; and

Landbank Agent Banking (AB) Program Team members Julie Rose C. Castro, eProducts Officer, and Rosemarie N. Guevarra, Senior eProducts Specialist.

Rivera was awarded for developing software program instructions that have been beneficial in teaching information and communication technology to students of Alaminos City National High School.

Salido, meanwhile, used her research skills and computer expertise in designing and developing the Sea-condition Emergency Alert and Warning Apparatus for Vessels Safety or SEAWAves. She also filed for a patent and security copyright of the Prototype Hybrid Trimaran Passenger and Cargo Vessel Using Multi-Engine and Alternative Energy from Ocean Waves.

Meanwhile, the Baguio Lead Contact Tracing Team, which includes Panes and Junio, p
rovided prompt response in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic through the creation the Baguio Retooled Contact Tracing System.

As female members of the Landbank AB Program Team, Castro and Guevarra helped launch the Landbank AB program, a form of branchless banking that enables unbanked Filipinos and those in geographically isolated areas to open Landbank accounts, withdraw and deposit funds, and pay bills to over 500 government and private billers.

The awardees received a gold-gilded medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the President of the Philippines, and a cash prize of PHP200,000 for individual awardees, and PHP100,000 each for members of group awardees.

The CSC also recognized female awardees who were conferred the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan) Award for consistent display of exemplary behavior based on the eight norms of conduct under Republic Act No. 6713, and the CSC Pagasa Award for outstanding contribution resulting in an innovative ide
a or outstanding performance which directly benefit more than one department of the government.

Among the winners of the Dangal ng Bayan Award were Eleonor B. Ayan, Nutritionist-Dietician III at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera Administrative Region in Baguio City; Mary Hazel B. Ballena, School Principal II at the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Abra in Bangued, Abra; and Gay D. Galdo, Special Education Teacher I at DepEd – Division of Davao Oriental in Mati, Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, the awardees of the CSC Pagasa Award were Venus M. Alboruto, Education Program Supervisor in DepEd Schools Division of Surigao City; Vanessa Joy F. Calderon, Senior Science Research Specialist at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office II in Tuguegarao City; Drolly P. Claravall, Associate Professor V at the Isabela State University – Ilagan Campus in Ilagan City; and Ronnalee N. Orteza, Director III at DOST Philippine Science High School System – Ilocos Region
Campus in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

Two women-led groups were also recognized: the Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC)-Davao led by DOST XI Supervising Science Research Specialist Mirasol G. Domingo, Senior Science Research Specialist Sheryl N. Napoco, and Science Research Specialist II Dorothy Joy M. Candilas; and the Palayamanan Project Team from Bulacan Agricultural State College led by Associate Professor V Imelda S. Navarro, Associate Professor II Imee D. Esguerra, Associate Professor V Jennifer I. Guevarra, and Associate Professor I Rhuelyn A. Ballaran.

The CSC joins the whole nation in observing the 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration with the theme, ‘We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.’

This year’s subtheme, ‘Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan’ highlights the need to give women equitable opportunities and not be hindered by gender biases and discriminatory stereotypes.

Source: Philippines News Agency