Category: General

Hanoi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Algerian Embassy on March 8 co-organised a ceremony to commemorate Vietnamese and Algerian officials and journalists who perished in a plane crash five decades ago.

On the occasion, the upgraded memorial site for the victims in Soc Son district, Hanoi was inaugurated.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang recalled that 15 Algerian journalists and technicians, two diplomats, six military officers and flight crew members, and nine Vietnamese journalists lost their lives in the accident while accompanying the then Algerian President Houari Boumediene on his official visit to Vietnam.

In remembrance of the fallen officials and journalists from both countries, the memorial site in Soc Son’s Mai Dinh commune was built in 2000, with its upgrade recently completed.

The site has become a landmark where Vietnamese and Algerians come together every year to commemorate the significant contributions of the previous generations, fostering the t
ime-honoured traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria, the diplomat said.

Expressing his gratitude to the ministry, local authorities, and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group for their efforts in renovating the memorial site, Redha Oucher, a charge d’affaires at the embassy, stressed that the place is considered a strong bridge in the history of the Vietnam-Algeria traditional relationship, evoking the friendship shared between the sides.

At the ceremony, delegates offered incense and paid tribute to the fallen officials and journalists./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: Police agents confiscated suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP22.6 million from four high-value drug suspects during buy-busts in Pasay City and Iloilo province on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said two suspects were arrested in Celeridad Street, Barangay 111, Pasay City on Thursday night by the Southern Police District Drug Enforcement Unit.

Nartatez said both suspects were listed as high-value individuals (HVI) on the drug watchlist.

Confiscated from the duo were 1.830 kg. of suspected shabu worth PHP 12.4 million, buy-bust money, and mobile phones, among others.

Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) Director Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky likewise reported the arrest of alias Pada, 31 and alias Ceasar, 49, both HVI, during a buy-bust in Duran Street, Barangay Sto. Rosario, Iloilo City on Thursday afternoon.

Seized from the suspects were suspected shabu weighing more or less 1,500 grams w
orth PHP10.2 million, buy-bust money, two mobile phones, and a motorcycle.

The four will be charged with violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) in relation to Section 26B (conspiracy to sell) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Friday stressed anew the need to uphold the protection of women against insurgency and violence as the world marked International Women’s Day.

In a prerecorded video, Duterte said it’s crucial to discuss pressing issues that put women’s welfare and lives at risk.

‘Isaisip natin si Dr. Sharmaine Baroquillo na isang kawani ng pamahalaan na biktima ng karahasan at ang abogadang kasapi ng New People’s Army na namatay sa Bohol habang pinaglalaban ang bulok na ideolohiya ng terorismo at pagpapabagsak sa pamahalaan (Let’s remember Dr. Sharmaine Baroquillo, a government employee, a victim of violence, and the lawyer-member of the New People’s Army [NPA] who died in Bohol while fighting for the rotten ideology of terrorism and government destabilization),’ she said.

Baroquillo was allegedly shot by three men in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur while on her way to Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital on Feb. 3.

The alleged NPA member, Hannah Joy Cesista (alias
Maya or Lean), meanwhile, died during an armed encounter with government troops in Bilar, Bohol on Feb. 23.

‘Nariyan din ang mga ina ng mga kabataang inarmasan at biktima ng panlilinlang ng NPA na hanggang ngayon ay nawawala o di kaya umuwi na wala ng buhay (There are also the mothers of the youth armed and victimized by the deception of the NPA who until now are still missing or came home dead),’ Duterte added.

Moreover, the Vice President mentioned the sacrifices of the female family members of security frontliners.

‘Huwag din nating kalimutan ang mga ina, asawa, o kapatid ng mga pulis at sundalong nagbuwis ng buhay para matiyak lang na ligtas tayo at ang ating bayan (Let’s not forget the mothers, wives, or sisters of policemen and soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to ensure our safety and the country’s security),’ she said.

Duterte further insisted that true support for women entails equal opportunities, freedom to choose and excel in their avenues, access to education, and protection for the fo
undation of Filipino families, among others.

‘Isulong natin ang sapat at angkop na edukasyon para sa publiko. Tulungan ang mga grupong tunay na tagapagtanggol ng karapatan at kapakanan ng mga kababaihan. Suportahan natin ang mga batas para sa kababaihan (Let’s promote adequate and appropriate education for the public. Help groups that are truly fighting for women’s rights and welfare. Let’s support laws in favor of women),’ she said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) likewise lauded women’s contribution to society.

‘Ensuring women’s and girls’ rights across all aspects of life is the only way to secure a prosperous and just economies and a healthy planet for future generations,’ the DepEd said in a separate statement.

This year’s International Women’s Day is celebrated with the theme ‘Investing in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ with the aim to push for the realization of ‘decent work and gender equality’ across all sectors.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU: To ensure health and safety in workplaces, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas launched Thursday the 13th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan Award, a labor official said on Friday.

Dr. Maria Beatriz Villanueva, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of DOLE-7, said the award will recognize the ‘best of the best’ in the area of workers’ safety and health in the workplaces and the community.

‘We want to extend this opportunity to deserving enterprises and individuals to be recognized for their accomplishments and best practices in the field of occupational safety and health,’ Villanueva said.

The OSHC, she said, wants to bring the promotion of the GKK award to the regions because ‘we want as many enterprises and individuals as possible to join.’

She said the best of the best or the exemplary establishments and individuals will be recognized as ‘Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan Champions.’

Private and locally registered companies compliant with occupational safet
y and health standards as prescribed by Department Order 198, series of 2018, or the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 11058, are encouraged to join the search.

Those in the public sector or government agencies compliant with CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2020 on occupational safety and health standards for the public sector can also join the award.

Individuals who are designated OSH personnel of GKK-nominated company, who implemented workplace safety and health initiatives that made an impact on its safety and health management system and performed duties beyond their immediate OSH field or area of responsibility can also join.

Micro-enterprises and informal sector with safety and health innovations, improvements, or initiatives in business operation in the fields of transportation, retail, services, food manufacturing, small construction, and agriculture are also eligible for the award.

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

Canberra: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 8 (local time) visited the Australian National University (ANU) and attended an education forum in Canberra, as part of his official visit to Australia.

In his remarks, the PM highlighted the close and practical friendship between Vietnam and Australia, and the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership made on the occasion of his visit.

Chinh called educational cooperation a bright spot in the Vietnam-Australia ties with various achievements gained over the past time, contributing to raising personnel quality in service of national development.

Australia is one of the most favourite destinations of Vietnamese students, he said, noting many of them have gained successes and made significant contributions to national development as well as the bilateral relations after returning home.

The leader affirmed that Vietnam always pays due heed to education-training, and human resources development, especially high-quality per
sonnel, which is also one of its three strategic breakthroughs, along with institution and infrastructure.

Vietnam prioritises attracting foreign investment to education-training, yet such influx remains limited, especially to higher education, the PM said, stressing that ample room remains for the two countries to enhance their cooperation in this field, thus maintaining its role as an important pillar of the relationship and contributing to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership.

To boost the collaboration, the two countries should further review and perfect relevant institutions, mechanisms and policies, he suggested.

The Vietnamese government commits to protecting legal, legitimate rights and interests of foreign educational institutions and investors, for mutual benefits, the leader said.

Chinh commended the establishment of a joint working group by the two countries’ ministries of education and training to support Australian universities to open their branches in Vietnam.

He also sug
gested raising the volume and quality of cooperation programmes between educational institutions of the two countries, with more attention to science-technology research, development and application, and such areas as AI, big data, green energy, and biotechnology, which are Vietnam’s needs and Australia’s strengths.

Resources should be mobilised and optimised to implement key projects that are consistent with Australia’s strengths and interest, and Vietnam’s demand, the leader continued.

Chinh expressed his hope and belief that the forum will open up a new period of educational cooperation between the two countries, and that there will be more Australian educational institutions to operate in Vietnam, and diverse, effective cooperation and research forms, with special attention to projects at the regional level.

At the forum, PM Chinh and representatives from ministries and agencies witnessed the exchange of eight cooperation documents between the two countries’ universities, covering the exchange of stude
nts and lecturers, and training in new and important fields like AI, big data, semiconductors, health sciences, environment, digital technology and green energy, among others.

More than 80,000 Vietnamese students have studied in Australia so far, and over 200 Vietnamese and Australian educational institutions have engaged in cooperation programmes./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency