Category: General

Hanoi: The Border Guard High Command announced on March 2 that it has accelerated the application of information technology (IT) and administrative reform in managing and safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national border security, and has achieved significant results.

According to Colonel Do Ngoc Toan, Director of the Department of Border Gate Management under the command, the pilot of the information technology application in issuing and controlling various permits at port border gates via the electronic border information portal is currently underway. The force is now supplementing utilities and refining software to facilitate the issuance of permits at online port border gates and confirm them with digital signatures.

As scheduled, in 2024, the system will be deployed at seven port border gates. By 2025, it will be implemented at all port border gates nationwide, he said.

The control of various permits is conducted using 2D barcode technology, which helps reduce inspection time for sa
ilors, shoreline passengers, and disembarking workers from around three minutes to about 30 seconds per person, he noted.

In the coming time, the Department of Border Gate Management will collaborate with relevant agencies to implement the Government’s Project 06 as per the Ministry of National Defense’s plan to connect and utilise national population database for immigration management, among others, Toan added.

Currently, the force is implementing 21 electronic border procedures, including 18 procedures integrated with the national one-stop-shop portal and the procedures deployed on the electronic border information portal at 89 ports of entry, international border gates, and main land border gates.

The results of resolving administrative procedures for 19 electronic border procedures at 89 ports of entry have been synchronised to the Ministry of Defence’s public service portal.

An entry-exit management and control software based on a centralised data model has been connected with 109 border checkpoints
and synchronised with data from the Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Department through direct connection systems./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday urged National Food Authority (NFA) officials being investigated over the alleged improper sale of NFA buffer stock rice at a subsidized price to take a voluntary leave of absence (LOA).

In a statement, Laurel said the concerned officials should allow the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) investigating panel to review and assess the matter “without hindrance.”

“The best thing is, and I strongly advise them, to take a leave of absence… at least the heads, the accused, and the accuser,’ he said.

Laurel, however, assured that anyone is presumed innocent, considering the exchanges of allegations within the NFA.

“Until proven guilty, everyone is innocent. But this internal investigation is very important so let’s give it time,” he added.

The agricultural chief further said that the probe is just the first step and DA’s succeeding actions would follow once the investigation results are out.

Although Laurel did not set a deadline, his office said
it expects a swift and accurate assessment result.

Earlier, NFA Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan disclosed to the People’s Television Network the alleged selling of 75,000 bags of NFA rice without the conduct of public bidding.

This allegedly involved more than PHP93.7 million worth of NFA rice, sold to select millers and traders at the price of PHP25 per kg.

The DA, meanwhile, said NFA executives claim the sale followed procedures and denied any irregularity.

MANILA: Joshua Pacio reclaimed the ONE strawweight title controversially as American fighter Jarred Brooks was disqualified just 56 seconds into their championship rematch at ONE 166 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar on Friday night.

Brooks thought he knocked out Pacio to keep his belt when referee Herb Dean stopped the fight after a ground-and-pound action right after a takedown.

However, Dean ruled it otherwise as Brooks appeared to have slammed Pacio down to the canvas head first during the takedown attempt, considered by ONE Championship as an “illegal spike.”

With the disqualification also having an impact on the title change, Pacio, who was still receiving treatment as of posting, is once again the ONE strawweight champion, his sixth reign as the top guy in the 125-pound division.

“The latest prognosis is that he’s a hundred percent fine. I think his neck is sprained,” ONE Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong said during the post-fight press conference.

“He’s doing a battery of
tests right now in a Lusail hospital overnight.”

Pacio’s longtime training partner Eduard Folayang confirmed the development in a Facebook statement, saying, “Joshua is conscious. He can move his hand and leg, and he is here in the hospital for necessary procedures to undergo.”

Protest denied

Sityodtong also said that he was disappointed at the outcome of the Brooks-Pacio fight, especially when Brooks did the spike.

“We’ve had thousands of fights, and to have an illegal spike like that, I was very upset,” he said.

Sityodtong immediately thumbed down a potential protest from Brooks’ camp, which claimed that Pacio was just trying to get out of a Kimura submission when he took him down.

“That was a dump on the head. Hundred percent illegal,” Sityodtong insisted.

With that said, Brooks’ disqualification will be upheld and Pacio will stay as the ONE strawweight champion.

However, with the way their second meeting ended, a third showdown between the two fighters could be on the way to finally settle who’s t
he better champ at 125 pounds.

Despite that, Sityodtong said a trilogy fight is not yet on his mind right now.

“I haven’t thought that far, to be honest. What I care about most right now is that Joshua recovers 100 percent,” Sityodtong said.

Folayang, who now leads Lions Nation MMA, has sought prayers that any major injury in Pacio’s neck and spine that could derail his stellar career, be ruled out.

Earlier in the night, Pacio’s fellow Filipino strawweight contender Jeremy Miado suffered a first-round submission defeat to Japanese opponent Keito Yamakita.

DUMAGUETE: The Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) in Negros Oriental called for tighter measures to protect the welfare of battered women as it kicked off Friday the month-long celebration of National Women’s Month this March.

PCW Vice Chair Phoebe Tan told reporters in an interview that there is a perceived rise in the number of battered women in the province.

However, most of these cases are not reported to authorities, Tan said.

She said she could not give the exact figures as the data from the police, women’s advocacy groups, and similar organizations vary.

Tan underscored the need to map out more measures that would involve men in the fight against abuse of women, saying that husbands have an essential role to play.

‘It’s a vicious cycle where women report their abusive husbands but unfortunately do not pursue any complaints against them. The next thing you know, after a fight, you see the couple riding a motorcycle together as if nothing has happened,’ she said in mixed English and Cebuano.

‘Not
a single case of wife battery has been filed against a man in Negros Oriental,’ she lamented, adding that it is one of the biggest challenges they are facing these days.

Women battering has become like a ‘way of life’ already and reduced to just a part of the couple’s relationship, she added.

Tan recommends letting the men undergo counseling, as well as monitoring those involved in complaints involving women.

She said there should be a balance between ‘punishment’ and ‘rehabilitation’ of these men.

The Women’s Month celebration in Negros Oriental will focus on gender equality and inclusive society, where men and members of the LGBTQ community are encouraged to participate in several activities lined up this March, she added.

Woman with disability

Meanwhile, 49-year-old Jerlyn Cabugnason shared her journey and challenges as a woman with a disability during the kick-off ceremony at a local hotel here.

Cabugnason, who hails from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, met an accident several years ago while being empl
oyed in Metro Manila, causing her to be unable to walk and rely on a wheelchair.

She admitted having hit her lowest, attempting to commit suicide a few times but decided to rise above the challenges.

‘I prayed hard and even questioned God about my fate, but persisted relentlessly while helping other PWDs (persons with disability),’ Cabugnason said while thanking government agencies and private groups for helping empower women like her.

She engaged in cross-stitch embroidery and with the help of family and friends and social media, now earns income to cover her daily needs, including adult diapers.

Cabugnason was awarded the Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban 2023, a search conducted by the provincial government for exceptional women who inspire others with their life stories and excel in their chosen fields.

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday hailed outgoing Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa’s contributions to improving cooperation between the Philippines and Japan on defense and security, trade and investment, and infrastructure development.

During Koshikawa’s farewell call at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos recognized the two nations’ enhanced relations under the outgoing Japanese envoy’s tenure in the Philippines.

The President also thanked Koshikawa for his vital role in Japan’s initiatives to provide assistance to the Philippines for the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

‘It used to be just economic and trade, but in terms of security and defense, also that, and I’m glad that you mentioned the assistance that the Japanese, that Japan, rather, has given to the BARMM. It has been very critical because as the elections come, it will be the first parliamentary election,’ he said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications
Office (PCO).

‘On the security side, much has been achieved. We are now talking about the cooperation between the United States (US), Japan, and the Philippines, and I think that’s proceeding very well.”

Marcos also emphasized Japan’s contributions to developing the Philippines’ agriculture sector, citing the coordination and opening of the lines of communication with Japanese experts to help Filipinos learn new things.

Koshikawa, meanwhile, expressed confidence that he is leaving his diplomatic post with Japan and the Philippines entering a new phase in their relations.

‘Furthermore, maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law is the most important common objectives of most countries,’ he said.

‘Japan will continue to support (the) Mindanao peace process, in particular, in the election scheduled next year. In this context, I think, the Japanese government is ready to consider the assistance necessary for the implementation of the election laws.’

Koshikawa said Japan would also continue to sup
port infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration’s Build, Better, More Program, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway Project, and the Davao Bypass Construction Project.

Koshikawa’s term will end on March 5 and he will be replaced by Endo Kazuya.

Under Koshikawa’s watch, the Philippines and Japan have further deepened their defense and security cooperation through the existing dialogue mechanisms and witnessed the conclusion of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) through brand new Coastal Radar Systems.

The two nations have also commenced negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement and are expecting the conclusion of negotiations soon.

They have also maintained a robust Strategic Partnership and witnessed laying down the groundwork for trilateral cooperation with the US.

Japan is also a generous partner of the administration’s Build, Better, More Program and an ardent supporter in the quest for peace and economic development in Mindanao.

The Philippin
es and Japan celebrated 67 years of relations on July 23, 2022, and 11 years of Strengthened Strategic Partnership since 2011.

SEOUL: Tensions were rising Saturday as defiant doctors were set to hold a mass rally on weekend in protest against the government plan to increase medical school admissions, with no sign of a breakthrough amid growing risks of a major medical disruption.

The Korea Medical Association (KMA), the largest doctors’ lobby group, plans to stage a large demonstration in western Seoul on Sunday in a show of resistance against the government’s plan to add 2,000 more seats to the medical school admission quota starting next year.

Some 20,000 doctors are expected to take part in the rally, the KMA said.

The government is intensifying the pressure on the striking doctors, with the filing of a criminal complaint against some former and incumbent KMA officials in a clear warning that it will not hesitate to take legal action if the strike continues.

On Friday, the police conducted raids on homes and offices of the KMA officials on suspicions of encouraging the trainee doctors to walk off the job en masse and abetting
the strike.

The government had made the final plea to the junior doctors to return to work by Thursday, or they will face punishment, including the suspension of licenses.

The government’s appeal has done little to bring the interns and residents back to the hospitals. As of Thursday afternoon, 565 of 9,510 striking doctors had returned, representing only about 6 percent.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has posted a public notice on its website ordering about a dozen striking doctors taking the lead in the walkout to return to work, a move seen as a precursor to begin the process for penal action.

The government is expected to wait until the end of the weekend for more doctors to return before taking steps for punitive measures. Friday was a public holiday in South Korea.

Doctors are subject to suspension of their medical licenses for up to a year, or could face three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won (USD$22,455), for not complying with such government orders.

The strike, which began Feb.
20, has caused disruptions at major general hospitals across the country, leading to cancellations and delays in surgeries and other critical treatment.

The government is pushing to increase the physician numbers as a way to resolve the shortage of doctors in rural areas and essential medical fields, such as pediatrics and neurosurgery, and also given the super-aging population.

Doctors say the quota hikes will undermine the quality of medical education and other services and result in higher medical costs for patients. They have called for measures to first address the under-paid specialists and improve the legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits.