MANILA: The Manila Police District (MPD) on Friday reminded those joining the Chinese New Year celebrations in the city to be vigilant against criminals and plan their trips to avoid inconvenience.

In a television interview, MPD Director, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, said shoppers must keep a tight watch on their personal belongings.

‘Huwag nang magdala ng malaking halaga ng pera at saka siyempre iyong mga alahas kasi kapag siksikan doon po nagti-take advantage ang mga mandurukot (Don’t carry large amounts of cash and, of course, jewelry because pickpockets take advantage of big crowds to carry out their schemes),’ Ibay said.

He said checkpoints would be set up around the Binondo Chinatown area to secure the celebrations.

Police officers would also patrol areas, such as Ongpin Street, where visitors are expected to dine in restaurants and buy lucky charms and other items from stores.

Ibay likewise urged motorists to take alternative routes as several roads would be closed to give way to various activit
ies for the occasion.

Line-up of activities

The Manila City government, meanwhile, unveiled the line-up of activities for Chinese New Year.

The city would welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon with a 12-minute grand fireworks display at the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge at midnight on Friday.

‘Fireworks viewing area is at Jones Bridge, while the fireworks display itself is located at Binondo-Intramuros Bridge,’ the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said in a statement.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge was closed to traffic early Friday in preparation for the fireworks display.

Meanwhile, the southbound lane of the Jones Bridge would be closed to traffic starting at 7 p.m. Friday while the northbound lane would be closed starting at 10 p.m., to allow the public to watch the fireworks display.

Aside from celebrating the Chinese New Year, the city is also preparing for the 130th anniversary of the oldest and largest Chinatown in the world, the Chinatown in Binondo, on March 29.

The Manila Ocean Park is also
joining the Chinese New Year celebration with a show titled “Mermaid of the Dragon Seas,” which runs from Friday to Sunday.

‘This captivating performance is more than just a visual delight. It’s a tribute to the Chinese cultural heritage, resonating deeply with the themes of prosperity, strength, and the ushering of good fortune in the new year,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment said private sector employees who would report to work on Friday and Saturday would receive an additional 30 percent in their daily wage.

On the other hand, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply to employees who will not work on these days, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special non-working day.

Prosperity, good fortune

The Department of National Defense, meanwhile, wished the Filipino-Chinese community a peaceful and prosperous new year.

“Let us welcome a year of growth, progress, and good fortune this Year of the Wo
od Dragon,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in a statement.

He also hoped that ‘this year of innovation and technology’ would help create a stable and prosperous nation “under a regime of respect for international law and the sanctity of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

In October last year, Malacañang declared Feb. 10, 2024 as a special non-working day throughout the country for the celebration of Chinese New Year.

Last month, it also declared Feb. 9 as an additional special non-working day to celebrate the occasion and enjoy a longer weekend.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Manila Police District (MPD) on Friday reminded those joining the Chinese New Year celebrations in the city to be vigilant against criminals and plan their trips to avoid inconvenience.

In a television interview, MPD Director, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, said shoppers must keep a tight watch on their personal belongings.

‘Huwag nang magdala ng malaking halaga ng pera at saka siyempre iyong mga alahas kasi kapag siksikan doon po nagti-take advantage ang mga mandurukot (Don’t carry large amounts of cash and, of course, jewelry because pickpockets take advantage of big crowds to carry out their schemes),’ Ibay said.

He said checkpoints would be set up around the Binondo Chinatown area to secure the celebrations.

Police officers would also patrol areas, such as Ongpin Street, where visitors are expected to dine in restaurants and buy lucky charms and other items from stores.

Ibay likewise urged motorists to take alternative routes as several roads would be closed to give way to various activit
ies for the occasion.

Line-up of activities

The Manila City government, meanwhile, unveiled the line-up of activities for Chinese New Year.

The city would welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon with a 12-minute grand fireworks display at the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge at midnight on Friday.

‘Fireworks viewing area is at Jones Bridge, while the fireworks display itself is located at Binondo-Intramuros Bridge,’ the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said in a statement.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge was closed to traffic early Friday in preparation for the fireworks display.

Meanwhile, the southbound lane of the Jones Bridge would be closed to traffic starting at 7 p.m. Friday while the northbound lane would be closed starting at 10 p.m., to allow the public to watch the fireworks display.

Aside from celebrating the Chinese New Year, the city is also preparing for the 130th anniversary of the oldest and largest Chinatown in the world, the Chinatown in Binondo, on March 29.

The Manila Ocean Park is also
joining the Chinese New Year celebration with a show titled “Mermaid of the Dragon Seas,” which runs from Friday to Sunday.

‘This captivating performance is more than just a visual delight. It’s a tribute to the Chinese cultural heritage, resonating deeply with the themes of prosperity, strength, and the ushering of good fortune in the new year,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment said private sector employees who would report to work on Friday and Saturday would receive an additional 30 percent in their daily wage.

On the other hand, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply to employees who will not work on these days, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special non-working day.

Prosperity, good fortune

The Department of National Defense, meanwhile, wished the Filipino-Chinese community a peaceful and prosperous new year.

“Let us welcome a year of growth, progress, and good fortune this Year of the Wo
od Dragon,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in a statement.

He also hoped that ‘this year of innovation and technology’ would help create a stable and prosperous nation “under a regime of respect for international law and the sanctity of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

In October last year, Malacañang declared Feb. 10, 2024 as a special non-working day throughout the country for the celebration of Chinese New Year.

Last month, it also declared Feb. 9 as an additional special non-working day to celebrate the occasion and enjoy a longer weekend.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday urged local government units (LGUs) to focus on comprehensive measures to enhance sexual and reproductive health education and services.

In its situation report on the interplay of gender inequality and teenage pregnancy, the CHR noted that one out of 10 Filipino females aged 15 to 19 years has begun childbearing.

“Teenage pregnancy entails numerous risks for both the mother and child. Adolescent pregnancy takes a colossal bearing on a girl’s education and income-generating potential,” it added.

When asked about the causes and factors affecting teenage pregnancy, the CHR said lack of information on sexual and reproductive health and family planning commodities and services was the top answer by LGUs.

Other causes include poverty, exposure to social media and pornographic materials, family problems, social and cultural norms, peer pressure, aggressiveness, curiosity, and being sexually active.

Also cited as reasons are gender-based violence, personal
decision, early marriage, lack of education, alcoholism and substance abuse, rebellion against parents, acceptance of parents on early sexual encounters and cohabitation, early romantic involvement, and difficulty in accessing reproductive health services.

The CHR emphasized that the overall goal is the enhancement of sexual and reproductive health, and the rights of adolescents through various initiatives, collaborations and policy measures.

While the LGUs acknowledge the depth of the issue, the CHR urged them to strengthen collaboration with concerned government agencies; strengthen the leadership skills of Sangguniang Kabataan and village officials, particularly in advocating on the issue; provide training for staff, youth leaders and volunteers on the issue; address poverty and literacy issues; establish more teen centers and recreational spaces for the youth; and strengthen advocacy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

“For the legislative, they should focus on creating on creating legal framewo
rks that specifically address the needs of adolescents, promoting accessibility to reproductive health services and addressing consent requirements for adolescents seeking reproductive health commodities and services,” the CHR said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday urged local government units (LGUs) to focus on comprehensive measures to enhance sexual and reproductive health education and services.

In its situation report on the interplay of gender inequality and teenage pregnancy, the CHR noted that one out of 10 Filipino females aged 15 to 19 years has begun childbearing.

“Teenage pregnancy entails numerous risks for both the mother and child. Adolescent pregnancy takes a colossal bearing on a girl’s education and income-generating potential,” it added.

When asked about the causes and factors affecting teenage pregnancy, the CHR said lack of information on sexual and reproductive health and family planning commodities and services was the top answer by LGUs.

Other causes include poverty, exposure to social media and pornographic materials, family problems, social and cultural norms, peer pressure, aggressiveness, curiosity, and being sexually active.

Also cited as reasons are gender-based violence, personal
decision, early marriage, lack of education, alcoholism and substance abuse, rebellion against parents, acceptance of parents on early sexual encounters and cohabitation, early romantic involvement, and difficulty in accessing reproductive health services.

The CHR emphasized that the overall goal is the enhancement of sexual and reproductive health, and the rights of adolescents through various initiatives, collaborations and policy measures.

While the LGUs acknowledge the depth of the issue, the CHR urged them to strengthen collaboration with concerned government agencies; strengthen the leadership skills of Sangguniang Kabataan and village officials, particularly in advocating on the issue; provide training for staff, youth leaders and volunteers on the issue; address poverty and literacy issues; establish more teen centers and recreational spaces for the youth; and strengthen advocacy on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

“For the legislative, they should focus on creating on creating legal framewo
rks that specifically address the needs of adolescents, promoting accessibility to reproductive health services and addressing consent requirements for adolescents seeking reproductive health commodities and services,” the CHR said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

SOFIA: Bulgaria President Rumen Radev said memberhip in Schengen, the euro area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is above all a means to achieve the most important goal – Bulgarians to live securely and better tomorrow than today.

In his words, the most important thing is to have clarity in the goals and priorities that are set.

Recently, the political space has been busy with talk that the strategic national goals are Schengen, eurozone and OECD membership, Radev said, addressing The Economist magazine’s The World Ahead 2024 forum in Sofia on Wednesday evening.

In his words, these goals cannot be achieved with meetings, but with sustainable, social and economic instruments.

The head of State noted that it is very important to have continuity in politics – where there is success it should be developed, and where there are deficits they should be filled.

“Because the global challenges will not diminish, we all know what awaits us this year – European elections, nationa
l elections in a number of countries, presidential elections in the United States, the war in Ukraine, new crises in the Middle East, the unceasing tensions in the Far East,” Radev said.

“If we look at where Bulgaria stands in this dynamic landscape, we should first of all be aware of the challenges that lie ahead of us,” he added.

Bulgaria is an open economy, it is part of the European and global economic space, and at a time of unprecedented economic, political and social changes in the global perspective and in a very complex security environment, Radev went on to said.

He stressed that predictability is an extremely important factor for successful business and investments. “I cannot hide my satisfaction with the growth of Bulgarian business,” Radev said.

He noted that he meets with representatives of the Bulgarian business and visits various enterprises.

New and ever more innovative high-tech and high added value enterprises are being developed.

Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly industrialised co
untry.

A green and circular economy is developing, the President added. He stressed that there is growth in corporate social responsibility and dual education.

Radev noted that Trakia Economic Zone has indeed established itself as a regional leader and a model of successful cooperation between business, local government and education.

In his words, Bulgarian business has shown that it can be flexible in a complex environment.

The President also noted the role of the caretaker government which in just 10 months in power laid some solid foundations for economic development.

“The Bulgarian economy continues to be hostage to demographics, severe regional, economic, social imbalances, lack of connectivity – within the country and with our neighbours, quality of education and lack of sufficient workforce,” Radev argued.

Bulgaria still ranks second to last in the EU in terms of implementation of digitalisation and innovation in the economy and in public life, he added.

“Where do we want to see ourselves on th
e global and European innovation map and on Europe’s investment map?” he asked, adding that we should have clear benchmarks.

He gave as examples Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, the World Press Freedom Index, the conditions for doing business, the World Bank’s ranking.

“Every point up or down could mean plus or minus billions of investments for Bulgaria,” Radev said and asked why Bulgaria does not set a goal to enter the top 25 of these rankings.

In his words, achieving that will increase the attention and trust in Bulgaria. Institutions are the key to competitiveness and high quality of life, Radev argued further.

“They make the difference between countries when it comes to prosperity and success, because institutions can give an independent judiciary, freedom of the media, freedom of business, protection of business and property, and can make the environment for business really good and, most of all, the environment for the development of every citizen of this country to meet t
heir goals, aspirations and opportunities,” Radev said.

According to him, 2024 will be a year of adaptation of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian economy to the great geopolitical dynamics and, most of all, of exploiting Bulgaria’s competitive advantages and opportunities.

In the President’s words, the big task remains the talent of Bulgaria’s young people. According to him, the challenge lies in how to transform this capital into an innovative economy.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A Manila court has granted the government’s request to cancel the passport of embattled former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr., the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.

In a statement, the DOJ said it has received the order from the Manila Regional Court (RTC) Branch 51 dated Feb. 8, for the immediate cancellation of the passport of Teves, who is facing multiple murder charges and has been declared a fugitive from justice in connection with his alleged involvement in the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

In compliance with the court’s order, the Department of Foreign Affairs was directed to cancel Teves’ passport while the National Bureau of Investigation was instructed to take appropriate measures to facilitate the return of the accused to the country.

Teves remains at large and last reported to be in East Timor.

The court cited that while the Constitution guarantees the right to travel, ‘this right is not absolute and may be subjected to restrictions as dictated
by the law’.

It also noted that the severity of the charges against Teves and his designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council justifies the cancellation of his travel documents.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, reiterated the government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their status, are held accountable for their actions.

“The pursuit of justice remains steadfast and unyielding. We will not allow individuals charged with heinous crimes to evade the legal process. This is a clear message that our society demands accountability, and we shall leave no stone unturned to bring alleged perpetrators to book. Our resolve to create a just and fair Philippine society for all is stronger than ever,” Remulla said.

Source: Philippines News Agency