MANILA: Tropical Storm (TS) Kabayan is forecast to make landfall along the coast of Davao Oriental or southern Surigao del Sur on Monday, with several areas now under Signal No. 2, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Kabayan, which was last tracked over the coastal waters of Caraga, Davao Oriental, could also make another landfall over central or southern Palawan on Tuesday, and emerge over the West Philippine Sea.

Kabayan packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been hoisted over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago, City of Cabadbaran, Remedios T. Romualdez, Tubay), the eastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Trento, Bunawan, San Francisco, Rosario, Prosperidad, City of Bayugan, Sibagat), and the northern portion of
Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel). Gale-force winds will prevail in those areas.

TCWS No. 1, on the other hand, has been hoisted over the southern portion of mainland Palawan (Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balabac, Rizal, Quezon, Narra) and Cagayancillo Islands, Southern Leyte, Leyte, the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao), the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes), Cebu including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras.

Also under TCWS No. 1 are the rest of Agusan del Norte, the rest of Agusan del Sur, the central portion of Davao Oriental (Baganga, Manay, Caraga, Tarragona, Lupon, Banaybanay), Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, the northern porti
on of Maguindanao del Norte (Buldon, Barira, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura), the northern portion of Cotabato (Arakan, Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, President Roxas, Kabacan, Matalam, Antipas, Magpet, Libungan, Pigkawayan), the northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte (Siayan, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Katipunan, Dipolog City, Polanco, Mutia, Piñan, Dapitan City, Sibutad, La Libertad, Rizal, Siocon, Baliguian, Gutalac, Labason, Kalawit, Tampilisan, Liloy, Salug, Godod, Bacungan), Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Areas under Signal No. 1 will experience strong winds, PAGASA said.

It added that Kabayan could affect the shear line, which could result in heavy rainfall over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon.

Forecast rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards, according to the weather bureau.

Meanwhi
le, rough to very rough seas are forecast along the coastal waters along the seaboard of Northern Luzon, the eastern and central seaboards of the Visayas, and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, and Mindanao.

Sea travel is risky for small sea vessels and mariners of these vessels are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor.
Source: Philippines News Agency

Hanoi: Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 28 for a delegation of Thailand’s Udon Thani Rajabhat University led by its President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khanisara Thansunthornsakun.

Phuong commended the university’s establishment of a centre of Vietnamese studies in November on the occasion of the university’s 100th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership, calling it a meaningful event in politics and culture.

The legislator expressed his hope that the centre will not only perform its education-training tasks, but also contribute to deepening the cultural relations between the two countries.

For her part, Thansunthornsakun briefed the hosts on cooperation between the university and educational institutions in Da Nang city, and Quang Tri, Thai Nguyen and Dien Bien provinces, adding that 20 Vietnamese students are studying at the university, and 80 Thai students are studying the Vietnamese language.

T
o date, the school has trained nearly 300 students who have Vietnamese language proficiency, contributing to promoting the friendship between the two countries, she said.

On this occasion, the NA Vice Chairman presented the Thai university with a set of books by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and others, with the hope that its students will have an insight into the land, people, culture, reform and development of Vietnam./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other leaders comprising the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) vowed to push for decarbonization to address climate change.

The AZEC is a platform consisting of Asian countries that promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in Asia while supporting a sound economic growth in the region.

In a joint statement released in Tokyo on Monday, AZEC leaders vowed to advance cooperation toward carbon neutrality and net zero emission with the end goal of maintaining the increase in the global average temperature to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

‘We welcome the outcome of the first Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting held in March 2023 in Tokyo, which set up these common understanding among partners countries,’ the joint statement said.

The leaders also agreed to promote policy support and collaboration in tangible projects through tailored approach toward decarbonization with the use of heat pumps, scaling
up renewable energy, energy storage, regional interconnectivity and improving grid flexibility, as well as the use of nuclear energy, including small modular and other advanced reactors.

Other means include the use of hydrogen and its derivatives, electrolyzer technology, biomass and carbon capture utilization and storage across sectors and industry, recycling of common minerals while promoting electrification and fueling switching, and the use of liquified natural gas.

Reliable renewable-based micro-grids will also be deployed to remote islands and perovskite solar cells, and offshore wind power will also part of the mix, in addition to the adoption of technologies such as electric vehicles, biofuels and hydrogen and its derivatives.

The leaders also agreed to foster public-private partnerships and cooperation among private sectors to accelerate energy transitions through the creation of specific energy transition projects.

‘In this regard, we welcome activities to promote public-private cooperation in p
artner countries such as those in AZEC Advocacy Group, AZEC/GX Promotion Working Team in Vietnam, AZEC Japan-Indonesia Joint Task Force in Indonesia and Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN,’ the leaders said.

The AZEC leaders cited the importance of adequate financing to support the energy transition in the region and also recognized the importance of promotion and implementation of high integrity carbon markets and crediting schemes such as through collaboration models, but not limited to the Joint Crediting Mechanism.

The leaders welcomed collaboration with all other countries within and beyond Asia that wish to support the region’s energy transition and energy security.

PH commitment

President Marcos committed to promote and shift to clean energy.

He also invited AZEC partners to invest in the renewable energy industry and emerging technologies in the Philippines, and introduce energy efficiency and conservation measures in the country.

Marcos said the Philippines is joining its AZEC partners
in recognizing the need to accelerate a clean, sustainable, just, affordable and inclusive energy transition towards carbon neutrality, or net-zero emissions.
Source: Philippines News Agency

Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said on December 18 that the COVID-19 situation remains under control, ensuring safety during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He said relevant authorities are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will provide recommendations in the event of complex developments.

To ensure health and prevent the spread of the disease, people need to take preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining hygiene, and limiting large gatherings, he said.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, 216 new COVID-19 cases were reported on December 17, along with 128 recoveries and one death.

Indonesia and many countries worldwide have recently witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases, mostly due to the emergence of the new variant named JN.1./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

TANDAG CITY: At least 19,000 residents in coastal villages and areas prone to flooding and landslide were evacuated by their respective local government units (LGUs) since Sunday evening in Surigao del Sur province due to the threats of Tropical Storm (TS) Kabayan.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel said Monday the entire province was placed under red alert status and that the LGUs have been directed to implement forced evacuations, activate emergency centers, and ensure the availability of evacuation centers.

Pimentel also ordered the temporary suspension of work in public and private offices.

Some 70 barangays in the province with 15,705 families or 57,718 individuals are directly affected by the onslaught of TS Kabayan, data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said.

Of the total number of affected families, 5,454 or 19,362 individuals were displaced from their homes and are temporarily settling in 83 evacuation centers in the different towns of the province.

‘Th
e numbers may change as monitoring of the situation on the ground continues,’ PDRRMO said in an advisory.

Meanwhile, in the town of Claver in Surigao del Norte, the local DRRM said eight families consisting of 22 individuals from two barangays were staying in designated evacuation centers.

TS Kabayan made landfall in Barangay Concepcion, Manay, Davao Oriental at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said it has PHP3.4 million worth of raw materials and food items available for augmentation to LGUs and PHP5 million standby funds.

Northern Mindanao suspend classes, work

Meanwhile, the LGUs in Northern Mindanao have suspended classes and work as preventive measures against TS Kabayan.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy has activated the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) office in full preparation with rescuers on standby, including the 80 Barangay DRRM units.

Uy also issued an order suspending classes at both elementary a
nd high school levels. Some universities issued respective memoranda for the suspension of classes on their respective campuses.

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental Mayor Erick Cañosa also ordered its 79 barangays to prepare its rescue vehicles, evacuation centers, and food supplies.

Municipalities in Misamis Oriental such as Manticao and Jasaan already suspended all-level classes.

In Camiguin province, Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo also suspended classes and at the same time deferred shipping operations.

Camiguin preemptively evacuated 14 families or 73 individuals from a disaster-prone community in Sagay.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Ports Authority reported several seaports in the region were also suspended in operation on Monday, except Mukas Port which connects commuters between Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, and Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental via barge.

DSWD-10 (Northern Mindanao) said an initial 34,068 family food packs have been prepositioned across the region.

Davao Region preparat
ions

Meanwhile, all provinces in Davao Region except Davao del Sur have suspended classes at all levels in both private and public schools as well as work in government agencies on Monday due to inclement weather.

The provincial governments that declared suspension were Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental and Davao Occidental.

Kabayan made landfall along the coast of Davao Oriental at 9 a.m. Monday.

‘To ensure the safety and the welfare of the public from any untoward incidents that the storm may cause, work in the provincial government offices is suspended and shall take effect until the situation improves,’ Davao del Norte Edwin Jubahib said in a memorandum.

Jubahib said all local chief executives are authorized to declare the suspension of work and classes in their respective jurisdiction based on their local situation’s risk assessment

However, Jubahib said agencies involved in delivering basic and health services, response to disasters and calamities, shall continue with their operation
s and render the necessary services.

In this city, Mayor Sebastian Duterte also suspended classes and work in national and local government offices, including government-owned and controlled corporations, except for offices performing safety and security, health, social services and disaster and emergency response services.

‘The private offices and establishments are given the discretion to suspend work or adopt work-from-home arrangements, but are encouraged to do so for the safety and convenience of their employees,’ he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency

Berlin: Vietnamese war veterans and the representatives of the Vietnamese community in Germany met in Berlin on December 17 evening to celebrate the 79th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944 – 2023).

Nguyen Trong Nghia, President of the Vietnamese war veterans’ association in Berlin-Brandenburg, reviewed the development of the VPA and the association’s operation over the past time, saying its members have stayed united and supported each other to integrate into the host society.

The association members have been pioneers in joint activities of the Vietnamese community in Germany, and regularly participated in charity activities, he added.

Colonel Nguyen Tuan Minh, Vietnamese Defence Attaché in Germany, praised the association’s performance, stressing that the veterans have carried forward the noble qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, and looked towards the homeland.

The same day, the Vietnamese war veterans’ association in Sachsen-Anhalt convened a congress for the 2023
-2028 tenure and a meeting to mark the founding anniversary of the VPA./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

BAGUIO CITY: The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) and the city government launched Monday the 2024 Panagbenga, the city’s and the Cordillera Administrative Region’s major crowd-drawing event that is held for one month.

Freddie Alquiros, BFFFI president, said innovations will be implemented for the festival that will carry the theme ‘Celebrating Culture, Embracing Innovation.’

‘We are trying to make it affordable so that others will be able to join,’ he said during the press conference after the launch.

According to Alquiros, the cultural presentation will no longer be part of the grand street dancing parade but will be given its day, to allow the locals and tourists to fully appreciate the region’s culture through dances.

‘We started to have a cultural category for the street dancing parade during the pandemic, and we are seeing a long list of interested participants,’ he explained, adding that they are also hoping to have a sub-category for high school participants of the street dancing par
ade.

Next year’s festival will start on Feb. 3.

‘Panagbenga is the people’s event, and we want everybody to join and be part of the opening and the other events, which was the reason it was conceptualized,’ Anthony de Leon, festival executive committee chair, said during the press conference.

De Leon said the innovations will focus on tourism and environment-friendly activities.

The flower festival, which symbolizes the community’s resilience, unity, and enduring tradition, started 28 years ago.
Source: Philippines News Agency