Author: malaysiang

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA: The ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo,’ set from April 29 to May 1 to celebrate Labor Day here, will have on board 36 farmers and fisherfolk availing of the opportunity to market their products.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KAtuwang sa Diwa at gaWa) is a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration, using a market-based approach to implement a ‘direct’ producer-to-consumer food supply and distribution system, Sonie Guanco, chief of the Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Program Coordinating Office (DA-APCO) in Antique, said on Wednesday.

‘There will be 36 farmers and fisherfolk who will be bringing their products for sale during the Kadiwa ng Pangulo,’ Guanco said in an interview, noting that they still have harvest despite the El Niño phenomenon.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Office of the Provincial Agriculture, the trade fair at the provincial capitol ground will jumpstart the monthly fair in the province to hel
p the target sector market their products.

The Kapatid Mentor Me, Inc. (KAMMI), a group of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) who are recipients of the Kapatid Mentor Me program of DTI, will join the Kadiwa.

They found it to be an opportunity to generate added sales, considering that the crops they use as raw materials depreciated due to the drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

‘We have members who are into turmeric, ginger brew, and banana chips processing who will be displaying their products,’ KAMMI president Aben Ortega said in a separate interview.

DOLE will also enroll participants of the Kadiwa in the emergency employment program of DOLE, where they will receive a daily wage of PHP480 for five days.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Abu Dhabi will host a groundbreaking event, welcoming 10,000 spectators to witness the inaugural ASPIRE Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, on April 27.

This brand-new autonomous racing competition marks a significant milestone in motorsport history, billed as the largest league of its kind globally, according to a statement.

For the first time, the race format is poised to feature four autonomous cars driving on the racetrack simultaneously, with eight international teams competing for US$2.25 million prize pool. (US$1=RM4.77)

‘A2RL is more than just a race, it is a platform for testing and optimising autonomous vehicle technologies, enhancing safety and reliability on public roads. With the support of local and international partners, we are bringing the mobility future, closer,’ said A2RL Organiser, ASPIRE Chief Executive Officer, Stephane Timpano.

Meanwhile, ASPIRE’s parent entity Advanced Technology Research Council, Secretary General, and Adviso
r to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President on Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, Faisal Al Bannai said this reimagined racing paradigm harnessed the pinnacle of coding skills, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and software development prowess, the very skill sets of the future.

The inaugural race has attracted a diverse array of sponsors, each contributing their expertise and resources to ensure the success of the development of the cutting-edge autonomised cars. ADNOC has come on board as title sponsor, providing crucial support, underscoring the widespread enthusiasm for advancing autonomous racing technology.

Additionally, an AI versus human car race will unfold, with Technology Innovation Institute (TII) embracing the electrifying challenge of pitting their autonomous car against former Formula 1 driver, Daniil Kvyat, in which TII will aim to get as close as possible to the human lap time and will also demonstrate the autonomous car’s ability to drive without global positionin
g system (GPS) assistance.

The Race Day will be accessible via various live streaming channels, including A2RL’s official YouTube and Twitch channels, motorsport.tv and the A2RL app.

MANILA: A total of 2,116,420 individuals have received various government assistance to help tide them over the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Wednesday, El Niño Task Force spokesperson, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, said the figure consisted of farmers and fisherfolk, as well as their dependents, who have received financial assistance, rice subsidy, fuel assistance, and food packs from the government.

‘Ito po ‘yung direktang tinutulungan ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), ng DA (Department of Agriculture) pati ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan dahil sila nga po ‘yung apektado ng El Niño (These are the ones directly assisted by the DSWD, the DA, and other government agencies because they are the ones affected by El Niño),’ Villarama said.

Damage lower due to gov’t preps

Earlier, the DA reported that the damage and losses to the country’s agriculture sector due to El Niño has reached mor
e than PHP3.9 billion, covering 11 regions, with Mimaropa and Western Visayas being the hardest hit.

A total of 66,065 hectares of farmlands have been affected by the phenomenon, the DA said.

Villarama, however, said the latest reported damage of El Niño is still lower compared to previous years, citing the government’s preparation and mitigation measures.

‘Gusto po nating sabihin na kahit papano nakatulong ‘yung mga preventive measures, interventions at saka ‘yung mitigation measures kaya po kahit papano ay maliit pa po ‘yun compared to what we have experienced in terms of damage historically (We just want to say that somehow our preventive measures, interventions, and also our mitigation measures helped, so somehow the damage is still lower compared to what we have experienced in terms of damage historically),’ he said.

He added that based on the latest government data, 103 local government units are under a state of calamity, including the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Sultan Kudarat, Basil
an, and Maguindanao del Sur.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday to lead the distribution of government assistance to about 2,000 farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, PAS has praised Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin for his swift response in handling the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) helicopter tragedy that claimed the lives of 10 TLDM personnel yesterday.

Offering condolences to the families of all the victims, PAS Secretary-General, Takiyuddin Hassan, said that the party also welcomed the minister’s actions, including cancelling the 90th TLDM anniversary celebration scheduled for this Friday and replacing it with a yassin and tahlil prayer ceremony.

“PAS also welcomes his assurance to not only assist in managing the victims’ funerals, but also to ensure that all benefits and entitlements due to the widows and families of the victims are provided to look after their welfare.

“While not setting a timeframe for an interim report on the incident, the minister’s assurance to deliver it, along with the ministry’s decision to establish a TLDM investigation board to determine the cause of the tragedy, is an appropriate move and should be expedite
d without delay,” he said in a statement here today.

At 9:32 am yesterday, two TLDM helicopters collided mid-air and crashed in Lumut while conducting a third rehearsal for flypast in conjunction with the TLDM Fleet Open Day, scheduled to be held this Saturday.

MANILA: Senators paid tribute to former senator and human rights lawyer Rene V. Saguisag and expressed their condolences to his family Wednesday.

Saguisag’s son, Rebo, announced the passing of his father on his Facebook page Wednesday but no other details were provided.

“As we mourn his loss, we take solace in the enduring impact of his legacy. Rene Saguisag was a dedicated public servant, and his tireless endeavors as a human rights advocate, senator and writer stand as a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice, truth, and democracy,’ the family statement read.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Saguisag, elected to the Senate in 1987, was a man of honor, dignity, and integrity who dedicated his life to pursuing justice and fairness for Filipinos.

“He may have just served one term in the Senate, but his entire life was devoted to pursuing justice and fairness for every Filipino, particularly through such initiatives as the Free Legal Assistance Group,” Zubiri said.

Saguisag co-authored l
aws such as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

Zubiri recalled that Saguisag also provided free legal services to the poor and needy, leaving a legacy of service and excellence.

Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda remembered Saguisag as “a voice for the voiceless” and “a defender of human rights,” while Senator Francis Escudero described the former senator’s love for the country.

“In his lone Senate term, he made sure that there would be accountability of public officials and civil servants, and was one of those who vehemently opposed the stay of the US military bases in the country,” Legarda said.

‘My sincere condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of former Senator Rene V. Saguisag. He was a patriot, a nationalist and an honest public servant,’ Escudero added.

Senator Robinhood Padilla considers him a close friend and mentor, appreciating his wisdom and guidance.

“Ka Rene is not only smart, he was ‘very smart’. If he wr
ote an opinion, you need to read it carefully and repeat it to make sure you understand his writing correctly. Thank you very much, Ka Rene, for the wisdom you shared with us,” Padilla said.

Senator Grace Poe also acknowledged Saguisag’s contributions as a legal luminary and staunch advocate for good governance and justice.

“In our citizenship battle with the courts, Sen. Rene had stood with us, unconditionally lending his wit and wisdom, and for this, we will forever hold him dear,” Poe said.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Saguisag was the “gold standard” in the legal community known for his unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the oppressed and marginalized.

“We are fortunate to have encounters with him and learn from his deep compassion for the ordinary Filipino workers and in fighting for their rights, which inspired our own advocacies,” he said.

In his stint as senator, Saguisag chaired the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privilege and the Ad hoc Committee on the Bataan Nuc
lear Power Plant. His term in concluded in 1992.

“We request that our family be granted a few moments of privacy as we grieve. We will soon announce details of the service honoring his life, and we look forward to the opportunity to gather and pay tribute to a life lived with integrity and purpose. Papa/Lolo has passed on, but his spirit will continue to inspire us to strive for a more just world,’ the family stated.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, A total of 519.36 metric tonnes or 51,936 bags of local white rice (BPT) was distributed through the Special BPT Programme as a short-term initiative to overcome the issue of local white rice shortage in the market.

The Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) in a statement today said the distribution of the BPT-LPP was carried out through the association with potential state farmers organisations (PPN) and Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK).

‘The distribution involved 103 Farmers’ Organisations (PP) through PP outlets like Peladang Outlet, Agrobazar PP and Kedai Peladang.

The move by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) was to control the issue of rice shortage in the market.

Last year, 2,101 metric tonnes or (210,000 bags of BPT) worth RM5,357,550 was distributed, said the statement.

Meanwhile, the LPP said 34 Agro MADANI Sale (JAM) programmes had been completed as of yesterday with total sales value of RM1,094,242, resulting in a cost-saving of RM136,741.

The LPP are targe
tting 78 JAM programmes by end of the year.

In 2023, 114 (JAM) programmes were carried out with a sales value of RM2,150,000 and cost-savings amounting to RM470,000 and involved the participation of 954 entrepreneurs while the number of visitors reached 250,000.

MANILA: Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco pledged to collaborate closely to advance the tourism relations between Japan and the Philippines.

During his courtesy call on Frasco on Tuesday, Endo expressed that the two countries ‘would work closely together to further deepen bilateral relations in a wide range of areas.’

‘Ambassador Endo highlighted joint efforts in tourism promotion to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,’ the Japanese embassy said in a news release on Wednesday.

Frasco conveyed her appreciation for the support of the Japanese government in tourism-related areas.

During Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first official visit to the Philippines on Nov. 3-4, 2023, the DOT and the Japanese government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLITT) signed a landmark agreement that is seen to expand opportunities for tourism development between the two countries.

Frasco and MLITT Minister Te
tsuo Saito signed a memorandum of cooperation for tourism, the first stand-alone cooperation agreement between the two nations, in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Kishida in Malacañan Palace.

Under the cooperation, both countries agreed to strengthen and further develop Philippines-Japan ties in the field of tourism by increasing tourist arrivals for both countries from world tourist-generating markets; encouraging more tourists to visit various tourist destinations and attractions, including rural areas in each other’s country; encouraging mutual visits and traffic of high-value-added travelers to increase tourism consumption; encouraging healthy growth of tourism industry of Philippines and Japan, especially on the aspects of education, culture, gastronomy, sustainable tourism, and adventure.

Japan is considered as one of the country’s top source of visitors ranking third, with nearly a quarter of a million arrivals into the Philippines as of November last year.

The Philippines and
Japan also agreed to cooperate in terms of ensuring safety among tourists while they are staying in their respective countries.

o also paid a courtesy call on Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, wherein they discussed the current economic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.

The ambassador lauded the Marcos administration’s efforts to attract more foreign investments, noting these programs have contributed to the growth of Japanese businesses in the Philippines.

He conveyed his eagerness to further deepen the nations’ strategic and economic partnership, aiming for tangible results following the recent Japan-USA-Philippines Trilateral Summit Meeting and Commerce and Industry Ministerial meeting.

He also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment as the top trading partner and investor of the Philippines.

Pascual assured that foreign business will be taken care of in the Philippines by creating a level-playing field and more opportunities for market access.

‘The meeting was a si
gnificant step towards forging stronger ties and enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations. Both the Ambassador and the Trade Secretary expressed mutual commitment to fostering a thriving partnership that will benefit their economies and people,’ stated in a separate news release of the Japanese embassy. (PNA)

The Philippines and Japan formally established diplomatic relations in July 1956.

Source: Philippines News Agency