Category: General

DAVAO CITY: At least PHP5 million worth of crops have been damaged in this city due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO) reported Wednesday.

In an interview, CAgrO head Edgardo Haspe said that the dry spell in the Tugbok, Marilog, Calinan, and Paquibato districts damaged 93.3 hectares of crops and affected 108 farmers.

“Because of the extreme heat, the soil, and plants dried up very fast, and the fruit trees also showed defoliation. The number of affected farmers is expected to rise,” he said, adding that March to May is the usual planting season for high-value crops.

The CAgrO has begun deploying its El Niño action plan due to the continuing dry spell damaging crops and affecting farmers’ livelihoods throughout the city.

Haspe clarified, though, that the city government has prepared for El Niño since January.

“Part of the ways forward is to increase the number of our irrigation facilities. We have ongoing projects due for implementation this year in the Paquiba
to and Marilog districts,” he said.

The water system projects, he said, would benefit more than a hundred farmers in the two areas.

Other contingencies for the dry spell include rainwater catchment systems, 466 of which were created in Marilog, 80 in Paquibato, and 42 in Calinan.

He noted that some rainwater catchment systems were utilized as fishponds in the highlands.

“Additional water distribution devices have also been procured as preparation for the El Niño. We have already procured 60 new sprayers and 60 units of water pumps,” Haspe said.

He urged farmers affected by the dry spell to ask for assistance from the local government through their office.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CALAMBA CITY: The City of Carmona in nearby Cavite province is leveraging the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and international partners to advance its goal of becoming a ‘smart city.’

This can be gleaned after the Carmona City government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DOST’s Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development Program (iSTART).

The MOA calls on the DOST to facilitate the transfer of relevant technologies and training to the city government, DOST-Calabarzon regional director Emelita Bagsit said on Wednesday.

In the Philippine context, a ‘smart city’ is defined as “an innovative urban area that uses technology and innovation to enhance the overall functionality, sustainability, and livability of urban areas, making them more responsive to the needs of their inhabitants and the environment.”

Meanwhile, Smart City Network (SCN), in partnership with the DOST-Calabarzon and the city government Carmona on Tuesday cond
ucted a workshop on smart city transformation at the Carmona Training Center.

The lectures were facilitated by Dr. Kok Chin Tay, SCN chair and executive director of the ASEAN Smart Cities Council, and Dr. Piyush Sinha, chief business officer of L and T Technology Services, Ltd.

During his speech, Sinha said ‘being an archipelagic country used to be a challenge, particularly in logistic(s), but given their advancement in connectivity, at least sharing some of the basic data around islands, will help in terms of creating an open data platform.”

‘Despite the slower connection, the municipality can do digital literacy programs for the indigenous groups, and then they can be part of this journey,’ Sinha said.

SCN is a non-profit individual membership-based organization whose members are professionals with expertise in a wide variety of themes, from strategic planning, integrated command center, circular economy, smart mobility (transportation), cyber security, smart locks, digital twins, augmented and virtual
reality, education, healthcare, food security, start-up incubation and others.

Source: Philippines News Agency

SORSOGON CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with its National Advisory Council and National Technical Working Group, is assessing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to enhance its features and implementation to benefit its members.

In an interview on Wednesday, DSWD 5 (Bicol) Director Norman Laurio said more than 350 delegates from 17 regions have converged here for a four-day field visit to study the best practices and address challenges encountered in carrying out the 4Ps program in the province and the region as a whole.

“Personnel, officials from our central office, and other national government agencies will go around the towns of Sorsogon province to see the implementation of the 4Ps so that they can see the challenges being encountered by the recipients, what are the interventions that need to be done to improve the level of well-being of our beneficiaries. The purpose of 4Ps is to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty,” he said.

Laurio said part
of the activities on Wednesday was to visit five towns to learn about their best practices in implementing the 4Ps.

“We are proud to showcase the exemplary practices and initiatives that have contributed to the success of the 4Ps program. The positive responses of our local government units in support of anti-cash card pawning ordinances. Effective workforce caseload assessments, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing program operations and case management supervision. The over 80,000 children graduates, inspiring stories of former beneficiaries now serving as program staff, and instances where beneficiaries voluntarily waived their participation, signaling their improved socio-economic status,” he said.

He added that part of the activities is to conduct home visitations and interviews, with focus on education, health, compliance with program conditions, livelihood, and family development sessions.

“After the field visit, the council will have a focus group discussion addressing program issue
s, concerns, and gaps that are consolidated during the visit. The results and outputs will be an integral part of the recommendations for more effective implementation of the program,” Laurio said.

DSWD-5 data shows 405,588 active 4Ps household beneficiaries in the region as of March 2024.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, As Malaysia’s population shifts towards an ageing demographic, the importance of adult immunisation becomes increasingly apparent.

To advocate the importance of adult immunisation amongst Malaysians and in conjunction with the World Immunisation Week 2024 (April 24-30), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has organised a timely discourse, bringing together local and global experts to share their perspectives on the changing vaccine landscape, the benefits of vaccines in older adults, and the socio-economic value of adult immunisation.

In a statement today, it said the event also featured insightful discussions, lively debates and generous knowledge-sharing about unlocking the power of prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) amongst Malaysian adults, key challenges faced by the healthcare industry, and opportunities to develop practical and impactful solutions in transitioning towards a healthier ageing society in the country.

Vaccines Medical Director of GSK Malaysia and Brunei Dr Thanabalan Fons
eka was also quoted in the statement as saying that childhood immunisation initiatives in schools and within communities are well-established with high coverage rates.

‘Contrary to this, the primary challenge surrounding adult vaccination lies in the prevailing lack of awareness of VPD and their preventative options. Consequently, many adults remain unaware of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations or may inadvertently overlook recommendations for booster shots or newly available vaccines later in life,’ he said.

Moreover, Dr Fonseka said logistical hurdles such as limited access to healthcare services and financial constraints, further impede adult vaccination rates.

Thus, he said there is an urgent need to elevate awareness, enhance accessibility, and underscore the significance of prioritising adult vaccinations to ensure comprehensive protection against preventable diseases throughout adulthood.

‘We must move from ‘sick care’ to true preventative healthcare to make adult immuni
sation the standard of care by building belief in the value of adult vaccinations amongst Malaysians,’ added Fonseka.

According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the number of individuals aged 65 years and above is on the rise with approximately 2.5 million people falling into this category. DOSM also projects that Malaysia will have a nearly equal share of the young (18.6 per cent) and older population (14.5 per cent) in 2040 and this means that in less than 2 decades, the old age group will surpass 6.0 million, transitioning Malaysia into an aged society.

During World Immunisation Week, GSK is uniting globally to emphasise the importance of adult immunisation to raise awareness about the wide-ranging health, structural, and socioeconomic advantages that come with the widespread adoption of adult vaccines for every individual worldwide.

In partnership with cross-industry stakeholders, GSK aims to support 50 years of the World Health Organisation’s Expanded Programme on
Immunization (EPI) to do what is humanly possible – saving lives through immunisation.

It said with one of the most extensive vaccine portfolios globally, GSK is dedicated to protecting individuals of all ages, including older adults and reshaping policy around adult immunisation to stay ahead of the curve and continue its momentum to play a part in the betterment of public health in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, The Federation of Malaysian Film Associations (GAFEMA) welcomes the sponsorship of the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) through the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), benefiting 4,500 artistes.

Its president, Panchacharam Nalliah @ Pansha said there would be various benefits from this sponsorship, including medical benefits, temporary disability, permanent disability, constant care allowance, dependents’ benefits, funeral management, rehabilitation and educational loans.

“GAFEMA welcomes the initiative by the Ministry of Communications through FINAS and the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) through Perkeso, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a social safety net for local artistes as a start,’ he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that FINAS would sponsor 4,500 local artistes under this scheme, with a contribution of RM23.30 per perso
n, amounting to a total sponsorship value of RM104,850.

According to Fahmi, this initiative stems from an MoU signed between the Ministry of Communications through FINAS and KESUMA through Perkeso. It covers 10 percent of the annual SKSPS contribution of RM232.80 required for each participant in the social security scheme.

Meanwhile, GAFEMA suggested that the Ministry of Communications conduct a detailed briefing about the proposed social safety net for local artistes to ensure it does not deviate from the original intent, as was previously proposed to FINAS.

” Perkeso contributions as a mandatory requirement through the approval of the Film Certification Certificate (SPP) only involves artistes participating in film production.

“However, there are other categories that need protection, and the industry also requires a centralised industry database as a reference point for FINAS, producers, and artistes to check the annual expiry date of Perkeso contributions in the future,” Pansha said.

KUALA BERANG, A 25-year-old man drowned while trying to save one of his friends who fell into the water at the Sekayu Waterfall in Hulu Terengganu this morning.

The victim, identified as Syafiq Haikal Sharudin of Padang Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu, is believed to have attempted to rescue his friend who fell while hiking along the hillside in the area.

Kuala Berang Fire and Rescue Station chief Zulhisham Mohamad Yusop said they received a distress call at 11.18 am and rushed to the scene with a fire engine and 10 firefighters, including three from the Water Rescue team.

‘After conducting a skin dive, at 12.15 pm, the Water Rescue Team members found the victim wedged between rocks at a depth of 1.5 metres at the location he was reported missing,’ he said when contacted today.

Zulhisham said the victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action.

Meanwhile, the victim’s friend Daniel Asmadi, 25 said it was an unplanned trip, adding that the six of them left Kuala Terengganu at 9 am and arrived at
the waterfall about an hour later.

‘Three of us hiked to the top of the waterfall…suddenly, I lost my balance before slipping and nearly drowned. Syafiq Haikal extended one of his legs so I could grab onto it. Unfortunately, he slipped and fell into the water.

‘I am devastated that I couldn’t save Syafiq Haikal. He lost his life because he tried to save me,’ he told Bernama at the scene.

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working with stakeholders in the country’s aviation sector to implement aviation projects and initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In his speech during the 3rd International Civil Aviation Organization-European Union Aviation Safety Agency (ICAO-EASA) Forum on Tuesday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said these are projects such as the promotion of biofuels or sustainable aviation fuels and nature-based carbon sink projects.

‘We partnered with a top local university to create opportunities for local carbon sink projects that would become a source of local air carriers’ emission offsetting requirements,’ Bautista said.

He said the regulatory function of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) over the development, expansion, and modernization of commercial airports would be strengthened.

‘We hope to discover practical and sustainable solutions on safety regulations, inspector training as well as tools for safety oversight,’ he ad
ded.

Civil aviation regulatory agencies in Europe and Southeast Asia, he said, must agree on a course of action towards safe and sustained connectivity to achieve the net-zero emission goal.

‘This enhanced cooperation among civil aviation regulatory agencies in Europe and Southeast Asia would hopefully lead to improved aviation safety and environmental sustainability while strengthening our resilience to shocks and disruptions in the region,’ Bautista said.

He emphasized that the forum helps by setting clear steps to achieve the net-zero emission goal of the global aviation industry by 2050.

‘Philippine aviation is brimming with hope that today’s collaborations will not only synergize our respective endeavors towards sustained connectivity but also inspire to achieve regional inter-operability, a single aviation market, a seamless ASEAN sky and full-throttle industry digitalization,’ he said.

To date, air traffic in 2023 rose 36.9 percent compared to 2022, and was at 94.1 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

B
y 2041, global air traffic is expected to reach 19.3 billion passengers, 200 million tons of cargo, and 153.8 million aircraft movements.

Source: Philippines News Agency