Category: General

MANILA: Senator Raffy Tulfo and two members of the House of Representatives thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his efforts after displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) started receiving their back pay from bankrupted Saudi Arabian construction companies after nine years of waiting.

Last Tuesday, President Marcos announced the processing of a total of 1,104 indemnity cheques from Alinma Bank, amounting to PHP868.74 million, through the Overseas Filipino Bank and Land Bank. About 843 cheques have already been sorted out and distributed.

In a statement, Tulfo acknowledged President Marcos’ dedication to prioritizing the welfare of the OFWs dubbed the country’s modern-day heroes. The senator also thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for fulfilling his promise.

‘Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, lubos ang aking kasiyahan dahil matapos ang halos siyam na taon na paghihintay ng ating mga Saudi OFW ay makukuha na nila ang kanilang insurance claims (As chairperson o
f the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I am very happy because after almost nine years of waiting for our Saudi OFWs, they will get their insurance claims),’ Tulfo said.

‘Ito ay bilang pagtupad sa pangako ni Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman na babayaran ng kanilang gobyerno ang ating mga OFW (This is in fulfillment of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s promise that their government will pay our OFWs),’ he added.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, also expressed his gratitude on behalf of OFWs to President Marcos, the Saudi government, and the Department of Migrant Workers under the leadership of officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Cacdac.

‘His (Marcos) strong international and diplomatic relations with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman led to the swift resolution of the matter and the release of pending salaries, wages and end-of-service benefits,’ the congressman said.

OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa ‘Del Mar’ Ma
gsino also thanked President Marcos for taking a firm stance on securing the overseas workers’ back pay, a manifestation that the welfare of OFWs continues to be a top priority of the government.

‘Sa paninindigan at katapatan ng ating Pangulong Marcos, tayo’y panatag na pagsusumikapan ng ating pamahalaan na maging good news na ang pagbigay ng claims para sa lahat ng naapektuhang OFWs sa lalong madalhing panahon (With the commitment and honesty of our President Marcos, we are assured that our government will work hard to make the filing of claims for all affected OFWs as soon as possible),’ Magsino said.

In October last year, Marcos announced that the Saudi government was processing the wage claims of more than 10,000 OFWs who were left jobless after Riyadh-based construction companies declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November 2022 pledged to set aside about 2 billion riyals for the displaced OFWs.

Nearly 13,000 OFWs were laid off when Saudi Oger Ltd., Mohamma
d Al Mojil Group, and other construction firms in Saudi Arabia went bankrupt, according to data from the DMW.

The DMW records showed 8,829 claimants from Saudi Oger and 3,454 from Mohammad Al Mojil.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Vientiane: A ‘Xuan Que Huong’ (Homeland Spring) programme was held by the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane in collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Laos on February 8 to bring the Lunar New Year (Tet) atmosphere to overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in the host country.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the Association Le Van Mui stated that it continued to promote its role in caring for the lives of its members and OVs with difficult circumstances, and coordinated with the embassy to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese people in the Lao capital city.

He took the occasion to affirm that the association and its member clubs will continue developing, making more contributions and playing more important role in the host country’s society, contributing to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Counselor of the embassy Phan Minh Chien extended New Year greetings to OVs in
Vientiane, applauding them for their crucial contributions to the homeland’s development.

He expressed his belief that in the coming years, the Vietnamese community in Laos in general and OVs in Vientiane in particular will continue to strive together to build an united, strong, and successful association, contributing practically and effectively to Laos’s socio-economic development, and further strengthening the great friendship relationship between the two countries.

Within the framework of the programme, the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane presented 150 gift packages to disadvantaged Vietnamese expats living in the Lao capital city./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

DUMAGUETE: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental is now accepting qualified applicants of all ages for its Kapatid Mentor ME (micro entrepreneurs) Program (KMMP) to provide them with the skills to improve and professionalize their businesses.

DTI-Negros Oriental Director Nimfa Virtucio told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that this year’s KMMP would not impose an age limit, unlike last year where only entrepreneurs from the youth sector were accommodated.

‘The KMMP will run for 11 weeks at once-a-week face-to-face sessions to help local entrepreneurs upscale and expand their markets outside of the province,’ she said.

The DTI is currently sifting through the applications and as soon as the list of 20 trainees is final, the KMMP will commence immediately, Virtucio said.

The project is an initiative of the DTI and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship to help the country’s micro and small enterprises through coaching and mentoring on different aspects of business operations
.

The trainees would also gain access and links to large companies’ value chains.

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

Thua Thien – Hue: Tours offering foreign tourists with brand-new experience of local life during the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival have become special products of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue in recent days.

At Tram Homestay in Hue city, the owner’s family and a group of foreigners were making Chung (glutinous rice) cake and prepare for Tet like a big family.

Anton Schoderboeck from Australia said that he is strongly impressed at the sophisticated steps to make a Chung cake, adding that he had lots of fun joining the process.

The owner of the homestay, Dinh Thi Phuong Thy, said that she has planned various activities for visitors, especially foreigners, to experience traditional Tet practices such as making Chung cake and writing calligraphy. All the 300 Chung cakes made on this occasion will be delivered to the needy in the locality, she said.

This year, the ancient capital city of Hue expects a bright year for its tourism sector, as it has been voted as a world leading cultural destination and
one of the must-visit destinations in Asia.

During this Tet holidays, local travel firms have designed unique cultural products drawing great attention from tourists, including tours to explore Tet at local families, during which tourists will join the families in preparing for Tet, going to traditional markets to buy Tet stuff and decorate houses before Tet.

In the first month of 2024, Thua Thien-Hue enjoyed a surge of 25% in the number of tourists over the same time last year.

The local tourism sector expects a bustling season during the traditional New Year holidays.

Director of the Provincial Tourism Department Nguyen Van Phuc said that local resorts and hotels have been booked by 65%. Local relic sites are likely to welcome about 100 visitors each day during Tet from February 7-15, with foreigners accounting for 55%, he said./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

BUTUAN: Four villages in Dinagat Islands received newly completed infrastructure projects consisting of road access and enhancements.

All the projects were funded under the 20-percent Provincial Development Fund, Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

The completed projects, turned over on Thursday, include the Mabuhay to Bagumbayan Road project worth PHP3,988,264.75 in Dinagat town, PHP4.9-million Poblacion Access Road and the PHP2.8-million Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert in Barangay Tigbao, all in Cagdianao town.

Demerey also handed over the completed Maraging Bridge in Barangay Diaz, Tubajon, with a budget of PHP14.7 million, which was started during the administration of former Gov. Arlene Bag-ao.

The completed projects are designed to improve the connectivity of the villages, especially in the transportation of agricultural and other products of residents, the governor said

In a statement on Friday, the local government of Tubajon welcomed the completion and the turnover o
f the completed bridge.

‘The Maraging Bridge project was started during the term of former Governor Bag-ao through the request of Mayor Pedrablanca and in consultation with the officials and citizens of Barangay Diaz,’ it added.

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