Category: General

Hanoi: President Vo Van Thuong attended a ceremony in Hanoi on March 6 to present the titles of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist – the noble rewards of the Party and State given to individuals with outstanding contributions and long-term commitment in the field of culture and art – to 389 artists.

Addressing the event, President Thuong highlighted the great cultural values and various unique art forms of the nation, stressing that culture and arts have become a strength helping Vietnamese people overcome hardships and challenges and defeating all enemies.

According to him, the nearly 40-year cause of national renewal and historical achievements of the country have become limitless sources of inspiration for artists in different areas, prompting them to make contributions to the building of the spiritual foundation for the society.

Hailing the working spirit and creativity of generations of Vietnamese artists, the State leader said that artists winning the People’s Artists and Meritorious Artists titl
es are priceless treasures of the nation. Though they are at any age and from any ethnic group, they have made great contributions to the Vietnamese culture and achievements of the country, he stated.

Underlining that the country is experiencing a new development stage, requiring the strong promotion of Vietnamese culture and people, President Thuong asked the artists to work hard to renovate culture and art activities to reach the region and the world, meeting the increasing demand of the people, narrowing down the gap in cultural enjoyment between urban and rural areas and among regions, and enhancing the living quality and the happiness index of Vietnamese people.

The President also emphasised the need to discover and nurture talents, especially young talents, in literature and arts, along with adequate support policies for them and a healthy development environment for them.

At the ceremony, 125 artists were presented with the title of People’s Artist, while 264 others received Meritorious Artist title
./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The US State Department criticized China for its ‘provocative actions’ in the West Philippine Sea, including the use of water cannons against a resupply boat that injured four Filipino service members while they were en route to Ayungin Shoal.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US stands with the Philippines against these acts and is in ‘discussion’ with the government about the latest incident.

‘The latest actions, which are just the most recent in a series of provocative actions by the PRC (People’s Republic of China), demonstrate once again a reckless disregard by the PRC for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law,’ he said in a briefing on Wednesday (Manila time).

‘By impeding the safe operation of Philippine vessels carrying provisions to Filipino service members stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, the PRC interfered in lawful Philippine maritime operations and in Philippine vessels’ exercise of high-seas freedom of navigation,’ he added.

The State Department
said under the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, China has ‘no lawful maritime claims to the waters’ around Ayungin Shoal as the feature is a low-tide elevation located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. ?

‘As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on the PRC and the Philippines, and the United States calls upon the PRC to abide by the ruling and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct,’ Miller said.

READ: PCG vessel escorting RORE mission to Ayungin collides with CCG

Miller reiterated that the US is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty, adding that this extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.

Asked whether the use of water cannon and actions that led to the collision constitute an armed attack, Miller said he would not ‘speculate or get out ahead of any discussions in this regard’.

The State Department stateme
nt came a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong to protest the Chinese Coast Guard’s March 5 maneuvers, blocking, and use of water cannons that damaged Filipino vessels and injured four people.

The US Embassy did not provide specific details on the dates of talks between Manila and Washington DC but said there are regular conversations with their Filipino counterparts ‘at all levels’ and that ‘these interactions were part of those discussions’.

Unacceptable

Think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute on Wednesday also condemned China’s persistent and increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, which was highlighted by its latest attempts to impede Manila’s rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission for the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) contingent.

In a statement, Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit said these actions show China’s blatant disregard for the Philippines’ national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Manhit said these a
cts also gravely endangered the lives of Filipinos at sea in the Philippines’ maritime territory.

He added that China’s acts of aggression, being unprovoked, are unacceptable and irresponsible.

“The Stratbase ADR Institute reiterates the legality of the Philippines’ arbitral victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016. This ruling is legally binding to all parties. China’s continuous rejection of the arbitral award has no bearing on the legitimacy and supremacy of well-established international laws,” Manhit stressed.

He also called on the government to remain firm in its assertion of the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“It should remain unyielding in its duty to protect Filipinos. With international law on our side, the Marcos Jr administration must take the lead in affirming what is ours and must continue to work with like-minded partners to realize the goal of a secure and stable region,” Manhit noted.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri dismissed on Wednesday rumors about efforts to replace him as Senate president.

In a press briefing, Zubiri said 17 senators signed a manifesto, maintaining their support for his leadership.

Those who signed were Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, Mark Villar, Robinhood Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ramon Revilla Jr.

“I thank my fellow senators – everyone who has already signed the statement of support, as well as those who have signified to sign as well,” Zubiri said.

He said the senators who have intended to sign the manifesto are Senators Pia Cayetano, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Francis Escudero who are currently out of the country.

“Ang suporta nilang lahat ay marka ng isang matatag na Senado na hindi natitinag ng anumang ingay at palag
ing nagkakaisa sa aming paglilingkod para sa bayan (Their support marks a strong Senate that can’t be shaken by any noise and always united in our service for the country),” Zubiri said.

Rumors are that he could be replaced by Legarda, Poe or Estrada.

Source: Philippines News Agency

COTABATO: The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MBHTE-BARMM) has been recognized as a top taxpayer under the national government agency category for 2023.

‘It was an exemplary display of fiscal responsibility and moral governance,’ a statement from MBHTE said Wednesday.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office No. 107 under Revenue Region 18 bestowed this distinction upon MBHTE during the BIR 2024 tax campaign event, held on Tuesday afternoon at the EM Manor Hotel and Convention Center here.

‘The award is not merely a testament to the ministry’s adherence to tax laws, but shines a spotlight on its dedication to contributing significantly towards the nation’s development,’ the MBHTE statement added.

Without specifying the region’s withholding tax remittances, the MBHTE chief, Minister Mohagher Iqbal, said the agency supported the goals of BIR District Office No. 107 in Cotabato City to achieve its collection target
last year.

‘This contribution underscores the ministry’s role as an educator and a pivotal player in the nation’s economic landscape,’ the MBHTE said.

MBHTE said it hopes to inspire other government agencies and departments to emulate its commitment to transparency, accountability and effective resource management.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The expanded implementation of the ‘Tara Basa!’ tutoring program will kick off in Cebu City soon, a senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday.

Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said the DSWD would implement the tutoring program, which is the agency’s recalibrated educational assistance in other regions after its successful pilot run in the National Capital Region (NCR) last year.

Lopez said the ceremonial launch in Cebu City would be held on March 8.

‘Following the good feedback and success of our pilot run in Metro Manila, we are about to bring Tara, Basa! program to more communities around the country,’ he said.

Lopez said the expansion would cover San Jose del Monte City; Malolos City; Bulacan province; Cebu City; Marawi City; Taraka in Lanao del Sur; Western Samar; General Santos City; and Quezon province. The program will also be implemented in more local government units (LGUs) in the NCR.

As part of the kick-off
ceremony in Cebu City, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be jointly signed by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, and State Universities and Colleges (SUC) president Dr. Daniel Ariaso Sr. of Cebu Normal University (CNU).

The MOA will formalize the DSWD-LGU-SUC partnership in implementing Tara! BASA in Cebu City.

‘The MOA stipulates the duties and responsibilities of the stakeholders in ensuring the proper implementation of Tara, Basa! tutoring program in Cebu City. With this program, non- and struggling readers in elementary will benefit through the provision of reading sessions,’ he said.

Aside from these, their parents and guardians will also be given cash-for-work (CFW) in exchange for their attendance in ‘Nanay-Tatay’ learning sessions and in assisting their children in preparing their needs for learning and reading and in their after-reading assignments, Lopez added.

Under the program, 2nd- to 4th-year college students will be deployed as tutors who will teach ch
ildren beneficiaries to read.

Additionally, youth development workers (YDWs) will facilitate Nanay-Tatay sessions to provide parents or guardians with parenting guidance.

Lopez reiterated that Tara, Basa! is the reformatted educational assistance of the DSWD that creates an ecosystem of learning wherein college students will be capacitated and deployed as tutors to teach poor and non- or struggling readers in elementary and as YDWs to conduct Nanay-Tatay sessions.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BUTUAN CITY: In celebration of Women’s Month, a weeklong Mobile Convergence Caravan kicked off in Dinagat Islands to provide free services to women and mothers.

In a statement on Wednesday, the provincial government said the caravan will provide free medical and dental services including medical consultations, breast examination, and Pap smears to the beneficiaries.

‘They (beneficiaries) will also receive free seeds of various kinds of vegetables and other planting materials,’ the statement added.

In addition, the beneficiaries will also enjoy free manicure, pedicure, massage, eyebrow shaping, and counseling.

The caravan, which started Tuesday in Barangay San Antonio of Libjo town, will also visit six other strategic barangays in six towns in the province on March 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Other government agencies, including the PhilHealth and the Commission on Elections, will also join the service caravan to provide free registration services.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BACOLOD: The Negros Occidental provincial government is providing scholarships to some 100 public school heads in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in this city.

Karen Dinsay, head of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division, said on Wednesday that 75 slots are open to qualified teachers from the Schools Division of Negros Occidental and 25 to those from the 12 City Schools Divisions.

These teacher-scholars will comprise the second batch of grantees after the initial group of 63 completed the program last January.

On Tuesday afternoon, the implementation of the Provincial School Heads Academy Scholarship for 2024 was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, DepEd- Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet, and USLS president Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez in a ceremony held at the USLS campus Lopue Conference Room.

The program aims to strengthen and upgrade
the competencies of school heads and improve the quality of education in public schools.

Under the Provincial School Heads Academy Scholarship, the grantees will enroll in a three-semester program at the USLS this coming July.

After completing the 15 to 18 units prescribed leadership development course, they will obtain a Certificate in Educational Administration and Supervision.

‘This landmark scholarship initiative reflects our shared vision of a future where our schools are led by individuals equipped with the skills and passion necessary to make our educational system responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing and evolving world,’ Lacson said.

The governor added that the scholarship is a tribute to the hard work and a sincere expression of deep gratitude for the teachers’ invaluable contribution to the nation and the province.

After completing the program, grantees will have to submit a Re-entry Action Plan to the USLS and render services to his or her assigned school or any DepEd public school in
Negros Occidental for three academic years.

Source: Philippines News Agency