Category: General

MANILA: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Tuesday launched its digital platform to improve delivery of universal health care to Filipinos.

In his speech at the ceremonial launch of e-PhilHealth, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma said the platform is part of the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address last year to expedite digitalization efforts.

‘Our integration to the eGov (PH) app is a testament to our commitment to delivering strategic nationwide digitalization. This integration is not just about technology, it is about transforming lives by enhancing the ease of access to government services provided by these current agencies,’ he said.

The e-PhilHealth platform centralizes clinical information, streamlines processes and enhances efficiency for all users.

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said the enhancements provide secure and user-friendly government servi
ces.

“With these new features, PhilHealth members can now effortlessly access new membership portal which includes their profile, contributions, beneficiaries and even claims history. They can also register now in any Konsulta package provider and apply for new membership,’ he said.

He added PhilHealth is transitioning from its legacy databases to the new national health data repository, which incorporates advanced security features such as integration with the digital national ID, enhancing the security of identity verification.

Source: Philippines News Agency

KIDAPAWAN CITY: Police operatives arrested a drug suspect and seized from him PHP1.2 million worth of ‘shabu’ drugs during a buy-bust operation in this city on Tuesday night.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Dominador Palgan Jr., city police director, identified the arrested suspect as Ryan Espiritu Sunga, 45, a farmer and resident of Crossing Conel, Lagao, General Santos City.

Palgan said the suspect was arrested after the poseur-buyer positively bought suspected shabu items following an 8:30 p.m. transaction in Purok Jackfruit, Barangay Upper Kalaisan.

Confiscated from the suspect were 181 grams of shabu sealed in several plastic sachets and the motorcycle he used to deliver the illegal drugs.

“The evidence was submitted to the police’s provincial forensic unit for qualitative and quantitative examination,” Palgan said.

A police follow-up operation is underway to get the cohorts of the suspect in the illegal drug trade.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured the public that spiking prices of select vegetables will be tempered starting this week.

‘Ang good news dito as I mentioned, nag-start nang mag-harvest ngayon iyong Southern Tagalog Region. And ine-expect natin, unti-unti nang bababa iyong presyo (The good news here, as I mentioned, is the harvest in the Southern Tagalog Region has already started. And we are expecting that the prices will drop) in the coming days,’ DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview, referring to the harvest of tomatoes.

As of Tuesday, the prices of tomatoes in Metro Manila range from PHP140 to PHP220 per kilogram, higher than the price range two weeks ago set at PHP90/kg. to PHP160/kg.

Other agricultural products with increasing prices were carrots ranging from PHP100/kg. to PHP180/kg., eggplant ranging from PHP60/kg. to PHP120/kg., and bell pepper set at PHP200/kg. to PHP350/kg., among others.

De Mesa added that spiking prices would be immediately re
versed considering the faster cycle in vegetable production.

‘Iyong presyo ng gulay parating pabagu-bago iyan, iyong presyong nakataas (the prices of vegetables really vary, and the increasing prices), they are very temporary at kapag bumalik uli iyong malaking harvest, bababa uli iyan (and when the huge harvest comes in, it will also drop),’ he added.

De Mesa attributed the spiking prices to the harvest delay due to the changing season, not to mention the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and Typhoon Aghon.

Increasing fuel prices may have also posed an impact on the farmers’ transportation cost, especially in agricultural products being sourced from far areas like Benguet, Baguio, and Southern Tagalog, he added.

‘May additional na expenses kapag mahal ang gasolina. Of course, ang lalaki ng increases, PHP1 to PHP2 di ba (There’s an additional expense when the fuel prices increase. Of course, there’s a huge increase, it’s around PHP1 to PHP2 right?) So, that would also be the reason for the increase,’ De M
esa said.

For low-land vegetables, products are sourced from Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and Ilocos Region; while highland vegetables usually come from La Trinidad, Cordillera, and Southern Tagalog.

Earlier, the DA said a total of PHP510.447 million in assistance will be given to 160,000 crop, livestock, and poultry farmers who own or rent machinery, including PHP3,000 worth of fuel subsidies for each farmer.

The DA eyes its distribution in August once the average monthly price of Dubai crude oil reaches USD80 per barrel, as per the requirement set under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has announce a series of short films to promote local tourism, delivering the message “Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City” to domestic and international tourists. The series, themed ‘A Vibrant Journey’, will offer new experiences and perspectives to tourists to explore and learn about the city’s history, culture, cuisine, architecture, and diverse arts, tourist attractions, and tourism services. The movies present many tourist attractions in the list of ‘Ho Chi Minh City-100 interesting things’ and restaurants rated by the Michelin Guide Vietnam. In the first six months of 2024, the city welcomed about 17.1 million domestic tourists and more than 2,6 million international arrivals with a total revenue estimated at more than 92 trillion VND (3.6 billion USD), an increase of 14,6% over the same period last year.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: Philippine Navy (PN) patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have been significantly boosted in the past year, a ranking official said on Tuesday.

PN spokesperson for WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad made this response when asked on whether naval patrols will be deployed to counter the presence of the China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” with bow number 5901, which is now in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal.

“The PN has its own patrol plans through the Naval Forces West. So our vessels in the WPS have increased in the past months, past six months to one year,” he said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, without elaborating specific details.

Trinidad also said almost all of the PN’s capital ships or major naval units are assigned or doing routine patrols in the WPS.

“We have almost all of our capital ships already being assigned or doing routine patrols in the WPS, not only because of the ‘monster ship’,” Trinidad said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

TACLOBAN CITY: The Northern Samar provincial government is eyeing investments from Gokongwei Group in a bid to advance the industrial and agricultural sectors in the province.

In a statement Wednesday, the provincial government said Governor Edwin Ongchuan had a meeting on July 5 with some officials of Gokongwei Group at Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City to discuss investment potential.

‘The provincial government’s economic team articulated plans, highlighting Northern Samar’s strategic advantages, including its newly implemented Green Lane, designed to streamline business permits and licensing processes and remove the bureaucratic burden from the Gokongwei Group should they decide to proceed with projects in the province,’ the statement said.

The Green Lanes for strategic investments were established through Executive Order No. 18, which was approved by the Office of the President in February last year.

Green Lanes aim to hasten, simplify, and automate the permit and license application processes for
strategic investments in the Philippines.

During the meeting, the provincial government formally requested significant considerations from the Gokongwei Group, including for Cebu Pacific, to reassess its decision regarding the resumption of flights to Northern Samar.

Additionally, the team inquired with JG Summit Holdings about their anticipated timeline for the construction of Robinsons Mall.

The provincial government also requested a feasibility study on the potential establishment of Summit and Go Hotel chains within the province.

In attendance from the Gokongwei Group are lawyer Jose Luis Aliling, external affairs director of Robinsons Land Corporation; lawyer Jose Angelo Cunanan, government relations, corporate affairs, and sustainability officer of JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and lawyer Domingo Hamilton Tutaan III, government relations manager of Universal Robina Corporation.

‘Their presence underscored the group’s keen interest in exploring opportunities that align with Northern Samar’s development
agenda,’ the provincial government added in the media release.

With the governor in the meeting were Director Ernesto Delos Reyes of the Board of Investments; Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the provincial economic development and investment promotions office; and Jay Keenson Acebuche, head of the provincial planning and development office.

Source: Philippines News Agency

SURIGAO CITY: Nestled within the heart of Surigao City lies a natural wonder waiting to be visited and explored by eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Barangay Day-asan’s century-old mangroves have long been a well-kept secret. Still, thanks to the visionary efforts of the city government, this ecological gem is set to take center stage in Surigao’s burgeoning tourism scene.

As part of the city’s ambitious tourism program, the recent launch of the weeklong Suroy Surigao Plus initiative has shone a spotlight on the diverse array of attractions that Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands have to offer.

‘The Suroy Surigao Plus (Visit Surigao Plus) aims to bring into limelight the tourist destinations that Surigao City, Surigao del Norte mainland, and Dinagat Islands can offer to visitors, both local and foreign tourists,’ said Roselin Merlin, head of the tourism office of Surigao City, in an interview on Wednesday.

The program, which concluded on Tuesday, was joined by known social media
influencers from Cebu, travel and tour operators from Davao City, and media representatives from the Caraga Region.

Increased tourist arrivals

Aside from promoting tourist spots, the Suroy Surigao Plus is also geared at capturing more visitors to the featured areas and increasing the number of tourist arrivals this year in Surigao City.

Data from the city tourism office indicated that Surigao City recorded an 18.4 percent rate increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to the previous year. Last year, 170,357 arrivals were logged in Surigao City, compared to 143,770 in 2022. Of these, 167,689 were local tourists, and 2,668 were foreign visitors.

‘Surigao City has long been utilized as a jump-off point of Siargao Island. Tourism has been one of the ways where we can be at par with the other cities in the Philippines,’ said Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra, who represented Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II during the weeklong conduct of the Suroy Surigao Plus.

Casurra added that Mayor Dumlao’s marching order is ‘to
shift from the traditional way of promoting the city to a more advanced way of using technologies.’

A must-see ecological gem

The Day-asan Mangrove Forest is a prime example of Surigao City’s natural beauty and ecological significance.

Spanning over 600 hectares, the Day-asan Mangrove Forest beckons visitors to want to immerse themselves in its tranquil surroundings and witness the wonders of nature up close.

Day-asan can be reached from the city proper of Surigao by any transportation that passes a concrete road for about seven to ten minutes. Upon arriving in a designated area, boats are available for rent at PHP1,000, which is reasonable for ten persons for a ride of 45 minutes to one hour.

Boating through the winding waterways, guests can marvel at the towering century-old mangroves that line the banks, their roots reaching deep into the rich, fertile soil.

One of the highlights of a visit to the Day-asan Mangrove Forest is the iconic 500-meter floating walkway that offers a unique vantage point for
observing these majestic trees.

Stepping onto the floating walk, visitors are greeted by a breathtaking panorama of lush greenery and nature’s soothing sounds. It is a moment of pure serenity, a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with the natural world.

‘I’ve been operating a boat to ferry visitors and tourists around the mangrove forest for more than two years now,’ said a boat operator who only identified himself as Mamerto.

Inviting more tourists to visit Day-asan would generate additional income for around 20 boat owners operating in the mangrove forest.

‘Upon hearing the city government’s plan, especially in promoting Day-asan, I and the rest of the boat operators here are glad,’ Mamerto said.

Merlin said that beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Day-asan Mangrove Forest also serves as an invaluable educational resource for students and nature enthusiasts keen on learning about mangroves’ vital role in maintaining ecological biodiversity.

Guided tours also offer insight
s into the complex ecosystems supported by mangroves and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve these habitats for future generations.

Merlin said that the city government of Surigao, together with the local government units of Placer and Tagana-an in Surigao del Norte, are working to declare more than 21,113 hectares of mangrove forests as a Protected Landscape and Seascape in the province.

‘This measure is still for legislation. Declaring Day-asan and other mangrove forests in nearby towns as protected areas will help us protect this treasure,’ she said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Representatives from the Vietnamese provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien on July 10 attended a meeting with their counterparts from China’s Yunnan province to discuss transport cooperation between the two sides. The same day, a delegation from the Yunnan provincial Department of Transport conducted on-site surveys of several cross-border infrastructure projects in Lao Cai.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Navy’s first guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), sailed for a sovereignty patrol on Tuesday to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise, highlighting the country’s claims on the vital maritime area.

In a news release Wednesday, Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) commander, Commodore Edward Ike de Sagon said the activity aims to sustain marine conservation and protection of the Philippine Rise, reaffirming sovereign rights and raising awareness of its strategic value.

He also highlighted the importance of marine conservation efforts in safeguarding the diverse marine life and ecosystems of the Philippine Rise for present and future generations.

“This event also commemorates the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise, signifying a pivotal historical moment and illustrating the government’s commitment to upholding territorial claims and conserving the natural heritage,” Sagon emphasized.

The observance commenced with a send-of
f ceremony for BRP Jose Rizal at PPIC Pier 1, Poro Point, La Union.

“FF-150 (subsequently) conducted a flag-raising ceremony on the Philippine Rise, symbolizing national pride, unity, and sovereignty. Subsequently, C-130 conducted a flyby, symbolizing national strength and showcasing the country’s aerospace security capabilities over the Philippine Rise,” NFNL added.

Benham Rise was renamed Philippine Rise pursuant to former president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signing of Executive Order 25 on May 16, 2017.

At the time, it also marked the eighth year after the then Benham Rise was awarded to the country and granted sovereign rights by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in April 2012.

Source: Philippines News Agency