Laos Newswire

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a NA working group on July 1 presented 20 gifts to revolution contributors in the southern province of Hau Giang and witnessed the symbolic handover of 100 charity houses to the province on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947-2024).

Source: Vietnam News Agency

DUMAGUETE CITY: Negros Oriental is gearing up to further reduce the stunting and wasting rates among children aged 0-59 months this year, an official said Monday.

At the opening of the 50th Nutrition Month celebration in July, Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Liland Estacion said one of their biggest challenges is to address the health of children in this age bracket, where stunting and wasting are prevalent.

Stunting in children means they are short in height for their age while wasting refers to those who are underweight or skinny for their height, Estacion said.

‘These problems can be countered with proper nutrition, providing a healthy and nutritious diet for the children at home and in pre-school,’ she said.

In 2022, provincial records showed that the stunting rate among children below 5 years old was 10.3 percent of the 150,262 population.

A 9.6 percent of the 155,279 population of the same age bracket was recorded in 2023.

The wasting rate was 3.3 percent in 2022 while 2.4 percent was posted du
ring the following year.

For malnutrition (weight for age), the province logged 5.09 percent in 2022 and 4.7 percent in 2023 in the same age bracket.

Estacion said no data is available yet for 2024 as ‘Operation Timbang’ has yet to start.

She attributed the decline to interventions that continue year-round such as medical missions, information and education on providing healthy food on the table, and stipends and allowances for health workers to monitor the children’s growth.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, public and private sector organizations highlighted consolidated effort in addressing stunting and low academic performance of schoolchildren.

Parolita Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council-Central Visayas, underscored the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for 2023-2028, the country’s framework and roadmap to combat malnutrition in her message during the opening of the 50th celebration of Nutrition Month at the SM Seaside Cebu.

‘As we celebrate nutrit
ion month this July, it is a great time to focus on choosing foods wisely and creating a healthy eating routine,’ Mission said, as she thanked the members of the academe, health organizations, the government and non-government sectors for efforts to reduce malnutrition among schoolchildren.

She said the framework highlighted the need to reduce all forms of malnutrition across all life stages and include interventions that focus on healthier diets, better practices, and improved access to quality services.

Central Visayas’ stunting rate is now 7.2 percent, wasting rate at 1.4 percent, underweight rate at 3.2 percent, and overweight rate at 2.11 percent, citing OPT Plus survey.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working lunch with the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s experts and scientists in semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) in Seoul on July 1, during which he expressed his hope that they will share their experience and know-how to help the two industries of Vietnam develop fast and sustainably. Highly valuing Vietnam’s development strategy based on innovation, science and technology, including semiconductor and AI, participants advised the country to prepare large investment and high-quality human resources, and immediately implement specific short-cut projects.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

BUTUAN CITY: The entry of a new fast craft route connecting Surigao City to Maasin City in Southern Leyte and Cebu is expected to further boost tourism and economy of these areas.

The OceanJet, set to make its maiden voyage on July 15, will have a capacity of 200 passengers and is expected to help boost the economic activity and tourism industry in Surigao City and the rest of the Caraga Region, according to Robbie Ruaya, chief of Surigao City’s public information office.

‘Currently, there are no regular trips of fast crafts between Surigao City and Cebu. Only roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels, the Starlite and Cokaliong, have regular trips from here to Cebu and the rest of the Visayas, but these are not fast crafts,’ Ruaya said in an interview Monday.

Top OceanJet executives met with Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II last week, Ruaya said, adding that OceanJet is also waiting for the approval of their documents from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Surigao.

In a separate statement on Monday, Dumlao expressed full s
upport for the route’s opening given the opportunities it will bring to the city.

‘We are seeing a great potential to enhance sea transport, which is beneficial to the residents of Surigao City as well as our visitors from the Visayas,’ he said.

He added that the entry of a new player in the maritime industry aligns with the city’s goals of improving transportation and promoting economic growth.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: At least 23 tricycle drivers were apprehended on the first day of “No plate, no travel” policy in Quezon City on Monday.

In a news release, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said the first hours of the implementation saw about 16 drivers cited for unregistered vehicles.

Five more were apprehended for operating the motor vehicle with no license plate while two others were driving without license.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the implementation of the policy was consulted with and was agreed upon by the city government and the leaders and members of various Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).

‘Ito po ay welcome sa ating mga kaibigan sa mga TODA ng Quezon City dahil hindi lang naipaliwanag natin ng maayos ang kahalagahan ng polisiyang ito kundi sila mismo ay nagrereklamo sa mga colorum na mga tricycles na inaagaaw ang kita na dapat ay para sa kanila (TODAs in Quezon City welcome the new policy because they have been complaining about colorum tricycles, affecti
ng the income of legitimate drivers and operators),’ Mendoza said.

Based on the policy, ‘all tricycles must display valid and authorized licensed plates at all times while plying the road.’

The license plates must be clearly visible and properly attached to the tricycles.

Mendoza said a sufficient number of LTO personnel and the city’s traffic enforcers would be deployed in strategic areas to implement the policy.

‘Any tricycle found operating without a valid license plate shall be apprehended, while appropriate legal actions and penalties in accordance with existing laws and regulations shall be imposed,’ the LTO memorandum read.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is set to hold another inquiry on July 10 following reports on the alleged involvement of a former cabinet official in the issuance of licenses to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco has been invited to shed light on his previous statement that a former high ranking government official in the previous administration ‘tried to facilitate the grant of gaming licenses to some illegal POGOs that have been raided’.

‘We are calling a next hearing and I hope the PAGCOR chief deems it right forum to reveal what he knows. Whoever the ex-cabinet official turns out to be, the fact remains: POGOs are being used as a legal cover for scam hubs,’ Hontiveros said in a statement on Monday.

Tengco confirmed his attendance at the Senate hearing.

The committee has bee
n investigating several illegal POGOs in the country, including the latest raided POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

Hontiveros said it was proven in the previous Senate hearings that although legal licenses have been issued by PAGCOR, criminal activities are happening in POGOs in the country.

For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said PAGCOR must reveal all information and personalities involved in the operations of illegal POGOs.

‘Dapat nating papanagutin ang mga kasapi ng gobyerno na dawit sa mga iligal at kriminal na aktibidad (Government officials involved in illegal and criminal activities must be held accountable),’ he said.

Last Sunday, Senate President Francis Escudero said the former official should be unmasked in the next Senate hearing if he violated the law so not all former ‘high ranking cabinet officials will be looked upon with suspicion.’

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III echoed similar call on PAGCOR’s revelation, saying the PAGCOR should reveal the id
entity of the former official.

“They have infiltrated not only the business and gaming industries but also our government, allegedly with local and even high-ranking officials serving as their protectors,’ Pimentel said.

Last Saturday, Tengco said he would reveal in a proper forum the identity of the former Cabinet member.

Tengco added he would also unveil the circumstances that led to the proliferation of illegal POGOs in the country

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers urged Tengco to also disclose the names of the legitimate POGOs.

‘POGOs, whether licensed, legitimate or illegal, are nothing but fronts for criminal activities. Ranging from money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, protecting criminal syndicates engaged in murders, kidnapping, torture, rape and up to engaging in POGO politics, name it and surely it is all there. POGO is the one-stop shop of criminal activities,’ Barbers said in a separate statement.

‘If we continue to allow their operations, we will all
be consumed by its corrupt and criminal system until it becomes the accepted norm and our society becomes worthless,’ he added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The local stock barometer declined on Monday due to profit taking, while the peso moved sideways.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 13.14 points to 6,398.77 while the broader All Shares also declined by 7.19 points to 3,479.47.

“The local bourse dropped by 13.14 points (0.20 percent) to 6,398.77 due to profit taking after five consecutive days of market rally. The market also failed to stay above the 6,400 level,” Philstock Financials, Inc. research associate Claire Alviar said.

“Many investors remained on the sidelines, given the weak market participation with a net market value turnover at PHP3.20 billion, as they awaited the inflation data for June. This data is crucial for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision on interest rates,” Alviar added.

Except for the banks which rose 0.12 percent, all other sectors were also in the red, with the Holdings having the biggest loss of 0.56 percent.

Decliners led advancers at 103 to 83, leaving 53 unchanged.

Meanwhile, the peso moved sid
eways, closing at 58.65 to a dollar on Monday from Friday’s 58.61 finish.

It opened at 58.55 and traded between 58.47 to 58.695.

The weighted average for the day was at 58.563.

Total volume of trade fell to USD920.83 million from USD1.1 billion last Friday.

Source: Philippines News Agency

DAVAO CITY: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Davao del Norte Field Office said Monday it has deployed 300 students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

Jennylyn Rosalinda, head of DOLE-Davao del Norte employment team, said the SPES beneficiaries began working on June 28 and will end on July 10.

Before they were dispatched, the DOLE provincial office conducted a series of orientations in various municipalities and cities in Davao del Norte, including Asuncion, Santo Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Kapalong, Tagum City, Panabo City and Talaingod.

‘During the orientation, the facilitators provided valuable deployment information and emphasized the program’s importance in equipping young individuals with practical work experience to prepare them for the workforce,’ Rosalinda said in a statement.

DOLE-Davao Region Director Randolf Pensoy said the SPES picks deserving students, out-of-school youth and dependents of displaced workers aged 15 to 30.

Beneficiaries are employed
during summer or Christmas vacations or any time of the year to augment their family’s income and help ensure they can pursue their education, Pensoy said.

Employers, public or private, will pay 60 percent of the students’ salaries based on the region’s minimum wage rate, while DOLE will shoulder the remaining 40 percent.

‘DOLE-11 remains dedicated to supporting young individuals’ professional growth and development through impactful employment initiatives,’ he added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI CITY: Fifteen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the Bicol Region will have an opportunity to showcase their fashion goods and accessories at the 19th Lifestyle Expo at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan this July 3 to 5.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bicol Regional Director Dindo Nabol said the participating enterprises under the wearables and homestyle industry cluster will have the opportunity to exhibit premium export-quality products that are expected to capture the Japanese market.

He said the MSMEs were chosen to join the exposition because their products were tailored for the Japanese market using indigenous raw materials in Bicol such as abaca, coconut, and pili shells.

“We are expecting more sales, more buyers, and more exposure for our local enterprises,” Nabol said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

The participating MSMEs are from Albay -eight; Camarines Sur -three; Catanduanes -three; and Masbate -one.

“The Bicol MSMEs will be showcasing new and improved product
lines for the summer collection designed by highly experienced designers from the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) that feature functional, innovative, and trendy products,” Nabol said. “They will have the opportunity to visit different businesses and companies in Japan to market their products.”

After the expo, the products will be displayed at the Philippine Embassy in Japan, Nabol added.

Source: Philippines News Agency