News Roundup 01 May 2023
May 01, 2023 • 4 min Read
Canada, United Kingdom express concern over West Philippine Sea incident | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Canada and the United Kingdom reiterated their respective commitments to abiding by international law in the South China Sea after Philippine and Chinese vessels nearly collided in waters off Ayungin Shoal.
In separate statements, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman and British Ambassador Laure Baufils expressed concern over what they described as “dangerous” and “unprofessional” conduct in the West Philippine Sea — the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
This comes after Philippine and Chinese vessels nearly collided on April 23, when China Coast Guard vessel No. 5201 went within 50 yards of BRP Malapascua while in waters around Ayungin Shoal. The Department of Foreign Affairs noted that the maneuver blocked the Philippine Coast Guard’s path and “[exposed] the Philippine vessels’ crew to serious danger.”
A similar incident with CCG 5201 and 4202 happened on April 19, when BRP Malapascua was also on its way to Ayungin Shoal.
“We are troubled by dangerous and unprofessional conduct in this region and unreservedly support the government of the Philippines in enforcing its sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone,” Hartman said, adding that “peace and stability” in the waters are “essential to the interests of the international community.”
Full Story at: Canada, United Kingdom express concern over West Philippine Sea incident | Philstar.com
Senators wonder if airport authorities learned anything from last NAIA mess | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Yet another power outage leading to flight cancellations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is a disappointing development that suggests airport authorities have not been doing their jobs, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Monday.
The Manila International Airport Authority on Monday morning confirmed that a power outage at NAIA’s Terminal 3 early Monday morning had led to reduced operations and would lead to flight delays. Cebu Pacific has since announced the cancellation of dozens of flights while Air Asia Philippines said international and domestic flights had had to be rescheduled.
“Unfortunately, we are starting to sound like a broken record when we say that the steps being taken to improve our airport and our Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines are disappointing,” he said in Filipino. “Again, we want to get a clear explanation from them.”
Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the public services committee, said in March after hearings that a power outage on January 1 that left Philippine airspace devoid of any flights for a few hours on New Year’s Day was attributable to inaction and lack of foresight by CAAP and the Department of Transportation.
“Definitely, we cannot let the concerned government authorities escape accountability for this,” Villanueva said Monday, adding also that it is too early to say if more Senate hearings should be held.
Full Story at: Senators wonder if airport authorities learned anything from last NAIA mess | Philstar.com
Senate minority bloc standing up for wage hike on Labor Day | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and fellow minority bloc member Sen.Risa Hontiveros on Monday, Labor Day, joined calls for an increase in the minimum wage in the country.
Pimentel said that the passage of a proposed measure seeking to raise the minimum wage across all regions is long overdue.
“The government should express support for legislated wage hikes,” he said over CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“Sa tingin ko, kailangan na (I believe it’s needed now). It is about time to review the amounts. The legislated minimum wage can live side-by-side with our decentralized wage system.”
Pimentel noted, however, that passing a legislated wage hike should factor in the implications of such a move to businesses and the economy.
“We have to balance the interest of the micro, small and medium enterprises, which could not afford the mandatory wage hike with the needs of our workers,” he said.
Hontiveros pointed out that while the unemployment rate decreased this year, the working conditions of the labor force are not necessarily better, noting that some are forced to pursue alternative sources of income to make ends meet.
Full Story at: Senate minority bloc standing up for wage hike on Labor Day | Inquirer News
UP Baguio celebrates Peoples’ Cordillera Day to honor region’s struggles, triumphs | INQUIRER.NET – BAGUIO CITY — Progressive organizations and individuals concluded the week-long celebration of the 39th Peoples’ Cordillera Day at the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) recently.
With the theme “SUMKAD: Rise Up for Land, Life, and Honor,” the celebration that ended on April 28 sought to honor the struggles and victories of the Cordillera people since the 1980s.
The celebration started with a book-launching activity at the University of the Cordilleras (UC), featuring an anthology of experiences about Martial Law in the north in a book entitled “Panaglagip: The North Remembers” last April 25.
Most of the activities, however, commenced at UPB, headed by Franz Calanio, the current Indigenous Peoples (IP) Desk councilor from UPB University Student Council, along with other outside organizations such as the Tongtongan ti Umili—Cordillera Peoples Alliance.
Full Story at: UP Baguio celebrates Peoples’ Cordillera Day to honor region’s struggles, triumphs | Inquirer News
