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Your Virtual Newspaper
Vol. I No. 70
MANILA, PHILIPPINES |
By Jonathan G. Villaraza
So long as the two sides are talking, the people of China and the Philippines may sleep soundly knowing that the dogs of war have been silenced, albeit temporarily.
“Unprecedented ang financial package, iyong mga nanumbalik from Israel and Sudan, PHP50,000 ang binigay (The financial package is unprecedented. Those who returned from Israel and Sudan, they got PHP50,000). In the past, the POEA and the OWWA gave only PHP10,000 to PHP20,000,” Cacdac said.
The whole-of-government aid, as ordered by the President, includes the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The DMW's Aksyon Fund has a PHP2.8 billion budget allocation for 2024.
Cacdac said also taken from the Aksyon Fund are the legal expenses.
He said the DMW has taken up about 54,000 cases, including claims and legal battles, aside from 9,400 cases being handled by international posts.
“Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin Shoal and affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” it added.
The DFA said there was “substantial progress” on developing measures to manage the situation at sea, but said “significant differences remain.”
The DFA has yet to provide details when asked what kind of measures the Philippines is pushing and what progress has been reached.
Meanwhile, both sides agreed to continue discussions to find a “mutually acceptable resolution”
to the issues.
Communication mechanisms
According to the DFA, the two sides signed the Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms and agreed to further discuss how to operationalize this mechanism.
They also agreed to continue discussions on maritime cooperation between their coast guard authorities, including the possible resumption of the Joint Coast Guard Committee.
The two sides likewise talked about the possibility of convening an academic forum among scientists and academics on marine scientific and technological cooperation.
“Both sides agreed that continued dialogue on the basis of mutual respect as two equal sovereign states facilitates peace and stability at sea, and committed to having the 10th BCM in China to sustain the positive momentum on discussions,” it said. (with a report from PNA)
DE-ESCALATING TENSIONS. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong shake hands during the 9th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila on Tuesday (July 2, 2024). The Philippines and China have reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea following the confrontation near Ayungin Shoal on June 17. (Photo courtesy of DFA)and militant group Hamas that started on Oct. 7, 2023.
BINAY SUPPORTS ANGARA AS DEPED HEAD: Sen. Nancy Binay expresses her full support for Sen. Sonny Angara’s appointment as the new Department of Education (DepEd) secretary. During Tuesday’s press briefing at the Senate, July 2, 2024, Binay highlighted the senator’s competency and qualification, saying Angara is the best person fitted for the job as education head. “There is really a need to strengthen our curriculum which can be seen as a reflection in the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) that we have a lack of creative thinking when it comes to solving particularly math and science problems,” said Binay when asked about what Angara should prioritize among the problems in education sector. “We still have a problem with the lack of classrooms and how the private and public schools are complementary,” she added. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)