This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
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Showing posts with label Argyll Cyrus Geducos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Argyll Cyrus Geducos. Show all posts
Marcos says the government continues to explore avenues for economic growth and employment opportunities both in the Philippines and abroad.
BERLIN, Germany — President Marcos said that he is courting foreign business leaders to invest or start their businesses in the Philippines not only to help the economy but also to keep Filipinos home with their families instead of working abroad.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool)
Marcos said this during his meeting with members of the Filipino community here in Berlin on Tuesday evening, March 12 (Germany time).
In his speech, the President recalled how he met and wooed German business leaders to look at the Philippines as an investment hub to help the economy and address both countries' labor issues, particularly Germany's worker shortage.
"Nagbibigay po tayo ng insentibo upang magtayo sila ng kanilang pabrika sa Pilipinas (We are giving them incentives so they would build their factories in the Philippines)," he said.
"Kung kulang na ang mga trabahador sa Germany, bakit hindi dun sa Pilipinas sila magtayo ng planta? Marami silang pagpipilian na magaling, masipag at mapagkakatiwalaang manggagawang Pilipino (If they lack workers in Germany, why not open manufacturing plants in the Philippines? They have a lot of skilled, hardworking, and trustworthy Filipino workers to choose from)," he added.
According to Marcos, the government continues to explore avenues for economic growth and employment opportunities both in the Philippines and abroad.
He reaffirmed his administration's resolve to implement programs that will create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the province, reducing the need for many Filipinos to seek employment overseas.
"Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang oportunidad ng bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng kabuhayan ay ating palalaguin upang kayo ay hindi na kailangang lumayo pa inyong mga mahal sa buhay (In the Bagong Pilipinas, we will foster opportunities for Filipinos to work locally so they won't have to leave their loved ones)," the President said.
There are currently at least 35,000 Filipinos living and working in Germany.
Atmo will undertake cooperation activities to build a high-resolution weather forecasting system for the Philippines using AI technology.
Marcos says the Philippines is embracing the AI revolution to augment the existing skills of the Filipinos, increase the productivity of enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of the economy.
Marcos acknowledges that the Philippines still has a distinct lack of trained talents.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and California-based tech company Atmo have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish Asia's largest artificial intelligence (AI)-driven weather forecasting program in the Philippines.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
This developed as President Marcos witnessed the signing of the MOA between the two parties on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 16 (Manila time).
Atmo, a leading AI meteorology company, will undertake cooperation activities to build a high-resolution weather forecasting system for the Philippines using artificial intelligence technology.
This will be Asia's largest AI-driven weather forecasting program, playing a pivotal role in bolstering the Philippines' resilience in the face of climate change.
AI and cybersecurity
In his meeting with Silicon Valley investors, President Marcos said that the government is looking at AI technology and increasing capability in terms of knowledge and know-how.
Marcos said the government and private sector are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, pointing out the need for capability improvements.
"And the part that AI plays in this is also something that we need to be — at least to have put a good deal of thought to," he said.
"As I said, digitalizing our system, we have now to put in together; we need to have data centers, we need to have our own cloud so that we have, again, that capability," he added.
AI demands
As the government focused on upskilling and reskilling Filipino workers, President Marcos acknowledged that the Philippines still has a distinct lack of trained talents.
"We don't have enough engineers. That simple. So we need to get them trained, we need to get them... as part of the system," he said.
"And so again, we have really put a great deal of emphasis on retraining. These are new technologies," he added.
PH is AI-ready
Despite this, President Marcos highlighted that the Philippines is ready to embrace AI as he invited tech companies and venture capitalists to partner with the country in its technological revolution.
"The Philippines is ready to become your partner in navigating the AI future," he said.
"As we look to the horizon, let's 'Make It Happen in the Philippines,' where the promise of a future defined by technological inclusivity and shared growth is not just envisioned but actively realized," he added.
According to Marcos, the Philippines is currently embracing the AI revolution to augment the existing skills of the Filipinos, increase the productivity of enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of the economy.
"We believe AI can uplift the lives of Filipinos. I'm certain our discussions here today will help the Philippines steer our roadmaps in a direction that maximizes the skills of Filipinos and helps them achieve their aspirations," he added.
Bringing AI tech to PH
David Dewalt, CEO of Nightdragon, a leading venture capital firm for cybersecurity, security, safety, and privacy, said his company and the other tech firms present are looking forward to bringing all the technologies that will benefit the Philippines, considering its young and robust workforce.
"The way I would say it is the Filipinos have an unbelievable ability to integrate into the global business systems as we do, maybe unmatched by any workforce on the planet," he said.
"I think using the upskilling and the retraining of those teams to focus on how we will — when we get the productivity benefits to invest in more resources, we can do that even more so in the Philippines with teams that are experts on generative AI," he added.
Ryan McInerney, CEO of Visa, said generative AI will be a leveling force for small businesses. He added generative AI will give microbusinesses, nanobusinesses, and small businesses the tools and capabilities to provide Filipinos with a rich shopping and commerce experience.
The roundtable meeting was co-organized by Dewalt, Bain, and Company CEO Emmanuel Maceda, Crescent Point Group Vice Chairman Thomas Pompidou, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
They were joined by Microsoft Managing Director Michelle Gonzalez, Mandiant (A Google Company) CEO Kevin Mandia, and Group of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) Head Chris Emanuel.
Plug and Play Ventures CEO Saeed Amidi, Altimeter CEO Brad Gerstner, HP (formerly Hewlett-Packard) CEO Enrique Lores, Mastercard Co-President Ling Hai, and Anthropic were also present during the roundtable meeting.
Officials elected in the 2023 BSKE will enjoy a two-year term after the Supreme Court declared Marcos' RA 11935 unconstitutional in July 2023.
The Supreme Court said the next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after that date.
President Marcos has declared Oct. 30, 2023, Monday, a special non-working day across the country to allow the people to vote in the much-awaited Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation No. 359 on Oct. 9, 2023, signaling that the BSKE will finally proceed after being postponed twice since 2020.
In his proclamation, Marcos said there was a need to declare Oct. 30 a holiday to allow the people to vote for their favored barangay and SK officials.
"It is imperative that the people be given the full opportunity to participate in the said elections and exercise their right to suffrage," he said.
The elections were initially scheduled for May 2020, but a law was passed in December 2019, postponing the polls to December 2022. However, Marcos signed the Republic Act (RA) No. 11935 in October 2022, moving the elections to October 2023.
In a tweet, Marcos explained that he approved the measure to ensure the delivery of services to the people at the barangay level.
He later explained that they had sufficient precedent for postponing the village polls.
"Well, we have sufficient precedent for the postponement of Barangay and SK Elections. Nakailan na tayo (We've already had some)," he said.
"In my time lang (alone) in government, I have seen, I think, four, maybe five postponements," he added.
Two-year term
Officials elected in the 2023 BSKE will enjoy a two-year term after the Supreme Court declared Marcos' RA 11935 unconstitutional in July 2023.
The High Court, however, ordered the October 2023 polls to proceed anyway. Because of this, RA 11462 is revived, which limits the term of elected BSK officials to Dec. 31, 2022.
By then, all existing barangay and SK officers are deemed to be in a "hold-over" capacity until the next BSKE in December 2025.
To avoid confusion, the Supreme Court said that the next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after that date.
This year's observance theme is "Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan."
The National Heroes Day is one of the oldest public holidays in the Philippines. The celebration started during the American Colonial Period and became a holiday through Republic Act (RA) No. 3827 on Oct. 28, 1931.
Laws about the holiday did not specify any hero for Filipinos to celebrate, allowing the public to commemorate the bravery of anyone who has "braved death or persecution for home, nation, justice, and freedom."
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will lead the country in remembering the country's fallen heroes as Filipinos mark National Heroes Day on Aug. 28.
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Photo from Libingan ng mga Bayani’s official Facebook page)
Marcos will lead the National Heroes Day rites at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City.
The event will take place on Monday morning with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner joining the President.
Other expected guests are Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson, and Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano.
During National Heroes Day, the country is expected to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for its liberation from foreign entities. Last year, President Marcos paid tribute to the countless Filipinos "of extraordinary courage and valor" who fought and sacrificed to establish and preserve the nation.
He also encouraged the citizenry to "never forget" them as their legacy and heroism live on in the hearts of medical professionals, civil servants, uniformed personnel, and ordinary citizens.
Marcos likewise honored modern-day heroes such as farmers, teachers, police, military, barangay officials, community leaders, ecological warriors, healthcare workers, overseas Filipino workers, and those working in other sectors.
This year's observance theme is "Karangalan, Katungkulan, Kabayanihan."
When did it start?
The National Heroes Day is one of the oldest public holidays in the Philippines. The celebration started during the American Colonial Period and became a holiday through Republic Act (RA) No. 3827 on Oct. 28, 1931.
Initially, the law declared the last Sunday of August of every year an official national holiday until the late President Jose P. Laurel signed Executive Order No. 20 on March 20, 1942, which set the National Heroes Day on the 30th of November, coinciding with the celebration of Bonifacio Day that started in 1921.
In 1952, the late President Elpidio Quirino reverted the date of National Heroes Day to the last Sunday of August. This continued until former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law RA 9492, which moved the holiday to the last Monday of August. This was to promote "Holiday Economics," which aimed to reduce work disruptions and allow extended weekends to boost domestic tourism.
What makes a hero?
According to the Official Gazette, the laws about the holiday did not specify any hero for Filipinos to celebrate. This allowed the public to commemorate the bravery of anyone who has "braved death or persecution for home, nation, justice, and freedom."
To student writer Aaron Sabile, 21, a hero can be defined as someone who has morals and is compassionate and hardworking.
"A hero can be someone who has no extraordinary powers but has the power of moral code or dignity and knows what is right from wrong," he said.
"Someone who understands compassion, hard work, and belongingness," he added.
For 20-year-old student paper editor-in-chief Hannah Leonardo, a hero explores new things to improve any situation.
"I believe that what truly makes someone a hero is a willingness to learn or explore something new to know what change they need to create— even if discomfort is part of the process," she said.
"Having that mindset proves to me that people are doing something not for the sake of being praised by others but because of their genuine regard for their surroundings," she added.
Both students also agreed that it is important for Filipinos to continue celebrating National Heroes Day.
"Everyone loves heroes, and National Heroes Day is a great way to honor and commemorate those heroes who established the country's basis of independence and made the world a better place," Sabile said.
"Such commemoration can help us remember and not turn the things our heroes fought for in vain— I believe that having the consciousness about our heroes from the past would help us envision the future they once believed in and push us to start actions that would inform change," Leonardo shared.
Garafil said the decision was made upon the advice of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
The program, however, will push through.
The entire CAR was placed under Signal No. 1 on July 14.
The rains brought by Tropical Depression "Dodong" prompted President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to call off his attendance at the 36th Cordillera Day celebration in Luna, Apayao, Malacañang reported.
Photo from DOST-PAGASA (Facebook)
In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the decision was made upon the advice of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
"Due to inclement weather, the PSG has advised to cancel the President's visit to Apayao today (July 15, 2023)," Garafil said in a text message to Palace reporters.
The program, however, will push through.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) comprises six provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and the Mountain Province.
In a press briefing on Friday, July 14, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that all provinces under CAR were under Signal No. 1.
In an advisory early Saturday, PAGASA said the center of Tropical Depression Dodong was estimated at 260 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Dodong was said to be moving westward at 20 km/h, while the southwest monsoon would continue to bring rains to Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
PAGASA advised people living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the rivers of the CAR to be "alert for possible flashfloods and landslides."
With the green lanes, Marcos sees the realization of the investment pledges he has obtained during his overseas trips since last year.
Marcos says EO 18 enables the faster processing of the necessary documents for investors.
Malacañang issued EO No. 18 on Feb. 23 as part of the continuing efforts to address the concerns of foreign investors and promote the Philippines as a top investment destination.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is optimistic that the country would get more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)--which can boost the country's economy--with the launch of the so-called green lanes.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Ali Vicoy)
Marcos said this after he led the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments launch on Thursday, July 13.
In a tweet, the President said the green lanes, established under his Executive Order (EO) No. 18, would realize the investment pledges he has obtained during his overseas trips since last year.
With EO No.18, Marcos said the government would see faster processing of the necessary documents for investors.
"Papabilisin natin ang mga transaksyon para sa mga nais magnegosyo at mamuhunan sa Pilipinas (We will speed up the transaction for those who want to start a business and invest in the Philippines)!" he said.
'Inaasahan nating maghihikayat pa ito ng higit na Foreign Direct Investments para sa dagdag na trabaho at mas matatag na ekonomiya ng ating bansa (We expect that this would entice more FDIs for additional jobs and our country's stronger economy)," he added.
In his speech during Thursday's launch of the green lanes, President Marcos said the Philippines could not compete with other countries if it continued lagging in bureaucratic red tape.
He hinted that the Philippines could overcome this if it stopped hiding behind "protectionist laws".
Malacañang issued EO No. 18 on Feb. 23 as part of the continuing efforts to address the concerns of foreign investors and promote the Philippines as a top investment destination.
EO No.18 mandated the establishment of the One-Stop-Action-Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI), which, according to the President, would lift the bureaucratic load off potential investors.
