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 Charie Mae F. Abarca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charie Mae F. Abarca. Show all posts
At least 80 percent of Filipinos believe that the mandatory Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration will help reduce cybercrime cases in the Philippines according to a survey conducted by data research firm Tangere.
The mobile-based survey was conducted from Jan. 18 until Jan. 20, 2023 with a sample size of 2,400 respondents.
Based on the survey, two out of three Filipinos have already registered their SIM cards in compliance with the law. Three out of five respondents, on the other hand, “have not yet registered” their cards, believing that their personal information will be compromised under the government’s central database.
All data that will be given to public telecommunication entities (PTEs) will be treated as confidential, said the national government.
SIM cards (Pixabay)
Why do we need to register our SIM?
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the SIM Registration Act, all new and existing subscribers in the Philippines are mandated to register their cards until April 26, 2023. All unregistered SIMs will be deactivated permanently.
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The law, which was signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., seeks to curb electronic communication-aided crimes like mobile phishing and text spams.
A month after the law took effect, several users continue to receive text spams, but Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, in a palace briefing, noted its “significant drop.”
“Before the law was signed, how many spam messages were you receiving everyday? I am sure all of you felt the significant drop. I used to receive about six or seven then, but now just one or two,” said Uy in Filipino.
Latest data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that a total of 25,917,464 SIM cards have already been registered as of Jan. 26. This equates to about 15.34 percent of the existing 168,977,773 units nationwide.
Rain showers may prevail in parts of Visayas and Mindanao on Saturday, Jan. 21, due to the trough or extension of the low pressure area spotted outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), said the state weather bureau.
(PAGASA)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda, in a public weather forecast, said the LPA may enter the Philippine boundary in the next few days. Although still outside PAR, its extension will continue to affect parts of Visayas as well as Mindanao – particularly Caraga and Davao Region.
“[Pinapayuhan na mag-ingat] ang ating mga kababayan sa [posibleng] pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa (We are advising the public to be vigilant against possible flooding and landslides),” said Castañeda.
Apart from this weather disturbance, PAGASA is also monitoring the shearline and the northeast monsoon.
The shear line – a weather system that forms due to the convergence of warm and cold winds – is still affecting the Bicol Region. With this, overcast skies and rainy weather may prevail in the area in the next 24-hour period.
The northeast monsoon, locally called amihan, may likewise bring cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Rizal, Laguna Quezon, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, and Romblon. This weather system may also trigger partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with light rains in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, the rest of Central Luzon, and CALABARZON.
The state weather bureau is monitoring three weather systems – a low pressure area, the shear line, and the northeast monsoon – that may continue to bring rains in most parts of the country in the next 24-hour period.
This newly-formed LPA was last spotted 1,000 kilometers (km) east of southeastern Mindanao. Based on the latest forecast issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), this weather disturbance is less likely to develop into a tropical cyclone.
Due to the combined effects of the LPA and the shear line – a weather system that forms when cold and warm air masses meet – Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao may expect cloudy skies with scattered rain showers on Saturday, Jan. 7.
The northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” will continue to blow cold winds and cause cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Aurora, and Quezon.
“Yung mga pagulan natin ay pinakamatindi dito sa Quezon at bahagi ng Bicol Region, bagamat mas kaunti na kumpara nitong mga nagdaang araw. Gayunpaman, pinag iingat natin ang mga [residente ng nasabing lugar] sa posibleng pagbaha at landslides (The rains are most severe here in Quezon and parts of the Bicol Region, it will be lesser as compared to what was experienced in the past few days. However, we are still reminding the residents of the said areas to be alert against possible flooding and landslides),” said PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja in a public weather forecast on Saturday morning.
Lesser rains, according to Estareja, are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon
The implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act No. 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act was released by the National Telecommunications Commission on Monday, Dec. 12.
RA 11934 aims to make end users accountable for their usage of mobile communications by mandating SIM registration. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the controversial measure into law on Oct. 10, 2022.
Now that the IRR was released by the NTC, the measure will take full effect 15 days after its publication or on Dec. 27, 2022.
SIM Cards (Pixabay)
Guidelines
Under the published IRR, all end users will be required to register their SIMs with their respective public telecommunication entities.
“All existing SIM subscribers shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the Act. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days,” the IRR read.
Failure to comply with the said registration will result in the deactivation of a user’s SIM. A SIM may only be reactivated after registration, provided that it will be made not later than five days of “such automatic deactivation.”
Registration
The registration process, as previously mentioned by the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be accomplished virtually through platforms that will be provided by respective SIM providers.
Individual registrants will be required to submit their full name, date or birth, sex, present or official address, type of identification card, and identification card number presented.
Government-issued identification cards that will be accepted include passport, Philippine Identification Card, Social Security Service ID, Government Service Insurance System e-Card, Driver’s License, National Bureau of Investigation Clearance, Police Clearance, Firearms’ License to Own and Possess ID, Professional Regulation Commission ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ID, Bureau of Internal Revenue ID, Voter’s ID, Senior Citizens card, Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card, Persons with Disabilities Card, and other valid government-issued IDs with photo.
Minor SIM users must provide any of the IDs previously mentioned along with consent of the minor’s parent or guardian to register the SIM.
Juridical entity end-users, on the other hand, will be asked to submit their business name, business address, as well as full name and authorized signatory.
Unlike individual users, juridical entity subscribers must submit a certificate of registration. In the case of corporations, they must submit a duly adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, while in the case of juridical entities, a special power of attorney.
Meanwhile, foreign national end-users will be tasked to submit the following data: full name, nationality, date of birth, passport, address in the Philippines, ID number.
Penalties
Along with the guidelines, penalties were likewise highlighted under the published IRR.
Provision of false information or usage of fake identity to register a SIM may result in imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or a fine not less than P300,000 or both.
RA 11934’s IRR also prohibits the sale of a registered SIM. It has a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to six years, or a fine of P100,000 to P300,000 or both.
“Any public telecommunication entity, its agents, resellers, or entity that shall engage in the sale of stolen SIMs shall be criminally liable under the Act,” the IRR read. This will result in a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, or a fine not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000.
A fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P4,000,000 will likewise be imposed upon public telecommunication entities, its agents, or employees if a breach of confidentiality occurs.
In partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) University Library ALIVErary BOOKS program, the Department of Education (DepED) will launch the 6th National Climate Change Conference (NCCC) in November 2022.
The three-day virtual conference will be launched beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 until Friday, Nov. 25.
6th National Climate Change Conference (DepED / Facebook)
“Naglalayon ang tatlong araw na komperensiya na paigtingin ang kaalaman at pataasin ang partisipasyon ng mga mag-aaral, academic community, at mga kawani ng DepED ukol sa climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions (The three-day conference aims to intensify the knowledge and increase the participation of students, academic community, and DepED staff on climate change adaptation and mitigation intervention),” said DepED on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
According to DepED, the 6th NCCC’s theme will focus on “Responding to Climate Change: Role of Education towards Climate Change Action.”
Among the topics that will be discussed include the following: Science and impacts of climate action; librarians’ perspective on climate change; climate change disaster risks and response; as well the impacts of climate change on justice and responsibility.
Meanwhile, to further extend its support to Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, UPLB, together with DepED Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) will build “future-proof libraries” as part of its mission to disseminate climate change-related knowledge to Filipinos.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines on Tuesday, Nov. 8, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The state weather bureau, in its Astronomical Diary, said the eclipse will begin at 5:19 p.m., with the totality of the eclipse occuring at 6:16 p.m. The “greatest eclipse” or the peak stage of the phenomenon will be observed at 6:59 p.m.
“The moon will remain in totality until 7:42 p.m. It will then go into a partial eclipse until 8:49 p.m. and [will] come to an end at 9:58 p.m.,” said PAGASA.
Predicted time of occurrence of the major phases of the eclipse (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)
Lunar eclipses in general, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), occur at the full moon phase “[with] the Earth positioned between the Moon and the Sun, and [its] shadow [falling] upon the surface of the Moon.”
However, as NASA explained, this particular moon spectacle – total lunar eclipse – happens when the “Moon moves into the inner part of the Earth’s shadow.” With this, some of the sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere “reaches the Moon’s surface, lighting it dimly.”
During this sky show, viewers may see the moon turn red once the eclipse reaches its peak.
Total lunar eclipses, unlike solar eclipses, are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.
Apart from the Philippines, the eclipse will also be visible in various parts of the world “where the moon is above the horizon,” including Australia, parts of northern and eastern Europe, North America, as well as most of South Africa.
Tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) maintained its strength while moving east southeastward away from the Philippine landmass, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Sunday evening, Oct. 30.
The latest bulletin released by PAGASA showed that Paeng was last seen 255 kilometers (km) west of Iba, Zambales, packing winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
Due to this weather disturbance, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still in effect over the following areas in Luzon: Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Metro Manila, the western and central portions of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, the northwestern portion of Oriental Mindoro, the northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and the northern portion of Quezon.
“Paeng may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) [on Monday afternoon, Oct. 31] or evening,” said PAGASA.
(PAGASA)
Cyclone east of northeastern Mindanao
Another tropical cyclone will enter the Philippine boundary on Monday morning, Oct. 31, PAGASA warned.
The cyclone was last spotted 1,055 km east of northeastern Mindanao.
“It will enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) [on Monday] morning as tropical depression Queenie. Inside the PAR region, this tropical cyclone will begin turning generally northwestward by late tomorrow or on Tuesday while heading towards the sea east of Caraga region or Eastern Visayas,” said the state weather bureau.
This tropical depression, however, is unlikely to directly affect the country until Tuesday, Nov. 1. It may weaken into a remnant low by Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Brace for colder weather in the coming days because the Amihan season has officially begun!
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, Oct. 20, declared the onset of the northeast monsoon, locally called “amihan,” season in the country.
(JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The northeast monsoon pertains to the cold winds from the northeast that bring rains over the eastern side of the country. Following the onset of this weather system, surges of cold temperatures may be experienced across the country in the coming months.
“The northeast wind flow is expected to gradually become more dominant over Northern Luzon, bringing cold and dry air,” said PAGASA in a press statement.
La Niña
Apart from cooler winds, the northeast monsoon, according to the state weather bureau, may further enhance the ongoing La Niña.
La Niña, or the cooling of sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, increases the likelihood of having “above normal rainfall conditions” that could lead to other hazards such as flash floods and rain-induced landslides, especially in vulnerable areas.
“All concerned government agencies and the public are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential impacts of these events,” PAGASA added.
In 2021, PAGASA declared the onset of the amihan season on Oct. 25.
Tropical depression Neneng, the country’s 14th tropical cyclone in 2022, is expected to further intensify while moving over the Philippine sea, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), on Friday, Oct. 14, said Neneng is forecast to move west southwestwards in the next 24 hours before turning westward on Saturday, Oct. 15.
PAGASA’s latest forecast track showed that the weather disturbance will likely make landfall or pass “very closely” in Babuyan Islands or Batanes.
Satellite image of Neneng (PAGASA)
Last spotted 1,015 kilometers (km) east of extreme northern Luzon, Neneng was packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kilometers per hour (kph). It is moving west northwestward at 10 kph.
Raising of wind signals
With Neneng’s expected close approach to the Philippine landmass, the state weather bureau warned of heavy rains that may begin to drench northern Luzon beginning Saturday, Oct. 15.
“Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted [on Friday morning or afternoon, Oct. 14] over the eastern portion of northern Luzon in the anticipation of winds associated with the approaching tropical cyclone,” said PAGASA.
“Per latest intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is wind Signal no. 2,” it added.
The weather disturbance, according to the state weather bureau, may further intensify while traversing the Philippine sea, adding that it may reach tropical storm category by Saturday. Further intensification prior to its expected “close approach” to extreme northern Luzon is not ruled out.
Amid its “slow” but “steady” rise in infections, Metro Manila remained at the moderate risk classification for Covid-19, said independent OCTA Research group on Thursday evening, Sept. 29.
(Unsplash)
The growth of Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila has slowed, but cases are still rising. This was according to OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David who noted that the seven-day positivity rate in Metro Manila has climbed from 17.5 percent on Sept. 1 to 18.9 percent on Sept. 28.
In contrast, the reproduction number or the average number of secondary infections by each infected individual, has decreased from 1.28 on Sept. 19 to 1.10 as of Sept. 26.
“The average daily attack rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) was 7.42 per day per 100k [population] as of Sept. 29. This is considered moderate,” said David in a tweet. He then added that despite the slow increase in cases, the region’s healthcare utilization rate and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy remained low.
With the developments in these Covid-19 indicators, David tagged Metro Manila under the “moderate risk” classification of the disease.
Tropical Depression Karding (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)
by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin
The low pressure area (LPA) east of Central Luzon has developed into tropical depression Karding, the 11th tropical cyclone to enter and form in the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in 2022.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather disturbance developed at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. Bulletins for this tropical cyclone will be issued beginning Thursday at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, apart from Karding, the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat,” is also being monitored. This weather system, according to PAGASA, may bring partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers in various parts of the country. In a public weather forecast, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said that the southwest monsoon will particularly affect the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon in the next 24 hours.
The weather disturbance outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a typhoon, the state weather bureau confirmed on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 15.
Typhoon Nanmadol was last spotted 1,655 kilometers (km) east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon outside PAR with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph), and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
It is moving northeastward at 15 kph and it remains less likely to directly affect the country. However, PAGASA warned that this weather disturbance is expected to further enhance the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat.”
(PAGASA / Himawari)
The typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon will then bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Palawan, Mindoro provinces, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi within the forecast period.
Residents of these areas were advised to remain vigilant against possible flash floods and landslides that may occur during moderate to heavy rains.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country due to the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the latest forecast track for typhoon Nanmadol showed that the cyclone will still enter the Philippine boundary.
“Posible pa rin itong pumasok ng PAR bukas, ngunit ito ay [inaasahang] dadaplis lamang dito sa northeastern na kanto ng ating PAR. Pagpasok nito bukas ng umaga ay lalabas [din ito] either hapon o gabi (It may still enter PAR tomorrow, but it is expected to just pass in the northeastern corner of the country’s area of responsibility. When it enters tomorrow morning, it will also exit the Philippine boundary either in the afternoon or evening),” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Raymond Ordinadio.
“Halos isang araw lang itong mananatili sa ating area of responsibility kaya wala itong magiging direktang epekto sa anumang bahagi ng bansa (It will only stay in our area of responsibility for almost one day so it will not have a direct effect on any part of the country),” he furthered.
Nanmadol will be given the domestic name Josie once inside the Philippine boundary.
