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 Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.. Show all posts
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that his administration would do a “meticulous balancing” to protect the environment and enforce the country’s law on responsible mining.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
Marcos said this in response to a question about his policy on protecting the environment in the Cordillera, especially regarding mining.
According to the President, protecting the environment has always been essential to his administration’s policies.
“In terms of protecting the environment, it’s very clear what the position of this government has always been… It has been an important part of all our policies,” he said.
“We are environmentally conscious, moving the economy towards green technologies, moving our production of power towards renewables,” he added.
President Marcos noted that mineral exploration and extraction are essential to his administration’s economic plan.
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However, he said the government wants to avoid unfortunate incidents like what happened in the past few years.
“So it is really a question of enforcing the law in terms of responsible mining, and that is what we will continue to do,” Marcos said.
“We will always make sure that the mining companies who come in, once they are finished mining, that they leave the site in the same condition as it was when they found it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Marcos said the country can now monetize its forest cover— giving it a peso or dollar value and taking advantage of being more active in promoting, monitoring, regulating, and encouraging the care of its forests.
“All our forest cover is important and must remain — that is giving the Philippines, we fall into the category of a carbon sink country because of our forest cover, and so that is a very valuable asset for the Philippines,” he said.
Malacañang said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has started developing a “strategy plan” to promote planting hybrid seeds on 1.5 million hectares of rice land during the dry season.
FARMERS in Western Visayas are set to receive in-bred rice seeds for wet season planting. (DA-6)
The Palace said this in a statement on Friday, Feb. 17, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the adoption of hybrid rice varieties that will help local farmers enhance their crop production.
In its statement, Malacañang, citing Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa, said Marcos has ordered to ensure that rice farmers have enough support.
The DA will also launch a financial and credit program to persuade farmers to shift to hybrid rice.
“Sapat na suporta kagaya ng patubig, fertilizer at iba pang ayuda katulad ng (Enough support like water, fertilizer, and other help like) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance,” Mesa said.
“Ang mga ito ay nararapat na maibigay sa tamang panahon (These assistance should be provided to them at the right time),” he added.
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According to Malacañang, the President, also the DA Secretary, is optimistic that the country will attain its rice self-sufficiency target within two years using hybrid seeds.
The DA is looking at expanding production in Regions 6, 8, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon regions have already adopted the hybrid rice technology.
Apart from expanding financial support to local farmers through the loan financing program, President Marcos committed to bringing the best farming practices used by Central Luzon farmers to the rest of the country.
Based on a joint study by the DA and local government units (LGUs), the hybrid system has produced a 41-percent higher yield than conventional inbred seeds for the past two years.
In 2023, the DA earmarked P30 billion in funds under the National Rice Program to provide hybrid and inbred or certified seeds, production-related and post-harvest machinery, small-scale irrigation, and extension and training activities.
This is on top of the P10B-Rice Enhancement Competitiveness Fund sourced from the excess tariff collected under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which aims to improve farmers’ competitiveness.
DAVOS, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. highlighted before his fellow world leaders the state of the Philippine economy and the opportunities awaiting investors.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
In his remarks during Tuesday’s 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Strategy Dialogue, the President said many opportunities are waiting to be unlocked, telling investors about the initiatives being undertaken to ensure the Philippines’ continued recovery that has made it more conducive for business.
In particular, he cited an International Monetary Fund (IMF) projection for the 2023 global economic growth, which will only be at 2.7 percent, slower than the 3.2 percent posted last year. This figure is a significant decrease from the 6.0 percent recorded in 2021.
“But for the Philippines, we project our economy to grow by around 7.0 percent in 2023,” he noted.
“Our strong macroeconomic fundamentals, fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and liberalization of key sectors instituted over the years have enabled us to withstand the negative shocks caused by the pandemic and succeeding economic downturns and map a route toward a strong recovery,” he said.
President Marcos called on all governments to unwind trade restrictions and reinforce the commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO) reform.
“We have seen inflation accelerating globally in recent months… We are mindful that while protectionist policies may be appealing, even necessary in the short term, there will ultimately be no long-term winners,” he said.
“Countries also need to ensure that sufficient welfare measures are in place to cushion the impact of elevated inflationary pressures, especially towards the most affected and vulnerable sectors,” he added.
Geopolitical risks
In addressing current geopolitical risks, President Marcos reiterated the country’s support for the timely and effective delivery of practical, workable outcomes and encouraged economies to leave no stone unturned in finding common ground in these critical global issues.
He said the Philippines continues to focus on sustaining recovery by promoting a local environment that will nurture businesses to help them maximize their competitiveness and facilitate their entry into the global market.
The President likewise stressed the importance of economic and technical cooperation to assist the development of smaller economies and enable their participation, especially of small businesses and economic segments with untapped potential in the global economy.
Digitalization
To address the current energy and food crises, President Marcos said the country’s development plan puts together measures to hasten economic and social recovery toward inclusive and resilient development, underscoring the need for heightened collaboration to realize economic and social transformation.
“The government also recognizes the importance of digitalization as a key driver for long-term economic growth and as a tool for economic transformation,” Marcos said, promising to empower and enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the digital economy.
“We have begun large-scale deployment of digital connectivity across the Philippines to ensure universal connectivity, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he pointed out.
Social vulnerabilities
Emphasizing the need to address current social vulnerabilities, Marcos underscored the importance of education, skills development, and lifelong learning to enhance the employability of workers.
He said government interventions and public-private partnerships (PPPs) must be strengthened to improve access to employment opportunities. He added that health systems and social protection must also be enhanced to decrease and mitigate present and future risks.
Present during the country dialogue were House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Joo-Ok Lee, the head of the Regional Agenda – Asia-Pacific, and member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, acted as moderator.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be the only leader from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who will attend the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
DFA Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta said this ahead of the President’s trip to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 20, 2023.
In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, Sorreta said Marcos is also one of the two leaders from Asia to attend the forum, noting this would be an excellent opportunity to tell world leaders how ASEAN can play a role in the global economy.
“The President will be the only leader from ASEAN to be in Davos, and he will be only one of two leaders from Asia,” he said on Thursday, Jan. 12.
“He would be in a wonderful position to represent not only our country but how our own region, ASEAN and the East Asia Region, can be the engine of growth for the world economy,” he added.
The theme for this year’s WEF is “The Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” According to Sorreta, President Marcos wants to present Asia as an essential factor in “bringing together the fragmented parts of the world.”
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“What we present to a fragmented world, because of our great economic potential, is a promise of progress and prosperity,” he said.
“If the causes of the fragmentation can be addressed, we can promise that once peace is achieved, there will be progress and prosperity. So that is what we offer the world as an incentive for the causes of fragmentation– meaning, without me getting into specifics, conflicts to be resolved,” he added.
What to discuss?
According to Palace Press Briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez, the WEF will allow the Philippines to explore new investment, trade, and infrastructure systems amid the economic downturn.
She said the WEF is also an opportunity for President Marcos to push the country’s priorities on food and energy, security, digitalization, climate action, attracting investments and promoting beneficial trade, addressing inequality, and providing accessible social services.
The forum is likewise a chance for the Philippines to partner with other countries, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders and to collaborate with the WEF on their initiatives.
Aside from the WEF, Marcos will also meet with business leaders and the members of the Filipino community. However, due to the tight schedule, he may not have a bilateral meeting with any world leader.
The World Economic Forum is the premier forum for world and business leaders to get together, interact, and come up with ideas and plans to address challenges and opportunities facing the global economy.
“I wish everyone a Christmas full of love, compassion, and hopeful beginnings.”
As Christians worldwide celebrate Christmas, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. hoped that Filipinos would let love, compassion, and hope prevail during this festive celebration despite the obstacles they faced over the past few years.
Malacañang photo
In his Christmas message, the President said that the celebration of Christmas may have evolved over the years, but love remains the essence of the said holiday.
“The story of Christ’s birth has become an integral part of our culture, and every year, we have become more accustomed to commemorating this day with gatherings, thanksgiving, and merrymaking,” he said.
“No matter the evolution of its observance, it is imperative that we emphasize the true essence of this holiday—love,” he added.
According to Marcos, love is the one that makes Christmas more than just a tradition, not only for Christians but for other beliefs as well.
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“It is this pure and simple love that Christmas represents—the same one that we constantly desire and need—that allows it to be more than just a Christian tradition,” he said.
“Across beliefs, all the generosity and goodwill stirred in this season are welcomed. Surely, embracing these will help us overcome the difficulties brought [on] by the pandemic and other challenges,” he added.
President Marcos hoped that all Filipinos could celebrate Christmas, even in their own little ways.
“Let our spirits not dwell on the adornments that we display, on the buzz and activities we create, nor the lack thereof. Instead, let us partake in this holiday with the same simplicity, sense, and meaning that we got from it,” he said.
“Let us freely offer our smiles, share a conversation, or impart wisdom to our peers, our loved ones, and even strangers. Let our affection be known and felt in the simplest of ways so that the eternal message of the Nativity of Christ may again spark hope for a brighter future in the hearts of all,” he added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has opened Malacañang to the public for the traditional Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi in this year’s Christmas season.
(Office of the Press Secretary/Facebook)
According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Marcos announced this during last Friday’s Christmas party for employees of the Office of the President (OP).
The Chief Executive joined the Palace employees at the event held in the parking area of Mabini Hall inside the Malacañang compound.
Marcos said daily masses will be held at 4:30 a.m. in front of Mabini Hall and attendees may enter through Gate 6 directly in front of Kalayaan Hall.
A devotional, nine-day series of Catholic Masses, Simbang Gabi is done in anticipation of Christmas Day and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This tradition has been celebrated by devout Catholics for decades, with the novena prayers beginning in homes around the 1960s and the more formal Masses starting in the 1980s.
Simbang Gabi starts at dawn—at 4 a.m.and 5 a.m.—of Dec. 15 with the final Mass or the Misa de Gallo scheduled on Dec. 24, the Christmas Eve.
The President two weeks ago led a Christmas tree lighting at the Palace Kalayaan Grounds and held a gift-giving event for children.
He noted it was his goal to make sure that every Filipino child would experience Christmas.
Under the theme “‘Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya: Nationwide Gift Giving,” some 600 children were invited for the event, which was also held simultaneously in 40 different areas nationwide.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. raised a question to the European Union (EU) amid discussions on the loss and damage compensation because of climate change: “Who do we go to? Who pays the bulk of it?”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium (Photo from the Office of the Press Secretary)
During a press conference at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, the Chief Executive mused about who would shoulder the loss and damage fund in relation to climate financing.
Despite EU being at the “forefront” of the proposal to compensate developing countries for the damages caused by climate change, the President noted the difficulties of determining the actual amount of compensation needed, as well as process to acquire this compensation.
“And however, the issue of damage and loss is still — although it is a big step forward that we all now accept both developing and developed countries, now accept the concept of damage and loss, the actual number is very, very hard to determine,” he told journalists.
“And beyond that, even if we are able to quantify the damage and loss, it says $100 million whatever the number is, what do we do with that number? Who do we go to? Who do we — who pays the bulk of it?,” Marcos asked.
He also raised issues on “how will the compensation for that damage and loss be made.”
“And on my part, I think until we are able to determine that, I think we should think of what we can do in the future, and that I think has great potential to be put into effect in the short term, rather than in the very long term,” the President said.
The concept of climate financing and loss and damage fund was launched in November 2022 during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate summit in Egypt when the EU agreed to help poor countries mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Loss and damage refers to the ravages of extreme weather on the physical and social infrastructure of poor countries, and the finance needed for rescue and reconstruction after climate-related disasters.
Rich countries such as the United States and China both objected to the fund. The two countries are also the top emitters of carbon dioxide.
Marcos, however, noted the “willingness for the developed countries to participate and to help in mitigation, to help in adaptation for those countries like the Philippines, most of the countries around ASEAN that are very vulnerable.”
“There’s a willingness to help but how to provide that help is still a question that we cannot definitively answer,” he said, adding that “a lot of work” needs to be done since this is an “important issue” for the Philippines and many other countries.
Marcos’ remarks came after he asked EU to extend assistance to the Philippines in mitigating the harsh effects of climate change.
“Climate action is particularly important to the Philippines,” the President said, especially since the country is “regarded as probably one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.”
“Since that seems to be the case and that is what we are facing in the Philippines, we are very much in need of the assistance of Europe, of all the first world countries and to be able to adjust our economy, our communities to the onset of the effects of climate change,” he added.
A French shipbuilding firm has renewed its commitment to pursue a P1.5-billion shipyard development in the Philippines.
(Malacañang Photo)
Malacañang said shipbuilding firm OCEA S.A. made the pledge during a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
According to OCEA, the planned investment will create 500 to 600 direct and indirect jobs in the Philippines, as it eyes to build 15 to 120-meter boats for several markets intended for maritime safety and security, transportation and fisheries.
OCEA initially made the investment pledge for a shipyard project in the Philippines during the 9th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting held in July last year.
The commitment was supported by the company’s letter of intent sent to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regarding the creation of OCEA Shipbuilding Philippines Inc.
The French firm also has ongoing discussions with potential associates and partners in the Philippines.
The company has so far identified several locations for the planned shipyard, including Mariveles, Bataan; Batangas; Sual, Pangasinan; and Subic.
Currently, OCEA has new contracts under negotiation to build vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA).
Marcos thanked the company for its commitment as he expressed hope that it could contribute in the training of potential Filipino seafarers.
“Our seafarers are very important to us, especially as we start to recover and the training ship is going to be critical for the continuing [training] because I keep hearing now about the new technologies,” Marcos said.
“And the training ship is very necessary so that they can get the proper credentials from whatever maritime academy they are attending, the potential seafarers. So that is going to be a big help,” the President pointed out.
OCEA S.A., the builder of PCG’s BRP Gabriela Silang, is today’s French leader in aluminium shipbuilding, specializing in the design, building and support of aluminium vessels.
As he highlighted the different tasks of ambassadors, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. encouraged the country’s newly appointed and confirmed envoys to make the Philippines’ position on all aspects to the rest of the world, especially amid present challenges.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
Marcos said this during his meeting with newly appointed and confirmed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Malacañang on December 1.
In his speech, the President said the ambassadors are now on a “different kind of mission” as they advance the interest of the Philippines, particularly as the world grapples with multiple challenges, including moving out of the pandemic.
“You no longer are concerned solely with the diplomatic contact and the diplomatic exchanges. We are no longer limited by distance, by geographical and physical positioning,” he said.
“We look to our envoys to be able to achieve to– one, consistently make known to all our friends, all our own partners, the position of the Philippines on all the aspects of the world discussion that we are all part of,” he added.
According to the President, the country’s envoys must continuously talk to people, corporations, and entities and look for opportunities and programs that could benefit the Philippines.
For instance, Marcos said they have to look for ideas and partnerships with other countries offering assistance on climate change and other things that can be helpful to the Philippines.
“That probably is the newest feature of an envoy’s duties. It is a new world out there; we must adjust,” he said.
“I believe that for the Philippines, for the national interest, that this is the way to adjust,” he added.
The President also pointed out that the country benefits from a government-to-government level of negotiation and mediating with the private sector in terms of investment tie-up with foreign investors.
Marcos said Filipino ambassadors must keep these things in mind so the country can maximize its resources and partnerships to manage the economy effectively. He added that this would help Filipinos have a better life as the nation slowly emerges from all of its present challenges.
President Marcos said Thursday night that concerned agencies are now in charge of those affected by flash floods and landslides in Davao Del Sur and Davao Occidental.
Marcos, in a series of Twitter posts, said necessary actions were already taken to secure individuals affected by heavy rains brought by the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in two Mindanao provinces.
Photo courtesy of President Marcos Twitter page
The President, who is currently in Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, said agencies that have already been mobilized are the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Clearing operations and distribution of relief goods are already underway, he added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection, together with NDRRMC, have “been conducting search and rescue operations since this morning,” Marcos said.
“I have also instructed DSWD to make sure all evacuees get immediate help. They assured us that teams on the ground are continuously repacking relief goods,” he added.
