'No EU ban on Filipino seafarers'

By Franco Jose C. Baroña November 4, 2022 

THE Philippines did not fail in the recent audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on the country's training program and accreditation system for seafarers, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified on Thursday.

He said Filipino seafarers continue to be hired by international shipping agencies including those based in EU member states.

Bautista said the audit for the country's compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was done in 2020 by EMSA, the agency charged with reducing the risk of maritime accidents, marine pollution from ships and the loss of human lives at sea by helping to enforce the pertinent European Union legislation.

Failure to comply with EMSA's requirements could jeopardize the jobs of an estimated 50,000 Filipino seafarers employed by European shipping companies.

There are more than 600,000 Filipino seamen working worldwide.

Bautista said the EMSA raised 23 grievances, including the failure of certain maritime schools to comply with standards for certification, training and watchlisting.

He said the government replied to the EMSA last March.

"We are now just waiting for their reply," Bautista said during a virtual press briefing.

Since then, the government has been continuously coordinating with the EMSA by providing the agency additional information "on the way forward," he said.

"It is important to tell you that we should not be alarmed by this because the Philippines did not fail the EMSA audit. There were findings, there were observations but the government, through the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Philippine Coast Guard, are working together to address all these issues," Bautista said.

The EMSA regularly conducts audits on all countries that send seafarers to European states. "The directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to specifically address the EMSA findings so we will be compliant and prevent the blacklisting of Filipino seafarers," he said.

Bautista said the government, through CHEd, has started to review the curriculum of maritime schools.

"There were also instances when certain schools that failed to meet the standards set by the government were ordered closed," Bautista added.

He recently met with shipping and manning companies, and they informed him that Filipino seafarers continue to be employed by different foreign shipping companies.

He said he was also told by different EU ambassadors to the Philippines that European shipping companies still prefer to hire Filipinos.

"I gave them the assurance that we will maintain our membership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)," Bautista said.

The IMO also audits the training programs and accreditation system for seafarers that different countries implement.

The last time the IMO did an audit on the Philippines was April.

Bautista said the Marina has answered the questions raised by the IMO during its assessment.

The IMO is scheduled to meet with the Philippine government again before the end of the year.

Bautista denied reports that the President has removed from the Marina the task of overseeing maritime training and accreditation.

LPA continues to bring rain over Caraga, Davao but fair weather forecast in most of PH

By Arlie O. Calalo November 4, 2022 

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that the low pressure area (LPA), formerly Tropical Storm "Queenie" continues to bring rain and thunderstorms over the Caraga and Davao Regions over the last 24 hours.

Weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil said the LPA was last spotted some 140 kilometers southeast of Davao City.

The weather disturbance is bringing rain and thunderstorms over Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, generally fair weather can be experienced over the next 24 hours in most parts of the country, the Pagasa forecaster said.

He said Pagasa has not monitored any other weather disturbances that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until the weekend.

The state-run weather agency said localized thunderstorms are affecting Metro Manila and the rest of the country where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced

Total lunar eclipse to grace PH skies on Nov. 8

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

Sky watchers, are you ready?

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.

CAST REVEALED: The Rain in Espana

by Robert Requintina

The cast of ‘The Rain In Espana’ (Viva TV)

The stars of the upcoming series “The Rain In Espana” produced by Viva TV were presented during a media conference held at the Le Reve Events Place on Sgt. Esguerra in Quezon City on Nov. 3.

Written by Gwy Saludes, the adaptation of the widely popular series will be directed by Theodore Boborol. Shooting for the 10-part series will begin this month but it will be shown in 2023.

Gwy Saludes

Gwy, 21, thanked her fans for making her novel series phenomenal as it achieved 550 million reads. Through the success of her novels, she was able to buy a brand-new car. Her other goal is to buy a condo unit or a house. She added that she has invested in a commercial building. 

Sought to give an advice to the younger ones who want to write novels, Gwy said: “Start writing for yourself first before you can share your writings to other people. So don’t be scared to share it. Don’t be scared of the backlash. Writing is something that you should enjoy. So just write and write. It will come.”

Despite the monster success of her novels, Gwy pointed out that writing is just a hobby. “I want to be a lawyer.”

Theodore said it would still be discussed what platform the series would be shown. Aside from being faithful to the book, the director promised to bring the same kilig factor or thrill to the followers of the university series. Theodore directed the movies “Just The Way You Are,” “Vince and Kath and James,” “Finally Found Someone,” “Iska,” “Connected,” and “The Entitled.”

Theodore Boborol

Heaven admitted that she already read some negative comments after she was cast for the lead role. “But I won’t be affected by bashers. I’m taking it as a challenge to do my best in this series. Ibibigay po namin ng buong puso para magampanan ng tama ang aming mga character.” 

The cast are: Heaven Peralejo as Luna; Marco Gallo as Kalix; Gab Lagman (Sevi); Bea Binene (Via); Krissha Viaje (Yanna); Nicole Omillo (Kierra); Aubrey Caraan (Sam); Gabby Padilla (Amethyst); Andre Yllana (Adonis); Frost Sandoval (Leo); and Francis Magundayao (Miguel).

Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo

Bea Binene

Krissha Viaje

Aubrey Caraan

Nicole Omillo

Andre Yllana

Francis Magundayao

Frost Sandoval

Gabby Padilla

‘Arigato!’: Marcos thanks Japan for subway project, says it will improve Pinoys’ quality of life

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support for the Philippines’ infrastructure development, saying the country’s first-ever subway system in particular would help improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the city.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)

Marcos said this as he witnessed the contract signing of Contract Package 102 (CP102) – Quezon Avenue Station and Contract Package 103 (CP103) – Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Malacañang on Thursday, Nov. 3.

“I thank the Government of Japan for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing this important infrastructure development project,” the President said in his speech.

“We thank you for your continued support, and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he added.

Marcos noted that the world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system “which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate.”

The Metro Manila Subway will be the Philippines’ first underground railway system with a total length of 33 kilometers with 17 stations running from Valenzuela City to the FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City, with a line connecting to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

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Once fully operational, it can accommodate around 519,000 passengers daily and significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City to NAIA from 90 minutes to 35 minutes.

Dubbed the “Crown Jewel” of the country’s mass transit system, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the MMSP could generate over 18,000 jobs during its construction and boost economic activity in nearby areas apart from creating business opportunities once completed.

Funding assistance for the MMSP is from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In his speech, the Chief Executive particularly thanked JICA for the financial support and for working closely with the Philippine government in ensuring the completion of these contract packages and other projects.

“I don’t believe that, especially in terms of our infrastructure projects and even in our agricultural projects, we would have come this far without the help of JICA along the way,” Marcos said.

“It has been instrumental, and we have many possible future projects that, maybe, in the pipeline, and for that, once again, we thank JICA for their assistance and continuing interest in the Philippines,” he added.

“We are honored to have you as partners in making the Philippines’ transport operations more efficient, safer, and more reliable,” Marcos continued.

Improved quality of life

Meanwhile, Marcos said the signing of the contract packages clearly demonstrates his administration’s commitment to pursuing big infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic and reduce travel time,” he said.

“Let me assure [you] that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country.

The President said the subway project would improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the metropolis.

“We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning, and the children are asleep; they have to wake up at 4 in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work,” Marcos said.

“The subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and to remedy… so the quality of life in the city should improve significantly,” he added. 

DoH braces for disease outbreaks

By Red Mendoza November 3, 2022 

Residents of Barangay San Juan-1 remove debris of thick mud from their houses due to deep flooding brought on by Typhoon Paeng in Noveleta, Cavite, on 31 October 2022. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO)

THE Department of Health (DoH) braced for an outbreak of diseases following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng" (International name: "Nalgae").

DH Epidemiology Bureau director, Dr. Alethea de Guzman, said that with many families staying in evacuation centers, officials expect outbreaks of respiratory and flu-like cases, vector-borne disease ssuch as dengue and chikungunya, measles and rubella, skin diseases, and noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension.

She said that the DoH has prepared health education and promotion materials to prevent these diseases and prepositioned logisitics such as doxycycline for post-exposure prophylaxis; aquatabs; Campolas or Cotraximole, Amoxicillin, Mefenamic Acid, Paracetamol, Oral rehydration salts, Vitamin A, and Skin ointment; and hygiene kits.

Health Emergency Management Bureau director Dr. Bernadette Velasco said that prior to the landfall of Paeng, the DoH prepositioned nearly P104.72 million worth of assorted drugs, medicines, medical supplies and commodities.

Velasco said that the DoH has deployed nearly P7 million worth of medicines, medical supplies and hygiene kits to Western Visayas, in Mandurriao, Iloilo, and to the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to Maguindanao Province and Cotabato City. 

In Tacloban City, a cholera outbreak killed five and afflicted 426 others, the DoH regional office said.

Of the 426 suspected cholera cases, 34 have been confirmed through the department's rapid diagnostic testing, Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DoH regional information officer, said in a phone interview.

At least 213 individuals have been confined in public and private hospitals in the past two weeks.Confirmed deaths from severe diarrhea include a 12-year-old boy from Santo Niño village; a three-month-old boy from Abucay village; a 71-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, both from Calvary Hill; and a three-month-old girl from Santo Niño village. Cases were also recorded in the villages of Palanog, San Roque, Diit, New Kawayan, downtown area, San Jose district, Utap, and Calanipawan.

Among the top diseases reported in evacuation centers in Western Visayas were skin diseases and open wounds and bruises, while the top diseases reported in hospitals in the same region were acute and upper respiratory infections and acute gastroenteritis.

Velasco gave assurances that there are enough medicines and other commodities to be deployed in the affected areas, while telemedicine services are also available through the DoH's partners or the National Patient Navigation and Referral Center (formerly the One Hospital Command Center).

Continuity crucial in pursuit of excellence in education

by Manila Bulletin

Despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, which seems to be reaching another critical point with the increase of daily cases, the Department of Education (DepEd) has made official its academic calendar for 2022-2023. This includes, as originally planned, five-day in-person classes.

Now under Vice President Sara Duterte, the DepEd seeks to improve the quality of education by pursuing a path that continues the previous efforts of the department under the Duterte administration. This was made evident by VP Sara’s decision to include former DepEd secretary Leonor Briones as one of her consultants.

Continuity, as with any transition from one government to another, is always crucial. Previous administrations have been quite notorious for not continuing their predecessor’s efforts, which is — for all intents and purposes — quite detrimental for development. Why cease a program, when it is effective, simply because it was started by a predecessor? VP Sara seems keen on not doing this and opting to continue the efforts of Briones, as she takes the helm of DepEd. 

This is, perhaps, the better decision, as the education situation has not changed much between then and now, with the Covid-19 pandemic still the larger issue learners and educators, as well as parents, have to contend with. Most critical, it would seem, is the implementation of a schedule that allows for the five-day in-person classes. For one, this could turn into a huge logistical mess if not handled properly. From having barely any students in schools to having most of them back at the same time — provided the parents allow for it — would be akin to a large mass gathering: a hotspot for potential Covid cases.

Having proper health and safety measures in place, of course, would minimize this possibility. Still, after two years of not having learners in their classrooms, schools would have to be familiar with how it is once again to truly be a school, with lots of students around. That it’s something that needs familiarization is ironic, but it is what it is, and it is the situation where the pandemic has left schools in.

Apart from contending with a return to in-person classes in a pandemic, VP Sara also promises to “improve basic education in terms of access, equity, quality, resiliency, and governance.” If this was a novel or a series, these five points are the enduring themes. In the current situation, most of these five points are directly related to education in a pandemic, but it is perhaps notable that VP Sara mentions “equity” and not “equality” as basic education is a right applied equally to every Filipino learner. Equity, on the other hand, suggests getting the kind of education that is due to every and any learner, regardless of background — whether it comes from public schools or private ones.

As the DepEd transitions into a new administration, one thing has remained: its mission to promote the education of every Filipino learner, in formal settings or in alternative learning setups. It is easy to ask for a return to in-person classes. But like at the beginning of every school year before the pandemic, the real test comes when the students (and, most often than not, their parents) come knocking at the gates of schools, bags on their backs and, this time, with facemasks covering their noses and mouths.

Easing of inbound travel restrictions OK’d to boost tourism

 

Helen Flores - The Philippine Star 

MANILA, Philippines — To allow the Philippines’ tourism sector to catch up with that of neighboring countries, President Marcos has approved the recommendation of the government’s pandemic task force to further relax travel restrictions for inbound travelers.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a memorandum dated Oct. 28, said the President approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ Resolution No. 2, recommending the lifting of pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated arriving passengers, whether Filipinos or foreign nationals.

“Please be informed of the approval of IATF Resolution No. 2 subject to strict observance of other minimum health protocols and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations,” Bersamin said in his memo addressed to IATF chair Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire and the task force’s members.

Filipino and foreign nationals shall be deemed fully vaccinated if he or she had received the second dose of a two-dose series or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or port of embarkation, according to IATF Resolution No. 2, dated Oct. 4.

The vaccinated individuals are required to present the following proofs of vaccination upon arrival in the country: World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, national or state manual/digital certificate of the country/foreign government or other proof of vaccination.

In the memo, the Palace directed the Bureau of Quarantine to coordinate with the DOH and other concerned agencies to identify the other acceptable proofs of vaccination in order to avoid confusion and inconvenience on the part of inbound travelers, and facilitate dissemination thereof for public information.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated Filipinos and foreign nationals 15 years or older shall present a remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a health care professional in a health care facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy or other similar establishment taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding layovers; provided that he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such layover.

Filipinos and foreign nationals 15 years or older who fail to present negative pre-departure testing with conditions set forth above, shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative result administered and certified by a health care professional in a health care facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy or other similar establishment taken upon arrival at the airport, it said.

Those who shall test positive for COVID-19 through rapid antigen test shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH, the resolution stated.

Accompanied minors below 15 years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian travelling with them, the IATF said.

Unaccompanied minors below 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated for any reason shall follow the protocols set for Filipino and foreign nationals 15 years and above.

On Oct. 28, Marcos issued Executive Order 7, lifting the mandatory wearing of face masks in indoor settings, except in medical facilities and public transportation.

On Sept. 12, the President issued EO 3, which allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, particularly in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.

Alex Eala zooms to career-best world tennis ranking

Luisa Morales - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine teen tennis sensation Alex Eala continued her rise in the pro circuit as she reached a new career-best WTA ranking after a string of three tournaments in Europe.

From ranking 248th, Eala zoomed to World No. 214 shortly after her stint in W100 Shrewsbury. Her three-week schedule was highlighted by a semifinals finish in W80 Poitiers in France just last week.

In 2022, Eala has seen much success, including winning her second pro singles title in Thailand back in April. She reached the final in a W60 tiff in Spain but settled for the runner-up finish.

She also won the US Open Girls' Singles championship for her third Junior Grand Slam title overall.

Additionally, the 17-year-old made her debut for the women's national team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games where she bagged three bronze medals for Team Philippines.

Eala began 2022 ranked 529th in the WTA rankings.

The teen is currently enjoying a short break before diving back into preparations for her next tournaments before the year ends.

Asteroid that may collide with Earth discovered

By Agence France-Presse November 2, 2022

One of the final images from the DART spacecraft, taken a few seconds before crashing into the asteroid Dimorphos. Photo/NASA website

WASHINGTON, D.C.: An international team of astronomers on Monday announced the discovery of a large asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Earth, creating a small chance far in the future of a catastrophic collision.

The 1.5 kilometer- (0.9 mile-) wide asteroid, named 2022 AP7, was discovered in an area notoriously difficult to spot objects due to the glare from the sun.

It was found along with two other near-Earth asteroids using a high-tech instrument on the Victor M. Blanco telescope in Chile that was originally developed to study dark matter.

"2022 AP7 crosses Earth's orbit, which makes it a potentially hazardous asteroid, but it currently does not now or anytime in the future have a trajectory that will have it collide with the Earth," said lead author of the findings, astronomer Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

The potential threat comes from the fact that like any orbiting object, its trajectory will be slowly modified due to myriad gravitational forces, notably by planets. Forecasts are therefore difficult on the very long term.

The newly discovered asteroid is "the largest object that is potentially hazardous to Earth to be discovered in the last eight years," said NOIRLab, a US-funded research group that operates multiple observatories.

2022 AP7 takes five years to circle the sun under its current orbit, which at its closest point to Earth remain several million kilometers away.

The risk is therefore very small, but in case of a collision, an asteroid of that size "would have a devastating impact on life as we know it," said Sheppard. He explained that dust launched into the air would have a major cooling effect, provoking an "extinction event like hasn't been seen on Earth in millions of years." His team's results were published in the scientific journal The Astronomical Journal. The two other asteroids pose no risk to Earth, but one is the closest asteroid to the sun ever found.

Some 30,000 asteroids of all sizes — including more than 850 larger than a kilometer wide — have been catalogued in the vicinity of the Earth, earning them the label "Near Earth Objects" (NEOs). None of them threaten Earth for the next 100 years.

According to Sheppard, there are "likely 20 to 50 large NEOs left to find," but most are on orbits that put them in the sun's glare.

In preparation for a future discovery of a more threatening object, NASA conducted a test mission in late September in which it collided a spacecraft with an asteroid, proving that it was possible to change its trajectory.