Bahn-Streik am Freitag: Beschäftigte legen die Arbeit nieder

Von: Amy Walker

Am Freitag, den 21. April wollen Beschäftigte der Deutschen Bahn die Arbeit niederlegen. Der Streik könnte der erste in einem Streik-Sommer werden.

Berlin – Am Freitag (21. April) wird bei der Deutschen Bahn und anderen Bahnen gestreikt. Das berichtet der Sender ntv und beruft sich sowohl auf die Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG) als auch auf die Deutsche Bahn. Beide Seiten luden für Mittwoch zu Pressekonferenzen ein.

Streik am Freitag: Nächste Verhandlung in der kommenden Woche

Die EVG schrieb in ihrer Pressemitteilung, es müsse kurzfristig mehr Druck auf jene Arbeitgeber ausgeübt werden, „die immer noch meinen, die Forderungen der Beschäftigten ignorieren zu können“, hieß es in der Einladung. Wann und wie das geschehen soll, blieb offen.

Die EVG fordert bei einer Laufzeit von einem Jahr mindestens 650 Euro mehr im Monat oder zwölf Prozent mehr bei den oberen Einkommen. Derzeit verhandelt die Gewerkschaft in zweiter Runde nach und nach mit den rund 50 Bahnunternehmen. Am Mittwoch trifft sich die Gewerkschaft mit dem Unternehmen Transdev. Mit der Deutschen Bahn ist das nächste Treffen für die kommende Woche angesetzt. Bei dem Konzern betreffen die Tarifverhandlungen gut 180.000 der etwa 230.000 Beschäftigten.

Ende März hatte die Gewerkschaft bereits zusammen mit der Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft Verdi bundesweit zu einem Großstreik aufgerufen, der neben Bus und Bahn auch Flughäfen und Häfen betraf.

Nach dem Streik hatte die Gewerkschaft angekündigt, rund um Ostern keine weiteren Arbeitskämpfe anzusetzen. Mit einigen kleineren Unternehmen haben seitdem weitere Gespräche stattgefunden, nicht aber mit der Bahn. Der nächste Termin ist hier nach EVG-Angaben der kommende Dienstag.

Am Freitag wird auch an Flughäfen gestreikt

Die Streiks der Bahn werden am Freitag nicht die einzigen sein. Die Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft Verdi hatte für Donnerstag und Freitag bereits Streiks an den Flughäfen Hamburg, Düsseldorf und Köln/Bonn angekündigt.

Sen. Grace Poe, Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco lead empowered Filipina campaign of Kultura

This season, the proudly Filipino store celebrates every Filipina

BY MB LIFESTYLE

  

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CELEBRATING EVERY FILIPINA Sen. Grace Poe and Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco (Photo courtesy of Kultura Filipino)

Kultura’s #CelebrateEveryFilipina series features a diverse range of amazing women who embody what it means to be an empowered Filipina in today’s society.

With this, it takes this opportunity to honor all the women that nurture and care for us and are the light of our homes; the soul sisters who have our backs and lift us up; the women artisans behind our handicrafts and local industries; and all the women whose wisdom, grace, and strength are the backbone of our communities.

Smart, passionate, courageous, beautiful, and strong, these women are gorgeous proof that we can achieve anything we put our mind to. More importantly, we can do all these things in style.

Ana de Ocampo, Jasmine Alkhaldi, Felicia Hung Atienza, Patricia Gatus

The list includes women in public service like Senator Grace Poe and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco; as well like women in business like restauranteur Ana de Ocampo. With more and more Filipinas embracing fitness, also highlighted are Olympic swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, volleyball player Michelle Cobb, and fitness coach Patricia Gatus.

Kultura also celebrates women with meaningful advocacies: educator and Philippine Eagle advocate Felicia Hung Atienza and mental health advocate Steph Naval. Broadcast journalist MJ Marfori and beauty queen Laura Lehmann also bring their talent and good looks to the list.

From March until May, Kultura will be featuring one Filipina a week on its social media pages. Wearing fabulous modern Filipiniana, they will be sharing their thoughts, tips, and personal experiences—not just on being an empowered woman, but on uplifting other women as well.

Michelle Cobb, MJ Marfori, Steph Naval, Laura Lehmann

As Senator Grace Poe shares, “An empowered Filipina is someone who is confident, who can stand up for herself, but an even stronger Filipina is somebody who can stand up for everybody else.”

Catch Kultura’s #CelebrateEveryFilipina series on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Kim Chiu marks 17th year in showbiz

 BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

  

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Grateful.

This is what actress Kim Chiu reiterated in her recent post as she celebrated her 17th year in the entertainment scene.

In a lengthy post, Kim expressed gratitude for all the opportunities that were given to her for almost two decades.

She related: "When I entered showbiz, I had no weapon in my pocket. All I have is my dream to provide for myself and especially for my family."

"In a few days, I’ll be a year older plus 17 years in showbiz. Looking back, I am just extremely grateful, most especially to my #ASAP FAMILY. They’ve been with me since day one, the time that I don’t know how to perform on stage; shy girl, often nervous," she added.

According to her, there was a time she asked herself: "Why are they giving me this opportunity even if I messed up a lot??? Should I give up my dream to provide?"

Then suddenly, a thought came to her mind, relating that even if she didn’t know how to do all those stuff meant to entertain viewers, the management believed in her.

"Seeing my supporters smiling while I was performing made me know the purpose of why I was here," she said.

"Whenever I accomplish a performance, I get giddy and excited."

She then thanked her family on the Sunday musical-variety show for allowing her the "confidence" she now posseses.

"Thank you for not giving up on me and showing me your support and love," Kim added. "Truly ASAP IS A FAMILY!!!!FAMILY that sees you grow and celebrates with you and is always proud of what you have become. THANK YOU ASAP; performer/host KIM CHIU will not be here without you."

"Indeed advance HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! #forevergrateful #giftofFAMILY," the actress, who will be 32 on April 19, ended.

Deferment of LRT-MRT fare hike: Timely relief for commuters

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Apr 19, 2023 00:00 AM

  

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Daily commuters on the LRT and MRT lines heaved a sigh of relief last week when President Marcos ordered a deferment of proposed fare increases “pending a thorough study on (its) economic impact.”

The last approved fare increase for the LRT-2 and MRT-3 lines was in 2015. The LRT-1 operator, Light Rail Manila Corporation, filed petitions for fare increases – in accordance with its contract with the government – in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022, but all such petitions were similarly deferred.

Proceeds of the fare adjustments would be used to upgrade the technical capability, services and facilities of the two rail lines. Among the priority items is the restoration of four railsets that have been sidelined, as well as the upgrading of the train propulsion system for seven trainsets. These two major maintenance projects are estimated to cost ₱857 million and ₱700 million, respectively. Meantime, it has been reported that other less costly projects have been funded from operations, including the comprehensive maintenance of the conveyance system as well and the learning and development programs for employees.

It is understandable that less than a year after its inauguration, the Marcos administration is treading lightly on measures likely to hurt the pocket of the common tao. The minimum wage in Metro Manila at ₱570, the highest regional minimum wage in the country, is only 49.1 percent of the ₱1,161 family living wage in the region as of January 2023, as determined by the think tank IBON Foundation. The LRT-MRT is the cheapest form of mass transportation, as its fares have not been increased since 2015.

Meantime, the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the right of the government to implement LRT-MRT fare increases. It ruled against the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) petition challenging the former Department of Transportation and Communication’s previous order mandating the implementation of the user-pays principle, and adopting a uniform base fare of ₱11, plus ₱1 per kilometer of distance traveled.

According to the SC, there was “substantial compliance” with the due notice and hearing requirements, as these were announced in two newspapers. Subsequently, public consultations were conducted. The High Court also ruled that it is a well-established principle in jurisprudence that the rate-fixing power of administrative agencies is a valid delegation of legislative power. The SC determined that the agency’s power to fix rates have been delegated by Congress in the Administrative Code of 1987.

But even as the legal issues on rate-fixing and rate increases have been resolved in its favor, the government has opted to defer LRT-MRT fare increases in order to spare those at the proverbial bottom-of-the-pyramid from having to carry additional burdens.

Government must intensify its efforts to broaden the options for achieving economic self-sufficiency through creation of higher-paying jobs, as well as micro- and small-scale entrepreneurial development. Equally important is the need to maintain a high level of LRT-MRT services which could not be assured if needed maintenance and equipment upgrades are continually deferred.

PNR train derails in Makati

BY PATRICK GARCIA

A Philippine National Railways (PNR) train derailed while traveling in Don Bosco, Makati City Tuesday morning, April 18.

According to Francis Lumahan, one of the passengers interviewed by Manila Bulletin, said the train was traveling from Tutuban to Alabang when the derailment occurred.

Lumahan said one of the PNR employees told him that a mechanism to switch railroad tracks in the area flicked, causing the train to divert to a different track.

"Emergency brakes were applied. He says that the said mechanism had lost some screws when they checked it," he added.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Meanwhile, the PNR said that they are already investigating the incident.

Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 launched with a bang

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Apr 19, 2023 07:21 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Reigning Miss CosmoWorld 2022 Meiji Cruz expressed her excitement in launching the  Philippine search and said it's her way of  "giving back." She won $100,000  for beating more than 20 other candidates from all over the world last year and became the first Filipina to win the crown.

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Miss CosmoWorld 2022 Meiji Cruz

Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 is the newest beauty pageant in town that offers a plum prize of P1 million in cash to a financially-savvy, empowered Filipina that demonstrates leadership qualities.  Furthermore, the title holder will represent the country in the Miss CosmoWorld competition to be held in Malaysia later this year.

Reigning Miss CosmoWorld 2022 Meiji Cruz expressed her excitement in launching the  Philippine search and said it's her way of  "giving back." She won $100,000  for beating more than 20 other candidates from all over the world last year and became the first Filipina to win the crown.

Meiji placed second runner-up during the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in 2021 and was appointed to represent the country in Miss CosmoWorld in 2022.

The executives behind Miss CosmoWorld PH (from left): Adel Reyes, Didis Domingo, Meiji Cruz, Rodgil Flores and Joee Guilas.

"Before, my dream was only to represent the Philippines. I never really imagined that I would start an entirely new pageant here. I believe that this is  given to me with a purpose, and that is to change the lives of people, This pageant is a platform for young Filipinas to achieve their fullest potential," noted Meiji who has been named the franchise holder of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines.

Her company called Cosmic Beauty Inc. will organize the Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 search. With her in the project are noted personalities like pageant trainer Rodin "Rodgil" Flores as National Director, Joee Guilas as team advisor, lawyer Adel Reyes as legal counsel, and Laurens Jan "Didis" Domingo as Business Consultant. 

The company pointed out the importance of achieving financial independence through financial literacy. It pointed out that "women empowerment should not be limited to promoting a woman's sense of self-worth, their ability to make their own choices, and their ability to influence social change."

Cheers! Fun all around as Miss CosmoWorld PH was launched in KAO Manila

Meiji revealed that with her exposure to the Malaysian financial market after winning the title, she can now share her thoughts and insights on becoming a truly independent woman to those who will join the pageant.

A grand launch was held last April 12 in KAO Manila in Newport World Resorts to introduce the pageant. The event was attended by Meiji's fellow beauty queens and members of the press who were treated to raffle prizes.

Sleeping in the Daytime Could Be Putting Your Heart in Danger

By: Mary Villegas - @inquirerdotnet

Are you someone who loves taking afternoon naps? While daytime sleeping has benefits, a recent study shows that napping for more than 30 minutes could increase your chances of developing atrial fibrillation.

It is a heart condition that is associated with an irregular heartbeat. The researchers presented this study at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2023 conference at the European Society of Cardiology.

Previous research has suggested a connection between sleep patterns and the development of atrial fibrillation. But this study was the first to particularly examine the relationship between daytime sleeping and the risk of a heart condition.

The team used data from a group of Spanish university graduates. They have proven that the participants who went for daytime sleeping that lasted for over 30 minutes had higher risks of atrial fibrillation than those who napped for less than 30 minutes or didn’t nap at all.

Is daytime sleeping bad or good for your health?

While it can benefit some people, excessive napping or daytime sleeping can harm overall health. It could impose health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

The study author, Dr. Jesus Diaz-Gutierrez from the Juan Ramon Jimenez University Hospital in Spain, advised that people who have disrupted nighttime slumber should not rely on napping to cover the lack of sleep.

You may also like: How to Nap Without Ruining Your Sleep Schedule

Moreover, the study also found that napping for 15-30 minutes was an excellent duration for lessening the risk of atrial fibrillation. However, there should still be further studies to confirm these findings fully.

Since the study has proven its claims by presenting data from its participants, it’s safe to say that poor sleep habits contribute to developing heart disease.

To lower your risk of heart ailments, it is vital to adopt good sleeping habits. This way, you can establish a regular sleep routine to help you avoid daytime sleeping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises:

Sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends.

Earlier in the morning, get enough natural light to help balance your sleep-wake cycle.

Try to squeeze in a few minutes of exercise or any physical activity during the day but avoid staying active a few hours before bedtime.

In summary, the effect of daytime sleeping on your health depends on various individual factors. Occasional napping may be beneficial for some but not for everybody.

If you usually take daytime naps, try to limit them to less than 30 minutes. Doing so will help you lower the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

Ex-DFA chief Albert del Rosario dies at 83

By: Beatrice Pinlac - Reporter / @BPinlacINQ

MANILA, Philippines — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, 83, died on Tuesday, April 18, his family announced.

The longtime diplomat’s daughter, Dr. Inge del Rosario, broke the news of his passing in a statement sent to Inquirer.

“The family of Ambassador Albert Ferreros del Rosario is deeply saddened to announce his passing today, April 18, 2023.  He was 83. The family requests privacy during this difficult time,” she said.

Enrique Manalo, incumbent chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), extended his condolences to the bereaved kin of del Rosario.

“He was a consummate diplomat and an inspiring leader who led the DFA with integrity and unwavering commitment to public service. You will be missed, Mr. Secretary,” Manalo wrote over social media.

Del Rosario was the Philippine Ambassador to the United States from 2001 to 2006 prior to serving as the country’s chief diplomat.

Del Rosario sat at the helm of the DFA from 2011 to 2016 under the administration of the late and former President Benigno Aquino III. 

It was under his watch that the Philippines first elevated to an international court its complaint against China for violating the country’s rights over the disputed West Philippine Sea.

This led to the historic 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines, which junked China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

At the tailend of the Aquino administration, however, Del Rosario was replaced by Jose Rene Almendras when the former resigned from his post due to health reasons.

 

Del Rosario later provoked the ire of Aquino’s successor, Rodrigo Duterte, after he said that ranking Chinese officials bragged that they had been able to influence the outcome of the 2016 Philippine elections, which catapulted Duterte into the presidency.

Del Rosario had also staunchly called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to veer away from the position of Duterte on the West Philippine Sea.

He said Marcos should “consistently raise” before the United Nations the 2016 landmark ruling on the West Philippine Sea.

BAGYO at LPA FORECAST UPDATE⚠️TINGNAN ⚠️ WEATHER UPDATE TODAY | APRIL 18

COVID positivity in Metro Manila, 13 provinces tops 5%

 

By: Dona Z. Pazzibugan - Reporter / @dpazzibuganINQ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that the country’s daily average number of COVID-19 cases rose to 341 last week, a 23-percent increase compared to 278 cases from the week before.

Metro Manila and 13 provinces also saw their positivity rate exceed the 5-percent threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to indicate that transmission of the virus was under control.

Out of the 2,386 new COVID-19 infections confirmed by testing laboratories last week, 17 cases were in serious or critical condition, according to the DOH.

To date, 356 COVID-19 patients were in serious or critical condition out of the 3,163 who had been admitted to hospitals. Those confined accounted for 33 percent of the 9,569 individuals found to still be infected with the virus as of April 16.

But while confirmed cases continued to climb, the occupancy of reserved COVID-19 hospital beds remained at low risk or below 20 percent.

Based on the latest DOH weekly bulletin, 12.3 percent of COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 17.4 percent of non-ICU beds were occupied.

Above threshold

The country’s official COVID-19 death toll, on the other hand, rose to 66,439 as the DOH confirmed 20 more deaths, most of which occurred in 2021.

Independent monitoring team OCTA Research, meanwhile, reported a hike in the positivity rate—or the percentage of those found positive for the virus among all who were tested—in Metro Manila and 13 provinces.

According to OCTA, 7.2 percent of COVID-19 tests in the National Capital Region turned out to be positive, above the 5-percent threshold recommended by the WHO, to show that transmission was under control.

The other provinces with a positivity rate above 5 percent were Misamis Oriental, 22.7 percent; Camarines Sur, 21.1 percent; Rizal, 20.2 percent; South Cotabato, 10 percent; Cebu, 9.7 percent; Cavite, 9.4 percent; Davao del Sur, 9.4 percent; Benguet, 8.9 percent; Isabela, 8.3 percent; Laguna, 7.9 percent; Negros Occidental, 7.5 percent; Zamboanga del Sur, 7 percent; and Pampanga, 5.3 percent.

Earlier, DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the positivity rate was “just one of the indicators we use in assessing if there is a significant increase in cases.”

“When we compute (the positivity rate), the denominator is now smaller than before since there are fewer people getting tested. This results [in] higher positivity rates,” she added.

She also stressed that despite the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, there was no cause for concern as hospital admissions and critical cases remained at manageable levels.