Asean Tribune

At least 159 persons with disabilities (PWDs) from Kalinga received cash aid totaling PHP604,200 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday.

Imelda Tuguinay, regional program coordinator of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) said the assistance was provided under the Cash-for-Work program.

‘Each received the PHP3,800, corresponding to 10 days cash-for work for a minimum daily wage of PHP380 a day,’ she said.

There are 20 beneficiaries each in the municipalities of Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pinukpuk, Rizal and Tanudan; 15 in Pasil, 19 in Tinglayan, and 25 in Tabuk City.

‘The PWDs are the beneficiaries but it was the members of their families who did the work for them,’ Tuguinay said.

Among the tasks done for 10 days include clean-up drive along government or public places, gardening and tree planting, cleaning and declogging of canals, and picking-up of plastic bottles for recycling and sale, she said

Asid
e from the cash aid for PWDs, the DSWD also simultaneously released livelihood assistance to four families who have availed of the ‘Balik Probinsiya’ program.

‘They will use the livelihood fund aid to establish businesses so that they can start a life at the villages where they came from,’ Taguinay added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated his backing for Japan’s decision to build “counterstrike” capabilities during talks with his Japanese counterpart on Wednesday, as Washington and Tokyo are tightening security coordination in the face of North Korea’s evolving threats and China’s growing assertiveness.

Austin held his first in-person talks with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara since Kihara took office last month.

Their agenda was expected to cover a wide range of security issues, including Japan’s acquisition of counterstrike capabilities that observers said would pave the way for Tokyo to launch a counterattack when it or its ally, the U.S., comes under attack.

“Secretary Austin reiterated his support for Japan’s decision to strengthen its defense, including its acquisition of counterstrike capabilities and increase in defense spending,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

“Both leaders reaffirmed the strategic alignment between the United States and
Japan, as well as shared alliance goals to optimize force posture, bolster integrated deterrence, modernize roles and missions, and further cooperate with like-minded partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.

In December last year, Tokyo announced key revisions its key security and defense documents in what was seen as a marked shift for a country long restricted by its post-war “pacifist” constitution.

Under the revisions, Tokyo embraced “counterstrike” capabilities. The move invited criticism that it would be at odds with Japan’s war-renouncing constitution and “exclusively” defense-oriented policy.

Later, North Korea accused Japan of having formulated an invasion-oriented security strategy and warned of “actual action” without elaboration.

At the Pentagon meeting, Austin also reaffirmed America’s “unwavering and ironclad” security commitment to Japan, according to Ryder.

“The two leaders confirmed both countries’ mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance amid histori
c shared momentum toward peace, stability, and deterrence in a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the press secretary said.

In the midst of North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile threats, the U.S. has been striving to strengthen cooperation with its two East Asian allies, South Korea and Japan.

The effort culminated at the historic Camp David U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit in August, which produced a set of documents, including one committing the three countries to consult each other in the event of a common threat.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The government is asking Congress to approve the allocation of PHP38.63 billion for the career advancement and allowances of more than 900,000 public school teachers, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.

The DBM said the proposed budget has been included in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Programs, Activities, Projects (PAPs) to alleviate the teachers’ difficult working conditions.

About PHP2.16 billion of the amount would be allotted for a training program aimed at fostering and supporting the professional and career advancement of personnel in schools and learning centers, as well as teaching personnel who serve managerial, supervisory, and administrative functions at the Schools Division Offices (SDOs), Regional Offices (ROs), and Central Office (CO).

The DBM said a total of PHP26.1 billion would be used to fund new school personnel positions – PHP5.47 billion for the creation of 20,000 teaching positions, and the remain
ing PHP20.63 billion to fill 37,813 vacant teaching positions.

‘An allocation under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) was also provided for the creation of 5,000 non-teaching positions in support of DepEd’s MATATAG agenda to provide adequate manpower support to teachers to teach better,’ it said.

‘These non-teaching positions will address the need to unload teachers of administrative, ancillary, and/or non-teaching tasks so they can focus on providing quality instruction to learners.’

Teachers’ allowances

The DBM said an allocation of PHP4.83 billion in cash allowances would be used to augment expenses for teaching supplies and materials, Internet subscription and other communication expenses, and annual medical examination.

It said each teacher would receive PHP5,000 every school year.

The DBM also noted that PHP374.98 million will be provided for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) -Transportation and Teaching Aid Allowance for ALS coordinators and implementers.

About PHP3.77 billion
would also be used for the Special Hardship Allowance (SHA), an additional compensation to teachers assigned in schools categorized as ‘hardship areas’ or where commuting is difficult, among other hazards peculiar to the place of employment.

The DBM said about PHP912.26 million would be utilized for World Teachers’ Day Incentive, while PHP482.06 million would fund the Honoraria for Teaching Overload to compensate teaching personnel whose teaching load exceeds six hours per day of actual classroom teaching.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman pledged to provide support to teachers, as she acknowledged their crucial role in molding the minds of the Filipino youth.

‘I believe that the development of our country is fueled by education, skills, and talent. And this could only be achieved with the dedication, hard work, and passion of our teachers. Hindi natin dapat pabayaan ang ating mga guro (We should not neglect our teachers),’ she said.

‘Rest assured that on the part of DBM, we will continue to fulfill Pre
sident (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s) directive to support our teachers by providing for their needs. We recommit to listening and providing assistance in the best way we can so they may fully deploy their talent and vocation and rethink the way ahead for their profession.’

Source: Philippines News Agency

Doosan Robotics Inc., South Korea’s largest collaborative robot supplier, made a successful market debut Thursday after raising the largest initial public offering (IPO) this year.

Doosan Robotics was trading at 50,900 won (US$38) on Seoul’s main bourse as of 9:20 a.m., up 97 percent from its IPO price of 26,000 won. Its market capitalization stood at some 3.48 trillion won.

Doosan Robotics raised 421 billion won via the IPO, a record so far this year.

During a two-day IPO subscription period last month, Doosan Robotics drew 33 trillion won in deposits for the IPO subscription from retail investors, another record for the year.

Doosan Robotics, established in 2015, has 13 collaborative robot lineups, mainly used for unmanned cafes.

Last year, the company suffered an operating loss of 13.2 billion won on sales of 44.9 billion won.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday cited the need to run after manufacturers of illegal firearms to curb the proliferation of private armed groups (PAGs).

‘The DND would also like to converge with each and every one of you, not only to go after armed groups but the manufacture of illegal firearms as well because we have to hit the demand source and the supply source,’ Teodoro said during the 13th oversight committee hearing for the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTF-DPAGs) held at Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City.

Teodoro said this is necessary because PAGs are now creating weapons that can be used to target and maim peace-loving people.

He added that these illegally manufactured firearms are not only the source of crimes and violence but of extortion activities as well.

Teodoro, who is also NTF-DPAG’s vice chair, said the DND will work with all the members of the task force to ensure th
at the duty to maintain peace on the ground is done sustainably.

The DND chief added the presence of Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. is a manifestation that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is eager to hear about the achievements of the task force.

Teodoro also emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DND will collaborate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and other agencies to achieve sustainable peace and order, which is imperative in development.

‘We should also gather the confidence of investors, both foreign and domestic, which are needed to drive our resource-base so that we can enforce peace in a more sustainable manner,’ the defense chief noted.

The committee discussed updates on current operations and made directives to secure areas in time for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Also present in the
committee meeting were DILG Secretary and chairperson of the NTF-DPAGs Benjamin Abalos Jr. and OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Source: Philippines News Agency

South Korean builders’ business sentiment touched a yearly-low in September amid sluggish orders and high interest rates, a poll showed Thursday.

The country’s construction business survey index (CBSI) stood at 61.1 last month, down 9.4 points from the previous month, according to the survey by the Construction and Economy Research Institute of Korea.

It marks the lowest monthly figure this year. In August, the figure tumbled by 19.3 points from July, the biggest on-month drop since January 2020.

A reading below 100 indicates that builders who are pessimistic about the industry’s current state outnumber those with optimistic views.

The BSI for new orders came to 71.4 in September, down 3.2 points from the prior month, amid slumping housing orders.

The BSI for financing amounted to 68.3 last month, down 4.9 points from a month earlier and the lowest reading this year.

South Korean builders have been gripped by difficulties in raising funds due to a surge in delinquent project financing loans, which ha
s sparked concerns over the country’s overall financial market.

There are also persistent worries about high interest rates following the U.S. Fed’s hint at another rate hike, despite its rate freeze in September.

The survey also showed the CBSI outlook for October coming to 71, up 9.9 points from September.

The October reading is still below the benchmark 100, which means the country’s construction business conditions will remain in the doldrums in the coming month, the institute said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency