Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, August 20, 2023.
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US, Japan, SKorea forge historic partnership
U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed on Friday to expand security and economic ties at a historic summit at the U.S. presidential retreat of Camp David, cementing a new agreement with the allies that are on an increasingly tense ledge in relations with China and North Korea. Biden said the nations would establish a communications hotline to discuss responses to threats. He announced the agreements, including what the leaders termed the "Camp David Principles," at the close of his talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Call consulates, Pinoys in Canada wildfire-hit areas urged
FILIPINO communities in northern and western Canada are being urged to contact their consulates after wildfires struck in two different areas. The first advisory issued by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver on its Facebook page on Saturday was on the wildfires in the Northwest Territories, where its government declared a state of emergency on August 15, with the territorial capital city of Yellowknife, N'Dilo, Dettah and Ingraham Trail being placed under evacuation orders. Those in the affected areas can contact the Philippine consulates general in Vancouver, British Columbia, or in Calgary, Alberta. Meanwhile, the Okanagan region in the province of British Columbia was also placed under evacuation orders, with the city of Kelowna under a state of emergency. Just like the previous advisory, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver has advised Filipino residents in the affected region to contact them.
Govt eyes 2M direct jobs for Filipinos by 2028
THE government has set a target to increase the number of direct jobs to more than 2 million by 2028, the Private Sector Advisory Council said. The proposed actions and recommendations that could help create more employment opportunities for Filipinos were discussed during the meeting of PSAC's Job Sector Group with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Thursday. During the meeting, the President was briefed about the proposed roadmap of PSAC, and the I.T. and Business Process Association Philippines to transform the Philippines into "a global leader in the digital domain." Under the proposed roadmap, PSAC said the targeted approach is envisioned to open 1 million additional Information Technology and Business Process Management jobs by 2028 and a total of 2.5 million employment opportunities.
PH, Brunei to strengthen defense cooperation
THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said that the active engagement between the defense sectors of the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam was a testament to the robust relations between the two countries. During the 3rd Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on Tuesday held in Manila, both countries stated that they expect defense cooperation to be strengthened in the coming months when the Philippines convenes the Joint Defense Working Committee. Both countries also sought to explore areas for future cooperation with regard to each other's coast guards, and to increase opportunities in maritime infrastructure development and in the protection and promotion of the marine environment and its resources.
BBM lauded for rice production focus
In business, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. on Friday lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to the National Food Authority to focus on local production, stressing that surges in the price of rice can be solved by increasing domestic production. In an interview, PCAFI Director Elias Jose Inciong said the group's membership welcomes the President's directive affirming that the long-term stability of rice supply and price is anchored on helping local farmers become more productive.
Chot glad to finally see fruits of labor
CHOT Reyes is convinced that Gilas Pilipinas' dominant win over Ivory Coast in their tune-up match on Friday night was a product of the lessons the Filipinos learned during their Europe training camp and participation in the China pocket tournament. Playing with energy and fervor, Gilas rode on the charged-up first quarter offense of Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson before veteran World Cup big man June Mar Fajardo, A.J. Edu and Kai Sotto collaborated for the rest of the game, along with Scottie Thompson as the Filipinos flattened Ivory Coast, 85-62, in their closed-door friendly match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. A 25-9 fourth-quarter exchange proved lethal for Gilas, which turned the table against the African national squad. Gilas shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the game, had more rebounds, 37-33, and played better team work as evidenced by its 19-9 assists advantage. Defensively, the Filipinos were razor-sharp after limiting the Ivorians to just 36.4 percent shooting in the game. But if there's one aspect Gilas needs to work on, it's learning to take care of the basketball. And Reyes knows it well after looking at the stats sheet.
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, and said education just means "let a hundred flowers bloom".
Today's editorial calls for a review on reclamation's impact on shipping and trade. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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