Hello and welcome to the September 2024 roundup of news from the Philippines.
U.S. Dollar to Philippine Peso Conversion rate
The current USD to PHP conversion rate is approximately 55.74 Philippine Pesos for 1 US Dollar.
Former Mayor Arrested in Indonesia
In a major development, Alice Leal Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, was arrested in Indonesia on September 4th after weeks on the run.
Guo, who fled the Philippines in July, is accused of having links to Chinese criminal networks and involvement in illegal gambling operations.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised law enforcement for her capture and vowed to pursue justice.
POGO Crackdown Continues
The investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has intensified.
On September 18th, a Pagcor official testified at a Senate inquiry that a former Philippine National Police chief was allegedly on Guo's payroll.
This revelation has raised concerns about high-level corruption and the extent of criminal networks in the country.
Immigration and Law Enforcement
The Philippine National Police has ramped up operations against individuals linked to high-profile cases.
Special teams have been formed to track down those who harbored Apollo Quiboloy and Harry Roque, both of whom are currently evading authorities.
Tourists and ex-pats are advised to stay informed about any potential disruptions these operations may cause.
Business Update
In positive news for the automotive industry, motor vehicle sales remained steady in August.
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. reported that 39,155 units were sold, showing a 6.7% increase compared to the previous year.
This growth indicates a robust consumer market, which could be beneficial for businesses catering to tourists and ex-pats.
The Philippines economy posted a growth rate of 6.3% in the second quarter of 2024, which is the fastest growth in five quarters, driven by strong consumption activities.
Inflation
The Asian Development Bank lowered its inflation forecast to 3.6% for 2024, down from its April estimate of 3.8%. This reflects a sustained deceleration in food prices, partly due to lower tariffs on rice imports.
For 2025, inflation is expected to ease further to 3.2%.
Vaccination Drive
President Marcos has approved a 7.9 billion peso budget for a vaccination drive.
This initiative aims to improve public health and safety, which is crucial for maintaining the Philippines as an attractive destination for tourists and ex-pats.
Sports News
The Philippine national chess team faced challenges in recent competitions.
The team, which was previously ranked 7th, has dropped to a share of 21st place. This setback may impact the country's sports tourism sector.
That's all for our September roundup.
We'll continue to monitor these stories and bring you updates on how they may affect tourists and ex-pats in the Philippines.
Thank you for your time. Please like and subscribe.
Today, we're diving into the world of online dating, specifically focusing on sites where men can meet women from the Philippines and Thailand. We'll cover the popular platforms, discuss costs, highlight potential risks, and share some essential tips for a safe and successful experience.
Today, I have some exciting news for those of you planning to travel to the United States or seeking consular services in the Philippines.
The U.S. Embassy in Manila has announced some major changes that will take effect on September 28, 2024.
New Visa Application Center
First up, the U.S. Embassy is opening a brand new Visa Application Center, or VAC for short.
This facility will be located in Parañaque City, specifically at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.
Here's what you need to know:
Starting September 28, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants will need to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC.
At this appointment, you'll have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned.
This step is required before your interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.
Important note: If you've already scheduled a visa interview before September 28, don't worry!
You're not affected by this change and should proceed directly to your Embassy appointment as planned.
Updated Visa Appointment System
Along with the new VAC, the Embassy is launching an updated online appointment system. Here's what to expect:
The new system will be available online on September 28.
It promises a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants.
If you have an existing account, you'll need to sign in using your registered email address to retrieve your user profile.
Operating Hours
The new Visa Application Center will have the following hours:
Monday through Friday, seven am to four pm.
Saturdays, from seven am to eleven am.
No appointment is needed if you're just picking up your passport or dropping off interview waiver visa applications and other documents. You can do this Monday through Friday, seven am to four pm.
Expanded Services for U.S. Citizens
The Embassy is also expanding its services for U.S. citizens in the Philippines:
A new call center will be launched for general, non-emergency American Citizen Services inquiries.
U.S. citizens can call for passport, citizenship, and notarial service questions.
A new website and email service will be available for ACS services.
Conclusion
That's a wrap on these exciting updates from the U.S. Embassy in Manila!
Remember, these changes take effect on September 28, 2024. For the latest information, keep an eye on the U.S. Embassy website and their social media accounts.
In economic news, according to Philstar.com, the Philippines
has experienced a rise in its unemployment rate, with figures showing an
increase to 4.7% in July 2024. This development comes as a setback to the
country's efforts to recover from the economic impacts of the global pandemic
and other challenges faced in recent years.
The Department of Labor and Employment expressed concern
over this uptick in joblessness, as it reverses the trend of gradual
improvement seen in previous months. The increase in unemployment affects
various sectors of the economy, with both skilled and unskilled workers facing
difficulties in securing stable employment.
Experts attribute this rise to several factors, including
the ongoing global economic uncertainties, shifts in industry demands, and the
need for workers to adapt to new skills required in an evolving job market. The government is now faced with the challenge of
implementing more robust job creation programs and enhancing skills training
initiatives to address this issue.
In response to the rising unemployment rate, the Philippine
government is considering a range of measures to stimulate job growth.These include increased investment in infrastructure
projects, support for small and medium enterprises, and partnerships with the
private sector to create more employment opportunities.
Additionally, there are calls for a review of current labor
policies to ensure they are conducive to job creation while still protecting
workers' rights. The situation underscores the need for a balanced approach
that promotes economic growth while ensuring inclusive development that
benefits all segments of the population.
As the Philippines continues to navigate these economic
challenges, the focus remains on creating sustainable employment opportunities
and fostering an environment that encourages both local and foreign investments
to drive job creation and economic recovery.
CRIME & JUSTICE
In news about crime and justice, According to SunStar
Philippines, the Cebu City Police Office reported a significant decrease in
crime rates for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last
year. The director announced that crime incidents in Cebu City have dropped by
an impressive 83 percent, from 3,333 cases in 2023 to 2,769 cases in 2024 for
the period from January 1 to May 13.
The data revealed a 10 percent reduction in the eight focus
crimes, with 313 incidents recorded in 2024 compared to 348 in 2023. These focus crimes include theft, physical injury, robbery,
murder, rape, car-napping, and homicide. Theft remained the most common crime
with 154 incidents, followed by physical injury with 64 cases.
Non-index crimes also saw a decrease, dropping from 1,929
incidents in 2023 to 1,976 in 2024. Crimes against persons decreased from 123 to 109 incidents,
while crimes against property fell from 225 to 204 cases. The agency attributed this reduction to effective police
visibility and strategic deployment of personnel to crime-prone areas.
The Police Tactical Motorcycle-Riding Unit has been
instrumental in addressing specific crime hotspots, such as the remote areas of
Barangay Mambaling where shooting incidents had occurred. Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has emphasized
the importance of increased police visibility to enhance the sense of security
for both locals and tourists. The police department is committed to
intensifying its efforts in community engagement and maintaining a strong
police presence throughout the city.
This reported drop in crime rates is seen as a positive
development for Cebu City, potentially boosting its appeal as a safe
destination for residents and visitors alike.
IMMIGRATION
In news about immigration, according to Philstar.com, the
Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order
(ILBO) for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and 11 other
individuals allegedly linked to a raided illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operator (POGO) in Pampanga.
This order, signed by the Justice Secretary in August, 2024,
is aimed at monitoring these individuals' movements in and out of the country. The ILBO includes, among others, former Technology and
Livelihood Resource Center deputy director Dennis Cunanan and Katherine
Cassandra Li Ong, who served as the representative of the raided Lucky South 99
POGO.
The order cites potential violations of anti-trafficking
laws as the reason for their inclusion. A Justice spokesperson clarified that the ILBO does not
prevent the individuals from leaving the country but requires immigration
authorities to alert the DOJ of any departures or arrivals.
The order was issued due to the gravity of possible charges
and the high-profile nature of the case. Roque has strongly denied any wrongdoing, calling the ILBO
"plain harassment" and maintaining that he has no connection to the
raided illegal POGO.
He claims that his only involvement was accompanying Ong to
reschedule arrears payments and that he was unaware of his inclusion in an
organizational chart of the operation. The DOJ spokesperson refuted claims of harassment, noting
that the order includes 12 names and is based on ongoing investigations by
various government agencies.
Interestingly, Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky
South 99, had already left the country prior to the issuance of the ILBO, which
partly prompted its release. This development highlights the ongoing efforts of
Philippine authorities to crack down on illegal POGO operations and related
activities, while also raising questions about the involvement of high-profile
individuals in such enterprises.
MEDICINE
According to Cebu Daily News, the Cebu Institute of Medicine
(CIM) has launched a groundbreaking 7-year medical program called PRECISE Med,
marking a significant advancement in medical education for the Visayas and
Mindanao regions. The program, which commenced in August 2024, aims to address
the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country by accelerating the
path to becoming a doctor.
PRECISE, which stands for Problem-based, Reflective,
Excellence-centered, Community-responsive, Innovative System of Education,
shortens the traditional 9-year medical school journey to just 7 years. The program consists of a two-year preparatory phase
followed by a five-year medical curriculum, culminating in a Bachelor of
Science in Health Sciences after the fourth year and a Doctor of Medicine
degree upon completion.
Administrators emphasized the program's importance in
improving the healthcare system and potentially setting a new standard for
medical education in the Philippines. The inaugural batch of 50 students will
benefit from this accelerated and comprehensive approach to medical training.
The program's structure includes a final year devoted to a
12-month Clinical Internship, after which graduates will be eligible to take
the Physician Licensure Examination. This innovative approach not only reduces the time required
to become a doctor but also ensures that students receive a strong foundation
in health sciences during the preparatory phase.
This initiative could potentially reshape medical education
in the Philippines and produce a new generation of well-prepared physicians to
serve their communities.
ENTERTAINMENT
In entertainment news, according to SunStar Philippines,
ABS-CBN has unveiled its lineup of entertainment offerings for 2024 at the
"Forever Grateful: ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2023." The network's
content powerhouse, ABS-CBN Studios, is set to bring a mix of original
productions and adaptations of popular Korean dramas to Filipino viewers.
One of the highlights is the teleserye version of
"Linlang," starring Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and JM De Guzman, which
will feature never-before-seen scenes following its global success on Prime
Video. The KimPau tandem will continue to sizzle in the Philippine adaptation
of the hit K-drama "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim," a collaboration
between ABS-CBN and Viu.
Anne Curtis makes her comeback after a decade in the
Philippine remake of "It's Okay Not To Be Okay," alongside Carlo
Aquino and Joshua Garcia. Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo returns to the small screen
in "The Bagman," a star-studded production featuring Arjo Atayde and
John Arcilla. Piolo Pascual leads the cast of the drama-action series
"Pamilya Sagrado" with Kyle Echarri and Grae Fernandez.
Reality TV fans can look forward to new seasons of
"Pinoy Big Brother" and "The Voice." The PBB hosting team
includes Bianca Gonzales, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Melai Cantiveros, and Kim
Chiu. With this diverse lineup, ABS-CBN aims to captivate audiences and
maintain its position as a leading entertainment provider in the Philippines.
SPORTS
In sports, according to Philstar.com, the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49 Governors' Cup is in full swing, with
the TNT Tropang Giga securing a dominant 107-89 victory over Terrafirma at the
Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the
charge for TNT with an impressive all-around performance, tallying 26 points,
11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.
The game showcased the Tropang Giga's strength and depth, as
they controlled the tempo and outplayed their opponents in various aspects of
the game. Hollis-Jefferson's versatility was on full display, demonstrating why
he's considered one of the top imports in the league.
This victory is important for TNT as they look to build
momentum in the early stages of the tournament. The Governors' Cup is the final
conference of the PBA's 49th season, and teams are eager to end the year on a
high note.
In other PBA news, the league continues to attract
basketball fans across the Philippines with its blend of local talent and
high-caliber imports. The competitive nature of the games and the passion of
the players contribute to the PBA's enduring popularity as one of the country's
premier sports leagues.
As the tournament progresses, basketball enthusiasts can
expect more thrilling matchups and standout performances from both local stars
and international imports. The race for playoff spots and ultimately the
Governors' Cup championship promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats in
the coming weeks.
