Non performing assets

Phuket’s provincial government has issued a 48 page order for non-tourists entering Thailand, via Phuket. The order covers everyone from repatriating Thais, foreigners who are permanent residents or on long-term visas, students, workers passing through and consular visits. In real terms, as it says, anyone who isn’t visiting, or travelling through, Phuket as a tourist. If you were looking for some easing of general restrictions for non-tourist arrivals on the island, you won’t find it here. The order is NOT related to tourists arriving in Phuket or the proposal to open up Phuket for non-quarantine tourism after July. The long-winded order goes through all the requirements of non-tourists in excruciating detail. Nearly all conditions of entry for these non-tourist groups are identical… • Documents must be issued no more than 72 hours prior to arrival • A Covid-19 test shows the traveller is not infected • A Certificate of Entry • Travellers must have a Thai tracking app ... » Learn More about Latest guidelines for all non-tourist visitors to Thailand, through Phuket

A reenactment of the first baptism in the Philippines was held at Plaza Sugbo where the Magellan’s Cross sits. PHOTO BY NESTLE SEMILLA CEBU CITY—Filipinos play a key role in spreading Christianity to the world in the course of their employment as migrant workers, the representative of Pope Francis said on Wednesday (April 14) at the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the first baptism in the Philippines. “Keep the flame of faith alive,” said Archbishop Charles Brown, papal nuncio to the Philippines and the Pope’s representative in the celebration. Brown lauded Filipinos for accepting Christianity five centuries ago and sharing it with the world. The Christian faith, he said, started in Asia where Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and summoned apostles to spread his mission of bringing people back to God. The faith was brought to Europe and found its way in the Philippines. “Now, Filipinos bring that faith to the world, not as explorers or colonizers, but in many cases as ... » Learn More about 500th year of first baptism in PH: Filipinos hailed for spreading Christianity worldwide

Vice President Leni Robredo. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President temporarily closed sign-ups for its “Bayanihan E-Konsulta” a day after it called on volunteers to help its latest project that aims to provide easier access to medical care in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vice President Leni Robredo announced on social media that enlistment for “Bayanihan E-Konsulta” was temporarily ended after her office received more than 2,300 applications. “We are temporarily closing our sign-ups, as we bring everyone on board for our project rollout. Today, we are starting our onboarding sessions and we are doing them by batch.“ Robredo said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 7. 24 hours after we posted our call for medical and non medical volunteers, more than 2,300 volunteers signed up already!!… Posted by Leni Gerona Robredo on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 On April 6, the OVP urged medical and non-medical volunteers to be part of ... » Learn More about OVP’s ‘Bayanihan E-Konsulta’ sign-up halted for now amid rush of volunteers

LONDON — Britain’s economy rebounded slightly in February despite virus curbs, while exports of goods to the European Union jumped by almost 50 percent but failed to reverse January’s record Brexit-driven slump. Gross domestic product expanded by 0.4 percent in February after sinking by an upwardly-revised 2.2 percent the previous month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement that noted a boost from industrial output and consumer spending. The economy held up despite England’s renewed Covid-19 lockdown, which was implemented in early January but partially eased this week owing to a rapid vaccination drive. From Monday, pubs were allowed to serve drinks outside — and non-essential retailers and hairdressers reopened as well. The phased reopening has sparked hopes for a rebound in economic activity in the current second quarter, or three months to June. The ONS added however on Tuesday that the nation’s economy remains 7.8 percent smaller than its ... » Learn More about Britain’s economy and EU exports advance in February

SINGAPORE - An average of 3,920 transnational couples a year between 2015 and 2020 applied to undergo an assessment before they say "I do" that looks at the likelihood of the foreigner qualifying for a long-term visit pass after the marriage to the Singaporean. The Pre-marriage Long Term Visit Pass Assessment also allows such couples to "exchange key information about themselves", including their spouses and children from previous marriages, their income and criminal records, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was introduced in January 2015 amid a significant number of transnational marriages here. In 2019, 4,426 Singaporean men wed non-resident brides - making up one in five marriages involving at least one citizen, according to the Government's Population In Brief 2020 report. Social workers and lawyers who work with foreign wives said some of these couples marry after meeting a few times, or after a very brief courtship, and hardly know their ... » Learn More about S’poreans marrying foreigners: 3,900 couples a year do pre-marriage visa assessment before saying ‘I do’

SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN, Caqueta, Colombia (Reuters) - The dirt tracks winding through southern Colombia's tangled jungle often mark the beginning of the end for besieged patches of rainforest in this part of the Amazon. Across San Vicente del Caguan, one of the country's most deforested regions, illegal and informal roads fan out in an ever-expanding network, bringing visitors, commercial interests and farmers and ranchers who clear and burn the land. The result is the steady decay of Colombia's Amazon. A Reuters map of the region shows a lattice of lines that crisscross one another and creep southward into the forest and fan out on all sides. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/329ehRE) The destruction, which is striking on the ground, is significant enough to be visible from the sky. Patches of deforestation appear at the furthest extent of the roads, according to the map, which underlines the impact of unplanned roadbuilding by combining satellite imagery and local ... » Learn More about Road to ruin: informal byways sow seeds of destruction in Colombia’s Amazon

As a widespread ban on single-use plastic bags looms, the high cost of producing a viable, environmentally-friendly alternative is proving a challenge. Forty three shopping malls and convenience stores across the country will stop providing single-use bags from January 1, as part of the Government’s commitment to phase the bags out entirely. There’s still a lot more plastic to get rid of but the single use plastic bag ban across such a large group of retailers will make a big impact. However, Thai PBS World reports that the cost of making degradable non-plastic bags is currently two to three times higher than producing conventional single-use plastic bags. It’s understood the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations is working with the private sector to come up with a viable alternative that adheres to the concept of zero-waste. The National Science and Technology Development Agency have produced a degradable bag made from tapioca flour, which contains no ... » Learn More about Production of degradable replacement is expensive stumbling block in plastic bag ban

Dear PAO, Dear Julius, “A conviction for illegal recruitment whether simple or committed on a large scale would not preclude punishment for estafa under Article 315(2)(a) of the RPC. This is because no double jeopardy could attach from the prosecution and conviction of the accused for both crimes considering that they are penalized under different laws and involved elements distinct from one another. Conviction under Article 315(2)(a) requires the concurrence of the following elements: (1) the accused defrauded another by abuse of confidence or by means of deceit; and (2) the offended party, or a third party, suffered damage or prejudice capable of pecuniary estimation. These are elements completely different from those required for illegal recruitment. “Under Section 6 of RA 8042, illegal recruitment, when undertaken by a non-licensee or non-holder of authority as contemplated under Article 13(f) of the Labor Code, shall mean any act of canvassing, enlisting, contracting, ... » Learn More about Illegal recruitment and estafa

After emerging as “The Clash” Season 3 grand champion, Power Diva Jessica Villarubin wins another bout, only this time it’s something more personal — her insecurity. The singer recently released her debut single under GMA Music titled “Ako Naman.” Penned by Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista, the song is reminiscent of her journey from being a simple Cebuana girl with big dreams to now a rising Kapuso performer. It was also her winning piece during the grand finals of “The Clash.” “I’m so grateful talaga na may kanta na ako at composed pa ni sir Christian. I feel happy and blessed po sa lahat ng mga nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon. Sa kantang ito, mararamdaman ng listeners ‘yung mga pinagdaanan ko at kung paano ako pinalakas nito. Sana marami rin ang ma-inspire ng ‘Ako Naman’.” Besides this new song, Villarubin became the talk of the town when she also revealed her new look and confidently admitted she underwent beauty enhancements to achieve it. “This is what I ... » Learn More about Singer Jessica Villarubin reclaims confidence on and off stage

“Federalism should be able to maintain unity among all. But this does not mean that we should boycott regional voices and the voices of ethnic groups.” – Khil Raj Regmi PRESENTED during the Hanns Seidel Foundation-initiated Asia Federalism Dialogues was how functional a specific country’s devolution structure responds to a major crisis such as the coronavirus. Country-specific federal governance structures had two countries employing horizontal devolution: Myanmar governs through local to local governments, while Pakistan, provincial to provincial. Nepal’s structure is through collaboration among central, provincial and local governments while Sri Lanka is through collaboration of central, provincial and local with public and private organizations. A sixth structure — the Philippines — governs through its quasi-federal structure which rests on a powerful center. This country specific contexts enabled participants to appreciate the pros and cons of a country’s mode of devolved ... » Learn More about Federalism: Ethnic voices local to local, central to local