ASEAN IN FOCUS

APEC ministers approve initiatives to improve transportation

Transportation ministers of countries belonging to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have agreed to adopt technological advances and public-private partnership initiatives to hasten the development of a commuter-friendly transportation system in the region. In their joint statement released last week, leaders across the region have formalized their commitment to developing a regional transport sector that supports the growth of each nation’s economy. Transportation secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya chaired this year’s APEC Transportation Ministerial meeting […]

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Philippine official hopes APEC energy meeting could bring in new technologies

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu) The Department of Energy said on Sunday that it hopes the meeting of APEC energy ministers here could also lead to the country’s adoption of new technologies for sufficient power supply and cheaper electricity prices. For instance, in Cebu, the adoption of new technology is costly to power consumers like in the case of a one-kilometer underground power line financed by the Visayan Electric Company. The cost of investment is passed on […]

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APEC energy ministers to propose measures for sustainable energy environment, infrastructure and investments

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu) The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is gearing for a Cebu Declaration that will propose concrete measures for a sustainable energy environment and improve energy infrastructure and investments in the region. The 12th APEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting is happening on October 13, Tuesday. “At the end of the APEC ministers’ meeting, we hope to have the Cebu Declaration approved by each one of them [economies],” Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson said. The Cebu Declaration […]

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Manny Pacquiao is Asia Society’s 2015 Asia Game Changer

    ASIA Society has announced the 2015 Asia Game Changers, recognizing those making a transformative and positive difference for the future of Asia and the world. Manny Pacquiao will be honored as the 2015 Asia Game Changer of the Year, following in the footsteps of Alibaba CEO Jack Ma, who took the honor in 2014. “The Asia Game Changer Awards address the lack of recognition for Asians who are transforming ideas into action and […]

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Phl well positioned for full economic integration into the AEC by 2016

(Eagle News) — Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said the Philippines is well positioned for full economic integration into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)  by next year. In a statement during the recently held Wharton and Penn Alumni Association meeting, Domingo also noted how the Philippines can surpass other ASEAN countries if it steps up efforts in improving competitiveness and the capability of local industries. He projected the Philippines to be ranked among the […]

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Thai police officially reward themselves $82,000 for their work on Bangkok bomb blast

(Reuters) — Thai police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang on Monday (September 28) officially presented a cash reward of 3 million baht ($82,668) to officers involved in the Bangkok blast investigation. He announced the cash reward a month ago. “I would like to present the cash reward, which was donated through my businessman friends and some were from myself to Police General Chakthip Chaijinda, to be handed out to all authorities involved in the case, including military […]

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China to push forward upgraded China-ASEAN FTA, enhance cooperation with ASEAN – vice premier

(Courtesy CCTV) — China is willing to work with ASEAN to push forward an upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and enhance production capacity cooperation with ASEAN, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said on Friday. Zhang made the comments at the opening ceremony of the 12th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. “The world political and economic structure is in process of profound reform. China and ASEAN have to strengthen […]

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After APEC, Philippines to host ASEAN

The Philippines will be hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nation’s summit in 2017. The information came from the Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima in the middle of the press briefing of the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) finance ministers’ meeting on Friday and launching of the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City. Purisima, however, did not cite further details of the hosting. Cebu […]

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President Aquino: Alternative version may be completely false

After revealing last week that there is an alternative version of events in the Mamasapano incident that is “undergoing very intense scrutiny” President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted on Tuesday (September 15) that the “alternative version” of the deadly incident may be “totally false” after all. “Gusto kong idiin, hindi kami nagsasabi nitong ‘alternative version’ ay sigurado na kami itong totoo. We are not discounting the possibility na baka totally false ‘yung alternative version,” President […]

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APEC hopes Cebu Action Plan as inspiring as Bogor Goals

MACTAN, Cebu – Finance Ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have one fervent wish for the Cebu Action Plan (CAP): that it may end up like the Bogor Goals of 1994. “It is our hope,” said Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, “that the Cebu Action Plan is going to be referred to again and again in a similar way to how the trade ministers continually refer to the Bogor Goals of 1994 in order […]

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Philippines No. 1 in budget transparency in ASEAN

(Eagle News) — The Department of Budget and Management celebrated the results of the 2015 Open Budget Survey which gave the Philippines the highest score for budget transparency in Southeast Asia. The country also ranked second in Asia and 21st in the world for its transparent and open budget management. According to the 2015 open budget index, the Philippines’ score went up to 64, surpassing the national government’s own target of 60, and bringing the […]

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