Day: June 26, 2024

Senior diplomats and military officials from South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the strength of their alliance and commitment to deterrence Wednesday amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties triggered by close military ties between Russia and North Korea.

“The international rules based on order is under attack by a handful of nations, most of which are located very close to where we sit,” said Gen. John Weidner, the chief of staff at the U.S.-led U.N. Command and the U.S. Forces Korea in a congratulatory speech given at the Korea-America Friendship Night.

The event was hosted by the Korea-America Friendship Society (KAFS), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the alliance, in Seoul.

Weidner’s remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula following the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un earlier this month.

“The security of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is our security,” he said, referring to South Korea’s forma
l name. “We will prevail.”

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun also underscored the importance of the bilateral alliance for maintaining peace.

“The South Korea-U.S. alliance is global. It is not confined to the Korean Peninsula or Northeast Asia but extends into the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Kang said.

Kang highlighted the growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and pledged to maintain the South Korea-U.S. alliance and readiness posture in every way possible.

Park Jung-soo, acting president of the KAFS, also emphasized the importance of South Korea-U.S. cooperation, stating that an ironclad alliance will play a pivotal role.

“The ROK-U.S. alliance plays an increasingly vital role as a cornerstone for peace and stability,” he said.

Congratulating the KAFS on its 33rd anniversary, Joy Sakurai, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, commended South Korea’s transformation into a democracy and its economic development.

“The miracle on the Han River is now paving the way for
a third miracle, where other countries follow the path of success,” Sakurai said, adding that Seoul has developed into a global pivotal state.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

MANILA: The Board of Investments (BOI) said it has awarded the best set of fiscal incentives for domestic market activities for projects within Metro Manila under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law to a beneficiary of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage the Philippine Economy (CRADLE) program.

The BOI said in a statement Wednesday that it has approved the PHP125-million steel frame modules for structural building systems project of Accutech Steel and Service Center, Inc. (ASSCI).

The DOST endorsed the project for Tier III perks. This is also the first time that the BOI has registered a project under Tier III.

The BOI said ASSCI’s project qualified for the Tier III incentives of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan’s under the CREATE law, as it introduces a new production line dedicated to designing and manufacturing steel frame modules or panels from slit rolls of galvanized cold form steel (CFS), commonl
y referred to as light gauge steel (LGS).

The factory also uses computer-aided and controlled processes for project management, structural design, and engineering.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo has welcomed the project of ASSCI, noting that the use of CFS/LGS framing for structural building systems is a relatively new technology for the Philippine construction industry.

“We are forging ahead with groundbreaking investment opportunities in the Philippines. This project heralds a revolutionary chapter in our construction industry, showcasing cutting-edge innovations. The green light for this endeavor underscores our relentless dedication to driving the construction sector’s growth and dynamism,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Alfredo Pascual said.

Under the Tier III, the ASSCI’s project is eligible for income tax holidays (ITH) for six years; a five-year enhanced deductions, or the additional deductions from gross income before the regular corporate income tax rate is applied
after the ITH period; and duty exemption on importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts and accessories for a maximum of 12 years.

Tier III incentives are given to projects covering research and development and activities adopting advanced digital production technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

It also covers highly technical manufacturing and production of innovative products and services.

This project of ASSCI represents the commercial implementation of the DOST’s CRADLE program -where the academe partners with Filipino companies for research and development to innovate local products.

For this Smart Manufacturing for Rapid Technology in Housing Construction project, ASSCI partnered with De La Salle University-Manila under the CRADLE program to develop an innovative CFS-based structure system incorporating screw piles and utilizing design for manufacturing and assembly technology.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Police and the labor ministry raided a battery maker and workforce suppliers Wednesday as they ratcheted up probes into a deadly fire that killed 23 workers.

On Monday, lithium battery maker Aricell in Hawseong, south of Seoul, was engulfed by fire that killed as many as 23 employees, mostly foreigners. Eight others were also injured in the fire.

Police and the labor ministry are probing what could be the deadliest industrial accident as the casualties had ballooned because of suspected safety violations.

Meanwhile, the labor ministry’s special investigation team said the government issued an order for Aricell to completely suspend the entire operations of its plant.

The three Aricell officials were booked on suspicion of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

They may face punishment if any violation of the law is confirmed through a prompt and thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, based on the results of an autopsy of the victims, the National Forensic
Service temporarily concluded that all of them were suffocated by the fumes.

Before the accident, the firefighting authorities had warned Aricell earlier that a fire at the factory could result in casualties.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

MANILA: The country is about to enter a ‘railway renaissance’ period after the completion of a unified network of railways that would bolster the economy and regional cooperation, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

In her speech at the PhilRailway Tech Conference at the Mariott Hotel in Pasay City on Wednesday, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said 23 out of the 69 infrastructure projects of the DOTr would improve and expand the country’s railway network.

‘The significant share of railways in the list of infrastructure flagship projects showcases the Marcos administration’s thrust and commitment to the revival of the Philippine railway network, through its Build Better More campaign,’ Aquino said.

Five big-ticket railways projects are currently under construction–the North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase 1), LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, MRT Line 7, and the MRT Line 3 Rehabilitation and Maintenance.

To date, fi
ve more railway projects are in the pre-construction stage while 13 are in the development stage.

By 2030, she said the country’s railways would add up to a total length of 1,233.08 kilometers (km), a 356.43 percent increase from the existing 270.16 km of railways in the country today.

‘We will connect key growth centers with emerging communities to equitably spur economic opportunities. These new railway lines are poised to play a pivotal role in the country’s development agenda,’ she said.

Once completed, she said the country’s ‘comprehensive and interconnected rail network’ would allow for improved accessibility, faster travel times, and increased economic opportunities for Filipinos.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Police and the labor ministry raided a battery maker and workforce suppliers Wednesday as they ratcheted up probes into a deadly fire that killed 23 workers.

On Monday, lithium battery maker Aricell in Hawseong, south of Seoul, was engulfed by fire that killed as many as 23 employees, mostly foreigners. Eight others were also injured in the fire.

Police and the labor ministry are probing what could be the deadliest industrial accident as the casualties had ballooned because of suspected safety violations.

Meanwhile, the labor ministry’s special investigation team said the government issued an order for Aricell to completely suspend the entire operations of its plant.

The three Aricell officials were booked on suspicion of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

They may face punishment if any violation of the law is confirmed through a prompt and thorough investigation.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

CEBU: The Cebu City Sports Center track oval and the billeting quarters are ready as Palarong Pambansa 2024 delegates are expected to arrive ahead of the July 6 opening ceremony, acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said on Wednesday.

‘After clearing and finishing touches, everything will be 100 percent ready,’ Garcia said, referring to the removal of the scaffoldings and debris in some of the 20 billeting quarters.

Garcia said each delegation for the Palarong Pambansa consists of 700 student-athletes and 300 staff members.

He noted that the number of members from each delegation is enough to occupy each designated public school during their week-long stay for the inauguration of the sporting event.

Meanwhile, Garcia reiterated that he is satisfied with the work progress at the Cebu City Sports Center, the main venue for the Palaro, especially for its opening on July 6.

‘I’m happy with the progress. Most of the works now are already for additional finishing touches,’ he said, adding that the construction of
the track oval is 97 percent complete and would be finished in time for the blessing on Friday (June 28).

Source: Philippines News Agency