News / World by Press Association 05/04/2018, 8:16 am Updated: 05/04/2018, 8:17 am FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has approved the closure of the tourist destination of Boracay for up to six months, after saying the waters off its famed beaches had become a “cesspool” due to overcrowding. Mr Duterte approved the total shutdown of Boracay starting on April 26 in a Cabinet meeting after extensive discussions on the implications of a closure, including ways to help around 17,000 workers who may be displaced. “This is not about profit, it’s about the political will to deal with years of neglect of the environment,”, tourism undersecretary Frederick Alegre said. “We need to act swiftly to save the island and avert its further deterioration.” Last February, Mr Duterte said Boracay’s water has turned into a “cesspool” with … [Read more...] about Philippines closes ‘cesspool’ tourist resort due to pollution
Philippines
‘Cesspool’ paradise island of Boracay to shut in the Philippines
The Philippines will shut its most famous holiday island for six months after the President called it a "cesspool". Rodrigo Duterte has approved the temporary closure of Boracay after saying the waters off its famed white-sand beaches were being polluted with raw sewage.His spokesman confirmed the shutdown will commence on 26 April, but he did not clarify what the clean-up will involve.In 2017, two million tourists visited the island which is popular for its lively nightlife, turquoise seas and powdery sands.Thousands of livelihoods rely on the tourism industry, which is worth around $1bn (£710m) to the national economy.Reports suggest disaster funds would be activated to help affected workers, but business leaders have urged the government to phase in the plans more slowly."We are a bit depressed right now in the industry," said Jose Clemente, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines."I really feel for the people in Boracay. They really need to find ways to be … [Read more...] about ‘Cesspool’ paradise island of Boracay to shut in the Philippines
Philippine President attends the see-off ceremony for Vietnamese fishermen
Speaking at the ceremony which was held at Sual Wharf in Pangasinan Province, President Duterte emphasized the importance of Philippine and Vietnam relations and with other countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Duterte also apologized for the stand-off last September that led to the killing of two Vietnamese fishermen in an encounter with the Philippine Navy. Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte attends the see-off ceremony for five Vietnamese fishermen on November 29. Photo by abs-cbn “We are one, we are Asians… I am sorry for the incident. I hope it will never happen again… These incidents will not destroy our bond or relations,” Duterte told Vietnamese Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan at the ceremony. Ambassador Ly Quoc Tuan expressed his thanks to President Rodrigo R. Duterte and the Philippine Government for supporting and facilitating the release of the five Vietnamese fishermen. Vietnamese fishing boat PY-96173-TS with seven … [Read more...] about Philippine President attends the see-off ceremony for Vietnamese fishermen
Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes off Mindanao in Philippines
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which hit at a depth of 61 km (38 miles), about 128 km (80 miles) east of the island’s key city of Davao. (Reporting by Clarence Fernandez; Editing by Himani Sarkar) … [Read more...] about Earthquake of magnitude 6.2 strikes off Mindanao in Philippines
The China-Philippines dispute in the East Sea
Aside from Vietnam, with its greedy U-shaped or nine-dotted line that covers over 80 percent of the South China Sea (East Sea), China also has maritime disputes with the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. To further understand China's ambition and plot in the East Sea, VietNamNet give you a panorama of the dispute between this country and the Philippines. China’s territorial claims China claims to have discovered the islands in the Han Dynasty in 2 BC. The islands were claimed to have been marked on maps compiled during the time of Eastern Han dynasty and Eastern Wu (one of the Three Kingdoms). Since the Yuan dynasty in the 12th century, several islands that may be the Spratlys have been labeled as Chinese territory, followed by the Ming Dynasty and the Qing dynasty from the 13th to 19th Century. In 1755, archaeological surveys the remains of Chinese pottery and coins have been found in the islands and are cited as proof for the PRC claim. Chinese … [Read more...] about The China-Philippines dispute in the East Sea