economics – Page 43 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Maynilad announces plan for new water treatment facilities costing P5.7 billion

August 2, 2023July 31, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the water concessionaire Maynilad announced that it will establish new water treatment facilities to boost water production and they have set aside P5.7 billion as a result, according to a BusinessWorld news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news article. Some parts in boldface…

WEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is setting aside P5.7 billion as capital expenditure (capex) budget for new water treatment facilities to produce nearly 97 million liters per day.

“Ang capex na binudget namin diyan (The capex that we budgeted) to produce close to 97 million liters per day is 5.7 billion [pesos],” Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez told reporters in a chance interview last week.

“[The project is in] phases as it is tied with the wastewater treatment plant so what is laid out now that is starting is in Valenzuela, by the end of the year, and then next year would be in Pasay,” he added.

The new facilities are part of the company’s “new water” project that was launched in July last year starting in Parañaque City. The project aims to convert treated used water from sewerage treatment plants into potable water.

In June, Maynilad received a permanent operational permit from the Department of Health for its “new water” treatment plant in Parañaque City.

Asked about the ease in securing a permit for the facilities, he said: “That’s what we believe so because this is first in the Philippines, first in Asia.”

He said at first, the company struggled to convince regulators, but the project was accepted after efforts to gain public acceptance.

Mr. Fernandez said that after proving the project’s safety and “that it can be done scientifically, the adoption of the others should be faster.”

The project seeks to generate additional water supply in response to growing demand.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think this newest move by Maynilad will be able to solve the water supply problems once the new water treatment plants get completed and activated?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

High-priority infrastructure projects to be financed by Maharlika Investment Fund

July 27, 2023July 25, 2023carlocarrasco

Just days after signing into law the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., stressed during his 2^nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the new law will finance the high-priority infrastructure projects of the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the newly established Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) would be used to fund high-priority projects.

“For strategic financing, some of the nation’s high-priority projects can now look to the newly established Maharlika Investment Fund, without the added debt burden,” Marcos said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The MIF is the Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund designed to catalyze economic development by mobilizing government financial assets.

“In pooling a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized government funds, the Maharlika Fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the ‘Build Better More’ program,” Marcos said.

He said the gains from the Fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being.

To ensure sound financial management, Marcos assured that a group of internationally recognized economic managers shall oversee the operations of the Fund, guided by principles of transparency and accountability.

“This guarantees that investment decisions will be based on financial considerations alone, absent any political influence,” Marcos said.

“The funds for the social security and public health insurance of our people shall remain intact and separate.”

The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said the Fund can look into big-ticket infrastructure such as in green and blue projects, countryside development, and other employment-generating projects.

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to understand what a sovereign wealth fund is and how it would work with the Philippines in mind, watch the video below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to watch President Marcos’ 2^nd SONA?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Over 3 million foreign tourist arrivals counted by the Philippines (January 1 to July 19)

July 24, 2023July 19, 2023carlocarrasco

Even as the Department of Tourism (DOT) is still recovering from the huge embarrassment about a certain tourism video connected with their Love The Philippines slogan, the nation’s tourism sector is undeniably rising strongly as over 3 million foreign tourist arrivals this year as of July 19, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Take note that the official target for the entire 2023 is 4.8 million foreign tourists and the nation attracted a total of 2.65 million foreign tourists in 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines has recorded more than three million international visitor arrivals seven months into the year, closing in on its target 4.8 million tourists in 2023.

The latest data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded a total of 3,000,079 international visitor arrivals from Jan. 1 to July 19 this year.

The country’s inbound tourism receipts from Jan. 1 to June 30 also climbed to PHP212.4 billion or 502.02 percent higher than the PHP35.6 billion generated from the same period last year.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who is currently on leave, said these post-pandemic figures reflect the sector’s “robust recovery” and the gains of the Marcos administration toward tourism resurgence.

“Tourism provides employment and livelihood to millions of Filipinos. We are grateful for the renewed interest worldwide in the Philippines, which offers a multitude of reasons to love travel across our islands,” she said. “We thank as well our fellow Filipinos who continue to travel domestically, supporting our local communities and families who are all part of the tourism value chain.”

Of the arrivals, 91.36 percent, or 2,740,802 are foreign tourists and the rest are returning overseas Filipinos.

South Korea ranked the highest in the number of arrivals with 741,658 (24.72 percent) followed by the United States with 550,569 (18.35 percent); Australia with 146,062 (4.87 percent); Japan with 143,227 (4.77 percent); and Canada with 132,018 (4.4 percent).

Other top source markets are China with 129,077 visitors (4.3 percent); Taiwan with 104,211 (3.47 percent); United Kingdom with 85,847 (2.86 percent); Singapore with 81,656 (2.72 percent); and Malaysia with 54,411 (1.81 percent).

The DOT earlier said it sought to reach 4.8 million in foreign visitors by the end of 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines could possibly attract 6 million foreign tourist arrivals by the end this year considering the latest numbers achieved?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

President Marcos signs Maharlika Investment Fund bill into law

July 20, 2023July 18, 2023carlocarrasco

A new economic age for the Philippines has started as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., signed into law the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill which formally establishes the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed into law a bill establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), the Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund.

Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) 11954 in a ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila.

In a keynote speech, Marcos said the MIF is designed to drive economic development in the country.

“The MIF is a bold step towards our country’s meaningful economic transformation. Just as we are recovering from the adverse effects of the pandemic, we are now ready to enter a new age of sustainable progress, robust stability and broad-based empowerment,” Marcos said.

“We now have an available fund that will provide us the seed money for investments and to attract other foreign investments and for us to be able to participate in those operations, in those investments without additional borrowings,” he added.

Following the signing of RA 11954, Marcos said his administration would “go out to the world and do the changes that are necessary for the Philippines to become an investment-friendly nation.”

“The fund will fail if we do not make money on the fund. It’s that simple… That is why we put up a Maharlika Fund so as to be able to give us the capacity and the ability to join in those investments, be part of that,” he said.

He reiterated that he would make sure that the MIF would be “well-run” by professionals.

He added that the country has the “best” economic managers both in government and the private sector to ensure the proper management of the MIF.

“Let us make sure that the decisions that are being made for the fund are not political decisions, that they are financial decisions because that is what the fund is,” Marcos said.

The MIF is established to optimize national funds by generating returns to support the Marcos administration’s economic goals laid out in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda, and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

In a separate statement, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will continue to provide support and technical assistance in the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11954.

“The creation of this development fund is very good news because this means we now have an opportunity to expand our fiscal space for the government’s priority programs,” Pangandaman said. “Of course, we fully support this as it will help expand our fiscal space. So we at the DBM remain committed to helping ensure that this development fund will be a success and implemented with utmost integrity.”

Under RA 11954 , the MIF will be used to invest in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and high-impact infrastructure projects that contribute to the attainment of sustainable development.

The establishment of the MIF will provide the government with a long-term source of income, as well as ease the burden on the national budget by providing additional funding for other priority projects of the government.

Unlike other government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), the MIF will be able to maximize government assets through its investments in projects that generate bigger returns.

The proposed measure seeks the establishment of the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), which will act as the “sole vehicle for the purpose of mobilizing and utilizing the MIF for investments in transactions in order to generate optimal returns on investments (ROIs).”

The MIC is expected to have at least PHP75 billion in paid-up capital this year, with PHP50 billion sourced from the Land Bank of the Philippines and PHP25 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The law prohibits government agencies and GOCCs that provide for social security and public health insurance to contribute to and invest in the Fund.

These include the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pension fund.

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to understand what a sovereign wealth fund is and how it would work with the Philippines in mind, watch the video below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think about the Maharlika Investment Fund that is now officially a law? Do you expect financial or economic breakthroughs to happen for the Philippines soon?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) award for Muntinlupa City

July 19, 2023July 17, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government was awarded by the Anti-Red Tap Authority (ARTA) for innovation with regards to business registration, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government was recognized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for its innovative business registration.

Muntinlupa is one of the cities that received the Accelerating Reforms for Improved Service Efficiency (ARISE) Award to recognize initiatives to improve the delivery of government services.

“We are definitely proud of this recognition, as this is validation of the City Government’s commitment to bring quality public service to every Muntinlupeño,” Mayor Ruffy Biazon said.

The city’s Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) and its electronic format eBOSS, which places all the necessary agencies for a business license or permit in one location, was commended earlier this year by ARTA in its latest compliance monitoring as a benchmark for other local government units (LGUs) to follow.

In addition to BOSS, Muntinlupa also has the Business Permits and Licensing Office Single-Window Transaction (BPLO-SWiT) program in partnership with Festival Mall in Alabang in order to bring tax payment and registration services closer to business owners.

Alternatively, business owners may also renew their license and mayor’s permit at the BPLO at Muntinlupa City Hall, as well as online via the Business E-payment System (BESt), through the city’s official website (www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted with the award from ARTA for the City Government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

“Love the Philippines” launched as the nation’s new tourism slogan

July 3, 2023June 28, 2023carlocarrasco

As part of its campaign to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the years to the come, the Philippines officially launched their new slogan called “Love the Philippines”, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., approved of the ambitious tourism plan covering 2023-2028 and he reiterated his support for Philippine tourism.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that the Philippines will become the “tourism powerhouse” of Asia in the next few years.

This, as Marcos witnessed the unveiling of the country’s new tourism slogan “Love the Philippines” during the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) 50th anniversary celebration at The Manila Hotel.

In a keynote speech, Marcos affirmed his commitment to advancing the tourism sector, hoping that the new campaign slogan would help stimulate economic activities and generate job opportunities in the country.

“What a better way to express that love than directly incorporating it into our country’s newest tourism campaign slogan, Love the Philippines. This is new branding which we unveiled today. It will serve as our guidepost for the Philippine Tourism Industry moving forward,” Marcos said.

“Allow me then to express my sincere appreciation to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and for the DOT team because aside from the tourist destination, the campaign that you have conceptualized aims to enhance the overall experience of every traveler,” he added.

In May, Marcos approved the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 which will serve as his administration’s blueprint and development framework for the tourism industry.

Marcos said the NTDP 2023-2028 contains the government’s targets, which include the promotion of local products and the implementation of more infrastructure projects to ensure hassle-free travel.

“The five-year plan stemmed from this admin’s determination to implement programs that will positively transform our country towards being a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the coming years. Let us therefore strive to translate out golden vision into reality,” he said.

Marcos lauded the DOT for making the tourism industry as “a major driver of economic growth.”

He also welcomed the “improving” figures in tourism revenues, employment, international arrivals and domestic trips, saying these indicate the country’s recovery from the onslaught of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“All of these are encouraging signs that the tourism industry in our country as a whole is headed well towards full recovery. It also conveys a strong message to the world that we are ready and fully equipped to welcome tourists, travelers as well as investors,” Marcos said.

To realize his administration’s goal of transforming the Philippines as Asia’s tourism powerhouse, Marcos urged Filipinos to be the country’s tourism ambassadors.

“I enjoin you all to be our country’s promoters, advocates, and if I may borrow a coined term in this age of social media, be our country’s top influencers,” he said.

“Indeed, the Philippines will never run out of places to discover, meals to enjoy, adventures to experience, people to meet, talents to admire. Let us take pride and celebrate the love we have of our country and our people for it is the same love that gave meaning to the establishment of the DOT and the same love that will propel our tourism industry moving forward into the future,” Marcos added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you foresee a bright economic future with a reinvigorated national tourism industry? Does “Love the Philippines” sound attractive to you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

PNP insists Las Piñas City raid is legitimate as affected company’s lawyers demanded an investigation into alleged abuses committed by law enforcers

July 3, 2023July 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, the June 26 evening raid that resulted in the so-called rescue of more than 2,700 people got disputed as the affected company’s lawyers demanded an investigation over the alleged abuses committed by police officers, according to a Philippie News Agency (PNA) news article. The Philippine National Police (PNP) insists that the operation is legitimate.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday maintained that its operation against a suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Las Piñas early this week is legitimate as it refuted claims of abuse and manhandling of workers rescued from the establishment.

In a statement, PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the 2,714 workers earlier taken into custody during the operation would be released once they have completed their profiling works.

He also denied that human rights violations were committed by the police when the operation was carried out and assured that the police force would conduct a full and impartial investigation into the said operation.

The PNP’s statement came after the legal representatives of the firm Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc., demanded an investigation into alleged abuses committed by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) during the operation at Hong Tai Compound located at No. 501 Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Almanza Uno on Tuesday morning.

Vargas Law Office representative lawyer Ananias Christian Vargas has requested NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, PNP-Anti Cybercrime Group director Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, PNP Directorate for Intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Jon Arnaldo and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to investigate.

“As you may very well recall, in the late evening of 26 June 2023, 11:30 p.m. to be specific, the NCRPO Joint Police Task Force, led by Deputy Regional Director for Operations Brig. Gen Jack Wanky and Anti-Cybercrime Group Deputy for Operations Col. Villamor Tuliao implemented Search Warrant Nos. SW-LP23-007, SW-23-14 and SW-23-016, all dated 26 June 2023, issued by the Regional Trial Court of Las Piñas City, Office of the Executive Judge, which you conveniently couched as ‘Rescue Operation’ in Hong Tai Compound located at No. 501 Alabang-Zapote Road Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City, during which you and your Task Force control of the entire Hong Tai Compound, and even converted one of the structures as a command post,” Vargas said in the letter dated June 30.

He claimed the firm as well as its foreign and local workers were duly documented.

“The company and the legitimate workers all abide by the legal requirements,” Vargas said adding that all the documents covering the operations of the company had been in the vault seized during the raid.

Reports earlier said the PNP-ACG, backed up by several NCRPO uniformed personnel, conducted the operations. The company also questioned the conduct of the operation the police described as anti-human trafficking-related.

Vargas also claimed that as of this time, the NCRPO has not allowed the persons in the compound to leave despite its inability to file the necessary cases against these Filipino and foreign individuals.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the June 26 evening raid is legitimate?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Muntinlupa City ranks #2 in the NCR in public financial management

June 30, 2023June 28, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, it was revealed that the city finished at 2^nd place among the local governments within the National Capital Region (NCR) on the assessment about public financial management, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government ranked second among local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) in public financial management assessment done by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Muntinlupa ranks 2nd in PFMAT Compliance of the Department of Budget and Management,” according to Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

The ranking was a result of the Public Financial Management Assessment Tool (PFMAT) based on budgeting, accounting, auditing, cash management, management of public debt/procurement, revenue generation and public reporting on public sector financial operations, added Biazon.

“Public Financial Management (PFM) is a system of rules, procedures and practices for government to manage public finances. PFM seeks to address the key challenges of controlling government spending and making agencies operate efficiently and effectively,” according to previous guidelines issued by the DBM.

Biazon said Muntinlupa’s ranking is “proof to our commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible financial management. We ensure that public funds are spent well and effective.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted with what the city government achieved?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

World Bank raises forecast on Philippine economy growth for 2023

June 12, 2023June 8, 2023carlocarrasco

With the year 2023 nearing the half-way point, the World Bank revised its forecast on the Philippine economy seeing a 6% growth (versus the previous 5.4% growth forecast), according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY is likely to grow by 6% this year amid strong domestic demand and despite elevated inflation, the World Bank said, raising its forecast from 5.4% in January.

A recovery in jobs, improved consumer sentiment and strong remittances from Filipinos overseas would drive local consumption, the multilateral lender said in its Global Economic Prospects report on Wednesday.

“Despite external challenges, high domestic inflation and tight monetary conditions, domestic demand has once again remained resilient, fueling growth,” World Bank Country Director for the Philippines Ndiame Diop separately told a virtual news briefing.

The latest growth forecast is the lower end of the government’s 6-7% growth target this year. The Philippine economy grew by 6.4% in the first quarter, slower than 8% a year ago and 7.1% a quarter earlier.

“Despite weak global conditions, our upward revision reflects this continued strength in domestic demand,” World Bank Philippines Senior Economist Ralph van Doorn said.

But the potential global slowdown could still affect growth. “Although the global economy displayed remarkable resilience in early 2023, economic conditions will remain subdued for the rest of 2023,” Mr. Diop said.

He said global growth is expected to wane due to “persistent inflation, slowdown of global trade and the effect of recent monetary tightening.”

The World Bank expects global growth to slow to 2.1% this year, though this is higher than its earlier 1.7% projection. It also sees global growth reaching 2.4% next year and 3% in 2025.

“Risks remain tilted to the downside,” Mr. Diop said. “Recent episodes of market instability have raised concerns of a potential spillover. The possibility of further monetary tightening amid sticky core inflation could raise the cost of global financing and lead to a more pronounced and prolonged global slowdown.”

Persistent inflation remained a cause for concern, the World Bank said.

“Although our baseline forecast (shows) inflation will decelerate, it is still the main challenge,” Mr. van Doorn said.

The World Bank expects Philippine inflation to average 5.7% this year, higher than its earlier 4.2% forecast.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the World Bank’s analysis about economic growth for the Philippines this year? Do you think the Philippine economy can do better than expected by the end of 2023?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

I Love Israel: Major agreements made between Israel and the Philippines; direct flights included

June 7, 2023June 6, 2023carlocarrasco

This week has been very significant for Israel-Philippines relations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrived here on an official visit and he had a high-level meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang Palace which resulted in very tremendous agreements that include direct flights between Israel and the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

*Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., with Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. (photo source: Israel in the Philippines Facebook page)*

The Philippines and Israel are pushing for the direct flights between the two countries and elevating their partnership in agriculture and water sectors, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

The plan to enhance cooperation between Manila and Tel Aviv was discussed when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

Cohen told Marcos that establishing direct flights between the Philippines and Israel would boost the two nations’ tourism and economic ties.

“There’s another thing that we, both of us, took for an action item. [It] is to have a direct flight… your external sea between Israel and the Philippines,” Cohen, as quoted by the PCO, said during the meeting, referring to his earlier meeting with Filipino officials.

“And I think that we agree that both ministries will work together to have the direct flight. And this is also to bring more business people to come to invest and reach the place between us. So this is also another important action item that we will do.”

The Philippine Airlines was supposed to launch its direct flights to Tel Aviv in 2022, but the plan has been stalled because of geopolitical concerns.

The Philippines has become one of the top tourist destinations for the Israelis in the last few years, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said in November 2022.

Cohen also told Marcos about Israel’s planned closer cooperation with the Philippines to ensure food security, suggesting that the two nations may open an agricultural hub.

“I think that we can work together on the segment of agriculture. I just let you know that our land, 60 percent of our land is desert. But although 60 percent of our land is desert, we were able to provide all our water needs,” Cohen said.

“And I think that we can work together and let’s say that less import, more export for the Philippines. And I think that we can work together,” he added.

Marcos said he was glad that Cohen raised Israel’s plan, as he expressed admiration for its advancement in agriculture.

He added that agricultural development is “very important” for the Philippines,

“Because when we look at the economy as hard to just test, we said how do we fix the economy. It always comes down to agriculture first, how to fix every policy, then everything else would be great. So that’s the position that we find ourselves in,” he said. “So, the offers that you make for assistance and partnership in those two areas are very, very welcome.”

Cohen said the Philippines and Israel can also collaborate on water management, noting Tel Aviv’s vast experience in this sector.

He said Israeli experts may visit the Philippines to provide advice, noting that Israel has been reusing a large portion of its water resources because of water scarcity and it can share its experience in water management with the Philippines.

Marcos said the Philippines is looking at Israel and Singapore for best practices that the country can imitate.

Indeed, these recent developments prove the Israel-Philippines ties are blossoming and truly essential. For the newcomers reading this, the 65^th anniversary of friendship between Israel and the Philippines was commemorated. It was also this year when the 75^th year of independence of the State of Israel was celebrated.

The establishment of direct Israel-Philippines flights will enable more Filipinos to visit the Holy Land while potential more Israelis will visit more conveniently and boost not only Philippine tourism but also engage in business and investments. For those of you who want to visit Israel to deepen your faith in the Lord, read my Israel 2023 feature articles by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed by all. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

In ending this I Love Israel piece, posted below are Israel-related videos for your viewing pleasure and enlightenment.

+++++

	Instapundit »… on Trump Responds To US Supreme C…
	Instapundit »… on Trump’s America Urges Allies T…
	The H.A.R.D. Corps (… on A Look Back At The H.A.R.D. Co…
	Instapundit »… on A Lot More American Fruits And…
	Instapundit »… on Varied And Impactful Changes R…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: