Tag Archives: philippines

Mexico joins Philippines, Brazil with dengue vaccine

DENGUE VACCINE. Sanofi is rolling out the dengue vaccine in the private sector in Mexico while health authorities prepare a public immunization plan. File photo from Sanofi Pasteur

‘We estimate that in Mexico and in other countries that the benefits will outweigh the costs of the (vaccine) intervention,’ says Guillaume Leroy, head of Sanofi’s dengue program

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Sept. 10, 2016) —  While the world awaits a Zika vaccine, the first ever injection against dengue fever is spreading, with Mexico becoming next week the latest country where people can get the shot.  Continue reading Mexico joins Philippines, Brazil with dengue vaccine

PH gov’t to ship garbage back to Canada

BURDEN. The Philippine government continues to shoulder the costs of keeping 50 container vans of garbage from Canada in its ports. Photo from Change.org

The justice department is set to file a motion for the execution of the June 30 order of Manila RTC Branch 1 Judge Tita Bughao Alisuag to ship back the wastes to Canada at the expense of the importer

MANILA, Philippines (Sept. 7, 2016) — An interagency committee said on Tuesday, September 6, it would implement a local court’s order to ship back to Canada the wastes that were illegally dumped in the Philippines in 2013.  Continue reading PH gov’t to ship garbage back to Canada

Asian typhoons becoming more intense, study finds

On 7 July 2015, satellite images showed the Pacific Ocean with two typhoons, one tropical storm, one formation alert and one large area of increased convection. Photograph: JMA MTSAT-2/NOAA

Giant storms that wreak havoc across China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines have grown 50% stronger in the past 40 years due to warming seas

September 6, 2016 — The destructive power of the typhoons that wreak havoc across China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines has intensified by 50% in the past 40 years due to warming seas, a new study has found.  Continue reading Asian typhoons becoming more intense, study finds

CHR to top carbon emitters - Face human rights probe

Image by Rappler.com

‘For the first time, a national human rights body is officially taking steps to address the impacts of climate change on human rights and the responsibility of private actors,’ says environmental group Greenpeace

MANILA, Philippines (July 29, 2016) — In an unprecedented move, the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asked 47 of the world’s largest investor-owned fossil fuel and cement producers to respond to allegations their greenhouse gas emissions violated human rights of Filipinos.  Continue reading CHR to top carbon emitters - Face human rights probe

1 in 3 Filipino kids still malnourished, stunted

SATIATING HUNGER. Children wait their turn at a feeding program for informal settlers in Quezon City. File photo by Rolex dela Peña/ EPA

The study also notes that 20% of kids under 5 years old die due to poor health services

MANILA, Philippines (July 28, 2016) — Poor nutrition remains a major problem in the Philippines with 3.4 million children found to be stunted and over 300,000 underweight – all under 5 years old.  Continue reading 1 in 3 Filipino kids still malnourished, stunted

UN Human Rights Council declares climate a priority

A general view of participants during the 29th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council. 3 July 2015. UN Photo / Jean-Marc FerrŽ

Influential UN body considers human rights and climate change post-Paris, emphasises importance of the climate negotiations in protecting communities

July 16, 2016 — At the beginning of this month, the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a new resolution on Human Rights and Climate Change, emphasising the links between UN climate negotiations and the protection of human rights.  Continue reading UN Human Rights Council declares climate a priority

PH to revise UN climate pledges to align with 1.5-degree target

CLIMATE TALKS. The Philippines calls for more radical action from other countries to make sure the world does not warm higher than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Photo by Renee Karunungan

The Philippines current commitments include 70% carbon mitigation by 2030. All of these commitments, however, are conditional.

BONN, Germany (May 22, 2016) — The Philippines announced on Wednesday, May 18, during the third day of climate negotiations that it will review and revise its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to align better with the 1.5-degree target. Continue reading PH to revise UN climate pledges to align with 1.5-degree target

Abu Sayyaf threatens hostages in video warning

Image by Rappler.com

The trio – from Canada, Norway, and the Philippines – appeal for help from the Philippine and Canadian governments in a video uploaded to YouTube

MANILA, Philippines (May 3, 2016) — The Abu Sayyaf issued a fresh warning on Tuesday, May 3, threatening to harm 3 hostages, just over a week after they beheaded a captive. Continue reading Abu Sayyaf threatens hostages in video warning

Philippines condemns ‘inhuman’ beheading of Canadian

KILLED. John Ridsdel before he was kidnapped and during his captivity in Sulu. Photos courtesy of PNP

The Philippines also ‘extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Mr John Ridsdel,’ the Canadian national beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, April 26, condemned the “inhuman” beheading of Canadian national John Ridsdel at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.  Continue reading Philippines condemns ‘inhuman’ beheading of Canadian

Abu Sayyaf kills Canadian hostage

KIDNAPPED IN 2015. John Ridsdel, right, is beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf on April 25 after ransom talks failed. He was one of 3 foreigners kidnapped on Samal Island in Davao in September 2015. Left photo is fellow Canadian Robert Hall and middle is Norweigan Kjartan Sekkingstad. Photos from the PNP

Police and military forces vow to ‘bring the criminals to justice,’ following the beheading of one of two Canadians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in September 2015

MANILA, Philippines (Apr. 26, 2016) — The Abu Sayyaf group has beheaded a Canadian hostage, sparking fears for more than 20 others they are holding on remote islands, with security forces vowing Tuesday, April 26, to hunt down the kidnappers.  Continue reading Abu Sayyaf kills Canadian hostage