Apr 14, 2021
A century-and-a-half ago, Japan was jolted out of strategic complacency following the unwelcome visit of American Commodore Matthew Perry. Soon after, the Asian nation abandoned its 220 years of self-imposed isolation and embraced a traumatic but ultimately successful process of rapid modernization.
Nowadays, it’s instead China’s monstrous warships sailing through the East China Sea with growing impunity that have jolted Japan out of its decades-old strategic passivity. Notwithstanding, Japan’s post-war peace Constitution and the “lost decade” of economic stagnation, the nation is still blessed with the world’s third largest economy and Asia’s most advanced navy.
(Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP / FILE PHOTO)
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon, in a virtual press conference via Zoom on Wednesday, April 14, said that with the help of their partners, the isolation facilities in various schools in Metro Manila are expected to become operational this week “to prevent asymptomatic spreaders from infecting their loved ones at home.”
“We will make them all operational,” Gordon said – noting that all their partners are coordinating for the essentials which include medicines and food – among others. “We have to ensure the sanitation and health of the people so whatever we will have to do, we will do it,” he added.
BAGUIO CITY, April 14 (PIA) - - Representatives from concerned private sector, government, and civil society in the Cordillera region converged through an online two-day regional competitive consultation for the crafting of a regional competitive roadmap for the next five years.
The consultation was aimed at engaging the private sector, government, and civil society in a dialogue towards achieving regional competitiveness anchored on the pillars on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation.
The five pillars which now include innovation are the measures considered in the yearly ranking of cities and municipalities competitive index (CMCI) such that competitiveness is focused on the idea of productivity.
They ve been dubbed China s Little Blue Men, an allegedly Beijing-controlled maritime militia that analysts say could be hundreds of boats and thousands of crew members strong.
China doesn t acknowledge their existence and when questioned, refers to them as a so-called maritime militia. But Western experts say the alleged militia is an integral part of Beijing s efforts to exert its territorial claims in the South China Sea and beyond.
They claim its blue-painted vessels and their crews - allegedly funded and controlled by the People s Liberation Army - can quickly bring a Chinese presence so large around disputed reefs and islands they are almost impossible to challenge without triggering a military confrontation.
Published April 14, 2021, 8:59 PM
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has tapped more schools to be used as isolation centers for asymptomatic individuals who have contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon, during a virtual turnover of SM Supermalls donations for the isolation centers on Wednesday, April 14, said that more schools will be used as isolation centers.
With the bed capacity of big hospitals in Metro Manila for COVID-19 patients already reaching the “high risk” level, Gordon said that public and private schools schools are being tapped in setting up isolation centers.
“We need to do this, we need to save lives because if not, we are going lose more people,” Gordon said.