MANILA -- About 2.3 million people in the Philippines were pushed into poverty between 2018 and 2021, largely due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the statistics agency said on Monday. The number of people living in poverty in 2021 rose to a total of almost 20 million or 18.1% of the population from 16.7% in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said, overshooting the government's target of 15.5%-17.5%. Recently inaugurated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr aims to slash the poverty rate to 9% by the end of his single six-year term in 2028 - a target that remains achievable despite soaring inflation, according to Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. He said the government's strategy will focus on fully reopening the economy, investing in human capital and social protection, and transforming production sectors to generate more and quality jobs and competitive products. "We can reduce poverty incidence by 5 percentage points at midterm, and … [Read more...] about Pandemic pushed millions more into poverty in the Philippines: govt
Philippines martial arts
Torrential rain causes traffic chaos, flooding in HCMC
According to Le Dinh Quyet, Deputy Head of the Office of the Southern Region’s Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting Station, the downpour lasted for over three hours causing traffic chaos and submerged streets under the influences of a low-pressure trough connecting with a low cyclone in the eastern Philippines along with intensifying of the southwest monsoon. It is expected that Ho Chi Minh City will continue to suffer from showers, and moderate to heavy rains from this evening throughout August 21. At nearly 5 p.m., many streets including Quoc Huong, Le Van Viet and Do Xuan Hop in Thu Duc City were submerged after rain. Vehicles lined up through the areas. By 5:30 p.m., districts of Tan Binh and Binh Thanh recorded intensive rainfalls between 85 mm and 102 mm. Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has 30 rain-induced submerged areas. Some photos feature traffic chaos and submerged streets in HCMC. By SGGP- Translated by Huyen Huong … [Read more...] about Torrential rain causes traffic chaos, flooding in HCMC
Vietnamese students’ association in Germany holds summer camp
A performance staged as part of the camp (Photo: VNA) Berlin (VNA) – The Association of Vietnamese Students in Germany ( SiviDuc ) and its Hamburg chapter organised a summer camp in the German port city on August 13 and 14, gathering hundreds of participants from across the European nation. In his opening speech, President Trinh Hoang Long said the camp, marking the association’s 10th founding anniversary, aims to connect Vietnamese students across fields of study via practical activities. In the time to come, SiviDuc will work to attract the participation of Vietnamese coming to Germany for vocational training in addition to the current university students and postgraduates, he added. Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh lauded the organisation of the event after years of activity interruption due to the COVID-19. Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) He expressed his hope that Vietnamese youth will join … [Read more...] about Vietnamese students’ association in Germany holds summer camp