Philippines' population to exceed 93 million in 5 years
www.chinaview.cn 2005-01-05 21:38:44
MANILA, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine population is expected to exceed 93 million in the next five years, the Philippine National Statistics Office (NSO) said here Wednesday.
There is only one way of convincing the Japanese to reverse their policy on tighter immigration for Japayukis. Let us tell the Japanese that the matter of deployment of our entertainers is important to our national interest and that we are willing to gamble our friendly relations with Japan if our request is not considered.
If the Japanese think that we don’t have aces in our sleeve, let us tell them they are wrong!
Japayukis may seek UN help on Japan restrictions By Nestor Etolle The Philippine Star 01/07/2005
Filipino entertainers might take their case to the United Nations, accusing the Japanese government of violating international employment policy for its new immigration rules set to be enforced this month.
A broad-based coalition of overseas performing artists (OPAs) reminded Tokyo to consider the UN International Human Rights Instruments and the UN Employment Policy Convention, of which Japan is a signatory, before implementing a stricter screening process for applicants of entertainer’s visa.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo met with his counterpart in Japan to reiterate the Philippines’ position, particularly concerning the use of the Artist Accreditation Card (ACC), which the Japanese government intends to do away with in the hiring of foreign artists.
GMA offers Pinoy skills to Asian tsunami victims By Marichu Villanueva The Philippine Star 01/07/2005
Compensating for the Philippines’ financial inadequacy, President Arroyo has offered the services of the country’s "world class" workers in health care and engineering in the relief efforts to rehabilitate tsunami-hit countries in southern Asia.
Mrs. Arroyo made the formal commitment yesterday in her speech at the Special Asean Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. She said the Philippines could offer the expertise of its professionals such as doctors and engineers in the rehabilitation efforts of disaster-stricken nations.
"The Philippines is blessed with abundant human resources and our professionals, including those in the fields of health care and engineering, are truly world class," Mrs. Arroyo said.
"More than our cash donations, our talented Filipino professionals have volunteered to make themselves available to assist both in the relief efforts as well as the important long-term rebuilding efforts," she said.