Latest news with #FerdinandR.MarcosJr.
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
China to pay heavy price for friendship with Pakistan, India's big move near South China Sea could...
China to pay heavy price for friendship with Pakistan, India's big move near South China Sea could… India and China's bilateral relations deteriorated following the Galwan Valley skirmish, a violent confrontation between troops of both countries, in 2020. In the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan, Beijing helped Islamabad with military weapons and intelligence. Now, the Indian Armed Forces are going to do something that will surely anger the Dragon. In August, China's top enemy, the Philippines, is going to showcase its prowess to the world near the South China Sea, and Indian forces will encourage the Philippine forces. Philippines President To Visit India Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit India on a state visit between August 4-8. At the same period, naval forces of both India and the Philippines will conduct a maritime exercise near the South China Sea, on the coast of western Philippines. The bilateral relations between countries can be elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during this visit. Notably, Both Philippines and China claim Scarborough Shoal. China claims most of the South China Sea and its resources. Due to this, it keeps clashing with the Philippines. However, in 2016, Beijing's claim on the South China Sea was rejected under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). But this doesn't change China's stand and it continues to claim most parts of the South China Sea, because of which it also engages in sea and air clashes with the Philippine army. Why Is Military Exercise Between India And Philippines Important? The military exercise is important due to China's growing dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. This dominance is not only around Scarborough Shoal, but also around Second Thomas Shoal, which leads to skirmishes between the countries. The Philippine President's upcoming visit to India will boost defence and maritime ties between the two countries. For the first time, India and the Philippines will hold joint naval exercises which is a major step as the Manila faces sea disputes with China.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Philippines population hits 112.7 million, but annual population growth rate slowed to 0.80 per cent
MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines' population stood at 112,729,484 as of July 1, 2024, according to the official results of the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN), which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared official, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. Marcos issued Proclamation 973, directing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), to disseminate the population data by province, city/municipality, and barangay to all concerned government agencies and offices. The census was conducted by the PSA from July to September 2024, using July 1, 2024 as the reference date, according to the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 11. The PSA said the population count covered all 18 administrative regions and included Filipinos in embassies, consulates, and missions abroad. The 2024 figure reflects an increase of 3.69 million from the 109.04 million recorded in 2020. The annual population growth rate slowed to 0.80 percent from 2020 to 2024, compared to 1.63 per cent between 2015 and 2020. According to the PSA, the deceleration in population growth may be attributed to lower fertility and birth rates, higher mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic, and reduced migration. The conduct of a mid-decade census was mandated under Executive Order 87. July 2024 was earlier declared National Census and Community-Based Monitoring System Month under Proclamation 627. - Bernama-PNA
NDTV
5 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
India, Philippines To Hold 1st Joint Naval Drills In August: Sources
Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is all set for a state visit to India in the first week of August. While President Marcos Jr visits India between August 4-8, the navies of the two countries will hold the first ever joint bilateral maritime exercise or Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on August 3-4, according to a source. The exercise will be held in strategic waters on the West Philippines coast facing the South China Sea and close to Scarborough Shoal. Scarborough Shoal is hotly contested between the Philippines and China over both its sovereignty and resources - specifically, fish. It is located 200 kilometres off the Philippines coast and lies in its Exclusive Economic Zone. However, China asserts claim over most of the South China Sea and its resources leading to friction with the Philippines. Even though China's claim was rejected under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2016, Beijing continues to enforce its will, leading to frequent maritime and aerial encounters with Philippine forces. In another related development, four Indian Navy ships are scheduled to make a goodwill visit to the Philippines from the 30th of July including the latest survey ship INS Sandhayak for hydrographic cooperation. So far, the highest number of Indian naval ships that have participated has been three. The last one being seeing the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan, and the fleet tanker INS Shakti, part of the Indian Navy Eastern Fleet. So far, India and Philippines have largely conducted passing exercises (PASSEX) but last week, the Indian ambassador to Philippines, Harsh Kumar Jain, had indicated that it was likely to be expanded to joint military exercises. He was quoted by the Philippine News Agency as saying, "Given the high importance of the maritime sector for both our countries, we can expand our cooperation to include joint exercises in maritime security and disaster response." Meanwhile, after the purchase of the mid-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India, Philippines is reported to be in talks for the purchase of Akash short range missiles. Reuters had reported that the deal would be worth more than $200 million. Another lingering defence purchase, that of ALH Maritime Reconnaissance Helicopters, by the Philippines coastguard has been in discussion since 2021. With the growing defence and maritime ties between Manila and Delhi, the bilateral relationship is expected to be elevated to the level of strategic partnership during the visit of President Marcos Jr. The President will be travelling with a high-level delegation consisting of at least 10 cabinet-level ministers including finance, defence, law and justice. President Marcos will meet Prime Minister Modi on the 5th of August, while on 7th and 8th he will be in Bangalore for business engagements. The recent thrust on upping of military ties between India and Philippines is linked to China's domineering behaviour in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines continues to tackle China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea not only around the Scarborough Shoal but also the Second Thomas Shoal. There have been frequent clashes around the area between China and the Philippines. Meanwhile, India and China are only now seeking to improve ties after the 2020 Galwan clashes. However, India remains cautious. New Delhi has reiterated that resolving the border issue peacefully is important to build mutual trust. During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Beijing this week, where he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, India issued a statement, stating that Jaishankar "highlighted the positive impact of peace and tranquillity in the border for the smooth development in bilateral relations."
Barnama
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Philippines Population Hits 112.7 Million
MANILA, July 17 (Bernama-PNA) -- The Philippines' population stood at 112,729,484 as of July 1, 2024, according to the official results of the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN), which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared official, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported. Marcos issued Proclamation 973, directing the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), to disseminate the population data by province, city/municipality, and barangay to all concerned government agencies and offices. The census was conducted by the PSA from July to September 2024, using July 1, 2024 as the reference date, according to the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 11.
Filipino Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos leads groundbreaking of new Caticlan Airport Terminal, eyes boost in tourism and regional growth
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for a new passenger terminal at Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan — a significant move to modernize the country's air infrastructure and promote regional tourism. Speaking at the event, Marcos emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, noting that the terminal will enhance connectivity and elevate the travel experience for the millions of tourists visiting Boracay and the Western Visayas. He also pointed out the broader strategy to decentralize air travel from Metro Manila by providing more accessible gateways across the country. 'This initiative shows that we're making real progress in our goal to open more tourist and business areas to the world without relying solely on Manila,' Marcos said, adding that ongoing upgrades to NAIA through a partnership with San Miguel Corporation will complement this broader vision. The Php2.5 billion project is a collaboration between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC), implemented via its unit, Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., and constructed by Megawide Construction Corp., a leader in airport development. Set for completion by December 2026, the new terminal will span over 36,000 square meters and accommodate up to seven million passengers annually. It will include modern check-in counters, advanced baggage systems, and eight boarding bridges. Dedicated support buildings and utilities will ensure smooth operations. Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon called the terminal a benchmark for successful public-private cooperation under the Marcos administration's Build Better More infrastructure agenda. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders including SMC Chairman Ramon S. Ang, local officials, aviation authorities, and community leaders, who welcomed the project as a major step toward inclusive regional development.
