Two dead, seven missing in Philippines fishing boat accidentAn incident report from the Philippine Coast Guard said FB Genesis sank 182 nautical miles off Baganga, Davao Oriental, at around 1:00 a.m., June 22. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:34 p.m.) — Two Filipino fishermen have died and seven are missing after their vessel sank off the Philippines, the coast guard said Friday, with an open-sea search continuing. "At that time the waves were really strong and the fishermen were surprised and did not anticipate they would be that strong," Dacuyan said. The vessel "sank within minutes" after it started taking in water, he said. A coast guard patrol vessel and five other boats of the fishing company, based in the southern port of General Santos city, are continuing the search, Dacuyan said.

“One is the specific provision aligning the salary of our [public] nurses with salary grade 15 [with their counterparts] in the private sector,” he said. Another is improving nurses’ working conditions which has been a perennial problem in both private and public medical facilities. Under Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, the ideal nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:12 although global standards set it at 1:4. He said that unlicensed nurses may get the same pay rate as licensed nurses in an entry-level post, which is Salary Grade15, or equivalent to P36,619 per month. “They could be a source for the human resources for health,” he added, referring to the DOH deployment and training programme.

The central bank’s policy committee emphasized that further tightening would be implemented as necessary until a significant improvement in the inflation outlook was achieved. The central bank’s governor, Hafize Gaye Erkan, is expected to meet with a group of bank executives to discuss sector-related issues. The central bank’s key rate remains lower than deposit rates, which can reach up to 40 percent, resulting in deeply negative real rates. [JPMorgan expects Turkey central bank to lift rates to 25% on June 22](https://business.inquirer.net/326447/jpmorgan-expects-turkey-central-bank-to-lift-rates-to-25-on-june-22)2. [Turkey central bank’s net forex reserves negative for first time since 2002](https://business.inquirer.net/326436/turkey-central-banks-net-forex-reserves-negative-for-first-time-since-2002)3.

LIVE updates: Mayon Volcano restivenessA general view shows Mayon volcano as it releases white smoke into the air as seen from Legazpi on June 12, 2023. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised on June 8 the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after it showed an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”Here are the latest updates on the volcano's activity and related events. (Can't view the updates below? Click here.)

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday is planning to sign the bill establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund as soon as it reaches his office. "I will sign it as soon as I get it," the Chief Executive said at the sidelines of the 85th anniversary celebration of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Makati City. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the 85th Anniversary Security Exchange Commission and inauguration of its new headquarters in Makati City on Thursday, June 22, 2023. And we have quite a few good money managers, financial managers that we can call upon," he said. Those decisions are not made by political decisions in government, the decisions made for the fund are made by finance professionals," he added.

BSP holds off rate hike anewThe central bank’s overnight reverse repurchase facility was maintained at 6.25 percent, while interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were retained at 5.75 and 6.75 percent, respectively. The central bank’s overnight reverse repurchase facility was maintained at 6.25 percent, while interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were retained at 5.75 and 6.75 percent, respectively. However, the BSP chief admitted that the lingering upside risks to the inflation outlook also warrant continued vigilance against potential second-round effects. Medalla reiterated that the country’s monetary stance would now depend on domestic inflation instead of the actions of the US Fed. “Our interest rates should be driven by domestic inflation concerns, not by what the US does.

ADVERTISEMENTIndian citizens are by far the most active users of the U.S. H-1B program and made up 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022. Plans for a pilot program were first reported by Bloomberg Law in February. Each year, the U.S. government makes 65,000 H-1B visas available to companies seeking skilled foreign workers, along with an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. The pilot program would also include some workers with L-1 visas, which are available to people transferring within a company to a position in the U.S., one of the sources said. India has long had concerns with the difficulty its citizens face in receiving visas to live in the United States, including technology industry workers.

Strengthen your immunity this rainy season with WatsonsHealth, wellness and beauty retailer Watsons is the Filipino family’s partner in their journey to wellness. For the rainy season, Watsons is offering special deals of up to 30% off your favorite vitamins and supplements. Become a Watsons Club member and buy 30 capsules to get 20% off Potencee Advance. Get Berocca for 20% off when you’re a Watsons Club member and 10% off if you’re a non-member. Get Calci Aid at 20% off when you’re a Watsons Club member and 10% off if you’re a non-member.

COA calls out another procurement fumble of public school teachers’ laptopsMANILA, Philippines — Procurement issues have once again led to the delayed distribution of gadgets to public school teachers, this time involving P53 million worth of laptops and tablets purchased by the Cavite provincial government using its special education fund in 2021. In its annual report for 2022, COA flagged the delayed distribution of 350 laptops worth at least P17 million and more than 4,000 tablets worth P36 million, which public school teachers received "12 to 19 months from the target completion of procurement." Significant delay due to late posting of purchase requestFailure to deliver school gadgets on time was "due to a significant delay in the submission of Purchase Request (PR), posting of procurement opportunity and distribution by the Department of Education (Division Office) to public school teachers and personnel," COA said. COA has instructed the provincial governor to implement "effective measures" for timely purchase request submission and procurement opportunity posting. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chair Vladimer Quetua said that the delay was a "big inconvenience" to teachers in need of equipment, especially as the laptops were given as the school year was about to end.

There's actually a very simple, straightforward technique to combat this mental paralysis. You'll be surprised by what this fireside-chat approach can do to your English, no matter what form it takes — memo, letter, essay, speech, or feature article. This technique actually uses the same formula that works so well in public speaking. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicySo next time, when you're finding it difficult to write, simply use the fireside-chat technique. Read this column and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "Learn the fireside-chat technique"Next, June 29, 2023: Too much negation and its dangersVisit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.

Puregold scoops up DivimartPuregold explained that the deal covered 14 DiviMart supermarkets, including leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and merchandise inventory. MANILA, Philippines — Puregold Price Club Inc. acquired a number of DiviMart supermarkets, with plans to convert more into the namesake grocery chain. Puregold explained that the deal covered 14 DiviMart supermarkets, including leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and merchandise inventory. The disclosure indicated the acquisition gave the listed company access to all DiviMart supermarket locations, which can be converted to Puregold stores under a sublease transaction. Likewise, Puregold disclosed that an additional 18 DiviMart locations are under evaluation for a “possible conversion” into Puregold stores.

REVAMP Joseph Tsai, executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group, speaks to journalists during Alibaba’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival in Shanghai, China on Nov. 11, 2018. AP PHOTO REVAMP Joseph Tsai, executive vice chairman of Alibaba Group, speaks to journalists during Alibaba's 11.11 Global Shopping Festival in Shanghai, China on Nov. 11, 2018. AP PHOTOTuesday's announcement will see Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Zhang replaced by Joseph Tsai as chairman and Eddie Wu as CEO, the company said. Following the executive transition, Zhang will continue to serve as chairman and CEO of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, the company said. A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on the tech giant for alleged unfair business practices.

(UPDATE) DECORATED volleyball player Marck Espejo is set for a return in the Philippine men's volleyball team, reinforcing the nationals in the AVC Challenge Cup in Taiwan next month. As part of the national team's preparation for the said tournament, Espejo and company will face the Netherlands and China in a closed-door tune-up games here in the Philippines. Marck Espejo SPIKERS’ TURF PHOTO Marck Espejo SPIKERS' TURF PHOTO"I'm happy that I'm back with the national team and it's a great opportunity to play, facing countries like the Netherlands. We just have to strengthen the jelling of the team, that familiarity with one another," said Espejo, who had stints in Japan, Thailand and Bahrain. "We're at par with other countries in terms of skill but we have to strengthen our chemistry."

Hero’s burial for BiazonFriends, families, and colleagues of the late former senator Rodolfo Biazon attend his funeral rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on June 21, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Rodolfo Biazon was laid to rest with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani yesterday. And we are here to give the appropriate respects to a soldier,” Centino said in a mix of English and Filipino. “As I said earlier, when I gave the flag to Mrs. Biazon, I told her that… (her husband gave) dedicated, faithful and loyal service to our country. He was a loyal soldier,” Centino added.

Masbate village chief wounded in shootingMANILA, Philippines — A barangay captain was wounded in a gun attack at his home in Mobo, Masbate on Sunday, police reported yesterday. Rodolfo Ygot, 41, was having dinner at his residence in Barangay Barag when two men barged into his home and opened fire. Witnesses said the suspects fled on foot toward an unknown direction. Police still have no leads on the gunmen and the motive for the attack.