Latest news with #OfficialDevelopmentAssistance
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Samal-Davao City bridge construction progress at 38% —DPWH
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said the progress rate of the ongoing construction of the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge is now at 38%. In a news release, DPWH said that the SIDC project has surpassed its target accomplishment rate of 16%, 'reflecting a positive slippage of 22%.' The project is being funded through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from China. DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) is the project's implementing agency, with China Road and Bridge Corporation as the contractor. The SIDC would be a toll-free, four-lane extradosed bridge spanning 4.76 kilometers, linking Davao City at the R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika Junction to the Samal Circumferential Road. The bridge will feature a 275-meter main span and a 47-meter vertical clearance to accommodate marine vessels. Its marine crossing section will stretch 1.62 kilometers across the water, supported by two pylons, each standing 73 meters above sea level. The complete bridge design also includes roundabouts, ramps, and approach roads. The DPWH outlined the specific progress in the project's various components, such as bored piling on the Davao side of the land viaduct, with 73 out of 110 bored piles completed, representing 66.36% completion, while all bored piles on the Samal side were completed. Also completed was the bored piling for the navigation bridge. The seal concrete installation for the navigation portion is ongoing on the Davao side, while the Samal side has already been completed. In terms of marine viaduct construction, the DPWH said the Davao side has completed 12 of 32 bored piles, or 37.5%, and the Samal side has completed 11 of 44, or 25%. The ramp construction on the Davao side has also seen steady progress, with 60 out of 133 piles completed, equivalent to 45.11%. For the pile cap installations, 11 out of 26 pile caps have been completed on the Davao side of the land viaduct, while 5 out of 16 pile caps have been finished on the Samal side. In preparation for road widening along Daang Maharlika, the DPWH said fencing installation and removal of existing structures and obstructions have been completed. Meanwhile, the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) has finalized the installation of primary and secondary distribution lines and is currently awaiting energization. On right-of-way acquisition, the DPWH said a total of 61 out of 69 or 88% of affected lots in Davao City and Samal Island have already been acquired. For affected structures in Davao City, 22 out of 51 or 43% have been secured, while the rest are currently undergoing acquisition procedures. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Davao bypass project to help stimulate Mindanao's economy
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya lauded the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, saying that it will help enhance the economic activity in the southern portion of the Philippines. Kazuya branded it as a testament to Japan's commitment in enhancing connectivity in Mindanao. 'Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time, enhance mobility, and stimulate economic activity across Mindanao,' Kazuya said in a press release issued Tuesday. The envoy highlighted that the 2.3-kilometer tunnel stands as the longest mountain tunnel in the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in the country's road infrastructure. The tunnel connection marks a pivotal point in the overall construction phase, according to Kazuya. 'This cooperation between Manila and Tokyo's is a prime example of our nation's shared commitment to building infrastructure that meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability,' Kazuya said. Kazuya had visited the Davao City Bypass Construction Project and inspected the tunnel excavation site. The Davao City Bypass is the latest in the long line of high-impact infrastructure collaborations between Japan and the Philippines, dating back to the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway. The Philippines and Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, had signed five loan agreements totaling over ¥171 billion to support key infrastructure and development projects. This included the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (Phase III), worth ¥46.338 billion. To recall, Japan remains the country's top Official Development Assistance (ODA) partner, with ongoing support in transport, disaster risk reduction, environmental protection, and peace-building efforts, particularly in the Mindanao region. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK leads G7 countries in addressing child sexual violence, but ODA cuts are hurting progress
The Brave Movement, a special initiative of Together for Girls, unveils the #BeBrave G7 Scorecard – an assessment of five indicators which illuminate how the world's richest nations are addressing the global crisis of childhood sexual violence UK Brave Movement LONDON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The UK is the best performer among G7 countries in addressing child sexual violence and is spearheading international efforts to end online sexual violence, but cuts in Official Development Assistance (ODA) are hurting progress. All need to do more reveals the #BeBrave G7 Scorecard, a comprehensive assessment of G7 country policies to tackle childhood sexual violence on- and offline. The Scorecard has been created by the Brave Movement, a global survivor-led advocacy movement focused on ending all forms of childhood sexual violence, working in partnership with Future Advocacy. The #BeBrave Scorecard is released ahead of the 50th G7 Summit taking place in Alberta, Canada this June, illuminating key areas for progress, strengthening the call for G7 nations to demonstrate bold leadership and take decisive action. The findings: Global child protection action faces unprecedented financial restraints as four out of seven G7 nations implement severe cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA), dismantling critical safeguards for the world's most vulnerable children. Germany has established a global benchmark by making its National Survivors Council statutory, while Canada has formed its own Council (though without formal government support). Recently, French PM François Bayrou announced France's intention to create a National Survivors Council, and the UK government is setting up a 'Victims and Survivors Committee' who are tasked with establishing a survivor council, demonstrating positive momentum across G7 nations. Through the introduction of the 2023 Online Safety Act and Ofcom's latest codes of practice to protect children online, along with proposed legislation addressing emerging AI-related risks, the UK has made the most significant relative progress on online safety regulations. Additionally, the US is progressing with the TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed on 19 May 2025, which criminalizes sharing child sexual abuse material (including AI-generated content). Despite these important steps, and some significant international leadership to end online childhood sexual violence, there remains much more to do in all G7 countries. Legal barriers to justice persist in most G7 countries. Only the UK, the USA and Canada have eliminated criminal statutes of limitations for sexual violence crimes, including those against children. Photo available: CONTACT: Rebecca Ladbury rebecca@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government struggles to slash foreign aid spent on asylum hotels
The government is struggling to cut the billions of pounds of foreign aid partly used to house asylum seekers in hotels, according to new figures. The £2.2bn Home Office estimate to spend £2.2bn of overseas development assistance (ODA) in this financial year is only slightly less than the £2.3bn spent in 2024/25. The vast majority is used for the accommodation for asylum seekers who have arrived in the UK, with recent figures showing more than 32,000 were being housed in hotels at the end of March. Labour has pledged "to end the use of asylum hotels" and the government says it has reduced the overall asylum support costs by half a billion pounds, including £200m in ODA savings, which had been passed back to the Treasury. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will cut the overall ODA from its current level of 0.5% of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3% in 2027. Foreign aid is supposed to be spent on providing humanitarian and development assistance in other countries, but the UK is allowed to count refugee-hosting costs as ODA under internationally agreed rules. Labour MP Sarah Champion previously said a "scandalously large amount" of ODA has been diverted to the Home Office and has called for a cap on how much can be spent supporting asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Asylum seekers and their families are housed in temporary accommodation if they are waiting for the outcome of a claim or an appeal and have been assessed as not being able to support themselves independently. They are housed in hotels if there is not enough space in accommodation provided by local authorities or other organisations. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We inherited an asylum system under exceptional pressure, and are urgently taking action to restore order, and reduce costs. "This will ultimately reduce the amount of Official Development Assistance spent to support asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. "We are immediately speeding up decisions and increasing returns so that we can end the use of hotels and save the taxpayer £4bn by 2026."
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Iceland: Social Rights And Safety For All Must Remain A Top Priority, Says UN Expert
Reykjavík, 28 May 2025 The Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, George Katrougalos, today urged Iceland to close remaining protection gaps for migrants, persons with disabilities and trans people. 'Iceland stands out globally as a model for equality, progressive governance and human rights. Ensuring access to social rights and safety for all must remain a top priority,' Katrougalos said in a statement at the end of his visit to the country. He raised several issues related to migration, including family reunification and the use of solitary confinement in particular for migrants in pretrial detention. The expert stressed the importance of Icelandic institutions adapting proactively to evolving societal needs, particularly those arising from increased migration and the growing impact of tourism. Katrougalos warned against the rise in disinformation and hate speech, particularly online and targeting religious groups among migrants as well as trans persons. He underscored that the national action plan to combat hate speech – presented in 2023 – had not been adopted and urged Iceland to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the issue. The expert raised concerns about involuntary psychiatric treatment and called for stronger legal safeguards to protect the rights of patients and vulnerable groups. Katrougalos noted important legislative reforms aimed at addressing gender-based violence. He urged the government to step up efforts to ensure that all cases of abuse are investigated by the police and prosecuted, and that victims receive adequate support. 'Iceland stands out globally as a model for its leadership in gender equality,' the expert said. 'The country's progressive governance shows how a small nation can have a global impact.' Katrougalos also welcomed Iceland's commitment to international human rights protection. 'Increasing Official Development Assistance (ODA) rather than reducing it, in the current context, is exemplary,' he said. The Independent Expert will present a full report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026.
