THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) lifted on Sunday, July 12, the "hard lockdown" that was implemented in some sitios in five barangays in Cebu City.Lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero, head of Department

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The Philippine government's task force against COVID-19 has approved another motorcycle shield design that would supposedly prevent the spread of the coronavirus, its chairman Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said today. Lorenzana said motorists can now use the barrier designed by motorcycle taxi service Angkas, a backpack that motorbike drivers can wear on their shoulders. The ...This article, Not really sitting together? PH gov't OKs compact motorcycle shield against COVID-19, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters!

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 23:18:11 -0800

What the public knows(1) P2.9 BILLION COVID BUDGETS. The Cebu City Council approved last June 17 Supplemental Budget 3, appropriating P1.9 billion for "urgent expenses" related to the Covid-19

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AFTER a green light to reopen the tourism in Cebu province, the local government unit (LGU) of Badian introduced its newest tourist attraction to boost the town's tourism industry.Called as the Badian

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The head of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong has expressed his support for the new national security law, and said the legislation would not undermine any freedom or religious organisations in the city.In a 900-word letter sent to British Christian newspaper Church Times, Archbishop Paul Kwong also criticised foreign governments for sanctioning Hong Kong, or offering passports to those fearing persecution if they remain.“These actions hurt Hong Kong and support those who have supported or committed acts of violence in protests last year. Such actions are not expressions of Christian charity but of anti-China sentiment,” he wrote.Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.Kwong has been a local delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top advisory body, since 2013.In a rare interview with the Post in 2016, he said his role on the CPPCC did not affect his views.Hong Kong has a Catholic congregation of about 400,000, and a Protestant congregation of about 500,000. The Anglican Church, known locally as the Sheng Kung Hui, has about 40,000 followers and is one of the most influential denominations.Last month, China’s top legislative body imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong, prohibiting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.Hong Kong national security law official English versionBeijing officials said the legislation was necessary after anti-government protests swept through Hong Kong last year.But legal experts and human rights activists said the law could undermine the people’s rights and freedoms, and threaten the existence of foreign businesses and NGOs in the city.Citing the social unrest, Kwong said: “I welcome this law, although it is one that I wish was not necessary … What I hope the new law will do is diminish the agitation against the government that last year brought things to a standstill, and to restore law and order.“It does not undermine any freedom of Hong Kong, in particular the freedom of religion. It does not affect the Church or any other religious organisation.”Kwong said since Macau, which was returned from Portuguese to Chinese rule in 1999, enacted its own national security law, it “has not experienced any curtailment of religious freedom”.The archbishop said while some members of Hong Kong churches were against the legislation, “most religious leaders have not taken a position of opposition to the national security law”.He added: “I know that our position about this law contradicts that of many in the west, but we believe this is what is best for us, and we ask countries overseas not to interfere in our affairs.”Kwong accused Western media and politicians for having a biased narrative on Beijing.“China is consistently portrayed as evil, trying to destroy everything that is Hong Kong whereas the British or American government is praised as the benevolent protector and saviour of Hong Kong,” he said.“In fact, China has been helping and supporting Hong Kong and our people all these years. We are part of China. We benefit in everything – from our trading status, to our supply of food and utilities, to our special and preferential place within the broader Chinese polity.”Rebel City: Hong Kong’s Year of Water and Fire is a new book of essays that chronicles the political confrontation that has gripped the city since June 2019. Edited by the South China Morning Post's Zuraidah Ibrahim and Jeffie Lam, the book draws on work from the Post's newsrooms across Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington and Singapore, with unmatched insights into all sides of the conflict. Buy directly from SCMP today and get a 15% discount (regular price HKD$198). It is available at major bookshops worldwide or online through Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, and eBooks.com.More from South China Morning Post: * Reverend Paul Kwong: Hong Kong independence movement is ‘destructive’ and ‘polarising’ * Why Hong Kong independence movement is dead in the waterThis article Hong Kong national security law: head of Anglican Church in city says new legislation won’t undermine religious freedom first appeared on South China Morning PostFor the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.

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