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Joint Philippines-US Patrols in the South China Sea
The Philippines and the United States may begin joint patrols in the South China Sea no later than the third quarter of this year.
According to the Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, discussions about the joint maritime patrols that were announced in February were still ongoing.
In February, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that he and Philippine counterpart Carlito Galvez have agreed to restart joint maritime patrols, which had been suspended by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to Romualdez, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) wanted regional peace and stability for greater economic activity between the U.S. and ASEAN nations as well as between China and the ASEAN.
Japan, South Korea, and Australia may also join the maritime patrols.
Romualdez said that there were no discussions yet about having additional EDCA sites.
LTO to Issue Digital Drivers’ License
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be launching electronic drivers’ licenses, according to LTO spokesperson Jose Arturo Tugade.
Recently, the LTO resorted to printing drivers’ licenses on paper due to lack of supply of plastic cards. The licenses being printed on the back of Official Receipts will be replaced by this digital license.
The digital license would be integrated into the “SuperApp” being developed by the DICT. It will be equivalent to a physical license and can be presented when getting apprehended by law enforcers.
It can also be used to access government services such as license and registration renewal and even online shopping payments.
According to Tugade, simplifying and digitizing services will help the LTO eradicate corruption.
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