Protect the middle? Why Southeast Asia should care about a vulnerable class

🔮 Before, in a 16-hour shift of driving, I could take home 400 to 500 pesos [US$6.30 to US$8] – now there’s a big cut to that income,” said Manlapig, who plies a two-hour daily round route from Malolos in Bulacan, north of Manila, to San Fernando, Pampanga.

🔮 The discovery of uranium-bearing minerals in Luzon comes as the country explores integrating nuclear power into its future energy mix The discovery, which could provide uranium for the nuclear fuel cycle if further exploration confirms its viability, was made in the Larap-Paracale mining district in Camarines Norte province, where exploration began in the 1950s. Researchers from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the University of the Philippines Diliman and Akita University in Japan confirmed that surface deposits collected from the area contained uraninite as the main uranium-bearing mineral, and that the material could be processed into a product with higher uranium content.

🔮 Before, a lot of us who could go out to Scarborough Shoal used to bring home around 15,000 pesos (US$238) a week, a comfortable amount for our families,” said Marabe, a resident of Masinloc town and provincial coordinator for the national fisherfolk federation Pamalakaya.

🔮 Poland eyes deeper Philippines defence ties following Black Hawk deal Warsaw is targeting drones, air defence and artillery exports to Manila as European rearmament fuels global arms ambitions Poland’s delivery of Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippines has given Warsaw a foothold in Manila’s defence market as it seeks to expand exports from its growing defence industry, with analysts saying drones, air defence and potentially co-production could pave the way for a broader partnership.

🔮 President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is set to be the first Philippine leader to join the Brics Summit in New Delhi this weekend – presenting him with the perfect “low-risk opportunity” to engage the grouping as Manila continues to diversify its ties, analysts say.