Japan, France backstop PH stance on WPS

By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

JAPAN has vowed to strengthen security partnerships with the Philippines and other like-minded nations such as the United States and Australia to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the 69th anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines

Koshikawa Kazuhiko emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation with Manila, saying unity is necessary “to lead the international community towards greater cooperation while deterring unwarranted division and confrontation.”

Besides the Philippines, Japan is bolstering its ties with the US and Australia—two countries with which the linked to the El Niño phenomenon. “Weather affects health. We are handling diseases that deal with drought. If there is drought, there is low food production and we are going to focus on malnourished-sensitive populations,”

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told reporters in a press briefing.

Food shortages and inaccessibility to food products due to high prices may result in malnutrition cases in povertyinclined communities, Herbosa said.

DOH Usec. Eric Tayag also warned that water-borne diseases such as dengue and cholera may also spike during the dry spell.

“People tend to reserve water by