President Marcos said he sees no major obstacles with the PSAC’s recommendation to ease visa access to AJACS (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen) and AJACSUK (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK) visa holders, noting the initiative was already “the first thing” on his agenda. President Marcos has approved the recommendations of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to enhance efforts to boost the tourism industry following the signing into law of the VAT Refund for Non-Resident Tourists. During their meeting in Malacañan on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Marcos said the PSAC's recommendations were "significant initiatives" to attract more tourists to the Philippines. One of PSAC’s key recommendations is launching the nationwide "Shopping Festival Philippines" to coincide with the upcoming New Year’s celebrations. This incentivizes international visitors, encourages higher spending, and boosts tourism revenue. "We’ve talked about this shopping festival. Again, I think it’s properly categorized as an easy win. So, we’ll do that," the President said. On the other hand, President Marcos said he sees no major obstacles with the PSAC’s recommendation to ease visa access to AJACS (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen) and AJACSUK (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK) visa holders, noting the initiative was already “the first thing” on his agenda. "I think we should stop messing around with this system. It’s so clear already. And again, it’s something that we don’t have to pilot because it has been done for us in many, many airports,” he said. However, the recommendation must be carefully studied particularly in its security aspects. Meanwhile, President Marcos directed a thorough review of the PSAC’s recommendation to enhance the immigration experience by introducing a digital identification system utilizing biometric data, such as facial recognition or fingerprint, to ensure seamless transactions and secure travel processing. “It’s just a question really of putting the systems in and getting the hardware, and then slowly educating everybody how to use that hardware," he said. "For me, it’s just a question of adopting the technology and learning how to use it. As I said, everybody else in the world is doing it already," he added. Under the newly-signed VAT Refund Law or Republic Act (RA) No. 12079, tourists can claim a refund on the Value Added Tax for goods personally purchased at accredited retail outlets within 60 days, provided they meet a minimum transaction requirement of P3,000. An estimated 30-percent increase in tourist spending is projected with the new law, benefitting both large-scale industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says Ottawa will have to be promised funding from upper levels of government for transit by early next year or face "tough decisions" to keep buses and trains running. In a year-end interview with CTV News Ottawa, Sutcliffe spoke on a wide-ranging number of issues, including transit, the city budget and the political turmoil on Parliament Hill. Sutcliffe says that while he has heard promising signs from senior members of the federal Liberal Party regarding a bailout for OC Transpo, no commitments have been made. "I am a little bit concerned about the volatile state of politics on Parliament Hill right now, so that commitment has got to come soon. I don't want that to be trumped by an election or a leadership change," he told CTV's Matt Skube. "I think we need to know what's happening by the end of January, mid-February or we're going to have to start looking at other options." Perhaps the most contentious and difficult issues on the agenda for this year's term of council was about how to fill a $120 million hole in the transit budget. OC Transpo has faced significant challenges with ridership struggling to return to pre-pandemic norms. The transit service has responded with fare hikes, service cuts and layoffs this year to cut costs and improve revenue. Unlike federal and provincial governments, municipal councils in Ontario are required by law to pass balanced budgets. To avoid significant service cuts and greater transit fare hikes, the city put in place a $36 million placeholder for possible funding from upper levels of government for public transit in next year's budget, though that money has not been confirmed. Sutcliffe says the provincial government has agreed to put forward the money only if the federal government will. He says time is running out for the funding to come as questions over the stability of the prime minister's leadership peaked this week. "If we don't get support from the other levels of government, we'll face some tough decisions in 2025, but I don't want to cross that bridge until it come to it because I'm still hopeful that the other levels of government will do the right thing and support us," Sutcliffe said. Sutcliffe reiterated his "Fairness for Ottawa" campaign in the interview, calling on upper levels of government to give the city its "fair share" of funding for transit services in the amount of $140 million over three years. OC Transpo is projecting a $120 million funding shortfall in 2025, $131 million in 2026, $145 million in 2027 and deficits of $150 million in 2028 and 2029. Sutcliffe would not get into specifics about whether service cuts or additional transit fare hikes could happen if the money doesn't come, but said "all options are on the table." "We have an $8 billion deficit in our long-range financial plan for public transit so we're doing everything we can do address that deficit. We're not getting any help form the other levels of government on that," he said. "If people are concerned about the rising cost of transit or the rising cost of the transit levy, then they should talk to their provincial MPPs and federal MPs. We need sustainable funding from transit form the other levels of government or were going to have to continue to raise transit fares and transit taxes." The city faced heavy blowback last month after the draft budget proposed raising monthly senior bus passes by 120 per cent and eliminating monthly youth passes altogether. After debating the issue at transit commission and council, councillors settled on a more modest increase of $9 and kept youth transit passes in place. Asked if he regretted how the debate over senior fare hikes played out, Sutcliffe said he is grateful the draft budget was able to give the public time to provide input and feedback before the final version was passed. "That's the great thing about our budget process is we put a draft budget in front of Ottawa residents and then we go out in the community and consult with them, and we listen to them," he said. "We listened to the community, we heard the feedback, and we responded to it, and I think that shows the system works." The 2025 City of Ottawa budget was passed on Dec. 11, which will see residents pay a 2.9 per cent increase in property taxes and an eight per cent hike in the transit levy, resulting in an overall increase of 3.9 per cent for most residents. Transit fares for an adult single ride will go up five per cent to $4, the fourth highest in the country. OC Transpo's budget is increasing $88 million to $856 million in 2025. Sutcliffe added the city will be conducting a comprehensive fare review next year to simplify the discounts and cost categories for riders. 2025 marks a pivotal year for the transit system, as the city prepares to open the Trillium Line in January and the eastern extension of the Confederation Line later in the year. Sutcliffe said one of his proudest accomplishments this year is not passing on the burden of the city's financial issues onto taxpayers. Next year's budget has found more than $208 million in efficiencies, or about $400 per resident, according to the city. Sutcliffe says the savings were found through a variety of administrative efficiencies, without cuts to services or programs. "Families all over the city are grappling with the rising cost of food and other products and services. They're making tough decisions with their household budgets, so we did the same at city hall. We went through the budget line by line, we looked at every department and we continue to do that work," he said. The increase in property taxes will be one of the largest Ottawa residents have seen in years, but lower than many large municipalities across the country. Other cities placed higher tax burdens on their residents next year, including Vancouver: 3.9 per cent, Edmonton: 6.1 per cent, Hamilton: 6.9 per cent and Calgary: 3.6 per cent. Sutcliffe added the city is putting in millions of dollars for high priority areas, including funding for police, emergency services, homeless and shelter systems and food banks. This is part one of the mayor's year end interview with CTV News Ottawa. Part one is airing Dec. 23. Part two will air Tuesday, Dec. 24. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Canada regulator sues Rogers for alleged misleading claims about data offering Canada's antitrust regulator said on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc, for allegedly misleading consumers about offering unlimited data under some phone plans. Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls. King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names. Man faces murder charges in death of woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames, police said Monday. 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Atlantic No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Court of appeal certifies class action lawsuit against health authority, former nurse A New Brunswick mother who is the lead plaintiff in a court case has received an early Christmas gift after the province’s top court certified her class action law suit. Toronto DEVELOPING | Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto. Doug Ford dresses up like Santa to grant wishes in Christmas video In a video posted on social media on Monday morning, Ford is seen dressed up in a bright red Santa suit performing a personalized rendition of the famous 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." 3 suspects wanted after alleged armed robbery at Vaughan commercial business York Regional Police (YRP) police are searching for three people after an alleged armed robbery in Vaughan, the latest in a series of violent commercial robberies happening around the Greater Toronto Area. Montreal Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground. Judge rejects lawsuit tied to controversial 2017 Montreal Formula E car race An entrepreneur who sued the City of Montreal for not considering his bid to organize a 2017 electric car race has failed to obtain the more than $3 million in compensation he was seeking. Northern Ontario Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday. Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail. Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend. Windsor Child luring investigation sees Windsor resident charged According to Essex OPP, 45-year-old Sean Oulette is facing charges of luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication. City of Windsor reviewing other H4 properties, no longer pursuing Wellington Avenue The City of Windsor has announced it is no longer pursuing land at 700 Wellington Avenue and is looking at other properties for the new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4). Parvovirus found in Belle River A local groomer has confirmed a positive case of parvovirus, found in Belle River. London SIU concludes LPS was justified in striking a man in August arrest Following an incident in August, the province’s police watchdog has concluded that a London Police Service officer did not commit a criminal offense. Grey-Bruce Public Health appoints first Indigenous chair of board of health Grey-Bruce Public Health (GBPH) has appointed a new board chair - Dr. Nicholas Saunders is the first Indigenous chair of the Grey-Bruce Board of Health. Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has received an anonymous $2 million donation from a local community member. Kitchener Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario. Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune. Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024. Barrie Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions. Student charged, firearms seized after threats against school: police Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school. Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp. One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township. Winnipeg An alleged sniper, pair of animal claims featured on MPI’s top five fraud list for 2024 From hitting animals that weren’t there to a sniper that didn’t exist, Manitoba Public Insurance has released its top five frauds of 2024. Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week Snowmobile crash leaves 10-year-old dead: RCMP A 10-year-old boy is dead following a snowmobile crash near Rosebank, Man., on Sunday. Calgary Taxpayers Federation unveils its annual spending 'Naughty and Nice List' A media president and the Prime Minister have topped the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual 'Taxpayer Naughty List' for 2024. Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta. RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Regina Estevan police officer arrested following SIRT investigation An officer of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is facing several charges following an investigation by the province’s police oversight agency. Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Riders acquire quarterback Jake Maier in trade with Stampeders The Green and White finalized some Christmas shopping ahead of the holidays, acquiring quarterback Jake Maier in a trade with Calgary on Monday. Saskatoon 'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck. Sask. RCMP on the scene of rollover on Highway 40 The Saskatchewan RCMP said Highway 40 was closed Monday afternoon following a rollover just west of Hafford, a village just under 100 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning. Vancouver Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. 1 person in critical condition after crash in New Westminster, B.C. One person was taken to hospital in critical condition Monday after a crash involving a flatbed truck in New Westminster, B.C. Union for striking aviation fuel workers in Vancouver says aging pipeline poses risk A union representing striking aviation fuel workers in British Columbia is warning that diversion of the fuel to get around the industrial action could pose an environmental hazard. Vancouver Island Cleanup underway after rockslide derails train in B.C. No injuries were reported after a rockslide derailed a freight train, sending railcars into British Columbia's Fraser River, on Sunday night. 1 person in critical condition after crash in New Westminster, B.C. One person was taken to hospital in critical condition Monday after a crash involving a flatbed truck in New Westminster, B.C. More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay Connected

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