050324 - San Diego Edition

11-year-old Fil-Am chess prodigy bags gold in world championship

BRIMMING

prowess, culminating in a thrilling 66-move victory

California to harness more than half of its land to fight climate change

SACRAMENTO – California is taking unprecedented action to strategically harness the equivalent of more than half of its land to fight the climate crisis. As called for by Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Climate Commitment, the state unveiled 81 targets for nature-based solutions this week that will help California achieve its world-leading climate goals, including reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. Nature-based solutions support the ability of lands to absorb more carbon than they release – a critical tool in the state’s climate arsenal. Since 2020, the Newsom Administration has invested approximately

u PAGE 3

PCG: China used water cannons that could kill

by Nestor corrales Inquirer.net

MANILA — China Coast Guard (CCG) ships for the first time fired potentially deadly high-pressure water cannons on two government vessels which were sailing to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) to deliver aid to Filipino fishermen this week, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official said on Wednesday, May 1.

The “jet stream pressure” used in the water cannon attacks was so strong that it broke a steel railing and deformed the frame of a canopy on the PCG’s BRP Bagacay, said Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. The latest water cannon attacks by China Coast

Guard (CCG) ships against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while Manila and Washington carried out their large-scale military exercises called “Balikatan” were intended by Beijing to test their alliance, according to maritime security experts.

It also damaged the heating and ventilation and the air conditioning, electrical, navigation and radio systems of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw, he said.

None of the Filipino vessels’ crew and the Filipino and foreign journalists traveling with them were wounded in the attacks on Tuesday, April 30.

According to SeaLight of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, a 220-pound per square inch (PSI) blast

SWS: Families who suffer from hunger rises to over 14%; highest rate in NCR

MANILA — Filipino families who experienced “involuntary hunger” rose to 14.2 percent in March 2024, based on the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey results. According to the SWS, “involuntary hunger” refers to experiencing hunger and not having access to food at least once in the past three months.

“Compared to December 2023, hunger rose by 1.6 points, from 12.6 percent,” the SWS said.

“The March 2024 hunger figure was 3.5 points above the 10.7 percent annual

PH seen growing faster in 2024, but will not hit gov’t target

by iaN Nicolas P. ciGaral

THE Philippine economy is projected to grow faster this year, but will not hit the government’s target as the El Niño climate phenomenon hurts food supply and threatens to fan stubbornly high inflation, Union Bank of the Philippines said.

Unionbank chief financial officer Manuel Lozano said the company expects the economy to expand at a faster rate of 5.8 percent in 2024, from 5.5 percent in 2023.

Lozano was responding to a stockholder’s question during Unionbank’s annual shareholders’ meeting last week. If realized, the bank’s projection would settle below the tempered target of the Marcos administration that aspires for a 6 to 7 percent growth this year.

For Unionbank, the biggest risk to growth is still inflation, which is at risk of breaching the state’s 2 to 4 percent target anew amid an ongoing dry spell that’s wreaking havoc on farms.

“We still remain quite hopeful, but really have to stay realistic about the economic outlook in 2024,” Lozano said.

Farming output

“Unfortunately, dry weather El Niño will hurt farming output and that may dampen the economic output. Overall, though, we expect things to improve and inflation to settle down within a healthy range by the end of this year,” he added.

A persistently high inflation would likely force the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep its ultra-tight monetary policy settings unchanged for much longer, which

hunger rate of 2023 and the highest since 16.8 percent in May 2021,” it added.

The SWS said the 14.2 percent is the sum of 12.2 percent of Filipino families who experienced “moderate hunger” or those who experienced hunger only once or a few times in the past three months, and 2 percent who experienced “severe hunger” or those who experienced it often or always.

Both moderate and severe hunger were higher than in December 2023 at 11.2 percent and 1.6 percent.

House lauds UP College of Law for winning oldest moot court tilt

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — A resolution congratulating the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law for winning the 2024 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition has been adopted by the House of Representatives.

During the session on Tuesday, April 30, House Resolution (HR) No. 1683 filed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, was adopted with no one objecting.

from a shipborne water cannon could easily knock down ship personnel and “send them crashing into steel bulkheads or overboard into the sea.”

“Well, if we are going to look at how it bent the railing of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels because of the water cannon, obviously that would be very fatal,” Tarriela said at a press briefing in Manila.

A GMA News reporter on the Bagacay said that the CCG water cannon blast was “so strong, you could really feel the shaking of the pilot house” where he and others took shelter.

“This is the first time that the coast guard vessel has been subject to a direct water cannon with that kind of pressure that even resulted in structural damage,” Tarriela said.

MANILA — Filipinos continue to distrust China amid the ongoing conflict in the West Philippine Sea, with most saying the country should not align itself with Beijing, a recent poll found.

The Feb. 21 to 29 survey conducted by Oculum Research and Analytics found that only 17 percent of respondents have “great trust” in China while 38 percent had “less or no trust.”

In contrast, 75 percent said they have “great trust” in the United States, with only two percent saying they have “less or no trust.”

Among 16 countries and territories included in the list, China obtained the least trust rating among u PAGE 2

MANILA — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has dismissed claims that the recent trilateral summit that the Philippines took part in only intensified tensions in the Indo-Pacific, reiterating that discussions were not solely about security issues. In a press briefing on

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net

by JaNvic Mateo Philstar.com

ON STRIKE. Members of transport group Manibela protest against the public utility vehicle phaseout at a terminal in Nagtahan, Manila on

Megan Paragua secured the gold medal with 9.5 points, comprising eight wins and three draws.

Photo from Instagram/@chesskidofficial

Inquirer.net

Poll: Pinoys trust United...

respondents. Following the U.S. were Canada (69 percent), Australia (65 percent), Japan (59 percent), United Kingdom (58 percent), Singapore (55 percent), Taiwan (54 percent) and Hong Kong (52 percent).

Obtaining less than 50 percent were the Netherlands (48 percent), United Arab Emirates (47 percent), Saudi Arabia (40 percent), Qatar (40 percent), Kuwait (39 percent), Israel (39 percent) and Russia (26 percent).

Respondents were asked which country the Philippines should align with amid the conflict in the West Philippine Sea, with 43 percent answering the U.S. and three percent saying China. Some 40 percent said the Philippines should align neither with the U.S. nor China, while 15

percent said they were not sure.

“The survey results regarding the preferred alignment of the Philippines in the context of the South China Sea dispute offer a revealing glimpse into public opinion on this significant international issue,” said Oculum chief statistician Joseph Mercado.

“The low level of trust in China and a relatively high level of distrust could be attributed to geopolitical tensions, economic competition, territorial disputes, or concerns over political and human rights issues,” he added. Oculum’s non-commissioned survey had 3,000 respondents and a two percent margin of error.

Philippine-China dialogue Despite Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri hopes the Marcos administration

can hold a dialogue with China to de-escalate tensions.

“Under this administration, maybe we should improve our diplomacy with neighboring country China. In other words, to talk to them bilaterally as well as to come up with a code of conduct. A code of conduct is very important so as not to escalate, to increase the tensions here in our West Philippine Sea,” Zubiri said in a radio interview on Sunday, April 28.

While he acknowledged that China does not seem to be listening, Zubiri maintained the Philippines should “exert all efforts to have a dialogue with them.”

“With the actions they are taking, our fellow Filipinos could die. For example, the Coast Guard, our fisherfolk or the Armed Forces and the Navy,” he added. n

SWS: Families who suffer from hunger...

Highest

The survey showed that the hunger rate was

in Metro Manila at 19 percent, rising by 6.3 percent from 12.7 percent in December 2023.

Luzon and Visayas followed at 15.3 percent and 15 percent, both with an increase from 9.3 percent and 14.3 percent in December 2023.

On the other hand, only Mindanao recorded a decrease from 12 percent in December 2023 to 8.7 percent. SWS said the survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults — 600 in Balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. It had sampling error margins of ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±4.0 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. (By

n

Zacarian Sarao/Inquirer.net)

PH-US-Japan summit not...

U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met.

“The trilateral agreement is not just about the West Philippine Sea. The trilateral agreement just affirmed the bilateral arrangements between the Philippines to the U.S., and the Philippines to Japan. And the stronger relations are consolidated, and with respect to the West Philippine Sea issue, of course the Philippines’ stand on the areas disputed by China will be strengthened,” Romualdez told reporters at the House complex.

“Japan and the U.S. are standing steadfast behind our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. But the huge part of the trilateral

meeting is what I mentioned earlier in my speech, the economic security being pursued by the Philippines,” he explained.

Romualdez said that the trilateral summit jives with President Marcos’ goal of attracting more investments into the Philippines, and hopefully create more jobs and boost the economy.

“It is in these kinds of arrangements (that we look) to strengthen the economy, with the growth story of the Philippines and the policies of President […] Marcos Jr. where he invites the investors, all businesspeople, all big businesses to invest in the Philippines to improve the economy, create more jobs, and increase the revenue of the

country,” he said. “So, it is based on that understanding, in the long run it will really help us not just security wise but economically,” he added.

After the historic trilateral summit last April 12 in Washington, D.C., China expressed its opposition to a “stoking bloc confrontation” in the WPS — referring to the Philippines-U.S.-Japan alliance.

Philippine and American officials, however, have maintained that the summit is not aimed at China’s aggressive actions over the WPS.

Before Marcos went to the U.S., the Department of Foreign Affairs said that despite the rising tensions, the summit is not directed at any nation. n

PCG: China used water cannons...

“It just goes to show that Goliath is becoming more Goliath. They don’t hesitate to use brute force to violate international law,” he added.

Tarriela said it was “still not an armed attack” as only water cannons were used by the Chinese.

“The only difference is perhaps they are increasing the PSI, the pressure of the water, but as far as the Coast Guard is concerned, this is still not an armed attack,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that the Philippines could invoke the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) if a Filipino sailor or a member of the military is killed in the South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea.

Under the MDT signed in 1951, the Philippines and the United States agreed to come to each other’s aid in case of an armed attack on a public vessel, troops or an airship in those waters.

Washington has pledged its “ironclad commitment” to defending its treaty ally against an armed attack on Filipino military and public vessels, including coast guard ships, anywhere in the South China Sea.

PH flag targeted

A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Manila said Scarborough, which Beijing calls Huangyan Dao, “has always been China’s territory” and urged the Philippines to “stop making infringement and provocations at once and not to challenge China’s resolve to defend our sovereignty,” according to a Reuters report.

With the latest water cannon attacks, Tarriela said China “has elevated the tension and the level of their aggression as well towards the Philippine Coast Guard vessel.”

A GMA News drone footage of the attack on the Bagacay and another video released by the PCG showed that the CCG vessel was aiming jets of water at the Philippine flag on the PCG ship.

PCG and military officials did not immediately respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment on this Chinese action.

Humanitarian mission

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, waters within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Beijing’s nine-dash-line claim was invalidated by an arbitral tribunal in 2016, which upheld Manila’s sovereign rights to its EEZ.

China rejected the award and continues to deploy scores of maritime militia, CCG and naval vessels to block Philippine government ships transporting supplies to its military outposts and Filipino fishing boats.

As of Wednesday, the BRP Bagacay and BRP Bankaw proceeded with their “humanitarian mission” and were still at Scarborough, also known as Panatag Shoal, to deliver food and fuel to Filipino fishermen at the shoal, an age-old fishing ground.

No country has sovereignty over Scarborough, which is close to major shipping lanes that are used by several countries. The shoal is well-within the Philippines’ EEZ and has been a constant source of flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.

Int’l condemnation

At least a dozen countries and the European Union (EU) expressed concern or condemnation of the Chinese actions and called on Beijing to

As of Wednesday, the envoys or embassies of the United States, EU, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany have spoken out on China’s latest dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels. U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson called out China for using “dangerous maneuvers and water cannons to disrupt a lawful Philippine mission” within its EEZ.

“The Philippines can count on U.S. support as #FriendsPartnersAllies to uphold freedom of navigation and international law,” she said.

EU Ambassador Luc Véron said any aggressive behavior, including the use of water cannon and floating barriers, was “a threat to safety of life at sea, the freedom of navigation, and the prohibition of the use of force or coercion.”

“In short, this is against international law,” the EU envoy said.

Japan’s Ambassador Endo Kazuya said the use of water cannon against the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR vessels “undermines the safety of ship and crew.”

Australia’s Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu said China’s dangerous maneuvers “create risks of miscalculation and endanger peace. Disputes must be resolved peacefully under Unclos.” Force not a solution Denmark’s Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin and the New Zealand Embassy said they were “deeply concerned,” and Canada’s Ambassador David Hartman cited the “coercive actions” by the Chinese against Philippine vessels.

The South Korea Embassy and the Embassy of France also said they were “concerned” about China’s actions.

“We oppose any threat or use of force contrary u PAGE 3

PH seen growing faster in 2024...

several analysts identified as a major obstacle to the government’s ambition to achieve a 6-percent growth. This is because a high interest rate environment could crimp financing for household activities and business expansion plans.

The BSP has so far kept its key rate unchanged at 6.5 percent, the tightest in nearly 17 years. Already, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. admitted that the room to ease monetary policy has narrowed, as he floated the possibility of a later rate cut in the first quarter of 2025 if the inflation problem worsens.

For Unionbank, the economy can still get its juice from consumption, which had shown resilience even in the face of tight financial conditions amid improvements in the local labor market and the usual lifeline that households get from remittances.

“People spending more, and businesses investing again, jobs in factories and services money sent home from abroad, and hopefully better tourism should all help this growth,” Lozano said.

“The government is also spending on public infra projects and there are big investments lined up in that area,” he added. n

11-year-old Fil-Am chess prodigy...

in the final showdown.

Employing the Catalan Opening with the black pieces, the fifth-grade pupil at Columbia Grammar Preparatory School in New York City, outmaneuvered her opponent, the 35th seed Vietnamese Hong Ha My Nguyen, in a display of tactical brilliance.

Guided by her mentor Sophia Rhode, she exhibited focus and determination, securing victory in all five rounds leading up to the final clash.

According to PhilBoxing. com, the chess player’s strategic acumen was on full display as she triumphed over formidable opponents, including players

from Turkmenistan for the first round, Poland for the second round, Kazakhstan for the third round and Vietnam for both the fourth and fifth rounds.

After a six-match winning streak, the young prodigy experienced a draw against Thai Hoang An Tong of Vietnam in the sixth round. However, her resilience was evident as she swiftly rebounded from the draw to clinch decisive victories in the subsequent rounds against Nika Venskaya of Russia in the seventh round and Varvara Matskevich of Poland in the eighth round, respectively.

In the ninth and tenth rounds, Paragua shared points with Daliya Diaskyzy of Kazakhstan

and Anastasiya Aleks Barabash of Russia before ultimately triumphing over Nguyen in the final round.

She secured the gold medal with 9.5 points, comprising eight wins and three draws. Last year, Paragua nabbed the Woman Fide Master title (WFM) at the XXXIII PanAmerican Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition in Chicago.

As the top player of the Empire Chess Training School of Chess in the USA, the WFM sets her sights on further challenges, primed to compete in the upcoming 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in July. (by Hans Carbonilla / Inquirer.net) n

House lauds UP College of Law for winning oldest moot court... California

1

Romualdez said it is a great source of pride for the law college to win the prestigious competition, which is considered the oldest moot court event in the world

“The UP College of Law, my alma mater, again brings honor to our country by bagging the much-coveted Jessup trophy.

It is the oldest and largest world competition that tests the aptitude of students in their knowledge of international law. We are so proud of this achievement!” Romualdez said.

In a post on its Facebook page last April 7, the UP College of Law said it was able to secure a win almost three decades after the country’s premier state university won the same competition.

“The entire UP community joins in celebrating this

historic triumph, which not only underscores UP Law’s legacy of excellence but also inspires future generations of legal scholars and practitioners worldwide,” UP College of Law’s post read.

The resolution also noted this, saying that the Jessup is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations, where teams of law students compete against one another through the presentation of oral and written pleadings.

“After days of grueling rounds and eliminations, the UP Law Jessup Team emerged as the lone team from the Asia-Pacific Region in the prestigious stage, whose remarkable journey culminated in a showdown against Universidad Torcuato

Di Tella of Argentina,” the resolution read.

“During the gold medal round, this year’s problem, ‘The Case Concerning the Sterren Forty’ simulated a fictional dispute between nations, and tackled pressing issues of political expression, statelessness, nationality rights, and the authority of the United Nations Security Council in dispute resolution,” it added.

Aside from the House officials mentioned, among the co-authors of HR No. 1683 are Representatives Yedda Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, Roman Romulo, Peter John Calderon, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Rufus Rodriguez, Ron Salo, Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Bernadette Herrera, and Margarita Nograles. n

nature where it’s needed most

$9.6 billion in nature-based solutions that combat the effects of climate change.

What the targets call for by 2045:

• 33.5 million acres managed to reduce wildfire risk, mostly through beneficial fire

• 11.9 million acres of forest managed for biodiversity protection, carbon storage, and water supply protection

• 7.6 million acres conserved with protections

• 3.4 million acres of croplands managed to boost healthy soils, drought resilience, and below-ground biodiversity

• 4.2 million trees planted to protect California communities from the climate crisis, remove carbon and increase access to

• 2.7 million acres of shrublands and chaparral managed for carbon storage, resilience, and habitat connectivity

• 1.6 million acres of grasslands managed to restore native grasslands and protect biodiversity

• 1.5 million acres of sparsely vegetated lands (deserts, beaches, etc.) to protect fragile ecosystems Why California is setting these targets:

• For the first time, California’s 2022 Scoping Plan analyzed the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced and absorbed by California’s lands and found that California’s lands currently emit more than they absorb.

• This shift from carbon sink to carbon emitter is largely due to historic land use decisions, including disconnection from beneficial land management practices utilized by California Native American tribes, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

• Modeling suggests that aggressive near-term efforts to increase climate action on California’s lands will put this sector on the path to course correction.

The 2022 Scoping Plan set a numeric goal for California’s lands to contribute as much as possible to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045: no more than 4 percent additional carbon stock losses below 2014 levels from California’s lands by 2045. (Inquirer.net) n

PCG: China used water cannons...

to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue. We also recall the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on July 12, 2016,” said the French Embassy.

The Netherlands’ Ambassador Marielle Geraedts said China’s actions were “not in line with international law.”

The United Kingdom’s Ambassador Laure Beaufils said the UK “condemns” China’s dangerous actions and stressed that the 2016 arbitral award was legally binding on the parties.

The Embassy of Sweden called for “full respect” of the UN Charter, Unclos and the arbitration award.

The Embassy of Germany also called for respect for Unclos and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“Use of force is never the solution! International law must prevail!,” said German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke in a statement.

Seven times Since August last year, the CCG has used water cannons against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea at least seven times, escalating the maritime tension between Manila and Beijing.

In March this year, seven Navy personnel were wounded in two separate water cannon attacks by CCG ships against Philippine supply boats on their way to the troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre, which is being used as an outpost, at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. Philippine resupply boats bound for Ayungin came under similar attacks from the Chinese ships on Dec. 10 and Nov. 10 last year.

In February of the same year, a CCG vessel pointed a military-grade laser at a PCG patrol ship on its way to Ayungin, causing temporary blindness among some of the crew members. with reports from Dona Z. Pazzibugan and Reuters n

On Earth Day, Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom helped dedicate the new state park, Dos Rios, just 8 miles west of Modesto in the Central Valley. The approximately 1,600-acre Dos Rios property is the largest public-private floodplain restoration project in California to restore habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife at the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers. Photo from Instagram/cagovernor

Millions were booted from Medicaid. The insurers that run it gained Medicaid revenue anyway

by Phil Galewitz KFF Health News

PRIVATE Medicaid health plans lost millions of members in the past year as pandemic protections that prohibited states from dropping anyone from the government program expired.

But despite Medicaid’s unwinding, as it’s known, at least two of the five largest publicly traded companies selling plans have continued to increase revenue from the program, according to their latest earnings reports.

“It’s a very interesting paradox,” said Andy Schneider, a research professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, of plans’ Medicaid revenue increasing despite enrollment drops.

Medicaid, the state-federal health program for low-income and disabled people, is administered by states. But most people enrolled in the program get their health care through insurers contracted by states, including UnitedHealthcare, Centene, and Molina.

The companies persuaded states to pay them more money per Medicaid enrollee under the assumption that younger and healthier people were dropping out — presumably for Obamacare coverage or employer-based health insurance, or because they didn’t see the need to get coverage — leaving behind an older and sicker population to cover, their executives have told investors.

Several of the companies reported that states have made midyear and retrospective changes in their payments to plans to account for the worsening health status of members.

In an earnings call with analysts on April 25, Molina Healthcare CEO Joe Zubretsky said 19 states increased their payment rates this year to adjust for sicker Medicaid enrollees. “States have been very responsive,” Zubretsky said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the way our state

customers have responded to having rates be commensurate with normal cost trends and trends that have been influenced by the acuity shift.”

Health plans have faced much uncertainty during the Medicaid unwinding, as states began reassessing enrollees’ eligibility and dropping those deemed no longer qualified or who lost coverage because of procedural errors. Before the unwinding, plans said they expected the overall risk profile of their members to go up because those remaining in the program would be sicker.

UnitedHealthcare, Centene, and Molina had Medicaid revenue increases ranging from 3% to 18% in 2023, according to KFF. The two other large Medicaid insurers, Elevance and CVS Health, do not break out Medicaid-specific revenue.

The Medicaid enrollment of the five companies collectively declined by about 10% from the end of March 2023 through the end of December 2023, from 44.2 million people to 39.9 million, KFF data shows.

In the first quarter of 2024, UnitedHealth’s Medicaid revenue rose to $20.5 billion, up from $18.8 billion in the same quarter of 2023.

Molina on April 24 reported nearly $7.5 billion in Medicaid revenue in the first quarter of 2024, up from $6.3 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.

On April 26, Centene reported that its Medicaid enrollment fell 18.5% to 13.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. The company’s Medicaid revenue dipped 3% to $22.2 billion.

Unlike UnitedHealthcare, whose Medicaid enrollment fell to 7.7 million in March 2024 from 8.4 million a year prior, Molina’s Medicaid enrollment rose in the first quarter of 2024 to 5.1 million from 4.8 million in March 2023. Molina’s enrollment jump last year was partly a result of its having bought a Medicaid plan in Wisconsin and gained a new Medicaid contract in Iowa, the company

said in its earnings news release.

Molina added 1 million members because states were prohibited from terminating Medicaid coverage during the pandemic.

The company has lost 550,000 of those people during the unwinding and expects to lose an additional 50,000 by June.

About 90% of Molina Medicaid members have gone through the redetermination process, Zubretsky said.

The corporate giants also offset the enrollment losses by getting more Medicaid money from states, which they use to pass on higher payments to certain facilities or providers, Schneider said. By holding the money temporarily, the companies can count these “directed payments” as revenue.

Medicaid health plans were big winners during the pandemic after the federal government prohibited states from dropping people from the program, leading to a surge in enrollment to about 93 million Americans.

States made efforts to limit health plans’ profits by clawing back some payments above certain thresholds, said Elizabeth Hinton, an associate director at KFF.

But once the prohibition on dropping Medicaid enrollees was lifted last spring, the plans faced uncertainty. It was unclear how many people would lose coverage or when it would happen. Since the unwinding began, more than 20 million people have been dropped from the rolls.

Medicaid enrollees’ health care costs were lower during the pandemic, and some states decided to exclude pandemic-era cost data as they considered how to set payment rates for 2024. That provided yet another win for the Medicaid health plans.

Most states are expected to complete their Medicaid unwinding processes this year.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

New cannabis program to address inequity in unincorporated area

Job Related Assistance. Both aspects of the program are designed to address the harmful impacts on people of color and communities caused by the War on Drugs (California Cannabis Equity Act).

to participate in the cannabis industry but are deserving of some form of benefit can receive help through the Social Equity Beneficiaries Program which includes:

The county worked with consultants to complete a Social Equity Assessment in October 2022 which includes community feedback from listening sessions, interviews, focus groups, and a survey. The assessment helps address the harms caused by cannabis criminalization. In June 2023, the county received $350,000

SAN FRANCISCO – On Thursday, May 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $28,650,000 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help California identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause a range of severe health impacts, including irreversible harm to brain development in children.

President Biden has committed to replacing every lead pipe in the country to protect children and families. The investment announced today, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and available through EPA’s capitalization of the state-run Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), takes another major step to advance public health and environmental justice and bolsters the Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan and Get the Lead Out Initiative.

Working collaboratively, EPA and California are advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure that 40% of overall benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities, including those overburdened by lead exposure and pollution. Lead

exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income communities. To date, the total funding announced through this program is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families.

“Every single person living in California deserves access to clean, safe drinking water and a guarantee that they and their loved ones will be protected from lead contamination,” said Martha Guzman, EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is investing an unprecedented amount of funding to replace these harmful lead service lines, with communities at the greatest risk of lead poisoning prioritized.”

“Lead pipe contamination is a nationwide public health catastrophe — and it’s hurting communities of color the most,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “We cannot turn a blind eye as children are poisoned in their own homes and schools, and families are forced to depend on bottled water. This investment in the safety of our water includes millions of dollars

DAMAGED. The BRP Bagacay, which was earlier hit by the China Coast Guard’s water cannon in Bajo de Masinloc, is docked at Pier 13 in Manila South Harbor on Thursday, May 2. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo inspected the damage to the ship’s port railings, LED screen display, and a steel canopy at the back of the vessel, all estimated at P2 million. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Dateline PhiliPPines

Agri damage due to El Niño hits P5.9-B

MANILA – The El Niño phenomenon has so far caused an estimated PHP5.9 billion in damage to Philippine agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday, May 2. “Iyong latest damage natin as of end of April per Bulletin No. 9 ng DA, ang damage is already PHP5.9 billion, pinakamalaki pa rin is sa rice sector (As per Bulletin No. 9, the damage is already at PHP5.9 billion as of end of April, with the rice sector incurring the biggest damage) at PHP3.1 billion,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview.

This was followed by production loss in corn worth PHP1.76 billion and high-value crops pegged at PHP958 million.

De Mesa said the Mimaropa region remained as the most affected area in the country at PHP1.71 billion, followed by Region 6 (Western Visayas) at PHP1.5 billion, the Cordilleras at PHP768 million, and Cagayan Valley at PHP562 million.

He, however, said the 58,000 hectares of rice production area damaged so far is only 2.27 percent of the country’s total area planted for rice, which is over 2 million hectares.

The DA earlier projected around 120,000 hectares of damaged riceland before the onslaught of El Niño.

De Mesa said the early planning, rehabilitation and mitigation measures of the DA, particularly the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), helped ease the effects of the phenomenon.

Aid distribution To cushion its impacts on farmers and fishers, the DA has provided interventions worth PHP2.18 billion, De Mesa said. These include the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) worth PHP1.065 billion; and PHP658 million worth of inputs such fertilizers, water pumps and engines that are being distributed through the DA regional field offices, he said.

The DA also provided PHP294.46 million worth of irrigation projects; PHP77.50 million worth of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan; PHP67.93 million worth of indemnification or insurance benefits for farmers; and PHP65.35 million worth of composting facilities.

Meanwhile, other DA-attached agencies distributed around PHP8.99 million worth of marine machinery and equipment and PHP8 million for rice machinery and equipment; PHP5.19 million worth of coconut seedlings; 66,039 native animals; 616 water pumps; and 111 diversified alternative livelihoods and technologies, among others. (PNA) n

PH summons China envoy over water cannon attack

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, May 2 summoned Chinese Embassy of Manila Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong over the April 30 harassment of Philippine vessels conducting regular humanitarian mission to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

The Philippines protested the “harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous maneuvers, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions by China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels against the vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enroute to Bajo de Masinloc,” the DFA said.

“China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to vessels of PCG and BFAR,” the DFA said in a statement.

The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately.

From January to April this year, the DFA has lodged 20 diplomatic protests with the Chinese embassy arising from CCG harassment of Philippine vessels in Ayungin Shoal and other areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic

zone (EEZ).

The DFA has filed 153 similar protests since the Marcos administration took office.

South Korea, through its embassy in Manila, joined allies of the Philippines in expressing its concern on the “recent dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannons against the Philippine vessels around the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.”

“We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a critical sea lane of communications for all countries that are using it,” the embassy said on Facebook.

The embassies of Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, in the Philippines turned to social media platform X to express concern over the dangerous actions by Chinese ships against the PCG and BFAR vessels near Scarborough Shoal.

History of territorial disputes

Manila and Beijing have a long history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and the neighbors have been involved in several maritime incidents in recent months as they assert their rival claims in the strategic waterway.

China’s coast guard had previously said it “expelled” the two Philippine ships from its waters near Huangyan Island, the Chinese name

PH targets big-spender tourists from US

THE Philippines aims to attract about 15 percent more visitors from the United States, seeing the highly valuable market as a big contributor to the full recovery of the tourism sector.

In 2023, more than 1.4 million visitors from the U.S. arrived in the Philippines, generating P35 billion in revenues — the highest among the country’s top tourist markets.

“This is 215 percent higher than the tourism receipts from South Korea, so this is how

important the American market [is]. While the arrivals are fewer, the contribution is bigger,” Philippine Tourism DirectorAttache in New York Francisco Hilario Lardizabal said over the weekend.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DoT) showed that visitor receipts in 2023 reached P482.54 billion, with the U.S. as the top spending market, followed by Australia with P17.74 billion, South Korea with P16.41 billion, Canada

with P15.85 billion, China with P12.24 billion, and Japan with P10.02 billion.

In a briefing with visiting Filipino journalists on April 26, the official said the Americans tend to spend more and stay longer in a destination.

In the Philippines, Lardizabal said the majority, or 55 percent, of inbound travelers from the U.S. are former Filipinos whose main travel motivation is to visit friends and relatives.

BI warns foreigners vs. bomb jokes

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday, May 2 warned foreign nationals against making bomb jokes as they may face denial of entry, exclusion, or deportation.

“We urge all foreign nationals to exercise caution and refrain from making any statements or jokes that could be deemed as threats to security,”

Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

“Bomb jokes or any comments referencing explosives are

not taken lightly, especially in sensitive environments like airports. Such actions can be construed as threats and may lead to exclusion or deportation if foreign nationals are involved.”

Tansingco issued the warning after Japan-bound Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR412 was delayed for five hours on Wednesday after airport authorities received a bomb threat call from an unidentified woman.

Passengers were promptly evacuated, and the plane underwent thorough security checks before being cleared for departure.

The BI also reminded foreigners of their obligation to adhere to Philippine laws and regulations while in the country, lest they be sanctioned by local law enforcement agencies.

“Our country remains hospitable for foreigners, but for only those who follow our laws,” Tansingco said. (PNA) n

Estrada, Villanueva seek review of ‘Balikatan’

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

MANILA – Sen. Jose

“Jinggoy” Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, underscored on Thursday, May 2 the pressing need to review the Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) military exercises between the Philippines and the U.S. due to the alleged inability of the annual drills to deter China’s persistent aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Estrada said that the Balikatan was not designed for combat operations against other nations.

“Responding to or utilizing it to impede China’s coercive actions against Philippine vessels is outside the scope of

these joint military drills,” he said.

“We can only speculate on the motives of China in resorting to illegal and irresponsible behavior. While some of this year’s Balikatan exercises occur in disputed areas, the purpose of the drills is not to challenge other nations’ actions directly,” the lawmaker said.

Estrada reiterated the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to upholding international law and promoting regional peace. He emphasized that the country will continue to engage in lawful activities within its territorial jurisdiction, including in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), which is a vital source of livelihood for Filipinos and falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic

zone (EEZ). For his part, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the purpose of the Balikatan exercises was merely to enhance our defense systems’ interoperability with our allies.

“We are grateful to the nations and will continue supporting all efforts to strengthen our partnerships with them,” Villanueva said. He said that China has become a “certified bully,” and their scare tactics were merely propaganda.

“Whatever they do will never take away our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, especially the Scarborough Shoal, which is clearly within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” the Majority Leader said. n

Features OpiniOn

Cooperating with the ICC

EVEN before former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV disclosed that about 50 former and incumbent police officers had been contacted by the International Criminal Court, there were already reports circulating that the ICC was proceeding with its probe of the drug killings under the watch of Rodrigo Duterte. Some of the reports emanated even from the Duterte camp.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to announce whether his administration has finished “studying” the possible return of the Philippines to the ICC. In the meantime, he has maintained the stand that the ICC has no reason to conduct its probe in the Philippines, where the judicial system is fully functional.

ICC probers are unlikely to be allowed to conduct a full-blown formal investigation in the Philippines. The Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police have warned PNP members in the active service of sanctions if they defy the government’s policy against giving ICC jurisdiction over the complaints arising from Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

The government, however, cannot stop the ICC from conducting an informal probe from outside the country, or from collecting testimonies and evidence or getting in touch through digital media with witnesses and participants in Duterte’s war on drugs, particularly those who are no longer part of the PNP.

IT may have been a surprise to some people for The Economist to write a rather positive take about the Philippines and its economy as evidenced by a recent piece titled, “Without fanfare, the Philippines is getting richer,” but not to me.

Published last Tuesday, April 23, the article noted that “things are improving. Roads are being paved, bridges built. In February the government picked a private consortium to revamp and double the capacity of Manila’s main airport. Later this year, it is expected to award contracts to modernize several regional airports, too. Manila is scheduled to have its first underground metro line by 2029.”

The Economist also observed how growth has been brisk since 2012 (except during the pandemic) with the economy quietly booming under a variety of regimes, and growth expected at about 6 percent under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos

EARLY this week, a fake video of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. went viral on a popular streaming platform. It showed the president purportedly directing the country’s armed forces to counter China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea. The short video was taken down just a few days after. Not having personally seen it, I can’t say how real it looked. So-called deepfakes are actually not so difficult to spot, at least for now—provided one is prepared to take time to scrutinize key features of people’s faces, like the forehead, the lips, the eyes, the eyebrows, cheeks, ears, the nose, etc. Often, the edges of the face may be blurred. Shadows may not be there, as one might expect in a given angle of light. Eyeglasses may not show any glare or reflect too much glare. The lips

What the government can do is to intensify its own efforts to ferret out the truth and render justice. The PNP has officially listed over 6,000 people, all of them mere suspects, who were killed in anti-narcotics operations during the Duterte presidency. How many of the killings were justified in the context of law enforcement, and how many can be classified as extrajudicial?

The ICC probe includes drug killings in Davao City when Duterte alternated with his daughter, now Vice President Sara Duterte, as mayor and the Philippines was still a member of the ICC. Does the Marcos administration have the political will to investigate those complaints?

Rodrigo Duterte is being probed by the ICC for possible murder as a crime against humanity in his brutal campaign. The Philippines has a law governing crimes against humanity. But Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra has said a sufficient number of those 6,000-plus drug killings would have to be thoroughly reviewed first before the government can determine if an indictment for

crimes against humanity is warranted and can stand in Philippine courts. This process, however, is crawling along, and risks being overtaken by

Economic prosperity is our ultimate goal

Jr., with the Philippines poised to become an upper middleincome country by 2026, according to the World Bank.

Some people may be skeptical, but from the way we look at it, we are in fact on the right path to economic prosperity as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan, which serves as the country’s roadmap towards genuine socioeconomic transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman accurately pointed out during the Philippine Dialogue that the Philippine Embassy in Washington co-organized with the Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on the sidelines of the IMFWorld Bank spring meetings, that our economic managers are “going above and beyond in making the country a prime investment destination” –motivated by the president’s determination to see the Philippines become a country of “new and better opportunities.”

The president himself has been tirelessly engaging with

may not move in synchronicity with the sound. But, with their increasing technical sophistication, artificial intelligence (AI)generated images may soon be almost impossible to detect if we merely rely on an examination of facial features and voices. Deepfakes can be as good as the ones we encounter in the real world. This is where it becomes crucial for people to develop a self-conscious awareness of how they perceive and give meaning to the images, signs, and events occurring around them. In everyday life, understanding is something that occurs almost automatically. We don’t have to see everything before we could grasp what is happening. Our minds tend to fill the gaps—and so we read more than what is actually there. It is a mental shortcut that saves precious time, but which magicians and illusionists deftly exploit in order to create an illusion. AI-generated texts

leaders and top business executives to put the Philippines on the radar as a leading investment hub – the results of which are starting to become apparent from the latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showing foreign direct investment inflows reaching $907 million in January, up 89.9 percent in the same period last year.

As the president said, economic security is national security, and we are pleased to see that our friends and allies such as Japan and the United States are very supportive of the president’s economic prosperity aspirations. During the historic tripartite summit between the Philippines, Japan and the United States, President Marcos, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed their commitment to promote enduring and inclusive economic growth and resilience.

Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. are also looking at the possibility of a trilateral free trade agreement to further enhance economic cooperation between the three nations. In the joint statement following the trilateral summit, the three

countries said they are pursuing economic projects that advance shared objectives, specifically the promotion of broad-based and sustainable economic growth, and are investing in resilient, reliable and diversified supply chains.

At the recently concluded 11th U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C. between top Philippine officials and their U.S. counterparts, one of the priorities we discussed was advancing common prosperity by exploring opportunities for further cooperation in many areas. We also exchanged views on addressing economic vulnerabilities and ways to strengthen private sector partnerships, with both countries recognizing the crucial need of mutually increasing economic growth.

During an interview with visiting Filipino reporters who are part of the Friends, Partners, Allies Program for journalists by the U.S. embassy in Manila, we shared that the revival of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) – the oldest and largest trade program of the U.S. that provides nonreciprocal, duty-

free privileges for over 3,500 products from 199 beneficiary countries that enter the U.S. market – will most likely be approved by the U.S. Congress before the end of this year. Aside from the Philippines, other countries are also lobbying for the revival of the trade program. The GSP reauthorization is something that we have been working on since the expiration of the Philippines’ eligibility in December 2020, but the renewal has been delayed due to several reasons, among them the COVID-19 pandemic and the speakership issue in the U.S. Congress last year. We have had several meetings with U.S. legislators for the renewal of the GSP which would actually benefit some U.S. companies that are manufacturing from the Philippines. President Marcos himself had noted that the GSP would be mutually beneficial to the U.S. and the Philippines, which could be expanded to include other products.

It is so pathetic to see these rumor warmongers invoking the fear factor, including those who manufactured a deepfake video circulating online that was made to sound like President Marcos ordering the

When images become reality

and images ride upon this perceptual habit to be able to pass off their products as though they were of real human beings, and not images constructed by machines.The blurring of the lines between appearance and reality, particularly in the age of mass media, struck the 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard with such alarming clarity that he wrote, against the backdrop of Europe’s revolutions: “A revolutionary age is an age of action; ours is the age of advertisement and publicity. Nothing ever happens but there is immediate publicity everywhere.”

This seems to me to be an apt description of our own age. Let us consider a few random examples from our news cycle. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been the object of a police manhunt for over a month now.

The House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Department of Justice have all been looking for him, and everyone says he has not left his community

in Davao. Yet, despite all the publicity, he is nowhere to be found. Former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., wanted for the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, disappeared for more than a year until he was arrested while playing golf in Timor-Leste. A Timorese court is holding him, but the efforts of Filipino authorities to bring him home have yielded nothing.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has long been conducting its preliminary examination of the killings of thousands of drug suspects during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte terminated the country’s membership in the ICC before the latter could assert its jurisdiction over him and others who played key roles in his war on drugs. It’s almost two years now since Mr. Marcos became the country’s new president. But the Marcos administration’s cooperation with the ICC investigators remains officially in limbo. Mr. Marcos initially said he was studying the

matter. More recently he seemed more emphatic, saying he was not recognizing the ICC’s jurisdiction. Even so, ICC investigators appear to have arrived in the country and effectively established contact with former police officials. It does not take a political analyst to guess that the government’s ambivalent relationship with the ICC has become the single most critical element in the brewing conflict between the Marcoses and the Dutertes. But, except for the principals who have been issuing barbed statements, all this is just another spectacle to watch, to keep us entertained.

There’s a lot of talk here and there, a lot of updates in the media, but nothing seems to happen. What appear to be the key events of our time lack substance and depth. Our days are filled with posturing and representations that stand for reality itself, while containing a measure of vagueness (and thus deniability) as to their ultimate meanings. But, in ironic acceptance of what we can’t

Armed Forces of the Philippines to take military action against China. They are totally ignorant of what deterrence is all about and how precisely working with like-minded countries can help stop a potential major conflict. If there is any country in the world that fears a nuclear war, it is Japan. It will never forget what happened in Nagasaki and Hiroshima – wiping out those two cities in one fell swoop. No one wants a major conflict to ever happen. No one –absolutely no one, and hopefully including China – wants war. What we as a nation only seek is economic prosperity – making us strong, secure and stable, capable of standing our ground and protecting our sovereign territory. The president has vowed to continue reaching out and working with likeminded nations in deterring any potential conflict that could essentially wipe out mankind. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

change, no one seems to mind. Social media has lent itself well to this proliferation of appearances—of images that do not require validation by comparing it to an original. In a world inundated by such appearances, the question of what is real and what is fake has become increasingly irrelevant. That is why in lieu of experts, we turn to “influencers” for guidance. In our quest for leaders, we have turned to actors who perform heroic roles in the movies, rather than to those with a proven record of professional experience and competence in societal affairs. Truth has ceded its ground to what is popular. When all is said and done, what matters is the number of likes and views a post gathers. (Inquirer.net)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * public.lives@gmail.com

ManilaTimes.net

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

the ICC probe. Perhaps the latest developments can spur faster action in the government’s own probe. (Philstar.com)

I fought to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I’ll keep working alongside the BidenHarris Administration to ensure that every American has access to lead-free drinking water.”

“I applaud President Biden’s commitment to replacing lead pipes all across California with a safer and more sustainable alternative so that no family goes without clean drinking water,” said U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler. “This initiative will ensure that families are no longer at risk of lead exposure from the tap they drink.”

“California is committed to ensuring every community has access to safe and clean drinking water,” said California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia. “Federal funding has helped us to reduce exposure to contaminants like lead and improve our drinking water infrastructure for a more resilient, sustainable California.”

“All people deserve clean drinking water. Unfortunately, millions of California communities — especially communities of color and lowincome families — are subjected to lead exposure and pollution on a daily basis,” noted U.S. Representative Barbare Lee (CA-12). “This historic investment by the Biden Administration will alleviate those disparities, reduce toxic pollution, and advance health equity here in California and nationwide. I thank all responsible for getting this initiative across the finish line and look forward to continuing to partner with the administration on environmental justice issues.”

“Funding made possible through legislation led by Congressional Democrats and President Biden is benefitting millions of Americans across the country by protecting their right to clean and safe drinking water,” said U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10). “I am proud to have fought for this funding that will help safeguard families and improve California’s public health.”

“Every family should have access to safe, clean water. It’s heartbreaking that countless children have been exposed to high amounts of lead because of outdated lead pipes,” said U.S. Representative Josh Harder (CA-9). “This investment in our water infrastructure is a crucial step towards making sure no child is harmed by lead contamination.”

“This is an important step towards the elimination of lead contamination in California’s water,” said U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17). “I am especially pleased 40% of overall benefits from this investment will flow to disadvantaged communities underinvested and overburdened by lead exposure and pollution. Every American has a right to clean, lead-free water.”

“Access to safe drinking water is a human right. I applaud EPA’s announcement today of over $28 million to help California identify and replace lead service lines, made possible through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Representative Sydney KamlagerDove (CA-37). “Advancing environmental justice must be central to all action we take to remedy environmental and public health hazards. I am especially glad that this funding will further President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, a wholeof-government approach to ensure federal investments flow equitably into historically underserved and underinvested communities.”

“Ensuring our communities have safe, clean drinking water is absolutely vital to public health.

The investments in President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will have widespread benefits for generations to come. I applaud the EPA for continuing to make life-changing improvements through this federal program by removing harmful lead pipes and protecting families and children in California,” said U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15).

“Today’s $28 million investment marks a milestone in eliminating dangerous lead pipes across California. I know these funds will have an immense positive impact on the health of California’s kids and adults alike, and I’m proud to have supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made this funding possible,” said U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (CA-04).

“Communities, economies, and ecosystems across the U.S. rely on clean water, but

PH summons China envoy...

PAGE 5

for Scarborough Shoal.

The shoal has been a flashpoint between the two countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.

Major military exercise China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

The triangular chain of reefs and rocks that make up

Scarborough Shoal lies 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese land mass.

Since seizing the shoal, Beijing has deployed its coast guard and other vessels that Manila says harass Philippine ships and prevent its fishermen from accessing the rich lagoon.

The latest incident came as the Philippines and the United States held a major annual military exercise that has

infuriated Beijing. Manila and Washington have a mutual defense treaty and recent confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels have fuelled speculation of what would trigger it. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last month that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had given assurances that the treaty would be invoked if another “foreign power” killed a Filipino soldier. (With reports from Agence France-Presse) n

PH targets big-spender...

PAGE 5

our infrastructure has been woefully neglected for decades, leading to a dilapidated, contaminationriddled system. Everyone deserves access to clean water, which is why Democrats pushed for historic funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest in a clean water future,” said U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2). “I’m happy we could secure this funding for California to replace lead pipes, along with a commitment to our disadvantaged communities that unjustly face the most exposure to this toxic infrastructure.”

“We’ve known for far too long that no amount of lead is safe for children,” said U.S. Representative Scott Peters (CA-50). “Replacing the lead pipes that are prevalent in older, underserved communities means parents don’t have to worry that their kids are being exposed to contaminated water. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for Americans, especially the most vulnerable among us, and I appreciate the EPA’s leadership on this vital project.”

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead service lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding announced today will be explicitly provided for lead service line identification and replacement. It will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

The Lead Service Line-specific formula used to allot these funds allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. The formula and allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more funding.

Alongside the funding announced today, EPA is also releasing a new memorandum that clarifies how states can use this and other funding to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water most effectively. Additionally, EPA has developed new outreach documents to help water systems educate their customers on drinking water issues, health impacts of lead exposure, service line ownership, and how customers can support identifying potential lead service lines in their homes.

To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Story Map at https://www.epa. gov/water-infrastructure/local-infrastructureinvestment-stories. To read about some projects underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects (https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/bipartisaninfrastructure-law-funded-state-revolving-fundprojects-quarterly-report) and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.

Thursday’s allotments are based on EPA’s updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA), which includes an assessment of newly submitted information. This is the best available data collected and assessed on service line materials in the United States. Later this summer, EPA will release an addendum to the 7th DWINSA Report to Congress, including the updated lead service line projections. EPA anticipates initiating data collection, consisting of information on lead service lines, for the 8th DWINSA in 2025. For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding and a breakdown of EPA’s lead Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, please visit EPA’s Drinking Water website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinkingwater/engaging-community-lead-service-lines. (EPA Release) n

New cannabis program...

grants from the state to help those that apply. Since the completion of the assessment and grant award, the Office of Equity and Racial Justice worked with County Counsel to develop the program.

People who qualify for the program must meet one of the two criteria tiers:

• Tier A focuses on people incarcerated for a San Diego cannabis-related crime prior to the passing of Proposition 64

(Control, Regulate and Tax Act –Adult Use of Marijuana)

• Tier B focuses on people that have been convicted or arrested for a San Diego cannabis-related crime along with a low-income component.

Once approved, people who qualify will have an opportunity to receive a permit for sale,

distribution or cultivation and receive help with any of the below listed elements:

• Business and Technical Assistance

• One-on-One Assistance

• Legal Services

• Grants directly to social equity applicants

• Record Expungement.

“This is a significant first step for our county to address harms that were done to our community by the county and other government agencies. Although we are excited, we acknowledge that we can and need to do so much more,” said Andrew Strong, Director of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice. County officials say the program will provide sustainable opportunities for growth by providing support and resources

for those who were most harmed by the War on Drugs.

“I am proud that this program will focus on equity, access, and business opportunities to help rectify the injustices against people of color caused by the many years of failed policies like the War on Drugs,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas.

A nine-member group, one appointed by each county supervisor and four more to apply through application process, will assist on shaping the program and provide an annual report back to the Board. Visit the new Engage San Diego County platform to learn more about the development of the Cannabis Program (https:// engage.sandiegocounty.gov/ hub-page/cannabis-program).

(Shauni Lyles/Coumty of San Diego Communications Office) n

“Filipinos from the U.S. do go around the Philippines and stay longer in the Philippines, and mind you, they also spend a lot. Apart from the money they spend on travel, they sometimes also give out money to their relatives,” he shared.

Presenting the country’s planned promotion efforts for the entire year, Lardizabal is

confident the Philippines will achieve 15 percent more of the 2023 arrival figure.

He said the DoT is taking a multi-pronged approach to entice the market by forging partnerships, conducting more training for travel agents, joining B2B (business-tobusiness) travel trade events, and organizing curated familiarization tours.

Before the pandemic, most U.S. travelers to the Philippines were baby boomers, or those in the age bracket of 60 to 78, and Generation X, or those ages 44 to 59.

Citing a 2022 study, Lardizabal said majority of U.S. travelers “showing interest in the Philippines” now are millennials or those born between 1981 and 1996. (PNA) n

PATRON OF WORKERS. Catholic devotees pray before the image of Saint Joseph after attending Mass at the Saint Joseph Shrine in Cubao,

Quezon City on Wednesday, Labor Day, May 1. Saint Joseph is known as the patron saint of workers and families. As a carpenter in Nazareth, St. Joseph provided for the needs of Mary and Jesus through his labor. PNA photo by Ben Briones

LEGAL SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENT

Advertisement for Bids Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CC24-1141-52-00-00 SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY AT 5 SITES

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024, outside the main office of Hage Elementary School, 9750 Galvin Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed immediately to: University City High School, 6949 Genesee Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122. Prime contractors must be present at all both sites in order to bid this project. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on MAY 22, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl. com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC24-1141-52-00-00 Single Point of Entry at 5 Sites. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $245,000 and $370,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC24-1141-52-00-00

Request for Proposals (RFP)

San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment - San Dieguito to Sorrento Valley Double Track (SDSVDT)

Project Public Outreach Services

Solicitation No.: SOL1265260 CIP 1239823

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking consultants for San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment - San Dieguito to Sorrento Valley Double Track. There is no DBE goal for this project However, overall DBE Goal Range for planning purposes for the entire duration of the Project is 0% - 27%.

The Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams AND/OR in-person at 401 B Street, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101 on May 8, 2024, from 10:00AM to 12:00PM PST/PDT. The deadline for electronic Proposal submittal is May 24, 2024 by 5:00PM PST/PDT unless otherwise stated in an addendum.

A copy of the solicitation documents and any communications or addenda can be accessed via www.bidnetdirect.com/sandag.

EMPLOYMENT

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008017

Kuya Con located at 10808 Caravelle Place, San Diego, CA 92124. Registrant: Conner Thomas Tano McKinney, 215 East Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 92124. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Conner

Thomas Tano McKinney. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/12/2024. AJ 1397 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1397

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009141 Plaza Alta Recycling LLC located at 8927 Campo Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Plaza Alta Recycling LLC, 9246 Jamacha Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Susana Garcia Amezcua. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/26/2024. AJ 1398 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1398

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9007870

Bunny Bitch located at 6333 Mount Ada Rd Unit 296, San Diego, CA 92111. Registrant: Tara Bowker, 6333 Mount Ada Rd Unit 296, San Diego, CA 92111. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/11/2024.

Signature: Tara Bowker Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/11/2024. AJ 1385 04/12, 04/19, 04/26, and 05/03/2024. AJSD 1385

STATEMENT OF WITHDRAWAL FROM PARTNERSHIP OPERATING UNDER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9007811

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008801

Mariomax Salon And Beauty Supply located at 113 Jamacha Rd, El Cajon, CA 92019.

Registrant: Mario Max, 113 Jamacha Rd, El Cajon, CA 92019.

This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/1995.

Signature: Mario Max. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/23/2024.

AJ 1392 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1392

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9005576

Vibrant Living located at 5723 Bounty Street, San Diego, CA 92120.

Registrant: Greater Solutions LLC, PO BOX 1944, La Mesa, CA 91944. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/15/2009.

Signature: Julie Norris. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/12/2024. AJ 1393 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1393

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008950 LV Nails located at 1660 Broadway #10, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Kieu Linh Thi Le, 1660 Broadway #10, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/24/2024. Signature: Kieu Linh Thi Le. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/24/2024. AJ 1399 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1399

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9007862

AG Design located at 11 Oxford St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Aaron Gil Torres, 11 Oxford St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/21/2024.

Signature: Aaron Gil Torres Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/10/2024. AJ 1386 04/19, 04/26, 05/03, and 05/10/2024. AJSD 1386

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008393

a. The Pixel Lounge THE ORIGINAL STATEMENT OF THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS WAS FILED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ON:

06/16/2021, and assigned File no. 2021-9012194 THE FOLLOWING PARTNER HAS WITHDRAWN: Linda Nguyen Lay, 10151 Drumcliff Ave, San Diego, CA 92126.

PARTNER NAME: Linda Nguyen Lay Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/10/2024. AJ 1387 04/19, 04/26, 05/03, AND 05/10/2024. AJSD 1387

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009044

Nath Elite Events located at 10106 Gem Tree Way, Santee, CA 92071. Registrant: Alexandra Nath, 10106 Gem Tree Way, Santee, CA 92071. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alexandra Nath. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024.

AJ 1389 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9005574

Vibrant Living II located at 6140 Crawford Street, San Diego, CA 92120.

Registrant: Greater Solutions INC, PO BOX 1944, La Mesa, CA 91944. This business is conducted by A Corporation REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/21/2022.

Signature: Julie Norris. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/12/2024. AJ 1394 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1394

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008982

XM Properties located at 1843 El Prado Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Registrant: Xavier Kevin McDonnell, 1843 El Prado Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/01/2005. Signature: Xavier Kevin McDonnell. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024. AJ 1400 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1400

Aztec Auto Glass located at 4394 Powder Horn Dr, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: Edna Norris, 4394 Powder Horn Dr, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/05/2024.

Signature: Edna Norris. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/18/2024. AJ 1388 04/19, 04/26, 05/03, and 05/10/2024. AJSD 1388

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008026

Active Lawn Care located at 2521 Glenridge Rd, Escondido, CA 92027.

Registrant: Juan Climaco Gregorio Carrillo, 2521 Glenridge Rd, Escondido, CA 92027. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/12/2024.

Signature: Juan Gregorio. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/12/2024.

AJ 1391 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1391

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008952

Beer Me San Diego Tours located at 750 Eastshore Ter #122 Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Dalina M Horta, 750 Eastshore Ter #122 Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Dalina M Horta. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/24/2024. AJ 1395 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1395

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009223

iCell Phones located at 1632 Connoley Ave, Chula VIsta, CA 91911. Registrant: Marvin Morales, 416 W San Ysidro Blvd L973, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Marvin Morales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/29/2024. AJ 1401 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1401

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008487

Bright Houses located at 545 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Giovanny Delgado Mojica, 545 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Giovanny Delgado Mojica. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/18/2024. AJ 1396 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, and 05/17/2024. AJSD 1396

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9006882

ELR Trucking located at 812 Plaza Mar, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Earbin Lopez Rivera, 780 Dennery Rd. Ste 303, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/11/2018. Signature: Earbin Lopez Rivera. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 03/27/2024. AJ 1402 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, and 05/24/2024. AJSD 1402

SAN DIEGO

Filipino rest

receives Florida’s

taurant

K aya

first Michelin Green S tar for sustainable gastronomy

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

K AYA, a Filipino restaurant in Orlando received Florida’s first Michelin Green Star Award last Thursday, April 18 for its outstanding commitment to sustainable and eco-conscious dining.

Awarded by the Michelin Guide, the Green Star designation is a testament to a restaurant’s exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To earn this coveted recognition, restaurants must not only tantalize taste buds with their culinary masterpieces but also demonstrate a profound dedication to minimizing their environmental impact.

The distinction holds special significance for Chef Lordfer Lalicon and Jamilyn Bailey, the founders of Kaya as it reflects one of their guiding values – utang na loob.

By prioritizing sourcing ingredients from local Florida farms and with over 90% of their produce originating locally, Kaya exemplifies their commitment to sustainability. Lalicon highlighted their focus on “bayanihan” in building strong ties with the local community, artisans, and farmers, further reinforcing their dedication to supporting local initiatives.

“We center our work around the Filipino value bayanihan, a spirit of communal support,” Lalicon said in a quote by Michelin Guide. “We have built Kaya with the intention to improve the local restaurant-farmer-community ecosystem.”

This means that every aspect of their operations, from team development to partnerships with local artisans and sourcing of produce and seafood, is geared towards enhancing this ecosystem as they prioritize minimizing waste through innovative utilization of byproducts.

In an Instagram post, Bailey said, Utang na loob or inner debt, or as my mom would say, “the debt you can never repay.” while most often we think of this in terms of personal relationships and reciprocity with others, we intentionally extend this principle to the land and the abundance of resources it provides us. we have a responsibility.”

“Culinary trends like low waste, snout to tail, and farm to table are seen not just as modern concepts but as ancestral technology deeply ingrained in Philippine cuisine,” Bailey further explained, “(our people have been doing this for generations… there’s a reason vinegar is such a central component to philippine cuisine!)”

Situated in the Mills 50 district in Orlando, Kaya occupies a charming bungalow-style building that exudes a quirky allure. Guests are greeted with captivating views of the open kitchen, adding to the restaurant’s inviting ambiance.

The dining experience at Kaya revolves around a meticulously curated tasting menu, featuring

multiple courses, some comprising more than one element.

“Expect a modern spin on classic Filipino dishes with local seafood and central Florida produce taking center stage. Kinilaw na isada (sic), a ceviche-style dish with madai and finely diced fruit in a vinegar sauce is a stunning dish that wakes up the palate for a strong start,” according to the Michelin Guide writeup.

“Then, the menu changes often, but you may enjoy kare, a rectangle of braised fork-tender oxtail resting in the classic and flavorful peanut stew/ sauce, along with various vegetables. It’s served with their pitch-perfect garlic rice, served classic or with a luxe update with King crab.”

With the Michelin Green Star distinction, Kaya joins an esteemed group of restaurants renowned for their commitment to sustainability, including Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, New York; Dirt Candy in New York City; Providence and Osteria Mozza, both in Los Angeles; and The French Laundry in Yountville. n

Bea Alonzo files cyber libel charges vs Cristy Fermin, Ogie Diaz, others

by Jan Milo Severo

Here Lies Love garners four Tony Award nominations

by MoMar G. viSaya AJPress

“HERE Lies Love,” the groundbreaking musical featuring Broadway’s first-ever all-Filipino cast notched four Tony Awards nominations on Tuesday, April 30.

The musical received four nominations: Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theater (Music: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim Lyrics: David Byrne), Best Scenic Design (David Korins), Best Sound Design (M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer), Best Choreography (Annie-B Parson).

These technical nominations highlight the show’s production’s outstanding musicality and strengths in choreography, lighting, and sound that brought the unique “dance club” concept of telling Imelda Marcos’ story to life and made the immersive experience impactful.

Directed by Alex Timbers, the musical showed a captivating exploration of the life of the renowned former First Lady of the Philippines and subsequent fall at the hands of the People Power Revolution. Known for its disco-infused score and innovative staging, “Here Lies Love” began its Broadway run on June 17, 2023, with an official opening on July 20, 2023, at the Broadway Theatre. Despite critical acclaim, the show faced challenges at the box office and concluded its run on November 26, 2023.

Featuring a groundbreaking all-Filipino cast led by Arielle Jacobs, Jose Llana, and Conrad Ricamora, “Here Lies Love” marked a significant moment in Broadway history.

Jose Antonio Vargas, one of the producers, reflected on the significance of theater and

expressed gratitude for the nominations through a social media post: Theatre is that rarest thing: at once ephemeral and everlasting. And award nominations are one measure of success. Grateful for the much-deserved recognition of these extraordinary artists.

And equally grateful for the unforgettable experience that is Here Lies Love.

“You cannot erase the history that was made with @ herelieslovebway, and I’m thankful to everyone––all the wonderful artists involved, all the performers who poured their hearts, all the producers who believed in the show—for this

singular journey,” he said.

Aside from the Tony nods, the musical also received nominations from a couple of other award-giving bodies. The Outer Critics Circle, the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-oftown newspapers and national publications, honored Here Lies Love with nominations for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Scenic Design (David Korins), Outstanding Sound Design (M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Justin Townsend). The musical also got three

Kaya’s chef Lordfer Lalicon receiving the restaurant’s Michelin Green Star Award. Photo from Instagram/@kaya.orlando

Bea Alonzo

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

Conrad Ricamora (as Ninoy Aquino) and the cast of Here Lies Love

Photo by Billy Bustamante, Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

City of San Diego’s second annual Adaptive Golf Championship returns to Torrey Pines

Inspirational adaptive athletes showcase their golf skills at world famous municipal golf course

SAN DIEGO – For the second consecutive year, the City of San Diego hosted some of the best local, national and international adaptive golfers at its annual Torrey Pines Adaptive Golf Championship on Thursday, May 2. The tournament allows golfers with disabilities and other adaptations to compete and showcase their talents at one of the most well-known municipal golf courses in the world.

The event is a collaboration between the city’s Parks and Recreation Department Golf Division and Therapeutic Recreation Services program, which provides adaptive sports opportunities to individuals with disabilities who have difficulty accessing and participating in recreational opportunities offered to the general public.

“We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to make the Torrey Pines Adaptive Golf Championship happen for a second year,” said Kristi Fenick, Therapeutic Recreation Services District Manager.

“Every day we work to promote opportunities for adaptive athletes to compete. Our goal is to create a space where these talented golfers can shine, and I believe we’re doing that.”

The Adaptive Golf Championship is open to all players from amateur to professional. This year, the championship has drawn not only local players but national and international athletes as well. While adaptive golfers from California make up most of the lineup, golfers from Florida, Wisconsin and even Argentina

were also out on the links.

The event, held on the Torrey Pines North Course, featured more than 40 adaptive golfers who compete in eight different playing classifications. Course yardages were modified to the appropriate distance for each classification according to the rules set forth by the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA).

The Golf Division intends to continue to develop and expand the event in keeping with the city’s efforts to make golf an activity that is accessible for everyone. All three city golf courses — Balboa Park, Mission Bay and Torrey Pines — offer specialized golf carts to help assist golfers with mobility challenges.

“We’re excited and honored to once again host the Adaptive Golf Championship at Torrey Pines and to have the opportunity to see these athletes compete on such a high level,” said John Howard, Golf Operations Division Deputy Director. “Golf is a sport for everyone, and it is truly inspiring to watch the skill, dedication and perseverance these golfers display.”

The City of San Diego Golf Division operates three golf complexes (Balboa Park, Mission Bay and Torrey Pines) and is dedicated to serving its patrons and players of all ages and abilities while enhancing their enjoyment of the game by providing a high-quality golf experience. For more information, please visit sandiego.gov/golf. (City of San Diego Release) n

Here Lies Love...

nods from the Drama League Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Alex Timbers), and Distinguished Performance Award (Conrad Ricamora). The 2024 Drama League Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The 77th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose, will be broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Leading the Tony pack with 13 nominations each are “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic.” These two productions earned nods in multiple categories including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Original Score. Close behind, with 12 nominations, is “The Outsiders” while “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” has garnered 9 nominations. “Appropriate” received 8 nods; “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Water for Elephants,” and “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch” have each earned 7 nominations. Rounding out the list of top contenders are “Suffs” and “An Enemy of the People,” both with 6 nominations, followed closely by “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” with 5 nominations. “The Notebook” and “Back To The Future: The Musical” have received 3 nominations each, while “Gutenberg! The Musical!” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot” earned 1 nomination apiece. n

A ‘Very Important Pinoy’ tour

by Dan E. niño Contributor

LOS ANGELES – In a bid to bolster tourism in the Philippines with emphasis in the untapped countrysides – the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board and its implementing partner Rajah Tours – are intensifying their campaign to attract Fil-Ams and other diverse groups in North America to visit the Philippines from July 21 to 30 this year.

Originally christened as Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors (ACGTD) Tour to visit the Motherland, this flagship project was launched in 2005 by the late Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario with the support of all foreign posts in the U.S. and Canada. There was an initial 350 participants. It gained traction with 500 adherents the following year.

In 2008, the program registered 605 visitors and fluctuated to 184 in 2017 due to the declaration of martial law in Marawi and Davao in these two featured destinations. It was scrapped in 2010 and 2016 due to national elections and 2020, 2021 and 2022 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lately, the group tour is billed as, “Very Important Pinoy Tour.” Rajah Tours Chairman and CEO Alejandra Cruz Clemente who flew from the Philippines via New York to Los Angeles met with the media, community leaders, Philippine Airlines executives and three stalwarts from the Los Angeles Philippine Consulate at Chinatown to pitch for the joint government and private sector’s tourism project. Ms. Clemente lamented the lack of push, publicity or media coverage for this effort. She emphasized, “While we are recovering, we need help. Our tourism will get a boost 10-fold when the Bulacan International Airport will become operational.” She added, “It takes time but we’re getting there.”

The Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles were

While dissecting the apparent lack of push, a reporter suggested to Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco to conduct a roadshow like what former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon did when he journeyed to Los Angeles many years ago with entertainers – generating nostalgia.

Other issues cropped up regarding sanitation, cleanliness, rest rooms, cigarette butts strewn all over, among others.

represented by Deputy Consul

General Maria Alnee A. Gamble, Consul for Cultural Diplomacy Marie Cris P. Chieng and Cultural Officer Edelmira Valencia.

Ms. Clemente, a native of Mangatarem, Pangasinan said, “We are developing new infrastructures and tourist destinations like Northern Mindanao particularly Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and Bacolod in the Western Visayas Region.”

“Our country has very rich culture. We want our compatriots living in North America to witness cultural immersion themselves and meet the indigenous tribes featuring the indigenous customs of Iligan and Maranao natives: weaving, culinary arts, cultural dances, and Maskara Festival of Negros Province. We are

arranging cultural presentations during the tour. It would be full of adventure if the participants would like to go water rafting, zipline adventures agricultural tour, explore the Silay ruins and the powdery white sand beaches.”

The main objectives of this tour is to entice Filipino American to deepen their appreciation of their Motherland, its rich history, heritage and culture and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people; to attract Fil-Americans and foreign tourists to invest in the Philippines, promote the Philippines as a retirement haven for Fil-Ams and foreigners and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of foreign exchange earnings.

Clemente also decried not implementing some seven to 10 congressional bills which she helped design that became law but marketing and promotion still lack funding. There was also a comment that the branding shift from Ambassador’s Tour to Very Important Pinoy Tour might have confused potential parties.

To assure the safety and security of the participants, all government apparatus including local and provincial authorities and the Philippine National Police will be tapped. An audience with the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is yet to be confirmed. Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines will fly the participants from North America and on domestic flights across the Philippines. Interested parties may call Innovative Tours and Travels CEO Megs Ilagan for bookings in the U.S. at 714-595-9891. n

County releases recommended budget

THE county’s recommended budget for next fiscal year was released Thursday, May 2 and it shows what the county is doing to maintain and improve our quality of life while also helping those who need it most.

The budget includes funding to help those experiencing homelessness and behavioral health and substance use disorders. It does more to help people and families with housing, nutrition, health, financial and other needs.

The county put additional funding into affordable housing, roads, justice reform, public safety and environmental sustainability. The budget retains funding for core services like fire protection, libraries and parks.

Overall, the recommended budget for 2024-25 totals $8.48 billion, an increase of $317.7 million or 3.9% over the 202324 adopted budget, with an emphasis on investments in key priorities while sustaining core services and efficiently managing the growth of staffing.

The plan calls for roughly 72 new positions, a 0.4% increase.

Nearly 3.3 million people live in the county and the budget touches everyone in some way. Regionally, the county provides food and restaurant inspections, beach and bay water testing, elections, social services, health programs, foster care, adult protective services and more.

In addition, the county provides citytype services for those who live outside of the region’s 18 cities, the unincorporated area. It is so large that if it were a city, by population, it would be the second largest in the region. There, the county supplies police and fire protection and maintains parks, libraries and roads.

Almost half of the funding comes from federal and state governments, but that money must be used on certain programs. The rest comes from property taxes, fees for services and other sources.

The budget reflects the county’s values: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence and sustainability. It maintains current services and funds new ones, using data and community input gathered throughout the year and considering equity for vulnerable populations.

You can learn more about the recommended budget by reviewing an executive summary (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/openbudget/en/budget-summary. html) or the full recommended budget plan (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ dam/sdc/auditor/pdf/caoplan_24-26.pdf).

You can give your feedback in person and online. An in-person community budget meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at the County Operations Center. A virtual community meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29. Visit our open budget page at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/openbudget/en/home.html for more information.

You can also give your feedback and let us know how you prefer to receive updates on the budget process by leaving comments at Engage San Diego County now through June 13. You can watch, listen and participate in budget presentations, hearings, deliberations and adoption at upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings. Visit the Clerk of the Board’s website (https://

www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob. html) or call 619-531-5434 to get additional details about hearings and request translation services.

Budget presentations take place before the Board at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14 and 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16. Public hearings are 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4 and 5:30 p.m. on June 6. Budget deliberations and adoption are scheduled for Tuesday, June 25. The adopted budget takes effect July 1.

Investment priorities in the recommended budget include: A) Infrastructure: Roads, libraries, parks and other community enhancements.

• $132.9 million total to provide new facilities and maintain existing ones to allow employees to continue providing excellent customer service.

• $480.8 million total for Public Works/ Roads which builds and maintains roads and manages the region’s sanitation and flood control districts.

– $40.5 million increase for a total of $189 million for road safety including traffic signals, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, guardrails and new sidewalks and bike lanes.

– $4.7 million to prevent storm flooding by keeping culverts, channels, levees and storm drains safe and clean.

– $4.5 million increase for a total of $65.5 million to maintain 2,000 miles of unincorporated roadways.

• $75.8 million total for Parks and Recreation to promote health and wellness, safe communities and civic pride through thousands of programs.

– $33.5 million total to operate 157 park facilities, 58,000 acres of parkland and 389 miles of trails.

– $20.2 million to conserve natural resources, protect habitat and species, and improve environmental conditions in the Tijuana River Valley.

• $66.6 million total for County Library to offer a physical and virtual hub of education, entertainment and culture.

– $22.8 million for a new Casa de Oro Library.

– $12.4 million to curate all library materials, digital and print.

– $569,000 increase to operate 33 branch libraries, 4 electric bookmobiles and 5 automated book kiosks.

B) Behavioral Health: Mental health and substance use support.

• More than $1.1 billion in total investments for Behavioral Health Services.

– $28 million increase for substance use residential and outpatient services.

– $25 million to expand and support the

public behavioral workforce which includes the development of a new training and tuition program.

– $15 million increase to implement

Senate Bill 43 for Involuntary Behavioral Health treatment.

– More than $9 million to provide services in the new Tri-City Psychiatric Health Facility in Oceanside.

– $4 million increase for a total of $11.1 million to address the opioid crisis.

– More than $4 million for youth suicide prevention.

C) Homelessness: Access to shelter, housing and other services to ensure people have a safe place to live.

• $98.7 million total to support people at risk for homelessness, immigrant and refugee communities and other vulnerable groups to promote equity for all in the region.

– $15 million for the Regional Homeless Assistance Program.

– $7.8 million increase to help those experiencing homelessness in the San Diego and Sweetwater riverbeds.

– A second safe parking site is expected to open in summer 2024, expanding emergency housing options for the unincorporated communities.

D) Housing: Housing opportunities to meet community needs.

• $90.9 million total for Housing and Community Development Services to provide housing resources for vulnerable populations, develop affordable and supportive housing and help achieve selfsufficiency for families.

– $10.6 million in new funding for the Innovative Housing Trust Fund to help build affordable housing.

– $2.4 million increase to boost multifamily rental housing in the unincorporated area.

– $500-a-month rental subsidy continues for nearly 400 older adults who are at risk of homelessness, rent-burdened and in need of financial aid.

• $58 million total for Planning and Development Services to balance community, economic and environmental interests to ensure the highest quality of life for all in the region.

– $30.1 million to facilitate housing by creating affordable housing programs and removing barriers to housing through things like guaranteed plan review times for 100% affordable housing projects.

E) Support Services: Nutrition, health, financial and other programs to help vulnerable individuals and families.

• $812.2 million for

Round table discussions were held recently to push for Philippine tourism in the Chinatown district in Los Angeles. Top photo shows the discussions being presided by Rajah Tours Philippines’ Alejandra Cruz Clemente (center, in black coat). With her in photo are (clockwise, starting to her left) tourism-based partners Megs Ilagan of Innovative

meeting: (seated, from left) Loida Crisostomo, journalist Lydia Solis, Alejandra Clemente of Rajah

Consul General Maria Alnee Gamble, Consul for Cultural Diplomacy Mariecris Chieng and Innovative Tours & Travels Megs Ilagan; (standing from left) PAL account manager Ricky Panis, PAL account manager Mitty A. Torres, journalist Dan Niño, San Gabriel Valley

Ilagan, Asian Journal

Post publisher & editor Val G. Abelgas.

County releases recommended...

to food, health care, housing and general relief for people with no other means of support.

• $2 million increase to expand food security through community gardens, nutritional education, meals, food pantries and acceptance of EBT benefits at 18 certified farmers markets.

• Over $200 million for In Home Supportive Services to provide in-home assistance for vulnerable adults.

• A location in National City will serve as the future site of the South County Family Justice Center and offer local crime victims access to trauma recovery services in one place.

• $145 million investment in medical and mental health for incarcerated adults.

• $9 million investment in medical and mental health for youth in institutions.

• $2.2 million increase to help veterans who need long-term support to avoid institutionalization.

• $479 million for Child and Family Well Being to provide family strengthening and prevention services to keep families together, as well as child protection services.

– More than $158 million for families supporting foster and adopted children.

– $2 million increase for child abuse prevention.

– $2 million increase to help youth leaving foster care with transitional housing.

– A new Prevention Hub to help families before they reach a point of crisis, with the ultimate goal of keeping families together.

• $11.3 million for Animal Services, including $1.3 million, three full-time employees and a mobile veterinary clinic for underserved areas in the unincorporated area.

F) Justice Reform: Transforming the justice system to ensure equity and accountability.

• More than $230 million total investment in Alternatives to Incarceration to reduce jail populations and maintain public safety through prevention, diversion and reentry planning.

– $3.6 million for Community Care Coordination Reentry Support connecting justice-involved people with significant needs with care-based services like housing, mental health and substance use treatment, medical care and employment and education.

– $3.3 million for the Public Defender’s Holistic Services Unit that brings together clinicians, substance abuse assessors and housing navigators to assist clients.

– $2 million for the District Attorney’s Juvenile Diversion Initiative which helps keep youth and teens under 18 years of age out of the juvenile justice system while addressing the root causes of harmful behavior.

• $7 million and 43 full time employees for the Youth Development Academy to house, care and rehabilitate youth in the justice system.

G) Public Safety: Law enforcement and fire protection.

• More than $2.7 billion in total investments for Public Safety.

– $87.1 million for fire, emergency medical and ambulance services, which includes a $16 million increase for services in the unincorporated area.

– $4 million for the Medical Examiner to address an increased caseload of deaths due to fentanyl overdoses.

– $5 million to start replacing the 50-year-old Ramona Sheriff Substation.

– $400,000 for Ramona Fire Station 80 remodel and fire training tower.

– $500,000 for the Gun Violence Prevention Program.

– 2 full-time employees added to the Economic Crimes Division at the District Attorney’s Office.

– $51 million to improve adult detention facilities.

– $6.3 million for East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility improvements.

H) Public Health and Protection: Keeping communities healthy and preventing illness.

• $291.8 million for Public Health Services to prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, encourage healthy behaviors, and assure access for all through Public Health Centers, home visit programs and pharmaceutical services.

– Continued funding to build a new state-of-theart public health lab that will test for infectious diseases.

– Funding and staff to deploy two new Live Well on Wheels vehicles.

• $55.5 million for Environmental and Health Quality to protect environmental quality, promote environmental awareness and ensure compliance with local, state and federal environmental laws.

– $15.6 million total to inspect restaurants and other food facilities.

– $14.8 million total to regulate 14,000 hazardous material operations to prevent exposure to spills.

– $1.5 million total for testing and reporting beach and bay water quality.

I) Environmental Sustainability: Protecting the natural environment to preserve it for future generations.

• $18.2 million increase to protect the region’s watershed and for new green infrastructure projects.

• $16 million to preserve land to protect species as part of the Multiple Species Conservation Program.

$2.5 million total to update the Climate Action.

• $2 million to plant 4,000 new trees on County property to lower greenhouse gases.

• $1.8 million to install new electric vehicle charging stations for the public.

• $1 million for the Zero Carbon Portfolio Plan to reduce carbon emissions in County facilities by 90% by 2030.

Additional Highlights

• $9 million to advance broadband connectivity in the rural areas of the county.

• $4.9 million for the Office of Evaluation, Performance and Analytics to study County data to find patterns and trends that can help leaders improve programs, services and policies.

• $1.3 million for the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement to work with communities and businesses to improve labor standards, ensure compliance and support for victims of wage theft.

• $500,000 to expand the Social Equity Program to address the disproportionate harm caused by the War on Drugs on communities of color by prioritizing access and equity in the cannabis industry.

• $500,000 to implement the Uplift Boys & Men of Color initiative to connect at-risk youth to wraparound services, trauma support systems and workforce development opportunities.

(Tracy DeFore/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board seeks applicants

THE county’s Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) is looking for applicants to fill an opening on its board.

Established in 1990, CLERB investigates citizen complaints against San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers.

The current vacancy is in Supervisorial District 4, which includes the cities of Lemon Grove and La Mesa, parts of the City of San Diego, and unincorporated communities including Casa De Oro-Mount Helix, Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley.

The 11 members of CLERB include two from each of the five supervisorial districts. The eleventh is chosen at large from any of the five districts. The County Board of Supervisors appoints CLERB members for three-year terms that are staggered beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.

CLERB also investigates deaths in connection with the actions of sworn deputies and probation officers. The review board makes advisory findings on complaints and recommends policy and procedure changes to the Sheriff, Chief Probation Officer and the Board of Supervisors.

Applicants:

• Must be a registered voter in San Diego County.

• Cannot be a county employee.

• Cannot be affiliated with the county.

• Cannot currently hold a position as a sworn law enforcement officer.

• Serve a three-year term for no more than two consecutive full terms.

• Should attend one CLERB meeting prior to applying for the vacancy.

• Must complete a