RIn a speech to open the two-day First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Asia and the Paci c at the ShangriLa Resort Mactan, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “My proposal, to leave a legacy after these nice days is to pro-
or Institute, and we are certainly open to any discussions, whether it be funding, curriculum and the like. We have the support of the national government and importantly,
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government needs to ramp up its e orts against involuntary hunger as the country continues to rank low in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).
The chief executive said he is banking on the full implementation of the Walang Gutom 2027: the Food Stamp Program (FSP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the anti-hunger initiatives of local government units (LGU) and nongovernment organizations (NGO) to ensure the country’s food security.
“If we are truly to succeed in this endeavor, we must put in a whole-of-nation approach to create a lasting solution to this great challenge,”
Marcos said in his speech during the awarding ceremony for the rst ever Walang Gutom Awards (WGA) in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Potential to change
IN the 2023 GHI, Philippines scored 14.8 or moderately hungry, which is below the regional score of East and Southeast Asia of 8.2.
Of the 125 countries in the GHI list, the Philippines was ranked 66th in terms of hunger severity. The GHI is a measurement used by European NGOs to track hunger incidents globally.
“We are aware of the challenges that we face but we see the potential to change this situation,” Marcos said. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to end involuntary hunger before the end of his term through the full implementation of the DSWD’s Walang Gutom 2027:
the Food Stamp Program (FSP). Under FSP, DSWD provides P3,000 worth food credits to program bene ciaries, which they can access by presenting their transfer cards to accredited food retailers.
The program has been piloted in Manila, Isabela, Siargao Islands, Camarines Sur and Maguindanao and set to be scaled up next month. Grass-roots e orts
THE President said LGUs also play an important role in national e orts to end involuntary hunger incidents, since they have better knowledge and have good insights on the incidence of hunger in their localities and how to address it compared to the national government.
ESPITE the slowdown in consumption in the rst three months of the year, the country’s consumer spending is expected to speed up as in ation starts to ease, according to a UKbased think tank.
In its Asia Consumer Watch, BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions Company, said the gradual slowdown in in ation could provide a much-needed boost to consumption spending this BMI expects consumption spending to increase to 6.4 percent this year compared to the 5.1 percent posted in 2023.
In real terms, it estimated this to be about P12.7 trillion, using 2010
“Spending will remain in uenced by the elevated in ationary pressures seen over 2023 as well as currently high debt levels, along with related debt servicing costs,” BMI
“Easing in ation and a tight labor market will support spending, as real wage growth returns to positive territory, which will support purchasing power over the year,” it
e resilience being shown by the economy is a major factor that led BMI to expect that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will the country’s key policy rates at 6.5 percent in its meetin this week.
“Given that the economy has remained fairly resilient thus far, the Bank will be in no hurry to cut rates until price pressures have eased more convincingly,” BMI said.
However, BMI noted that household debt remained a risk due to high policy rates. Fortunately for the Philippines, the think tank said, the country has a low exposure to loans with household debt to GDP at Household debt levels have started to rise—with consumer loans ratio to total loans increasing 2.7 percentage points y-o-y to 21 percent in the last quarter of 2023.
BMI also said the quality of loans is improving as a percentage of nonperforming loans (NPLs) for consumers decreasing 80 basis points to 5.8 percent.
“A high level of household debt
remains a risk to our consumer outlook, as it not only constrains future borrowing capacity but impacts current disposable income levels. This is particularly true as debt servicing costs rise in response to increases in interest rates,” BMI said.
Current account
MEANWHILE, BMI’s current account outlook is not as rosy as it lowered its 2024 current de cit forecast to 2.3 percent of GDP from 2.8 percent of GDP.
BMI said that while this would be slightly narrower than the 2.6 percent recorded in 2023, it remains much larger than the 2015-2019 average of 0.4 percent.
The data for the rst quarter of 2024 showed the de cit reaching 1.9 percent.
BMI said this implies that the Philippine external sector could weaken over the coming quarters.
“While external demand has held up relatively well in the rst half of the year, we think that it will slow in earnest in the latter half as major trading partners face domestic economic headwinds of their own,” BMI said.
Factors that will lead to weaker external demand, BMI said, include slower growth in China in the coming quarters, while growth in the United States will be constrained by high interest rates.
BMI added that Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore are also experiencing slower growth. Together, these countries account for about 73 percent of total Philippine exports.
Meanwhile, the growth in tourism receipts is also expected to “taper o ” given that international visitors are still 40 percent below the prepandemic period.
The slowdown is already imminent, BMI said, as average tourist spend is roughly 5 percent less than in 2023, once in ation adjustments are made to estimates. Cai U. Ordinario
RP maintains Tier 1 ranking in human trafficking report
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday announced that the Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking for the ninth consecutive year based on the United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.
“ is Tier 1 Ranking will serve as our motivation in reaching greater heights in our never-ending quest to completely eliminate all forms of human exploitation and tra cking. e State declares an ’all-out war’ against every single human tra cker out there
preying on the innocent, we will show no-mercy in running after each one of you,” the DOJ said in a statement quoting Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
e Tier 1 ranking, the highest designation in the TIP Report, signi es that the Philippines fully
meets the minimum standards for the elimination of human tra cking.
e DOJ said the recognition highlights the comprehensive measures implemented by various government agencies spearheaded by the Inter-Agency Council Against Tra cking (Iacat), to address human tra cking “through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership initiatives.”
“For nine straight years, the Philippine government has been relentless in its campaign to eradicate all forms of human tra cking. We have already gone this far and there is no stopping us in our ultimate goal of creating a world completely free from human tra cking,” Remulla said.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco also welcomed the
later TIP Report and assured that the agency, as a member of the Iacat, will continue to be relentless in its campaign against human trafcking.
e BI noted that in the TIP Report, the US Department of State highlighted how tra ckers use technology to facilitate tra cking of their victims. is prompted the BI to raise the alarm against syndicates recruiting professionals who end up working as love scammers in crypto scam hubs abroad.
“We are winning against trafcking. But the battle never stops. ese human tra ckers remain persistent in recruiting victims, but we will never stop doing our sworn duty to protect the Filipino people from this societal evil,” Tansingco said.
PHL MUST STRIVE MORE TO FULFILL FDI PLEDGES
countries in East and Southeast Asia in the 2024 Chandler Good Government Index. e country also ranked 115th
out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index in 2022, and its students have the lowest score in reading, math and science in the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
e analysts also said the country ranked 113th out of 193 countries in the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index, among other low rankings.
Citing a study from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the analysts said foreign investors look for good credit rating and improved ease of doing business as more important than lower taxes and fewer restrictions.
Investors are also looking for good-quality human capital rather than low labor cost as well as good public governance which is linked to infrastructure, competitive industrial performance, and technological innovation.
“ eir nding is consistent with other ndings in the literature that argue that foreign investors seek stability and transparency, preferring clear-cut and consistently implemented regulations to individual privileges or incentives,” the analysts said. “Government manage-
ment and implementation of policies are found to be more important than population size and sociocultural factors,” they added.
Earlier, investment pledges made by foreigners to the country’s Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) contracted 63.6 percent in the rst three months of the year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Based on the data, Total Foreign Investment (FI) pledges approved in the rst quarter of 2024 were recorded at P148.43 billion, signicantly lower than the P408.22 billion approved in the same quarter of 2023.
Of the total approved foreign investments, Singapore posted the highest investment commitment of P70.06 billion or 47.2 percent. is was followed by the Netherlands at P38.89 billion or 26.2 percent of the total; and South Korea at P20.23 billion or 13.6 percent of the total.
“However, even as the national government is more than willing to take the lead in helping address this problem of hunger, through these programs, we acknowledge that we also need to tap and partner with our local governments,” Marcos said.
He noted the WGA will allow the government to recognize the best practices of LGUs in terms of combating involuntary hunger.
“Indeed, we need more LGUs like you to achieve our mission of ’Walang Gutom’ by 2027
we have the support of those that will help us in the ourishing of this academy, our chefs, not to mention the Basque Culinary Center [BCC].”
Later at a news conference, Pololikashvili’s said his proposal was “a fresh idea” and he will propose it to the 36th Joint Commission Meeting of the Commission for East Asia and the Paci c and the Commission for South Asia on Friday, which will also be held in Cebu. As yet, he could not specify details on the composition and organization of the gastronomy center. The proposal is inspired by the establishment of the BCC, a private foundation that has been able to promote San Sebastian as a major gastronomy destination in Spain. For her part, BCC Director of Masters and Courses Idoia Calleja, said, “We will be very happy to share our experience of education in our gastronomy in this center. I think it is important to elevate the level of chefs to have the ability to work with a lot of sectors and promote gastronomy.” She emphasized that gastronomy was not just about food, but about “health, it’s science, also about sustainability; we were talking earlier about food waste.... We will be very pleased to collaborate on this center if it comes to reality.”
and I pray that this year’s awards will also spur and inspire other LGUs to replicate your successes across the country,” Marcos said. Among the award recipients were Barangays Commonwealth, Quezon City, and Naggasican, Santiago City, along with the municipalities of Asuncion, Davao del Norte; Palompon, Leyte; and Bacnotan, La Union.
Other winners are the city of Kidapawan in Cotabato along with the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Mati, and the province of Biliran.
Each winner received at least P2 million worth of Sustainable Livelihood Program Funds, while the other nalists received P1 million, which they can use to expand their anti-hunger programs.
Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the conference, Frasco said she will be discussing the possible funding of the gastronomy center with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), a government corporation under the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“We will certainly discuss it with Tieza as far as trying to muster funding as necessary as a result of our discussions as well with UNWTO, since these details have not yet been nalized.” She also announced the development of a Filipino Gastronomy Sustainable Tourism Roadmap, drafted in “nationwide consultations” to institutionalize support for Philippine gastronomy.
“First, the goal is to protect the integrity of our heritage dishes, to ensure we’re able to give government support for the availability and quality of ingredients, as well as to be inclusive as possible in featuring Filipino food not only from the lens of the types of food that have become known but also from the lens of the foods that have yet to come to the world’s palate.”
She said DOT is proposing to increase the agency’s budget for food tourism speci cally for the National Expenditure Program for 2025, adding that the roadmap will likely cover “until 2029.” About 600 delegates from 43 countries are attending the gastronomy conference, and had the chance to sample a variety of regional and provincial dishes of the Philippines prepared by some of the country’s celebrated chefs.
CHAOS AT THE POLLS? Former Rep. Edgar Erice of Caloocan City showed journalists a copy of a ballot to be used in the MIRU machines for the 2025 elections which he fears will lead to chaos and confusion among voters. The former lawmaker accused the Comelec of allegedly violating the Automated Election Law and the Procurement Law, gravely abused its discretion in many instances, and violated its own Terms of Reference, just to ensure the 18 billion peso Comelec-Miru contract pushes through. NONIE REYES
Romualdez announces expansion of NKTI
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
TO prolong the lives of thousands of Filipinos suffering from kidney problems, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez announced on Wednesday that the government will build the largest hemodialysis center in the country at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.
“Every dialysis machine here represents a life that can be saved, a family that can have hope, and dreams that can still be achieved,” Romuladez said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“This project will significantly impact the lives of ordinary Filipinos. They will no longer need to travel far or spend large amounts of money for treatment. Here, they will have access to modern facilities and quality services to alleviate their condition,” he continued.
Kidney disease is among the leading causes of death in the Philippines, with over one million Filipinos suffering from these illnesses. Patients often require dialysis until a kidney transplant donor is found.
Romualdez said that the P2 billion 13-story NKTI Hemodialysis Center is part of President Marcos’s Legacy Specialty Hospital Project.
He noted that the NKTI is among the specialty hospitals established during the first Marcos administration by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, which also includes the Heart Center, Children’s Medical Center, and Lung Center.
“This was initiated by his esteemed mother in the 1970s and is now being continued by our President for millions of Filipinos,” Romualdez added.
“The Hemodialysis Legacy Building stands as proof of President Marcos Jr.’s ongoing mission to provide
quality healthcare services to every Filipino. Thank you very much, Mr. President!” he added.
He also emphasized that the hemodialysis facility would serve as a training ground for health professionals.
“In addition to the building and machines, we will have training facilities to educate and strengthen our healthcare professionals, especially those from the provinces,” he said.
The House leader referred to the facility as the Mega Hemodialysis Legacy Building.
“We called it MEGA because I learned that this will be the largest hemodialysis facility in the Philippines! Once completed, this facility will house 200 dialysis machines. Currently, the City of Manila has the most with 100 machines. We will double that here at NKTI,” he added.
“This project is a crucial step not just for NKTI but for the entire country. It is part of our ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services for our citizens,” he said.
Romualdez thanked the NKTI officers and personnel for their dedication and tireless service to kidney patients and other Filipinos seeking healthcare at the hospital.
He also expressed gratitude to the Department of Public Works and Highways and the private sector for their partnership through the government’s Public-Private Partnership Program in undertaking the NKTI hemodialysis center project.
The event was attended by various officials, including House appropriations committee chairman Zaldy Co, Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin, Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Carlo G. Sotto, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Department of Health officials, and NKTI Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete.
Makati mayor hits Comelec for disfranchising Embo voters from electing congressman
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday assailed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not allowing voters of enlisted men’s barrios (Embos), that used to be part of the city, to elect their congressman.
“It seems that the poll body has forgotten that city councilors are elected by legislative district. If the Embo residents can vote for city councilors, this means they are part of a legislative district. Then why can’t they vote for their congressional representative?” Binay asked.
In justifying its decision, the Comelec said it does not know to which of Taguig’s two legislative districts the Embo residents belong. The 10 Embo barangays were part of Makati’s Second District before the Supreme Court said they are part of Taguig. Binay expressed disappointment at the Comelec decision.
“The right to be represented in Congress
‘De Lima’s acquittal proof of working justice system’
of fundamental freedoms.
Tis a basic principle in a democracy. The decision denies the Embo residents of this right,” she said, adding that not only have they lost the benefits from Makati, they have also been deprived of their right to vote for their representative in Congress.
The mayor also said Taguig should fight for the right of Embo residents to vote for their congressional representative.
“To simply accept the Comelec decision is to sustain an injustice and be a party to the derogation of their rights as citizens. Their rights must be defended. If the Taguig leadership won’t do it, they would be complicit in the suppression of the rights of EMBO residents,” she added.
On Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia that residents of the 10 Embo barangays, formerly under the jurisdiction of Makati City, will be able to vote in the 2025 polls for local and national elective candidates, except for congressman.
These are barangay Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Northside, and Southside.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Department of Justice
(DOJ) on Wednesday welcomed the dismissal of the last drugrelated case filed against former senator Leila de Lima, saying that the court’s decision “only shows that the country’s justice system is working.”
In a statement quoting Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the DOJ called the decision issued by Judge Gener Gito of Branch 206 of the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa City as a “testament of fairness and efficiency” of the country’s criminal justice system under present administration.
“It is our hope that the conclusion of these proceedings will allow healing and the continuation of constructive dialogue on matters of justice and human rights,” Remulla said.
Remulla also assured the public that the justice department will continue to uphold the principles of the rule of law, human rights, and the protection
“It will remain committed to strengthening the justice system and upholding democratic values,” the justice secretary stressed.
Meanwhile, DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV said the justice department would leave it up to the panel of prosecutors handling the case to determine whether it would still appeal the decision or not.
“We always practice what is called prosecutorial independence. You all know that we just inherited this case and we took it upon ourselves to stay detached from this case to make sure that the prosecutors who have handled this case from the very start are given leeway and the discretion to decide on matters like this,” Clavano said.
Clavano said the DOJ would wait for the recommendation of the panel led by Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo if there are grounds to pursue the case.
Ocampo earlier said he would meet with the members of the panel to review the court’s decision and determine if
there is a need to pursue other legal remedies to reverse the ruling.
In a decision issued last June 24, the Muntinlupa RTC granted the demurrer to evidence filed by De Lima which sought the immediate dismissal of her drug case for lack of sufficient evidence to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The grant of the demurrer is tantamount to an acquittal or dismissal of the case.
Likewise, the trial court also granted the respective demurrer to evidence filed by De Lima ‘s co-accused namely Ronnie Dayan, her former security aide; former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Jesus Bucayu; Joenel Sanchez; and a certain Jose Adrian Dera.
De Lima and her co-accused were charged with conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
De Lima had previously won two other drug cases lodged against her before two other branches of the RTC in Muntinlupa.
National Police starts preparing for 2025 polls
WITH barely 11 months to go, the National Police has started security preparations for the May 2025 elections.
The National Police chief, Gen. Rommel Marbil, said on Wednesday that the force will do its utmost to make the elections next year peace
ful and incident free.
Marbil has instructed all police units nationwide to intensify the campaign against loose firearms, illegal drugs, and private armed groups that could disrupt the elections.
“Our commitment is to safeguard the democratic process and ensure that
the coming elections are conducted in a secure environment. By cracking down on illegal firearms, drug syndicates, and armed groups, we aim to protect our citizens and uphold the rule of law.
I urge the public to support our efforts and report any illegal activities to help us achieve our goal of a safe and fair election,” he added.
To achieve this, Marbil said the police will work closely with local governments as well as other law enforcement agencies and security forces.
“This collaborative effort will focus on conducting frequent operations in hotspots of illegal activities.
Measures include increased checkpoints, legitimate police operations based on credible intelligence, and community awareness programs to encourage public reporting of suspicious activities,” he added.
Marbil stressed the importance of taking decisive action to dismantle networks that enable illegal firearms, drugs, and private armed groups to operate.
He highlighted that this comprehensive effort involves intelligence operations, community cooperation, and strict law enforcement. Rex Anthony Naval
Malabon mayor brings help to flood victims
AS PART of the initiatives to help Malabueños from the effects of the MalabonNavotas River navigational gate malfunction, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval on Monday and Tuesday, distributed family food packs, vitamin supplements, medicines, and hygiene kits as initial aid to some 150 families in Barangay Hulong Duhat and Flores, who were affected by flooding in different barangays.
The food packs include five kilograms of rice, coffee, and canned goods while the hygiene kits contain toothbrush and toothpaste, towels, sanitary napkins, soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Sandoval herself went to the houses of the flood-affected families to personally give aid to them.
A total of 58 Malabueños also
received medical assistance such as dental services, and consultation, and vitamin distribution.
The mayor also said that the local government seeks a long term solution on the reported MalabonNavotas River navigational gate malfunction after families were affected by the flooded roads in different barangays.
This was during a press conference with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, who she had a meeting to discuss the plans of the local governments and the national agency in solving the flooding problem in the cities and the immediate repair of the navigational gate.
Sandoval said that they sought solutions on the flooding problem that affected the residents in barangays Dampalit, Hulong Duhat, Flores and Tañong, and Concepcion as well as the immediate repair of the navigational gate.
The navigational gate malfunction was reported after it was allegedly hit by boats that passed through the river.
She earlier reminded Malabueños to stay calm and coordinate with the government to ensure their safety and security amid the flooding.
The local government also placed around 2,000 sandbags at river walls, and activated equipment and pumping stations to prevent the water level in flooded areas from rising and further affect the families.
A couple battles illness through the help of Bong Go
WITH her husband Jonaldo having gone through serious heart ailment three times, Pia Daway, 65, of Novaliches, Quezon City, never thought their situation could get any worse.
Jonaldo’s first two surgeries happened 10 years apart. In 2022, his condition necessitated yet another urgent medical intervention. Her voice was a mixture of worry and relief, Pia recalled the ordeals of heart disease that plagued her husband, “Noong una po na siya ay operahan , bypass [surgery]. After 10 years, naulit po siya Ang procedure na po na ginawa ay ang ioplasty.”
As if life’s challenges were not enough, Pia herself was not spared.
“Ako, nagkasakit po ako ng cancer, dalawang cancer,” she shared, her resilience evident in her calm demeanor.
The dual diagnosis of cancer came at a time when their financial resources were already stretched thin by Jonaldo’s medical needs. It was during one of their most desperate moments that a friend working at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City introduced them to the Malasakit Center.
“Ngayon, ‘yung kaibigan kasi namin, nandun sa Heart Center. ‘Sige, Tita,’ sabi niya sa akin , ‘Tutulungan ka namin …nandiyan po ang Malasakit Center,” she recounted.
The Malasakit Center, an initiative started by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, is designed to reduce hospital bills to the lowest possible amount by pooling together resources from various medical assistance programs of key government agencies. Go is the principal author and spon -
sor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 165 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos. For Pia and Jonaldo, the center provided a vital renewal of hope and possibility. “Yung asawa ko, magkano po ‘yung kanyang maintenance…talaga hong ang mamahal,” Pia explained, detailing the high cost of Jonaldo’s medical maintenance. With the help of the Malasakit Center, the Daways were able to navigate through these financial burdens and focus on recovery through the medical assistance provided by agencies conveniently available under one roof.
A4 Thursday, June 27, 2024
DICT expects ₧4.7-B economic growth with digital infra project
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
THE country is expected to gen -
erate
P4.7 billion worth of economic growth with the completion of the 10-year Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP), the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) said.
In a press briefing at Malacañan on Wednesday, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey C. Dy disclosed that the PDIP will attain that net revenue once the government pays off its loan from the World Bank for the US$288-million project.
The improved public access to the internet from the PDIP, he said, will lead to increased consumer growth as well as higher gross domestic product (GDP).
“If there is internet [access], it will lead to higher consumption since there will be e-commerce. But more importantly local players, local drivers—
we’re talking about local farmers, we’re talking about your local sari-sari will now have access also to e-commerce and internet services,” Dy said partly in Filipino.
“We would like to note that according to our research, for every 10 percent increase in internet penetration rate, it constitutes approximately a 1.38 percent increase in our gross domestic product and that is the reason why this project is very important,” he added.
Currently, DICT estimates the national internet penetration rate is 73.6 percent, which translates to 86 million Filipinos are able to go online.
However, in some regions particularly those in Mindanao like Region 13, the internet penetration rate is a mere 17 percent.
DICT will prioritize the improvement of internet access to the said regions through the PDIP since telecommunications firms are unable to
provide commercially viable services in the said areas due to their low population.
Under the PDIP, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Board (NEDA) Board last Tuesday, submarine cables will be installed from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao as part of the National Fiber backbone initiative.
It will also cover the establishment of 772 free Wi-Fi sites, which will be concentrated in Regions 11 and 13.
The roll out of the PDIP, which is projected to benefit five to six million people, will start once the government completes the negotiation for the interest rates with the World Bank in the coming days.
“We hope to start procurement by early next year. So, it will be progressive, but we should be able to complete [it] by 2028 including the fiber backbone,” Dy said.
DAR turns over land titles to 244 Laguna farmers
TBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over certificates of land ownership award ( CLOAS ) to 244 farmers from Laguna during simple rites at the Cultural Center of the Provincial Capitol on Arbor Day, June 25.
The awarded agricultural lands, spanning 159.5 hectares, are in the towns of Santa Cruz, Kalayaan, Pangil, Majayjay, Calamba, San Pablo, Pakil, Calauan, and Paete.
In a statement, Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Kazel Celeste, who presided
over the distribution ceremony, emphasized the critical role farmers play in the nation’s food security.
“Without your hard work and dedication, our country would face hunger. With the looming global food shortage, we trust you to cultivate these lands productively,” Celeste.
“Today’s distribution of land titles is a direct initiative from President Marcos and [Agrarian Reform] Secretary Conrado Estrella to ensure that government services reach you directly,” Celeste added.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (Parpo) Saturnino Bello explained the details of the land distribution: 129.4
Marcos orders development of new township in Manila
PRESIDENT Marcos has set aside a two-hectare lot in Tondo as the the location for a new township that will provide houses for homeless Manila residents.
Upon the recommendation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Marcos issued Proclamation 610 through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, granting the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) ownership of Lot 4-A, Csd-00-003715 in Tondo, Manila.
The new issuance, dated June 21, 2024, amended Proclamation 96 (s. 2001) to allow DHSUD to use the 21,872 square meter lot for township development purposes subject to final ground survey.
It authorized the Environment Secretary to issue the corresponding Special Patent covering the area
awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), providing ARBs with clear, individual titles.
hectares were allocated to 189 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the agency’s land acquisition and distribution program, and 30.11 hectares to 55 ARBs under the DAR’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.
“The 55 ARBs under the SPLIT project had previously received collective certificates of land ownership [CCLOAs]. This time, they received land titles after the department individualized the CCLOAs. The SPLIT project enhances their land tenure security and property rights,” Bello explained.
The SPLIT Project involves the precise subdivision and demarcation of lands
Laguna Rep. Ruth Hernandez, a co-author of Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, celebrated the farmers’ new ownership status.
“I am thrilled that 244 farmers now own the lands they have cultivated for so long. With RA 11953, you are relieved of land amortization payments, and your debts are forgiven,” Hernandez stated.
RA 11953 eradicates “all principal loans, unpaid amortizations, and interests” of 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries dating back to the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. era, amounting to approximately P58 billion in unpaid obligations.
reserved for the said development initiative.
To formulate the implementing rules of Proclamation 610, the President created a Project Inter-Agency Committee (Piac), which will be chaired by DHSUD, with the DENR and the City Government of Manila as members.
Also part of the task of the Piac is to identify the beneficiaries of the housing component of the township development.
Last month, Marcos formed a new Inter-agency Coordinating Council to create the digital master list of government lands, which will be used for the implementation of the national housing initiative or the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
Under the 4PH, the government is targeting to construct 6.8 million new housing units by 2028.
Samuel P. Medenilla
New oil spill spotted off Oriental Mindoro
ENVIROMENT advocates on Wednesday reiterated the call for the protection of the Verde Island Passage as pockets of grease were spotted along the shores of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
The grease of still undetermined origin was spotted by fishermen on Tuesday.
Reminiscing the adverse effect of the Mindoro oil spill last year, Protect VIP a coalition advocating for the protection of the Verde Island Passage reiterated the urgent need to place the vast water region under a legislated Protected Area status.
The Environmental Protection Unit of the Coast Guard (PCG) Station in Oriental Mindoro reported that traces of grease were spotted in barangay Buhay na Tubig and barangay Bacawan around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday.
The PCG is determining the source of the spilled oil.
“It is disheartening to see that the VIP is still yet to recover from the Mindoro oil spill last year, and now, another oil spill looms over its previous ground zero in Pola. We worry that this new oil spill would add up to the already existing damage in the VIP, and while that in itself is alarming, our greatest concern is the potential oil spills in the future if the VIP remains left unprotected,” Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP said in a statement.
“Last year’s oil spill was the Marcos administration’s first environmental disaster and we should already learn the lesson that stronger protection for the VIP is needed. We urge the Marcos administration and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to declare the VIP as a protected area under the ENIPAS Act to be a starting point, to prevent more oil spills and other ecological disasters in the future,” Gariguez added. Ivan Andres, Deputy Head of Research and Policy of the think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said that this endangers the protected areas in the VIP which were already damaged by last year’s oil spill.
“The oil spill poses a threat to vulnerable areas in the VIP, as the stricken barangays of Bahay na Tubig and Bacawan are homes to a mangrove sanctuary and a Marine Protected Area [MPA], respectively. We have already witnessed the deteriorating water quality in the VIP’s MPAs since the Ranzo Fish Sanctuary in Bacawan was reported to fail the water quality guidelines set by DENR. Given that no rehabilitation plans are pushing through for the affected MPAs, this new oil spill worsening the damages is alarming for the marine life in the VIP. Strict investigation and urgent action are needed to identify the cause and ensure immediate containment of the spill, alongside proper assessment of the damage,” said Andres. Aldrin Villanueva, president of Koalisyon ng mga Mangingisda Apektado ng Oil Spill (KMAOS), said he worries about the new oil spill at a time when their livelihood still has not returned to normal yet.
“We fear that we will go back to the situation during the sinking of MT Princess Empress. We have not yet recovered from the oil spill brought by the sunken vessel because fish catch has not returned to normal and we have not been fully compensated for the damage. It is alarming because there is a possibility that this recent oil spill will aggravate the situation,” says Villanueva. Jonathan L. Mayuga
‘Fallout from WPS tensions limited to trade, but PHL must seek peace’
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE impact of geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) may only be confined to the country’s trade as the Philippines is part of the global supply chain, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
Speaking at the East West Center’s three-day International Media Conference on Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the country’s integration in the regional and global supply chains has increased its trade with China.
In terms of other sectors, such as tourism, there is also an impact, but it may not just be felt by the Philippines but other countries as well, given the recent slowdown in the economy of China.
“Nobody is spared from supply chain disruptions, whether that is due to natural shocks like climate change or geopolitical tensions. So clearly, the Philippines has been affected one way or the other, directly or indirectly,” Balisacan said.
“We are all part of these interconnected economies in the region,
and (whether) we like it or not, we are all linked to that same global supply chain, whether directly or indirectly,” he added.
ODA, FDI share
Balisacan said China’s share in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) the Philippines receives annually is in the single-digit or less.
In terms of ODA, at its peak in 2010 and 2014, China accounted for 5 percent of the country’s total ODA portfolio, Balisacan said. This is mainly due to the Philippine government’s efforts to diversify its sources of development finance.
During the forum, Asian Development Bank (ADB) US Executive Director Ambassador Chantale Yok-Min Wong said the Philippines has become one of its largest clients tapping multilateral financing in the region.
In terms of FDIs, Balisacan said the highest amount of investment received by the Philippines from China was 4.4 percent between 2015 to 2019. This has since been reduced to 0.9 percent in the last three years.
“I don’t think that we can directly attribute this (FDI) to that because overall, that FDI, the world global FDI in Asia Pacific, has been going
down and so to what extent we can attribute that to geopolitical issues is not clear,” Balisacan said.
In others areas such as remittances, Balisacan said inflows from China do not even make up 1 percent of the total remittances received by the Philippines annually. The country’s largest sources of remittances is the United States.
Meanwhile, Balisacan told reporters on the sidelines of the event that while the Philippines does import food items from China, such as fish, it also imports other food items, such as vegetables, fruits, and rice from other parts of the region.
Balisacan said government’s main goal is to ensure food security, which entails giving every Filipino access to affordable and sufficient food.
Efforts, however, are being made to boost agriculture productivity. Balisacan said, nonetheless, these efforts do take time and cannot yield benefits in just one year or two.
“It’s not something that, you know, investing in productivity is not something that yields benefits in a year or two. I mean, it takes considerable and sustained efforts to raise productivity. It’s not something that you can do overnight. Considering the neglect the sector has received over many decades,” Balisacan told reporters.
Impact because of size OVERALL , Balisacan said, there will be an impact of China on the Philippine economy given its “sheer size.” But this impact will be shared by the Philippines with other countries around the world who have direct or indirect relations with China.
The health of the regional and global economies matters to the country’s economic performance. Balisacan said if trade restrictions are reduced, for example, the Philippine economy will be better off.
“When you can get your exports to also grow robustly, as like what our neighbors have done, of course, that will even elevate even further our economic growth. That’s why, you know, it’s in our interest to see peace and prosperity in our region,” Balisacan said.
Earlier, the President said that even with the “dangerous” challenge posed by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the country will not resort to war to resolve the issue.
The chief executive made the remark during his talk with the troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) in Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Sunday.
Govt thwarts 2,900 hacking attempts on its sites; DICT touts enhanced detection, protection system
TBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
HE government was able to thwart 2,900 attempts to hack its websites with its enhanced detection mechanism and protective systems, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey C. Dy said they were recorded by the National Security Operation Center (NSOC) and their agency’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT).
“That is what it (NCERT) does – it has sensors that detect if there is an attempt; and then, if there is an attempt, we mobilize our team to be able to mitigate it,” Dy said.
He noted among the attempts which they detected were those against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) last February, and those which targeted the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Trust the process
THE government also detected attempts to hack its websites by three men, who claim to be affiliated with the Philippine LulzSec and Globalzec hacking groups. After their arrest by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week, one of the suspects claimed the hacking was ordered by Art Samaniego, Jr., Manila Bulletin’s Technology Editor, supposedly so he can write about it in his column. NBI is now investigating the
DOJ welcomes court
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Department of Justice
T(DOJ) confirmed on Wednesday that the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila City has issued a gag order enjoining all parties from discussing the merits of the murder case filed against expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and several others in connection with the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others last March 4, 2023.
allegation against Samaniego, who vehemently denied any involvement with the hackers.
Dy said it is unfortunate that Samaniego was linked to the issue since he has assisted the government against hacking activities through the group which he founded, ScamWatch.
He urged the Samaniego to cooperate with authorities so he can clear his name on the said hacking-related allegation.
“But for Art, my advice is trust the process, face the case. He will be given ample time to prepare for his defense.
So he should. He should be given that privilege,” Dy said.
Secured public internet
THE DICT officials assured the public that similar security measures will
be implemented for the National Fiber Backbone project and the government’s free Wi-Fi networks, which are expected to provide internet access to more Filipinos.
“We’ll be putting in sensors to ensure that this network is not being used for illegal activities. It’s a mitigation of risk. I’m not saying it will totally disappear, but we have to put proper controls in place to mitigate that particular risk,” Dy said.
He explained they cannot completely prevent the spread of new forms of scams in governmentprovided internet with the use of instant messaging software such as Viber and Facebook messenger.
“We need to also have the proper laws in place to be able to also regulate chat,” Dy said.
gag order on all parties in Degamo case
In an interview, DOJ spokesman
Jose Dominic Clavano IV said the justice department welcomes the issuance of the gag order as this would stop the proliferation of propaganda and fake news in connection with the case.
“We would rather do this behind closed doors because the operational details involved in this case are very sensitive, so we welcome the gag order by the judge,” Clavano said.
“I think it is very prudent and diligent for him to issue such an order. We would comply with the order because we would rather battle
it out in court,” Clavano added.
Clavano pointed out that it has been DOJ’s position that the details of the case should only be discussed in the proper forum which is the court.
With the issuance of the gag order, Clavano said all parties should refrain from discussing the case in social media, mainstream media and other venues outside the court.
“We are not allowed anymore to mention or discuss matters that go into the merits of the case. On our part, we trust and we respect that decision because we know the
DA: EXCESS RICE TARIFF TAKE TO FUND
Continued from A12 Verdadero said that a total of 1.64 million cards and P8.6 billion in RFFA, with a 96.44-percent realization rate, has been distributed to rice farmers in 2022. For 2021, Verdadero said the
DBP released 1.06 million cards and P5.4 billion in cash aid, with a 98.76-percent realization rate. The DBP, together with the Land Bank of the Philippines, was tapped by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to distribute the cash grants to the farmers.
right process is through the court,” he stressed. The murder case in connection with the Degamo killing is being tried before the sala of Manila RTC Branch 51 Presiding Judge Merianthe Pacita Zuraek.
The trial court had already issued an arrest warrant against Teves and other accused in the murder case.
Teves, who is now considered a fugitive, is currently in Timor Leste awaiting the Court of Appeals decision on the Philippine government’s request to extradite him.
CROP TACK, CASH AID
The state-run bank has partnered with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinaslicensed cash outlets to expedite the release of funds to farmer beneficiaries. The RFFA is an unconditional cash transfer program to provide compensation for the projected
income loss of rice farmers due to the drop in palay farmgate prices caused by the RTL. It also also aims to facilitate the access of rice farmers to timely funds for procurement of needed inputs and enhance farmers’ opportunity to improve productivity and profitability.
Neda: Global factors affect impact of lower rice tariffs
Balisacan
have continued to increase. On Monday, Bloomberg reported that China, the world’s secondbiggest fertilizer exporter, has decided to impose curbs on the export of “urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer, and phosphates.
EBy Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
LEVEN Philippine business groups (PBGs) have called on Senator Mark Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, to file and hear a counterpart Senate bill to House Bills 1400 and 8055, which separate the commercial and regulatory functions of the Philippine Ports Authority.
In a letter dated June 25,2024, the groups said the proposed bill can be understood by the “simple logic” that an examiner cannot also be the examinee. They lamented that since the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) was created in 1974, the combination of its regulatory and development functions has been a “source of conflict of interest” for the agency’s functions.
“While it has long been established as the policy of the State to avoid such conflicts of interest, PPA’s case, seemingly, did not catch the attention and scrutiny of previous congresses,” the letter of the business groups noted.
In September 2018, the JFC and Philippine business groups published a policy brief on Seaports and Shipping, where one recommendation was to pass a law to convert the PPA into the Philippine Ports Corp. (Philports) to handle development, management, and operation of public ports.
The business groups said the regulatory functions of PPA would be transferred to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
“For many years, news reports and studies have discussed inefficient management of Philippine ports, sometimes resulting in overcrowding of passengers at ports and on vessels, delayed trips, and worse, vessel-related accidents and fatal mishaps at sea,” the letter said.
They noted that complaints of patrons and users of ports about low service levels, inefficient port operations, and increasing port charges have been reported.
The groups highlighted the role of sea transport which they said has become “increasingly” important in the nation’s strategy to maintain high levels of economic growth.
In an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands, the business groups said sea travel is a “very viable and essential mode of transportation to connect our islands.” They added: “Because it is too expensive to move most cargoes by plane, such freight depends on ships for transport.”
With this, it noted that “adequate, efficient, safe, and affordable sea transport can exponentially increase the country’s competitiveness and output in both local and foreign trading networks.”
The business groups who signed the letter are: American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., Association of International Shipping Lines Inc., Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., Korean Chamber
Special Feature
FROM ASPIRATIONS TO ACHIEVEMENTS:
Megaworld celebrates 35 years vision and helping make dreams
By Candy P. Dalizon
As it celebrates its 35th year in the industry, property giant Megaworld believes that an opportunity at a good education can give the less privileged an opportunity to change their lives for the better.
For nearly three decades, the company’s socio-civic arm, Megaworld Foundation, has upheld this vision by giving the youth and many other communities in need a chance for a better life. Through the various works spearheaded by the Foundation, this same vision has transcended from building homes to building lives.
Megaworld Foundation has since expanded its programs to support various social sectors through aid and volunteer work. It is also geared towards providing academic scholarships to deserving students, as well as empowering Megaworld employees to volunteer in charitable activities, and assisting other organizations that share the same vision as the Foundation.
“We have always been guided by Megaworld’s lasting vision to continuously look for opportunities to give back to society and share the company’s success through initiatives that uplift lives, impact society, and help shape the nation for the better,” says Dr. Francisco C. Canuto, President of Megaworld Foundation.
He recounted that when he was appointed as President of Megaworld Foundation back in 2007, the group’s only focus was to give academic scholarships to less privileged students. As the years went on, it was realized that the Foundation could still do so much more. They aligned their efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and now they have developed a variety of programs that answer most of the UNSDGs.
“Whether it’s giving underprivileged but deserving students access to quality education, inspiring Megaworld employees and even executives to embrace the bayanihan spirit through our volunteerism programs, caring for the environment, or empowering women entrepreneurs to continue creating and marketing their craft, our vision has always been to help make numerous dreams and aspirations come to life,” Dr. Canuto added.
He explained the Foundation’s thrust of “uplifting the lives” of Filipino communities in need.
“What’s really heartwarming for us is the privilege to impact the lives of scholars every year. Imagine the kind of impact it brings not just to the student, but also to their families, to their outlook in life, and to their future,” Dr. Canuto said.
Dr. Canuto related that most of their scholars are also breadwinners, so a lot of them have already been able to give more comfortable lives to their families. After graduation, they are all given promising employment opportunities under the Alliance Global Group umbrella, most notably with Megaworld. From career success to a home for their families, this opportunity has transformed their lives.
Some of the scholars have also used their newfound opportunities to help their siblings pursue their own educational dreams.
This year, the Megaworld Foundation is celebrating its 27th anniversary. The Foundation has been supporting about 1,000 scholars annually over the past several years and has received almost 300 awards in the past 10 years not just locally but also from several prestigious international award-giving bodies.
“While we have achieved so much in the past, there are still so many things to be accomplished, so many stories left to tell, and so many lives that we can touch,” he added.
The Foundation is also supporting Megaworld’s sustainability campaign called MEGreen, through its expanded social initiatives, which include medical and dental missions, as well as feeding programs to communities in need. Dr. Canuto said the Foundation continues to commit to the company’s lasting vision and will do its part to help create change and transform the lives of more Filipinos from the communities that they engage with.
“We are bringing the chance at a bright future closer to more Filipino students across the country. Recently, we rolled out our scholarship caravan, where we visit different public high schools, interview students, and process their scholarships all within one day. We have also started giving scholarship grants to deserving students who live close to where our townships are located,” shared Dr. Canuto. Clearly, Megaworld Foundation shows no signs of stopping. The group’s commitment to realizing Megaworld’s vision of uplifting lives, impacting society, and helping shape the nation deepens, driving them to explore every avenue of assistance.
“We are not slowing down, and we are even more committed to providing for the less privileged in any way we can,” said Canuto.
BREAKING THE CYCLE: A Story of Transformation and Empowerment
From a young age, Aurora PastoleroDavid craved to finish her studies, land a job in a big company, and be able to support her family. Amir Auditor, however, had his sights set on becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
But things turned out to be more difficult than expected. Their first semester in college was a whirlwind of challenges, especially financial ones that made them doubt whether they would be able to achieve their aspirations.
The saying rings true: “There is no night or problem that can defeat sunrise or hope.” And for PastoleroDavid and Auditor, hope did indeed arrive, in the form of a scholarship from the Megaworld Foundation.
In 1997, Megaworld ignited a vision: to give back to society and share the company’s success with others. The endeavor flourished, becoming a cornerstone of the company’s social responsibility efforts.
The company’s vision to make good educational opportunities available to the underprivileged was brought to life through the Megaworld Foundation.
The Megaworld Foundation is Megaworld Corporation’s corporate social responsibility arm which primarily focuses on the promotion of education through scholarship programs for financially handicapped but deserving students, and supports causes that promote poverty alleviation, people empowerment, social justice, good governance, and environmental conservation.
A STORY OF GRATITUDE AND GIVING BACK
Pastolero-David is a seasoned business development professional with over 12 years of experience. A former Megaworld scholar, she currently leads the Strategic Support Group under the Mall Operations Department. Before joining Megaworld, her dedication to community service was recognized by the CIBAC Partylist, which presented her with a prestigious leadership award for her outstanding contributions to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of
Bocaue, Bulacan. Throughout her career, Pastolero-David has consistently demonstrated a commitment to delivering exceptional results. Her most successful project is the opening of EV charging stations in Megaworld malls which was recognized by the Stevie Awards. Her team also received a Gold Quill for the tourism campaign titled, “Tara, Pasyal Na!” which was launched in collaboration with the Department of Tourism to promote local tourism. She continues her impactful work with various organizations and government agencies to further improve the community and uplift the lives of the people where Megaworld townships are located.
Pastolero-David shared that her path to success was not without its hurdles, especially during her college years. She related that she transferred from Centro Escolar University (CEU) Malolos to CEU Manila during the second semester of her first year in college. However, by her sophomore year, paying her tuition fee became a financial burden. She learned about the scholarship program of Megaworld Foundation through the Office of the Dean, CEU School of Business. Pastolero-David recalled that it was the first time Megaworld was partnering and offering a scholarship with CEU Manila.
“During the interview with Megaworld Foundation, I found out that at that time they
were only considering graduating college students from CEU Manila so I was not expecting anymore since I did not meet that qualification,” Pastolero-David said. Call it luck or fate, but after a couple of weeks, she received the good news that she was accepted as a Megaworld Foundation scholar.
“I am very grateful to the Megaworld Foundation. Despite not meeting all the qualifications, they offered me an interview because they wanted to hear my story,” she said.
Earning a college degree, making her parents proud, and landing a job in a big corporation were the goals that fueled Pastolero-David’s determination. Megaworld Foundation’s scholarship program played a pivotal role in turning these ambitions into a beautiful reality for her. Her first job at Megaworld Corporation was as a researcher in the Marketing and Research department. She later transitioned to a Business Development Officer role. When the company restructured after the pandemic, she was assigned to the Commercial Division under the Corporate Operations Group. There, she was promoted to Senior Manager. Her team plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful implementation of sustainability projects for both the malls and the museum.
Since the museum falls under the Megaworld Foundation’s umbrella, this role is particularly rewarding for Pastolero-David. It is an
JOINED by Dr. Canuto (left) and Megaworld President Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso (right), Aurora Pastolero-David (center) takes great pride in being among the outstanding products of Megaworld Foundation.
THROUGHOUT the past 35 years, Megaworld has been helping build the foundations of a bright future for thousands of deserving scholars.
MEGAWORLD Foundation President Dr. Francisco C. Canuto (8th from left) and the rest of the group draw inspiration from the vision of Megaworld Chairman
Dr. Andrew L. Tan (8th from right) to share the company’s huge success and help uplift the lives of promising students and their families.
Thursday, June 27, 2024 A7
years of its lasting dreams come true
opportunity for her to give back to the organization that significantly impacted her life.
Pastolero-David has always been proud of Megaworld Foundation’s Scholarship Program.
“Giving scholarships is part of nation-building. Helping a student means helping the family as a unit. If you’re able to finish your studies and support your family, you will be able to break the cycle of poverty,” Pastolero-David pointed out.
She said this happened to her and emphasized her belief that similar success stories could be replicated for others.
“Malaki talaga ang nabago sa buhay namin because of the Foundation (Our lives have truly changed dramatically because of the Foundation),” Pastolero-David revealed, adding that they now have their own house in Rizal, a far cry from their simple house near a river in Bulacan. She also managed to send her sibling to school.
With her own family now, she reflected on how the values she acquired as a Megaworld Foundation scholar have become cornerstones of her character, shaping her into the person she is today.
“These values are integrity, hard work, and excellence. Integrity is essential. Without it, I wouldn’t have lasted this long in the company. There’s excellence in everything I do because I put my heart into it. That is why I am able to deliver these projects because they do not just benefit the company but also the community where the townships are,” said Pastolero-David.
For her, nothing is achieved alone. It is always good to look back and be grateful to all the people who believed and continue to believe in you. Pastolero-David said she treats Megaworld Corporation and Megaworld Foundation as family.
“Dr. Francisco C. Canuto (Megaworld Foundation President), all my former and current bosses, they all hold a special place in my heart,” said Pastolero-David.
When asked for her advice to current Megaworld Foundation scholars, Pastolero-David said “Persevere in life, and take all their challenges whatever they are, their wins and losses to heart and use that as a motivation to really push forward.”
“Not everything will be perfect along the way but with the right heart and right mindset they will succeed.”
A STORY OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES
“Growing up in a broken and impoverished family, I believed my courage would be enough to get me through, but reality proved harsher. In the first few months of studying as a BS Accountancy student at Adamson University, I faced numerous challenges: surviving on just biscuits, being unable to afford accounting books, and owning only one uniform. Feeling hopeless, I was on the verge of giving up to become a certified public accountant,” Auditor shared.
Also a former Megaworld scholar, Auditor turned his life around and achieved his goal. He recalled that he learned about Megaworld Foundation’s scholarship program from Alice Quilicot of their school’s Scholarship Department. Despite significant financial hurdles that made it difficult for him to submit his application requirements, Quilicot encouraged him to persevere. Auditor was eventually awarded a full scholarship from Megaworld Foundation.
“As a Megaworld Foundation scholar, I found a role model in Dr. Andrew Tan. His life story and achievements became a beacon of success for me. This support empowered me to pursue my dreams and gave me the confidence to aim higher,” he said.
The Foundation’s support opened a lot of doors for Auditor that he thought were out of reach. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as one of the Top Accountancy Students in the Philippines and eventually passed the CPA licensure exam.
He revealed that becoming a Megaworld Foundation scholar was a life-changing experience. It paved the way for him to launch a successful career at Megaworld where he started as a Junior Auditor, honing his skills and expertise before being promoted to Senior Auditor. His experience working with exceptional leaders and supportive colleagues at Megaworld proved to be a guiding
force in shaping his professional path.
He recounted the most important lessons he learned as a Megaworld Foundation scholar: the values of kindness and giving back.
“I vividly remember writing an essay on the concept of ‘pay it forward’ as part of the scholarship application process. This lesson resonated deeply with me and has become a guiding principle in my life. It taught me the importance of using my success and resources to help others,” Auditor said.
As a proud product of this philosophy, Auditor strives to be an instrument of kindness, spreading positivity and support wherever he goes.
“This principle has driven me to achieve significant milestones in the academe, such as being recognized as The Most Inspiring Teacher of the Year, Most Promising Teacher of the Year, and the Most Dedicated Teacher of the Year at Manila Tytana Colleges,” he related.
His passion for supporting his students and giving back shines through his many awards. The life-changing opportunity provided by the Megaworld Foundation instilled in him a deep desire to pay it forward and create a lasting impact on the journeys of others.
Currently, Auditor is the President of ATA Accounting Services and ATP Consultancy Inc., an Engagement Partner at Auditor Tala & Company. He also serves as the Program Head of BS Accountancy and BS Business Administration as well as the Quality Assurance Officer at Manila Tytana Colleges, the educational arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies.
“These roles are a testament to the power of perseverance and the generosity of Megaworld. Their belief in me has inspired me to give back, paying it forward to help others realize their dreams. My story is proof that with determination and the right support, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness,” Auditor said.
NOW a teacher, Amir Auditor has gone full circle as he helps young Filipinos reach their own dreams today.
Govt set to inspect meat plants of 8 countries
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE government is inspecting meat plants in eight countries to ensure that their products meet Manila’s standards, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano told the BusinessMirror in an interview on Wednesday that inspection teams are bound for eight meat-exporting countries.
“The teams have already been given travel orders to inspect (meat plants) and any time this year, they may travel to those countries,” Savellano said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. had issued a special order which instructed eight inspection teams to travel to Argentina, Uruguay, India, Russia, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and the United States for the accreditation of foreign meat establishments (FMEs).
According to the DA, the teams would consist of border control and animal health experts from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to conduct on-site inspection and validation of documents of the foreign meat establishments (FMEs).
The DA said this would ensure that
meat and meat products exported to the Philippines are safe for public consumption and do not pose a threat to the domestic livestock and poultry industry.
The department also implements a comprehensive set of rules, regulations, and procedures guided by appropriate issuances governing pre-border measures, particularly in the accreditation of FMEs that may be allowed to export meat and meat
products into the country.
“The government has to check the quality, their facilities, and how they source their animals. There is a checklist to ensure that these establishments implement the food safety measures that the government requires,” Savellano said.
He said an inspection team tends to stay in a particular country for two to three weeks.
Upon returning to the Philippines,
Savellano said the teams would craft reports and make recommendations. The DA would study these reports to determine if the exporting country should be given accreditation.
The country’s meat imports in January to April expanded by 11.34 percent to 396,385 metric tons (MT) from last year’s 356,019 MT driven by higher pork and chicken purchases from abroad.
Pork imports rose by 17.99 percent to 193,146 MT from 163,690 MT. Offals accounted for most of the pork shipments at 69,977 MT, but this is lower than the 79,269 MT recorded last year.
Figures from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed that Spain was the Philippines’s top supplier of pork in January to April. It supplied 50,935 metric tons (MT), followed by Brazil with 44,452 MT and Canada with 26,164 MT.
Brazil was also the country’s major supplier of chicken at 70,508 MT with the United States trailing behind at 46,636 MT.
PHL will have first border inspection facilities–DA
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) made an assurance that the government is pursuing the construction of first border inspection facilities to prevent smuggling and the entry of animal diseases into the country.
Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture (Cefa) is rising in four locations in Luzon and Mindanao.
Laurel said the DA is building the Cefa in Subic, Manila, Angat and General Santos.
“The one in Angat will be a laboratory and rendering or waste disposal where problematic meat and
smuggled goods will be incinerated,” he told reporters during a media forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) last Tuesday.
“The government is pushing through with (Cefa). The money (for construction) is there.”
Laurel said the government is targeting to start the construction of the Cefa in September.
DA officials said the Cefa “signals to the world the Philippines’s commitment to implementing meaningful reforms in the agriculture sector.”
THE Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) is confident that the country’s cold storage capacity will continue to expand after the industry achieved its targets.
CCAP President Anthony Dizon said the industry attained the projections indicated in a roadmap it launched together with the Board of Investments in 2020.
“The roadmap has been in place for the past 4 years and the projections that we put in there in 2020 at 8 to 10 percent per annum have come to fruition,” Dizon told reporters on the sidelines of a food security forum in Makati last Monday. He said they are looking at
BHog raisers belonging to the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NatFed) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct first border inspection on all imported meat products to prevent the entry of animal diseases into the Philippines. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/06/24/firstborder-inspection-will-protectphl-animals/)
Alfred Ng, Vice Chairman of NatFed, made the pronouncement after the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
The Cefa, which will house “stateof-the-art testing laboratories,” aims to strengthen the country’s capability to conduct first border inspections and improve its examination of containerized agricultural commodities and prevent smuggling.
confirmed last Friday the country’s first case of Q fever in imported goats at a government-run farm in Marinduque.
“Dapat maging seryoso ang DA at ipursigi na nila yung first border inspection [DA should push for first border inspections of agricultural goods],” Ng told reporters during a press briefing over the weekend.
He attributed the entry of African swine fever into the country to the lack of first border inspection. “The government can easily address imported animal diseases if it conducts stringent first border inspection on imports.” Ada Pelonia
‘Cold storage capacity will continue to grow’
coming up with a second version of the industry roadmap since “the outlook still appears optimistic.”
“We see that growth will continue because the factors that promote growth could still be there,” Dizon said, noting that consumer awareness of food safety and the development of e-commerce platforms would contribute to capacity expansion.
“We will probably have more definitive numbers, more quantitative consultations as we come to the industry roadmap version two.”
The government said it aims to increase the country’s cold storage capacity by 30 percent to bolster farmers’ productivity. (See: https://
“We really have to increase the number of cold storages in the country to be able to encourage more farmers to plant and to be able to store our products better…my ratio for that is a 30-percent increase in storage capacity,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dannie Atayde told the BusinessMirror
Atayde added that once this pans out, the government could move forward in having the DA’s proposed food hub near the trackways, referring to the “farm-to-market digital logistics integrated backbone” (FMDLIB) system proposed by the Philippine Trackway Corp. (Philtrak) consortium. The decommissioned Philippine National Railways (PNR) and Panay Railways Inc. (PRI) railways would be optimized to create the FMDLIB system that would serve as a freight and passenger transit line transporting agricultural commodities and people in Luzon and Panay Island. Atayde expressed his support for the project, saying the FMDLIB system would fast-track the delivery of products, making it efficient for the supply chain.
“It will improve the income of the fisherfolk and farmers…in terms of logistics it will be faster and efficient,” he said. Ada Pelonia
BASF, Eramet cancel $2.6-B nickel project on EV slump
ASF SE and Eramet SA abandoned plans to spend up to $2.6 billion building a nickel-cobalt refinery in Indonesia, reversing course after slowing sales growth for electric vehicles crimped demand.
Global availability of batteryquality nickel has improved since the project was conceived, BASF said Monday in a statement. A surge in EV sales has also dimmed in the past year, leading to declines in nickel and cobalt prices.
BloombergNEF this month slashed its battery-electric sales estimates by 6.7 million vehicles through 2026. The slowdown is particularly marked in Europe, BASF’s home market, and the US. Companies
including Volkswagen, Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz have already pared back or shifted battery projects. Shares of BASF were little changed on Tuesday in Frankfurt. The stock is down 5.3 percent this year. France’s Eramet slipped as much as 1.4 percent. It has gained 38 percent in 2024. BASF and Eramet in 2020 announced plans to invest as much as $2.6 billion in the Indonesian plant alongside nickel producer Eramet. Around that time, surging sales of electric vehicles sent prices for battery metals soaring, sparking widespread fears of shortages.
Prices have since slumped on the back of rising production of nickel and cobalt from other Indonesian
operations, while carmakers and raw-material suppliers are increasingly rowing back on their ambitious expansion plans.
The scuttled BASF-Eramet project, known as Sonic Bay, was going to produce about 67,000 tons of nickel and 7,500 tons of cobalt a year, Indonesia’s Investment Ministry said in a statement in January last year. Eramet said it will focus on optimizing its Indonesian operations to supply nickel ore to local producers. Indonesia aims to be a global hub for the EV supply chain and is already home to a number of projects—many of them Chinese-backed—to make battery-grade nickel. China has
provided incentives likely totaling in the tens of billions of dollars and can now make far more batteries than it needs, which is driving down prices, according to BNEF. BASF is planning to bolster rawmaterials supply for its European operations via a new battery recycling plant in Germany, which is due to start operations later this year. In 2018, the company also signed a long-term nickel supply deal with Russia’s Nornickel to feed a new battery materials facility in Finland. The company said in April that the plant is inoperative due to ongoing permitting processes, and it hasn’t yet received any deliveries from Nornickel. Bloomberg News
• Editor: Angel R. Calso
UN-backed foreign police force lands in Haiti to tackle surging gang violence, restore order
PBy Dánica Coto & Evens Sanon The Associated Press
ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—
The first UN-backed contingent of foreign police arrived in Haiti on Tuesday, nearly two years after the troubled Caribbean country urgently requested help to quell a surge in gang violence.
A couple hundred police officers from Kenya landed in the capital of Port-au-Prince, whose main international airport reopened in late May after gang violence forced it to close for nearly three months.
It wasn’t immediately known what the Kenyans’ first assignment would be, but they will face violent gangs that control 80 percent of Haiti’s capital and have left more than 580,000 people homeless across the country as they pillage neighborhoods in their quest to control more territory. Gangs also have killed several thousand people in recent years.
The Kenyans’ arrival marks the fourth major foreign military intervention in Haiti. While some Haitians welcome them, others view the force with caution, given that the previous intervention—the UN’s 2004-2017 peacekeeping mission—was marred by allegations of sexual assault and the introduction of cholera, which killed nearly 10,000 people.
Romain Le Cour, senior expert at Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, urged the international community and government officials to share details, including the mission’s rules of engagement and concept of operation.
“What is going to happen vis-a-vis the gangs,” he said. “Is it a static mission? Is it a moving mission? All those details are still missing, and I think it’s about time that there’s actually transparency.”
Hours after the Kenyans landed, Prime Minister Garry Conille thanked the East African country for its solidarity, noting that gangs have vandalized homes and hospitals and set libraries on fire, making Haiti “unlivable.”
“The country is going through very difficult times,” he said at a news conference. “Enough is enough.... We’re going to start working little by little to retake
the country.”
Conille said the Kenyans would be deployed in the next couple of days, but he did not provide details. He was accompanied by Monica Juma, Kenya’s former minister of foreign affairs who now serves as national security advisor to President William Ruto. She said the Kenyans will “serve as agents of peace, of stability, of hope.”
“We stand united in our commitment to support Haiti’s National Police to restore public order and security,” she said. “It is our hope that this will not become a permanent mission.”
The deployment comes nearly four months after gangs launched coordinated attacks, targeting key government infrastructure in Haiti’s capital and beyond. They seized control of more than two dozen police stations, fired on the main international airport and stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.
“We’ve been asking for security for the longest time,” said Orgline Bossicot, a 47-year-old mother of two who sells carrots and charcoal as a wholesale distributor.
Gang violence has stymied her sales, and she tries to stay out as late as possible before sundown to make up for the losses despite being afraid.
“You don’t know who’s waiting for you around the corner,” she said, adding that she is hopeful about the Kenyan police joining forces with local authorities.
Critics say the gang attacks that began February 29 could have been prevented if the foreign force had been deployed sooner, but multiple setbacks— including a legal challenge filed in Kenya and political upheaval in Haiti—delayed its arrival.
The attacks prevented thenPrime Minister Ariel Heny, who at the time was in Kenya to push for the deployment, from returning to Haiti. He resigned in late April as the violence surged. Afterward, a nine-member transitional presidential council chose former UN official Conille as prime minister and appointed a new Cabinet in mid-June.
Still, the gang violence has persisted, and experts say it will continue unless the government also addresses socioeconomic factors that fuel the existence of gangs in a deeply impoverished
gets a boost from Western aid
By Vasilisa Stepanenko The Associated Press
and leave huge craters. Its monthslong campaign to cripple Ukraine’s electricity supply aims to sap public morale and deny energy to Ukraine’s burgeoning arms industry. Attacks on such civilian targets brought arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court on Tuesday for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief of staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov for alleged war crimes. Judges
country with a severely understaffed and under-resourced police department.
Le Cour said the reaction of the gangs to the mission is difficult to predict. “Some of them might fight. Some of them might want to negotiate and open dialogue with the Haitian government,” he said.
In a recent video, Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer who now leads a powerful gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies, addressed the new prime minister for the first time.
“Do not play into the hands of traditional politicians and businessmen, who used violence for political and economic ends,” said Chérizier, best known as Barbecue. “The problem that exists today can only be resolved through dialogue.”
When asked about Barbecue’s comments on Tuesday, Conille responded with a message of his own: “Put down the guns and recognize the authority of the state, and then we will see where we go from there.”
The UN Security Council authorized Kenya to lead the multinational police mission in October 2023, a year after Henry first requested immediate help.
President Joe Biden praised the arrival of the first contingent, saying that the mission overall “will bring much needed relief.”
“The people of Haiti deserve to feel safe in their homes, build better lives for their families, and enjoy democratic freedoms,” he said. “While these goals may not be accomplished overnight, this mission provides the best chance of achieving them.”
Rights groups and others have questioned the use Kenyan police, pointing out the years of allegations against officers of abuses, including extrajudicial killings. On Tuesday, police again were accused of opening fire in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where thousands of protesters stormed the parliament.
Kenyan police in Haiti will be joined by police from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica for a total of 2,500 officers. They will be deployed in phases at a cost of some $600 million a year, according to the UN Security Council.
So far, the UN-administered fund for the mission has received
was approved by the United States in April.
A six-month delay in US aid threw Ukraine’s military onto the defensive.
said there is evidence they “intentionally caused great suffering or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health” of Ukrainian civilians.
For Ukrainian soldiers defending the eastern Donetsk region, the Russian ground assaults and aerial barrages allow little respite after more than two years of war.
“We work, you could say, without rest,” said a platoon commander who, in line with his brigade’s rules, identified himself only by his first name, Oleksandr.
“So no two days are alike. You always need to be ready to work day and night,” he told The Associated Press on Monday. His platoon is part of Ukraine’s 43rd Artillery Brigade. It dashes to positions and without delay fires a Soviet-era Pion selfpropelled howitzer at Russian positions before it can be targeted itself. Holding Chasiv Yar is crucial. The town, highly sought-after due to its strategic location and elevated position but now largely in ruins, lies to the west of neighboring Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia last year after a 10-month battle.
Ukraine is racing to stabilize parts of the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line after badly needed military assistance
only $18 million in contributions from Canada, France and the United States. The US also has pledged a total of $300 million in support.
“While gang violence appears to have receded from its peak earlier this year, the country’s security situation remains dire,” the UN Security Council said in a June 21 statement.
Members of the artillery brigade in Chasiv Yar reported that supplies of American ammunition have started to arrive.
The US is expected to announce this week an additional $150 million in critically needed munitions to Ukraine, and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Tuesday that the first shipment of ammunition under a Czech initiative has been delivered to Ukraine.
Separately, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Russian Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the war. The last time Austin, who initiated the call, spoke to his Russian counterpart was with thenminister Shoigu on March 15, 2023. There was no immediate report of the call by Russian officials.
The Czechs are looking to acquire from countries outside the European Union at least 800,000 artillery shells that Ukraine badly needs. The war has drained stockpiles in Europe, the U.S. and Russia.
The Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in the first three months of this year, a more than 50 percent increase from the same period last year.
Many Haitians live in fear, including Jannette Oville, a 54-year-old mother of two university-age boys. She sells crops like plantains and green peppers, and gangs have robbed
her several times as she travels aboard public buses with her goods. She tucks money in her armpit or underwear to try to keep it safe, she said.
“I need security. I need to work. I need the roads to open up so I can provide for my family,” she said. “Being a female entrepreneur in Haiti is never easy. There’s a lot of risk. But we take a risk to make sure our families are good.”
An estimated 1.6
PHL must prioritize faster Internet speeds for economic growth
TH
e Internet has undeniably become a powerful catalyst for economic growth. It has revolutionized industries, empowered businesses, and enhanced the lives of individuals by providing access to information, services, and opportunities. However, recent data showing a decline in mobile Internet speeds in the country is cause for concern and requires urgent attention.
According to Ookla’s May 2024 Global Speedtest Index, the Philippines experienced a significant drop in mobile Internet speeds, falling to an average of 32.12 megabits per second (Mbps). This decline resulted in a four-spot drop, ranking the country at number 83 globally. These figures indicate a clear need for improvement, as faster and more reliable Internet connectivity is essential for driving economic progress and ensuring the nation remains competitive on the global stage.
Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr.’s response to this decline is both timely and justified. Campos rightfully highlights the inadequacy of telecommunication companies in improving their networks to meet the growing demands of the digital age. His proposed legislation, House Bill 10215, seeks to classify high-speed Internet connection as a basic telecommunication service rather than a value-added service. This reclassification would grant the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the authority to set higher mobile Internet speed targets, enforce deadlines, and impose punitive fines on non-compliant telcos. (Read the BusinessMirror report: “Legislator assails drop in Internet speed, wants deadline for telcos to shape up,” June 24, 2024).
The passage of this bill would be a significant step forward in holding telecommunication companies accountable for providing faster mobile Internet speeds. It would create a sense of urgency and incentivize telcos to invest in infrastructure development and technological advancements. By imposing strict deadlines and substantial fines for non-compliance, the government would send a clear message that improving Internet speeds is not optional but a crucial requirement for the betterment of the nation. Furthermore, the comparative rankings among Asean members highlight the need for the Philippines to catch up with its regional counterparts. While it is commendable that the Philippines ranks sixth among the 10 Asean members, it is imperative to strive for higher positions. Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand have all surpassed the Philippines in terms of average mobile Internet speeds. To ensure sustained economic growth and attract foreign investment, the Philippines must bridge this digital divide and aim for higher speeds that align with global standards.
It is important to recognize that faster mobile Internet speeds have far-reaching benefits for all Filipinos. Improved connectivity will enhance access to online resources, government services, education, and employment opportunities. It will stimulate innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and facilitate digital inclusion, particularly in rural areas where Internet connectivity is often limited. By prioritizing the development of a robust digital infrastructure, the government can unlock the full potential of its citizens and drive inclusive economic growth.
The Internet is no longer a luxury; it is a vital tool for progress and development. The Philippines cannot afford to let its Internet speed lag behind, jeopardizing its economic growth and the well-being of its citizens. It is time for decisive action to ensure that the Internet continues to be a catalyst for positive change in the country.
My stock market mistakes
AJohn Mangun
OUTSIDE THE BOX
fTeR 25 years of holding seminars to several thousand and 10 years of offering my stock market trading advice for a fee, I gave all of that up in December 2019 to devote my time and energy to personal stock market trading.
I began trading professionally—with salary, commission, and bonus —in 1974 and by 1976 had a broker’s license for equities, bonds, options, and commodities. By the end of 1979 I had made enough money to retire and moved to the Bahamas to live on the beach. The Internet was still a dream and to make a telephone call you had to go to the BaTelCo office under a huge satellite dish situated at the highest point above Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.
German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck once remarked: “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
DThis is what I have learned about stock market trading from decades of profits and losses. There is only one stock-picking tool that works. It is the one that you use that makes you money. If you are selecting “The Stock” to buy from your magic-mushroom fueled night dreams and you are profiting, that is the best. If you have been successful with “Elliot Waveing,” go for it and never change.
Lee Trevino is an American retired professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the game. He became so good with using only one club— whether it was a wedge or 9-iron or putter—that no one would play
Here are a few of my mistakes starting with “Hot Tips.” The first came in 1977 from a fellow stockbroker who had a friend who had a contact in Tokyo. The majority family that owned Nikon camera was going to increase their holdings through the open market and the price would go substantially higher. I bought at $18.00; the family bought their shares at $15.00. I sold later at $12.00.
him for money. So, he improvised and taped the neck of a 32-ounce Dr. Pepper bottle and used the bottle as his only golf club, hitting the golf ball like a baseball and putting between his legs, “croquet style.” The issues I trade are in an uptrend and I use price supports and resistances for entry and exit points. Do NOT try this at home. Like Trevino’s soda bottle golf club, it may only work for me. Here are a few of my mistakes starting with “Hot Tips.” The first came in 1977 from a fellow stockbroker who had a friend who had a contact in Tokyo. The majority
LITO GAGNI
eveLoPmenTs in the Ukraine war are seen escalating with the use of five American ATACms missiles equipped with cluster munitions that hit sevastopol, considered Russian soil.
weapons are to be used by Kiev in striking inside Russian territory. Four of the ATACMS missiles
were intercepted by the Russian defense system, with one shell exploding in a city beach in Sevastopol that resulted in the death of five civilians that included children. Media outlets have also said that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has confirmed that US President Joe Biden had given Ukraine the go-ahead to use US weapons to strike inside Russia.
Sources said that Kiev could have decided on using American
One reason being posited for the use of American weapons into Russian soil is the difficult situation of the armed forces of Ukraine at the front, the growing discontent among the population with the current authorities, intensified by the forced mobilization carried out by the Zelenskyy administration.
weaponry in hitting inside Russian soil following the unsuccessful attempts by Zelenskyy for a counteroffensive after the Russian armed forces managed to regain control over all territories captured by Ukrainian troops.
It was learned that the armed forces of Ukraine have resorted to the terrorist attack into Russian soil after its lack of success in carrying out its counter-offensive.
The Russian Federation was able to repel Ukraine’s counter-offensive when it created a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region that made it diffi-
family that owned Nikon camera was going to increase their holdings through the open market and the price would go substantially higher. I bought at $18.00; the family bought their shares at $15.00. I sold later at $12.00. I have come to realize through sad experience that I am at the absolute end of the Hot Tip food chain.
Most substantial market moves begin with the “Smart Money” buying followed by the “Friends of Smart Money” and finally the “Sucker Money” at the top, who buy from “Smart” and “Friends.”
“Averaging down”—buying more of an asset as its price falls, resulting in a lower overall average purchase price—is a very dangerous game. Adding more shares increases risk exposure and you may not—probably not—be able to tell the difference between a “dip” and a trend change. In November 2015, ABS-CBN was P67.00. It is now trading at P6.30. From February 2017 to November 2018 the price was lower for all but three months. You may be “throwing good money after bad.”
We all trade on the news and there is nothing particularly wrong with that. Except “Believing the news” can lead to large
cult for Ukrainian forces engaged in what analysts said were barbaric activities of Ukraine.
Sources said this is the reason why Ukraine decided to use its last-ditch attempt to portray it is winning the war by way of striking deep inside Russian territory with the use of American supplied weapons.
“It is obvious that only the US military can conduct satellite reconnaissance and transmit the coordinates to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation,” a diplomatic source said.
It was learned that aside from this, the US military put the flight task into the head of the missile guidance.
In addition to the fact that the Pentagon is aware of what targets Ukraine is hitting, it also has the technical ability to prevent unwanted strikes, but cynically turns a blind eye to such attacks.
It is noteworthy that the terrorist missile attack was car -
losses. Usually, and especially in the Philippines, there are no secrets except for you and me. Corporate news is used as a way to get the price moving higher and we can take beneficial advantage from that. However, “Believing the news” will propel the price continuously higher over time is also dangerous. Get in. Get a profit. Get out. Makes more sense. The best thing about stock market trading is that you can buy, sell, and buy again several times even in the same day. Remember the advice about how you should not become married to your stocks?
Finally,—and this is a mistake I have never committed—do not take the stock market too seriously by trading money you cannot afford to lose. It’s a game. When you are buying, knowing the price going higher, another trader, knowing the price going lower, is selling and both cannot be right. If you are not having fun in the stock market, stop trading. End of story.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow
vided by
ried out on Trinity Sunday, one of the main Christian holidays. The Ukrainian authorities have specifically chosen this day to commit their “ritual crime”. The nature of the current Kiev regime implies a deep hatred of everything connected with Mother Russia, military sources said. One reason being posited for the use of American weapons into Russian soil is the difficult situation of the armed forces of Ukraine at the front, the growing discontent among the population with the current authorities, intensified by the forced mobilization carried out by the Zelenskyy administration.
It is apparent that even in Kiev no one believes in the military success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield and therefore attacks on civilians in Russia rather look like attempts to convince the West, which supports it, that the situation is still under the control of the Zelenskyy regime, sources said.
Antonio L. Cabangon Chua
www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com
Why Neil Phillips avoided prison: Morgan Stanley was the victim
By Chris Dolmetsch
The judge who sentenced Glen Point Capital co-founder Neil Phillips to probation instead of prison for manipulating an exchange rate said leniency was warranted in part because the victim in the case was Morgan Stanley.
Manhattan federal prosecutors had asked for a two-year prison sentence for Phillips, who was convicted in October of directing $700 million in trades aimed at manipulating the value of the South African rand to 12.50 against the US dollar. That was the barrier rate at which a $20 million option he bought from Morgan Stanley would pay out.
But US District Judge Lewis Liman on Tuesday instead sentenced Phillips, 53, to two years of probation and the one month he already served in a Spanish jail after his 2022 arrest. In explaining his decision, the judge said the parties in the case were all sophisticated participants in the unregulated foreign exchange spot market who knew the risks involved.
Morgan Stanley “is hardly the kind of unsuspecting victim” on whose behalf the government usually brings charges, Liman said. He noted that the bank could have taken other measures to protect against its risk from the option and didn’t request restitution from Phillips. The bank declined to comment on the judge’s remarks. Though Liman suggested Morgan Stanley was not a typical crime victim, federal prosecutors have been pursuing a number of cases of fraud against Wall Street banks.
Indeed, similar words from the bench would have been welcome to Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang and his former chief financial officer, Patrick Halligan, who were on trial in the same courthouse while Phillips was sentenced. They are both charged with defrauding several banks, including Morgan Stanley. Archegos defense L IKE Phillips, the Archegos defendants have tried to argue the counterparties that lost some $10 billion trading with Hwang’s family office were sophisticated financial players who knew the risks. Unlike Phillips, however, Hwang and Halligan are accused of lying to the banks over and over again. In fact, Phillips bought his barrier option through a third party and had no direct dealings with Morgan Stanley.
In addition to the Archegos case, Manhattan federal prosecutors also have a case against Charlie Javice, who’s accused of defrauding JPMorgan Chase & Co. when it acquired her student loan startup for $175 million. Javice, who allegedly vastly inflated the number of users of her site, is scheduled to go on trial in the fall. Prosecutors in the Phillips case had unsuccessfully sought to keep Morgan Stanley’s identity out of the trial, expressing concern that jurors would be distracted by the bank’s own conduct and question whether it was actually hurt by Phillips.
Phillips argued that “barrier chasing” was a standard trading practice that Morgan Stanley anticipated and moved to offset Phillips’ actions with its own trades. The bank sold more than $560 million in rand while Phillips was carrying out his “Boxing Day trades.” It was also revealed at trial that Morgan Stanley offered to buy back the Glen Point option for $13 million on December 18, 2017. The jury wasn’t convinced by such arguments, finding Phillips guilty within hours of beginning
Day of the Seafarer 2024: #SafetyTipsAtSea
FMorgan Stanley “is hardly the kind of unsuspecting victim” on whose behalf the government usually brings charges, US District Judge Lewis Liman said. He noted that the bank could have taken other measures to protect against its risk from the option and didn’t request restitution from Phillips.
deliberations. But Liman said on Tuesday that Morgan Stanley could have taken other steps to limit its risk from the option.
$1 million fine
T HE fact that Morgan Stanley was the victim wasn’t the only reason Liman gave for leniency.
The judge noted that Phillips has sole custody of two children who would be harmed by a lengthy incarceration. Liman ruled that Phillips can spend part of his probation at residences in London and South Africa.
But though he spared him from jail, Liman imposed a $1 million fine on Phillips over his conduct, the maximum under the statute.
Phillips embraced his lawyers after the punishment was pronounced, and as he did after his trial, shook the hands of the prosecutor and FBI agent in court for his sentencing.
“He’s looking forward to being reunited with his family,” Sean Hecker, Phillips’ main lawyer, said outside court.
Lawyers for Phillips argued that prison was unnecessary because he had been punished enough by the destruction of his career, the downfall of his hedge fund and his time in Spanish jail.
Soros backing
A DDRESSING the judge before his sentencing, Phillips said the case had been “an incredibly difficult experience” that he wouldn’t wish “on anyone, even my worst enemy.” He said the time spent away from his children in jail was a “greater punishment” than anything the court could impose.
Though he avoided prison, the sentence capped a fall from grace for Phillips, previously celebrated as a canny and aggressive trader.
Backed by George Soros, Londonbased Glen Point was one of the biggest hedge fund launches of 2015. A macro fund focused on emerging markets, it at one point managed more than $2 billion for clients like the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Phillips’ arrest in Ibiza in September 2022 sent shock waves through the world of macro funds, which make trades based on economic trends across a broad swath of assets such as foreign exchange.
Glen Point was started by Phillips and his former colleague at BlueBay Asset Management, Jonathan Fayman. The fund closed in 2022 after a failed merger with rival macro fund Eisler Capital.
Phillips can still challenge his conviction to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals. His lawyers have signaled they may argue that the prosecution was insufficiently connected to the US markets, as Glen Point was based in London and Phillips directed his trades from South Africa through a Singapore-based Nomura Holdings trader.
Prosecutors have argued that jurisdiction was proper because Phillips’ trades involved the US dollar and a US bank was the victim of the crime. Bloomberg
Dennis Gorecho
Pinoy Marino Rights
iliPiNo seafarers deployed in 2023 reached 578,626, with their corresponding dollar remittances amounting to $6,852,362.00.
in terms of deployment, the records from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) showed that the total number of Filipino seafarers deployed overseas reached 376,663 in 2017; 337,502 in 2018; 507,730 in 2019; 217,223 in 2020; 345.52 in 2021; 385,239 in 2022 and 578,626 in 2023.
The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 22 percent of the total OFW dollar remittances.
Records from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicate the sea-based sector’s remittances reached $6,870,827,000 in 2017; $6,139,512,000 in 2018; $6,539,246,000 in 2019; $6,353,522,000 in 2020; $6,545, 002,000 in 2021; $6,715,880,000 in 2022 and $6,852,362 in 2023.
Masses and prayers for the safe voyage of seafarers are traditionally part of the annual NSD, which is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation 828 by President Fidel V. Ramos on July 9, 1996 declaring August 18 as NSD. It was later moved to the last Sunday of September every year by Proclamation 1094.
your job diligently in keeping your workplace safe and protecting our marine environment. Stay committed to your work. You play an important role in protecting your work environment and the ocean wellness by enhancing maritime safety and security. Whether you are an experienced seafarer or a new one, be faithful to what God has called you to do,” Bishop Santos said.
The tragic sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912 redefined the concept of maritime safety and led to the adoption of SOLAS Convention in 1914.
The 1914 version was superseded by SOLAS 1929, SOLAS 1948, SOLAS 1960 (the first adopted under the auspices of the IMO) and SOLAS 1974.
The hashtag #SafetyTipsAtSea is related to the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day that will take place on September 26, 2024, which is “Navigating the future: Safety first!”
The data showed that remittances increased in 2018 by $731,315,000, then increased in 2019 by $399,734,000, then decreased in 2020 by $185,724,000, then increased in 2021 by $191, 480,000, then increased in 2022 by $172,878,000, then increased by $136,482.00 in 2023. Stella Maris Philippines said that the significance of Filipino seafarers in the Philippine economy should be complemented with prayers for safety, strength, and sound health in their journey.
Santos, the Bishop-Promoter of Stella Maris-Philippines. Stella Maris is the Catholic Church’s missionary work to the peoples of the sea, particularly seafarers, whether they are on merchant, passenger, war or fishing vessels.
“The sea is your life. Let me encourage you: just like our life here on earth is our voyage, there are times as you sail, you will experience or encounter waves that are rough and violent. Being out in the sea can pose many challenges and difficulties. But no matter how rough the sea may be, it will return to its reassuring calmness,” declared Antipolo Bishop Ruperto
The 2010 Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) held in Manila adopted a resolution establishing the Day of the Seafarer every June 25. Its purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.
The hashtag #SafetyTipsAtSea looks at the seafarers’ contribution to making the maritime sector a safer workplace.
“To you, our dear Seafarers, I encourage you to continue to perform
The 2024 World Maritime Day theme reflects the work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, while ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.
2024 also marks 50 years since the adoption of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
SOLAS is an important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships. It ensures that ships registered by signatory States comply with minimum safety standards in construction, equipment and operation of ships.
In the Philippines, Stella Maris is tasked to coordinate with the public and private sectors the activities related to the celebration of National Seafarers Day (NSD).
Masses and prayers for the safe voyage of seafarers are traditionally part of the annual NSD, which is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation 828 by President Fidel V. Ramos on July 9, 1996 declaring August 18 as NSD. It was later moved to the last Sunday of September every year by Proclamation 1094.
The purpose of the proclamation is to give due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.
This year’s NSD is set on September 29, 2024 with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Ligtas na Paglalayag!.”
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez. com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.
China’s ax-wielding coast guard tests limits in South China Sea
By Philip J. Heijmans
The latest South China Sea clash saw China’s coast guard wielding axes and a Philippine sailor lose his thumb in an escalation that underscored Beijing’s willingness to see how far it can push Manila—and its allies in Washington.
The Philippines Armed Forces called the June 17 moves by China— which included hurling rocks and using knives to puncture an inflatable craft trying to resupply its forces—a “brutal assault” and said the Chinese sailors acted like pirates. The US State Department said China’s actions were “reckless” and threatened regional peace and stability.
But that was as far as the public response went, with neither the Philippines nor Washington seeking to exacerbate a crisis that has been building for years.
For now, at least, Manila appears to be exercising more caution.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told soldiers in a speech afterwards that he was “not in the business to instigate wars.” The government’s executive secretary, Lucas Bersamin, initially said the whole episode was “probably a misunderstanding or an accident” and said the country would give advanced notice of such missions in the future, a move seen as appeasing China’s demands.
Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro quickly walked back Bersamin’s comments, vowing the country wouldn’t publish
its plans to send resupply missions to a decrepit World War II-era ship grounded at Second Thomas Shoal. And video footage showed the collision was no accident.
But the incident and officials’ subsequent remarks sowed doubt over Manila’s stance and sparked debate over how long it can push back on China without more support from an American ally distracted by wars in Europe and the Middle East.
“China’s escalating violence reflects Beijing’s confidence the US will do nothing more than make another strong statement,” said Carl Schuster, a former operations director at US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center. “I suspect President Marcos also realizes that the US support is limited. So with little hope of US support he has to find a way to reduce tensions.”
China was unbowed, sticking with its claims to a huge swath of the South China Sea despite an international tribunal striking down that view.
“It is our territory,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Monday. Manila “should go back on the track
of negotiating with China and safeguard the peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Following the incident, the US issued a statement reminding Beijing that an armed attacked was grounds to trigger the mutual defense pact it has with the Philippines, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the US’s “ironclad commitments” under the treaty during a call with his Philippine counterpart.
The Philippine president has made clear what his red line is, saying earlier this year that the death of a Philippine service member by “an attack from any foreign power” would prompt him to invoke the terms of the defense treaty. President Joe Biden echoed that position in a meeting with Marcos and Japan’s prime minister in Washington.
Last week’s incident fell short of that, though it also appeared to be the type of situation that could quickly escalate into a wider conflagration.
In video of the clash, a Chinese rigid-hulled inflatable boat rams into and on top of a Philippine vessel. Navy Seaman Jeffry Facundo told a Philippine Senate committee that his thumb got caught under the Chinese vessel’s keel, causing his injury. China insisted its actions were lawful.
The incident underscores a perennial issue in the decades-old alliance as Washington weighs its own interests against the risk of a conflict with China. In recent
years, Beijing has exploited its rivals’ reluctance to risk open war to assert clearer control over contested territory.
Without more assertive backing from Washington, the Philippines stands little chance of intimidating the Chinese vessels that swarm and harass ships that try to make their way to contested reefs and islands. It’s a strategy they’ve honed against nations from the Philippines to Vietnam. Boasting the world’s largest navy, Chinese vessels have few peers beyond the US in a waterway critical to global trade.
“The Filipinos’ behavior is predictable in making an outcry, and so on and so forth, but the point is, are they determined to challenge China — to stand and have a conflict? I don’t think so,” Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the People’s Liberation Army, said in an interview.
“And are they sure that the United States would definitely come to their aid should there be such a conflict?” he added. “My gut feeling is the United States would not like to be involved in conflict with China in the South China Sea because of the Philippines.”
Sierra Madre
TENSIONS over the World War IIera ship known as the BRP Sierra Madre have been escalating for years as Chinese vessels use water cannons to repeatedly blast Philippine ships trying to supply troops
Ignore the ‘AI revolution’ at your own peril, investors warn
By Allison McNeely, Hema Parmar & Marion Halftermeyer
While a recent selloff in shares of chipmaker Nvidia Corp. may have fueled fears of an artificial intelligence bubble, investors and asset managers still take a broadly positive view of the technology—with some caveats.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Invest summit Tuesday, Coatue Management founder Philippe Laffont said he’s bullish on AI despite the hype, pointing out that increased chatter about an investment can actually be a good sign.
But he expressed some concern about geopolitical instability in China potentially affecting production of the chips that power AI computing. If China invades Taiwan, for example, it would adversely affect Nvidia shares and global stock markets, Laffont said. Nvidia, the darling of the AI boom, gained 6.8 percent on Tues-
day, rebounding from a recent selloff that erased $430 billion of its market value. Earlier in the day, Neuberger Berman portfolio manager Steve Eisman—who gained fame betting against subprime mortgages and owns “a lot” of Nvidia shares—said he’s undeterred.
“If you look at the chart on Nvidia, you can barely see the correction,” Eisman said in a separate Bloomberg Television interview on Tuesday. “I don’t think it means anything.”
During wide-ranging discussions at Bloomberg Invest, hedge fund executives, chief investment officers and others weighed in on AI
as an investment and also discussed the promise of such technology for increasing productivity in the investing world.
Apollo Global Management Inc.—an alternative asset manager that oversaw about $671 billion at the end of the first quarter—sees an investing opportunity at the intersection of the energy transition and AI infrastructure, according to John Zito, deputy chief investment officer for its credit arm.
“It requires trillions of spend on a long-dated basis, and I think we’re just naturally the place to allocate that,” he said, noting that Apollo provided financing to semiconductor firm Wolfspeed Inc., and participated in a recent deal with Intel Corp.
Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, the Qatar Investment Authority’s chief investment officer for the Americas, acknowledged the “buzz” around AI.
“Fundamentally all businesses need to be more efficient,” he said. “One of the ways to make humans more efficient in their procedures and make companies more efficient is to empower them with AI.”
Man Group Chief Executive Officer Robyn Grew said her firm, which manages roughly $175.7 billion and is best known for its systematic strategies, has been using AI for at least a decade.
“It’s part of our DNA,” Grew said.
The London-based firm has doubled its assets under management since 2016, but hasn’t increased its headcount in operations, she said. Still, AI won’t make better decisions than humans, according to Grew. The real benefit of AI is to improve employees’ performance rather than replacing them, she said. When it comes to investing, AI
stationed there. With the ship rusting and in a state of advanced disrepair, disagreement has centered on whether Manila is covertly attempting to repair it, something China has repeatedly said it wouldn’t allow.
A retired Philippine navy official indicated that the country has, in fact, carried out minor repair work on the ship in the past, including replacing steel plates, installing electrical materials and applying protective paint.
Last week’s clash and the relatively muted response have prompted some soul-searching in the Philippines. Rommel Ong, a retired rear admiral in the Philippine Navy, said his government’s strategy lacked coherence and that the latest incident has stoked perceived divisions among the rank and file.
“The public could end up losing the trust and confidence in the military,” Ong wrote in an essay published Monday in Rappler.
Others say Beijing is learning from each incident just how far they can go in their bid to have free sway over the region.
“Beijing is confident DC will make no substantive response to PRC aggression,” said Schuster, the former operations director at US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, using an acronym for China. “Expect more violence in the months ahead.” With assistance from Philip Glamann, Andreo Calonzo, Jasmine Ng, Cliff Venzon and Iain Marlow / Bloomberg
isn’t “just about a backward look from predictive modeling,” she said. Instead, according to Grew, the technology should be used to find “new, uncorrelated” sources of investment.
Freestone Grove’s head of quantitative strategies, Daniel Morillo, expressed a similar sentiment in an earlier discussion on Tuesday. The hedge fund firm, which launched earlier this year with $3.5 billion of commitments, has focused on using AI to help the investment process, versus making judgments on the investment side.
One theme most panelists would agree on: The most dangerous thing you can do around AI investing is to stay on the sidelines.
“It would be irresponsible of us to ignore the AI revolution,” said Kim Lew, CEO for Columbia University’s endowment. With assistance from Sonali Basak and Romaine Bostick/Bloomberg
A12 Thursday, June 27, 2024
DA: EXCESS RICE TARIFF TAKE TO FUND CROP TACK, CASH AID
By Ada Pelonia
THE Department of Ag -
riculture (DA) plans to use the excess 2023 rice tariff collection for crop diversification, cash assistance, and land titling.
Data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) showed that tariff revenue collections from rice imports reached P30.02 billion in 2023.
In accordance with Republic Act No. 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), “tariffs collected from rice imports go to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund [RCEF]. Collections in excess of the P10-billion fund go to the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance or RFFA.”
The RCEF allocates P10 billion for farm mechanization, inbred seeds, rice credit assistance, and rice extension service. This gives a P20-billion excess from last year’s tariff collection.
“Last year P12 billion [was given under the RFFA Program], so this year we also plan to give P12 billion,” Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters during a media forum organized
by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday. Laurel said the balance would be diverted to crop diversification and land titling.
“The P1 billion for land titling will be given to the Department of Agrarian Reform [DAR] so farmers’ lands can be titled. The P7 billion is for crop diversification to highvalue crops,” he said.
Laurel said he expects farmers to receive the P12-billion cash assistance by September.
Earlier, the state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) said it had distributed P8.3 billion in cash assistance to rice farmers as of 2023 under the P12-billion RFFA program. (See: https://businessmirror .com.ph/2024/06/14/ farmers-get-p8-3-billionthrough-rffa/)
At a Senate hearing on the Proposed Extension of and Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act (RA) No. 11203, DBP Senior Vice President Rallen Verdadero reported that the bank has released 1,649,285 cards to rice farmers as of 2023.
Neda: Global factors affect impact of lower rice tariffs
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE impact of the tariff reduction on rice prices may be affected by global conditions such as international rice prices, climate change and the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
At the sidelines of East West Center’s three-day International Media Conference on Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan estimated the reduction in rice prices due to the lower tariff of 15 percent would be about 6 to 7 percent.
Given this, Balisacan said, the exact impact of the lower tariffs would be difficult to predict nor would its timing be certain. However, he said these are being watched closely given that tariffs are applied on top of cost of shipments, the insurance, and freight multiplied by the exchange rate to come up with a peso value.
“As we said, the reduction in the price would be anywhere from 6
to 7 percent depending on where the world prices are now, because the world prices are still inching up. And we hope that as they say, the forecast earlier that I shared is that about August, September [should be] when we expect to see some moderation [in prices], but there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” Balisacan told reporters.
“Climate change has made things very difficult. It’s so difficult to predict agricultural production, especially if you’re forecasting for more than a year because the weather changes. So, you know, but the point is, while world prices are elevated, we have to be to ensure that our rice is also accessible to our people and also that we pre -
serve the interest of our farmers,” he explained.
Balisacan gave assurances, however, that the Interagency Committee (IAC) on Inflation and Market Outlook (IMO), which meets quarterly, will closely monitor these factors in order to draft policies.
The country’s Chief Economist also stressed that Neda is merely a “recommendatory agency” that provides analytical work needed by interagency committees both at the technical and cabinet levels.
Yung interagency committee na krinate ni President to monitor inflation and market outlook, nag-mimit yan every quarter para mag -inform the cabinet, particularly the economic team, about the changes in the environment, in the market,” Balisacan explained.
“Then if there are, you know, issues sa inflation, sa production. Sa volume of supplies. These have to be brought up and addressed accordingly,” he added.
Inflation outlook
OXFORD Economics said the Philippines bore the brunt of food
inflation experienced by Southeast Asian economies. Food prices has been at the crux of higher inflation in the ASEAN-6.
While rice prices from Thailand and Vietnam are 20 to 25 percent higher compared for 2023. The most affected by these prices is the Philippines followed by Indonesia.
Rice prices in the Philippines have posted over 20 percent higher year on year for the past five months. In May, rice inflation averaged 23 percent.
“The impact of higher food prices on headline inflation appears largest in the Philippines. Not only is the country projected to remain the top global importer of rice, but rice imports relative to rice supply have risen in recent years and are still relatively high,” Oxford Economics said.
“Moreover, the weight of rice in the CPI basket also appears to be the highest in the region at about 8.9 percent. The weight of the food basket is also highest at 34.8 percent,” it added.
Nonetheless, Oxford Economics expects food inflation to start
easing starting in July 2024. This will largely be due to base effects from last year.
The UK-based think tank also said core inflation in ASEAN countries, including in the Philippines, “are on a broadly moderating trajectory.” Core inflation excludes selected volatile food and energy items and measures underlying demand-side price pressures.
With this, Oxford Economics said policy rate forecasts may be pushed back but will start easing in the fourth quarter of the year. This will be true for Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
“Compared to the start of 2024, our policy rate forecasts have been pushed back. That said, inflation is still broadly within target ranges and growth remains below trend. So we still expect cuts this year, likely after the US Fed moves first,” Oxford Economics said.
Earlier, Neda said the administration is willing to adjust rice tariffs if global and local economic conditions drastically change.
Lapid denies Pogo links as Senate probes Porac hub
Hontiveros asked.
SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
AYING he will resign if allegations of him owning the land hosting the raided Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga are true, Sen. Lito Lapid on Wednesday strongly denied the claim by an unnamed vlogger linking him to the enclave.
Lapid, who is seeking reelection in 2025, said he had served as Pampanga vice governor for three years and governor for three terms, and “ will not allow my name to be ruined here,” over allegations of involvement in the Porac hub, raided recently by an interagency unit that had earlier shut down another huge enclave in Bamban, Tarlac.
Lapid made the denial at Wednesday’s hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which is probing the alleged criminal activities perpetuated by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who was presiding, ordered the issuance of subpoena on suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo who failed to attend a Senate hearing on alleged human
trafficking, cyber fraud operations, scamming and money laundering activities.
Hontiveros called out Guo at the end of the hearing and threatened to cite her for contempt if she does not heed the subpoena.
The senator also ordered the issuance of subpoena against Guo Jian Zhong, Sheila Guo, Wesley Guo and other resource persons who failed to attend the public hearing. Hontiveros said she wanted Alice Guo to clarify a number of issues, including the identity of two Alice Leal Guo, both born on July 12, 1986 in Tarlac.
“Is it a coincidence that this National Bureau of Investigation clearance was applied for just a few days before the date of filing of the delayed registration of birth of the other Alice Leal Guo in Tarlac City? Or is this a case of stolen identity? Why does Guo Hua Ping need to steal the identity of Miss Alice Leal Guo when she already has a validly issued investor’s visa that will allow her to stay here? Who is this girl whose name is Alice Leal Guo but doesn’t look like the Mayor. Where is she now?”
The senator said they had found another connection that is disturbing because it has to do with a massive investigation by the Senate during the last Congress and will release it at the right time.
Meanwhile, Senators Grace L. Poe and Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito weighed in on the call to ban Pogo operations in the country.
“I just want to say that it shows that there is corruption, and people in the government have been involved. There are talks about national security risk, but let’s not divert the issue on what the Pogo actually does,” Poe said in Filipino.
“Today, I reiterate my call, together with our colleagues that have signed the resolution...proposed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. Please...we have to ban Pogos,” she stressed.
For his part, Senator Ejercito said government needs to hasten the phaseout due to the negative effects on the country.
“The committee has uncovered and discovered not just the material facts and information to prove the involvement of Mayor Guo, but also compelling
and disturbing reasons that call for government’s policy shift on Pogo operations,” he added.
Also on Wednesday, Sen. Win Gatchalian noted the chilling implications of having the country’s system of late registration of birth certificates being taken advantage of by those who should not be Filipinos. The senator said that once one becomes a Filipino, a rogue alien can take over a business, buy land, invest in different companies, get an NBI clearance and even run as a public servant. “It has been happening again and again,” Gatchalian said in Filipino, stressing that POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga were raided several times.
“These criminal syndicates will not stop because of the amount of money that comes in and circulates. And we have also seen that it does not go through formal channels, does not appear in their income statements. It comes in without us seeing it, they use it to build these Pogo hubs and it’s scary because they can also use it to bribe or buy influence,” he said. “They are coming in, doing bad things and their connections are getting deeper,” he added.
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, along with Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, field questions to Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil during the 9th public hearing on Pogo issues. ROY DOMINGO
Administrative Officer
Brief Job Description: Processes and responds promptly to incoming communications, and accurate message talking.
18. DENG, HONGTAI Deputy Project Production Manager
Brief Job Description: Recommends
initiatives while maintaining
and productivity.
19. LIU, YUTING Financial Management Officer
Brief Job Description: Assists in budget preparation and management activities.
20. HAO, RONGFEI Interpreter
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21. QIU, ZEYU Materials Management Assistant
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Basic Qualification: Experience in financial management. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.
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Basic Qualification: Experience in language arts. Fluent in Chinese and English languages.
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61. ZHANG, LEI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate
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62. ZHANG, ZILIAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate
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63. HUANG, ANLIN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk
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65. LI, YONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk
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103. RORI CANDRA WIJAYA Chinese Speaking
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104. TAN, XIAORONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer
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105. TRAN, TUAN ANH Chinese Speaking Program Designer
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106. WANG, JUNJIE Chinese Speaking Program Designer
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107. ZHANG, JINMEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer
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108. ZHENG, WENGANG Chinese Speaking Program Designer
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ENTREPRENEURS DU MONDE - WORLDWIDE ENTREPRENEURS (ENTREPRENEURS OF THE WORLD) 3rd Floor, Unit 311 One Agm Plaza, 1830 Tayuman St., Cor. Rizal Ave., Barangay 336, Santa Cruz, City Of Manila
Brief Job Description: Act as the official representative of Entrepreneurs du Monde in the Philippines for all legal matters. Provide and maintain a physical address in the Philippines for official correspondence and legal notices.
Basic Qualification: Degree in a business management / renewable energy and other related field. Masters or MBA degree would definitely count in your favor.
EXLSERVICE PHILIPPINES, INC. 6th Floor, One E-com Center, Harbor Drive, Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City
110. TIWARI, KALPANA Vice President - Operations
PHILS.,
149. XIANG, PINGAN Investment Specialist
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LAN TIAN ZI XUN INC. Natividad Almeda Lopez St Unit 205
153.
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This position requires the exercise of discretion in the application of the principles, practices and techniques related to planning and analysis, design, development and implementation, maintenance, support and management of information technology functions.
HOU, ZEXIN
Chinese IT Specialist
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LAU LY SAU Chinese IT Specialist
154.
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LI, YAN Chinese IT Specialist
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LIN, YINGXIONG Chinese IT Specialist
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157. NGUYEN THI THANH TAM Chinese IT Specialist
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324. HUANG, ZAORAN Translator (Mandarin)
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SALMON SERVICES INC. (SALMON SERVICES, SALMON SOLUTIONS AND SALMON SUPPORT) 12th Floor Four/neo, 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig
325. FEDOROV, PAVEL Operations Manager
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Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 10 years
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326. CHANG, SHAO-YU Chinese Speaking Site Technician
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SHOPEE PHILIPPINES INC. Levels 43-49 West Tower, The Podium, Adb Avenue Cor. Ortigas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong
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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Thursday, June 27, 2024
Accutech Steel bags fiscal incentives for new project
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the application for registration of Accutech Steel and Service Center Inc. (ASSCI) as a new producer of steel frame modules for structural building systems in the Philippines.
According to the investment promotion agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this is the first project approved under Tier III of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) since it falls under “Highly Technical Manufacturing and Production of Innovative Products.”
With an investment of P125 million, BOI said the project introduces a new production line dedicated to designing and manufacturing steel frame modules or panels from slit
rolls of galvanized cold form steel (CFS), commonly referred to as light gauge steel (LGS).
BOI said this project will soon operate in Taguig City.
“Accutech’s project stands out as highly technical, utilizing computer-aided and controlled processes for project management, structural design, and engineering,” the BOI said in a statement on Wednesday.
The agency said the steel frame modules are intended for structural building system applications, includ-
ing for houses, mid-rise buildings, factory warehouses, and a variety of other residential, commercial, industrial, utility, artistic, and architectural structures.
As for the incentives that Accutech Steel will receive under Tier III, BOI told reporters in a Viber message on Wednesday that the project is eligible for income tax holidays (ITH) for 6 years; after ITH, enhanced deductions for 5 years; and duty exemption on importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts and accessories for a maximum of 12 years.
BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo highlighted the project's innovation, noting that the use of CFS/ LGS framing for structural building systems is a “relatively” new technology for the Philippine construction industry.
“Advanced countries like the US, Australia, and New Zealand have already adopted CFS/LGS frames for structural building construction due to their economical, ecofriendly, and rapid construction benefits."
Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pas-
Meralco: 8 gencos keen on power deal
HE Manila Electric Co.
T(Meralco) has received offers from eight power generation companies (gencos) to supply the requirements of the utility firm for 15 years.
“Eight gencos submitted expressions of interest by the deadline,” said Meralco Bids and Awards Committee for Power Supply Agreements (BAC-PSA) Chairman Lawrence Fer-
Tire maker urged to buy more local rubber
THE government wants the Philippine subsidiary of tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. to increase its purchases of natural rubber from Mindanao farmers and processors, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“The sad part is that the sourcing of national rubber in the Philippines is not fully met by local suppliers that is why we will help them source the rubber from Mindanao,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual told reporters at a media briefing last Monday.
Currently, the Trade chief said Yokohama, the only tire manufacturer in the Philippines, sources only 51 percent of its raw material requirements from domestic suppliers. Of the raw materials it uses, Mindanao supplies majority of its natural rubber needs.
Pascual said the “ideal” target is to raise local sourcing to 100 percent.
Currently, he said the tire manufacturer purchases some 12,000 metric tons (MT) of natural rubber.
Last June 21 after a high-level meeting with Pascual and industry players in Japan, Yokohama Rubber expressed interest in expanding production capacity in the Philippines. According to a statement issued by the Philippines’s Trade department last week, the meeting discussed Yokohama Rubber’s contributions to the local economy, particularly through the localization of natural rubber procurement, which has “significantly” benefited Filipino farmers and rubber processors in Mindanao. Andrea E. San Juan
nandez. Meralco is seeking bids for its 600 megawatt (MW) baseload capacity requirement starting August 26, 2025. Fernandez, who is also the head of Utility Economics at Meralco, said the total offered capacity from eight bidders stood at 1,870MW vis-a-vis the 600MW requirement to be bid out. This means that many gencos want to supply Meralco’s baseload re-
quirement, preferably sourced from indigenous natural gas.
Pursuant to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) advisory dated October 11, 2023, the terms of reference (TOR) indicated that “power suppliers with natural gas fired power plants are highly encouraged to participate in the Bidding and prioritize the use of indigenous natural gas,” according to Meralco. Lenie Lectura
cual, who co-chairs the BOI, meanwhile, noted that the project “heralds a revolutionary chapter” in the country’s construction industry.
“The green light for this endeavor underscores our relentless dedication to driving the construction sector's growth and dynamism."
The BOI said ASSCI’s initiative is “poised to transform” the construction industry towards a more “economical, faster, sustainable, and smarter construction method” for houses and buildings.
Moreover, the project aims to “revolutionize” the construction industry by offering sustainable and efficient solutions that meet the stringent requirements of modern architectural and engineering standards, the BOI said.
Title III of the SIPP covers research and development and activities adopting advanced digital production technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, such as but not limited to, robotics, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, data analytics, digital transformative technologies, and other Industry 4.0 technologies.
Globe, Lynk to test viability of sat2phone in far-flung areas
GLOBE Telecom Inc. and satellite-direct-to-phone (sat2phone) company Lynk will launch a live customer pilot program to assess the potential of sat2phone communication services in remote places in the Philippines.
Globe aims to pilot the service in Zambales, Pangasinan, Siargao, and Leyte.
The program will utilize Lynk's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver SMS, IP messaging apps, and emergency alerts to target regions currently lacking traditional terrestrial network coverage. These regions include farflung locations with existing Globe enterprise clients and government installations, as well as tourist destinations with limited or unreliable cellular coverage.
The collaboration began this month and will run until June 2025, with a live pilot trial launch anticipated within this year.
“In line with our goal of empowering Filipinos through digital technology, we are looking for a solution to bring life-enabling connectivity to as many Filipinos as possible. Through this satellite-direct-to-phone ser -
vice, we hope to provide access wherever our customers are, connecting the unconnected through disruptive technology,” said Gerhard Tan, Senior Director and Head of Network Strategy and Innovations. In 2022, Globe signed a NonCommercial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lynk to conduct Proof of Concept (PoC) testing for the sat2phone service using low earth orbit satellites in signaldeprived areas of Bataan. This PoC was successfully completed on February 21, 2023.
During the onsite testing, Globe and Lynk successfully sent and received SMS notifications, transmitted messages outside the test location, and broadcast emergency alerts via a Low Earth Orbit satellite using standard mobile phones. The latency was within acceptable limits, and the overall results were “promising.”
As part of the collaboration, Globe and Lynk will also evaluate service viability in maritime routes, disaster zones, fishing grounds, and other areas that need improved connectivity through extended communication solutions. Lenie Lectura
‘Economic,
geopolitical uncertainties
weigh on E. Asia bond market’
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
h E Asian Development
(ADB) identified key threats that could affect local currency (LCY) bond markets and economies in the region. In the latest Asia Bond Monitor, ADB said bond
“Emerging East Asia’s financial conditions remain resilient,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park. “But lingering geopolitical tension and adverse climate events pose upside risks to inflation, adding uncertainty over the path of disinflation.”
ADB said slower-than-expected disinflation supported the likelihood of higher-for-longer interest rates and pushed up short-term and long-term bond yields in both advanced economies and regional markets. Regional currencies, ADB said, also depreciated against the US dollar, and credit default swap spreads widened in most markets.
“Some regional monetary authorities may hold interest rates higher for a longer period to safeguard currencies amid the uncertainty in disinflation trends and global monetary stances,” Park said.
In the Philippines, the local currency government bond yields increased due to higher for longer interest rates as the United States Federal Reserve delayed
its rate cut.
The uptick in inflation also affected the country’s bond yields. Inflation increased to 3.9 percent in May from 3.8 percent in April and 3.7 percent in March this year.
In a press event last May 16, ADB noted that BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. hinted at a possible rate cut in August (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2024/05/17/bsp-keeps-rates-buteyes-2-cuts-in-2nd-half/)
“The central bank’s decision aims to firmly anchor inflation expectations within the target range amid persistent potential price pressures linked to higher costs of transportation, food, and energy, as well as rising global oil prices,” ADB said in its report.
The country’s LCY bond market, the report stated, picked up in the first quarter, with bonds outstanding reaching a size of P12.3 trillion at the end of March.
ADB said overall growth climbed 2.2 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first three months of the year from a percent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to increased issuance from the government and the BSP. Treasury and other government bonds outstanding, ADB said, posted growth of 2.7 percent quarter-onquarter and the stock of central bank securities rose 20.2 percent quarter-onquarter in the January-to-March period. however, ADB said corporate bonds outstanding continued to decline in the first quarter at a pace of 8.2 percent quarter-on-quarter due to a large number of maturities and a low volume of issuance during the quarter.
Singapore seized $4.4B in dirty money since 2019
Singapore has seized S$6 billion ($4.4 billion) linked to criminal and money laundering activities over the past five years, of which about half of these illicit assets were from last year’s record scandal.
Of the amount that was confiscated between January 2019 and June 2024, some S$416 million has been returned to victims while S$1 billion has been forfeited to the state, according to a report released Wednesday by the government. In last year’s S$3 billion money laundering case, about S$944 million has already been forfeited to the state, the report stated. Authorities in the city-state have observed that money laundering activities are increasingly sophisticated, involving swift movement of large sums of illicit funds and affecting many victims across borders, according to the report that sets out the country’s approach toward recovering illicit assets.
“Even the most stringent antimoney laundering regimes can be
AUSTRALIA’S inflation accelerated faster than expected for a third straight month in May, sending the currency higher as traders boosted bets that the Reserve Bank will resume raising interest rates at its next meeting. The monthly consumer price indicator climbed 4 percent from a year earlier, exceeding economists’ estimate of 3.8 percent, government data showed Wednesday. The trimmed mean core measure, which smooths out volatile items, advanced to 4.4 percent versus 4.1 percent a
Govt raises ₧170.22B from long-term debt sale in June
By Reine Juvierre Alberto
The national government raised 94.75 percent, or P170.228 billion, of its P180-billion programmed borrowings for June.
The state borrowed P110.228 billion from the sale of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) in June while reaching its target of raising P60 billion from the tender of Treasury bills (T-bills).
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) capped its June auctions by making a full award of the reissued 20year T-bonds worth P30 billion on Wednesday but fell short of reaching its borrowing target of P120 billion from the tender of T-bonds for the month.
Maturing in 19 years and 11
months, the long-term debt papers were awarded with an average rate of 6.860 percent, according to the BTr.
The average auction yield is higher than the comparable 20-year PhP BVAL yield at 6.83 percent as of June 25, 2024, and the 6.797 percent yield recorded in the previous auction for the same securities on May 21, 2024.
Offers made by investors for the yield ranged from a low of 6.800 percent to a high of 6.900 percent, according to the Treasury.
The Treasury said the auction was
1.7 times oversubscribed, with total tenders reaching P51.1 billion.
“With its decision, the committee raised the full program of P30.0 billion, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P52.7 billion,” the Treasury said.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort attributed the uptick in Wednesday’s auction yields to weak peso performance, global crude oil prices and the movement of the US Federal Reserve (Fed).
“US dollar peso exchange rate stabilized recently at 58.80 levels, among 20-month highs; global crude oil price near 2-month highs; higher-for-longer/more conservative stance by most Fed official recently to make sure inflation is well anchored/in the right direction towards the central bank’s inflation target,” he said.
The Monetary Board, the highest
LandBank extends ₧120-M loan to Basilan local govt
State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) granted a P120-million loan to the Municipal Government of Tuburan in Basilan to acquire heavy equipment to ramp up the construction of roads.
In a statement, LandBank said on Wednesday the loan will bankroll the municipality’s construction and maintenance of farm-to-market roads and other infrastructure projects.
The loan will enable improved access to agricultural technology and farm material inputs to more than 1,500 local farmers and fisherfolk as well as reduce the transportation costs of their produce, LandBank said.
LandBank added the loan will support the local government’s strategic investments in promoting economic growth, especially in the town’s un-
circumvented by determined criminals who will continuously search for gaps to exploit,” Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the opening of the Financial Action Task Force Plenary. Still, measures should not be over-zealous either and stifle legitimate investments, he added. The global watchdog, which is meeting in Singapore this week, is poised to add Venezuela and Monaco to its “gray list” for not making sufficient progress to stem illicit financial flows.
Among ongoing measures to tackle money laundering risks, the city-state has been demanding more information from family offices and hedge funds while stepping up closures of dormant firms, Bloomberg News has reported. Banks in the financial hub are also ramping up scrutiny of their wealthy customers and potential clients to avoid exposure to illicit flows, people familiar with the matter have said. Bloomberg News
month earlier.
The Australian dollar rose as much as 0.4 percent as traders priced a greater chance of a rate hike at the RBA’s Aug. 5-6 meeting. Yields on policy sensitive three-year bonds jumped as much as 15 basis points to 4.08 percent, the biggest one-day gain since April. The RBA’s next meeting “is now live,” said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in Sydney. “The only possible way out is for a series of softer numbers in most, if not all, of the key data points” ahead including
derserved communities.
“LandBank stands ready to serve the growth needs of partner local government units to bankroll initiatives that stimulate economic activities.
This complements our efforts in support of the agriculture sector and other key industries contributing to building inclusive and sustainable local communities,” said LandBank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.
Specifically, the loan will be used to purchase 10-wheeler dump trucks, 10-wheeler mixer trucks, wheel loaders, a hydraulic crawler excavator and a 10-wheeler self-loading truck to reduce operational costs in renting and subcontracting equipment for current and future construction projects across the town.
As an agricultural community, LandBank said Tuburan requires
logistics to maintain existing road networks and other infrastructure projects since most of its land area are dedicated to coconuts, rubber and cassava.
“The funding from LandBank will be crucial in addressing this need and advancing local growth.”
Tuburan Mayor Mayor Jhaber S. Kallahal said the funding extended by LandBank will enable the municipality to implement crucial projects and initiatives that will benefit its citizens and enhance their overall quality of life.
“We value the strong partnership we have built with LandBank over the years and look forward to work together towards our shared vision of a thriving and prosperous community,” Kallahal added.
ThE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it intercepted a total of 83 undeclared currency packages in January to June.
The BOC said on Wednesday it apprehended KRW 80,000,000.00 or P3.387 million from two Korean nationals in a joint inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 last June 25.
The inspection of currency declaration was conducted by the BOC, Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This is in line with Executive Order 33, series of 2023 and Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 37, series of 2023 adopting the 2023-2027 National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing, Counter Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS), the BOC said.
Under the regulations on crossborder transfer of currencies, any
jobs, retail sales and second-quarter inflation on July 31. The report comes after RBA Governor Michele Bullock restated last week that the rate-setting board isn’t ruling out a rate hike after leaving the benchmark at a 12-year high of 4.35 percent.
Earlier Wednesday, Assistant Governor Christopher Kent said the central bank is “alert” to upside risks to inflation. Indeed, Overnight Index Swaps are now implying a 40 percent chance of a hike in August, up from about 20 percent pre-data.
They were joined by Tuburan Municipal Treasurer Abubakar U. Mohammad, LandBank Zamboanga City Lending Center head Zenaida K. Valencia and Account Officer Jaydee N. Bongon, LandBank added. The state-run bank has extended P113.6 billion in outstanding loans to local government units in the country as of April.
These loans support local development projects nationwide, including the acquisition of heavy equipment, construction and maintenance of farm-to-market roads, railways and bridges, utility projects, school and hospital buildings, street lights, and computerization of LGU operations, among others.
The loan agreement between the Municipal Government of Tuburan and LandBank was signed by Kallahal and LandBank Senior Vice President Charlotte I. Conde last May 23 in Zamboanga City.
Reine Juvierre Alberto
BOC snares 83 undeclared currency packages
person bringing in or taking out of the Philippines foreign currency above $10,000 or its equivalent is required to declare the entire amount brought into or taken out of the Philippines in the Currencies Declaration Form.
RBA No. 2 Andrew hauser is due to speak at an economic forum in Sydney on Thursday evening, when he’s likely to be asked about the latest inflation report. Central bank officials have frequently cautioned about reading too much into the monthly figures, given they only provide a partial picture of prices in the economy whereas the quarterly report delivers a complete overview.
In the United States, Federal Reserve officials have said that while they’re encouraged by an improve -
As for the Philippine currency, a person is only allowed to bring into or take out of the Philippines an amount not exceeding P50,000.
A written authorization from the BSP is required for amounts above the limit, and the entire amount
ment in price data, they will need to see months of such progress before reducing rates. A healthy job market is providing them with some flexibility. That’s also true in Australia, where the jobless rate is hovering around levels that are below estimated full employment. The RBA’s goal is to bring consumer prices back within its 2 percent-3 percent target while holding onto the significant job gains made since the pandemic.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers tried to
brought into or taken out of the Philippines must be declared in the form.
The BSP permits cross-border transfer of local currency exceeding the limit only for the purpose of testing/calibration/configuration of money counting/sorting machines, numismatics (collection of currency), and currency awareness.
The BOC said it will continue to conduct joint inspections with AMLC and BSP to ensure that currency detection measures and policies on cross-border transport of currencies and monetary instruments are strictly implemented in all international airports and seaports.
“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our financial system and ensuring that our borders are secure from illegal monetary activities,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
play down the implications of the spike in prices. “We’ve seen around the world that inflation can zig and zag on its way down, it doesn’t always moderate in a straight line and the last mile can be a bit harder,” he said. The RBA has held rates since a surprise tightening in November, while highlighting that aggregate demand still exceeds the economy’s supply capacity. Australia’s 13 hikes between May 2022 and November 2023 are at the lower end of the global tightening scale. Bloomberg News
Reine Juvierre Alberto
BloomBerg
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Fil. envoys commend OFWs for ‘assuring good relations’ in European host-countries
Story & photo by Andy Peñafuerte III
SEVERAL Filipino diplomats in Europe have commended migrant compatriots for creating “great reputation” and increasing the level of respect for the Philippines.
The country’s ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas thanked more than 100 delegates of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) in her speech at the network’s general assembly at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria late in May.
“[Your] role…in each of your new homes has become critically important not only for your homeland, but for wherever you are,” Bernas remarked. “In your jurisdictions, there is also an opportunity to raise your profile as citizens of those countries. Now, you have a voice there.”
Consul-General Roderico Atienza from the Philippine Embassy in Hungary, and Consul ad honorem Charmagne Garcia-Laconico from
the Philippine Embassy in Cyprus, joined the envoy in appreciating migrant Filipinos in Europe.
ENFiD’s delegates from 11 countries within and neighboring the European Union presented their diaspora reports, which included their communities’ challenges and successes in recent months.
The network’s 16 representatives from Cyprus—largest among the participating delegations—shared that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in their host-countries often face issues with long shifts, limited access to health care, and difficulties in getting or renewing visas.
John Javier, a private chef at a hotel in Limassol, added that new Filipinos in Cyprus often get blindsided
by contracts with details that recruiters have not discussed beforehand: “[They do not declare that they need to deduct rent and] insurance, so we end up getting less money,” the OFW said. “But we cannot do anything; [we do not have a choice. We are already here, and already amid struggles].”
Javier shared that several longtime Filipino workers have helped him navigate working in Cyprus, where he has lived for eight years.
“That really helped me become better than I was before. I am work-
ing with a lot of locals, so [we must be good examples to them],” he explained. “I am showing them how Filipinos work: we work with heart, respect, and integrity. We care about our jobs, and the people around us. So that is what the spirit of Filipino workers in Cyprus is.”
Interests and concerns
FOLLOWING the delegation reports, participants attended the “Diaspora, Actions, Resilience, Empowerment” or “DARE” Confer -
PHL cites PCA’s key role in intl dispute settlement
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE Philippines’s ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya has cited the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) increasing role in the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
PCA is an intergovernmental organization that facilitates dispute settlements between states or companies. Based in the Hague, the court became known in the Philippines for creating the ad hoc tribunal that later ruled against China’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea/ South China Sea.
Malaya is the acting president of the Administrative Council, which is the PCA’s policy-making body.
“With the resurgence of grave armed conflicts around the world, including in the doorsteps of Europe, it is our generation’s turn to carry on this solemn trust and collective duty to do our utmost for the cause of peace and justice and the rule of law, with the PCA: ‘accessible to all,’ and ‘at all times’—at the heart of this endeavor,” the Filipino diplomat said at the opening session of the PCA Congress of the Members of the Court last June 12.
He shared that in 2023, 82 new cases were registered, and 246 proceedings were handled—a recordbreaking number since its inception in 1899. Among international courts and tribunals, PCA has one of the biggest caseloads.
“The PCA can be proud of its significant contributions to the peaceful settlement of disputes, as cited by the United Nations [UN] General Assembly in a unanimous resolution in August last year, as well as in the development of international law,” Malaya said.
The ambassador then urged member-states “to more proac -
tively support the PCA and its activities, and fully utilize its dispute settlement facilities in the interest of the maintenance and preservation of peace and the promotion of justice.”
A highlight of the Congress was the adoption by the Members of the Court of a resolution with their recommendations for the growth, development, and the organization’s continuing relevance—including further developing ties with the UN.
The PCA’s 163 court-members and legal advisers from 110 countries and other parties met at the Peace Palace in the Hague to celebrate its
125th anniversary from June 12 to 14. It was a rare feat to gather the members, as Malaya commented: “[That was] only the third time that they did so for the past 25 years.”
Aside from the ambassador, other PCA members of the court from the Philippines who attended the event were former International Criminal Court judge Raul Pangalangan, former Ateneo Law dean Sedfrey Candelaria, and former Ateneo School of Government dean Antonio Gabriel La Viña.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra was also present as the Philippines’s legal adviser, accompanied by Assistant Solicitor General George Ortha and Senior State Solicitor Joel Villaceran.
Members of the Court are “potential arbitrators appointed by each contracting party who have known competency in questions of international law, of the highest moral reputation and disposed to accept the duties of arbitrators.” It also constitutes a “national group,” which is entitled to nominate candidates for the election to the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals, as well as the Nobel Peace Prize.
Fil. students show solidarity with Palestine and refugees
F ILIPINO youth extended their support to the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and to express solidarity with Palestine through a studentled campaign entitled “Voice for Palestine.”
It was organized under the guidance of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Center for Social Action (CSA) in time for the “International Day of Families” and the “International Day of Living Together in Peace.”
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the history and realities of the war in Gaza, volunteers mounted an exhibition of photographs and narratives that inform of unsung stories of the afflicted, especially women and mothers in the area.
It likewise detailed how life was before the genocide and highlighted the significant impact of
the issue on the education and future of the children. Amid the diverse accounts of struggles, a roundtable discussion was held to amplify the tales of persistence and bravery of the Filipino-Palestinian refugee families, who have since found homes in the Philippines.
The event also welcomed and provided an avenue for Little Gaza’s Kitchen—a Quezon Citybased home-cooked meals service founded by the Moro-Palestinians Cooperation Team, together with the refugees and their families. They aim to support their new beginnings in the Philippines by bringing the culinary taste of Gaza to Metro Manila.
Young talents from the Benilde Dance Program displayed a heartwarming performance of “Golden Hour” by JVKE. The piece, which was choreographed by Benilde Dance mentor Coach Mycs Villoso, reflected on the hopeful outcomes amid trying times.
“As Benildeans, we are called upon to act and be in solidarity with people and communities in creating a world that is just, humane, peaceful, and free from violence,” the volunteers shared.
Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Nicky Templo Perez emphasized the importance of using one’s freedom to take a stand for those who cannot speak of their experiences: “This is where our responsibility comes in as Benildeans and Filipinos who have the right—and who are still able to exercise our rights—to have our voices heard.”
She likewise hoped that the Voice for Palestine has served as an inspiration to the young generation.
“Use your voices to fight for social and human rights, even if the adults in the communities will sometimes react,” she added. “Every action is necessary and will be such a big help.”
For more information about the Benilde Center for Social Action, visit facebook.com/centerforsocialaction.
ence, which “reflect[ed] the diverse interests and concerns of the Filipino diaspora communities across Europe,” according to ENFiD chair Christian Estrada.
“These topics include the culture-based impact on the wellbeing of third-generation Filipinos, promoting entrepreneurship, addressing cyber security challenges, and combating anti-money laundering,” Estrada added. “This selection demonstrates a commitment to addressing individual and
community-level challenges, [as well as] more significant societal and economic issues.”
Delegates also participated in the “Pamana IV Philippine Festivals” parade, which closed the network’s two-day general assembly. Clad in traditional and ethnic Filipino attire, they paraded through the streets of central Vienna from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to Sigmund Freud Park amidst the downpours. The march also featured the Austrian brass band Musikverein Leopoldau, and a mini-statue of Lapulapu created by Vienna-based visual artist Gerry de Guzman.
Filipino community groups from Austria, Belgium, and Cyprus also presented their renditions of Philippine festival dances in a competition.
ENFiD-Austria’s cultural director Ana Maria Cruz-Langer said performers and participants showed a “strong sense of pride” in presenting Philippine culture.
“It is a beautiful way to connect Filipinos in the diaspora to our Motherland, and keep our traditions alive for generations to come,” CruzLanger imparted of the importance of presenting Philippine culture in Europe. With a report by Jay-vee Marasigan Pangan
Indian Embassy rolls out Intl Day of Yoga 2024
THE annual celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) was held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on June 20. The event was attended by more than 100 participants who practiced yoga asanas drawn from the “Common Yoga Protocol” under the guidance of the leading gurus and experts in the Philippines.
The IDY celebration’s theme “Yoga for Self and Society” placed emphasis on self and society’s well-being, while promoting global health and peace.
According to the embassy, yoga can be a comprehensive instrument for society encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. It was also inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Office or Unesco’s “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2016.
The event kicked off with a video message from Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa MD, while Director General Ma. Teresa C. Iñigo MD, FPCAM, CESE from the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care or PITAHC addressed the event as a chief guest. Dr. Jaime C. Laya, who chairs the Cultural Center of the Philippines, as well as United Nations resident coordinator for the Philippines Gustavo Gonzales addressed the event as guests of honor.
The yoga practice was led by gurus and experts who displayed their skills in various yoga practices such as asanas, pranayama, and meditation. The practice commenced with the Surya namaskar (sun salutation) led by Janice Cuevas-Puzon, who is a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher. This was followed by the practice of key asanas led by certified yoga guru Donna Lampano.
Thereafter certified international expert Clara Day Herrera guided participants through the pranayama breathing practice. Iachina Hernandez, who is the founder of BetterLife Studio, concluded the event through a meditation session.
Enthusiasts also supported the event by participating to take the “yoga pledge,” which may be accessed through the embassy’s web site: http:// www.eoimanila.gov.in/ Dr. Sadre Alam, who is the Embassy of India’s chargé d’affaires a.i. to the Philippines, commended the local yoga teachers who took part in the celebration. He noted that the integrated approach is increasing its popularity in the Philippines as an effective practice for physical and mental well-being and prophylaxis.
The 5,000-year-old practice of yoga, which originated in ancient Indian civilization, has now become a practice for its mental and spiritual benefits. As a key pathway toward sustaining a healthy lifestyle across the world and in recognition of its universal appeal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
In the Philippines, yoga continues to emerge as a prominent practice for physical and mental well-being, while helping generate a healthy lifestyle for local practitioners. Its growing influence reflects a global trend where individuals seek alternative and holistic approaches to health and wellness.
Several Filipino yoga practitioners have visited India for training, deepening the people-to-people cultural ties between the former and the Philippines. Some of them have received training as certified yoga teachers in the South Asia country. Yoga is practiced by millions of people worldwide, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It has evolved into a range of styles and forms, but its core principles and philosophies remain rooted in its ancient origins, continuing to promote physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. India, according to its embassy, hopes that enhancing the reach of the healing practice of yoga, through the annual celebration of IDY and other activities, will make a meaningful contribution in this regard.
CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES A.I. DR. SADRE ALAM (front row, right) and PITAHC director-general Ma. Teresa C. Iñigo MD
SOLICITOR-GENERAL Menardo Guevarra (from left), Dean Antonio Gabriel La Viña, SecretaryGeneral Marcin Czepelak, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Judge Raul Pangalangan and Dean Sedfrey Candelaria
LITTLE GAZA KITCHEN representatives offered home-cooked meals to the “Voice for Palestine” exhibition guests
MORE than 100 Filipinos from 11 countries in Europe gathered for the 10th annual general assembly of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria on June 1.
Parentlife BusinessMirror
Keeping children safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids
By Barbara Ortutay The Associated Press
AT what age should kids be on social media? Should they be on it at all? If they aren’t, will they be social pariahs? Should parents monitor their conversations? Do parental controls work?
Navigating social media as a parent—not to mention a child—is not easy. Using social media platforms is still the default for most American teenagers, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 58 percent of teens are daily users of TikTok, including 17 percent who describe their TikTok use as almost constant. About half of teens use Snapchat and Instagram daily, with near-constant use at 14 percent and 8 percent for each, respectively.
But parents—and even some teens themselves— are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. Lawmakers have taken notice and have held multiple congressional hearings on child online safety. But even with apparent bipartisan unity, making laws and regulating companies takes time. So far, no regulation has passed.
What are parents—and teens—supposed to do in the meantime? Here are some tips on staying safe, communicating and setting limits on social media— for kids as well as their parents.
IS 13 THE MAGIC AGE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA?
THERE’S already, technically, a rule that prohibits kids under 13 from using platforms that advertise to them without parental consent: The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act that went into effect in 2000, before today’s teenagers were even born.
The goal was to protect kids’ online privacy by requiring websites and online services to disclose clear privacy policies and get parents’ consent before gathering personal information on their kids, among other things. To comply, social media companies have generally banned kids under 13 from signing up for their services.
But times have changed, and online privacy is no longer the only concern when it comes to kids being online. There’s bullying, harassment, the risk of developing eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or worse.
For years, there has been a push among parents, educators and tech experts to wait to give children phones—and access to social media—until they are older, such as the “Wait Until 8th” pledge that has parents sign a pledge not to give their kids a smartphone until the 8th grade, or about age 13 or 14. Some wait even later, like 16 or 17.
But neither social media companies nor the government have done anything concrete to increase the age limit.
IF THE LAW WON’T BAN KIDS, SHOULD PARENTS?
“THERE is not necessarily a magical age,” said Christine Elgersma, a social media expert at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. But, she added, “13 is probably not the best age for kids to get on social media.”
The laws currently being proposed include blanket
bans on the under-13 set when it comes to social media. The problem? There’s no easy way to verify a person’s age when they sign up for apps and online services. And the apps popular with teens today were created for adults first. Companies have added some safeguards over the years, Elgersma noted, but these are piecemeal changes, not fundamental rethinks of the services.
“Developers need to start building apps with kids in mind,” she said.
Some tech executives, celebrities such as Jennifer Garner and parents from all walks of life have resorted to banning their kids from social media altogether. While the decision is a personal one that depends on each child and parent, some experts say this could lead to isolating kids, who could be left out of activities and discussions with friends that take place on social media or chat services.
Another hurdle—kids who have never been on social media may find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the platforms when they are suddenly allowed free rein the day they turn 18.
TALK, TALK, TALK
A MORE realistic and effective approach to social media, experts say, is a slow, deliberate onboarding that gives children the tools and information they need to navigate a world in which places like TikTok,
Ernest Cu: Legacies of a father and a CEO
AS families across the Philippines recently marked Father’s Day, one prominent dad reflected on the invaluable wisdom parenthood has bestowed on his illustrious career.
Ernest Cu, president and CEO of Globe, has led the telecom giant for over 16 years, taking the company from challenger to leader. He juggled this demanding job with being a father of three—a role that has taught him lessons invaluable to helming a publicly-listed company.
His children—Cristina, Martin and Arianna—served as tutors in cultivating empathy, adaptability, and the wisdom to inspire rather than mandate. These have proven handy as he shepherded a company of over 8,000 in a highly competitive and fast evolving industry.
“My kids taught me patience. Despite being raised in the same household, the same environment, they are very different (from each other). So you have to treat them and interact with them differently at different levels,” he said.
Cu’s approach to parenting laid the framework for his effective team leadership. Rather than taking a one-sizefits-all tact, he adapts his communication style to best connect with each individual.
Just as he encourages his children to fearlessly pursue their calling and strive for mastery, Cu helps team members harness their potential and creates an environment for them to thrive.
Cu’s parenting North Star heavily influences his management tenets. For one, he sets a strong ethical foundation, then empowers individuals to pursue their passions without rigid predetermined paths while pushing them to be the best in what they do.
His advice to his kids also applies to his team: “You can be whoever you want to be but be the best. I always believe that you will do your best if you’re happy doing something. I cannot force you. You won’t be good at it because you were forced. It’s really what your natural inclination is— follow it and you will be good.”
Instagram and Snapchat are almost impossible to escape.
“You cannot just expect that the kids will jump into the world of social media, learn how to swim on their own,” said Natalie Bazarova, a professor of communications and director of the Cornell Social Media Lab. “They need to have instruction.”
Start early, earlier than you think. Elgersma suggests that parents go through their own social media feeds with their children before they are old enough to be online and have open discussions on what they see. How would your child handle a situation where a friend of a friend asks them to send a photo? Or if they see an article that makes them so angry they just want to share it right away?
For older kids, Elgersma says to approach them with curiosity and interest, “asking about what their friends are doing or just not asking direct questions like, ‘What are you doing on Instagram?’ but rather, ‘Hey, I heard this influencer is really popular.’” And even if your kid rolled their eyes it could be a window.”
Don’t say things like “Turn that thing off!” when your kid has been scrolling for a long time, says Jean Rogers, the director of the nonprofit Fairplay’s Screen Time Action Network.
“That’s not respectful,” Rogers said. “It doesn’t respect that they have a whole life and a whole world in that device.”
With his people-first approach, Globe has transformed from a contender to a leader in the telecom industry, boldly venturing into new markets with an unrelenting commitment to uplifting lives.
Cu’s ability for fearless disruption and nurturing spirit is the lynchpin of his leadership both at work and home. At his core, he prioritizes progress through cultivating strong bonds and fostering rich personal legacies. “Relationships matter significantly to me, whether it’s leading people or managing business relationships,” he says. “You always want the best for everybody in the same way you want the best for your family.”
It’s these lasting connections that most excite the executive about the future— from creating new multigenerational memories on upcoming family vacations to cementing Globe’s enduring footprint through continued innovation. At this intersection of work and life is where Cu shines. There are no divided
Instead, Rogers suggests asking them questions about what they do on their phone, and see what your
Kids are also likely to respond to parents and educators “pulling back the curtains” on social media and the sometimes insidious tools companies use to keep people online and engaged, Elgersma said. Watch a documentary like “The Social Dilemma” that explores algorithms, dark patterns and dopamine feedback cycles of social media. Or read up with them how Facebook and TikTok make money.
“Kids love to be in the know about these things, and it will give them a sense of power,” she said.
ROGERS says most parents have success with taking their kids’ phones overnight to limit their scrolling. Occasionally kids might try to sneak the phone back, but it’s a strategy that tends to work because kids need
“They need to an excuse with their peers to not be on their phone at night,” Rogers said. “They can blame
Parents may need their own limits on phone use. Rogers said it’s helpful to explain what you are doing when you do have a phone in hand around your child so they understand you are not aimlessly scrolling through sites like Instagram. Tell your child that you’re checking work email, looking up a recipe for dinner or paying a bill so they understand you’re not on there just for fun. Then tell them when you plan to
WHAT ABOUT PARENTAL CONTROLS?
SOCIAL-MEDIA platforms that cater to children have added an ever-growing array of parental controls as they face increasing scrutiny over child safety. For instance, Meta unveiled parental supervision tools last year that lets parents set time limits, see who their kid follows or is followed by, and allows them to track how much time the minor spends on Instagram. It does not let parents see message content.
But as with similar tools on other platforms such as TikTok, the feature is optional, and both kids and parents have to agree to use it. In order to nudge kids toward agreeing to set up the controls, Instagram sends a notice to teens after they block someone, encouraging them to let their parents “supervise” their account. The idea is to grab kids’ attention when they might be more open to parental guidance.
By making the feature optional, Meta says it is trying to “balance teen safety and autonomy” as well as prompt conversations between parents and their children.
Such features can be useful for families in which parents are already involved in their child’s online life and activities. Experts say that’s not the reality for many people.
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last year it’s unfair to expect parents to manage what their children do with rapidly evolving technology that “fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world—and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage.”
Putting all of that on the shoulders of parents, he said, “is just simply not fair.” n
roles, just a holistic person bringing the same values, vision and love into the boardroom, as much as into his living
room. His leadership style is defined by seamlessly blending the devoted father and elite CEO into one integrated persona.
PHOTO BY CAROLINE HERNANDEZ ON UNSPLASH
ERNEST CU, Globe president and CEO (seated, 3rd from left), with wife Arlene (seated, 1st from left) and their grandchild Parker Cu on her lap; son Martin Cu (standing, 2nd from left) with wife Ari (standing, 1st from left), youngest child Arianna Cu (standing, 3rd from left) with boyfriend Henry Maccready beside her, and eldest Cris
(standing, 5th from left) with husband Tristan Seisa.
Americans favored in Paris
Phelps, US athletes lose faith in WADA
Wtold a House subcommittee on Tuesday night. The testimony by Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt followed revelations this spring that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but were allowed by WADA to compete. Five of those swimmers went on to win medals, including three golds. Phelps is the most decorated swimmer in history and a 23-time Olympic gold medalist. Schmitt, a four-time gold medalist, was part of the US 800-meter freestyle relay team that finished a close second to China at the Tokyo Games. Both the Chinese and U.S. teams broke the previous world record in the relay.
“We raced hard. We trained hard. We followed every protocol. We accepted our defeat with grace,” Schmitt said. “Many of us will be haunted by this podium finish that may have been impacted by doping.” Eleven of the Chinese swimmers who tested positive ahead of Tokyo are set to compete again in Paris. Phelps, wearing a dark suit, was joined by his wife, Nicole, and youngest son, Nico, who was born in January. He nodded in agreement multiple times as members of Congress criticized WADA and said Americans should be able to watch the Olympics without wondering if the competition is rigged.
Phelps expressed frustration that nothing had changed since he testified before the same subcommittee seven years ago about WADA’s handling of Russian statesponsored doping. AP
By Josef Ramos M
ELVIN JERUSALEM will defend his World World Box -
ing Council (WBC) minimum weight title against unbeaten Luis Castillo of Mexico before a hometown crowd in early September. It will be in Manila, Masbate or General Santos City as Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions is putting up the fight either in Manila, Masbate or General Santos City.
“Quality world boxing title will be coming soon to the Philippines and Melvin Jerusalem, our present world champion, will be a main part of it,” said the former senator Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion. “It’s a great timing that he is holding one of the most prestigious world boxing titles—the WBC.”
MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said a decision on the venue would be announced soon and that
B8 Thursday, June 27, 2024
By Stephen Wade The Associated Press
THE United States is strongly favored to win the most overall medals when the Paris Olympics open in a month.
The big question is this: will the Americans also top the gold-medal tally in a close race with China?
The US is projected to win 123 medals overall—37 gold, 34 silver and 52 bronze. China is forecast to win 87 overall—36 gold, 29 silver and 22 bronze.
This forecast is done by Nielsen’s Gracenote Sports, which supplies statistical analysis for sports leagues around the world and also tracks major competitions involving Olympic sports leading up to the Games.
The US and China finished 1-2 in both categories in 2021 in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics.
Gracenote’s ranking is based on overall medals won, although others focus the rankings on gold totals and the International Olympic Committee does not compile rankings, leaving this to nations and local media.
This would be the eighth straight time the US has won the most overall medals in the Summer Games. In 1992 at Barcelona, the so-called Unified
in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where China invested heavily and saw dividends.
Next
(13-2). And 21 through 30 are: Sweden (12-6), Georgia (12-3), Serbia (11-5), Belgium (11-3), Uzbekistan (113), Kazakhstan (10-2), Iran (9-4), Croatia (9-3), Romania (9-2) and Ireland (9-2).
Host nations always get a bump in medals, and France is expected to get a big one and increase its overall total from 33 in Tokyo. France is forecast to nearly triple its gold-medal output from Tokyo, where Japan picked up a record haul.
Performing at home is an advantage, partly because host nations invest more heavily in training athletes. Then, of course, there are adoring home crowds and the familiar surroundings. The unknown factor is the presence of Russian and—to a lesser extent—Belarusian athletes. They have been absent from most international competitions over the last two years because of the war in Ukraine. It’s still unclear how many will participate and their influence is difficult to factor into the forecast, Gracenote acknowledges.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman agreed to the terms when he visited the country last March.
The 30-year-old Jerusalem has a 22-3 win-loss record with 12 knockouts, while Castillo, 26, is a dangerous southpaw with 21 wins against one draw with 13 knockouts.
“For pride and country this is surely a Filipino thing because every time a Filipino becomes a world champion, he’s really obliged to go to defend their belts at enemy’s territory,” Gibbons said.
“So Jerusalem is our last remaining hope at the moment, he is our only reigning Filipino world champion and we need this fight to happen in the Philippines,” he added.
Jerusalem, a former World Boxing Organization minimum weight champion, clinched the WBC belt in Tokyo last March 31 via split decision over Japanese Yudai Shigeoka.
“That’s really one of my dreams
Bernardino snatches thrilling victory; Tiongko prevails in JPGT Bacolod leg
IFFANY MARKITA
TBERNARDINO clinched a dramatic victory in the girls’ 13-15 category of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Junior Philippine Golf Tour (ICTSI JPGT) Visayas Series with a clutch par on the 17th hole sealing the victory in Bacolod City on Wednesday.
Bernardino, who led from the start, finished with an 85 to narrowly beat Rane Chiu and Alexie Gabi by one stroke with a 259 total over 54 holes.
Despite a shaky start with a frontside 45, Bernardino rallied from one stroke down in the final two holes and her pivotal par on the challenging par-four 17th, which Chiu and Gabi both double-bogeyed, propelled her back into the lead.
The 13-year-old from Makati City matched her rivals’ bogeys on the closing par-3 hole at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club for her first victory in the series sponsored by ICTSI. “I couldn’t get my game going and wasn’t able to play my best,” Bernardino said. “I was pressured but
Draft studs or duds
THE National Basketball Association (NBA) PreSeason has begun. The Larry O’Brien Trophy has been signed, sealed and delivered to the Boston
the
handled it by praying.”
Gabi, from General Santos City who defeated Bernardino by eight strokes in Iloilo, missed a par putt and a playoff crack on the 18th, settling for an 82 and a total of 260. Chiu, who took third place in Iloilo, also scored an 82 and claimed runnerup honors via countback, earning precious points heading into the last of two Bacolod legs at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.
The top two players after the Visayas series will advance to the National Match Play Finals at The Country Club in October.
In the boys’ 13-15 division, Nyito Tiongko mirrored Bernardino’s wire-to-wire triumph, romping away with a 10-stroke victory despite an early challenge from Iloilo leg winner Inno Flores.
The 13-year-old Cebuano, who started the final round with an 11-stroke lead, stumbled with a frontside 46 but steadied his game with pars to finish with an 84 and a total of 239.
Flores, who rallied with a
besides becoming a world champion—to fight and defend my crown in front of the Filipino crowd here in our country,” Jerusalem said. “I am really thrilled and excited.”
Jerusalem’s handler JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions welcomed the opportunity or working with MP Promotions to co-promote the fight.
“Sean Gibbons and MP Promotions have provided Filipino boxers a great amount of hope for many years.” Mananquil said.
“They built a lot of world champions since then. So we are very grateful to join forces with them again to co-promote Jerusalem’s world title fight here.”
frontside 39, lost momentum after pulling within two strokes with eight holes to play and played the last seven holes at eight-over marred by a double bogey on the 16th, and wound up with an 83 for a 249.
“I never lost my confidence, even when Inno closed in,” said Tiongko, who overcame a quadruple bogey on the second hole and a triple bogey on the fourth.
Dannuo Zhu carded an 86 to
FCoronel to prioritize
LAG and country prevailed as the Premiere Volleyball League (PVL) relaxed the participation of Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, both playing for Alas Pilipinas, in Day 2 of the the Rookie Draft Combine at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City. Gagate and Coronel are part of the national team coached seeing action in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup set from July 4 to 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Due to the hectic national team commitments leading up to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup, the PVL has decided to limit the involvement of Alas Pilipinas members
Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel on the second day of the Rookie Draft Combine,” PVL commissioner Sherwin
hounding presence that limits the offensive thrusts of opponents around the basket.
And Nikola Topić who played for Red Star in Serbia—a big point guard with superb passing skills and the ability to play off screens. Before a recent injury he was also being considered worthy of the No. 1 spot.
And then there’s Bronny, 6-foot-1, a good shooter, passer, scorer and definitely has the genes. He may just be a few days away from joining Pops in the Lakers’ den. But there are questions too about his draftability and landing spots.
How will the teams choose their rookies who can turn out to be keys to a championship run or lemons in the long run?
Jacob Kaplan Moss ( jacobian.org ) who calls himself a “basketball nerd” says go look at players’ “floors” and “ceilings”—a metaphor that analysts use to measure sports performance. Ceilings are an athlete’s maximum potential performance level. How good are they when they are their best? Floors are the exact opposite. How bad are they when they are at their worst?
Kaplan says athletes can have high or low floors or ceilings. A “high floor” means an athlete can be at his worst but his worst is still pretty good. At the other end of the spectrum, a player
Malonzo said.
Malonzo added: “The PVL fully supports the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the national women’s team program.”
During the first scrimmage of the day, Coronel partnered with Leila Cruz, Lucille Almonte, Razel Aldea and Karen Verdeflor and faced off with Gagate, Maicah Larroza, Roma Mae Doromal, Nikka Yandoc, Pierre Abellana, and Steph Bustrillo.
Coronel and Gagate actively participated on the first day of the Combine on Tuesday.
Coronel excelled with a top score of 27.78 inches in the standard vertical jump, securing second place in both the vertical jump with approach (316.0 cms) and standing broad jump (248.9 cm).
Gagate led in physical metrics with a height of 189 cms and wingspan of 185 cms and also topped the vertical jump with approach, achieving an impressive 317.0 cms.
MICHAEL PHELPS: Any attempts of reform have fallen short. AP
THEA GAGATE gets a brief reprieve from the rigors of the Draft Combine.
TIFFANY MARKITA BERNARDINO (left) and Nyito Tiongson with their medals. BERNADRD TESTA
ur promise to all our patients is that when you come in, we will simplify things for you and make the journey better for you. You will be guided and well taken cared of just like family.”
That was the promise made by Karl G. Dimaano, General m anager and COO of HealthFirst, at the grand opening of HealthFirst Williams Center located at Williams Corner m ayflower Street, Greenfield District, m andaluyong City. He pointed out that after the pandemic, the perception of people about healthcare access had changed. They no longer wanted to visit hospitals and instead gravitated towards outpatient care.
“We are basically just providing patients with what they need because of the change that was brought about by Covid. The real objective of having everything together in one place is basically centered on the patient, the patient journey,
Dimaano added.
In-house clinic
H e ALTHF ir ST Clinic began as an in-house clinic of Unilab, the leading pharmaceutical company in the country. After years of offering quality service to thousands of employees of Unilab, it opened its doors to the public in 2006.
Today, HealthFirst Clinic is a growing network of premier multi-specialty clinics that offer convenient and quality outpatient healthcare serve in a one-stop-shop setting. HealthFirst currently has eight sites and eight dialysis centers.
HealthFirst Clinic is part of r elianceUnited, a member of the United Laboratories Group. r elianceUnited
offers the most comprehensive suite of Corporate Healthcare Solutions to improve employee wellness and productivity while reducing employer healthcare cost through the delivery of simpler and better employee and employer experience.
Other companies under r elianceUnited include Flexicare, m edpass m edbase, ActiveOne Pharmacy.
“HealthFirst is a health platform. With the r elianceUnited consolidated portfolio, we have our insurance, health benefits administration, corporate clinic management, heart program, eye program. it’s
the entire medical benefits, health screening access that the Human r esources head can come to us,” Dimaano explained.
r elianceUnited offers the most comprehensive suite of Corporate Healthcare Solutions to improve employee wellness and productivity, while reducing employer healthcare cost through the delivery of a simpler and better employee and employer experience.
Specialty services
ACCOr Di NG to Dr. r obert T. Cas -
tro, m edical Director of HealthFirst Clinics, HealthFirst offers more or
less 21 specialty services that include rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, women’s health, eye clinic, surgical procedures, pediatrics, cardiology, executive check-ups and preemployment health services.
What makes the HealthFirst Williams Center distinct from the other clinics is that it has a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, probably the first outpatient clinic to have such a facility.
“ i n the United States, many outpatient clinics have cardiac cathlabs. They are more accessible to patients, the price of angioplasties here are much lower and infection control is better because it is not a hospital facility,” Dr. Castro said.
i n addition to the cardiac cathlab, HealthFirst also has an eye clinic or e yeSite, which is a partnership with the Asian e ye i nstitute. e yeSite’s goal is to make high quality eye care accessible and affordable for anyone. Those who will avail of the e xecutive Package will be assigned to one room where most of the services can be rendered with privacy.
“We are planning to offer mental health services and extend that to
neurodevelopmental health facility for children. We are also looking to expanding our ambulatory surgical procedures. Anything that can be safely done in an outpatient setting, will be offered like arthroscopy and other procedures,” Dr. Castro said.
Financial assistance
W H i L e healthcare spending is not a priority expenditure, Dimaano said HealthFirst is making their services as accessible as possible so that every Filipino will have equitable access to healthcare.
“We have partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies to ensure that the financial aspect is also part of the accessibility. That will make us different,” he said. Dimaano reiterated that they are “reengineering their process flows to make the patient journey simple.”
“We are simplifying things on behalf of our patients. We have always looked at being in the patients’ shoes every time we make decisions on growth programs and improvement programs because at the end of the day, it is the patient who matters,” he said.
AsiAn HospitAl welcomes delegAtes of tHe metro pAcific ceo summit 2024
brought to Asian Hospital and were warmly welcomed by Dr. Beaver Tamesis, Asian Hospital President and C e O. i n his welcome remarks, Dr. Tamesis said the C e Os would be touring the hospital and will be showcasing not only the rooms and services but also the engineering part as well.
“Please pay attention to everything—everything that you see, that greets you, that touches you, that meets you. That’s part of the story,” he said. Among the facilities that the C e Os visited were the Florence Lim-Chan
From left, Dr. roberto T. Castro, medical Director of HealthFirst Clinics and Karl G. Dimaano, General manager and Coo of HealthFirst Clinics.
Doctor calls for raising of legal age for purchase of vape products to 25
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
While the World health Organization (WhO) calls for urgent action to protect children as well as non-smokers against the risks of e-cigarettes and minimize health hazards to the population, a pulmonologist in the Philippines is urging the government to raise the minimum age of people allowed to use vaping products from 18 to 25.
Dr. Maricar Limpin, past president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, is alarmed that teenagers aged 13 to 15 are using vape.
“We see that many of those who are falling ill are 22, 21, 23 years old. This means that 18-year-olds are allowed to purchase vape products. The allowable age then was 21 years old. It’s time to raise the age limit to 25,” Dr. Limpin recently said during a health event as she called for the amendment of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, commonly known as the Vape Law.
Dr. Limpin also noted that the maturation of the control center of the brain occurs at the age of 25. PaV supports the call S TR e SSIN g that it is one of the important ways to protect young people from the harm of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, the Parents Against Vape (PAV) fully supports the call of Dr. Limpin.
“We advocate for raising the legal age for purchasing vaping products from 18 to 25 years old. It is alarming to witness increasing numbers of young people, as early as 13 to 15 years old, engaging in vaping. Furthermore, significant health issues are being reported in individuals as young as 21 to 23 years old,” PAV said. The current law allowing 18-yearolds to purchase vape products, PAV said, is insufficient to protect the youth from the harmful effects of vaping.
“Dr. Limpin’s proposal is backed by scientific research indicating that the brain’s control center matures at the age of 25. At this age, individuals are better equipped to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure. Raising the legal age to 25 will provide a more robust defense against early addiction and longterm health complications,” they added.
alcohol purchase
L I ke WIS e, Dr. Limpin also said that the legal age for drinking alcoholic beverages should also be raised to 25.
Kasi , anyway, same principles apply: iyong maturation nung control center ng brain natin occurs at the age of 25,” she said.
PAV supports the proposal to standardize the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and alcohol to 25 saying, “this approach ensures fairness and consistency in protecting public health across all harmful substances.”
Likwise, PAV also endorsed Dr. Limpin’s recommendation to shift regulatory authority from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Health should be the primary concern, and the FDA is better equipped to regulate vaping products with a focus on public health rather than economic interests. This change would align the Philippines with international standards where food and drug agencies regulate e-cigarettes and other health devices,” the group reiterated.
Flavored vape products
“Mo R eo V e R , we strongly agree with the removal of flavored vape products. Studies have shown that flavors contribute significantly to DNA damage, increasing the risk of cancer. Likewise, flavored vape products primarily attract and appeal to the youth. Furthermore, the reintroduction of these flavors contradicts previous measures under the Sin Tax Reform Law and poses unnecessary risks to public health,” they added.
PAV urges lawmakers to take these recommendations seriously and amend the Vape Law to better protect our youth and ensure a healthier future for all as they commend Senator Pia Cayetano and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for their efforts to review and strictly implement the law.
“Let us prioritize the health and wellbeing of our children and communities by making these essential changes. Together, we can create a healthier and safer environment for all,” the group
concluded.
No smoking month
DR Limpin’s call came as the Department of Health called on Filipinos to “love yourself and care for others by not smoking or vaping” as the country observes “No Smoking Month” this June. Nakaka -‘turn off’ ang pagyoyosi o paggamit ng vape dahil ito ay may negatibong epekto sa ating kalusugan. Maaari pang madamay ang mga tao sa paligid natin dahil ang usok na nagmumula sa sigarilyo at vape ay maaaring mag-trigger ng iritasyon sa ilong, lalamunan, balat, at mata lalo na sa mga bata ,” the D o H said. [It is a real turn off to smoke and to vape because it has negative effects on our health. Your habit can also affect the people around you as the smoke can irritate your nose, throat, skin and eyes especially children.]
The D oH stressed, “ Sa bisyo, walang panalo!” [No one wins when you have a vice.]
Unite for a smoke-free Philippines PHILIPPIN e Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Social Watch Philippines (SWP), and the Philippine Smoke-Free Movement (PSFM), meanwhile, has called on all Filipinos to be one with the fight for a smoke-free Philippines. The three organizations recently launched an early prevention awareness activity that shows the ill-effects of vaping and smoking among Filipinos, especially the youth.
“Let every month be a no- smoking month so that we can build an environment free from tobacco,” Au Quilala, Deputy e xecutive Director of PLCPD said, reiterating the need to ensure the good health of every Filipino. She urged local governments to continuously push through with early prevention awareness activities “because we need strong support from legislators and local chief executives to ensure that children and youth are protected against the schemes of tobacco industry that lures them to try cigarettes and vapes”.
PSFM’s National Coordinator Riza Duro, meanwhile, said that the first “vape-related death” is a sign that local government units should focus on the issue of vapes. She called on the need to strictly regulate the sale and marketing of vape as this encourage children and youth to try them.
Presidential Proclamation No. 183 declares the month of June as the National No-Smoking Month.
Quit smoking
T H e D o H has encouraged smokers and vapers to kick the bad habit to improve one’s health.
Meanwhile, the Parents Against Vape
(PAV) stressed that vaping is never a cessation tool for tobacco smokers as claimed by the vaping industry.
PAV said that the purpose of vaping is not to induce smokers to quit, but rather to shift to a similar deadly product.
“We have studies from our F g D that show that a) some youth vapers have never smoked but went directly into vaping; and b) smokers who vape become dual users because they go back to using traditional cigarettes if they don’t have money to buy vape juice,” PAV said.
The 2019 g lobal Youth Tobacco Survey showed that one on every seven Filipino youth age 13 to 15 use vape. PAV said the number could be higher this year given as indicated by the proliferation of vape shops across the country.
While PAV calls for strict implementation of RA 11900 or the Vape Law, the organization is also pushing for the amendment of the law.
“There are three things that should be done to keep our youth from vapes. First, increase access from 18 years old to 21. Second, limit flavors to menthol and tobacco. Flavors entice and get the youth addicted to vapes. And third, return regulatory power to the Food and Drug Administration,” PAV stressed.
Benefits of quitting smoking
T H e World Health o rganization (WHo) said that quitting smoking decreases the excess risk of many diseases related to second-hand smoke in children, such as respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma) and ear infections.
If a person will quit smoking, it reduces the chances of impotence, having difficulty getting pregnant, having premature births, babies with low birth weights and miscarriage.
Beneficial health changes that take place include:
n Within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop
n In 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal
n In two to 12 weeks, your circulation improves and your lung function increases
n In one to nine months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
n In one year, your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker’s.
In five years, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker five to 15 years after quitting.
n In10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
n In15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.
Health officials tell US doctors to be alert for dengue as cases ramp up worldwide
NEW YORK (AP)—US health officials on Tuesday warned doctors to be alert for dengue cases as the tropical disease breaks international records.
The virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been surging worldwide, helped by climate change. In barely six months, countries in the Americas have already broken calendar-year records for dengue cases.
The World Health Organization declared an emergency in December, and Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency in March.
Dengue remains less common in the continental United States, but in the 50 states so far this year there have been three times more cases than at the same point last year. Most were infections that travelers got abroad, and officials note there is no evidence of a current outbreak. But they also warn that local mosquitos pose a threat.
Know the symptoms
I N its health alert issued recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised doctors to know the symptoms, ask questions about where patients recently traveled and consider
ordering dengue tests when appropriate.
Dengue is caused by a virus spread by a type of warm weather mosquito that is expanding its geographic reach because of climate change, experts say.
Many infected people don’t get sick, but some experience headache, fever and flu-like symptoms. Severe cases can involve cause serious bleeding, shock and death. Repeated infections can be especially dangerous.
There are four types of dengue virus, simply known as 1, 2, 3 and 4. When someone is first infected, their body builds antibodies against that type for life. If they get infected with another type of dengue, the antibodies from the first infection may fail to neutralize the second type—and actually can help the virus enter immune cells and replicate.
That’s a concern in Puerto Rico, which for the last two decades has been widely exposed to type 1. Last month, the island reported its first dengue death of the year.
“We’re currently seeing is increases in the cases due to dengue 2 and dengue 3, for which the population has very little immunity,” said
Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey, the Puerto-Rico-based chief of the CDC’s dengue branch.
No medicines T HERE is no widely available medicine for treating dengue infections. Vaccines have been tricky. US officials in 2021 recommended one vaccine, made by Sanofi Pasteur. The three-dose vaccine is built to protect against all four dengue types and is recommended only for children ages 9 to 16 who have laboratory evidence of an earlier dengue infection and who live in an area—like Puerto Rico—where dengue is common.
Given those restrictions and other issues, it hasn’t been widely used. As of late last month, only about 140 children had been vaccinated in Puerto Rico since shots became available there in 2022, and Sanofi Pasteur has told the CDC it is going to stop making the vaccine.
A different vaccine made by the Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company Takeda is not currently licensed in the U.S. Others are in development.
Number of cases
A CROSS the world, more than 6.6 million infec-
Unilab invests in advanced technology for streamlined operations, tailors approach to Filipino market
By John Eiron R. Francisco
BIÑAN, LAGUNA—Pharmaceutical giant Unilab disclosed that they have heavily invested in technology despite having only one distribution center (DC) nationwide.
“Unilab is the only one who believes that having a central DC is more efficient than having multiple ones,” Albert Allan Alcruz, Assistant Vice President at Unilab, Inc., Logistics Management Division said last June 14, 2024 during an exclusive media tour at Amherst Laboratories.
According to Alcruz, their distribution center efficiently serves not just the Philippines’ over 7,000 islands but also extends its reach to 18 countries worldwide. He emphasized the center’s productivity, noting its role in managing the operations of four manufacturing plants located abroad—specifically, one in Indonesia, two in Myanmar, and two in Vietnam—all operated centrally from the main distribution hub.
In their development, the pick director system has emerged as a solution to a pressing issue in consumer goods management that highlights the challenges faced by both consumers and boutiques and this system aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
“The consumer wants premium products at affordable prices. They prefer to purchase items consistently, albeit in smaller quantities tailored to their needs,” he added.
The pick director system addressed this consumer behavior by optimizing inventory management. It allows boutiques to cater precisely to consumer demands, avoiding the bulk purchase of entire packages. Instead, they can order specific quantities of popular items, such as six of one type and two of another, reflecting what is in demand.
The complexity of managing diverse consumer preferences is evident. “Without the pick director, fulfilling orders becomes impractical,” said AVP at Unilab.
“So we designed the DC for the needs of the Filipinos,” Alcruz added.
tions were reported by about 80 countries last year. In the first four months of this year, 7.9 million cases and 4,000 deaths have been reported, according to the World Health Organization. It’s been particularly intense in the Americas, including in Brazil and Peru.
In the United States, the numbers have been far more modest—about 3,000 cases last year in US states and territories. But it was the worst in a decade, and included more infections that occurred locally, courtesy of native mosquitoes. Most were in Puerto Rico, but about 180 were in three US states—Florida, Texas and California.
So far this year, there have been nearly 1,500 locally-acquired US cases, nearly all of them in Puerto Rico.
Most cases in the continental U.S. continue to be people who were infected while traveling internationally.
It’s “a traveler’s nightmare” and a growing international concern, said Dr. Lulu Bravo, who studies pediatric tropical diseases at the University of the Philippines Manila and who has worked with Takeda on its vaccine.
He said that they found operating with a single distribution center more efficient compared to multiple centers. Despite logistical challenges, he stressed the advantage of their integrated network.
“In the Philippines, you can’t expect the same truck to deliver directly to customers,” he explained.
“It requires a multimodal approach where trucks transport goods to ports, then onto ships destined for places like Mindanao, where tricycles complete the last mile,” he added.
He acknowledged the need for flexibility and durable packaging due to these logistical complexities. “Even with a hub in Mindanao and a small office in Davao, reaching remote areas remains a challenge due to terrain and traffic conditions.”
“Understanding the diverse needs and capacities of Filipinos is crucial for effective service delivery,” he added.
lars and managing approximately 800 different products, emphasized the significance of centralized inventory management. Centralizing operations allows better control over inventory levels, reducing the logistical complexities associated with distributing products across multiple locations. It has been reported that the distribution center processes more than 45,000 transactions monthly, overseen by the pick director system.
Cough relief
O NE of the products being processed and distributed here is Solmux Advance, which Unilab asserts as the Philippines’ first and only cough remedy for phlegm that combines carbocisteine and zinc.
According to Maria Ronila Santos, Director, Medical Affairs of Unilab, carbocisteine helps to dissolve phlegm, making it easier to cough up and expel, and also reduces and eliminates bacteria in the phlegm. Meanwhile, zinc functions to enhance immunity and acts as an antioxidant.
She explained that the most common cause of coughs is often linked to the common cold, a mild viral infection affecting the respiratory tract.
“Coughing due to the common cold is a frequent reason people visit doctors. It’s typically managed on an outpatient basis,” she added.
But, before prescribing treatment, she emphasized the importance of differentiating between types of coughs—dry and productive (with phlegm). Medications like expectorants and mucolytics are commonly used to help clear mucus from the airways, making it easier to breathe.
Santos also discussed the role of zinc in immune health. “Zinc plays a critical role in the body’s immune response,” she explained. “Low zinc levels during an infection may prolong recovery.”
“It’s crucial to initiate zinc intake early when experiencing symptoms of the common cold,” advises medical affairs of Unilab director. Research indicates that up to 75 milligrams of zinc per day may be necessary to optimize its effects in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms.
However, caution is advised regarding the upper limit of zinc intake. The tolerable upper level, which represents the maximum amount considered safe for daily consumption, is set at 40 milligrams for Filipinos according to local nutrition guidelines.
For instance, a product combining carbocisteine and zinc, available in a five-milligram capsule, when taken at recommended doses, provides approximately 15 milligrams of zinc daily. Taking two such capsules would amount to 30 milligrams per day, aligning with safety limits.
said.
“When you have an outbreak in a country, tourists
He also mentioned that Unilab, a company valued at over a billion dol -
“Adherence to local nutritional standards is essential to avoid potential adverse effects associated with excessive zinc intake,” Santos said, adding that this approach ensures that zinc supplementation remains effective and safe for managing symptoms of respiratory infections like the common cold.
& Fitness
PhilHealth urged to tap modern dialyzers, lab tests, medications in dialysis coverage
By Roderick L. Abad Contributor
AMID a recent report that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will increase the P2,600 financial support for hemodialysis to P4,000 per session, the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) is calling for the inclusion of modern dialysis technologies, laboratory tests and medicines in the benefits coverage for members with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
According to PSN Secretary Dr. Vimar Luz, the package still applies to low-flux dialysis. Its upgraded version or the high-flux dialysis, on the other hand, is now mostly used elsewhere in the world, apart from other advanced equipment like Hemodiafiltration (HDF).
Low-flux dialysis is a kind of dialysis treatment that utilizes a lower rate of blood flow and dialysate flow compared to high-flux dialysis. The latter has better dialysis adequacy. HDF is a kind of kidney replacement therapy that uses convective in combination with diffusive clearance.
“These new technologies are not yet covered by the present [PhilHealth benefit package]. They have been proven beneficial, wherein the life survival of the patient is better,” he told reporters at the sidelines of Agham Kapihan forum, which was held in Makati City last June 20, 2024 in observance of the National Kidney Month.
Higher price
W HIL e these are the latest dialysis tools that are presently available in the market, they also come at a higher price. For the high flux dialysis, the additional copay per session will be from P500 to P1,000, as for HDF, it’s an additional P1,000 per treatment since it uses ultra pure water as part of the filtration process.
“So it takes a certain amount. But by law of economics, if every [health or dialysis center] will have ultra pure water, the cost will somehow go
down,” he noted.
While the subsidy for PhilHealth dialysis patients will be back to P4,000 each session, it won’t include lab tests and medicines that used to be covered by such amount during the term of former presidents Gloria MacapagalArroyo (GMA) and the late Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III.
“Back in the day, I think that was the time of GMA and PNoy, dialysis centers have the leeway to have a portion of that treatment be channeled to laboratories and medications,” Dr. Luz said. “So that’s one of our advocacies—to push that they will be covered by the PhilHealth.”
The state-owned health insurer, on its part, is enhancing financial coverage for Primary Care through another iteration of the regular nationwide Konsulta package, aiming for a higher capitation rate, giving incentives for early disease detection and prevention services.
For several years that the group of Dr. Luz has been meeting with the PhilHealth, he noted that the agency is actually studying their recommendation. He added that it also plans to change the coverage to be diagnosisdriven, where it will subsidize the treatment of different complications that the CKD patient has rather than the dialysis itself.
Pricey medications
T H e medications to cure complications are, more often than not, pricey that only the well-off can afford.
“That’s one of the big risk factors that I see for developing countries like us. The life expectancy of a person who have the means is longer versus a free standing patient who really depend on PhilHealth,” Dr. Luz said, while citing the latest data that show the average life span of dialysis patients is about five years. “Although we have patients that can live for 10 years to 20 years more.”
So there’s really a big gap between the moneyed and the poor patients, per Dr. Cyril Tolosa, medical affairs director of AstraZeneca Philippines.
Based on PhilHealth data, it spent
P17 billion for dialysis coverage alone last year.
“But again, even on top of that, the patient themselves will need to pay a lot of medications monthly to prevent the complications like heart failure or heart attacks, or other organ diseases. So the burden is really in the patients, the family, and even economically for the government,” he said.
“This is the reason why AstraZeneca would like to focus on chronic kidney disease, not on the late stage, but on the earlier part. So our advocacy is about early screening, early diagnosis and get yourself treated in case you have a chronic kidney disease. Also, our focus is on preventing the chronic kidney disease, at the same time, delaying its progress in case you have it. And this is the reason why we’re partnering with the Philippine Society of Nephrology to promote kidney awareness.”
‘8 Golden Rules’
MOR e and more Filipinos have been diagnosed with CKD for the past recent news, which health experts believe could be addressed by early screening and prevention.
CKD prevalence in the Philippines is 35.94 percent, which is much higher than estimated global rates between 9.1 percent to 13.4 percent. Data from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) revealed that seven million Filipinos have worsening CKD stages (Stage 3 or above) in 2021. Approximately, one Filipino every hour will develop CKD. e arlier, the NKTI
had expressed alarm over the 40 percent increase in new dialysis patients between 2022 and 2023.
Dr. Luz, who is also the head of STOP CKD Advocacy, underscored that early screening and lifestyle changes are key to addressing the kidney disease epidemic. He said: “When we say dialysis, that’s end stage. Gusto natin labanan bago ka pa magkaroon ng sakit sa bato (We want to fight it prior to have a kidney disease).”
The nephrologist recommended the “eight golden rules” to prevent having a CKD. These include the following: e xercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, control blood sugar, control blood pressure, drink adequate water, stop smoking, don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements, and have a regular checkup.
Besides partnering with the PNS via the STOP CKD program, AstraZeneca, on its part, has also been promoting awareness of the disease online through Kidney Patrol, a social media page that promotes kidney health. The page runs an online questionnaire called CKD Risk Quiz. Filipinos can take this quiz to assess their risks and be proactive about kidney health.
“We are transforming CKD care to drive earlier diagnosis and intervention and help prevent or slow progression of the disease,” said Dr. Tolosa.
“Ang sakit sa bato ay maaaring maiwasan. Hindi lahat ng CKD ay dapat mauwi sa dialysis (Kidney disease is avoidable. Not all CKD should end up in dialysis),” added Luz.
Health experts call for FDA’s approval of dengue vax, collaboration for zero casualty
LEADERS of some doctor organizations called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the 2nd generation dengue vaccine, as the country continues to trail behind other Southeast Asian nations, in so far as inoculation against the mosquito-borne disease is concerned.
“The study that is being done in the Philippines started in 2016, and I’m one of the principal investigators. Together with Thailand and Sri Lanka, [the] Philippines has one of the biggest number of subjects in this, and I do not really understand why we are still lagging behind in terms of licensure,” Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Executive Director Dr. Lulu Bravo said in a presscon during the First Dengue Summit organized by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), together with the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and the Philippine Pediatric Society, at the Diamond Hotel in Manila last June 25, 2024.
Japanese drugs manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals applied last year for the FDA registration of its dengue vaccine named QDE n GA, according to her. Its approval, however, is still pending while this was already licensed in Indonesia in August 2023, followed immediately by Thailand that year, Malaysia in February 2024, and Vietnam just last month.
“This is why we have to tell our government, [through] FDA, to license [it] because the Philippines has the biggest number of dengue cases, and we are lagging behind.
And if we don’t do it, tourists will not come, even if we have the most beautiful country,” she said. While it’s understandable that the FDA has to go through a process in approving
QDE n GA, PMA President Dr. Hector Santos hopes it considers the history of licensing the vaccine from other markets abroad.
“I don’t think our criteria are more stringent than other countries. And presenting the data, millions are already vaccinated in other countries with the safety as well,” he said. “We would like to request. But we cannot, of course, push the government. We will have them go through the due process.”
Being a vaccine investigator herself, Bravo guaranteed the safety of QDE n GA. She said: “We have been doing it for eight years now since 2016, and we did see no safety signal at all. It can be given for those who have not had previous dengue, which is what is different from the previous first generation dengue vaccine that it was meant to be given only to those who had previous dengue.”
The first and last dengue vaccine the Philippines approved was Dengvaxia of Sanofi Pasteur in 2016. The country was the pioneer in Asia to license this first-ever antidote in the world.
Due to the 2017 controversy faced by the manufacturer after it announced that Dengvaxia might result to “severe” symptoms for those who have never been afflicted by dengue prior to inoculation. Because of that, the FDA ordered suspension of its sale, distribution and marketing nationwide, as well as its withdrawal from the market. It happened at the time the dengue vaccination program was implemented under then Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin. Constant surge BASED on the recent data from the DOH, the number of dengue cases aggregated to
67,874 from January 1 to May 25, 2024, with 189 related deaths. Of the totality, 60 percent show no symptoms, 39 percent with warning signs, and one percent severe condition.
“The Philippines is one of those countries that’s known to be endemic for dengue. So there is a continuous possible transmission of the virus—the disease itself,” Dr. Santos said.
Dengue is spread via a virus from the bite of a female mosquito (Aedes aegypti).
While most cases of which do not have warning signs, common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, body pain, nausea, vomiting and rashes. Such indications may be experienced four to 10 days after a mosquito bite.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante shared that vector surveillance, vector management, vector control, patient education, and disease management has been practiced nationwide since the first dengue epidemic emerged in 1954.
Even though these initiatives have helped mitigate the likelihood of an epidemic, he pointed out vaccination could avert problems related to the disease from occurring in the future. Inoculation results to less hospitalization, he said while reminding that the vaccine “is not only protecting you from dengue, it is protecting you against the severe form of dengue so you don’t get hospitalized.”
Given the successful Covid-19 vaccination program of the government, he believes that Filipinos are now more receptive of a new dengue shot than the previous years.
“I would say most likely we have matured in terms of vaccination because of our experience with COVID-19,” he said. “This will be a whole nation approach that will also
AI adoption could speed up TB detection in PHL
IT has become increasingly apparent that the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines is more urgent than ever. Just in 2023, over 600,000 TB cases were recorded, and the national government has since then allocated more funding into combatting this disease. With more efforts being placed into preventative measures, there’s an opportunity to adopt more modern solutions like artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively support this mission.
The recently-launched portable AI-driven x-ray system, Advanced Abilities AI Smart Scan, is capable of detecting 32 pathologies and/or conditions, including TB. It can deliver up to 200 scans in 8 hours, cutting turnaround times from days to minutes, which ensures timely intervention and enhanced patient outcomes.
While those features sound attractive, the prospect of using AI may still seem daunting to many. However, there are cases in the Philippines that have shown that AI has been a useful tool for early detection of TB. For instance, it was reported in February 2024 that TB screening had become available in the Cordillera region through a DOH-CAR mobile TB clinic, featuring the latest AI technology that can spot the presence of TB. In terms of a longterm approach, the DOH has been planning to adopt a shorter TB treatment scheme by the latter half of 2024, with AI being used through radiographs to catch signs of TB.
That being said, there is a strong possibility for AI Smart Scan to be a part of current and future initiatives that can help speed up the detection of TB in the Philippines. Most recently, Advanced Abilities hosted a medical outreach that utilized AI Smart Scan to evaluate 503 patients in the municipalities of San Fernando and Magdiwang in Romblon. Of the 503 patients, 424 of them had findings, with 63 of them having detected TB.
“We are pleased to be able to bring our
Over 6,000
AI Smart Scan to Romblon, and contribute to the initiatives towards early TB prevention. We believe that this shift towards AIassisted technology is the right direction for the local healthcare system to improve its performance and speed up TB detection,” shared Angelo Antonio “AA” Buendia, CEO of Advanced Abilities.
On an international scale, AI Smart Scan has also been used in different parts of the world and is being integrated into local healthcare systems. In Chennai City, India, there were 20 per 100,000 subjects identified with TB before AI. With AI SmartScan, there are now 500 per 100,000 patients, resulting in a 25fold increase in finding TB patients. The case also stands strongly in Singapore, where AI Smart Scan’s software, Augmento, is the current national radiology AI platform. As of writing, there are five listed government hospitals on the platform including Changi General, Singapore General and very soon, Tan Tock Seng, aiming to eventually have all twenty-six government hospitals on the platform.
“The progressive advancement of technology is giving us more opportunities to find ways to keep up the fight against TB. As such, we are looking forward to developing our devices and conducting more outreach programs that can help more Filipinos possibly catch early signs of the disease,” says Buendia. With AI technology being gradually woven into both local and international healthcare systems, ushering AI Smart Scan into the Philippines should potentially contribute to lessening the number of tuberculosis cases with its quick turnaround times. This investment will be a step into a more modern and progressive healthcare system that will benefit the lives of Filipinos.
To learn more about AI Smart Scan and Advanced Abilities’ Smart Health Solutions, visit https://advabilities.com/
pharmacists upskilled by PharmAcademy
In just one year since joining forces with community-building platform SwipeRx and the Philippine Pharmacists Association Inc. (PPhA), Sanofi Consumer Healthcare has upskilled a total 6,457 pharmacists nationwide through its revolutionary learning platform, PharmAcademy.
include all of those who are stakeholders that will benefit with vaccination.”
Zero fatality by 2030
THE health experts also pledged to help realize the “Zero Dengue Death by 2030, in lieu to the United n ations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) n o. 3 that is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being across all age groups.
In a video message shown during the summit, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said that attaining such a goal was “ambitious yet within our grasp” if there’s collaboration and combined action from government agencies, healthcare institutions and practitioners, community groups, and the business community.
“The journey to achieving zero dengue deaths by 2030 will not be easy, but it is a journey we must undertake with determination and unity. Let us be inspired by the progress we have made and be motivated to push further, innovate more, and collaborate better. Together, we can create a future where dengue is no longer a threat to every Filipino,” he said.
Dr. Santos could not agree more with the health secretary, though, he admitted that “it is a difficult task to have a zero death by 2030.”
For Dr. Bravo, it’s “attainable”, as she cited, for instance, Cebu communities reporting no casualty for the past years due to “following a simple protocol for management of treatment.”
To attain such objective, Solante emphasized the need to continue dengue surveillance, especially at the level of the local government unit (LGU), and the early management framework of LGUs. Roderick L. Abad
“As we now know, for every Filipino that visits their local doctor, 10 visit their local pharmacist for medical advice, so the more professionals we are able to teach through PharmAcademy, the more patient lives we are able to touch on-ground,” said Monsinee Sathirakawinskul, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare Country Head for Philippines CHC ASEA Zone.
Officially launched in the Philippines during PPhA’s 2023 n ational Conference, PharmAcademy is a platform to equip pharmacists with the skills to play a more proactive role in disease management and prevention, especially in counseling about illnesses that can be prevented by lifestyle adjustments and proper self-care.
For this year’s conference, PPhA placed a focus on the state of n on-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (n AFLD) and n onalcoholic Steatohepatitis (n ASH). A 2023 study published in the Annals of Hepatology revealed that 4% of deaths annually in the world are caused by liver disease, and has become a pressing matter in the Philippines as well.
Dr. Denis Cua n go, President of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology provided key insights on the severity of the disease in the country, saying, “We are facing epidemic of obesity which will almost inevitably result in an increase in rates of n AFLD and n ASH, and eventually a burden of end-stage liver disease.”
In the Philippines alone, around 27 cases in 1,000 deaths in the Philippines can be attributed to liver disease. While alarming in number, lifestyle modification and proactive liver care remain to be the cornerstone of prevention. Pharmacists are instrumental in promoting proper healthcare practices within the communities they serve, making learning tools like PharmAcademy even more relevant, especially in tackling cases of n AFLD and n ASH.
Changing the pharmacy practice one accreditation at a time On Ly on its second year in the Philippines, PharmAcademy has aided in the progress of proactive healthcare at the forefront of pharmacist education. To date, 2,314 pharmacists have received CPD-accreditation for completing Immunology 101, while 2,219 have been accredited for mastering the ABCs of multivitamins.
Gut health was also a prominent part of the pharmacists’ education, with the alliance having issued a combined total of 2,785 accreditations on the following modules: Gut Immunity and the role of Probiotics in Diarrhea Management, and Case-Based Approach to Digestive Health.
Regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), these modules work to improve over-the-counter patient care overall, allowing upskilled pharmacists enough knowledge to confidently fulfill their role as frontline healthcare providers. The interest to explore post-pandemic servicing strategies were also evident, as a total of 4,961 completed soft skill modules covering topics like “Pandemic communication barriers with customers” and “Understanding customers’ behaviors post-COVID.”
These soft skills are essential in advising for individual patient care and help pharmacists better understand the importance of effective communication during crises, where patient uncertainty and anxiety is at its peak.
As PharmAcademy persists to upskill pharmacists across the nation, its second year will now include interactive sessions with industry thought leaders and offline knowledgetransfer sessions, on top of the readily available modules that pharmacists can access on the SwipeRx app.
“By enabling pharmacists and pharmacist assistants to step into their role as the primary healthcare providers of their community, we empower each patient who seek their guidance to have more control of their healthcare journey, ultimately allowing them to put their health into their own hands,” Dr. yvonne Ferrer, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare ASEA Medical Lead, concluded.
Health& Fitness
HealtH experts raise red flag vs lesser-known respiratory virus
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes | Contributor
It seems like there is a never-ending challenge for senior citizens and persons with comorbidities as far as respiratory viruses are concerned.
a fter the Covid-19 debacle, public health experts have raised concerns about the serious risks associated with r espiratory Syncytial Virus ( r SV) on senior citizens. a ccording to the p hilippine Statistics a uthority, the country has over nine million seniors aged 60 and above. Seniors, especially those who have comorbidities, are at higher risk of severe r espiratory Syncytial Virus ( r SV) infections due to their weakened immune systems.
In a recent forum, Dr. r ontgene Solante, an Infectious Disease e xpert and p resident of the p hilippine College of p hysicians, described r SV as a widespread yet lesser-known respiratory virus that transmits through inhalation or contact with respiratory secretions of those infected. It typically manifests symptoms including congestion, cough, wheezing, and low-grade fever.
“Identifying r SV from other respiratory diseases is difficult because of its non-specific symptoms similar
The city-run Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) has provided free chemotherapy sessions to 8,980 patients since 2020, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said.
“Since 2020, we have served nearly 9,000 patients with free chemotherapy at OsMak. We aim to ensure that every Makatizen receives the healthcare they need without worrying about the cost. We are here to support our residents in their fight against cancer,” Binay said, adding that such initiative is part of Makati’s unwavering commitment to healthcare, offering critical support to cancer patients through the city’s Yellow Card program. Binay explained that because Phil h ealth
Inve STI n G in healthcare has never been more important than now with the tough lessons of the recent pandemic.
One of these lessons revealed the vulnerability of health systems buckling under the strain of huge medical demands at the height of Covid-19. While both the public and private sectors needed to step up, there is an even bigger need to anticipate, more than just respond to any future health crisis.
This brings to light the importance of access and what the private sector has been doing in helping bridge the healthcare socioeconomic gap. For SM and its foundations, this means better community access to quality primary healthcare in partnership with national and local governments.
Mission NOT impossible
Me DICA l missions allow access, especially of remote or economically disadvantaged communities, to medical care, education and support. SM Foundation’s (SMFI) medical missions provide free consultations, basic laboratory tests, dental check-ups and proper dosage of appropriate medicine. SM Foundation reached an important milestone by conducting more than 1,600 medical missions, benefiting nearly 1.3 million patients year-to-date.
“Patients who once endured long queues at crowded healthcare facilities now find relief as we bring healthcare services to remote barangays or provide them conveniently at our malls and properties,” Connie Angeles, SM Foundation e xecutive Director for h ealth and Medical Programs said.
to other illnesses. Diagnosis requires testing that is often expensive and not widely accessible. Seniors and individuals with comorbidities may mistake their symptoms for a common cold or flu, not realizing they could be suffering from r SV, which can result in severe long-term damage or even fatal complications. More concerning is that there is no specific treatment for r SV in adults,” Solante explained in his presentation.
While r SV can infect individuals at any time of the year, Solante warned it spreads more intensively during the rainy months from September to February, peaking in the colder months of October and December. He said the highly contagious virus spreads easily within households, where one infected person typically infects three others. While most are infectious for three to eight days, older adults may transmit the virus for extended periods.
“Our seniors are particularly susceptible and vulnerable because, in
p hilippine culture, they often live with family members who also serve as their caregivers. These family members may unknowingly contract r SV at work or elsewhere and bring it home to their senior relatives. Within the household, symptoms might be dismissed as just the flu, not realizing that what’s circulating is r SV, which can be fatal for seniors.” said Dr. Solante.
Greater burden I N her talk, Dr. Lourdes Dumlao, p resident of the p hilippine College of Geriatric Medicine, said that r SV is often depicted as a pediatric illness on social media because children, like seniors, have weak immune systems, making them vulnerable. However, she pointed out that r SV presents a greater burden on seniors.
“Studies have shown that the inci -
dence of hospitalizations and mortality due to r SV is substantially higher in seniors than in children. Seniors with certain underlying conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at higher risk of hospitalization when infected with r SV. a dditionally, she said r SV can cause various severe respiratory complications in older adults, including arrest and failure, respiratory distress, and emphysema. Further, about 30 percent of older adults may develop heart complications when hospitalized with r SV.”
Dr. Lenora C. Fernandez, head of p ulmonary Services at a sian Hospital and Medical Center and former p resident of the p hilippine College of Chest p hysicians, stressed that r SV patients will require extensive aftercare after hospital discharge, stressing the burden imposes not only on the patients themselves but also on their families.
“One out of four r SV patients (24.5 percent) may require professional home care after hospital discharge.17 a dditionally, up to one out of four (26.6 percent) of these patients are readmitted within three months post-discharge, and even more concerning, three out of ten (33 percent) may die from complications related to r SV within a year of their
initial admission,” she said.
Awareness
eD u C a TION and awareness are important in mitigating the health risks of r SV and putting importance on the need for both seniors and their caregivers to be well-informed.
“ r SV is difficult to detect and prone to misinformation so I advise seniors to discuss r SV with their doctors who can guide them on the necessary precautions to reduce their health risk,” he advises.
Dr. Fernandez stressed there is a need for immediate action when flu-like symptoms appear within the household. “I recommend that families implement safety and hygiene protocols promptly to protect their seniors, such as isolating symptomatic individuals, wearing face masks, and engaging in frequent handwashing,” she adds.
Dr. Dumlao said it is wise to adhere to the timeless maxim that prevention is better than cure. “Seniors must be proactive about their health,” she states. “Through regular medical consultations, seniors can ensure they receive the right interventions to mitigate r SV risks, while also adopting healthy habits like maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in regular exercise to boost their immune system.”
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. r omualdez inaugurated on Tuesday the first local government cancer facility in Manila.
During the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Gov. Benjamin r omualdez Cancer Center at the grounds of Ospital ng Maynila, the speaker said this is in compliance with the National Integrated Cancer Control a ct (NICC a ), or r epublic a ct ( ra ) No. 11215, which former p resident Duterte signed and enacted into law in 2019, or three years after he assumed office in mid-2016.
“I have first-hand knowledge of this (cancer), losing my father to this dreaded disease. Here and now, I commit to fully supporting the completion of this medical facility that bears his name,” the Speaker said, noting this is “another step in the realization of the promise” for more hospitals.
The first cancer center in the City of Manila was named after the speaker’s father. r omualdez clarified, though, that the “hospital is not the building alone.” “It has to be staffed by specialists, staff, and workers who shall attend to the needs of patients from Manila and nearby areas.”
“I am grateful that the City of Manila, with its capable doctors and medical practitioners, has taken on this important challenge—not just to provide patients with affordable yet effective treatments for cancer in advanced stages, but to enable early cancer detection for better outcomes,” he said.
only covers a fraction of the cost of chemotherapy, the city has taken additional steps to subsidize the remaining expenses, regardless of the cost. “Chemo is more expensive than dialysis because the type of medicine needed varies from patient to patient. We have patients with bills over P130,000 for a single session, and Philhealth only covers a maximum of P7,280 pesos. Most cancer patients cannot afford that, but our Yellow Card holders pay absolutely nothing,” the mayor explained.
Chemo patients In December 2023, a 56-year-old patient
And more than just a structure Wh le health facilities offer a venue for the conduct of medical services, fixing it up through thoughtful and meaningful design could do more for the community than just provide space. Rural health centers are considered as lifelines, offering a comprehensive range of health services at a minimal cost or even free to the most vulnerable.
“These opportunities to rebuild health centers do more for human well-being. The refurbishment of public healthcare facilities not only enhance their capabilities by way of improvements and new equipment but also make these facilities more responsive and conducive to the health needs and recovery of those they serve,” Angeles said. Furthermore, the renovation allows public health centers to meet Phil h ealth Accreditation standards, resulting in an increase in Phil h ealth utilization and helping decongest city hospitals and minimizing the spread of communicable diseases.
Through these accredited health centers, patients could avail themselves of Phil h ealth benefits such as primary care, maternity care and pharmacy needs at the barangay level. These efforts also result in increased capitalization for local governments.
Many sectors also benefit from these renovations including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine n ational Police, terminally ill patients and women and children to name a few.
from Barangay Palanan incurred a chemo session bill of P138,002.37, covering medicine, lab procedures, and supplies, without any cost to the patient.
Similarly, on March 15, 2024, a 65-yearold woman from Guadalupe n uevo had her treatment expenses of P132,824.40 entirely covered by the city.
The mayor emphasized that the health of Makatizens is a top priority, and the city is dedicated to removing financial barriers to essential medical services.
The majority of chemo patients at OsMak are being treated for breast cancer for females and prostate cancer for males.
programa na hindi namin malagyan ng lugar kasi kulang ang space kaya’t naghahagilap kami kung saan ito ipu-pwesto,” said Dr. e lmira Montesa who leads the Santa Cruz Rural h ealth Unit (SCR h U). [We have many programs that we can’t accommodate because there is not enough space and we are scrambling for places for these.]
Following the Department of h ealth’s (DO h ) guidelines, SM Foundation elevated the SCR h U. The rehabilitation transformed the center into a welcoming space, featuring comfortable waiting areas, a reception area for health workers and designated facilities for breastfeeding mothers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. It has a mobile play cabinet for children coping with illnesses. SM also included a rainwater catchment system to the renovated facility to contribute to water conservation.
In 2023, SM Foundation breathed new life into UP-PG h ’s post-Covid & PulmoCare hub.
Prior to the rehabilitation, UP-PG h Division of Pulmonary Medicine chief Dr. l enora Fernandez recalled that the facility struggled to expand its services to meet the growing needs of the community.
“PG h does have many donors but they have so many competing priorities, too. Those patients who continued to suffer from debilitating shortness of breath in silence still lacked essential services such as pulmonary rehabilitation equipment,” Dr. Fernandez said.
The newly refurbished facility now has a new lobby to receive patients and spacious rooms with dedicated areas for rehabilitation, ultrasound, cardiopulmonary exercise
Sessions can either be weekly or every two weeks.
Yellow card
The Yellow Card, officially known as the Makati h ealth Plus Program, is a pioneering healthcare initiative providing comprehensive medical benefits to registered residents.
These benefits include free chemotherapy, unlimited dialysis, maintenance medicines, routine check-ups, and laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
Under this program, Yellow Card holders enjoy significant healthcare subsidies, al -
testing and virtual consultation. Dr. Fernandez expressed optimism about the future of the hub and sees the number of patients served growing every year.
Birthing facility
In Brgy. Irawan, Puerto Princesa, a community birthing facility’ serving thousands of residents and indigenous people, had to halt operations in 2018 as it was unable to meet government health requirements.
“Kahit ilang kilometro ang layo nito sa mga kapwa ko katutubo, ito ang pinakamalapit na birthing facility dito sa aming lugar. Kaya malapit ang loob ng komunidad sa facility, lalo na ng mga kapwa ko katutubo. Noong kami ay nahinto, may mga pagkakataon na may nanganganak na sa loob ng sasakyan,” midwife n arcisa Jagmis, a member of the Tagbanua tribe, and who leads the birthing facility said. [even though it is several kilometers away from my fellow natives, this is the closest birthing facility here in our area. When we were stopped, there were times when someone was giving birth inside the car.]
SM Foundation supported the community by revamping the birthing facility in 2023, enabling it to obtain the required licenses to resume operations. Dedicated rooms and spaces for storage, scrub-up, breastfeeding, consultations, birthing, clean-up and sterilization, as well as labor and recovery wards were added. It also introduced a rainwater harvesting system and installed energyefficient lighting fixtures and appliances.
Major milestone
An OT he R SM affiliate, BDO Foundation, also
lowing them to access treatments without the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses.
The city government covers costs not reimbursed by Phil h ealth, ensuring continued healthcare for Yellow Card holders and their dependents not over 21 years old.
By providing free chemotherapy and other essential medical services, Binay said, Makati has set the bar high for healthcare services in the country.
Makati City reinforces its role as a leader in innovative and inclusive healthcare solutions by ensuring that all citizens, regardless of income, have access to life-saving treatments. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
“Cancer care is a broad field. From information and education initiatives down to the local barangay level, psychological support for patients and survivors, providing support for these initiatives, to research, to actual treatment, each of us has a role to play to achieve victory on this battlefield,” r omualdez said.
The first local government cancer facility, the five-story center has a capacity of 38 beds and is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, including a linear accelerator, a spectrogram gamma camera with a treadmill machine, and a CT scan. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
