BusinessMirror April 01, 2024

Time deposits lead to all-time-high bank FCDU

TIME deposits of Filipinos led to an all-time high in Foreign Currency Deposit Units (FCDU) of banks as of December 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Data showed FCDU deposit liabilities reached $54.4 billion as of end-December 2023.

T his is higher by about $2.6 billion or 5.1 percent from the endSeptember 2023 level of $51.8 billion. It is 13.72 percent higher than the $47.85 billion posted in December 2022.

“ This is mainly due to the surge in FCDU time certificate of deposits owned by resident individuals which aligns with the uptick in the remittances from overseas Filipinos,” BSP said.

T he data showed almost all or $53 billion, representing 97.4 per -

cent of the total FCDU deposit liabilities, were owned by Filipino residents.

“ The bulk of these deposits continued to be owned by residents, essentially constituting an additional buffer to the country’s gross international reserves,” BSP said.

T he country’s gross international reserves (GIR) amounted to $103.8 billion as of end-December 2023, higher than the $96.1-billion level registered as of end-December 2022.

T he central bank also reported that the final gross international reserves (GIR) level is at $102 billion as of end-February 2024, lower than the $103.3 billion as of endJanuary 2024.

Meanwhile, the BSP said outstanding FCDU of banks stood at

$15.2 billion as of end-December 2023.

T his represented a decrease of $621 million or by 3.9 percent from the end-December 2022 level of $15.8 billion.

Compared to the end-September 2023 level, FCDU of banks decreased by $340 million or 2.2 percent from the $15.5 billion posted during the period.

[This was] as principal repayments exceeded disbursements amidst elevated interest rates for both short-term and medium-to long-term (MLT) loans,” BSP explained.

B SP said that as of the endDecember 2023 period, the maturity profile of the FCDU loan portfolio remained predominantly MLT.

PHL HAS HIGHEST DISASTER RISK WORLDWIDE, SAYS OECD

CHALLENGES faced by nature-based solutions (NbS) for flood management prevent these from being implemented in the Philippines, considered by the OECD Development Center as the country with the highest disaster risk globally.

A working paper described NbS as a new approach for flood management which has been recognized by policymakers in the region.

T hese solutions, OECD said, may involve planting gardens and grass verges along streets. These solu -

tions have co-benefits to human health, livelihoods, food and energy and biodiversity, among others. “ NbS is place-specific, and each river basin and coastal area has different natural characteristics and faces different flood risk and challenges,” the working paper stated.   I n the Philippines, OECD said, one study showed that regrowing mangrove forests can significantly reduce economic losses from storms and flooding, among other benefits.

DTI lays groundwork for FTA with Sokor before ratification

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

MANILA is laying the groundwork as it prepares, among others, the incentives framework for banana farmers ahead of the ratification of the free trade deal with South Korea, according to a Trade official.

I n a recent interview with reporters, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the Philippine government is eyeing to ratify the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea by the middle of this year.

“ [Should be] by mid of this year. Because then South Korea would also be ready as they have elections this April I think.  So

the timeline we’re looking at is by mid of this year,” Rodolfo said.

A lready “running,” Rodolfo described the trade deal between the two nations as “very targeted and very focused,” adding that there are no issues in sight for the trade deal ahead of its implementation.

M eanwhile, the Trade official gave updates ahead of the implementation of the free trade deal, saying the Philippine government is already working on the incentives regime for banana companies.

T he Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination in five years for bananas under the FTA with South Korea.

CHRIST IS RISEN! The National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in San Pedro, Santo Tomas, Batangas, celebrates Easter with the traditional Salubong, reenacting the meeting of the risen Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dawn procession, led by men carrying the statue of Christ and women with the statue of Mary veiled in black, culminates in a joyful reunion as an angel sings the Hallelujah and unveils Mary’s statue. Alongside, traditional dancers perform the Bati dance, a greeting to the Risen Christ and Mary, adding vibrant cultural flair to the Easter rites. ROY DOMINGO

News

Marcos creates new maritime council amid China bullying

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

AMID China’s growing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. created the National Maritime Council (NMC) to safeguard the country’s territorial waters.

E stablished by Executive Order (EO) No.57, series of 2024, the NMC replaced the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) to “strengthen Philippine maritime security and maritime domain awareness” through the formulation of the National Maritime Security Policy and Strategy (NMSPS) in coordination with other government agencies, experts and organizations.

O nce approved by the President, the NMSPS will be enforced through the implementing arm of the NMC, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS).

T he Council also has the power to accept assistance and/or dona -

tions from domestic or foreign sources for the purposes relevant to its mandate.

“ Strengthening the country’s maritime security and domain awareness is imperative to comprehensively tackle the crosscutting issues that impact the nation’s national security, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction over its extensive maritime zones,” Marcos said in the six-page issuance.

He said the EO is a response to the “serious challenges that threaten not only the country’s territorial integrity, but also the peaceful existence of Filipinos.”

T he NMC will be chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the

However, OECD said there is a lack of guidelines, rules, and evidence on NbS in many river basins

following as members: the secretaries of the Department of National Defense, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation (DOTr), as well as the

nationwide.

National Security Adviser, Solicitor General and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) Director General. Its operations will be supported by the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC), the former NCWC secretariat, and the National Maritime Center, which was previously called the National Coast Watch Center, of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

T he POMC will be led by the Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns, which can directly report to the President urgent matters related to maritime security and domain awareness.

EO 57 was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on March 25, 2024, but was only released to the media on Sunday.  M alacañang came out with the issuance after a Chinese Coast Guard ship used its water cannon to blast a Philippine supply boat bound for Ayungin Shoal, resulting in casualties among the crew of the latter on March 23, 2024.  M arcos vowed to implement suitable “countermeasures” to prevent a similar incident from reoccurring.

This is one of the main challenges that NbS faces in the country. “Challenges to adopting NbS can also come from institutional and legislative barriers,” the study stated.

T he OECD Development Center said weather-related hazards can be directly or indirectly caused by tropical cyclones or typhoons in the Philippines.

C iting data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the OECD said flooding alone affects some 39,000 individuals and costs the economy $22.6 million annually.

The Philippines is the country with the highest disaster risk worldwide,” the paper said.

“ These hazards often bring excessive rains, lead to frequent flooding. For instance, Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Tropical Storm Ondoy, battered the Philippines in 2009 resulting in unprecedented damages.”

T hese risks, OECD said, are compounded by the inadequacy of existing flood management measures as well as other infrastructure needed for flood protection.

No less than the past two Philippine Development Plans (PDPs) of the Duterte and Aquino administrations highlighted these weaknesses. The current PDP of the Marcos government also highlighted the same concerns.

S pecifically, OECD said cities like Metro Manila, one of Asia’s Megacities, lack new pumping stations to meet flood control needs in low-lying areas. T hese include informal settler areas that are near city waterways which are also densely populated and filled with homes that encroach on water and disrupt water flow.

“ Flood risk in the Philippines has often been associated with the inadequacy of existing infrastructure. In Manila, for instance, many pumping stations are outdated and do not have enough capacity to handle even average levels of rainfall,” the report stated.

W hile the national government is undertaking flood management projects, particularly in six river basins in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the feasibility studies of various river basins in the country confirm that “no one-size-fits-all solution” can be done for all these river basins.  Cai U. Ordinario

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On an annual basis, the general government’s net financial liability position increased on the back of lower financial assets and higher debt,” it added.

B SP said the lower financial assets of general government was due to the decline in the sector’s deposits in the central bank.

[There was also] higher debt emanated from higher net issuances of government securities and net availment of foreign loans,” BSP added.

T he BSP also said the nonfinancial corporations’ net financial liability position slightly declined by 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter to P8.8 trillion from P8.9 trillion.

T his was attributed to the increase in the non-financial corporations’ deposits in other depository corporations.

A nnually, BSP said the non-financial corporations’ net liability position widened due to the increase in the sector’s loans from the rest of the world. Equity and investment fund shares issued by the non-financial corporations to the rest of the world and the other financial corporations increased,” BSP also said.

T he data also showed households’ net financial asset position increased by 3.2 percent quarter-on-quarter to P12.8 trillion from P12.4 trillion.

In the third quarter of 2023,

DTI...

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“ We are also preparing, for example, the incentive regime for plantations; we are already  tweaking  it so that banana companies can take advantage of it,” Rodolfo said.

O n South Korea’s part, Rodolfo noted that the South Korean embassy in the Philippines is “very active” in terms of development and technical cooperation, particularly on mechanical equipment.

It’s not only an FTA, it also includes cooperation activities that would allow us to take advantage of the FTA are already being undertaken ahead of the FTA,” he also noted.

L ast September 2023, the two nations signed the free trade agreement at the sidelines of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Summit in Indonesia.

A t a virtual briefing held for reporters after the signing of the free trade deal, Rodolfo said, “Under the PH-KR FTA, the Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination in 5 years for bananas, elimination in 7 years for processed pineapples, and elimination at [entry into force] EIF for the said remaining lines.”  I n terms of tariff concessions for agricultural goods, the Philippines was able to secure tariff

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M LTs are loans that are payable over a term of more than one year. These comprised 78.6 percent of total, slightly higher than 77.6 percent from the previous quarter.

T he data also showed FCDU loans granted to residents stood at $9.2 billion or 60.6 percent of total outstanding FCDU loans.

BSP said the households’ net claims on the other depository corporations grew, driven by the increase in the households’ bank deposits.

T he other depository corporations’ net financial asset position declined by 7.8 percent quarter-on-quarter to P1.7 trillion from P1.8 trillion.

T his was mainly due to the increase in the households and non-financial corporations’ deposits with the other depository corporations.

T he central bank’s net financial asset position increased by 3.5 percent quarteron-quarter to P795.3 billion from P768.2 billion.

T he data is based on the presentation of the country’s financial balance sheets which provide information on the periods indicated and on a from whom-to-whom (WTW) basis, using the aggregate balance sheet data of each sector of the economy.

It is a financial stability surveillance tool developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and is used to better monitor the potential vulnerabilities of economic sectors and their interactions with one another.

T he Balance Sheet Approach is also useful in identifying the possible emergence of a financial crisis, specifically those arising from asset-liability mismatches and increasing balance sheet interlinkages.

elimination for 1,531 lines, of which 1,417 lines are for tariff elimination upon entry into force (EIF) of the Agreement.

I n terms of trade value, notable lines with preferential market access include fresh seafood such as glass eels and octopus and crustaceans,fruit and nuts, fresh and processed food and beverages,sugar and pastry products,waste products, and tobacco and tobacco products.

Meanwhile, for industrial goods, the Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination for 9,909 lines, of which 9,747 lines are for tariff elimination upon entry into force of the Agreement.

T he chief negotiator for the free trade deal was Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

A ccording to the Department of Trade and Industry, South Korea is the fifth-largest trading partner of the Philippines.

I n terms of exports, South Korea is the Philippines’s 8th-export market, with exports to the said country valued at $2.57 billion.

On the other hand, South Korea ranks third as the Philippines’s import supplier, with imports valued at $9.35 billion. (Full story here: https:// businessmirror com.ph/2023/09/11/dti-execfta-with-so-koreato-boost-phlas-regional-hub/)

M ajority of these loans were in power generation companies which reached $2.3 billion or 25 percent of the total; merchandise and service exporters, $2.3 billion or 25 percent; and towing, tanker, trucking, forwarding, personal and other industries, $1.2 billion or 12.8 percent.

B SP data also showed gross disbursements in the fourth quarter of 2023 reached $18 billion, higher by 5.4 percent than the previous quarter’s $17.1 billion, mainly due to the increase in funding requirements of a foreign bank branch affiliate. Similarly, loan repayments in the reference quarter of $18.4 billion were 8.4 percent higher than the previous quarter’s $17 billion. These resulted in overall net repayment. Cai U. Ordinario

MARCOS

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy

LGUs credited for ongoing housing builds

OBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

VER 30 government housing projects are now undergoing various stages of construction, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

various national government agencies, LGUs and the private sector, particularly contractors, developers and banks.

DHSUD’s key shelter agencies are also active in the 4PH implementation.

To add more to these efforts, the DHSUD said it is sending key officials such as undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors down to the grassroots to engage and attract more partners, particularly LGUs.

The DHSUD said this is due in part to the 195 local government units (LGUs) that have so far expressed their intention to participate in the “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino” program (4PH).

“Each official will be assigned to specific areas to closely monitor ongoing projects. This will enable us to focus more on the expeditious implementation of the flagship program throughout the country. This will also send a strong message of our commitment to the Filipino people as directed by the President,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar said.

Positive results of admin’s investment missions cited

AMID calls for the President to step down, a senior House of Representatives official pointed out last Sunday that the administration’s investment missions are starting to yield positive results.

With these positive results, lawmakers said it is advisable for friends and allies of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to refrain from making premature statements indicating a desire for her to assume the presidency, as the chief executive still has over four years remaining in his six-year term, which concludes in June 2028.

According to Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr., proof of this is the recent assessment by HSBC Global Research that the investment environment in the country is “turning for the better.”

“The President’s investment promotion missions, boosted by related measures approved by Congress and signed into law by the President, are beginning to yield positive results for the country and our people,” the Pampanga lawmaker said.

Gonzales added that foreign investors now see the Philippines as a potential profitable investment destination.

According to him, the “improved investment outlook of investors, like the recent

high-level American trade mission to Manila and actual investments and pledges committed during the President’s investment trips, augur well for the nation in the years ahead.”

Gonzales noted that the US trade mission promised at least $1 billion in investments, while investment pledges received by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. amounted to several billions of dollars.

“These commitments, if realized, will sustain our economic growth and create new job and income opportunities for our people,” he said.

Gonzales pointed out that the legislative department has been helping the executive department attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs) by approving measures designed to enhance the investment climate in the country.

These measures include the recently enacted Ease of Doing Business Act and the law reducing the corporate income tax and offering other tax incentives, he said.

Gonzales said the investment environment would further improve with the approval by Congress and ratification by the people of proposed amendments to the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions.

“As the Speaker has repeatedly empha -

sized, these amendments would constitute the final piece in the puzzle of investment promotion measures that would boost the economy,” Gonzales said.

He renewed his appeal for the Senate to approve the amendment proposals as soon as Congress reconvenes later next month.

In a commentary, HSBC Global Research said, “If we look at FDI inflows relative to the size of the economy, the Philippines is, in fact, in the middle of the pack” in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“FDI inflows may not be as robust as, say, Malaysia and Vietnam, but they are a sizable improvement from the sluggish inflows seen in the 1990s and early 2000s. This, we believe, should be enough evidence to show that the country’s reputation for attracting FDI is indeed turning for the better,” it said.

Focus on progress

MEANWHILE, Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun has emphasized the importance of unity and progress over premature political maneuvers, particularly in light of recent calls for Marcos to step down.

Khonghun, serving as House Assistant Majority Leader, urged a concentrated effort on current issues before entertaining notions

The housing czar stressed that such set up will also help address local concerns and issues confronting the actual execution on the ground of the flagship program, which is touted an “out-of-the-box and innovative” approach to address the country’s housing backlog.

“Malaking bagay din na mismong matataas na opisyales ng DHSUD ang

of a leadership transition.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that supporters of the previous administration, like [Davao del Norte] Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez, are impatient and unwilling to wait for the May 2028 presidential elections,” Khonghun said.

The legislator, a member of the so-called “Young Guns” of the House of Representatives, made the pronouncements in light of the former Speaker Alvarez’s unsolicited advice to the Chief Executive to relinquish his post if he could not handle the Philippines’ maritime conflict with China well.

Alvarez is a very close buddy of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has been criticizing Marcos and his administration from time to time. Alvarez had a previous tiff with the younger Duterte in 2018, which cost him his Speakership.

The recent remarks of Alvarez, suggesting Marcos step down amidst tensions with China, have been met with criticism from House Deputy Majority Leader Jude A. Acidre. Acidre condemned Alvarez’s stance as defeatist and lacking in understanding of leadership and national sovereignty.

Acidre stressed the importance of standing firm against external pressures, particularly in defending the Philippines’s territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

nakakausap at nakakaharap ng ating mga partners para malaman ng taong bayan na seryoso tayo sa pagpapatupad ng 4PH,”

Acuzar said. [It also helped that high officials of the DHSUD are able to talk and face our partners so that the people of the country know that we are serious about the implementation of 4PH.]

DHSUD officials continue to engage

THE Cebu-Negros-Panay 230kV Stage 3 (CNP3) interconnection project is nearing its full completion, an official of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines ( IEMOP ) said last week.

“I think [the] NGCP [National Grid Corp. of the Philippines] has delivered on its promise to interconnect or complete the CNP3,” IEMOP Vice President for Trading Operations Isidro E. Cacho Jr. said.

The expectation was for NGCP to energize the second circuit of CNP3 last week. “Hopefully, it’s 100 percent by Friday [March 29],” Cacho had said before Good Friday.

The NGCP has yet to comment on Cacho’s statement.

Line 1, or the first circuit, of CNP3 was energized last March 7.

“It’s already working and it has significantly improved the supply, in terms of reliability of supply in Negros and Panay,” said Cacho, referring to CNP3’s Line-1 completion.

“By end of this week, the second circuit would have been fully energized, including the submarine cable interconnection from Negros to Panay. This will provide significant improvement in the reliability and security of supply, particularly in Negros and Panay,” said Cacho.

The P43.4-billion CNP3 is comprised of 544 transmission towers spanning 354ckm of overhead lines, 58 ckm of submarine cables, and 10 substations. The submarine

The Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund has started processing and releasing developmental loan to contractors of 4PH projects, further boosting the ongoing implementation of the flagship program.

The DHSUD also said the Social Housing Finance Corp. is also implementing projects in various parts of the country.

cable portion of the line from Cebu to Negros was energized in April 2023, while the portion from Negros to Panay was energized in January 2024. Energization of the project was hampered by TROs (temporary restraining orders), ROW and permitting delays.

With the completion of CNP3, Cacho said this will also improve the dispatch of renewable energy in Negros.

The construction of CNP3 was delayed because of a TRO sought by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). It was supposed to be completed in October last year. However, the construction of the Cebu-Magdugo 230kilovolt (kV) line— a component of the CNP3—was put to a halt due to the TRO issued by the SC.

The completion of the CNP3 could have prevented the blackouts that crippled the islands of Panay and Guimaras last January, the Department of Energy (DOE) earlier said.

The projected demand for Visayas is at 2,628 megawatts (MW), Cacho said. For Luzon, demand could peak at 13,273MW. In Mindanao, the peak demand could hit 2,650MW.

“Hopefully, with the improvements in the grid, including the MVIP [Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project] really providing 450MW to Visayas and towards Luzon, all grids will have stable and reliable supply of electricity,” said Cacho. Lenie Lectura

CA affirms reclusion perpetua vs ‘Abu Sayyaf members’ for killing asset in ’07

TEditor:

Tulfo top choice for ’28 president’s race in Pulse Asia poll, VP Sara a close second

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

out with a video saying vicious attacks on her in social media have intensified recently.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the conviction for murder of seven alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group who were behind the killing of a military asset in 2007.

has been established but modifies the penalties imposed by the RTC. The evidence of the prosecution was strong enough to overcome the constitutional presumption of innocence in their favor,” the CA declared.

“The defense has failed to refute the prosecution’s evidence. Hence, the accused- appellants must remain in prison for the rest of their lives unless age or sincere remorse unfastens their bonds,” it added.

ground after being shot.

The accused-appellants then buried the victim’s body in the sand but a fisherman saw it floating two days after near the shore of Putting Buhangin, Barangay Marangas, Bataraza, Palawan.

On September 6, 2007, the military arrested and transported accused-appellants, from Puerto Princesa, Palawan to a military camp in Zamboanga City for investigation.

RAFFY T. TULFO broadcast journalistturned-senator, now leads the names of possible contenders in the 2028 presidential race, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia Research Inc.

A survey conducted by Pulse and released to its subscribers said, Vice President Sara Duterte comes in at close second place, trailing with only a narrow 1-percent lead.

Former Vice President Leni Robredo ranks third choice among the presidentiables.

The survey was conducted last March 6-10, 2024, among registered voters.

Omar E. Panagas, Jemar Malpa, Ibrahim Misuari in connection with the killing of Jemar Bairulla.

However, the CA modified the trial court’s decision by increasing the civil liabilities imposed against the seven terrorists, from P275,000 to P350,000 representing moral, exemplary, temperate damages.

Based on the records, on the evening of August 12, 2007, the accused-appellants together with the victim were on board a boat going to Sarong, Bataraza, Palawan. The group, however, decided to make a stop at Tagbila Island.

The monetary awards are subject to interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the finality of this decision until fully paid. “In synthesis, the Court finds that the guilt of accused-appellants

All the passengers of the boat disembarked except its owner, identified as Marvin Abdusaid Nawang. Thirty-minutes after getting off the boat, Nawang testified that he heard a gunshot and saw it came from Jakarin. Nawang also said he saw Bairulla fell on the

During investigation, the accused-appellants denied being members of the Abu Sayyaf. They also denied the accusation that they conspired in killing the victim.

They claimed that they were students at Al Farouq Institute in Siksikan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan and that they were arrested without a warrant. They accused the military of forcing them to place their thumbprints on a certain document and admit their participation in the killing of the victim.

ARTA staff advances knowledge in reengineering govt processes

SELECTED personnel from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) participated the week-long training program on Business Process Management (BPM) and System Dynamics by the Australia Embassy in collaboration with the Australia Award and Alumni Engagement Program (AAAEP) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), particularly taught by the esteemed professors, Prof. Alistair Barros and Dr. Rehan Syed, on March 18 to March 22 at Ortigas, Quezon City.

This Australian government’s technical aid, through Her Excellency (H.E.) Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, aimed to capacitate ARTA personnel in redefining Philippine bureaucracy.

In particular, the training advanced participants’ knowledge of the principles of BPM. Systems

thinking in the review and reengineering of systems and procedures of government through the application of Systems Dynamics were also introduced to the participants. This will aid them in improving their capacity to conduct process reviews.

As an output of the training, participants have developed holistic intervention mechanisms and engagement strategies in communicating process improvement.

ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez expressed his gratitude to the Australian Embassy for its continued support.

“We are thankful with Ambassador Yu’s continued support to the vision of President Marcos Jr. efficient government service,” he said. “I am overjoyed that an exceptional nation for regulatory processes, such as Australia, can

share their expertise with us”.

The technical assistance was a product of the consistent coordination and partnership between ARTA and the Australian Embassy for the successful implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law.

In the EODB Law, ARTA is mandated to assist government agencies in improving and reengineering the government processes to reduce red tape.

A total of 10 personnel from ARTA have participated in the said training, representing the Office of the Director General, Operations, and Legal Group.

Representatives from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Information and Communications

Technology (DICT), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) also joined the training.

In addition, this will also strengthen the existing partnership of the Philippines with the Australian Government through knowledge and skills exchange, sharing of best practices, and overall capability development.

In “Bagong Pilipinas,” ARTA continues to welcome assistance from the foreign government in its journey to establish a more inclusive, business-enabling environment that facilitates ease of doing business through good regulatory practices and efficient government services.

Bong Go’s Malasakit Team assists fire victims in Samal

IN observance of Fire Prevention Month, the Malasakit Team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered immediate relief to fire victims in Barangays Cawag and Del Monte in Island Garden City of Samal on Monday, March 25.

In a video message, Go affirmed his efforts to support the communities of Samal Island. Through collaborative efforts with the local government unit, the senator cited that he aims to address the pressing needs of the area, reinforcing his pledge to support Samal Island to the best of his capacity.

As the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the construction of several roads, including the road stretching from Crossing Toril, Babak to Barangay Santo Niño, Babak District; the road connecting San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Barangay Santo Niño, Babak District, and the road at

the Port of Barangay Santa Cruz to Barangay Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District. “Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.

In coordination with respective barangay officials, the relief activity was held at Barangay Cawag Covered Court where seven affected households were given financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball. There was also a select recipient for shoes. Apart from the assistance provided by Go, representatives from the National Housing Authority further evaluated the affected families for housing assistance.

Go highlighted the ongoing moderniza -

tion program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). This ten-year program, mandated by Republic Act No. 11589, which Go primarily authored and co-sponsored, aims to enhance the BFP’s capability to respond to fire emergencies and disasters. The program involves acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting additional personnel, and providing specialized training for firefighters, among other initiatives.

“Mga kababayan ko, alam n’yo napakaimportante po ng buhay. Napakaimportante po ng kalusugan ng bawat isa. Ang gamit naman po ay nabibili natin. ‘Yung pera po’y kikitain natin. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Ang nawalang buhay po’y wala na talaga. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo palagi,” underscored Go.

Heading the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the senator then encouraged those in need of medical assistance to

seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 161 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go remains dedicated to improving access to healthcare at the community level by advocating for creating more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including one in Samal Island.

Almost half of Visayas voters—at 46 percent—said they would vote for Tulfo if the elections were held today.

Tulfo also has a good support in National Capital Region at 41 percent, while the rest of Balance Luzon, 37 percent are in his favor.

He is weakest in Mindanao, with only 18 percent votes.

Mindanao is clearly Vice President Duterte’s bulwark, with 72 percent rating.

Oddly, she has the least support in Visayas at 20 percent. Her numbers in NCR and Balance Luzon are also low, with 26 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Robredo’s standing at third level is stagnant at 11 percent overall, with a dismal 2 percent giving her the nod in Mindanao.

Notably, around 7 percent of respondents are holding their cards close to their hearts and won’t disclose their presidentiable bet.

When asked to comment, political analyst Ronald Llamas said he was not surprised at the turnout of Tulfo in the latest Pulse Asia survey. Another commissioned survey, done by a private firm, has also released similar findings.

“Mas mataas na si Tulfo kay Sara Duterte. Sa dami ng banat kay Sara, bababa nang konti ang ratings niya [Tulfo now outranls Sara Duterte. With so many attacks against her, her ratings were bound to decline slightly],” Llamas said.

On the second day of the period when the Pulse survey was conducted, Duterte came

“Makikita natin ito sa pag-atake sa confidential funds, pagpapalaganap ng video sa Commonwealth traffic, paggawa ng issue sa pagtatag ng security para sa opisina ng Bise Presidente, paglabas ng testigo na umanoy ako ay kaparte ng Davao Death Squad, sa malisyosong ulat tungkol sa aking mga baril, at ang pambabastos sa relasyon namin ng aking asawa [We can see this in the attack on confidential funds, the video on Commonwealth traffic, the issue raised about the OVP security, malicious stories about my guns and about my relations with my husband],” she said.

“Kamakailan lamang ay nagsusulputan din ang mga online scam sa pera sa social media katulad ng scholarship o pabaon program para sa mga mag-aaral [Recently, stories also surfaced in social media about online scams related to scholarships or allowance programs for students],” she added. Llamas believes Tulfo’s numbers will further improve after the mid-term elections.

“Phenomenal ang pagtaas ng numero ni Raffy. Hindi pa nagpapakilala as presidential candidate. Tingin ko kina-calculate nya yan until midterms. He doesn’t need to join a party. After the midterms, easily lalamang na si Tulfo kay Sara [Raffy’s ascent is phenomenal; considering he hasn’t even projected himself as a presidential candidate. I think he’s calculating that for midterms... After the midterms Tulfo will overtake Sara],” Llamas said.

The two other Tulfo brothers–ACT Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and broadcaster Ben Tulfo–also made it to the top Pulse Asia survey on possible senatorial candidates, with Erwin topping the poll, Llamas said.

“In my view, the Tulfo Brothers is the team to beat this next election. Their brand is now a household brand–Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo,” Llamas said.

At this time, Senator Tulfo has not declared his intention to run for the highest position in the country nor has made alliances with any political parties yet.

Franchisers see certification tack to protect vs scammers

TBy Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

O help address scam issues involving individuals victimized by bogus franchise business models that are mostly “too good to be true” with their high yield promises at rock-bottom franchise fees, the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) is launching a certification program for brand owners who want to further learn the ropes of franchising before offering their enterprise to others.

In a recent interview in Quezon City, AFFI President Jason

Paul P. Morales revealed that they will begin offering the Certified Franchise Practitioner (CFP) in the third quarter of 2024.

“We created the Certified Franchise Practitioner to promote franchising, to eliminate the franchise scammers, to educate the potential franchisees and franchisors, and to protect [the former] and to make [the latter as] legitimate franchise [providers],” he told reporters.

The CFP program is initially open to AFFI members, and later on even to nonmembers. Once on-board, the taker will undergo a two-month training with the help of modules developed and taught by industry practitioners and some members of the academe. Once they finish and pass the program, they will earn the CFP credential. The title is renewable every two years.

“Actually, this will be added to the name of the franchisor. For example, my name [will appear as] ‘Jaypee Morales, CFP,’” he said.

Earning the title has its advantages for both the brand owner and potential investor. He noted: “The CFP title is like a badge that tells potential franchisees that you’re a certified franchisor with a franchise offering that is legal, thus, making them feel secure of their investment.”

Targeting all their 180 members to get on-board this certification program, plus upcoming memberand even nonmember-enrollees, he said that they expect to have a first batch of at least 300 graduates of CFP this year.

With this program, Morales is confident that more and more business owners who want to become a franchisor but lack the knowledge of it will be encouraged to learn how to open a franchise for their businesses and, at the same time, many prospective franchisees will not be afraid to invest in a legitimate and profitable franchise enterprise. This, in turn, will redound to further expansion of the franchising industry in the country.

Government data show that the Philippine economy is backed by 99.6 percent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), of which 60 percent to 69 percent are from the franchising sector.

Post-pandemic, AFFI expects a “double-digit” growth for the entire franchising industry this year on the back of the rise of new franchise concepts from both existing and new franchisors in the country.

In support of this, the president of the biggest organization of homegrown MSMEs in the country plans to continue expose their members to other countries via the “Fly High” program; enjoin them to participate in various expositions, roadshows and seminars here and abroad; as well as link them to available commercial establishments in the country that are for lease through the so-called “AFFI Spaces.”

“They need to be equipped with the right mindset. If they have the right mindset, they can develop their franchise business well. And, then, even the existing franchisors with the right mindset, it will be easy for them to grow their franchise brands,” Morales stressed.

• Editor:

Jennifer A. Ng

PHL pork inventory falls by 7.2%–NMIS data

THE country’s pork inventory declined a few days before Filipinos began the observance of Holy Week, according to data from the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Figures from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) showed that pork inventory in local cold storage facilities declined by 7.25 percent to 65,582.05 metric tons (MT) as of March 18, from 70,709.07 MT a year ago.

Data from the agency indicated that the bulk of the inventory during the period consisted of imports, which reached 64,718.94 MT. The figure, however, was lower than the previous year’s 67,536.31.

Pork from local raisers plunged to 863.11 MT, from 3,172.77 MT recorded a year ago, as African swine fever (ASF) continued to affect output.

On a monthly basis, however, cold storage facilities had more pork in March compared with the February volume of 61,285.42 MT.

NMIS data also showed that dressed chicken inventory as of March 18 rose by 9 percent year-on-year to 60,999.33 MT.

The bulk of the inventory consisted of imports which reached 41,779.47 MT, slightly lower than the previous year’s level.

On a monthly basis, NMIS data showed that dressed chicken inventory was higher by more than 10,000

‘Law gives LGUs important role in reviving salt industry’

LBy Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

OCAL government units (LGUs) are required by Republic Act (RA) 11985 to help the national government identify areas that are suitable for salt farming and to support local farmers in increasing their output to eventually turn salt into an export commodity.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said RA 11985, or the Philippine Industry Salt Development Act, grants LGUs a “significant role” in revitalizing the salt industry.

He said the aim of the law is to support local farmers, increase production, and eventually turn salt into an export commodity.

Under RA 11985, LGUs are required to

establish their own Salt Industry Development Task Forces (Salt Task Forces) to survey existing salt farms and processing enterprises within their jurisdictions. This initiative is in support of a proposed five-year master plan aimed at expanding salt production areas, boosting domestic output, attracting investments, and marketing Philippine salt products.

The law mandates cooperation between LGUs and five government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ( BFAR ) and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional offices. Together, they will identify suitable areas for local salt production.

To facilitate this process, Bfar and DENR, along with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), are tasked with mapping and designating public lands, including municipal waters, for salt production.

Villafuerte noted that three LGU organizations will be represented in the Philippine Salt Industry Development Council (Salt Council), responsible for crafting the five-year master plan and driving sector modernization.

Additionally, RA 11985 transfers supervision of identified public lands from the DENR to the BFAR . Within 90 days of the law’s effectivity, the DENR will transfer suitable lands to the BFAR for salt production purposes.

MT. Imports accounted for most of the increase at 8,536.45 MT.

Cold storage facilities in Region 3, Region 4-A and the National Capital Region (NCR) held the bulk of the pork inventory during the period.

The same regions accounted for a chunk of the dressed chicken inventory, according to NMIS.

The agency said the inventory of frozen pork came from accredited commercial and in-house cold storage facilities, including meat processing plants.

As for the dressed chicken inventory, the NMIS said the data covered those from accredited facilities. However, fresh chilled chicken and mechanically deboned meat were excluded from the report.

of RA 8172, or the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN).

The law also outlines provisions for preferential treatment of cooperatives or associations of small salt producers in accessing Salt Production Tenurial Instruments (SPTIs) and grants incentives to investors in salt farm development and processing facilities.

Villafuerte traced the local salt-making industry back to the 18th century, saying there was a time when Las Piñas and Malabon were the top salt producers before Pangasinan eventually became the country’s leading area for salt production.

He said the decline of the salt industry was a result of the ratification by the Philippines of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1994; and enactment

GATT’s ratification eventually led to the influx of cheap imported salt, he said, while the ASIN Law required the addition of iodine to salt to address the country’s micronutrient malnutrition.

“The capital requirement for the machinery and technology for salt iodization was a heavy burden for local salt makers, leading many of them to drop one by one and shift to other livelihood sources.”

He said the salt industry also suffered a great deal from rapid urbanization, which led to the conversion of more and more salt-producing places into residential and industrial areas; and from climate change, which caused wild weather conditions that affected salt production.

To reverse the poor state of the domestic

The Philippines has stepped up its purchases of meat products from abroad in recent years, particularly pork, as raisers remain unable to expand output due to ASF.

The DA said the outbreak of the fatal hog disease, which first struck the country in 2019, has caused P200 billion in damages. At present, the agency said approximately 50 percent of all the hogs in the Philippines are still affected by ASF.

In November 2023, the Bureau of Animal Industry said only 11 provinces out of the 82 remain ASF-free. They are Batanes, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Bohol, Siquijor, Biliran, Bukidnon, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

salt industry, he said the new law aims to increase salt production to attain salt selfsufficiency, and become a net exporter of salt; encourage salt farming and expand the number of salt-producing areas; and ensure sustainable production, management, harvesting, and soil and water conservation practices in salt-farming areas. It also aims to promote public and private investments in the salt industry development programs; ensure the sustainability and viability of the salt industry through the establishment of cooperatives among salt farmers and salt producers; advance market access for Philippine salt products locally and internationally; and support research and development (R&D) activities for salt production and processing and introduce new and appropriate technology based on R&D outputs.

BUSINESSMIRROR

Israel troops kill 2 Palestinians on Gaza Beach, igniting controversy and calls for investigation

By Jack Jeffery The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinians and wounded a third on Gaza's beach, the military acknowledged Saturday, responding to a video that showed one man falling to the ground after walking in an open area and then a bulldozer pushing two bodies into the garbagestrewn sand.

The military said troops opened fire after the men allegedly ignored warning shots.

The video was broadcast earlier this week by the Al Jazeera television network. The origin of the footage remains unknown, as is the date of the incident. Al Jazeera said at least two of the three men seen in the blurry videos were waving white flags before being shot at.

The video follows a number of similar clips that have surfaced in recent months, showing Palestinians in war-stricken Gaza being fired at or killed while seeming to pose little threat to Israeli forces nearby.

In January, footage showed a man being shot dead while walking in a group of people waving a white flag. Another video broadcast by Al Jazeera last week appeared to show an Israeli strike killing at least four Palestinians walking on a sandy path in southern Gaza.

In response to the beach shootings, the Israeli army said Saturday that the video was edited and depicts two separate incidents across different locations in central Gaza.

Al Jazeera said both shootings took place close to each other on a beachfront southwest of Gaza City.

In the video, one man is seen walking away from Israeli forces before he falls to the ground, apparently after being shot. He is seen raising his hands above his head at one point, and Al Jazeera said he was waving a white flag in the moments

before he is hit.

In a different part of the video, another Palestinian man is seen approaching nearby Israeli forces, waving what Al Jazeera says is also a white flag, before venturing off camera.

Finally, the bodies of two men are seen being dragged through the sand, one after the another, by an Israeli bulldozer. The army said the vehicle was used out of fear that the men may have had explosives on them.

The army said the two men who were killed had carried bags, although no bags were visible in the footage. The military said the wounded man was later released after questioning.

The Qatari network said all the men in the video were trying to return to their homes in northern Gaza, from where they were displaced earlier in the conflict. The north of the territory has seen the largest level of destruction since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly six months ago, with aid struggling to reach those that remain there.

Palestinians and human rights groups say the Israeli military has used disproportionate or indiscriminate force in its Gaza offensive, leading to heavy civilian casualties. They say that even when such killings are caught on video, military investigations rarely result in indictments of the soldiers involved.

Israel has held Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the militants operate from within civilian areas. The army did not say whether the beach shootings would be investigated.

Israeli fire has killed over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel ,killing 1, 200 people, mostly Israelis, and kidnapping some 250 others.

Iran-backed Palestinian leader vows victory over Israel in the war in Gaza

TEHRAN , Iran—The leader of the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad vowed victory over Israel in the war in Gaza as he met Iran's foreign minister for talks in Tehran Saturday.

“I promise you that we will be the victors in the war,” Ziad alNakhalah told reporters, according to the official IRNA news agency. He called his meeting with Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian “important” and thanked Iran for its support for the Palestinians.

Iran hasn’t directly intervened in the Israel-Hamas war, despite long describing Israel as its archenemy.

However, experts say Iran provides both financial and political support to Islamic Jihad and Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza and that launched the October 7 attack on Israel in which more than 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage.

“Active diplomacy by Islamic Republic of Iran has had a great role in defining the stance of Palestinian resistance,” al-Nakhalah was quoted as saying.

The two sides discussed the latest development in the war, and Israel’s “war crimes and genocide,” IRNA reported.

Also in Tehran was the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who met with al-Nakhalah, as well as holding separate talks with the Iranian leadership over the past few days.

Iranian media reported that alNakhalah and Haniyeh, during their bilateral meeting Friday in Tehran said the success of any indirect negotiation with Israel depends on the end of Israel’s war on Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, the return of displaced

The leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group Ziad Nakhaleh, left, and the Iranian Foreign Minister hossein Amirabdollahian, arrive for signing a guest book by Nakhaleh, after their meeting in Tehran, Iran on Saturday, March 30, 2024. AP P H OTO/ VAH d S ALEMI

people and the continued delivery of humanitarian aid. They also stressed the need for “intensifying resistance in all fields” and thanked Yemen’s Houthis for their support, as well as Iraqi and Lebanese anti-Israeli militant groups.

Earlier in the week, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate cease-fire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Nearly six months of war has destroyed critical infrastructure in Gaza, including hospitals, schools and homes as well as roads, sewage systems and the electrical grid. Airstrikes and Israel’s ground offensive have left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities. The fighting has displaced over 80 percent of Gaza’s population and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine, the UN and international aid agencies say. AP

The World

3-ship convoy sets sail with 400 tons of food and supplies for Gaza amid hunger concerns

By The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—A

three-ship convoy left a port in Cyprus on Saturday with 400 tons of food and other supplies for Gaza as concerns about hunger in the territory soar.

The World Central Kitchen charity said the vessels and a barge carried enough to prepare more than 1 million meals from items like rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables and proteins. Also on board were dates, traditionally eaten to break the daily f ast during the holy month of Ramadan.

It was not clear when the ships would reach Gaza. The first ship earlier this month delivered 200 tons of food, water and other aid.

The United Nations and partners have warned that famine co uld occur in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza as early as this month. Humanitarian officials say deliveries by sea and a ir are not enough and that Israel must allow far more aid by road. The top UN court has ordered Israel to open more land crossings a nd take other measures to address the crisis.

M eanwhile, Egypt's state-run Al Qahera TV said truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas w ill resume Sunday, citing an unnamed Egyptian security source. T he channel has close ties to the country’s intelligence services.

Just one weeklong cease-fire has been achieved in the war that began after Hamas-led militants stormed across southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 others hostage. On Saturday, some Israelis again rallied to show frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and urge him to resign.

Families

“Give the negotiations team a wide mandate and tell them, ‘Don’t come home without a deal, bring back our loved ones,’” said Raz Ben Ami, wife of hostage Ohad Ben Ami. Nearly six months of war has destroyed critical infrastructure in Gaza including hospitals, schools and homes as well as roads, sewage systems and the electrical grid. O ver 80 percent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has been displaced, the UN and international a id agencies say.

In the coastal tent camp of Muwasi, mothers said they feared y oung children were losing memories of life before the war. “We tell t hem to write and draw. They only draw a tank, a missile or planes. We tell them to draw something beautiful, a rose or anything. They do not see these things,” said one mother, Wafaa Abu Samra. Children piled up for turns on a small s lide twice the length of their bodies, landing in the sand.

G aza’s Health Ministry says 32,705 Palestinians have been killed, with 82 bodies taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours. The Health Ministry doesn't distinguish between civilians and co mbatants in its toll but has said the majority of those killed have been women and children.

Israel says over one-third of the dead are militants, though it has not provided evidence to support that, and it blames Hamas for ci -

vilian casualties because the group o perates in residential areas.

Israel’s military on Saturday acknowledged shooting dead two Palestinians and wounding a third on Gaza’s beach, responding to a video broadcast earlier this week by Al Jazeera that showed one man falling to the ground after walking in an open area and a bulldozer pushing two bodies into the garbage-strewn sand. The military said troops opened fire after the men allegedly ignored warning shots.

Israel's military said it continued to strike dozens of targets in Gaza, days after the United Nations Security Council issued its first demand for a cease-fire.

Aid also fell on Gaza. The US military during an airdrop on Friday said it had released over 100,000 pounds of aid that day and almost a million pounds overall, part of a multi-country effort.

T he United States also welcomed the formation of a new P alestinian autonomy government, signaling it was accepting a r evised Cabinet lineup as a step toward political reform. The Biden administration has called for “revitalizing” the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in the hope that it can also administer Gaza once the war ends.

The authority is headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who chose US-educated economist Mohammad Mustafa as prime m inister this month. But both Is -

Japanese health officials inspect two factories producing health supplements linked to deaths

By Yuri Kageyama The Associated Press

OKYO—Japanese

Trael and Hamas—which drove Abbas' security forces from Gaza in a 2 007 takeover—reject the idea of it administering Gaza. The authority also has little popular support o r legitimacy among Palestinians because of its security cooperation with Israel in the West Bank.

More than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank or east Jerusalem since October 7, according to local health authorities. Dr. Fawaz Hamad, director o f Al-Razi Hospital in Jenin, told local Awda TV that Israeli forces killed a 13-year-old boy in nearby Qabatiya early Saturday. Israel's military said the incident was under review.

I srael has said that after the war it will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with Palestinians who are not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. It's unclear who in Gaza would be willing to take on such a role.

Hamas has warned Palestinians in Gaza against cooperating w ith Israel to administer the territory, saying anyone who does w ill be treated as a collaborator, which is understood as a death threat. Hamas calls instead for all Palestinian factions to form a power-sharing government ahead of national elections, which have not taken place in 18 years. Associated Press writers Menelaos Hadjicostis in N icosia, Cyprus, and Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

maceutical said about a million packages were sold over the past three fiscal years. It also sold benikoji to other manufacturers, and some products have been exported. The supplements could be bought at drug stores without a prescription from a doctor.

Reports of health problems surfaced in 2023, although benikoji has been used in various products for years.

The recall came March 22, two months after the company had received official medical reports about the problem. Company president Akihiro Kobayashi has apologized for not having acted sooner.

On Friday, the company said five people had died and 114 people were being treated in hospitals after taking the products.

Japan’s health ministry says the supplements could be responsible for the deaths and illnesses, and warned that the number of those affected could grow. The government has ordered a review of the approval system in response to the supplement-related illnesses.

Some analysts blame the recent deregulation initiatives, which simplified and sped up approval for health products to spur economic growth. A death from a mass-produced item is rare in Japan, as government checks over consumer products are relatively stringent. AP writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report.

RBy Nicole Winfield The Associated Press

OME—Pope Francis overcame concerns about his health to preside over Easter Sunday Mass, leading tens of thousands of people in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square in one of the most important liturgies of the year.

Just hours after celebrating the 2½-hour nighttime Easter Vigil, the 87-year-old Francis appeared in good form at the start of the liturgy in the blustery piazza. Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling respiratory problems all winter that the Vatican and he have said were bronchitis, the flu or a cold.

Easter Mass is one of the most important dates on the liturgical calendar, celebrating what the faithful believe was Jesus’ resurrection after his crucifixion. The Mass precedes the pope’s “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing, a lengthy speech that traditionally rounds up all the threats facing humanity.

For the past few weeks, Francis has generally avoided delivering long speeches to avoid the strain on his breathing. He ditched his Palm Sunday homily last week and decided at the last minute to stay home from the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum. The Vatican said in a brief explanation that the decision was made to “conserve his health.”

The decision appeared to have paid off, as Francis was able to recite the prayers of the lengthy Saturday night Easter Vigil service, including administering the sacraments of baptism and First Communion to eight new Catholics, and preside over Easter Sunday Mass. After a busy Holy Week, Francis should have some time to recover as there are no major foreign trips scheduled for several months.

On Saturday night, Pope Francis presided over the Vatican’s somber Easter Vigil service, delivering a 10-minute homily and baptizing eight people, a day after suddenly skipping the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution.

Francis entered the darkened, silent St. Peter’s Basilica in his wheelchair, took his place in a chair and offered an opening prayer. Sounding somewhat congested and out of breath, he blessed an elaborately decorated Easter candle, the flame of which was then shared with other candles until the whole basilica twinkled.

Over an hour later, Francis delivered a 10-minute homily in a strong voice, clearing his throat occasionally. The evening service, one of the most solemn and important moments in the Catholic liturgical calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. The Vatican had said

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Francis skipped the Good Friday procession to ensure his participation in both the vigil service Saturday night, which usually lasts about two hours, and Easter Sunday Mass a few hours later.

The 87-year-old Francis has canceled some audiences and often asked an aide to read aloud some of his speeches. But the alarm was raised when he ditched his Palm Sunday homily altogether last week at the last minute and then decided suddenly Friday to stay home rather than preside over the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum reenacting Christ’s crucifixion.

The Vatican said in a brief explanation that the decision was made to “conserve his health.”

In his homily Francis referred to the stone that the faithful believe was removed from Christ’s tomb after his death. Francis urged Catholics to remove the stones in their lives that “block the door of our hearts, stifling life, extinguishing hope, imprisoning us in the tomb of our fears and regrets.”

“Let us lift our eyes to him and ask that the power of his resurrection may roll away the heavy stones that weigh down our souls,” he said.

Holy Week is trying for a pope under any circumstance, given four days of liturgies, rites, fasting and prayer. But that is especially true for Francis, who cancelled a trip to Dubai late last year, with just days to go, on doctor's orders because of his respiratory problems.

In addition to his respiratory problems, Francis had a chunk of his large intestine removed in 2021 and was hospitalized twice last year, including once to remove intestinal scar tissue from previous surgeries to address diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall. He has been using a wheelchair or cane for nearly two years because of bad knee ligaments.

In his recently published memoirs, “Life: My Story Through History,” Francis said he isn’t suffering from any health problems that would require him to resign and that he still has” many projects to bring to fruition.”

China’s manufacturing sector expands in March, showing signs of recovery after five-month lull

BEIJING—Manufacturing in China expanded in March after contracting for five consecutive months, according to an official survey of factory managers released Sunday, suggesting a rebound in industrial a ctivities following the Lunar New Year holiday.

The official purchasing managers index, or PMI, rose from 49.1 i n February to 50.8 in March. The PMI is on a scale up to 100, where 50 marks the cutoff between expansion and contraction.

T he monthly manufacturing PMI has mostly been under 50 over the past 12 months: Other than this month, factory activities only recorded an expansion i n September.

National Bureau of Statistics senior statistician Zhao Qinghe said the market became more active as companies resumed and s ped up production after the Lunar New Year holiday. Many factories stopped running during the h oliday, with social media posts suggesting workers at some com -

panies were off for as many as 140 d ays starting in late 2023 due to the lack of new orders.

Zhao said the survey also showed some problems for companies remained, including increasing competition in industries and a l ack of market demand.

During the annual session of the National People’s Congress in March, China said it would encourage consumers to scrap old a ppliances and trade in their cars for electric vehicles to help spur more domestic demand. And it said 10.4 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) would go to upgrading industries and modernizing manufacturing.

Zhao said the policies promoting the trade-ins of consumer go ods and large-scale equipment upgrades still needed further implementation to support the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry.

According to the survey released Sunday, the non-manufacturing PMI rose to 53 from 51.4 i n February. The reading is the highest since June 2023. AP

Addressing inadequate connectivity: A necessity for economic progress editorial

ConneCtivity, or the lack thereof, has been a persistent issue in the Philippines for decades. As we mark 30 years since the country first connected to the internet, it is disheartening to note that inadequate connectivity still plagues a significant portion of the population. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s recent remarks shed light on this pressing concern, emphasizing that the lack of reliable internet access hampers economic development and perpetuates the digital divide. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Connectivity woes still bite 30 years after PHL got Internet access,” March 28, 2024).

The rapid advancement of technology has made the Internet an indispensable tool in various aspects of our lives. From education and research to business and communication, the Internet has become a necessity. It is a catalyst for innovation, empowerment, and progress. However, as Senator Gatchalian rightly points out, a considerable segment of the Philippine population continues to miss out on its benefits.

Data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) highlights a significant rise in household Internet access, which increased from 17.7 percent in 2019 to 76.90 percent in 2022. While this growth is commendable, it is crucial to acknowledge that the remaining portion of the population still lacks access to Internet-based technologies, particularly in rural areas. This digital divide poses a significant obstacle to inclusive economic development.

To bridge this gap and ensure universal Internet access, Senator Gatchalian proposes the use and development of satellite-based technologies through the Satellite-based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act (Senate Bill No. 814). Satellite-based Internet technology can effectively reach remote areas by utilizing satellites to transmit signals from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to users. This approach has the potential to overcome geographical barriers and provide connectivity to underserved communities.

It would do well for the government to prioritize and support initiatives that enhance Internet connectivity across the country. The expansion of free Wi-Fi sites, as announced by the DICT, is a step in the right direction. However, it should be accompanied by a comprehensive strategy that encompasses both urban and rural areas. The digital divide must be addressed holistically, ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their location, has equal access to the opportunities and benefits that the Internet offers.

Moreover, the impact of inadequate connectivity extends beyond personal convenience; it affects economic growth and competitiveness. In an increasingly digital world, countries that fail to invest in robust connectivity risk falling behind. Access to information, digital tools, and online platforms is essential for students, workers, and entrepreneurs to thrive in today’s economy. By neglecting to address connectivity issues, we limit the potential of our citizens and hinder the overall progress of the nation.

It is commendable that Senator Gatchalian and other stakeholders recognize the urgency of this matter and are actively working towards a solution. However, the government must take a comprehensive approach, involving all relevant sectors to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, including ISPs, technology companies, and educational institutions, is crucial to building a robust and inclusive digital infrastructure.

Connectivity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right in the digital age. The Philippines cannot afford to lag behind in this aspect. It is imperative that the government, in partnership with various stakeholders, prioritizes investment in Internet infrastructure, especially in underserved areas. By doing so, we can unleash the full potential of our people, foster innovation, and drive inclusive economic development.

As we reflect on the three decades of the Philippines’ Internet presence, let us channel our efforts towards building a future where connectivity is accessible to all. Only then can we truly harness the transformative power of technology and pave the way for a more prosperous and digitally empowered nation.

Celebrating Earth Month 2024

eRISING SUN

Arth Month 2024 (April) arrives as a pivotal moment in human history, marked by both challenges and opportunities. As we continue on this journey, it becomes increasingly important to reflect on our relationship with the planet and to become more committed to sustainable practices.

Earth Day, observed on April 22nd, unites people globally in a concerted effort to push for sustainability and climate action. Collective action is necessary to inspire and encourage governments and the private sector to acknowledge and rectify their roles in the environmental crisis. All of us must encourage bold, creative, and innovative solutions moving forward.

As consumers and private citizens, our influence and contributions can drive change. We must not underestimate our voices because collective action can, indeed, initiate and strengthen a movement that is impossible to ignore.

This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics” as advocated by earthday.org,

underscores the urgency to reduce plastic production by 60 percent by 2040 and aspire toward a plastic-free future. Plastics, derived from oil and toxic chemicals, pose threats to both human health and the planet. The aim is to phase out single-use plastics by 2030 and advocate for policies that will mitigate the environmental impact of fast fashion, something that heavily relies on synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. Therefore, innovations geared towards the development of sustainable alternatives to plastics must be initiated, encouraged, and supported.

As we know, there has been a notable surge in global environmental awareness over the past decade. Governments, businesses, and indi-

Earth Month serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. We all play a crucial role in driving change through everyday actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and advocating for sustainable practices in our respective communities.

viduals have made significant strides towards adopting sustainable practices. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have gained prominence, alongside the increasing accessibility of electric vehicles that offer cleaner alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Efforts in reforestation and conservation have contributed to preserving biodiversity and combating deforestation.

But despite these milestones, climate change continues to loom large, as seen in extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ecosystem disruptions. Biodiversity loss remains a grave concern, made worse by habitat destruction and pollution. Inequities in resource access and environmental degradation affect marginalized communities.

Earth Month serves as a reminder

of our collective responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. We all play a crucial role in driving change through everyday actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and advocating for sustainable practices in our respective communities.

Businesses have a responsibility to prioritize environmental stewardship in their operations, embracing sustainable production methods and reducing their carbon footprint. Governments must enact policies that promote renewable energy, protect natural habitats, and address environmental injustices. Additionally, international cooperation is essential in tackling global environmental challenges, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among nations in preserving the planet.

Earth Month is not just a time for celebration and even reflection, but a call to action—a reminder that the fate of our planet lies in our hands, and it is our responsibility to act decisively and with urgency.

One way to learn more and get involved is by visiting sites like www.earthday.org. There are many other campaigns, whether global or local, that you can be a part of. Let us embark on this journey towards a more sustainable and equitable world together.

Powell reiterates Fed doesn’t need to be in hurry to cut rates

By Catarina Saraiva & Reade Pickert

FEDERAL Reserve Chair Jerome Powell repeated that the US central bank isn’t in any rush to cut interest rates as policymakers await more evidence that inflation is contained.

“The fact that the US economy is growing at such a solid pace, the fact that the labor market is still very, very strong, gives us the chance to just be a little more confident about inflation coming down before we take the important step of cutting rates,” Powell said Friday at an event at the San Francisco Fed.

Fresh inflation data released earlier is “pretty much in line with our expectations,” he said. But Powell reiterated it won’t be appropriate to lower rates until officials are sure inflation is on track toward 2 percent, the rate they see as appropriate for a healthy economy.

Investors are now betting the US central bank will make that first cut in June.

“The overall message really hasn’t changed too much,” said Veronica Clark, an economist at Citigroup Inc. “It seems like February inflation data came in line with how they were expecting, and that’s in line with more prints that they would be OK with.”

“We’re in the mode now of just gaining a bit more confidence, a couple more months of data, and they’re still going to be willing to cut mid-year,” she added.

The Fed’s preferred gauge of underlying inflation cooled last month after an even larger increase than previously reported in January, government data released Friday showed.

The core personal consumption expenditures price index—which excludes volatile food and energy costs—rose 0.3 percent in February after climbing 0.5 percent in the previous month, marking its biggest back-to-back gain in a year. The measure is up 2.8 percent from a year earlier, still above the Fed’s 2 percent target.

“It’s good to see something coming in in line with expectations,” Powell said of the data, adding that the latest readings aren’t as good as what policymakers saw last year.

Powell said officials expect inflation to continue falling on a “sometimes bumpy path,” echoing remarks he made following the Fed’s last policy meeting earlier this month.

Fed officials held short-term interest rates at a more than twodecade high at that meeting, and a narrow majority penciled in three rate cuts for 2024.

“The fact that the US economy is growing at such a solid pace, the fact that the labor market is still very, very strong, gives us the chance to just be a little more confident about inflation coming down before we take the important step of cutting rates,” Powell said Friday at an event at the San Francisco Fed.

Powell has said it would likely be appropriate for the Fed to ease policy “at some point this year.” But he and other policymakers have made clear they’re approaching the first cut with caution, given the underlying strength of the economy and recent signs of persistent price pressures. The Fed chief said Friday he doesn’t see the possibility of a recession as elevated at this time. Still, he reiterated that an unexpected weakening in the labor market could warrant a policy response from Fed officials.

Inflation cooling

I NFLATION has eased substantially from a 40-year peak reached in 2022, decelerating at a particularly fast clip last year. That progress appeared to stall in January and February, with a pickup in consumer price growth.

Meanwhile, the US economy has remained resilient despite high interest rates. Inflation-adjusted consumer spending topped all economists’ estimates in February, and employers are still hiring workers at a robust clip. Data out earlier this week showed economic growth in the fourth quarter was stronger than originally thought.

Although Fed officials’ median projection for three rate cuts this year was unchanged from December, nearly half forecast two or fewer rate reductions in 2024. Most policymakers have said they want to see further evidence that inflation is coming down toward their 2 percent goal before making their first move.  Governor Christopher Waller, an early proponent of raising rates high and fast to contain price pressures, said Wednesday that disappointing inflation data from the start of the year means policymakers may need to keep rates elevated for longer than previously thought or even reduce the overall number of rate cuts.

But Powell and his colleagues have said they don’t need to see inflation hit their target before they start lowering borrowing costs. As inflation declines, elevated rates are putting more pressure on the economy, and some policymakers reason it may be appropriate to lower them

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Philippines as a global tax leader

OJoel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

Part 17

Ne of the handy references for taxation information in the Asia Pacific region is the Asia Pacific Tax hub (Tax hub) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Tax hub is a comprehensive online platform that serves as a knowledge hub and resource center for tax-related information and initiatives in the region. (https://www.adb.org/what-we-do/asia-pacific-tax-hub)

This was launched in May 2021. The Tax Hub is intended to provide a platform to “promote strategic policy dialogue, improve knowledge sharing, and strengthen coordination on tax policy and administration among ADB, its members, and development partners.”

During the launch, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said “the lack of a pan-regional tax community has been a unique and significant shortcoming for Asia and the Pacific.” He recognized that the establishment of the Tax Hub would be a step towards addressing this shortcoming.

The Tax Hub will support the 68 Developing Member Countries (DMCs) of ADB on three aspects: (1) preparation of medium-term revenue strategies; (2) roadmaps for the automation of tax administration, and (3) proactive participation in international tax initiatives.

The Tax Hub aims to play a key role in these agendas by stimulating regional dialogue and knowledge sharing on needed reforms. The activities for these include facilitating regional cooperation and knowledge sharing by hosting events, workshops, and training programs on various taxrelated topics. It serves as a platform for policymakers, tax officials, and experts to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in tax policy and administration.

I have found the Tax Hub to be a valuable reference for my academic, research, and professional requirements. Unfortunately, when I recently applied to gain access to the Tax Hub Community web portal, I was not permitted since based on their reply “only senior officials and representatives of tax administrations, tax policy departments, regional tax organizations, and international tax organizations may register.”

It may be appropriate for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to become part of the Tax Hub Community so that it may be able to network with the other members of the Community.

The ADB is establishing a Secretariat to operationalize the Tax Hub and plans to organize a Steering Committee to bring together key development partners and DMCs willing to actively engage in the Tax Hub. The Department of Finance, and its agencies, including the BIR, the Bureau of Local Government Finance, and the National Tax Research Center, can proactively engage and take leadership roles in the Steering Committee and Secretariat to

Powell . . .

continued from A12

soon to avoid unduly harming the labor market.

“You have a Fed that at the moment is highly data dependent, and needs to see better inflation prints over the next several months,” said Matthew Luzzetti, chief US economist at Deutsche Bank.

“There’s broad-based expectations that those better inflation prints will come about, but really until that data are released and we get either confirmation or a different view on what the data are going to be, it’s kind of hard to gauge exactly where we end up from a Fed policy perspective.” Bloomberg

Identity crisis no more

OI have found the Tax Hub to be a valuable reference for my academic, research, and professional requirements. Unfortunately, when I recently applied to gain access to the Tax Hub Community web portal, I was not permitted since based on their reply “only senior officials and representatives of tax administrations, tax policy departments, regional tax organizations, and international tax organizations may register.”

be established.

Based on my regular reference to the Tax Hub, I highlight its contents, to include the following:

Tax data and resources, including tax revenue statistics, tax rates and structures, and tax policy documents for ADB member countries. This has a comprehensive database called the International Tax Data Platform, which offers detailed tax data for cross-country analysis and research. Repository for ADB’s publications, research papers, and knowledge products related to taxation, such as tax policy briefs, working papers, and flagship reports. These resources cover topics like tax reform, tax administration modernization, international taxation, and the impact of taxation on developments.

Information on ADB’s technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives in the area of taxation, including ongoing and completed projects aimed at strengthening tax systems, improving tax policy formulation, and enhancing domestic resource mobilization in the DMCs.

Overall, the Asia Pacific Tax Hub is a comprehensive online resource that consolidates ADB’s efforts and initiatives in the taxation domain, making it a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking to explore and understand tax-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Previously, he was also the Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He now has his tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joeltantorress@ yahoo.com and his firm JL2T Consultancy.

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

N August 10, 2023, a 62-year-old man heading for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was arrested by immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 due to an “alert” on his name. Mohammad Maca-Antal Said was mistaken for a fugitive with a similar name (Mohammad Said a.k.a. Ama Maas who had nine arrest warrants). A press release from the Philippine Senate reports that it was only after 176 days from his arrest and detention that the elderly Muslim was released, when the Taguig City courts handling “his” cases ordered his liberty. Senator Robin Padilla, who closely monitored Tatay Said’s case, hoped for a better coordination system between and among government agencies especially since Said’s arrest came after he was cleared by the NBI with “no derogatory record.”

A teenager, however, was not as fortunate as Mohammad Maca-Antal Said. In a deadly case of mistaken identity that transpired sometime in August of the same year, 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar was shot and killed by six Navotas police officers as the boy was preparing to go fishing with a friend. The shootout was in relation to a murder incident that happened earlier. The suspect allegedly sought cover in a boat. As the policemen went to find him in the place where the teenager was unluckily located, they immediately opened fire and kept shooting at the boy who jumped in the water until the latter was hit in the face and drowned to his death. The six police officers that have since been facing criminal charges for homicide admitted that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Far beyond the criminal setting is the mistake we often find in our personal identity. Many of us suffer from and are constantly beset by what is referred to as “identity crisis”—a phase where most people, teenagers in particular, question or reassess who they are. Some adults who undergo a major life event such as retirement or graduating from college likewise reevaluate their identi-

ty, predicated on fears of the uncertain or unknown. Per psychoanalyst and psychologist Erik Erikson, there are stages in identity development. And during the teen years, this is critically significant as the person experiments with various roles and identities. The outcome can either be a resolution of the identity crisis, or an ongoing identity confusion.

Some people, myself included, go through a phase in their lives when decision-making is often too difficult a task embroiled in the very aspect of their being. In my case, there have been incidents when choosing the next career or employment became entangled with my identity. Questions as “who am I?” “What have I become?” strike some familiarity in every person who, one way or the other, faces an identity muddle. And in roughly half the time, those who fail to get the answers pivot to depression, willingly or otherwise.

While Erikson states that this identity predicament is normal and a predictable part of a healthy development, it can lead to peril when unsuitably handled. Just as one’s life and liberty can be lost, like what happens when we wrongfully perceive a different person to be someone

we supposedly know (Baltazar and Said, cases in point), our lives and liberty can similarly be mislaid when we are in a quandary as regards our identity. It becomes worse when we view ourselves in the context of what the world considers us to be (social media, for example). In our struggle to conform to worldly definitions of who we are, what we actually are, and who we might become, we can end up with a hollow or dent in our inner being. This is precisely why many who face questions in their identity consult a medical professional. It is always a problem of “Who am I?”

in addition to “What do I do now?”

“Where do I go?” and “Why am I like this?” “Have I done enough?” Such doubt elevates to a level of insecurity and oftentimes, depression leading to a series of medications and psychological help.

However, for believers in faith, in Jesus the Risen Savior, the answer is not found in the “I” but in the Cross. The ultimate remedy rests not with the medical professionals, with all due respect, but with the Cross. Incidentally, as the entire Christian community celebrates resurrection day (John 11: 25-26; Acts 4:33),—not easter day, by the way -- we should call to mind Christ’s resurrection that gave us new birth into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). I have long been awed by the significance of the Cross. Previously, I thought Jesus was just a holy man who sacrificed his life for the atonement of our sins. But as I spent more time reading God’s Word (the Bible), His grace led me to understand that the Cross is my identity! Instead of being preoccupied in finding our individual identity, we ought to see ourselves in Christ Jesus. By becoming Christ-occupied, we naturally get propelled to being righteous and doing what is righteous. It naturally flows from being identified with the Man who was crucified on the Cross!

With emphasis on our TRUE identity, God’s Word says it all: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of

God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). It goes on to state that: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ) Now if that verse would not suffice to convince us that our identity is in Jesus the Risen Savior, God’s Word further lays testament to the fact that: “I am called by Your name.” (Jeremiah15:16), and “if my people, who are called by My name…” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Since we are named after our Heavenly Creator, every resurrection Sunday or each Holy Week celebration, ought to remind us more of our real identity. Gone should be the days of us harping on questions as “Have I done enough?”

“Why do I have so many mistakes?” and “Will I ever recover?” If we continue to take the path of self-doubt, we will certainly plummet to an identity crisis one phase after another. Whenever our mind is renewed and gets preoccupied with the person of Jesus, the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and forbearance will flow through us effortlessly. In turn, we identify ourselves in this manner: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ,” (2 Corinthians 5:21), and “When God looks at me today, He sees Jesus.” (1Corinthians 1:30). Our justification and identity are found not in our works but only by His grace in our sincere belief and acceptance of Jesus as the master of our lives! As I have cemented my identity with the Cross, whenever anybody would ask me Who I am, I will just point them to the Cross and say freely, “That is me!”

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

Zelenskyy vows drone strikes on Russia despite US dissent

By Volodymyr Verbianyi

UKRAINe will keep targeting Russian oil-refining facilities despite US discontent with its campaign, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who warned that Kyiv’s forces may be forced to retreat “step by step” without more military aid from allies.

The drone attacks are in retaliation against Kremlin strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid and part of an effort to compel Moscow to stop them, the Washington Post’s David Ignatius wrote in a column, citing an interview with Zelenskyy done Thursday in Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces have attacked more than a dozen refineries inside Russia with explosive-laden drones over the past month, slashing fuel production. But the strikes irked Kyiv’s allies in US who are concerned about rising domestic fuel prices in an election year, the Financial Times reported last week, citing people familiar with the issue.

“The reaction of the US was not positive on this,” Zelenskyy told the

US newspaper. “We used our drones. Nobody can say to us you can’t.”

Zelenskyy once again urged accelerated Congressional approval of more than $60 billion in military assistance that’s been hung up for months. Otherwise, he said, Ukraine will be forced to step up its bombardment of Russian military objects and critical infrastructure, including airfields.

“We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, this week after speaking with US House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Ukrainian forces have attacked more than a dozen refineries inside Russia with explosiveladen drones over the past month, slashing fuel production. But the strikes irked Kyiv’s allies in US who are concerned about rising domestic fuel prices in an election year, the Financial Times reported last week, citing people familiar with the issue.

Without new infusions of ammunition and air defense systems, Kyiv’s troops will be forced to retreat and President Vladimir Putin will look for more territorial gains, including toward major cities, Zelenskyy told the Washington Post.

“If you need 8,000 rounds a day to defend the front line, but you only have, for example, 2,000 rounds, you have to do less,” he said. “How? Of course, to go back. Make the front line shorter. If it breaks, the Russians could go to the big cities.”

China factory activity expands for first time in six months

ChINA S manufacturing activity expanded in March for the first time since September, a sign that the world’s second-largest economy is stabilizing.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 50.8 from 49.1 in February, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement Sunday. That beat the median forecast of 50.1 by economists in a Bloomberg survey and was the best reading since March last year.

A gauge of non-manufacturing activity climbed from the previous month to 53, compared with an estimate of 51.5. A reading above

50 suggests an expansion from the previous month, while a figure below that denotes contraction.

The PMI figures are the first official data available each month to provide a snapshot of the health of the Chinese economy. The readings suggest that the country’s growth recovery has maintained traction after a solid start to the year. They may give policymakers more time to assess the impact of previous stimulus measures before taking further easing action.

The expansion in the manufacturing PMI was largely driven by the production component, which rose to 52.2 from 49.8 in February, according to Bloomberg Intelligence economist David Qu. The new orders gauge increased even more, to 53.0 from 49.0, providing clear signs of acceleration in activity, Qu wrote in a report Sunday.

Still, producers’ gate prices continued to fall, and at a faster pace, with the output price component dropping deeper in the contraction range, according to Qu. China has set a target to in-

crease gross domestic product by about 5 percent this year, which many economists regard as elusive, given the protracted slump in the property sector and persistent deflationary pressures.

The authorities have released more long-term liquidity into the banking system this year to spur lending, with central bank officials hinting at a potential further cut to the amount of cash banks have to keep in reserve.

They have also expedited central government spending to support infrastructure investment and pledged to provide funds to encourage consumers and busi-

Kremlin ground forces continue to probe for weak spots in Ukraine’s defenses in the nation’s east. They’re advanced in the Avdiivka region over the past week, Russia’s defense ministry said in an update cited by Interfax which also cited Iskander missile strikes in the Kharkiv region.

Kyiv’s military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi told the state news agency Ukrinform in an interview published on Friday that Russian forces recently had an advantage over Ukrainian artillery ammunition at a ratio of six to one.

Zelenskyy urged the US to provide long-range missiles to allow Ukraine to step up its attacks on targets such as airfields on the Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula. “ATACM-300s, that is the answer,” Zelenskyy said.

“If there is no US support, it means that we have no air defense, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare, no 155-millimeter artillery rounds,” he said. “It means we will go back, retreat, step by step, in small steps.” Bloomberg

nesses to replace old goods, including cars and home appliances.  Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged challenges the domestic economy faces in a Wednesday meeting with a group of US business leaders in Beijing but expressed confidence in overcoming them.

The sit-down with executives including Blackstone Inc.’s Stephen Schwarzman and Qualcomm Inc.’s Cristiano Amon was part of officials’ efforts to restore foreign investors’ confidence in the Asian giant as inbound investment slowed. With assistance from Linda Lew / Bloomberg



Best

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Best

Best

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL :

Entries may be submitted by any person or organization wishing to direct the attention of the CMMA to a meritorious program, series, article, material and the like. A person or a company may submit more than one entry in each category. Entries need not be Christian and nominees need not be Catholics. All entries must be those media works released from May 2023 to April 2024.

STUDENT LEVEL:

All bona fide students enrolled in any of the participating schools, colleges and universities within the school year 2023-2024.

RADIO (AM OR FM) / PODCAST

Best Business News

Best Counseling Program

Best Public Service Program

Best Drama Program (Episodic or Serial)

Best Educational Program

Best Entertainment Program

Best News Commentary

Best News Program

Best News Feature

TELEVISION

Best Adult Educational / Cultural Program

Cartoon

Best Investigative Report

Best Local Community / Parish Newspaper

Best News Coverage

Best News Photograph

Best Opinion Column

Best Short Story

Best Special Feature

Best Comic Story

Best Children’s Short Story

Best Youth Magazine

Best Family-Oriented Magazine

Best Children and Youth Program

Best Comedy Program

Best Drama Series / Program

Best Entertainment Program

Best News Magazine

Best News Program

Best Public Service Program

Best Special Event Coverage

Best Talk Show

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Best Station ID

SOCIAL MEDIA

Best Website

Best Vlog

STUDENT CMMA

Best Student Organ-Grade School

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Best Short Film (Documentary or Narrative)

Best TV Production (Documentary or Narrative)

Best Student Public Service-Radio Ad

Best Student Public Service-Print Ad

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SERVIAM AWARD

Best Literary Publication

Individual Corporate / Institutional

ST. JOHN PAUL II AWARD

By VG Cabuag @villygc

The Securities and exchange Commission will start imposing on April 1 higher fines and penalties for the late and non-filing of reportorial requirements by corporations.

For stock and non-stock foreign corporations, late filing means a report was filed after 30 days from the anniversary date of the issuance of the SEC license for GIS or from the prescribed deadline for AFS.

Should a filing be made after 60 days, fines will be based on the base fine of for non-filing, and the computation of the monthly penalty should not exceed 12 months.

Filing of the MC 28 report will be considered late if made beyond 30 calendar days from the issuance of the certificate of registration, license, or authority for all types of corporations.

Under the new scale of fines and penalties, OPCs and domestic stock corporations with retained earnings of not more than P100,000 will incur a basic penalty of P5,000 for the late filing of their GIS or AFS, plus P1,000 for every month of continuing violation.

The same penalty applies to domestic non-stock corporations with a fund balance or equity of not more than P100,000.

Meanwhile, non-filing of GIS or AFS by OPCs and domestic stock

ThE 13.2-megawatt (MW) Nabas wind power project of PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) in Aklan is a step closer to commencing full operations.

The onshore wind unit of PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) has secured approval from the Independent Energy Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), operator of the Wholesale Energy Spot Market (WESM), for the registration of Phase 2 of the Nabas wind power project.

“This WESM registration approval authorizes Phase 2 as an additional facility of PWEI. This came after the successful testing by the Energy Regulatory Commission [ERC] of the facility’s metering equipment last February and the SCADA [supervisory control and data acquisition] testing this March

Ttechnology for improved accuracy and efficiency in assessment processes.

by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines [NGCP]. We are excited and look forward to the eventual commercial operation of Phase 2,” said Dave Gadiano, PGEC assistant vice president for power markets.

PGEC is the renewable energy holding unit of publicly listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp., a member of the Yuchengo Group of Companies. Phase 2 is the only wind power project in the Visayas grid which secured a 20year offtake in the first green energy auction of the Department of Energy (DOE) last June 2022.

Following the WESM registration approval, the company secured another critical clearance. It said the NGCP issued on March 26, 2024 the Certificate of Approval to Connect (CATC)

for Phase 2 as a load facility.

“With this approval, PWEI can now energize the new and dedicated 16 MVA Phase 2 substation with feedback power to start the internal technical tests of our VESTAS wind turbines. Should all go well, grid compliance tests with power export to the grid will soon follow,” said Paul Elmer Morala, PGEC vice president for technical operations.

Phase 1 (36MW) of the Nabas wind power project has been in operation since June 2015.

“We thank the DOE [Department of Energy], NGCP, IEMOP and ERC for their support in getting us to this milestone, which will lead to new and additional power supply to the Panay sub-grid,” added Morala.

PWEI is a joint venture among PGEC

Attendees will hear insights from the convention’s guest speaker, former Congressman of Oriental Mindoro Rodolfo G. Valencia, known as the father of RESA Law or the Real Estate Service Act (RA 9646).

Other speakers for the sessions include leaders and practitioners in the field, such as Dir. Gilbert B. Gumabay, Engr. Arnulfo A. Cacho, Engr. Romeo M. Dizon, Ms. Marissa V. Benitez, and Engr. Linda M. Buquir, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to their respective topics. Moreover, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) CPD Council has granted 20 units of CPD accreditation for the convention, underscoring the high-

quality educational content and professional development opportunities that it will offer.

Mr. Gener R. Sison, President of PAAO, Inc., and City Assessor of Mandaluyong City shared “The 17th PAAO Convention promises to be a milestone event, uniting professionals in our shared commitment to excellence and integrity in real property appraisal and assessment.”

“With a diverse array of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees can look forward to an enriching experience that transcends boundaries and propels the industry forward,” he added.

and non-stock corporations with retained earnings and fund balance or equity, respectively, of not more than P100,000 will incur a basic penalty of P10,000, plus P1,000 per month of continuing violation.

Foreign stock corporations with accumulated income or fund balance/members’ equity of less than P100,000 will incur a fine of P10,000 plus P6,000 late penalty, if their report is filed after 30 days, or P12,000 penalty, if filed after 60 days.

The base penalty for foreign non-stock corporations with less than P100,000 accumulated income/fund balance/members’ equity is at P5,000, plus P 6,000 penalty if filed after 30 days, or with an additional P12,000 penalty if filed after 60 days.

A fine of P10,000, plus a penalty of P12,000, will be imposed for the non-filing of reports by both foreign stock and non-stock corporations with accumulated income/fund balance/members’ equity of less than P100,000.

The penalty for non-compliance with MC 28 is set at P20,000, double the previous rate of P10,000.

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

LAMOIYAN Corp., maker of h a pee toothpaste, said it is investing P150 million to add cosmetic and skincare products to its offerings.

Cecilio Pedro, founder of Lamoiyan Corp. and President of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), also said his company is expanding its manufacturing facility.

“I’m expanding my production. I’m expanding my coverage. We’re getting more products into the basket, like cosmetics,” Pedro told reporters on the sidelines of the 135th Canton Fair Roadshow last week.

Lamoiyan has a variety of products for oral care, household and personal care. Some of its brands are h a pee, Kutitap and Gumtect toothpastes, Dazz dishwashing paste/liquid, and Licealiz for lice infestations.

(40 percent), PERC, (20 percent), and Thailand’s BCPG Public Co. Ltd (40 percent). Lenie Lectura

Along with the plan to add a cosmetics line in its product portfolio, Pedro noted that Lamoiyan is expanding its current factory along South Super h i ghway. h e

s aid the firm is adding another hectare to its existing threehectare facility. The cosmetics line will include lipstick, powder, eyeliner and whitening skincare products, according to Pedro. h e said the firm opted to expand its cosmetics line due to strong demand for cosmetics, specifically for whitening products, in the country.

According to its website, Lamoiyan also makes products for distributor companies and is exporting to Asia and America. Its clients include multinational cosmetics firm Avon, Philippine cosmetics firm Ever Bilena and Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. The toothpaste manufacturer’s products are also sold via e-commerce platforms, such as Lazada and Shopee.

Lamoiyan’s oral care products are sold under the h a pee, Gumtect, Kutitap and FluoPaste brands. Dazz, Dewdrops, Maxiwash, and Virusol are the brands for its household care products. Its personal care brands include LiceAliz, James Styling Gel, and Mist Soap. The company also makes the Yoda non-medicated dog shampoo.

Banking&Finance

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

Govt sees crypto a way to develop capital mart

By VG Cabuag @villygc

ReguLATORS are looking at creating guidelines for cryptocurrencies, Finance Secretary Ralph g. Recto said.

Recto said the idea cropped up in a discussion with officials of the Securities and exchange Commission in ways to develop the capital markets further.

The chief of the Department of Finance said that guidelines will be a big help in protecting investors given as some of the lax regulation were being used by scammers.

“I think that is a given (on creating a cryptocurrency agenda). We have discussed that the other day when we were discussing the capital markets development. We should be careful here as there were many scams involving cryptocurrency. Not all of them are probably viable,” Recto said at the sidelines of the induction of the officers of the economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

Last month, the SeC requested the National Telecommunications Commission to block crypto exchange platform Binance in the Philippines.

According to the Regulator, it found out that is Binance offering an investment and trading platform without the necessary license from the SeC Recto also emphasized that Binance is not registered with the SeC “The SeC has identified the aforementioned platform and concluded that the public’s continued access to these websites/apps poses a threat to the security of the funds of investing Filipinos,” SeC Chairman emilio B.

Aquino said. Touted as the largest cryptocurrency website in the world, Binance currently has an average daily trading volume of $65 billion covering more than 402 cryptocurrencies, with a membership of over 183 million, according to its website.

Binance defines itself as a facility for trading financial instruments and offers investment products, including spot trading using leverage, futures contracts, option contracts, cryptocurrency savings accounts, cryptocurrency staking services and a platform for initial coin offerings.

“The group has been actively employing promotional campaigns on social media to attract Filipinos to engage in investment and trading activities using its platforms. An app version is also downloadable on google Playstore and the Apple App Store,” the SeC said in a statement.

“Binance, however, has not secured from the SeC a license to solicit investments from the public, nor to create or operate an exchange for the buying and selling of securities, as required by Republic Act 8799, or The Securities Regulation Code (SRC),” it said.

The SeC flagged Binance’s operation as early as November last year while studying the possible blocking of its website and other online presence in the Philippines.

“Considering the size and volume of Binance’s operations, however, the SeC ensured that the investing public would have enough time to exit the platform and reposition their portfolio in favor of authorized investment products and platforms,” the SeC said.

Strategic board engagement

STRAT egIC board engagement goes beyond attending meetings and approving decisions. It also involves active participation, thoughtful deliberation, and a deep commitment to advancing the association’s mission.

guam-based Dot Miller, founder of The Solution, an association management company, shared this in a recent webinar, “Strategic Board engagement. Optimizing Leadership Collaboration,” organized by the Philippine Council of Associations and Association executives (PCAA e) Here are my key takeaways from the perspective of the executive leadership:

1. Knowing your individual board members. The first time you meet with them, understand. (a) why they want to serve on the board, (b) what strengths they bring to the board, and (c) how much time, money, etc. they have to give throughout the year.

2. Developing a strategic plan. Bring the board together to develop or revisit a strategic plan. Divide them into smaller groups so all voices are heard. Agree on three to five “Smart” (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound) goals for the organization to achieve over the next three years or so, and what they are going to do over the next 18 months to get there. Assign tasks and timelines to help achieve these goals.

3. Fostering open communication and collaboration. Promote open communication and collaboration between the board and the executive team in an environment where every voice is heard. Develop clear, concise, and impactful communication styles for board meetings, and enhance listening skills to encourage a culture of dialogue and constructive feedback.

4. Having a concise agenda. Prepare an agenda for consent (minutes, reports, etc.), for discussion (financial report, strategic plan dashboard, new business, etc.), and for action (items you need to act on during the meeting). Action items in meeting minutes must be highlighted in red or bold letters. When sending the board packet out, do remind everyone to review

Govt Jan debt service pay went more to amortization

By Reine Juvierre Alberto

THE national government reported that it spent more in terms of amortization than interest payments, the sum having totaled P158.898 billion in debt payments for January this year, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

Latest data from the Treasury showed the country’s debt service in January went down by 26.38 percent to P158.898 billion, lower than the P215.838 billion recorded in the same month in 2023.

Of the total debt service in January, about 53 percent of the amount, or P84.677 billion, was accounted for by amortization payments.

The rest, or P74.221 billion, was accounted for by the country’s interest payments, Treasury data showed.

Payments posted under amortization plunged by 43.66 percent compared to the P150.287 billion reported in January 2023.

The bulk of the payments went to external amortization, totaling P84.539 billion in January. The amount shrunk by 43.66 percent in contrast to the P1.918 billion the national government paid in domestic amortization recorded in the same month in 2023.

The payments made by the state

for domestic amortization also dropped by almost 7 percent to P138 million from P148.369 billion in January 2023.

The Treasury noted that domestic amortization reflects the actual principal repayments to creditors including those services by the bond sinking fund (BSF).

Amortization refers to the repayment of loan principal over time; interest payment refers to a payment determined by the interest rate of an account.

Meanwhile, the latest Treasury data showed interest payments in January 2024 surged by 13.23 percent, higher than the P65.551 billion recorded in the previous year.

The state’s domestic interest payments expanded by 19.69 percent year-on-year to P48.823 billion from P40.792 billion, according to the Treasury.

Local interest payments made by the national government in January coming in the form of Treasury bills soared by 88.46 percent to P2.597 billion than the P1.378 billion posted

in the same month last year.

Furthermore, the government paid P40.926 billion in interest on fixed-rate Treasury bonds in January, lower than the P35.504 billion recorded in the previous year.

The state’s interest payment for retail Treasury bonds recorded the same amount in January at P3.575 billion similar to how much it posted in the same month in 2023.

Other domestic interest payments by the national government in January rocketed by 414.92 percent to P1.725 billion, higher than the P335 million posted in the same month last year. The government’s interest payments to external entities slightly inched by 1.57 percent to P25.398 billion from P24.759 billion last year, Treasury data showed.

Last year, the state reported a total of P1.603 trillion in debt payments, with amortization at P975.278 billion outpacing interest payments at P628.333 billion. Debt service in 2023 rose by 23.97 percent to P1.603 trillion compared to the P1.293 trillion total recorded in the previous year.

Sun Life subsidiary plans to grow gender diversity

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

TAssociation World

the action items to report out at the upcoming meeting.

5. Asking what you need. You should know what it is you need from your board. marketing, fundraising assistance, or connections? If you don’t know, they don’t know either, and they cannot help. The more they are asked their opinion, the more they feel a connection to help.

6. Dealing with micromanagement. Board members who are business owners bring their own decision-making mindset into their volunteer leader roles in the board. Having onboarding sessions where new board members are briefed on what their role is, clearly delineating the board’s governance function from the executive director’s management responsibilities, and providing regular updates on operational matters are ways to deal with micromanagement.

7. Holding the board accountable. Board accountability can be made through self-evaluations at the end of the year, having strategic plan dashboards, and SMART goals to track. Putting deadlines and specific board member in charge of something will hold them accountable.

8. Rewarding engaged boards. Appreciating and recognizing achieving board members is key to strong relationships. This could be done by featuring them in your newsletter or on your social media a “Board Member Spotlight,” awarding plaques, certificates or small tokens of appreciation, or saying “thank you” via cards, small gifts, and in public.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror . [Eds. Mr. Peralta’s column was originally scheduled for the Friday, March 29, issue of the BusinessMirror]. E-mail. bobby@pcaae.org.

He Philippine office of Sun Life global Solutions (SLgS)

Pvt. Ltd. announced plans to grow its gender diversity in jobs involving technology.

SLgS Managing Director Tarun Sareen told reporters the firm is committed to improving gender diversity at the very onset of the firm’s employment process by removing bias in hiring.

“Our people uphold our purpose and values. We encourage and develop leadership at every level. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive, caring, empowering and respectful environment, where

everyone can harness their full potential and feel belonged,” Sareeen said during a briefing held at the company’s head office in Taguig City. “Our diverse workplace inspires creativity, fosters innovation, drives values and creates positive impact. We own the opportunities and power through challenges to do the best work of our lives as well as inspire others.”

In the past year, he said the firm has made “huge strides both by way of spreading awareness and driving collective action.” Sareen cited the firm used awareness campaigns with university partners, training on writing a résumé and changing policies to remove bias in hiring. The latter includes removing photographs and

not requiring the disclosure of gender, birthday and parent occupation in a candidate’s résumé.

For current employees, SL g S Philippines Vice President Nathalie Bernardo said the firm also has a platform to help women maximize their potential through mentoring. Bernardo said the firm plans to “amplify” the latter through “awareness campaigns” that will measure the demographics, participation rate and impact of activities.

She said this will be done through the groups that the firm helped organize. These groups include members of the LgBTQ+ community and persons with disabilities, according to Bernardo.

‘BIR taxes on cross-border services to deter investors’

SAccording to Sareen, the firm has emerged as a talent and innovation hub, “driving seamless digital transformation and providing technology, knowledge services and business services” to the global business of parent firm Sun Life of Canada Inc.

In its continued commitment to empowering its talent, we strive to foster an environment where all employees are treated fairly and respectfully at work and in communities, where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, he added.

She said the firm is also inviting their managers to have focus group discussions to align on inclusivity programs and serve as the voice of their employees.

THe Department of Finance (DOF) expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Securities and exchange Commission (SeC) Commissioner Hubert Dominic B. guevara who passed away on March 29 at 56.

Finance Secretary Ralph g Recto commended guevara’s service to the public who assumed office with his role as commissioner just this March 1, 2024.

Since then, guevara supervised the Corporate governance and Finance Department, the Office of the general Accountant and the Financing and Lending Companies Division of the SeC guevara’s legacy of unwavering dedication and outstanding service to the Filipino people will forever be cherished,” Recto said over the weekend.

According to the SeC , guevara served as the director of the former Compliance and enforcement Department of the Commission from 2004 to 2010 before he returned as commissioner.

guevara previously worked in the Office of the President as senior deputy executive secretary under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He also served as Marcos’s legal counsel.

Before joining the SeC in 2004, guevara also served as managing partner of the Joaquin guevara Adarlo & Caoile Law Offices during his private practice of law and taught in private learning institutions.

guevara earned his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila university, where he also took up his bachelor’s degree in legal management, the SeC added. The Commission announced guevara’s death on Saturday in a Facebook post, saying that he passed away surrounded by those dearest to him.

“The entire Commission joins the family, friends, and other colleagues of Atty. guevara in remembering and honoring his life dedicated to public service and championing great causes,” the SeC said.

The Commission is an attached agency of the DOF mandated to supervise the corporate sector, the capital market participants, the securities and investment instruments market, and the investing public.

and other similar services.

Created on October 26, 1936 by Commonwealth Act 83, also known as The Securities Act, the Commission was tasked to regulate the sale and registration of securities, exchanges, brokers, dealers and salesmen.

Octavio Peralta

all the recent headlines about panels and tires falling off planes, is flying safe?

By David Koenig

Associated

IT has been 15 years since the last fatal crash of a US airliner, but you would never know that by reading about a torrent of flight problems in the last three months.

SAFER THAN DRIVING

By

just compiled the numbers. The site's data show such calls rising since mid-January but remaining below levels seen during much of 2023.

The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a motor-vehicle crash, while deaths on airplanes are too rare to calculate the odds. Figures from the US Department of Transportation tell a similar story.

“This is the safest form of transportation ever created, whereas every day on the nation's roads about a 737 full of people dies,” Richard Aboulafia, a longtime aerospace analyst and consultant, said. The safety council estimates that more than 44,000 people died in US vehicle crashes in 2023.

BUT A SHRINKING SAFETY MARGIN

A panel of experts reported in November that a shortage of air traffic controllers, outdated planetracking technology and other problems presented a growing threat to safety in the sky.

“The current erosion in the margin of safety in the [national airspace system] caused by the confluence of these challenges is rendering the current level of safety unsustainable,” the group said in a 52-page report.

WHAT IS GOING ON AT BOEING?

Many but not all of the recent incidents have involved Boeing planes.

Boeing is a $78-billion com -

Emergency calls also are an imperfect gauge: the plane might not have been in immediate danger, and sometimes planes in trouble never alert controllers.

pany, a leading US exporter and a century-old, iconic name in aircraft manufacturing. It is one-half of the duopoly, along with Europe’s Airbus, that dominates the production of large passenger jets.

The company’s reputation, however, was greatly damaged by the crashes of two 737 Max jets—one in Indonesia in 2018, the other in Ethiopia the following year—that killed 346 people. Boeing has lost nearly $24 billion in the last five years. It has struggled with manufacturing flaws that at times delayed deliveries of 737s and longhaul 787 Dreamliners.

Boeing finally was beginning to regain its stride until the Alaska Airlines Max blowout. Investigators have focused on bolts that help secure the door-plug panel, but which were missing after a repair job at the Boeing factory.

The FBI is notifying passengers about a criminal investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration is stepping up oversight of the company.

“What is going on with the

production at Boeing? There have been issues in the past. They don’t seem to be getting resolved,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said last month.

CEO David Calhoun says no matter what conclusions investigators reach about the Alaska Airlines blowout, “Boeing is accountable for what happened" on the Alaska plane. "We caused the problem and we understand that.”

WHERE DO DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FIT IN?

Problems attributed to an airplane manufacturer can differ greatly.

Some are design errors. On the original Boeing Max, the failure of a single sensor caused a flightcontrol system to point the nose of the plane down with great force— that happened before the deadly 2018 and 2019 Max crashes. It is a maxim in aviation that the failure of a single part should never be enough to bring down a plane. In other cases, such as the doorplug panel that flew off the Alaska

Airlines jet, it appears a mistake was made on the factory floor.

“Anything that results in death is worse, but design is a lot harder to deal with because you have to locate the problem and fix it," said Aboulafia, the aerospace analyst. "In the manufacturing process, the fix is incredibly easy—don’t do” whatever caused the flaw in the first place.

Manufacturing quality appears to be an issue in other incidents too.

Earlier this month, the FAA proposed ordering airlines to inspect wiring bundles around the spoilers on Max jets. The order was prompted by a report that chafing of electrical wires due to faulty installation caused an airliner to roll 30 degrees in less than a second on a 2021 flight.

Even little things matter. After a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 flying from Australia to New Zealand this month went into a nosedive— it recovered—Boeing reminded airlines to inspect switches to motors that move pilot seats.

Published reports said a flight attendant accidentally hitting the switch likely caused the plunge.

NOT EVERYTHING IS BOEING’S FAULT

Investigations into some incidents point to likely lapses in maintenance, and many close calls are due to errors by pilots or air traffic controllers.

This week, investigators disclosed that an American Airlines jet that overshot a runway in Texas had undergone a brake-replacement job four days earlier, and some hydraulic lines to the brakes were not properly reattached.

Earlier this month, a tire fell off a United Airlines Boeing 777 leaving San Francisco, and an American Airlines 777 made an emergency landing in Los Angeles with a flat tire.

A piece of the aluminum skin was discovered missing when a United Boeing 737 landed in Oregon last week. Unlike the brandnew Alaska jet that suffered the panel blowout, the United plane was 26 years old. Maintenance is up to the airline.

When a FedEx cargo plane landing last year in Austin, Texas, flew close over the top of a departing Southwest Airlines jet, it turned out that an air traffic controller had cleared both planes to use the same runway.

SEPARATING SERIOUS FROM ROUTINE

Aviation-industry officials say the most concerning events involve issues with flight controls, engines and structural integrity.

Other things such as cracked windshields and planes clipping each other at the airport rarely pose a safety threat. Warning lights might indicate a serious problem or a false alarm.

“We take every event seriously,” former NTSB member John Goglia said, citing such vigilance as a contributor to the current crash-free streak. “The challenge we have in aviation is trying to keep it there.”

A

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Monday, April 1, 2024

‘FilipiNxt’: Manila takes Manhattan

FILIPINO, Filipina, Filipinx. Next. Nxt. FilipiNxt.

Picture this: a world where Filipino creativity is not only recognized but celebrated on a global scale—as part of New York Fashion Week—organized by Filipinos for Filipinos.

This vision is coming to fruition with FilipiNxt: The New Era of Philippine Fashion, a fusion of heritage and innovation, on May 5, 2024 at 4W43 in New York City. The revolutionary event will feature the collections of Bessie Besana, Michale Leyva, Wilson Limon and Veejay Floresca.

The ambitious fashion odyssey had a special preview on March 12 at Marriott Hotel Manila with FilipiNxt cofounder Rob Mallari-D’Auria, Marriott Manila’s cluster director of sales and marketing Lala Quilantang, fashion designer and FilipiNxt founder Bessie Besana, and host Janeena Chan welcoming guests with a toast of gratitude.

“On behalf of our multi-property vice president for the Philippines of Marriott International Bruce Winton, it is my distinct pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each of you on this momentous occasion,” Quilantang said.

“Today, we stand at the crossroads of history, celebrating not just one, not just two but three remarkable milestones—the wonderful 15th anniversary of Marriott Manila, the 10th edition of Marry Me at Marriott, and the launch of this groundbreaking collaboration with Manila to Manhattan through FilipiNxt,” added Quilantang.

In May, Marry Me at Marriott will be featured in the New York staging of FilipiNxt. In July will be the 10th edition of Marry Me at Marriott at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, and the third season of Marriott Moments A-Fair: Dream Weddings and Events Expo at the MGBX, Marriott’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) venue.

“This one-of-a-kind partnership promises to redefine hospitality and fashion globally and locally, or should I say GLOCALLY. Today we will witness the dawn of a new era in Philippine fashion alongside the iconic Marry Me at Marriott. Together, these two innovative platforms shall embrace the rich Filipino artistry while conquering the global stage,” concluded Quilantang. Meanwhile, Mallari-DAuria, the FilipiNxt cofounder, talked about the state of Philippine

representation in the US fashion scene.

“We’ve got some incredible talent, no doubt about it. But you know what? We’ve never had a dedicated Filipino American Fashion Week in New York. Yes, we’ve had some designers showcasing in these events, but they mostly blend into other non-Filipino

productions,” lamented Mallari-DAuria. So, what’s the plan? Mallari-DAuria and designer Besana are making some bold moves.

“Because this generation of Filipino talent is creating designs that will grab the attention of the global audience, if given the right platform. And, that’s

Stars share their beauty and wellness secrets at Beautycon 2024

ONE of the highlights of Beautycon 2024: Journey Into Beauty, held from March 20 to 23, 2024, at the SMX Manila was the presence of celebrities and key opinion leaders (like board-certified dermatologists and makeup artists) in the fields of beauty and personal care.

Almost every hour, brands had celebrities on the stage talking about anything beauty-related.

On the first day of Beautycon 2024, young actress Francine Diaz talked about the inspiration behind her fragrances for Bench.

Sa Royal Dream, ang inspiration ko sophistication and empowerment, while Spring Day naman highlights freshness and it represents my personality. I was going for the scent of apples with the sweet aroma of vanilla. As for Spring Day, it’s floral and fruity notes such as strawberry, rose and jasmine,” said Francine. The two, explained the actress, can also be layered for a more complex scent.

Francine’s talk got me interested in the two fragrances so I checked them out at the Bench booth immediately after. While I like both, my personal preference is Royal Day, which has notes of bergamot, apple, pear, rose and raspberry, coupled with the sweet aromas of vanilla, whipped cream accord, and musk.

Both Royal Day and Spring Day are in EDT form. I also caught the appearance of Alexa Ilacad as makeup artist Jake Galvez’s muse for BYS. I got to interview Alexa after the BYS segment and she shared some of her beauty goals and insights.

She revealed that for going out and even date nights, she barely uses any makeup and instead goes for moisturized lips and cheek tint.

We asked her what beauty products are always in her bag and she answered, “For sure, a lip tint and some lip balms. I have about five. My favorite one is without a label. It was a gift from a fan and it has my name on it. It’s very special. I really like the Chanel lip balm, the Coco Balm. My lips tend to become dry so I like hydrating lip products. I also have a spoolie for my eyebrows and a comb. Of course, you can find sunblock in my bag all the time.”

In contrast to her minimalist approach to everyday beauty, Alexa goes all out whenever there is a big event, such as the Star Magic Ball. For instance, she said she already works out every day but when preparing for a big event, when she will be on the red carpet, she works extra hard.

“I get beauty treatments done at Belo. I also have laser hair removal, hair color, and get my nails done. Everything!” said Alexa.

In an interview, Janella Salvador said she always makes time for self care even when she is very busy.

B5

FilipiNxt,” said Mallari-DAuria. “This is a project that will tap young, talented and gritty Filipino designers to showcase their work for people to see and purchase. With resources, mentorship and killer platforms, FilipiNxt provides a showcase of their work.”

Besana, who is based in New York, will open the maiden FilipiNxt show with a collection he calls “Whispers of the Cosmos.”

Known recently as the creator of Miss Universe

2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s wedding dress, Besana’s design philosophy “revolves around the intersection of contemporary style and the inherent beauty of the human form. With an unwavering commitment to flattering silhouettes, his creations embody a perfect symbiosis of modern trends and classic sophistication.”

A day after the special press preview, Besana noted: “A lot has happened in the last 48 hours—from the idea of creating a show, to finding every single person to fit the roles and to working with all the creatives that believed in the vision that we have, it has been a whirlwind of an experience. I am proud to have produced FilipiNxt with Rob and this is just the beginning of everything. But what I do not forget is the core of who I am today. I am a designer and I will continue to hone my skills and my craft to show the world what a true Filipino talent is.”

After shows in Manila and Paris, Michael Leyva is set to conquer New York next with his newest collection, Heaven of Angels, a tribute to his late brother Brian who’s now his guardian angel. With his use of luxurious fabrics, intricate embellishments, and silhouettes that exude opulence, his creations are “often a harmonious marriage of classic elegance and modern sophistication, creating a visual spectacle that leaves an indelible impression.”

Wilson Limon and his brand NiñoFranco, will showcase Davao creativity with his upcoming collection inspired by the vibrant heritage and traditions of the indigenous T’boli ethno-linguistic group. As a hardworking member of the board of trustees of the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, he has hands-on experience in fashion, product design and branding innovation.

Representing the creative community of Los Angeles, beauty queen and designer Veejay Floresca will present her collection of timeless elegance and eco-conscious clothing. She is adept at combining “minimalism with contemporary trends that reflect the changing world of fashion.”

“This fashion collection draws inspiration from classic menswear tailoring, reimagining it through the lens of sustainability and upcycling. Each piece in the collection incorporates elements of traditional menswear, such as sharp lines, structured silhouettes and fine craftsmanship, but with a modern twist,” Floresca explained. “I always believe in Filipino creativity especially when it comes to fashion. To be part of the FilipiNxt maiden show is an honor!” n

“I always make it a point that no matter how tired I am, when I get home I remove all my makeup. I still cleanse my skin, even if nakapikit na ko, pinipilit ko talaga siyang gawin [I try to do it when I am exhausted to the point that my eyes are closing]. Of course, I still make sure to moisturize my skin day and night.”

We asked Janella how she likes to spend whatever free time she has and she said, “Honestly, nowaday I love spending time at home when I’m not doing anything. I’d rather just spend time with my son because I’ve been very busy lately.”

We also talked to host Bianca Gonzalez, who said that as a full-time career woman and mom of two, “admittedly it’s very hard to find time for myself.”

“I went through so many phases before when I would try different things and then I’d switch because it wasn’t working. But if you find something that works for you, ’yun na ’yun [that’s it]. For me, it’s cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. All Cetaphil, of course. Sometimes, I would use an eye cream. If you do that every morning and every night, you’ll see the difference,” she said. Instead of flawless or glowing skin, Bianca simply wants healthy skin.

“In terms of beauty, it may be cheesy, but it comes from the inside. I always say this quote from [makeup artist] Lala Flores, ’yung glow di na Photoshop [a glow that can’t be achived].’ For me, it means na if happy and at peace ka, ’yun ’yung lumalabas. On a practical

“I find that it’s important to have little pockets of time for myself. For example, when the kids are asleep, I stay up a little to have time alone. I also always find time to workout. Here’s a pro tip for busy people: I drive myself and I use that as ‘me time.’ Nakakapag-isip ako [I use that time to think]. I listen to my favorite podcast.” When asked about her beauty secret, Bianca said it’s consistency.

note, hydrate.”

On the last day of Beautycon 2024, Heart Evangelista took to the stage and shared a very important beauty tip.

“No joke. I apply the lightest serum every hour on my face, my neck, my elbow, my tuhod. I do it religiously.”

Beautycon 2024 drew a crowd of almost 30,000 attendees across the four-day event as beauty enthusiasts checked out the over 130 beauty and personal care brands.

Members of Watsons Club, SMAC, and LOOK At Me were treated to exclusive benefits, including free admission to the event and special discounts, offers, and freebies from participating brands. This gesture of appreciation underscored Watsons, SM Beauty, and LOOK At Me’s Commitment to bring exciting member-exclusive perks to their loyal members.

YOUNG actress Francine Diaz (left) talks about her Bench fragrance line at Beautycon 2024, while makeup artist Jelly Eugenio had a segment for Vice Cosmetics.

TACCESSED THRU EGOVPH SUPER APP

O ensure hassle-free and accessible health insurance information anytime and anywhere for all its members here and abroad, state health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to be part of the eGovPH Super App. Through the mobile app, the PhilHealth Member Portal can now be readily accessed with faster loading of content specifically designed for mobile phones.

The eGovPH or e-Government Philippines, is a mobile application that simplifies transactions between the government and citizens, It integrates all other apps used by different government agencies, such as PhilHealth, SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG and local government units, among others. This move is another step forward in realizing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s call to digitalize access and availment of services of government agencies.  PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said, “PhilHealth’s inclusion in the eGovPH Super App is integral to the agency’s digital transformation journey. This is definitely one of our urgent priorities as we continuously improve our services and make them within reach by more and more Filipinos who are gravitating towards online transactions.”

To be able to access information through the eGovPH Super App, PhilHealth members are advised to follow three simple steps:

Malabon gov’t upgrades OSMAL’s free health services for residents

IN line with Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval’s directive to improve the delivery of services for those who are in need of quality medical assistance in Malabon, the local government inaugurated the city’s first two-dimensional (2D) Echocardiography Services, Digital Radiography, and four-dimentional Sonography Services at the Ospital ng Malabon (OSMAL) on March 21, 2024.

The new radiology equipment that were blessed during the program, dubbed “Emerging Trends in Radiology: Welcoming Digitalization,” include new digital panels for digital radiography (X-ray), 3D/4D-capable Sonography (ultrasound), and the first 2D Echocardiography Service in OSMAL. These machines are essential to help detect heart and respiratory diseases, as well as obstetrics and gynecologic concerns

of Malabueños, among many others.

The services using the equipment can be availed by Malabueños for free.

“Our priority here in Malabon is to provide essential services to our residents, especially medical services. The new equipment will be a big help to Malabuenongs who are suffering from heart disease and they will no longer need to travel far because the Ospital ng Malabon is equipped to help them,” the mayor said.

According to the OSMAL Chief, Dr. Jennifer Jane Amolo Lim, the new local government funded equipment will digitalize radiography services, which would be safer for all Malabueños. It will also help provide accurate diagnosis through advanced technology.

“D igital X-rays can result in up to 70 to 80 percent lower doses of radiation versus film. Even film x-rays

Among

1980s, Brembo emerged as the brake

system supplier for premium racing car Porsche. Not surprisingly, the brand has been developing brakes for other racing series since then. It has also become a standard choice for high-performance road cars, creating a unique market that caters to both worlds.

For more than 60 years, Brembo has set history by taking a growth path paved with technological, sports, and commercial milestones. No wonder, it has taken the status of a braking authority not just in its home market in Italy but also worldwide.

In fact, in many countries, the name has become synonymous with “brakes” especially for the most meticulous and sophisticated among car enthusiasts. After conquering markets across Europe, North America, and Asia, Brembo has been gearing up to

are safe, so this significant decrease is great news for Malabueños who are still worried about the effects of radiation exposure. This also helps our physicians diagnose our resident correctly and provide them with better service. While the upgrade in our ultrasound equipment also could greatly help due to its added features, we can now do other procedures such as congenital anomaly screening, vascular ultrasound as well as 3D imaging, with better resolution; better abdominal, pelvic, and cranial (for babies) ultrasound results for babies, pregnant women and it can detect other diseases,” Dr. Lim said.

She added that the 2D Echo Machine uses sound waves in detecting heart diseases, which is a powerful diagnostic method that offers a noninvasive (safe) and comprehensive assessment of cardiac health.

Dr. Lim said that through the machine, the real-time motion of heart and its anatomical structure can be observed which will provide more accurate results of the patient’s condition than the electrocardiogram (ECG) tests.

She shared that among the health concerns that can be detected by these equipment are respiratory diseases (such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, etc) heart enlargement and other complications, detection of congenital abnormalities of babies, and other problems in the different organs of the body including bones.

Malabueños in need of these procedures may visit the Ospital ng Malabon’s Outpatient Department for consultation which can also be availed for free from 8 am to 5 pm from Mondays to Fridays. Visit the hospital’s Facebook page for the schedule of consultation services. Emergency cases can also be catered 24 hours a day/7 days a week at the Emergency Care Department.

“We can assure Malabueños that the Ospital ng Malabon will continue to upgrade its services so that Malabueños will no longer have to worry about their health. This will be affordable for all. We will meet with private and public institutions so that we will be able to render even more medical services,” said Dr. Lim. Sandoval vowed to provide more programs that will quickly assist Malabuenos with medical needs as well as improve their quality of life.

Brembo brakes and other products.

GET ready to explore an array of innovative corporate gifts and premiums at the 37th Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show and Office Solutions, set to take place from June 26 to 28, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center Manila. This eagerly anticipated event promises to be a hub of creativity and inspiration for businesses seeking to leave a lasting impression on clients, partners, and employees.

Exhibitors at the Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show have expressed their excitement about showcasing their products and services to a diverse audience of professionals.

“Our first experience of Corporate Giveaways in 2023 was nothing short of new opportunities and confirmed business,” shares Rich Asuncion of Lumi Candles. “It was indeed worth investing in this event and we’re definitely coming back this 2024 with new offers for our existing and potential customers.”

Many exhibitors view this event as an excellent opportunity to connect with

decision-makers from companies of varied sizes

“Brembo seamlessly aligns with our company’s mantra, ‘good enough isn’t good enough,’ this, we confidently carry the brand through our partner stores and esteemed dealers,” said Ian Bangayan, the newly installed President of BSB Junrose Corporation, a major distributor of Brembo products in the Philippines.

“The strategic vision, ‘Turning Energy into Inspiration’ is anchored on Brembo’s extensive experience in its over 60-year history. Interestingly, BSB Junrose also relies on our own 55-year expertise, which drives us to constantly settle for

a new journey towards becoming an authority as a Solution Provider, facilitating integration of digital and sustainable automotive products and services. In the Philippines, Brembo has started making waves as a top choice for the replacement of brake discs and pads. The brand is also expanding its local portfolio of products offered to highly discerning Filipino automotive enthusiasts. BSB Junrose is proud to be distributing the best Brembo products and parts nationwide.

nothing less,” Bangayan added.

BSB Junrose commits to bringing the best of Brembo, not just through distributing the products but also through helping local automakers and consumers understand and appreciate the benefits brought to the table by Brembo’s cutting-edge braking technology. Ask the personnel in the company’s dealer stores and they will accurately identify key points and highlight the pros and cons, to the utmost benefit of customers.

“Our customers are constantly exploring for the best possible options. Surprisingly, in the past few months, several owners of entry-level vehicles are considering Brembo products. Truly, the brand is not exclusive to just high-end cars. We believe that every car deserves a Brembo,” Bangayan concluded. Visit any of BSB Junrose’s locations or dealers nationwide to inquire about and purchase Brembo products. You may also check out BSB Junrose’s FB Page or text/call 0917 165 8111.

MALABON Mayor Jeannie Sandoval at the blessing of the new equipment at the Ospital ng Malabon.

Transitions: from Media to PR

An Lennie Arboleda —Head of PR and Communications, Sun Life Philippines

n Maricar Bautista —Assistant Vice President for Media Relations, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

n Harold Geronimo, APR—Vice President for PR, Megaworld

n Abi Ho-Torres —AVP and Head, Customer Experience, Maynilad

n Liza Reyes— Head of Public Relations and Communications Strategy, Globe

n Cathy Yang— First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Communications, SMART & PLDT

n An anonymous seasoned PR Head with 25 years in PR for the same company ever since, and was a journalist for a national daily

1. WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO PR?

LENNIE: “I wanted to try something new after 10 years of being a radio DJ at ABS-CBN’s FM radio station, then called WRR 101.9 For Life!, and sidelining as a scriptwriter. My former professor, the late Bong Osorio, APR, was then the head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications Department, so I reached out to ask if there was any vacancy I could apply for. I thought I might have some potential in PR, and fortunately, he considered me for the position of Internal Communications Officer. That’s how my career in PR began.”

MARICAR: “I never thought I would get into public relations since I had been working in media for the longest time, straight from college. It was really my passion. I enjoyed covering a wide array of stories, interviewing people from all walks of life, covering significant events first-hand. But then opportunities came. It was also good to go out of one’s comfort zone and try new things, discover other areas one can still develop that would contribute to one’s growth.”

HAROLD: “The opportunity that came along the way to establish a career in public relations made my decision easier. Since I came from the media, going to PR meant bigger challenges in my career; media relations was the right path to take. It’s going into another fence, but it’s somehow connected.

I have seen how PR has become a significant part of every business operation, and I want to be part of that exciting journey. PR

is a very dynamic discipline and there are so many things that you can do that affect an organization or a business operation, and I want to take that exciting challenge.”

ABI: “I initially gave myself five years in the media, but I enjoyed myself so much that I extended that time limit to 10 years. I knew I didn't want to be an editor, so there was not much room for me to go up the ladder. felt that moving to “the other side” was the best way for me to achieve career growth. I also craved new challenges —I wanted to explore territories that I had never been in before. I also knew in my heart that that was the right time for me to move on.”

LIZA: “An opportunity came just before the pandemic broke out. I reflected a lot on my career, and felt that it was time to take the leap to PR. I took an interest in this field, lured by its dynamism and power to shape narratives, manage perceptions.”

CATHY: “I have always reveled in the idea of leading teams and learning the full spectrum of being a communicator. As FVP and Group Head for Corporate Communications at PLDT & Smart, I am able TO lead a dynamic team of multi-skilled communicators who write, take photos, engage media and stakeholders to help reinforce public support and create brand love. As Host of Cignal TV’s Thought Leaders with Cathy Yang, I am able to engage guests in conversations on issues and topics that encourage meaningful exchanges online.”

ANONYMOUS PR: “I was in PR ‘by no choice’ (as one of my media friends called my transition). From a reporter, I first joined a stock brokerage during the lead-up to the Asian Financial contagion when stock prices were setting record highs. That stock brokerage closed while I was pregnant with my second child. A client of our stockbrokerage had a vacancy on his team, initially a nowork, no-pay contract. After I gave birth, he ensured I got regularized. I stayed out of gratitude. It was only 10 years later that I began appreciating the work of PR, after I had already finished my MBA, and then gotten professional accreditation.”

2. WHAT ADJUSTMENTS DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE/LEARN/UNLEARN?

LENNIE: “I had to shift from being a talent to being a corporate employee. This meant changing the way I dress, adjusting to the typical 9 to 5 work hours, and fulfilling an entirely different set of KPIs. The most humbling of all, however, was realizing that my writing skills at that point needed much work. My first article was sent back to me by my boss with red marks all over it! It wasn’t easy but it was necessary, and I wouldn’t have gone further in my career if didn’t welcome feedback or opened myself up to learning.”

MARICAR: “In my case, I’m handling media relations so I’m still dealing with the media and still in touch with my friends in the industry. If there’s any adjustment, probably I’d say the corporate set-up, but I quickly adjusted to it during my first few months.”

HAROLD: “Coming from the media, it is a big adjustment in terms of the culture and how I position myself. Usually it is the companies, the PR agencies, and the PR practitioners, who reach out to the media. Shifting to the other side allows me to be the one to do that. Working in PR, especially for a company, requires you to be corporate in your demeanor. Your main job is to protect the reputation of your brand. As a reporter, it's different, such as when you cover disasters and calamities. A PR agency, on the other hand, has a culture of being creative, fun,

and servicing clients. There is more demand for a corporate look in a company setup, whereas in media, that look applies more to the political beat, the Senate, or if you are a TV anchor, in contrast to having general assignments or a graveyard shift.”

ABI: “I had to learn the ropes of the corporate world. literally had very little idea what I was getting into, although I did do some preparatory work by pursuing an MBA degree. By the time I moved to corporate, I only had less than a year of coursework left. That helped me get better acquainted with the basic functional areas of a business organization. The numerous case analyses that had to be done in all of my subjects helped me become more strategic in my approach to problem solving. That helped—and continues to help a lot in my journey as a PR, marketing, and now CX professional.

I had to get used to sitting behind a desk on most days, and having to be in the office for meetings. I had to always remember that I was no longer a reporter, and that I was now the one gatekeeping information that I used to do everything I can to get. I also had to be more conscious of what posted on social media. Having worked in government relations and in highly regulated industries, I could no longer be as vocal about a government agency or its services.”

LIZA: “Work load was my primary adjustment. I had to get used to the fact that I won’t be able to finish everything in a day. That was rather hard for me in the beginning because I was so used to starting my day with a new set of work obligations in my past work life. In the corporate world, it’s not like that. Basic O&P helped a lot— organization, what do need to do today and prioritization—what should I do first?”

CATHY: “It’s a steep learning curve I’ve had to latch on to since Day 1, in my shift from media to tech and telco. It would however have been more challenging had I not employed the rigor that I have as a journalist. Because it’s that same tenacity, and level of preparation and capacity to learn that are making me thrive in the wider ecosystem of the so-called TMT (tech, media and telco).

Unlearning anything would have done me, my team, the company, and our stakeholders a disservice as recognizing the full spectrum of any story, issue, or initiative helped keep us truthful, transparent, and timely in engaging our public. There is, however, a fine balancing act between transparency and confidentiality that we do have to tread in any given situation, and thus the limiting factors we face. But that is exactly where the media ought to step in and take on as a queue to dig further deeper, securing all sides, in keeping with a journalist’s mandate.”

ANONYMOUS PR: “I had to start viewing the world through rose-colored lenses. When something was bad, I had to find the silver lining (the tiny light at the end of the tunnel). In short, had to stop being cynical (which is the media mode—don’t believe everything you hear) and start being optimistic (it could have been worse, so be happy it's not).”

3. DID EXPERIENCE IN THE MEDIA BE AN ADVANTAGE TO PRACTICE PR?

LENNIE: “It surely did. Working in FM radio sharpened skills that would later become useful in PR. Presentation skills, for one, as being in PR requires you to be in the spotlight every now then, and it helps to know how to conduct yourself in front of an

audience and ensure that you get your message across clearly.

Another would be listening. People often associate presentation skills as most relevant to being in the media, but listening is just as important because it helps you ask the right questions, craft effective materials, and avoid potential misunderstanding.

Finally, the skill of establishing rapport with the people you meet. As media, this is important to make sure that you connect with the audience. In PR, I found this useful in building relationships with the media, which is an important aspect of the role.”

MARICAR: “I can say that it’s a big advantage to have worked in media as I am familiar with how things are done, especially in broadcasting, having worked as a TV reporter for so many years. The kind of stories media would find interesting to cover, the materials they would be needing to complete the story especially in the case of television, it requires visuals.

I anticipate possible videos/photos media would require, and prepare them ahead of time. It greatly helps that you also have good relations with the media since most of them are my friends, having worked closely with them through the years. I do understand their needs, especially when it comes to completing the stories they’re pursuing and so I do my utmost to provide whatever they need.”

HAROLD: “It’s an advantage because of the connection of media to PR. PR professionals deal with media since they are the conduits of the stories that we come out with. It’s an advantage in such a way that my former colleagues in the media, or those whom have been with during my coverages in the past, are now the same people, editors, and media executives who are decision-makers. It’s easier to connect to the media if you know the people and the decision-makers inside the organization.”

ABI: “My media experience helped me a lot in my transition. Initially, my network was my biggest asset. I knew many government officials and I had friendships and close personal relationships with reporters and editors from numerous publications. I knew what angles editors would be interested to publish and reporters would take the time and effort to pursue. I was familiar with the writing styles of several publications, allowing me to tailor my pitches to ensure publication.

My curiosity and inquisitiveness were also very useful in PR and in the general business environment. I did not take things at f ace value and always asked questions that nobody either thought of or wanted to verbalize. I researched a lot, and I knew where and how to get information. My exposure to different people, companies, and industries sharpened my ability to “connect the dots”—this proved very handy in solving problems.”

LIZA: “Sure it did, because you have knowledge of the media landscape, and the journalists. The relationship part is most crucial in doing PR, and doing it well.”

CATHY: “Yes, it was an advantage because keeping to the truth was always so much easier than finding ways to dodge it. I have been a key proponent of data-driven storytelling, experience I have brought along with me from media to tech and telco.

Backing up our narratives with data has made our press releases sharper, clearer, and more credible. Our social listening tool also gives us real-time insights on any given

situation, helping guide us when to act or react. On the other hand, analyzing the impact of what we’re publishing and posting through digital tools guides us proactively on what works and what does not, helping us course-correct along the way, if and when needed.”

ANONYMOUS PR: “Yes. But only because finding the right story/story angle came naturally. It wasn't hard to write the stories that editors/reporters would notice.”

4. WHAT CAN PR LEARN FROM THE MEDIA?

LENNIE: “PR can learn from the media how to be more objective, credible, and transparent in their messages, as well as how to adapt to the changing media landscape and leverage new platforms and formats.”

MARICAR: “In most cases, the media are working under tight deadlines. It would be good for us to be mindful of this. For instance, in providing company statements so it can be included in the story, it would be better to send it to the media way before the deadline.

Also, the primary task of the media is to make the public understand what the story, an event or issue is about. And so as communicators, we should present our stories/ narratives unambiguously, in simple terms, so it’s also clear and comprehensible.”

HAROLD: “PR should be able to understand that the media will always look for its “steak.” These are the stories that the media needs to come out with every single time.

PR practitioners should understand that no matter what it takes, the media will always look for the stories. That’s why the challenge for PR practitioners today is not to stop the media from creating stories, but to be creative in helping the media craft the stories, especially if it affects the reputation of the company that they are handling. You shouldn’t blame the media for coming up with something true, but relationships can help manage the way the media will angle their stories.”

ABI: “PR practitioners can benefit from the curiosity of the media. Never not ask questions.”

LIZA: “I consider the media as my partner. We both have a mission to bring our communications and messages across, we just have different objectives and audiences. I’d like to think that we are allies— there’s always a common ground if we open ourselves to each other’s point of view.”

CATHY: “The media are not the enemy. They are partners in disseminating truthful information. PR must respect the media's role in truth-telling. But while truth-telling may not always be beneficial to those negatively impacted, media must be held accountable in securing all sides first before publishing or posting anything that compromises the reputation of a brand, product or service.”

ANONYMOUS PR: “Basic writing. Editors complain about the press releases they receive. Write as a reporter would, succinctly and direct to the point. Even for feature stories.”

5. WHAT CAN MEDIA LEARN

FROM PR?

LENNIE: “Media can learn from PR how to build and maintain relationships with their sources, stakeholders, and publics, as well as how to craft compelling stories that

resonate with their readers and viewers.”

HAROLD: “The media should also understand that the main job of PR is to protect the reputation of its brand. If it destroys the reputation of the brand, the PR will protect the company’s reputation.”

ABI: “Media people can learn how to operate within hierarchies, which can then help improve their knowledge of who to talk to in order to corroborate leads and stories.”

LIZA: “The same message I stated earlier: consider the media as my partner. We both have a mission to bring our comms and message across, we just have different objectives and audiences. I’d like to think that we are allies—there’s always a common ground if we open ourselves to each other’s point of view.”

CATHY: “Media can see PR as a resource for furthering stories beyond just the headlines, connecting with voices otherwise deemed unreachable, and also nurturing a collaborative rather than antagonistic working relationship with PR agencies.”

6. YOUR CLOSING WORDS OF WISDOM.

LENNIE: “PR and media are two sides of the same coin. Hopefully, we continue to treat each other as allies with a shared responsibility to bring value to our audiences with integrity and honesty.”

MARICAR: “It’s always best to keep an open line of communication and maintain good relations with everyone. Makes work and life (in general) easier to handle.”

HAROLD: “It’s important for both the media and the PR to work together for the common good, not just for the benefit of one. There’s such a thing as a balance in the relationship. It’s only when they understand each other that an equilibrium will be achieved, which means both will be satisfied. That is the ideal setup in a media and PR relationship.”

ABI: “Never ever stop learning. No matter how much you know or how far you've gone, there is always room to learn more. Stay curious. Stay hungry. At the same time, share what you know. Ensure that the next generation of PR practitioners are well equipped to do their jobs properly.”

LIZA: “Never stop learning something new. Absorb and apply the knowledge you acquire, then give back the good you gain along the way.”

CATHY: “It’s good to explore both sides—media to PR, PR to media. It can only make you a better communicator.”

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of IPRA Philippines, the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior communications professionals around the world.

Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, IABC Fellow is a Consultant, Coach and Speaker on Business Communication and Strategic Public Relations with 43 years of experience in leading internal and external communication and PR in corporate, communities, academe and associations.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

LENNIE ARBOLEDA MARICAR BAUTISTA HAROLD GERONIMO, APRABI HO-TORRES LIZA REYES CATHY YANG

Easter Sunday package: Laurente and Boatwright

Coach Tim looks deep into future for Gilas program

BENNIE Boatwright is being lined up as the next naturalized Filipino player for Gilas Pilipinas, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio confirmed to BusinessMirror on Sunday.

Panlilio noted that Justin Brownlee remains the first-choice reinforcement at this time, even as officials form a pool of naturalized players for the next three years.

He [Boatwright] is aware that Justin Brownlee is still our No. 1 [naturalized player] but he is part of a pool of naturalized players,” Panlilio said. “The World Cup is still three years away.”

B oatwright’s addition gives the Philippines flexibility ahead of the Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

P ilipinas coaches headed by Tim Cone recommended the 6-foot-10 power forward from Los Angeles to SBP officials.

According to coach Tim [Cone] and the coaches, he has great attitude, great skills and can shoot from outside for a big man, still young and, more importantly, willing to be naturalized,” Panlilio said.

A s replacement import, Boatwright led San Miguel Beer to the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup championship in February where the Beermen beat the Magnolia Hotshots in six games with Boatwright averaging 24.1 points and 12 rebounds in the championship series.

He was brought in as replacement by the Beermen in

December after a tough start to the conference with Ivan Aska.

B oatwright joins Brownlee and Ateneo’s 6-foot-10 Ange Kouame in the Gilas pool of naturalized Filipino players.

J ordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz is Filipino-American but can only play for the Philippines in Fiba-sanctioned events if he takes the allotted spot for naturalized citizens.

T he 6-foot-5 Brownlee led the

Philippines to the Asian Games title last October in Hangzhou, however, the Ginebra star will be 39 when the Fiba Basketball World Cup tips off in Qatar.

K ouame will turn 27 in December this year, while Clarkson will be 32 in June.

B oatwright, a former USC Trojan in the US NCAA, was undrafted from the National Basketball Association’s pool of rookie aspirants in 2019. He currently plays for Chinese Basketball Association team Shanxi Loongs. Josef Ramos

Unbeaten pro Laurente heeds call, heads for final Olympics qualifier

By Josef Ramos

UNBEATEN pro Criztian Pitt Laurente was recalled to national team duties for the last boxing qualifier for the Paris Olympics in Bangkok in May.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) invited Laurente to a box off for the men’s 59-kg division which successfully passed by beating Mark Ashley Fajardo, who missed a ticket to Paris with his round-of-16 exit in the Busto Arsizio qualifier in February.

Tour Challenge last December— with the Ayala venue also hosting the Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy also last December besides being the official home of the national beach volleyball teams as well as a preferred training venue for Japan’s national squads.

A fter the AVC Beach Pro Tour backed by Foton, Akari, Mikasa, Senoh, Seda, Asics, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+ and Pilipinas Live, the PNVF and Nuvali will host the Volleyball World Beach Pro TourFutures from April 11 to 14.

T he Philippine team under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Prochina will have the women’s pairs of Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, and Alexa Polidario and Jenny Gaviola in the main’s draw.

I took the offer because that’s really a great opportunity,” the 5-foot-8 Laurente, a four-year pro with a 12-0 record with seven knockouts, told BusinessMirror on Easter Sunday.

The 24-year-old from General Santos City, an ABAP boxer from 2015 to 2019, the same

The tandems of James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, and Ranran Abdilla and AJ Pareja will also represent the country in the men’s main draw.         GEN

year he turned pro, will join Tokyo Olympics flyweight silver medalist Carlo Paalam, women’s middleweight Hergie Bacyadan and flyweight Rogen Ladon in the Bangkok qualifier set May 23 to June 3. They are hoping to join men’s light heavyweight Eumir Felix Marcial and women’s featherweight Nesthy Petecio, bronze and silver medalists in Tokyo, respectively, and women’s flyweight Aira Villegas in Paris. L aurente won gold at the 2016 Children of Asia tournament in Yakutsk, Russia, and clinched bronze at the 2018 Asian Boxing Confederation Youth in Bangkok. He also captured gold in the 2012 and 2014 Palarong Pambansa and 2016 Philippine National Games and saw action in the Asian Junior Championships in Palawan. I thought of becoming a pro because I was no longer part of the national team at that time [2019],” he said. “That’s why I continued boxing as a professional while I’m studying in General Santos City.”

Volleyball

on Bennie Boatwright for the future.

Mongolia’s Munkhdalai Batochir in a non-title fight.

I’m thankful for the support of my father [Cristino] and my promoter [Gerry Peñalosa] to pursue my Olympic dream while it is still possible,” he said.

L aurente said he needs to adjust to amateur boxing.

H e last fought in March 2023 in South Korea where he beat

San Carlos City kids go big time

AN CARLOS City capped a sevenmatch swing with a 3-1 victory over USA Blue in the final to capture the Under-12 Silver Plate crown of the Real Madrid Foundation World

Championship in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday. The San Carlos kids advanced to the Silver Plate from Group B where the team—coached by Jose Dennis Peñalosa and Francis Roy Barcuma—booked a 1-win, 1-draw, 1-loss record against teams from the USA and Canada.

It was a fiercer San Carlos squad in the Silver Plate with the youngsters shut out the United Arab Emirates 10-0 and edged Turkey, 3-2, and USA Purple, 1-0, before beating the other American team in the championship match courtesy of John Jacob Sildura.

The victory is the fruit of years of cooperation between Fundación Real Madrid and Filipino NGO Fundación Santiago within the framework of the Escuela Socio Deportiva SiPa sa San Carlos.

The 12 players were made the team based not only on their football skills but also on how they represented the values of the Escuela Socio Deportiva.

Their participation was made possible through Aboitiz Power, San Julio Realty and Studio 300 as well as the priceless support of San Carlos City led by Mayor Rena Gustilo, the San Carlos Development Board and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson.

In amateur, it’s more on quantity over quality, more hand speed and fast pace because it’s only three rounds or more on points,” he said. “In pro, it’s more on quality than quantity, more on power.”

“ But my adjustments is no cause for alarm because I boxed as an amateur,” he added.

Senator Go disgusted over beating of young, neophyte taekwondo jin

SENATOR Christopher “Bong”

Go expressed deep concern over a disturbing incident involving a 17-year-old female taekwondo jin who was severely injured d uring a sparring session.

The incident at the Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation Inc. in Bocaue, Bulacan, last February 27 sparked a national conversation on the safety and protection of young athletes.

The taekwondo novice was placed in a highly mismatched sparring session against a male black belt who was significantly heavier and more skilled.

A v ideo of the incident showed the female athlete enduring a barrage of punches and kicks, resulting in severe injuries, including bruises and a swollen face despite the presence of a trainer.

“Having seen the video, I find it very distressing watching how a 17-year-old neophyte was mercilessly beaten by a male black belter almost twice her weight during their practice session,” Go said.

Sparring sessions are designed to hone the skills of our budding athletes,” he said. “They are not intended to injure or potentially kill them.”

G o underscored the responsibility

of trainers and coaches present during contact sports sessions to prevent s uch incidents. There must be a monitor especially in contact sports. And it’s the coach himself who should be looking over the athlete,” Go said. “This could also be covered by the rights of a minor.”

G o commended the police for filing charges under the Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and D iscrimination Act.

H e called on the involved school to actively support the victim in seeking justice.

We expect the school to look into this and bring the victim to justice,” Go said.

FRANCE says it has asked 46 countries if they would be willing to supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics this summer as organizers finalize security planning for the French capital’s first Games in a century while on heightened alert against potential attacks.

The Interior Ministry said over the weekend that the request for foreign security assistance was made in January, seeking nearly 2,185 reinforcements.

The officers are sought to help with Games security and “the spectator experience” and to “strengthen international cooperation,” the ministry said.

This is a classic approach of host countries for the organization of major international events,” the ministry added.

It noted that France sent 200 of its gendarmes to soccer’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and also welcomed 160 officers from other European security forces for the Rugby World Cup that France hosted last year.

Separately, the French Defense Ministry has also asked foreign nations for “small numbers” of military personnel who could help with “very specific” t asks at the Games, including sniffer dog teams, said Col. Pierre Gaudillière, spokesman for the army general staff. Poland’s defense minister said his country will be sending soldiers to the Paris Games.

The Polish armed forces delegation will include dog handlers and “its main goal will be to undertake activities related to the detection of explosives and counteracting terrorist phenomena.” the minister, W ładysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, posted on X. AP

TIM CONE and his Gilas Pilipinas deputies have their eyes