BusinessMirror April 25, 2024

THE national government posted a P272.6-billion budget gap in the fi rst quarter of the year, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday.

Data from the Treasury showed the budget deficit from January to March inched up by 0.65 percent from the P270.9-billion gap recorded in the same period last year.

However, the state’s budget deficit narrowed by 6.82 percent to P195.9 billion in March from P210.3 billion in the same month in 2023, based on Treasury data. is is on the back of an 11.32-per-

THE country’s economic growth will likely disappoint given the El Niño phenomenon and rising inflation, according to analysts of the US-based Global Source Partners think tank.

In an economic brief, Global Source Partners analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Manalac said the country’s growth may be lower than the 6 to 7 percent full-year target range. is was based on their analysis of the results of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) latest Business and Consumer Expectation surveys. e results of these surveys, the analysts said, are good indicators to determine the country’s national output.

“Abstracting from the results

of the BSP surveys of both business and consumer respondents, the fi rst quarter is likely to sustain positive economy growth which may not necessarily approximate the official target of 6-7 percent at least for Q1 2024 due to the downside risks to economic growth, including the prolonged dry spell and the rising trend in infl ation,” the analysts said. ey noted that the Confidence Index (CI) of consumers was less

RENE A.V. SAGUISAG, former senator, human rights lawyer and freedom fighter, has died, his family announced on Wednesday. “As we mourn his loss, we take solace in the enduring impact of his legacy. Rene Saguisag was a dedicated public servant, and his tireless endeavors as a human rights advocate, senator,

cent year-on-year revenue growth in relation to the 3.18-percent increase in government spending.

Revenue collections from January to March reached P933.7 billion, higher by 14.05 percent than the P818.7 billion recorded in the same period in 2023.

Broken down, 87.85 percent of the national government’s revenue collections for the period were raised through taxes at P820.3 billion, while the remaining 12.14 percent or P113.4 billion came from non-tax sources. For the January to March period, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected a total of P591.8 billion, posting a double-digit YoY growth of 17.15

percent from P505.2 billion, based on Treasury’s data.

Cumulative collections by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) grew by 2.35 percent year-on-year to P218.9 billion from P213.8 billion.

Non-tax revenues by the Treasury for the three-month period improved by 85.26 percent to P72.3 billion from the P39 billion recorded last year due to higher dividend remittances, interest on advances from government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs). Meanwhile, collection from other offices (other non-tax including privatization proceeds and fees and charges) for the three-month period plunged YoY by 21.83 per-

cent to P41.1 billion from P52.6 billion.

Expenditures up 10.7%

ON the other hand, government expenditures for January to March 2024 also expanded by 10.72 percent to P1.206 trillion from P1.089 trillion. Overall primary expenditures for the three-month period rose to P1.0 trillion, up by 6.94 percent (P65.8 billion) from the previous year’s comparable figure. Interest payments for the same period climbed to P193 billion or by 35.93 percent from P142 billion.

Rizal Commercial Banking

IF the Philippines intends to maximize the revenue potential from digital economy, it must join regional or multilateral agreements that are formed to better tax big tech, according to a study commissioned by the national government’s think tank.

In a research paper published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), University of the Philippines College of Law Assistant Professor Emerson S. Bañez analyzed the country’s existing tax laws on digital commerce.

Bañez performed a gap analysis of Philippine tax laws’ applicability to digital transactions. e analysis looked into the shortcomings of the existing laws relative to tax models from other regions.

“Optimizing the local tax base and passing unilateral measures can only go so far. Even if the BIR can scale its tax mapping and inspection operations to include private residences without raising constitutional objections, there is still the question of whether or not it can apply the same to nonresidents,” Bañez said.

“ us, the Philippines should continue to explore multilateral options for the reallocation of taxing rights and to address BEPS. Options include regional tax treaties [e.g., at the ASEAN level] and the OECD framework treaty,” he added. Bañez found there are 21 varia-

ursday, April 25, 2024

tions of six revenue models—subscription; pay-as-you-go; ad revenue; fi nancing; commission; and gaming/gambling.

ese models work through value flows as well as actors that together form a network that guide tax policies. e actors are end users; online marketplace; online seller; manufacturer; payment systems provider; technology provider; internet service provider; advertiser; and delivery driver.

e fi ndings showed platforms, such as online marketplaces, streaming services, and gaming sites, are central to the network of value flows. Given these, unilateral measures, such as the creation of local legislation, to tax the gig economy will not be enough. rough cooperation, the country can use “blunt tools” such as complete denial of market access.

“Beyond the immediate need to expand the tax base and raise new revenue, there is a growing political pressure to curb the power of ‘big tech’ and require them to pay their fair share,” the study stated.

“Imposing unilateral measures on nonresidents through local legislation alone, however, will depend on the nonresidents’ [and their home jurisdictions’] incentives to cooperate with tax administrations,” it added.

e study noted that one bill lodged at the House of Representatives, House Bill 7425, will require nonresident digital service providers with gross sales of above P3 million to register for VAT.

Additional revenue of P10.7B BAÑEZ said the Department of Finance gave an initial projection of P10.7 billion in additional revenues every year arising from the proposed law.

In 2022, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said his colleagues voted to pass the proposed Digital Economy VAT, the Ease of Paying Taxes Bill and the measure imposing excise tax on plastic bags.

ese measures are eligible for swift approval under Rule 10, Section 48 of the House of Representatives as these bills were approved on third and fi nal reading in the Lower House during the 18th Congress. Salceda particularly noted that the proposed Digital Economy VAT law will close ambiguities in the VAT system that have allowed some digital services and goods sold over the digital space to remain outside VAT-coverage.

e lawmaker added that some P154 billion in incremental revenues over five years could go into government coffers if the bill is enacted into law.

e proposal seeks to impose a 12-percent VAT on providers of online services like the Netfl ix, Spotify and Lazada platforms. (See: www. businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/17/ house-panel-oks-tax-on-plastics-ecommerce/). Cai U. Ordinario

BTr...

Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the budget deficit in the fi rst quarter of 2024 is due to the P116.8-billion YoY increase in government expenditures accompanied by higher interest payments, which caused increased debt servicing costs.

“For the coming months, further pickup in business and other economic activities would still lead to higher government tax revenue collections amid intensified tax collection efforts, as well as other priority tax/fi scal reform measures,” Ricafort said. e economist said that tax and other fi scal reform measures could lead to “narrower/better” budget deficits and deficit-to-GDP ratio below the international threshold of 60 percent. e deficit-to-GDP stood at 6.2 percent as of end2023, while the deficit ceiling is set at P1.39 trillion.

PHL mariners can’t join ships for Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has banned Filipino seafarers from boarding passengers or cruise ships bound for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In his Department Order (DO) No. 2, series of 2024, DMW Officerin-Charge Hans Cacdac said the measure aims to ensure the safety of Filipino sailors in the designated “war-like zones.”

“As such, all Filipino seafarers to be employed for passengers/ cruise vessels shall be not allowed to traverse on the above mentioned zones effective immediately,” Cacdac said in the one-page order dated April 24, 2024.

In a Viber message, DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia clarified the order will not cover

Filipino sailors onboard cargo ships, which will pass through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Last month, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) decided to elevate the status of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea from “highrisk” to “warlike” areas. is, after Houthi rebels hijacked last year the ship, Galaxy Leader, and launched a missile attack against the merchant vessel True Confidence in March.

e incidents of violence in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea prompted the Maritime Industry

Tripartite Council (MITC) to call for intensified measures to protect Filipino sailors from the risks in the said areas. Under DO 2, Licensed Manning Agencies (LMAs) must sign an “affi rmation letter” guaranteeing that the vessels their seafarers board will not pass through the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden and the submit it to the DMW Online Processing System for Sea-based together with the required processed Standard Employment Contract.

e letter will contain the itinerary of the vessel as well as the assurance that the crew of the ship was informed about it.

“ e seafarers to be assigned to the passenger/cruise ships are likewise required to affi x their signatures to indicate their concurrence to the said affi rmation letter confi rming knowledge that the vessel they will be boarding will not traverse the aforementioned WOA [warlike operation areas],” Cacdac said.

Growth...

negative at -10.9 percent in the fi rst quarter of 2024 from -19 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. is was largely due, they said, to expectations of additional and higher income; availability of more jobs and permanent employment; and additional working family members. e data, the analysts also pointed out, showed the country’s business sentiment was less optimistic in the fi rst quarter of 2024 as the Confidence Index (CI) of 33.1 percent dropped by 2.8 percentage points (ppts) from 35.9 percent in the last quarter of 2023.

e analysts said the results were not surprising, however, as the previous BES reported that businesses expected some slowdown in the fi rst quarter of 2024.

“Consumption spending may receive an additional boost from better consumer sentiment but business’s less optimistic expectations may partially hold it back,” the analysts said.

Balisacan optimistic

EARLIER , Socioeconomic Planning

Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said higher-for-longer interest rates and current geopolitical risks that threaten to cause a spike in oil and food prices are not enough rea-

Saguisag...

and writer, stand as a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice, truth and democracy,” the statement said.

e family asked for some time to grieve privately, and will announce wake details soon.

As a pillar of the human-rights lawyers group MABINI during the regime of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., Saguisag waged many lonely battles in court but was also active in the parliament of the streets.

After the 1986 Edsa revolt, he joined the Cabinet of Corazon C. Aquino in various roles of spokesman and presidential legal counsel, among others.

Elected to the Senate in 1987, he chaired the Ethics committee and championed measures to uphold integrity in public service, notably the law mandating annual fi ling of the Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713). He was the main author of the Ombudsman Act of 1989. He also chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

e Philippine fl ag at the Senate grounds was flown at half mast on Wednesday in honor of Saguisag.

Senators mourn loss LAMENTING Saguisag’s demise, Senators cited the “great loss to the people,” especially the marginalized.

In a statement, Senator Grace Poe said: “We condole with the nation for the loss of a staunch advocate for good governance and justice. “A legal luminary, he [Saguisa] has devoted his time and brilliance to many, especially the disadvantaged in society,” she added. Poe recalled that “in our citizenship battle with the courts, Sen. Rene Saguisag had stood with us, unconditionally lending his wit and wisdom, and for this, we will forever hold him dear.”

She was referring to the citizenship challenge hurled against her to derail her bid to run for president in 2016.

Sen. Nancy Binay, whose father, former Vice President and Makati Mayor Jojo Binay was a close friend and fellow advocate in the MABINI lawyers’ group, said his passing “is a heavy loss for us in the family.”

e senator said, “Tito Rene was a close friend of my father during the dark years of Martial Law, and during those times, I witnessed his skill, diligence and, above all, his

sons for the national government to give up on its growth targets this year.

e country’s chief economist noted the optimism of international observers who still believe the Philippine economy will grow around 6 percent or better and be among the fastest-growing economies in Asia this year.

e Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that the country’s GDP will breach 6 percent this year and next year. e World Bank, meanwhile, expects Philippine GDP to grow 5.9 percent annually between 2024 and 2026. (See: www.businessmirror.com. ph/2024/04/24/government-keepinggrowth-goals-despite-risks/).

Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it could delay any rate cuts to the fi rst quarter of 2025, pending improvements in the country’s economic performance, including cooler infl ation. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2024/04/09/inflation-mayprompt-rate-cuts-delay-to-2025/)

However, Balisacan said the hawkish stance of the Monetary Board is a given and has already been considered in the government’s growth assumptions.

e National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary also said rate cuts are not expected anytime soon as infl ation remained high.

deep concern for people who have less in life and in law.

“It was an honor to have known a true statesman and patriot whose dedication and deep compassion for our nation were unequaled.”

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros recalled: “Senator Saguisag stood alongside us in opposing the extension of martial law in Mindanao in 2017. I also had the distinct honor of having him as my legal counsel, and his dedication to his profession and advocacy have inspired me deeply. He was steadfast in defending our democratic values and protecting the rights of all citizens. His passing represents a very sad loss to our country, as we bid farewell to a true champion of human rights.”

To Hontiveros, “He will always be remembered as one of the ‘Magnificent 12” whose bold choice to terminate foreign military bases reshaped our history and affi rmed our sovereignty. Even in his absence, his legacy will continue to live on.”

Senator Chiz Escudero, in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, said: “My sincere condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of former Senator Rene V. Saguisag. He was a patriot, a nationalist and an honest public servant,” Escudero said.

Senator Robin Padilla, for his part, said: “Unbeknownst to everyone, Ka Rene has become my close friend, and I consider him a mentor when he became my lawyer back in the day—not only in matters of law but in matters of life.”

Also mourning Saguisag’s passing was the family of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr. In a statement shared with BM , Burgos’s widow Edita said: “With much sadness, the Burgos family bids goodbye to a pure heart, a courageous defender, a principled lawyer, a comrade in the battle for what is just and right and a dear friend. ank you Rene for standing with the Burgos family, the We Forum and the pre-Edsa Malaya family too, defending the freedom of expression.” Saguisag was one of the lead lawyers who defended the Burgoses and the journalists working with them after the December 1982 WE Forum raid.

Edita said she was grateful for the chance to see Saguisag one last time last April 9, when he, along with several others called ’Pillars of Bantayog’ were honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.

“Rest now Rene with your Dulce. I will treasure the last look with a glimmer of recognition you gave me, as you whispered, ’the wife of Joe, my friend,” said Edita Burgos. Dulce, Saguisag’s wife, died in a car crash nearly two decades ago.

@sam_medenilla

ArcoVia City’s new PEZA cyberpark status leads to incentives, perks for IT-BPOs

LEED-certified office buildings, residential condos, an iconic hotel, and an exciting mix of retail and dining establishments highlight the vibrancy of this 12.3-hectare township along C5 in Pasig

By Rence David

PROPERTY giant Megaworld’s 12.3-hectare ArcoVia City in Pasig City has notched its latest milestone after formally receiving accreditation as a cyberpark from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), becoming the second such development from Megaworld along C5 Road.

Back in 1999, Megaworld notched a historic first in the Philippines after its pioneering livework-play township, Eastwood City in Quezon City, was granted the first-ever cyberpark accreditation by PEZA. This milestone proves to be a major achievement in the country’s booming business sector as it paved the way for the rise of the IT-BPO industry in the Philippines, which has since become a major contributor to the economy.

An efficient ecosystem to grow businesses

IT-BPO companies and multinational firms that call Megaworld townships their home enjoy the unparalleled convenience of operating within an efficient community that emphasizes seamless connectivity and mobility.

Continuing to take shape as one of the major developments along the prime segment of the C5 corridor, ArcoVia City enjoys strategic proximity to Bonifacio Global City, the Makati central business district (CBD), and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), while also being very accessible to the Ortigas CBD.

Today, ArcoVia City is rising fast as a vibrant and sustainable township, with more commercial establishments having already opened within the ArcoVia Parade. This includes restaurants and cafés like Italianni’s, Mary Grace, Texas Roadhouse, Nono’s, UCC Clockwork, Pho Hoa, and Randy’s Donuts, as well as several other retail outlets. There’s also the Manila Padel Club, a perfect facility not just for fitness enthusiasts but also for families and

friends looking to bond through healthy competition.

High-rise residential condos and Megaworld’s tallest hotel to date

ASIDE from these, several residential condo towers are already rising inside the township. Megaworld recently topped off its first residential condominium in ArcoVia City, the 45-story 18 Avenue de Triomphe. Construction is also underway for two other skyscrapers: the two-tower ArcoVia Palazzo (40 and 45 stories tall) and the 50-story ArcoVia Parkplace. All three developments feature smart home units and sweeping views of the Metro Manila skylines, the mountains of Rizal, as well as the iconic Arco de Emperador. Soon, the township will also feature its own hotel with the 31-story ArcoVia Hotel, Megaworld’s second hotel in Pasig City, rising as its tallest hotel development to date. Inspired by Neoclassical architecture, ArcoVia Hotel will feature 339 hotel rooms, as well as four dining outlets, its own Executive Lounge, and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 individuals, among other amenities.

One of Megaworld’s 37 LEEDcertified office buildings

INSIDE the township is the 17-story One Paseo, a state-of-theart green office building with more than 23,000 square meters of gross leasable area. Further highlighting Megaworld’s thrust towards sustainability, One Paseo boasts

detection and alarm systems, as well as a fire sprinkler system for common and office areas; a seismic detection and monitoring system; CCTV monitoring in select common areas; a building management system; and more.

One Paseo can be easily accessed by vehicles and pedestrians coming from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, Taguig, or Antipolo. The building is just one of the many office developments rising inside ArcoVia City. ArcoVia City is one of the 31 live-work-play township developments by property giant Mega-

ONE Paseo inside ArcoVia City, one of 37 LEED-certified Megaworld office buildings in the country today, stands as proof of the company’s continuing thrust to integrate sustainability within its township developments.

FACING the iconic Arco de Emperador, ArcoVia Hotel will be managed by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the country’s biggest hotel developer and operator, and will formally open its doors by 2029.

Reforms in place to prevent extrajudicial killings, human rights violations–DOJ

T“We remind those in charge of the administration of justice that there are no shortcuts in enforcing peace and order. It is of primordial consideration that we, as responsible State enforcers, uphold the rule of law and resolve to protect and promote human rights,”Remulla said.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) vowed on Wednesday to implement all the necessary measures to address extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and other vicious practices being committed by government security forces.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also reminded law enforcers not to resort to unlawful killings and respect human rights while performing their duties.

“We are taking all the necessary steps to

strengthen the criminal justice system and hold to account the perpetrators of these violations,” Remulla said in a statement. Remulla issued the statement in response to the report released by the US State Department noting that EJKs remain “a serious problem” in the country.

This was despite the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that his administration’s war on drugs would be focused on catching “bigger fish” and providing means for the rehabilitation of drug users.

The war on drugs started during the previous

Duterte administration where more than 6,000 people were believed to have been killed.

“Extrajudicial killings, largely by police but also by other security forces, remained a serious problem. In addition, politically motivated killings, including of journalists, were reported during the year,” the report, which covered the year 2023, said.

Citing data from nongovernment organization Dahas PH, the US State Department said there were 209 killings that were reported in relation to the anti-drug campaign from January to August 2023.

PCO warns public against 'deepfake' about Marcos

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Presidential Communications Office

T(PCO) on Wednesday said there are now attempts to use artificial intelligence (AI) to spread false information about President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Last Wednesday, PCO issued an advisory warning the public of “deepfake” or advance digital false content from generative

AI, which is “designed to sound like the President,” which circulated on the video streaming platform, Youtube. The audio deepfake attempts to make it appear as if the President has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against China. “No such directive exists nor has been made,” PCO said. The video was already taken down from Youtube as of press time.

Following the incident, PCO announced it is intensifying its drive against “deepfake,” fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation through its Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Campaign.

It said it is coordinating and working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Security Council (NSC), the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency

‘Rise in CMMVs sighting in WPS coincided with drills’

PHILIPPINE Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore

Roy Vincent Trinidad on Tuesday said the rise of “Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels” (CMMVs) sightings coincided with the opening of this year’s “Balikatan” military exercise with the Americans.

He assured all stakeholders that reforms have been put in place to correct the mindset of law enforcers and make them responsible for their actions.

The Amnesty International urged Marcos Jr. on Wednesday to make an “explicit and categorical policy pronouncement to end the so-called war on drugs and EJKs.”

The group claimed that there were at least 600 individuals killed during the first 19 months of the Marcos administration despite its promise to depart from the bloody war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

Committee (NCIAC), and relevant private sector stakeholders on the said initiative.

“We ask everyone to be proactive in exposing and fighting against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Let us remain and be more mindful and responsible of the content we choose to share in our shared digital spaces,” PCO said.

“Let us all be more vigilant against such manipulated digital content that are deployed by actors to propagate malicious content online and advance a malign influence agenda,” it added.

Officials of PHL Navy, US Marine tackle evolving security challenges

By Rex Anthony Naval

AS Balikatan 2024 kicked off this week, Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. and United States 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm met recently to discuss evolving security challenges.

Ties with SASF

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said 124 assorted Chinese ships were monitored in the WPS from April 16 to April 22. It said these included 110 CMMVs, 11 China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs) and three People’s Liberation Navy (PLAN) craft for the period mentioned.

IS the country seeing a “new chapter” of the “pastillas” scheme where corrupt immigration officials illegally allowed entry to unqualified aliens for a fee?

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros raised this question on Wednesday as she signaled plans to seek an inquiry into reports that many Chinese nationals have been spotted near intended sites in Cagayan under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

In a statement, Hontiveros noted that “Visa Upon Arrival” (VUA) and other immigration

“This coincided with the launching of ‘Balikatan’. So, there is a surge in the presence of maritime militia specifically in Bajo De Masinloc and Pagasa,” he added.

This year’s “Balikatan” exercise will run from April 22 to May 10 and involve around 11,000 US troops and around 5,000 Filipino soldiers. Rex Anthony Naval

Seven CCGVs and 31 CMMVs were spotted in Bajo De Masinloc; three CCGVs and 28 CMMVs in Ayungin Shoal; one PLAN, one CCGV, and 44 CCMVs in Pagasa Island; three CMMVs for Parola; one PLAN for Lawak; four CMMVs for Panata; one PLAN in Patag. This is high compared to the average 50 to 110 assorted Chinese vessels sighted in the WPS for the last two weeks.

Probe on reported influx of Chinese students in Cagayan sought (DFA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Coast Guard, and other government agencies about “alarming discoveries.”

processes have been abused in the past, as it enabled the unchecked entry of Chinese nationals working for Philippine offshore gaming operators.

“Our hearings on the Pastillas Scam led to the suspension of the VUA system at that time. The same might apply in this alarming new development,” she said. She recalled that in Thailand, several Chinese visitors “pretending to be Filipinos” were apprehended.

“It turns out that they are sowing trouble in

the Asean region. This might be connected as well to the reported surge of Chinese students in Cagayan,” she said.

“Maghahainakongresolusyontungkoldito.

Maliban sa posibleng paglabag sa ating mga prosesosaimmigration, the Senate should look into the reported presence of Chinese nationals around EDCA sites. This is a national security concern that must be addressed,” she added.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers had expressed alarm over the “escalating presence” of the Chinese in the Philippines, spanning workers, businessmen, tourists, and now even students.

During hearings of various House committees, Barbers and fellow representatives confronted the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs

These, Barbers noted, include instances of Chinese nationals acquiring Filipino birth certificates, driver’s licenses, Unified MultiPurpose Identification (UMID) cards, passports, and even accreditations and membership in the Philippine Coast Guard. “The only sure thing right now is that corruption at its worst has eaten us up. This is the only logical explanation.” He said, adding: “If these Chinese nationals can get all these accreditations and buy our agricultural and private lands, acquire and lease properties and other assets, enroll in our universities on the pretext and cover of exchange student programs, work here without permits, obtain loans from our banks, then abscond or leave the country without a trace, then we are drafting our epitaph as a nation.” Butch Fernandez

“Likewise discussed were the impact of this annual bilateral exercise to the modernization efforts of the PN, the troop deployment across different operational areas during the exercise, and the cyber warfare as an emerging domain, reflecting a proactive approach to evolving security challenges,” Navy Spokesman John Percie Alcos said in a statement late Tuesday night.

He added that both officials also had “a fruitful exchange” on strengthening the coordination and interoperability between the Philippine and US forces toward the promotion of regional security and the protection of shared interests.

During the meeting, Adaci congratulated Cederholm on his appointment as commander of the Joint Task Force for the US-led “Balikatan” Exercise, citing his leadership and commitment to regional security cooperation.

For his part, Cederholm reaffirmed dedication to advancing mutual cooperation and interoperability being among the steady partners of the PN in improving the capacity and capability of its marine forces through exercises like “Balikatan.”

MEANWHILE , the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said it keen on expanding its cooperation with the Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) following the visit of its chief, Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño to Madrid from April 14 to 19.

In a statement Wednesday, the PAF said Parreño met with key military leaders of the SASF led by its chief-of-staff Gen. Javier Salto Martínez-Avial.

“Both Air Forces engaged in highlevel discussions focused on solidifying cooperation and enhancing interoperability to better address future challenges,” it said.

The PAF said Parreño expressed his appreciation to Salto for the warm welcome and emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between the PAF and SASF.

During his visit, Parreño toured key facilities, including the Matacan Air Force Base and the CESEDEN-Higher Center for National Defense Studies.

He was further honored with an invitation to attend the inauguration of the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché office in Madrid.

“This successful visit to Spain underscores the PAF’s dedication to forging stronger relationships with its international counterparts, reinforcing our commitment to global cooperation and mutual growth in defense capabilities,” the PAF said.

“This engagement reflects the sustainment of the strong and enduring partnership between the PN and the US Marine Corps in advancing shared commitment to regional peace and stability,” Alcos said.

DTI vows to intensify actions against substandard construction materials

By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has expanded its Vape Law enforcement program, this time focusing on cracking down on substandard construction materials proliferating in the market.

Assistant Secretary Amanda Marie F.

Nograles told reporters during a briefing last week that the DTI’s Consumer Protection Group (CPG) expanded its “Task Force Kalasag” (TF Shield). Nograles, also head of the DTI CPG, said that the task force has enforced provisions of Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act). “Ngayon, sakop na rin nito yung

pag-enforce natin, yung paghuli ng substandard construction materials like steel, cement, wood [and] glass; yung mga ginagamit sa bahay,” she said.

Saying that home construction has been on the rise, Nograles underscored the importance of intensifying efforts to crack down on low-quality house building materials.

“Nagiging problema kasi ‘yung talamaknapracticengayon.‘Pagpumuntasa hardware stores angatingmga consumers, angtanongsakanila,‘Anoanggustomo: substandard or mahal?,’” Nograles said during the briefing.

The DTI-CPG official stressed the need to correct this “default mindset,” adding the matter is an issue of safety for consumers.

Nograles added that DTI officials have also met traders “to know what’s happening on the ground.” She noted that the DTI not only increased the members of the task force but also its budget.

Apart from the seizure of substandard materials, firms selling these low-quality materials face penalties of roughly $1,735 (at current exchange rates) to about $5,204,

based on the Consumer Act, or RA 7394. “For example, ‘yung penalty natin [on] deceptive sale. Kung‘yungbakalnakalagay sa kanya 9 millimeters (mm), pero pag sinukat mo 7mm [lang]; that’s deceptive sale. Under the Consumer Act, P100,000 ‘yun up to P300,000,” Nograles said. She added the DTI will review the penalties under RA 7394.

BCDA doubles remittances to NG, gives P1.1B

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it doubled its remittances to the government, contributing P1.1 billion in dividends in 2024 from the P527 million in 2023.

According to BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang, the state-run firm’s dividend remittance to the national government, “reflects its sustained good financial standing amid efficient revenue generation and expenditure management.”

This year, Bingcang said, “We are

In a statement on Wednesday, BCDA said it has remitted P1.1 billion in dividends to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), “providing additional support for the national government’s expenditures and efforts to propel economic growth this year.” This brought BCDA’s total dividends to the national government to almost P9.6 billion since its inception in 1992.

remitting more than the share mandated by the law as testament to our commitment to nation building.”

On top of dividends, the BCDA said it also remits to the BTr guarantee fees for the loan of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), as well as proceeds from its asset disposition program, which is distributed to “several” beneficiary agencies, primarily the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Republic Act 7656 or the Dividend

Law requires all government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their net earnings as dividends.

The BCDA said its remittance this year represents 75 percent of its net earnings in 2023.

In 2022, BCDA said it remitted P885 million in dividends to the national government, or half of its P1.77-billion net earnings in 2021. The agency’s earnings in 2022 was fueled by “wind -

fall collections” coming from the leases and assets for disposition, such as the joint venture agreement with SM Prime Holdings to develop the Bonifacio South Pointe and the close-out agreement for the Serendra Property. BCDA is a development corporation vested with corporate powers under Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992. The agency is mandated to help strengthen the Armed Forces and engages in public-private partnerships “to push forward vital public infrastructure such as tollways, airports, seaports, and also major real estate developments.”

The BCDA Group is composed of the BCDA and its subsidiaries—the Clark Development Corporation, the Clark International Airport Corporation, the Poro Point Management Corporation, the John Hay Management Corporation, and the North Luzon Railways Corporation. Andrea E. San Juan

The World

UN calls for independent probe into mass graves uncovered at two Gaza hospitals raided by Israel

By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—The United Nations called Tuesday for “a clear, transparent and credible investigation” of mass graves uncovered at two major hospitals in war-torn Gaza that were raided by Israeli troops.

Credible investigators must have access to the sites, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters, and added that more journalists need to be able to work safely in Gaza to report on the facts.

Earlier Tuesday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “horrified” by the destruction of the Shifa medical center in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis

as well as the reported discovery of mass graves in and around the facilities after the Israelis left.

He called for independent and transparent investigations into the deaths, saying that “given the prevailing climate of impunity, this should include international investigators.”

“Hospitals are entitled to very special protection under international humanitarian law,” Türk said. “And the intentional killing

of civilians, detainees and others who are ‘hors de combat’ (incapable of engaging in combat) is a war crime.”

US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel on Tuesday called the reports of mass graves at the hospitals “incredibly trou -

Senate overwhelmingly passes $95 billion in war aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves & Farnoush Amiri

WThe

Associated Press

ASHINGTON—The Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.

The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 79-18 vote late Tuesday after the House had approved the package Saturday. Biden, who worked with congressional leaders to win support, said in a statement immediately after passage that he will sign it Wednesday and start the process of sending weapons to Ukraine, which has been struggling to hold its front lines against Russia.

“Tonight, a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point,” Biden said.

The legislation would also send $26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza, and $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. US officials said about $1 billion of the aid could be on its way shortly, with the bulk following in coming weeks.

In an interview with The Associated Press shortly before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that if Congress hadn’t passed the aid, “America would have paid a price economically, politically, militarily.”

“Very few things we have done have

risen to this level of historic importance,” he said.

On the Senate floor, Schumer said the Senate was sending a message to US allies: “We will stand with you.”

Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made passage of the legislation a top priority, agreeing to tie the Ukraine and Israel aid to help ensure passage and arguing there could be dire consequences for the United States and many of its global allies if Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression is left unchecked. They worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to overcome seemingly intractable Republican opposition to the Ukraine aid, in particular—eventually winning large majorities in both chambers.

McConnell said in a separate interview before the vote that it “is one of the biggest days in the time that I’ve been here.”

“At least on this episode, I think we turned the tables on the isolationists,” McConnell said.

In the end, 31 Republicans voted for the aid package—nine more than when the Senate passed a similar version in February, and a majority of the Senate GOP conference. The House approved the package in a series of four votes on Saturday, with the Ukraine portion passing 311-112.

The $61 billion for Ukraine comes as the war-torn country desperately needs new firepower and as Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped up his attacks.

Ukrainian soldiers have struggled as Russia has seized the momentum on the battlefield and gained significant territory.

Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday the US will

send badly needed air defense weaponry as soon as the legislation is passed.

“The President has assured me that the package will be approved quickly and that it will be powerful, strengthening our air defense as well as long-range and artillery capabilities,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Monday.

In an effort to gain more votes, Republicans in the House majority also added a bill to the foreign aid package that could ban the social media app TikTok in the US if its Chinese owners do not sell their stake within a year. That legislation had wide bipartisan support in both chambers.

The TikTok bill was one of several tweaks Johnson made to the package the Senate passed in February as he tried to move the bill through the House despite significant opposition within his conference. Other additions include a stipulation that $9 billion of the economic assistance to Ukraine is in the form of “forgivable loans”; provisions that allow the US to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine; and bills to impose sanctions on Iran, Russia, China and criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl.

Those changes appears to have brought some of the nine additional Senate Republicans on board, bringing support to more than half of McConnell’s conference.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime hawk who voted against the foreign aid package in February because it wasn’t paired with legislation to stem migration at the border, was one of the Republicans who switched their votes. “If we don’t help Ukraine now, this war will spread, and Americans who are not involved will be involved,” Graham said.

bling” and said US officials have asked the Israeli government for information.

The Israeli military said its forces exhumed bodies that Palestinians had buried earlier as part of its search for the remains of hostages captured by Hamas during its October 7 attack that triggered the war. The military said bodies were examined in a respectful manner and those not belonging to Israeli hostages were returned to their place.

The Israeli military says it killed or detained hundreds of militants who had taken shelter inside the two hospital complexes, claims that could not be independently verified.

The Palestinian civil defense in the Gaza Strip said Monday that it had uncovered 283 bodies from a temporary burial ground inside the main hospital in Khan Younis that was built when Israeli forces were besieging the facility last month. At the time, people were not able to bury the dead in a cemetery and dug graves in the hospital yard, the group said.

The package has had broad congressional support since Biden first requested the money last summer. But congressional leaders had to navigate strong opposition from a growing number of conservatives who question US involvement in foreign wars and argue that Congress should be focused instead on the surge of migration at the US-Mexico border.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a Republican who is a close ally to Donald Trump, said that despite the strong showing of support for funding Ukraine’s defense, opposition is growing among Republicans.

“The United States is spread too thin,” Vance said, “And that argument, I think, is winning the American people and it’s slowly winning the Senate, but it’s not going to happen overnight.”

The growing fault line in the GOP between those conservatives who are skeptical of the aid and the more traditional “Reagan Republicans” who strongly support it may prove to be career-defining for the two top Republican leaders.

McConnell, who has made the Ukraine aid a top priority, said last month that he would step down from leadership after becoming increasingly distanced from many in his conference on the Ukraine aid and other issues. Johnson, who said he put the bills on the floor after praying for guidance, faces threats of an ouster after a majority of Republicans voted against the aid to Ukraine. Johnson said after House passage that “we did our work here, and I think history will judge it well.”

Opponents in the Senate, like the House, included some left-wing senators who are opposed to aiding Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bombarded Gaza and killed thousands of civilians. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., voted against the package. “We must end our complicity in this terrible war,” Sanders said.

Indonesia declares Subianto president-elect after highest court rejected rivals’ challenge

JThe civil defense said some of the bodies were of people killed during the hospital siege. Others were killed when Israeli forces raided the hospital.

Palestinian health officials say the hospital raids have destroyed Gaza’s health sector as it tries to cope with the mounting toll from over six months of war.

The issue of who could or should conduct an investigation remains in question.

For the United Nations to conduct an investigation, one of its major bodies would have to authorize it, Dujarric said.

“I think it’s not for anyone to prejudge the results or who would do it,” he said. “I think it needs to be an investigation where there is access and there is credibility.”

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, said after visiting Israel and the West Bank in December that a probe by the court into possible crimes by Hamas militants and Israeli forces “is a priority for my office.”

By Niniek Karmini & Fadlan Syam

Associated Press

The

AKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia’s electoral commission formally declared Prabowo Subianto president-elect in a ceremony on Wednesday, after the country’s highest court rejected challenges to his landslide victory lodged by two losing presidential candidates.

Subianto, who is currently defense minister, won the election with 58.6% of the votes, or more than 96 million ballots, more than twice the votes received by either of the other two candidates. But his rivals alleged

that his victory had depended on large-scale fraud and widespread state interference. Authorities blocked streets leading to the General Election Commission compound, where more than 4,200 police and soldiers were deployed. Wearing matching long-sleeved white shirts, Subianto and vice president elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka waved to their supporters as they arrived at the building. “The race has finished ... the tough contest, with sometimes heated debates, is over,” Subianto said during the ceremony, attended by the country’s political elite, including rival candidate Anies Baswedan and his running mate Muhaimin Iskandar.

“And now our people demand that political leaders must work together and collaborate for the people’s welfare and to eliminate poverty and corruption in Indonesia,” Subianto said.

Subianto will take office in October, succeeding the popular Joko Widodo, the country’s first president from outside the Jakarta elite.

result and demand a revote. They also alleged nepotism, challenging the candidacy of outgoing President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, Raka, as Subianto’s running mate.

The General Election Commission certified the election results on March 20, but the formal declaration ceremony was put on hold following legal challenges from rival candidates, former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo, who sought to annul the

Baswedan and Pranowo argued that Raka, 37, should have been disqualified because the minimum age for candidates is 40, and they asked the court to bar him from a revote. Before the election, Raka was granted a controversial exception to that requirement by the Constitutional Court, which was then led by Anwar Usman, Widodo’s brother-in-law. Usman was later forced to resign as chief justice for failing to recuse himself.

LBy Sylvia Hui The Associated Press

ONDON—The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.

The human rights organization said the most powerful governments, including the United States, Russia and China, have led a global disregard for international rules and values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with civilians in conflicts paying the highest price.

Agnes Callamard, Amnesty’s secretary general, said the level of violation of international order witnessed in the past year was “unprecedented.”

“Israel’s flagrant disregard for international law is compounded by the failures of its allies to stop the indescribable civilian bloodshed meted out in Gaza,” she said.

“Many of those allies were the very architects of that post-World War Two system of law.”

The report highlighted the United States’ failures to denounce rights violations committed by Israel and its use of veto power to paralyze the U.N. Security Council on a cease-fire resolution in Gaza, as well as Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. It also pointed to

In a 5-to-3 decision, the Constitutional Court rejected the arguments on Monday, saying the legal teams of the losing candidates had failed to prove allegations that Subianto’s victory was the result of widespread fraud. That verdict cannot be appealed.

The case was decided by eight justices instead of the full nine-member court because Usman, who is still on the court as an associate justice, was required to recuse himself.

The discovery of the graves “is another reason why we need a cease-fire, why we need to see an end to this conflict, why we need to see greater access for humanitarians, for humanitarian goods, greater protection for hospitals” and for the release of Israeli hostages, Dujarric said Monday.

In the Hamas attack that launched the war, militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says the militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.

In response, Israel’s air and ground offensive in Gaza, aimed at eliminating Hamas, has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, around two-thirds of them children and women. It has devastated Gaza’s two largest cities, created a humanitarian crisis and led around 80 percent of the territory’s population to flee to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.

World sees near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, AI warns

China’s arming of military forces in Myanmar and the way Beijing has shielded itself from scrutiny over its treatment of the Uyghur minority.

“We have here three very large countries, superpowers in many ways, sitting on the Security Council that have emptied out the Security Council of its potentials, and that have emptied out international law of its ability to protect people,” she told The Associated Press in London.

The report, which detailed Amnesty’s assessment of human rights in 155 countries, underlined an increasing backlash against women’s rights and gender equality in 2023. It cited the brutal suppression of women’s protests in Iran, the Taliban’s decrees “aimed at erasing women from public life” in Afghanistan, and legal restrictions on abortion in the US and Poland, among others.

The rights organization also warned about the threat of new technologies if left unchecked, saying the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence and mass surveillance tools could be deployed to stoke conflict, encroach on rights and freedoms and sow discord in a landmark election year.

Unregulated tech advances

“can be weaponized to discriminate, disinform and divide,” Callamard said.

The Press videojournalist Kwiyeon Ha contributed to this report.

Pranowo and his running mate, Mohammad Mahfud, also congratulated Subianto.

“We accept and fully respect the decision of the Constitutional Court,” Pranowo said, “Like or dislike, we have to accept it because it’s final, legal and binding.”

A longtime commander in Indonesia’s Kopassus special forces, Subianto was discharged from the military in 1998 after Kopassus soldiers tortured activists who opposed dictator Suharto, his father-in-law. He never faced a trial and vehemently denies any involvement, although several of his men were tried and convicted. The Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report. Thursday, April 25,

Baswedan and Iskandar conceded and congratulated Subianto and Raka shortly after the Constitutional Court’s decision was read out on Monday, saying they are committed to maintaining the principle of peaceful transfer of power and that “we choose to be part of continuing to build the quality of Indonesian democracy.”

UN High Commissioner for Human

MIZBAN

The World

With public universities under threat, big protests against austerity shake Argentina

By Isabel Debre The Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Raising their textbooks and diplomas and singing the national anthem, hundreds of thousands of Argentines filled the streets of Buenos Aires and other cities on Tuesday to demand increased funding for the country’s public universities, in an outpouring of anger at libertarian President Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures.

The scale of the demonstration in downtown Buenos Aires appeared to exceed other massive demonstrations that have rocked the capital since Milei came to power.

Students and professors coordinated with the country’s powerful trade unions and leftist political parties to push back against budget cuts that have forced Argentina’s most venerable university to declare a financial emergency and warn of imminent closure.

In a sign unrest was growing in response to Milei’s policies, even conservative politicians, private university administrators and rightwing TV personalities joined the march, defending the common cause of public education in Argentina that has underpinned the country’s social progress for decades.

“It is historic,” said Ariana Thiele Lara, a 25-year-old recent graduate protesting. “It feels like we were all united.”

Describing universities as bastions of socialism where professors indoctrinate their students, Milei has tried to dismiss the university budget crisis as politics as usual.

“The cognitive dissonance that brainwashing generates in public education is tremendous,” he said.

At the University of Buenos Aires, or UBA, halls went dark, elevators froze and air conditioning stopped working in some buildings last week. Professors taught 200-person lectures without microphones or projectors because the public university couldn’t cover its electricity bill.

“It’s an unthinkable crisis,” said Valeria Añón, a 50-year-old literature professor at the university, known as UBA. “I feel sad for my students and for myself as professor and researcher.”

In his drive to reach zero deficit, Milei is slashing spending across Argentina— shuttering ministries, defunding cultural centers, laying off state workers and cutting subsidies. On Monday he had something to show for it, announcing Argentina’s first quarterly fiscal surplus since 2008 and promising the public the pain would pay off.

“We are making the impossible possible even with the majority of politics, unions, the media and most economic actors against us,” he said in a televised address.

On Tuesday, the footfall of protesters resounded in the city center. “Why are you so scared of public education?”banners asked. “The university will defend itself!” students shouted.

“We are trying to show the government it cannot take away our right to education,” said Santiago Ciraolo, a 32-year-old student in social communication protesting Tuesday. “Everything is at stake here.”

Biden tries to navigate Israel-Hamas war protests roiling college campuses

By Will Weissert, Michelle L. Price & Chris Megerian The Associated Press

NEW YORK—Student protests over the war in Gaza have created a new and unpredictable challenge for President Joe Biden as he resists calls to cut off US support for Israel while trying to hold together the coalition of voters he’ll need for reelection.

The protests at Columbia University in New York and other campuses have captured global media attention and resurfaced questions about Biden’s lagging support from young voters. His handling of the Middle East conflict is also being closely watched by both Jewish and Arab American voters in key swing states.

At best for Biden, the protests are a passing distraction while the White House presses forward with negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas while pushing Israel to limit casualties with more than 34,000 Palestinians dead.

At worst, they build momentum toward the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, potentially triggering scenes of violence that could recall the unrest of protests against the Vietnam War during the party’s convention there in 1968.

“If it ends with Columbia, that’s one thing,” said Angus Johnston, a historian focused on campus activism. “If this sends the national student movement to a new place, that’s a very different situation.”

Already, Biden’s aides have had to work to minimize disruptions from antiwar protesters, holding smaller campaign events and tightly controlling access. Demonstrators forced his motorcade to change routes to the Capitol on his way to deliver the State of the Union, and they’ve thrown a red substance intended to symbolize blood near his home in Delaware.

The president could face more confrontations with students this spring. Morehouse College said Tuesday that Biden would appear

at the iconic historically Black campus in May.

More than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators camped out at Columbia were arrested Thursday, with dozens more people arrested at other campuses. Many now face charges of trespassing or disorderly conduct. The protesters have demanded that their universities condemn Israel’s assault on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack and divest from companies that do business with Israel.

Some people have reported antisemitic chants and messages at and around the Columbia campus, and similar concerns have been reported at other universities. Some Jewish students say they’ve felt unsafe on campus. The White House, in a message Sunday to mark the Passover holiday, denounced what it called an “alarming surge” of antisemitism, saying it “has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.”

Four Jewish Democratic members of Congress toured Columbia’s locked-down campus on Monday with members of the school’s Jewish Law Students Association. They condemned that things had escalated to where Jewish students felt unsafe and the university canceled in-person classes Monday. Columbia said it would use hybrid remote and in-person learning through the end of the spring term.

Rep. Kathy Manning of North Carolina called on the Education Department and Justice Department to work with the White House “to ensure that all universities take steps necessary to keep Jewish students and faculty safe.”

“This discrimination is simply unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue,” she said.

Biden on Monday sought the same middle ground that he’s staked out for months as he backs Israel’s military operations with weapons shipments while also pushing Israel to limit civilian casualties and get more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the United Nations has said there is a looming famine.

“I condemn the antisemitic protests,” the president said at an Earth Day event. He then added, “I also condemn those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a high-profile progressive who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, spoke before Biden at the same event. She said it was “important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country” and praised “the leadership of those peaceful student-led protests.”

Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s presumptive Republican opponent in November, pointed to the headlines and images coming out of Columbia to redirect focus from his criminal hush money trial in New York, telling reporters in the courthouse Tuesday that Biden bears the blame for the unrest.

“If this were me, you’d be after me. You’d be after me so much,” he said. “But they’re trying to give him a pass. But what’s going on is a disgrace to our country, and it’s all Biden’s fault and everybody

knows it.”

In a sign of the political potency of the situation at Columbia, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson planned to visit the school Wednesday and meet with Jewish students.

Joel Rubin, a former State Department official and Democratic strategist who has worked in Jewish politics for years, rejected critics blaming Biden “for everything that’s gone wrong” but said the president would have to “make the argument for why the policy is the right one and let the chips fall where they may.”

“If it were purely politics and polling, it would be a very hard one,” Rubin said. “But I think Biden is making these decisions based on national security.”

Biden graduated from Syracuse’s law school in 1968, bypassing the campus convulsions over the Vietnam War. He distanced himself from that protest movement two decades later during his first run for president.

“I was married, I was in law school, I wore sports coats,” Biden said in 1987. “You’re looking at a middle-class guy. I am who I am. I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts. You know, that’s not me.”

Biden has been endorsed this year by many leading youth activist organizations and also built his campaign around key social issues—such as defending abortion rights, combating climate change and canceling student debt for millions—that they believe can energize voters under 30 who are

more likely to be concerned about the president’s approach to Gaza. He was in Florida on Tuesday to capitalize on the momentum against nationwide abortion restrictions and criticize a state law soon to go into effect that will ban abortions after six weeks, before many women know they’re pregnant. A day earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris held an event promoting abortion rights in swing state Wisconsin.

Safia Southey, a 25-year-old law student at Columbia who is Jewish, has been participating in the protest and sleeping at the encampment on the university’s quad since Thursday. She believes outrage over the war will deflate Biden’s chances against Trump because staunch supporters of Israel are more likely to support the presumptive Republican nominee.

“I think Biden has tried to be very strategic and it’s backfired in a lot of ways,” she said.

However, Southey said she’ll vote for Biden “pretty much no matter what” in a matchup with Trump.

“The students who are upset, especially at these kind of universities, are smart enough to not stay home,” she said. “I think that they’re going to go out and vote, and they’re going to go for the most strategic option, even if they’re not happy for Biden. I think that they would do anything to make sure that Trump’s not in office.”

Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher was skeptical that campus demonstrations over Gaza would prove to be politically influential.

“What percentage of Americans are really in those narrow spaces, and how representative are they of a broader American audience, or even a broader youth audience?” he asked.

Johnston, the historian on student activism, said the current protests don’t approach the size or intensity of demonstrations in the 1960s, when school officials were held hostage and campuses were vandalized. But over the years, he said, “there’s a lot of times where student protests have shaped the national debate.”

Weissert and Megerian reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

Russian strike on Kharkiv’s TV tower is part of an intimidation campaign, Zelenskyy says

By Illia Novikov The Associated Press

Ukraine—Ukrainian

YIV,

KPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian missile strike that smashed a prominent skyline television tower in Kharkiv was part of the Kremlin’s effort to intimidate Ukraine’s second-largest city, which in recent weeks has come under increasingly frequent attack.

The strike sought to “make the terror visible to the whole city and to try to limit Kharkiv’s connection and access to information,” Zelenskyy said in a Monday evening address.

The northeastern Kharkiv region straddles the approximately 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line where Ukrainian and Russian forces have been locked in battle for more than two years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The front line has changed little during a war of

attrition, focused mostly on artillery, drones and trenches.

Since late March, Russia has stepped up the pressure on Kharkiv, apparently aiming to exploit Ukraine’s shortage of air defense systems. It has pounded the local power grid and hit apartment blocks.

On Monday, a Russian Kh-59 missile struck Kharkiv’s 250-meter (820-foot) -high TV tower, breaking it roughly in half and halting transmissions.

A Washington think tank said Russia may be eyeing a ground assault on Kharkiv.

“The Kremlin is conducting a concerted air and information operation to destroy Kharkiv City, convince Ukrainians to flee, and internally displace millions of Ukrainians ahead of a possible future Russian offensive operation against the city or elsewhere in Ukraine,” the Institute for the Study of War said in an assessment. The expected arrival in Ukraine

in coming weeks of new military aid from its Western partners possibly has prompted Russia to escalate its attacks before the help arrives, the ISW said, adding that trying to capture Kharkiv would be “a significant challenge” for the Kremlin’s forces.

Instead, the Russian military command “may attempt to destroy Kharkiv City with air, missile, and drone strikes and prompt a largescale internal displacement of Ukrainian civilians,” it said.

The US Senate was returning to Washington on Tuesday to vote on

$61 billion in war aid to Ukraine after months of delays. Zelenskyy said US President Joe Biden assured him the aid would include long-range and artillery capabilities.

“Four priorities are key: defense of the sky, modern artillery, longrange capacity, and to ensure that packages of American aid arrive as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy said.

Also Tuesday, Britain pledged 500 million pounds ($620 million, 580 million euros) in new military supplies for Ukraine, including 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 munitions and 4 million rounds of ammunition.

The shipment will also include British Storm Shadow long-range missiles, which have a range of about 150 miles (240 kilometers) and have proven effective at hitting Russian targets, the British government said.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Zelenskyy on Tuesday morning to confirm the new assistance. He announces the

aid during a visit to Warsaw later in the day where he was meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Less cheering news came from the European Union, however. EU countries that have Patriot air defense systems gave no clear sign Monday that they might be willing to send them to Ukraine, which is desperately seeking at least seven of the missile batteries.

Ukraine’s army is also heavily outnumbered in the fight, and expanding the country’s mobilization has been a delicate issue.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Tuesday signaled that authorities plan to clamp down on young men of conscription age who have moved abroad, with details of the specific measures to be made public soon.

“Staying abroad does not relieve a citizen of his or her duties to the homeland,” Kuleba said on the social media platform X.

COLUMBIA University professors rally in solidarity with their students’ rights to protest free from arrest at the Columbia University campus in New York on Monday, April 22, 2024. AP/STEFAN JEREMIAH

Staying the course amidst headwinds editorial

The Philippines faces a daunting economic landscape in 2024, with higher-for-longer US interest rates, stubbornly high inflation, and the risk of spiking oil prices due to geopolitical turmoil. These challenges threaten to undermine the country’s growth trajectory, which international observers still project to be among the fastest in Asia this year. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan says that despite these concerns, international observers remain optimistic about the country’s economic performance.

(Read the BusinessMirror report: “Government keeping growth goals despite risks,” April 24, 2024).

The chief economist rightly notes that the major development institutions—the IMF, ADB, and World Bank—all forecast the Philippines to achieve growth of around 6 percent or better in 2024 and 2025. This would cement the country’s status as a regional outperformer, even if the pace slows from the administration’s initial targets Balisacan’s pragmatism is commendable. He acknowledges the Bangko Sentral’s hawkish monetary policy stance as a given, recognizing that cooling inflation remains the priority. And he is realistic that only a “very drastic” global shock, such as a major Middle East conflict, could derail the positive outlook.

The government’s resolve must be applauded. Faced with daunting external headwinds, it is choosing to stay the course rather than capitulate to pessimism. This steadfast approach is crucial, as the country’s sustained economic momentum is essential for lifting millions out of poverty.

To be sure, the headwinds are formidable. Geopolitical tensions threaten to drive oil and food prices skyward, undoing hard-won gains against inflation. And the BSP’s battle to tame price pressures may constrain growth, even as the economy’s fundamentals remain solid.

Yet, the administration’s economic team appears undaunted. They are banking on factors like the waning of the El Niño weather pattern to ease food price pressures, and are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Their unwavering commitment to the growth agenda, despite the challenges, deserves recognition.

The success of the government’s economic agenda hinges on its ability to navigate these turbulent waters. It must remain flexible and adaptable, while also ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably among all Filipinos.

The country’s economic expansion should not only focus on numbers but also prioritize equitable growth that benefits all segments of society, especially the poor. As millions of Filipinos hope for inclusive economic progress, the government must remain committed to implementing effective measures and policies that address these challenges. This will require a concerted effort to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations, invest in infrastructure and education, and promote a more inclusive and sustainable development model.

Ultimately, the country’s economic resilience will be tested in the coming year, and the road ahead will be challenging. With the right policies and measures in place, the Philippines can continue to be one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

As the country marches towards its ambitious growth targets, it would do well for the government to ensure that the benefits of economic expansion reach the most vulnerable segments of society. By prioritizing inclusive development and addressing the concerns of the poor and marginalized, the Marcos administration can cement its legacy as a champion of progress and social justice.

Is the world getting dumber?

AJohn Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

MericAn comedian George carlin once said, “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” i am an old man and that makes my perspective different than 96.5 percent of the world who are younger than 70. But if you think that the world is getting dumber, you may be correct.

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of ability to reason and solve problems. There is controversy that it is an unfair measure of “intelligence” that does not factor in cultural/language differences between people. Yet there are about a dozen different widely accepted IQ tests used globally. And language and culture is not a deciding factor if a person cannot figure out that a square block will not fit into a round hole.

Scientists from the University of Oregon and Northwestern University looked at nearly 400,000 IQ tests done between 2006 and 2018 prior to the pandemic. The Flynn Effect assumed that since the early 20th century, scores on IQ tests have increased in most parts of the world and that trend would continue. However, a study of Norwegian military conscripts found that IQ scores have been falling for the generations born after the year 1975; Gen X, Millen-

nials, and Gen Z. The recent studies show that overall, IQ scores in the US have dropped for the first time in nearly 100 years. A study in Finland found that IQs had dropped by two points between 1997 and 2009. In France, IQ scores decreased by 3.8 points from 1999 to 2009. Other places including the UK, Norway, Denmark, and Australia have discovered similar findings.

Some skills, such as 3D spatial reasoning tests, showed an uptick from 2011 to 2018, which could be related to using computers as spatial reasoning skills included hand-eye coordination. But skills like verbal reasoning, visual problem solving (the round peg in the square hole) and numerical series tests (2, 4, 6, ...which number comes next?) had all gone down.

Jameel Al-Khalili, an Iraqi-British theoretical physicist, says that despite our “vastly increased scientific

knowledge… the human brain hasn’t got bigger or more efficient or better than it was thousands of years ago.” He said: “Because we are making use of technology these days, one could argue we are getting dumber. Our attention span is shorter, we are not prepared to spend the time to think things through carefully or discuss and debate ideas.”

I can readily accept the fact that I have skills and knowledge that my sons do not simply because I needed those, and they do not. I was writing 20-page term papers by hand and learned to type only in high school. Son #4 Adam writes code for computer programs.

However, Frank Herbert—the author of “Dune”—wrote, “We accept too damned many things on the explanations of people who could have good reasons for lying.” This is because we do not have enough knowledge to know when we are being lied to. Most people don’t care. The best example is economics.

An example. Virtually every public opinion survey both in the Philippines and abroad indicates that the local economy—wherever that may be—is the number one priority. When asked what the national leader/leadership is not doing enough about, it is always “inflation” whenever price increases are larger than historical.

I have shown that Philippine inflation tracks and correlates with the global price of crude oil. Crude oil permeates every facet of an economy. But it goes even farther than

that. Most view energy as an input into economic activity. The truth is, energy is not an input into the economy, it is the economy. Humanity organizes its economic activities to ensure a steady growth in exploitation of primary energy because energy is life, standards of living are defined by how much energy is available to be exploited, and all humans everywhere are perpetually seeking a higher standard of living.

A chart tracking “Global Energy Consumption” shows a continuous increase year after year, decade after decade through multiple financial crises, wars, terrorist attacks, economic sanctions and embargos, recessions, catastrophes like tsunamis and Fukushima, and “Arab Springs” with only minor pauses in 2009, and 2020.

Yet we have from the near the lowest on the ladder of intellectual capacity—the “Just Stop Oil” folks —to the President of the US—Joe Biden 2019: “I guarantee you. We’re going to end fossil fuel” calling for stopping eighty-five percent of the globe’s primary energy consumption source. That percentage is the same as it was 50 years ago.

The 19th-century French writer Stendhal wrote: “The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same.” The shepherd is successful because the sheep stay dumb.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Tesla stock in ‘no man’s land’ after 43% rout ahead of earnings

By Esha Dey

elon MUSk is known to challenge the status quo—and that’s exactly what Tesla inc.’s investors are worried about right now.

The company’s shares are weathering the longest rout since late 2022, tumbling nearly 19 percent over the past seven days, amid doubts about its business strategy as sales of electric vehicles slump.

The latest worry? That Musk, Tesla’s chief executive officer, will announce plans on Tuesday’s earnings call to nix the rollout of a cheaper model and focus on developing a fully self-driving vehicle—a project that would face considerable regulatory and commercial obstacles.

That would mark a major break with what analysts had been expecting and leave the company with no near-term catalyst for growth, just when it’s expected to report the first quarterly sales drop since the pandemic struck in 2020.

“Up until several weeks ago, the key focal point into the firstquarter result was Tesla’s vehicle sales fundamentals, with Tesla facing an extremely challenged set-up amid a sharp delivery miss, risk of no growth in volume in 2024, and

further pressure to margins,” said Barclays Plc. analyst Dan Levy, who has the equivalent of a neutral rating on the stock.

Levy said those issues have since taken a back seat to a bigger issue: “An investment thesis pivot.”     Such concerns have driven the stock down nearly 43 percent this year through Monday’s close to $142.05, a 15-month low. It’s the second-worst performer in the S&P 500 so far this year,

who analyze moves in share prices to predict their future path. To them, the drop below $150 has already breached a key support level.

“The stock is now in no man’s land, with a massive air pocket between here and under $100,” said Todd Sohn, ETF and technical strategist at Strategas Securities.

Musk has already said that the company will be unveiling its socalled Robotaxi in August but hasn’t clarified the plans for the cheaper vehicle. It is possible that Tesla is only going to delay the production of the less-expensive car, rather than shelve it outright.

But the concerns about Tesla’s strategy are exacerbating investors’ nervousness at a time when the company is already contending with slowing growth, thinning margins and sales. Vehicle deliveries for the first quarter, which were announced early this month, lagged analysts’ forecasts by the most in at least seven years.

Over the past 12 months, expectations for first-quarter earnings have been dialed back to 52 cents a share, half of what was once antici-

pated. The revenue forecast—now about $22.3 billion —has been cut 22 percent over that time, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while estimated free cash flow slid 70 percent to around $654 million.

That’s why Tesla’s stock-price still looks high, by some measures, despite the recent drop: At nearly 47 times forward earnings, it’s significantly more expensive than every other member of the so-called Magnificent Seven tech stocks.

On the flip side, the negative sentiment has set a relatively low bar, creating the potential for a relief rebound.

“The news flow and psychology surrounding Tesla have become so negative that a modest miss may already be getting priced in,” said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers LLC. But that hasn’t tended to be the case. Tesla shares dropped at least 9 percent the day after the past four quarterly reports, and options trading implies expectations of an 8 percent move in either direction following Tuesday’s numbers. with assistance from Carly wanna, william maloney and Vlad Savov/bloomberg

By Julian Lee

Russia’s crude exports cling to gains with refineries hobbled Investors loved weak yen boosting shares until it went too far

By Hideyuki Sano

The yen has become stuck around a 34-year low against the dollar after months of declines, increasing concern the currency is becoming a liability for Japan’s economy and stocks.

Japan’s depreciating currency has helped the country’s shares climb to records, as many of the biggest companies are manufacturers whose income earned abroad rises in yen terms. In the broad Topix Index, transport equipment firms including automakers and electrical machinery companies represent more than 25 percent of the weighting.

But the yen’s slide has pushed up import bills in Japan, keeping domestic consumer spending tepid since the currency began weakening in 2022. That’s weighed on companies that rely on the home market for profits. Firms including retailers and railway operators underperformed the broader market despite a record number of tourists visiting from abroad. Earnings announcements by most Japanese companies in coming weeks will likely highlight the rising divergence between strong and weak companies.

Business leaders in Japan have joined policymakers in expressing alarm about the yen’s plunge, with the head of the nation’s biggest business lobby group known as Keidanren saying Tuesday that the weakening has been excessive. Government officials have warned they’re ready to take action in the currency market, but with the yield gap between Japan and the US remaining wide, the effects of intervention may be fleeting.

“While there’s room for corporate earnings to rise on further yen weakness, there could be bigger damage to consumers,” said Kensuke Niihara, chief investment officer for Japan at State Street Global Advisors.

Investors that were bullish on Japan bet that the biggest wage hikes in more than 30 years will spur a recovery in spending this year. The prevailing assumption behind the view was that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates in coming months, helping the yen rebound. But those expectations are fading due

to strong US economic data.

JPMorgan analysts including Rie Nishihara say any gains in real wages may evaporate if the yen depreciates beyond 157 per dollar. The currency traded around 154.80 per dollar early Wednesday in Tokyo.

Since the yen extended losses beyond its historic low during the last week of March, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average has tumbled more than 8 percent from a record. The yen’s slide had been one of the bullish factors that helped Japanese stocks outperform amid an inflow of foreign funds.

Pressure is growing on the government to support the yen. Small and mid-sized companies are suffering from the rising costs of imported materials, the head of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry said last week at a press conference, Kyodo News reported. A day earlier, the president of Suntory Holdings Ltd. told reporters the situation “needs to be corrected.”

Import price inflation won’t rise radically from the current levels around 1.4 percent, said Nobuyasu Atago, chief economist at Rakuten Securities Inc.

Still, “it is possible that moves in exchange rates could prompt a BOJ policy change or promote a political atmosphere that would lead to such a change,” said State Street’s Niihara.

Domestic consumption-related stocks have been sluggish. The Topix Land Transport Index, made up of railway operators and the transportation industry, has been flat since the start of the year, underperforming a 12.5 percent gain in the broader Topix.

A key measure of consumption activity underscores why those companies have struggled, declining for two straight quarters. Excluding spending by foreign tourists, real consumption in January-March fell to the lowest in two years. Bloomberg

Russia’s seaborne crude exports maintained a multimonth high in the four weeks to april 21 as the country’s refineries struggled to recover from flooding and ukrainian drone attacks.

Oil processing is near the lowest since May last year after floods forced the Orsk refinery offline, while runs at plants damaged by military strikes continue to lag normal levels, encouraging diversion of crude supplies into exports. The April loading program at the key Baltic ports has been revised to the highest since May 2023.  Moscow has been able to maintain export levels to major customers such as China and India even as the US intensifies sanctions, with new traders appearing whenever an existing one attracts the attention of American authorities. In the trade with India, firms with names unfamiliar to even the most experienced merchants have emerged to handle shipments between the Opec+ producer and the world’s third-largest importer and consumer.

Still, the latest data showed that more volatile weekly flows gave up most of the gains from the previous seven days, with the slump driven by a drop in the amount of Russian crude exported through the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. That, combined with a big number a month ago, is likely to push the four-week figure lower next week. The gross value of Russia’s crude exports in the four weeks to April 21 was up by about $24 million to $1.94 billion a week from the period to April 14, helped by higher prices.

Four-week average shipments to Asia—predominantly China and India—also remained close to the highest since June at 3.33 million barrels a day.

China’s imports of Russian crude surged to a record high in March, customs data show. The Asian nation imported 10.81m tons of crude, equivalent to about 2.56 million barrels a day, from Russia in March, the most in data going back to 2004. The numbers include amounts delivered by pipeline as well as by ship.

The backlog of Russia’s Sokol crude that built up after being turned away by Indian refiners has now almost disappeared. About 9.1 million barrels, half of the total, have been delivered to refineries in China. An-

other 7 million barrels have eventually found their way back to India. Two cargoes have been delivered to Pakistan.

That leaves just 1.4 million barrels still to show a destination. Half of those are being discharged from the tanker that has been storing them since January onto a smaller vessel. The transfer is taking place in the Strait of Malacca, suggesting the cargoes could eventually end up in India. All of the Sokol cargoes loaded since mid-February headed directly to China.

Flows by destination

RUSSIA’S seaborne crude flows in the week to April 21 gave up most of the previous week’s surge, falling by 500,000 barrels a day to 3.45 million.

The slump was driven by a drop in the amount of Russian crude exported through the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, which were down by more than 60 percent, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The less volatile four-week average was virtually unchanged at 3.66 million, the highest since June.

Weekly shipments were about 135,000 barrels a day lower than the average seen in May and June, or about 15,000 barrels a day below Russia’s April target, which is part of the Opec+ alliance’s broader effort to curb supplies and support prices. The four-week average was about 195,000 barrels a day above the target.

Russia said it would cut crude exports during April by 121,000 barrels a day from their average May-June level as part of the wider Opec+ initiative, as Moscow shifts more of the burden onto production targets, which are preferred by other members of the group. Seaborne shipments in the first three months of the year exceeded Russia’s target level for that period by just 16,000 barrels a day.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstan’s KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and

Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap.

The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies.

Vessel-tracking data are crosschecked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd.

Asia

OBSERVED shipments to Russia’s Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, edged lower to 3.33 million barrels a day in the four weeks to April 21, from 3.34 million in the previous fourweek period.

About 1.35 million barrels a day of crude was loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nation’s seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan.

Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged about 1.46 million barrels a day.

Both the Chinese and Indian figures are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations.

The equivalent of about 310,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as “Unknown Asia” until a final destination becomes apparent.

The “Other Unknown” volumes, running at about 180,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 21, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most of those cargoes originate from Russia’s western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others could be moved from one vessel to another, with most such transfers now taking place in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Greece, or more recently off Sohar in Oman.

Europe and Turkey

RUSSIA’S seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased. With flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year, Turkey is now

the only short-haul market for shipments from Russia’s western ports. Exports to Turkey were stable at 323,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to April 21.

Export value

FOLLOWING the abolition of export duty on Russian crude, we have begun to track the gross value of seaborne crude exports, using Argus Media price data and our own tanker tracking.

The gross value of Russia’s crude exports fell back to $1.84 billion in the seven days to April 21 from $2.15 billion in the period to April 14. However, four-week average income was up, rising by about $24 million to $1.94 billion a week, aided by higher oil prices. The four-week average is still below its peak of $2.17 billion a week, reached in the period to June 19, 2022. The highest it reached last year was $2 billion a week in the period to October 22.

During the first four weeks after the Group of Seven nations’ price cap on Russian crude exports came into effect in early December 2022, the value of seaborne flows fell to a low of $930 million a week, but soon recovered.

The value is calculated by multiplying the average weekly crude price from Argus Media Group by the weekly export flow from each port. For shipments from the Baltic and Arctic ports we use the Urals FOB Primorsk dated, London close, midpoint price. For shipments from the Black Sea we use the Urals Med Aframax FOB Novorossiysk dated, London close, midpoint price. For Pacific shipments we use the ESPO blend FOB Kozmino prompt, Singapore close, midpoint price. Export duty was abolished at the end of 2023 as part of Russia’s longrunning tax reform plans.

Ships leaving Russian ports

A TOTAL of 32 tankers loaded 24.1 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to April 21, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. That was down by about 3.5 million barrels, reversing almost all of the previous week’s gain.

In addition to the Russian barrels, one cargo of KEBCO was loaded at Ust-Luga and two at Novorossiysk during the week. With assistance from Sherry Su/Bloomberg

Chinese knockoff raid jolts a global throng of fake-fashion influencers

By Conrad Quilty-Harper

ChRisTmas came early last year for Brandon Lee King, a youthful online influencer who lives near Birmingham, england. an eagerly awaited shipment of luxury goods arrived just in time for the festive season, and like many of his peers, he was keen to show off his haul.

In a video posted to his TikTok channel and viewed by nearly 2 million people, King unwrapped £2,000 ($2,488) worth of seemingly highend Nike shoes, new in their boxes. There were also what appeared to be a £2,500 Goyard messenger bag, a rare Dior T-shirt (£600), a retro Manchester City FC jersey, a pair of Palm Angels sweatpants and an £875 Kaws Companion figurine.

All told, the items would cost more than £6,700 at retail. But they came from Pandabuy, a Chinese e-commerce site offering “designer” fashions at a fraction of what the labels would charge. The site, little known just two years ago, sits at the center of a thriving online trade in allegedly fake branded goods, which are promoted on TikTok, Reddit and the social-chat platform Discord.

“They don’t look too bad,” King said of the Palm Angels sweats, assessing the quality of each item in his Dec. 21 post. “You can tell feeling them that they’re not the real thing, but just from the eye I don’t think you can really tell.”

Earlier this month, Chinese authorities raided Pandabuy’s offices in Hangzhou and several warehouses, seizing goods amid allegations that it was distributing massive amounts

of knockoff shoes, clothing and watches.

The crackdown marks a rare win for retailers who have been battling to shut down Pandabuy and stop online personalities from promoting the site. While it’s unlikely more than a temporary win, the raid sent shockwaves through the digital coterie of influencers and their followers, who pepper the video creators with questions on how they can obtain the same questionable loot.   “Thanks Pandabuy, it was fun while it lasted,” said a Discord user who goes by the name of Spamsilog.

“All good things must come to an end

I guess, even if that thing is buying illegal sh*t!” King, who didn’t respond to Bloomberg News requests for comment, said on his TikTok channel that he received the items free for promotion purposes. He gave viewers links to specific listings, and offered tips on how to use photos to search for designer goods.

Pandabuy didn’t respond to requests for comment.

As a “shopping agent,” Pandabuy doesn’t make or sell the products itself. Rather, it acts as a middleman, providing a sales platform and services like photography and

shipping to independent vendors of Chinese-made products—anything from tech gadgets to home furnishings to fashion items.

Anti-piracy advisory firm Corsearch, which aided in a UK police investigation of branded products on the site, found none to be legitimate.

“In almost every instance it said replicas or reps, which means they were fake or counterfeit,” said Joseph Cherayath, a Corsearch investigator whose team analyzed the website and provided intelligence to support authorities. “And the buyers and the people who were obtaining the products very much knew that was the case.”

Buying counterfeit goods isn’t illegal in the UK, only selling or making them, according to Get Safe Online, which advises UK consumers on how to protect themselves against online fraud.

The raid on Pandabuy marks the latest twist in a decadeslong cat-andmouse game between counterfeiters and the copyright holders and law enforcement trying to quell a rising tide of knockoffs. Other shopping agent sites, including Sugargoo, CSSBuy and Wegobuy, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Coordinating the six-month probe that led to the crackdown wasn’t easy: UK police are limited on what they can share with foreign governments, according to Detective Inspector Andrew Masterson of the City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit. Authorities hosted informationsharing meetings and provided intel-

ligence to private-sector players, he said—including Corsearch, at least 16 rights holders, and the law firm Rouse, which passed evidence along to Chinese authorities with its partner Lusheng.

Border agents too face a challenge intercepting more than a fragment of the volume, because many shipments now arrive in individual packages instead of cargo containers.

“Everyone talks about the private sector working hand-in-hand with authorities, law enforcement and governments to protect consumers, but that doesn’t really happen in reality,” said Corsearch’s Cherayath. “This is one of those cases where it was successfully done, where everyone involved was able to work closely. That’s unheard of.”

Nike Inc., Adidas AG and Supreme were among the rights-holders involved with the Pandabuy probe, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named discussing sensitive investigations. Adidas declined to comment. Nike and Supreme’s parent, VF Corp., didn’t respond to requests for comment.  China’s Ministry of State Security didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pandabuy has grown rapidly since July 2022, based on Google Trends search data, with more than 20 million visitors in March, according to SimilarWeb. Its aggressive marketing—encouraging “Panda haul” videos and giving discount codes spread by influencers—has helped drive demand among young British people for knockoff luxury

products, said Alastair Gray, a director at the International Trademark Association.

A UK affiliate was formed in April 2022 with a London mail-drop address shared with 66,959 other businesses, based on Companies House data. Pandabuy’s website lists a north London business center as its headquarters. The raids “might lift the veil on what many brand owners didn’t know, in terms of the scale of the problem with these platforms,” Gray said. “There are at least four or five others like it.”

Nike has taken aim at Pandabuy before—in December, it sued New Hampshire YouTube influencer Eben Fox for promoting his purchases on the site to 120,000 followers on TikTok, and accused him of marketing knockoff versions of its shoes.

Fox didn’t respond to requests for comment. “We disagree with the allegations in the complaint, and we plan to cooperate with Nike to resolve their concerns,” his attorney, Joe Southron at Four Rivers Law Firm, said in December.

Big retailers like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Amazon.com Inc. have made progress removing counterfeit sellers and are “seriously making attempts to stem the flow” of goods, said Phil Lewis, director-general of the UK’s Anti-Counterfeiting Group, an industry organization. He said that Pandabuy and Temu, which has also gained popularity for cheap goods, are less proactive.

“If we can’t engage, we can’t prevent the distribution of fakes from these companies,” Lewis said.

Temu, whose parent company is Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings Inc., works in a different way than Pandabuy. It features products that resemble but typically don’t outright impersonate name brands—though fake streetwear has reportedly been spotted on the site.  The company said it’s been upgrading its intellectual property protections in response to feedback from brands and copyright owners. The site resolves more than 98% of takedown notices within days, Temu said.

The Pandabuy raid has caused uproar among its users. On its 416,000-member chat channel on Discord, many said they were “cooked,” or done shopping, and didn’t expect to receive recent orders that were potentially seized.

FashionReps, which bills itself as “Reddit’s largest community for the discussion of replica fashion,” has stopped adding to its 1.7 million members after growing more than 10-fold since 2019. Similar pages have followed suit.

Police plan to take further action against the UK assets of Pandabuy as part of their ongoing Operation Ashiko targeting online counterfeits, according to Detective Inspector Masterson.

Stopping the suspect trade altogether will be a tall order. Already, Pandabuy workers are back at its warehouses, according to World Trademark Review, which first reported

raid.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS’ EXECS IMMUNE IN OFFICIAL ACTS

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE immunity of officials and personnel of international organizations covers only acts done in their official capacities, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Thus, in a decision dated April 16, 2024, penned by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, the Court en banc affirmed the dismissal of the complaint for damages filed by Matthew Westfall against Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials led by Maria Carmela Locsin and several others.

“International organizations enjoy almost absolute, if not absolute, immunity. This grant of immunity protects their affairs from political pressure or control by the host country and prevents local courts from exercising jurisdiction over them,”the Court said in a statement.

“On the other hand, personnel of international organizations are entitled to immunity only for acts performed in their official capacity.,” it added.

Based on the records, Westfall applied for the position of technical advisor in the ADB but was not selected.

He later claimed that the statements made in the panel notes and Interview report by the respondents who were members of the ADB Screening Committee, were defamatory and damaging to his professional reputation.

This prompted him to file a complaint for damages before the Regional Trial Court of Makati City.

Trial court eventually dismissed Westfall’s complaint on the ground that Locsin et al. enjoyed functional

immunity since the acts subject of the complaint were done in their official capacities.

The Makati RTC ruling was questioned by Westfall before the Court of Appeals, which in turn upheld the trial court’s decision.

The issue was elevated to the SC, which issued a resolution on April 27, 2022 stressing that the conduct of a factual inquiry to determine if the subject act was done in the performance of official duties was necessary before applying immunity.

As this was not done thoroughly by the CA and the RTC, the Court remanded the case to the RTC for further proceedings.

This prompted Locsin and her corespondents to file a motion for partial reconsideration, arguing there is no need to remand the case to the RTC. The Court partially granted their motion and opted to resolve the factual issue. The SC ruled that the complaint for damages against them must be dismissed as the subject acts were done in their official capacities and thus covered by the “functional immunity” granted to them as ADB officials.

It noted that the respondents “enjoy functional immunity or only that necessary to exercise the organization’s functions and fulfill its purposes.”

“Immunity does not apply to their private acts, crimes, and those acts contrary to law,” it pointed out. The Court added that courts should assess the application of immunity on a case-to-case basis.

The SC has yet to release a copy of the promulgated decision as of presstime Wednesday.

WB’s IFC to help Peza cut ecozone carbon emissions, boost competitiveness

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

World Bank International

HE

TFinance Corporation (IFC) will assist the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) to reduce carbon emissions in economic zones to help the investment promotion agency become more competitive, according to Peza.

“IFC will first conduct a regulatory gap analysis for the implementation of the Eco Industrial Park framework,” Peza told the BusinessMirror in a viber message on Wednesday.

While IFC will not be investing in Peza ecozones, it will instead assist Peza in “imbuing Eco Industrial Development and Circular Economy principles, not only as a form of competitiveness but also as a way to reduce carbon emissions in the ecozones.”

To date, Peza said per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Philippines, which is at 1.3 tCO2E/ capita, has remained “far lower” than the global or Asian averages which is at 6.2 tCO2e/per capita.

“However GHG emissions have the potential to expand significantly due to economic growth and an energy system that is still carbonintensive,” Peza said.

To avoid large future emissions, the investment promotion agency underscored the importance of acting on it early to lead the Philippines to a “low-carbon trajectory.”

Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga also noted that this collaboration with the IFC World Bank will assist the investment promotion agency in securing green certification of ecozones which would benefit locator companies.

“Instead of individual compliance with access global market, one certification for the whole of ecozones will redound to the benefit of locator companies,” the Peza

103 LGUs have declared state of calamity on El Niño

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ASthe effect of El Niño reached it peak this month, a total of 103 local government units (LGU) have now declared a State of Calamity due to droughts.

In a televised interview with PTV on Wednesday, Task Force El Nino spokesperson Jose “Joey” M. Villarama II disclosed the list includes cities, municipalities and provinces.

The list includes the five provinces which suffered from the brunt of El Niño, namely, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan and Maguindanao del Sur.

“Actually, the President mentioned yesterday almost the entire Philippines has been affected, but in varying degrees. That is why the focus of the government aid depends on the need of each prov -

ince,” Villarama said.

LGUs which declared a State of Calamity can tap their calamity funds to mitigate the effects of disasters, including El Niño-induced droughts.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported El Niño has thus far caused P3.94 billion worth of damage to 66,000 hectares of agricultural lands.

“But I would like to emphasize 78 percent of the 66,000 hectares have a chance of recovery or salvageable – this means [that] whatever the state of the crops, even if they are dried out or shrivelled , 78 percent

of the crops can still be used,” Villarama said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) earlier said the impact of El Niño is expected to peak this month, put -

chief said.

PEZA hosted a sustainability forum last April 22 to 23, 2024, meant to educate Peza Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) and other stakeholders about emerging technologies that help build “smart, inclusive, and sustainable eco-industrial developments and promote clean and green manfuacturing practices.”

In her speech at that forum, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren B. Legarda emphasized that Peza can “change the narrative” of industries which are “often portrayed as culprits in climate change discourse.”

“By embracing sustainability practices and prioritizing the welfare of your workforce and the environment, Peza has an opportunity to change the narrative,” Legarda said.

“Through strategic investments in people, technology, and environmental stewardship, Peza can pave the way for a more inclusive and environmentally-conscious approach to industrial development,” the lawmaker asserted.

Panga pointed to the need to “continually adapt” in order to make businesses “climate-resilient, green, sustainable, and responsive to climate change.”

“This reduces our overall carbon footprint on nature and lessens our negative impact on the environment—without compromising company efficiency and profitability.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Peza said it currently overseas 423 economic zones, hosting 4,380 enterprises in “diverse” sectors across the nation.

“By championing eco-friendly practices, Peza is committed to future-proofing its economic zones against climate change, thereby increasing its appeal to attract new investments,” the investment promotion agency noted.

ting 48 provinces under drought status and 24 others under dry spell conditions.

Citing the forecast from Pagasa, DA expects the drought-affected areas will experience rains next month as the impact of El Niño starts to wane.

Marcos stops hike in illegal parking fine

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. stopped the implementation of Joint Traffic Circular No. 01 of Metro Manila Council (MMC), which will hike the penalty for illegal parking in Metro Manila.

In a social media post last Wednesday, the chief executive said he opposed the policy, which would have raised the fine from P1,000 to P4,000.

Rather than relying on harsher penalties, Marcos said the government should try instilling self-discipline among motorists to prevent illegal parking.

“While I understand the intention behind the proposal, I’ve decided to prioritize discipline over penalties. Ang Bagong Pilipino (New Filipinos) are disciplined. By focusing on individual responsibility we can create long-lasting solutions to our traffic challenge,” Marcos said.

He said the fine in the National Capital Region (NCR) will remain at P1,000.

Last January, the Marcos launched its Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) campaign containing its “master plan for genuine development.”

It focused on promoting a new brand of governance, wherein government officials and personnel will perform their tasks efficiently and shun corrupt and wasteful practices.

Aside from retaining the current rate of fine for illegal parking, Marcos also issued several traffic-related policies, including deferring the imposition of penalties for e-bikes, e-trikes, and other similar vehicles in selected roads in NCR.

He also came out with new orders, which intensified the enforcement of the ban on sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers and other similar signalling or flashing devices to any motor vehicles; and updated the regulation for the issuance of low-numbered

SMIC hikes capex budget to support expansion in ’24

By VG Cabuag @villygc

SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the holding firm of the Sy family, said it is setting aside as much as P120 billion for its capital expenditures (capex) this year, 50 percent higher than the previous year’s P80 billion.

Franklin Gomez, the company’s senior vice president for finance, said the capex excludes the banks and involves only its consolidated subsidiaries.

“The biggest driving force of that is SM Prime (Holdings Inc.); they’ve been public about their intention to spend P100 billion this year so they will be the biggest component of our capex,” Gomez said. SMIC said it will continue to expand its presence nationwide as there are many areas in the country that have yet to benefit from access to modern retailing, formal financial services and integrated property developments.

“We will continue to invest in growth in the Philippines and we

are committed to being a catalyst for responsible development. We have a young, dynamic, higher-earning population who will help support and drive economic activity,” SMIC President and CEO Frederic C. DyBuncio said. “Our strategy is to continue to expand coverage nationwide to create new markets that improve access to these sectors.”

SM Prime is opening four new malls, one in Metro Manila and three in the provincial areas in 2024. Its condominium unit SM Development Corp. is planning to roll out 8,000 to 10,000 residential units this year in the northern part of the Philippines and across Visayas and Mindanao.

SM Hotels is slated to officially launch its first Lanson Place property at the Mall of Asia.

Meanwhile, Alfamart—SM’s minimart grocery format—is set to expand its store network to 400 this year.

BDO Unibank Inc. will expand its coverage nationwide, with BDO and BDO Network Bank planning to increase branches by a combined 100 to 120 this year.

Following its acquisition of the Philippine Geothermal Production Co. (PGPC), SMIC said it is set to explore new steam fields in Northern and Southern Luzon with the aim to double the company’s current steam production of 300 megawatts within the medium-term.

For its contribution to renewable energy, the Board of Investments has awarded green lane certificates to PGPC geothermal projects Daklan Geothermal Power Project in Benguet, Mt. Labo Geothermal Power Project in Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, Mt. Malinao Geothermal Power Project in Camarines Sur and Albayand BauaSikaw Geothermal Power Project in Cagayan.

These projects are set to generate around 2,000 jobs during

exploration and development, which will boost livelihood in each respective locality.

Projects are endorsed for green lane treatment if they are deemed of strategic importance, entitling them to expedited permit processing.

2Go Group Inc., meanwhile, remains on course in providing “seamless logistics solutions.” With the addition of its two new ships setting sail, 2Go will have 10 roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels and one freighter or a total of 11 ships in its fleet, serving 19 ports of call.

Airspeed, another SM-owned logistics company, is also keen on expanding its distribution facilities in key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and will open more kiosks and collaborations with service providers to offer better customer options, wider network, and quicker delivery times.

“We expect our core businesses to continue its growth trajectory. Additionally, we anticipate that our portfolio investments will contribute significantly to our overall performance in the medium-term as these are well-positioned to capture opportunities in high growth sectors,” DyBuncio said.

Air-cons, refs lift CIC income in Q1

CONCEPCION Industrial Corp. (CIC), a manufacturer of air-conditioners and refrigerators, said it recorded an income of P185.7 million in the first quarter, almost double from the previous year’s P93.22 million on higher sales volume.

The company said its growth was driven by higher volume, largely attributed to improved retail presence and distribution channels, wider product portfolio and the impact of the prevailing hot weather conditions.

Gross revenues jumped by a third to P3.83 billion from the previous

year’s P2.88 billion. “We are pleased that we have exceeded the commitment for the quarter which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our people, and the effectiveness of our strategies which have been in motion since 2023,” Rajan Komarasu, the company’s CFO, said.

Including its associate Concepcion Midea Inc., the group attained P5 billion in net sales with an increase of 34 percent.

The consumer business recorded P2.8 billion in net sales, a 33-percent year-on-year hike, the company said.

Sales of air-conditioners grew by 30 percent due to improved retail ac-

tivities, while refrigeration products had an increase of 60 percent from a consistent monthly sales performance, owing to the launch of new models and improved retail presence and distribution.

“Favorability was partly offset by lower laundry sales due to delay in launch of replacement models,” the company said.

The commercial business, meanwhile, achieved P981 million in net sales, representing a 31-percent growth compared to the prior year.

This growth was primarily attributed to increased sales of heating, ventilation and air conditioning

equipment, fueled by distribution expansion, and advancements in both air conditioning and elevator projects. The growth in aftermarket services also played a role in the overall increase, the company said. “We are encouraged with the results of our performance, but we need to remain cautious as we face challenges and opportunities in the coming year,” Ariel Fermin, the company’s CEO, said. VG Cabuag

SMHCC makes its bid for the serviced apartments market

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is keen on expanding its partnership with the Hong Kongbased Lanson Place Hospitality Management Ltd. (LPHML), if the Sy-led company fully embraces the extended-stay, serviced-apartment market, a growing segment of business travel.

Asked about the possibility of putting up more Lanson Places in the country, SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles told a press conference on Tuesday, “Yes, why not? If we intend to expand our serviced-apartment portfolio, Lanson’s foot is already in the door. Of course, there are still a lot of discussions in the future [but] there are possibilities.” The press conference was held to herald the formal opening of Lanson Place Manila, the hospitality management’s first mixeduse, hybrid property that combines a hotel with serviced apartments. She cited the Global Serviced Apartment Industry Report of 2023 showing the increasing market for such properties due to corporate travelers. “Close to 40 percent over 2022 were on project assignments, so their lengths of stay are longer [and] not your usual two-nighter,” she said. The dearth of such properties in Pasay helped cement SMHCC’s decision to go into the serviced apartment business with Lanson

Place Hotel Management. SMHCC will also be constructing a 150-room serviced apartment behind Park Inn by Radisson Clark, which will be under the Radisson Hotel Group, said Angeles.

SMHCC has positioned the P3.6-billion Lanson Place Manila as a four-star property between its value chain, Park Inn by Radisson, and its five-star Conrad Manila. Aside from 247 hotel rooms, there are 143 serviced residences at Lanson Place, which is strategically located near the SM Group’s e-Com office buildings and SMX Convention Center, making it ideal for business travelers and MICE (meetings incentives conventions exhibitions) tourists.

BusinessMirror sources disclosed that 30 companies have already cornered the serviced apartments of Lanson Place and as such, the latter is holding off in opening these rooms to private individuals, who may want to have extended vacations in the country. “We saturated [our marketing] to the companies at the eCom buildings, so many of our guests are expats,” or foreign executives currently based in or visiting the country. Lanson Place requires a minimum 14-day stay in the serviced apartments.

Discussions on a possible partnership between the SM Group and LPHML began as early as 2014, explained Angeles, with “doors opened by common friends who had worked at Lanson Place Hong Kong”, but it was only in 2019 that a management contract was signed between the two parties.

The Covid-19 pandemic, however, delayed its construction with the scheduled opening moved from 2022 to 2024.

For his part, LPHML Chief Executive Officer Michael Hobson said the company is now focusing on mixed-used, hybrid projects such as Lanson Place Manila. “So, we need to select markets where there’s a demand, and the markets are not over supplied.” The company will be opening a hybrid property in Melbourne in July, “and it’s a fantastic opportunity that’s got a fantastic convention calendar. And it’s both good for business as well as leisure.”

LPHML has three serviced apartments in Hong Kong, one in Shanghai, one in Kuala Lumpur, and one Singapore. Other properties will be opening in the Greater Bay area in Hong Kong, “and I think we will also reestablish ourselves further in Shanghai and Beijing.”

The hospitality management firm started its “expansion journey” in 2019 but the pandemic halted this, said Hobson “But I think more importantly, you know, we’re a small family-owned company. We’re part of Wing Tai Holdings. We’ve never tried to be the biggest. We’re just trying to be the best. And so it’s important to us that we do everything properly.”

On the possibility of making more capital investments in new properties, Hobson said, “We will look at every opportunity on its own merit, and if we’re required to invest, we’ll take a very close look at that.”

Exec: Areit can buck headwinds this year

AREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust sponsored by Ayala Land Inc., said it wants to maintain its occupancy rate at 97 percent, despite the challenging office space environment.

Company president Carol Mills said the company’s diversified asset base can cushion the company from the property leasing market’s headwinds.

“Currently, the office market is still challenged as vacancy remains high at 18 to 20 percent. But fortunately for Areit, our occupancy was strong at 97 percent last year because of our diversified asset base, and for offices alone, 93 percent occupancy, which is better than industry,” Mills said.

“We expect to maintain this as we only have less than 10 percent of our leases expiring this year,” she said.

Mills said that while hybrid work continues, majority of work are now being done onsite for most companies.

“We have seen higher pedestrian counts in our buildings compared to last year, and we expect hybrid work to continue,” she said.

“Business expansion has also driven many companies to retain office space, espe -

cially in the more prime and their more productive locations. In any case, our diversified mix with malls, hotels and industrial assets, complementing offices will certainly help mitigate vacancy risks.”

In March, the company signed the deed of exchange with mother company Ayala Land and sister companies Greenhaven Property Ventures Inc., Cebu Insular Hotel Co. Inc., Buendia Christiana Holdings Corp. for the transfer of P28.5 billion-worth of assets from the Ayala Land Group in exchange for 841.26 million Areit common shares, issued at P34 apiece.

The asset sale was initially announced in November last year covering the assets Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, luxury mall Greenbelt 3 and 5 and Holiday Inn and Suites Makati at Ayala Center, Seda Ayala Center Cebu and a 276-hectare parcel of land located in Zambales. Mills said Areit has already submitted the deal for the review of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Areit closed 2023 with profit of P4.93 billion, up 43 percent from P3.44 billion the prior year.

Revenues reached P7.14 billion, up 41 percent from P5.06 billion in 2022. VG Cabuag

Banking&Finance

Asialink to grow client base after fresh capital

NAsialink Finance Corp. is keen on doubling its client base composed of small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In a news briefing last Wednesday, Asiaink CEO Robert B. Jordan Jr. said the company targets 100,000 SMEs more to its current client base of 100,000 businesses spread across the three firms that executives manage: AFC, Global Cebuana Finance Inc. (GCFI) and South Asialink Finance Corp. (SAFC). Jordan said these are customers with outstanding loans with the companies and do not include those who have already paid their obligations.

“We want to expand this, probably double this next year,” the executive said.

According to Jordan, the AFC is targeting to disburse a total of P24 billion while GCFI and SAFC aim to disburse P13 billion and P8 billion, respectively, in loans to SMEs. The executive said the disbursements will all depend on the companies’ ability to obtain funding.

The latter began the same day that Jordan and other AFC executives formally sealed an agreement with Malaysia-based private equity firm Creador Sdn. Bhd. to park P4 billion of its money in AFC. This fresh cash boosts AFC’s capital to P12 billion. Creador’s P4-billion investment, equivalent to an 18-percent stake in Asialink, “underscores the commitment of both parties to drive Asialink

towards sustained growth and market leadership,” Jordan said last February. Paulton & Company acted as Asialink’s financial advisor for this transaction. (See https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/02/28/ malaysian-equity-firm-to-fundasialinks-lending-operation/)

“Asialink has always been deeply committed to their success and with this strategic alliance, we are poised to make an even greater impact,” Jordan said as the company aims to “empower entrepreneurs, unlock opportunities and catalyze growth.”

“There are over a million SMEs in this country—hardworking Filipinos who do not have access to credit... They are the backbone of this country and if this country is going to be able to continue its growth journey, those SMEs need to be supported,” Creador Managing Director Omar Mahmoud said.

AFC is also looking forward to its initial public offering not later than 2028 wherein, Jordan said, the company’s capital would P30 billion, with 20 percent floated in the market.

To reach this goal, Jordan said the company’s funding strategy is anchored on raising funds from local, commercial and universal banks. Its agreement with Creador also carries the promise the Malaysian private equity firm would broker potential deals with the Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corp. in the future.

Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

PDIC to sell properties via e-bidding in May

THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) announced it is set to sell through electronic public bidding a total of 101 real properties on its e-bidding portal starting at 9:00 a.m. on May 22 until 9:00 a.m. on May 23, 2024. Bids shall be opened at 10:00 a.m. on May 23, a statement by the PDIC read.

To be sold an “as-is, where-is” are subdivision, residential and commercial lots owned by closed banks and acquired by the PDIC. These consist of 22 lots in Azores Subdivision, Barangay Santo Angel, San Pablo City, Laguna, 50 residential lots with improvements, 23 vacant residential lots, three residential lots, one residential condominium, one commercial lot with improvement, and a commercial building. Bulk of the properties are located in different parts of Luzon. Property sizes range from 36 square meters to 2,993 square meters.

The PDIC said prospective parties can join the e-bidding through a one-time registration on the portal at http://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph/Account/Register Once registered, buyers may submit their bids online and observe the e-bidding proceedings by clicking the “Assets for Sale” icon on www.pdic.gov.ph, the PDIC added.

As the mandated receiver of closed banks, the PDIC liquidates the remaining assets of closed banks to help pay claims of closed bank creditors, including depositors with uninsured deposits. Proceeds from the sale of closed bank-owned properties and other assets through public biddings and negotiated sales go directly to a fund that the Corporation uses to settle creditors’ claims against the assets of closed banks. Meanwhile, revenues from the sale of corporate assets are added to the Deposit Insurance Fund, from which the PDIC pays valid deposit insurance claims.

Agencies’ cash utilization rate hits 99% in Q1–DBM

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

THE cash allocation utilization rate of various government agencies reached 99 percent from January to March, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Latest data on the status of notice of cash allocation (NCA) showed the utilization rate in the first three months of the year faster, or improved by 1.02 percent from the 98 percent it posted in the same period in 2023.

The 99-percent utilization rate as of end-March corresponds to the P952.652 billion out of the P959.743 billion in total NCAs released for the period.

The remaining NCAs unused amounted to P7.090 billion for the period.

NCAs are disbursement authorities that cover the cash requirements of the operations, programs and projects of government agencies issued by the DBM.

A higher NCA utilization rate shows the capacity of line agencies to timely disburse their allocated funds and implement their programs and projects, according to the DBM.

Broken down, 69.37 percent of NCA releases were allocated to line departments at P665.737 billion. The remaining 30.63 percent represented Special Allocated Funds given

to agencies, such as state-run firms and local governments, amounting to P294.005 billion.

Line departments posted a 98.96-percent utilization rate, using P658.867 billion with a remaining P6.869 billion unused NCAs as of end-March this year.

No line department posted a 100-percent utilization rate yet but the Commission on Audit has posted a 99-percent utilization rate, followed by the DBM with 95 percent and the Department of Agrarian Reform with 93 percent.

Most line departments posted a 99-percent utilization rate while almost all the attached agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have posted a 100 percent utilization rate.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) obtained the bulk of the NCA releases worth P155.395 billion. The NCAs utilized by DepEd stood at 99.901 percent amounting to P155.241 billion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) placed second with the highest NCA releases worth

P138.565 billion, of which 99.634 percent—or P138.057 billion—was utilized, with a remaining P507.159-

Fintech secures ₧2.75B loan capital from Maya Bank

By VG Cabuag

TALA Financing Philippines Inc., a financial technology (fintech) firm that extends loans to the public, has secured a partnership with Maya Bank Inc.

According to the partnership, Maya Bank will extend a P2.75 billion loan capital to Tala, which it will extend to the public through its micro-loans program.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Maya Bank in this endeavor, knowing that their mission and values are well-aligned with Tala’s,” Cha -

risse P. Alvarez, Tala president and head of finance, strategy and analytics, said.

“We consider this a milestone in our commitment to become an accessible, reliable and trusted partner to our customers, one that helps them build financial resilience, stability, and ultimately, wealth,” Alvarez added.

Tala, an online lending platform registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is extending loans with repayment dates of 15 days to 61 days. There is a processing fee of 3.99 percent of borrowed amount.

“This partnership is set to significantly expand the availability of financial solutions for Filipinos, leveraging the latest digital and mobile technologies. Our joint effort is a significant step towards closing the financial access gap, ensuring we meet the everyday financial needs of our customers in this digital age,” Angelo S. Madrid, president of Maya Bank, said.

Maya Bank, one of the six entities in the country that has a digital banking license, said it is expanding its participation in solving for access to credit by partnering with digital lenders who have been working for

the same mission of improving access to loans for the unbanked in the Philippines. Tala, meanwhile, strives to provide access to credit to the public, partnerships with banks with similar values and mission in Southeast Asia is critical.

“With Maya’s goal to expand its customer base and offerings and Tala’s mission to unleash the economic power of the ‘global majority,’ this partnership achieves this mutual alignment, and together, they plan to transform how money works for Filipino consumers,” the companies said.

Block finishes development of Bitcoin mining chip

IGITAL payments company

DBlock Inc., formerly known as Square, has finished the development of its Bitcoin mining chip as Chief Executive Jack Dorsey continues to advocate for a more accessible and decentralized system—an effort he’s championed since 2021.

The 3-nanometer chip could be a major player in the fast-growing mining industry because such chips are a key component in creating some of the most advanced computers.

The chip, which powers specialized computers to mine Bitcoin, has been a bottleneck for any newcomers to com-

pete with the incumbent as the development process can be time-consuming and laden with hefty overhead costs. Only a handful of chip manufacturers based in Asia have seen significant profits amid the crypto boom, with Beijingbased Bitmain dominating the market, earning billions of dollars. Chipmaking giant Intel ended its Bitcoin mining series amid a crypto market rout in early 2023.

“This marks an important milestone in our Bitcoin mining project,” the San Francisco-based company said in a statement Tuesday. “Additionally, with our chip design complete, we are excited to

share that we are developing a full bitcoin mining system.” Dorsey first announced Block’s efforts to develop the Bitcoin mining system in 2021, along with the introduction of a hardware wallet for the cryptocurrency.

The company is “in the process of completing a full tapeout of the design with a leading global semiconductor foundry,” according to the statement.

Bitcoin mining is an energy-intensive process in which miners use the machines, or rigs, to validate transaction data on the blockchain and earn a reward in the form of the token. Miners are coping with a

heavy blow from the halving, a Bitcoin code update that drastically reduces their main revenue. More efficient machines can help them save power costs and make up some of the margins lost to the halving event which took place last week.

“Our mining chip will utilize the most advanced semiconductor process currently available and will deliver the performance required for mining operators of all types to survive and thrive in the fifth mining epoch (the period following the recent 4th halving of the block subsidy) and beyond,” the company said. Bloomberg News

Hong Kong crypto ETF launches will test ambition to be digital-asset center

HONG k ong is set to follow in the footsteps of the US by listing a batch of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, providing a window on whether the city is making progress on fashioning a hub for digital assets.

Some of China’s top asset managers are in the final leg of preparations for the spot-Bitcoin and Ether ETFs to begin trading by the end of April. The launches will likely invite comparison with a slew of three-month-old US Bitcoin funds that took Wall Street by storm, garnering $56 billion in assets to date.

Hong k ong for more than a year has been vying with the likes of Singapore and Dubai to develop a tightly regulated home for the virtual-asset industry, part of a plan to restore the city’s reputation as a modern financial center following a crackdown on dissent that dulled its allure.

The level of demand for the

upcoming ETFs will provide clues on Hong k ong’s progress. Chinese wealth parked in the city is one potential source of demand, as are crypto exchanges and market makers active in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bloomberg Intelligence ETF Analyst Rebecca Sin estimated the funds may amass $1 billion in assets under management over two years.

US shadow YET the US-based Bitcoin funds from titans such as BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments have already captured global interest and investment flows. The prospective Hong k ong issuers—Harvest Global Investments Ltd., the local unit of China Asset Management, and a partnership between Hashk ey Capital Ltd. and Bosera Asset Management (International) Co.—lack similar name recognition. “Hong k ong doesn’t have the ‘BlackRock’ effect to call on,”

said Roger Li, co-founder of One Satoshi, a chain of stores in Hong k ong offering over-the-counter conversions between cash and crypto. Expectations for ETF demand need to be calibrated in line with the city’s smaller financial sector, he added.

The US Securities & Exchange Commission grudgingly allowed ETFs investing directly in Bitcoin, the largest digital asset, in January. The agency is skeptical of crypto after a market rout in 2022 alongside bankruptcies and high-profile frauds, so ETFs for second-ranked Ether face an uphill task for approval.

Hong k ong, in contrast, has given the initial nod for spot-Bitcoin and Ether funds, according to issuers. Another difference is that Hash k ey Capital and Bosera have said that the Hong k ong spot-ETFs would have an in-kind subscription and redemption mechanism. That allows for the underlying assets to

be swapped for ETF units and vice versa, whereas the US funds operate on a cash redemption model.

Arbitrage opportunities

THE in-kind approach “is particularly appealing to crypto natives, market makers and digital-asset exchanges” as it enables greater efficiency and arbitrage opportunities, said Evgeny Gaevoy, cofounder of crypto liquidity provider Wintermute Trading Ltd. The Bosera-Hash k ey Capital spot products will begin trading on April 30, a Hash k ey spokesperson said on Wednesday. Hong k ong already permits crypto-futures based ETFs and three have listed so far: CSOP Bitcoin Futures, CSOP Ether Futures and Samsung Bitcoin Futures. They have total assets of about $175 million, a fraction of US offerings such as the $2.5 billion derivatives-based ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF.

“Setting realistic expectations for the Hong k ong ETF market is crucial, especially when considering the relatively modest size of the region’s existing futures ETFs,” Gaevoy said.

Aside from giving the green light for spot ETFs, officials are evaluating about two dozen applications to expand Hong k ong’s current roster of two licensed digital-asset exchanges. The city is also working on a framework for stablecoins, a type of token that is pegged 1-1 to fiat currency and typically backed by reserves of cash and bonds.

Rally tailwind

WHETHER Hong k ong will succeed in fostering a crypto hub remains an open question. The ETF launches arguably have a tailwind courtesy of Bitcoin’s fourfold jump since the start of last year, including a record high of $73,798 last month catalyzed by inflows into the US Bitcoin products.

“I am getting a lot of inquiries from Bitcoin holders” about Hong k ong ETFs, said Marco Lim, who is based in the city and is managing director of crypto hedge fund MaiCapital. The speed of approvals for the products took some by surprise, he added.

Digital assets also continue to be in demand in China amid a mixed outlook for stocks and a weak real estate sector. But crypto trading is banned on the mainland, driving activity underground, and the upcoming fund launches will likely remain beyond the purview of a program giving Chinese investors access to some Hong k ong ETFs.

“Virtual-asset ETF infrastructure will take time to develop,” said BI’s Sin. “Once the ETF ecosystem develops, more players will be able to participate, resulting in more flows, improved prices, tighter spreads, more liquidity and cheaper fees.” Bloomberg News

‘CA decision hinders fight against malnutrition’

TBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) to halt the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops could adversely affect the country’s efforts to fight malnutrition, according to a member of the Monetary Board (MB).

MB Member V. Bruce J. Tolentino, who was a former Deputy Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), said the decision will also prevent the improvement of breeding technology.

The CA barred the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned government agencies from pushing through with the commercial release of genetically modified rice or Golden Rice and eggplant products or Bt Eggplant.

(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2024/04/23/commercial-release-of-gm-rice-eggplant-halted-by-ca/)

In a 143-page decision penned by Associate Justice Jennifer Joy C. Ong, the CA’s Fourth Division granted the petition filed by farmers and environmental groups for a writ of kalikasan directing respondents UPLB and the Philippine Rice Research Institute to desist from commercially propagating and conducting activities relating to Bt Eggplant and Golden Rice, respectively, until all concerned government agencies submit proof of safety of and compliance with legal requirements.

The CA also granted the writ of continuing mandamus, which ordered the concerned respondents government agencies to submit to the CA strengthened risk as -

DA issues rules for importing fish for wet markets in Q4

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) released guidelines for the importation of small pelagic fish, including roundscad and mackerel, for wet markets in October to December.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order (MO) 17 Series of 2024 which specified the guidelines in implementing Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 259, which covered importation during the closed fishing season.

“To provide for a clear and efficient implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order No.259 (FAO 259) in relation to the issuance of SPS Import Clerance (SPSICs) for the Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) 25,000 MT [metric tons] of frozen small pelagic fish for wet markets for the period of October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 (the ‘CNI 25, 000 MT 2024’), these guidelines are hereby issued,” MO 17 read.

“The SPS Import Clearance under CNI 25,000 MT shall be issued on September 1, 2024 until November 30, 2024 and the fish to be imported must arrive no later than January of the succeeding year.”

Under the rules, 80 percent of the maximum importable volume (MIV) under a CNI will be allocated based on the fish landings of each of the commercial fishing operator who has a valid commercial fishing vessel and gear license. Commercial fishers must have also contributed to the production for the last three years and has actively participated during the last importation period.

“For the volume of landings outside of PFDA [Philippine Fisheries Development Authority] ports, only twenty percent [20 percent] of said volume shall be credited for the computation of the allocation,” MO 17 read.

For the fisheries associations or cooperatives, MO 17 indicated that 20 percent of the MIV will be based on their performance, taking into consideration the percentage arrival of fish imported

from the immediately preceding importation period.

“Only fisheries associations and cooperatives affected by the closed fishing season and have the financial capacity to import shall be qualified to participate in this importation period.”

For importers belonging to the commercial fishing sector, an initial volume of 112 MT, which is equivalent to four containers will be distributed to qualified commercial fishers.

“The remaining volume will be distributed disproportionately based on their percentage share from the total volume of fish landings for the past three years immediately preceding an importation period,” MO 17 read.

Under the guidelines, the final volume of allocation for each importer will be the sum of the initially allocated volume (112 MT) and their allocated volume based on the percentage share in the total volume of landings.

Laurel also said an initial volume of 56 MT which is equivalent to two containers will be distributed to all qualified associations/ cooperatives in this importation period.

“The remaining volume shall be distributed to the importers proportionately based on their percentage share form the total arrivals of imported fish under FAO 259 by association/cooperatives from the immediately preceding importation period.”

MO 17 specified that the total volume for each importer will be the sum of the initial allocated volume (56 MT) and their allocated volume based on their proportionate share in the volume of arrivals.

“The BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] shall encourage the importers to immediately trade the imported fish to ensure that it will not overlap with the local catch by the end of the closed fishing season.”

Traders must ensure that imports were not derived from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

China’s distressed pig farmers eye turnaround as herd shrinks

CHINESE farmers are keeping the fewest pigs for breeding since 2020, offering hopes that the industry is on the cusp of sustained profitability after years of losses.

sessment procedures and concrete mechanisms to monitor all activities conducted under the Joint Department Circular (JDC) Nos. 1-2016 and 1-2021 issued by the Department of Science and Technology, the DA, the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Health and the Interior and Local Government.

The joint circular governs all aspects related to genetically modified plant products derived from modern technology.

The CA pointed out the “insufficiencies” of the JDC provisions about monitoring, labelling of GMOs and adoption of realistic time frame for processing of biosafety permit applications.

“The CA decision halting the research by PhilRice and UPLB [University of the Philippines Los Bano] on GM commodities is a step

backward for the Philippines, with serious negative impact on efforts to attain nutrition security and improve crop and germplasm breeding technology. Unfortunately, the decision is based on a fear of science and misplaced populism,” Tolentino said.

He also lamented that the decision of the CA will delay the release of these crops for at least a decade. “[It will] probably delay for years and years, in addition to all the years of delay that have already been incurred and wasted so far.”

Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), malnutrition killed 3,879 Filipinos in the January to November 2023 period. However, this represented an 18.7-percent decline from the 4,771 Filipinos who died of malnutrition in 2022.

In 2021, a Global Agricultural

Information Network (Gain) report indicated that the commercial propagation of Golden Rice in the Philippines is “a huge boost” to the country’s efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and achieve food security by 2030.

The Gain report noted that the Philippines became the first country in the world to approve Golden Rice for commercial propagation.

Citing data from the PhilRice, the Gain report noted that only 2 out of 10 Filipino households meet the estimated average requirement for vitamin A in their daily diet.

“While beta carotene is naturally available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, it is not present in milled rice,” it said.

Meanwhile, planting Bt eggplant will allow farmers to quadruple their income, according to Dr. Cesar B. Quicoy, assistant

professor of the UPLB’s College of Economics and Management. BusinessMirror reported in 2011 that the increase in net income would come from substantial savings from pesticides use, pesticide labor cost, as well as increase in yield.

Quicoy’s study titled “Economics of Eggplant Production and Potential Impact of Bt Eggplant,” noted that for every hectare planted to Bt eggplant, the yield is estimated at 12,082 kilograms.

At P10.77 per kilo, the gross revenue of farmers could reach P130,123 per hectare. Net income could go as high as P65,489 per hectare.

Quicoy noted that planting Bt eggplant would result in a 55 percent reduction in pesticide use. Also, pesticide labor cost could decline by 60 percent.

Central Luzon is top agri producer in 2023—PSA data

DOUBLE - DIGIT growth in livestock production made Central Luzon the region with the largest contribution to agriculture gross value added (GVA) in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on the Regional Value of Production in Agriculture and Fisheries, PSA said Central Luzon production amounted to P239.05 billion or 13.5 percent of total agriculture GVA in 2023.

In terms of growth rate, livestock production in Central Luzon surged 30 percent while poultry production rose 6.4 percent in Central Luzon.

Crop production in Central Luzon, dubbed the rice granary of the Philippines, inched 0.5 percent while fisheries contracted 0.01 percent.

Apart from Central Luzon, other regions that accounted for the largest shares in agriculture GVA were Northern Mindanao and Western Visayas which posted 10.1 percent and 9.4 percent shares, respectively.

by Mimaropa at 16.9 percent, Ilocos Region at 14.1 percent, and Calabarzon at 12.2 percent.

For poultry, the total value of production in 2023 was valued at P260 billion at constant 2018 prices. The top three regions with the highest contribution in the value of poultry production were Central Luzon with a 27-percent share, Calabarzon with a share of 19.3 percent, and Northern Mindanao which accounted for 9.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the biggest decline in the value of production in agriculture and fisheries was posted by the Bicol Region at 7.6 percent. Similarly, reductions in the value of production were noted in Western Visayas at 5.7 percent and Soccsksargen at 4.3 percent.

The total value of crop production at constant 2018 prices was recorded at P1 trillion in 2023. Northern Mindanao accounted for the highest share in the total value of crop production at 11.7 percent.

Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon came second and third

PSA also said Central Visayas posted the fastest annual growth in the value of production in agriculture and fisheries at 7.6 percent. This was followed by Mimaropa Region at 7 percent and Eastern Visayas at 3.4 percent.

with shares of 10.6 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.

In terms of annual growth, Central Visayas recorded the highest growth in the value of crop production among all regions at 24.3 percent.

The total value of livestock production was estimated at P260 billion in 2023. The top three regions with the highest contribution to the value of livestock production were Calabarzon with 13.1 percent share, Central Visayas with 12.7 percent share, and Northern Mindanao with 11.3 percent share.

For the year-on-year growth, Central Luzon registered the highest increment at 30 percent in the value of production followed

House to look into ‘yawning gap’ in commodity prices

UBy Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

PON the resumption of session on Monday, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez announced plans to lead an investigation into the “growing disparity” between farmgate and retail prices of essential commodities.

Romualdez also called for the implementation of a review process that seeks to identify and rectify any loopholes that could encourage profiteering and unfair pricing practices within the supply chain.

This decision follows a meeting with Romualdez, Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, and representatives from the producer and retail sectors, where denials of substantial price changes were made.

Romualdez said there is a need to immediately address the discrepancy between farmgate and retail prices, highlighting the plight of struggling farmers and the burden faced by consumers.

“I would ask House Chairman Mark

cycle,” said Zhu. “In addition, demand has been weak since the second half of last year due to the macroeconomic environment.”

Enverga of the Committee on Agriculture to immediately start the ball rolling for an investigation into the disconnect between farmgate and retail prices of basic goods,” he said.

“The discrepancy between farmgate and retail prices of basic goods is alarming and warrants immediate attention. We cannot ignore the plight of our farmers who are struggling to make ends meet, nor can we turn a blind eye to the burden placed on consumers.”

During their meeting last Tuesday, Jayson Cainglet of Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) informed the Speaker that farmgate prices of rice, poultry, pork, and even onions have been maintained for the past three months, so there should be no spike in the prices of these items.

Romualdez assured the producers and retailers that the House would investigate the price discrepancy in the exercise of its oversight function, as he also committed to conducting a thorough review of existing laws to protect the interests of both consumers and

producers and deter profiteering.

“It is imperative that we conduct a comprehensive review of our laws to ensure that they effectively safeguard the interests of our farmers and consumers. We must take proactive measures to prevent profiteering and promote a fair and transparent trading environment.”

The Speaker urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, and consumer advocacy groups, to actively participate in the investigation and contribute to the formulation of effective policy interventions.

“At the end of the day, we want to make sure that all the stakeholders in whatever industry or sector are viable, if they are on the business side of it, so that it becomes sustainable so that we can continue delivering basic goods and services to consumers at sustainable, affordable prices.”

Meanwhile, as the process of instituting reforms to ensure a stable supply and affordable prices of food is being undertaken, Romualdez said the House

rather than demand.

In terms of annual growth, higher increments in the value of poultry production were noted in Eastern Visayas at 24.2 percent, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 11.24 percent, and Mimaropa at 11.19 percent.

The total value of fisheries production amounted to P240 billion at constant 2018 prices. Central Luzon contributed 18.1 percent to the total value of fisheries production.

For the annual growth, increases in fisheries production were registered in Mimaropa at 28.9 percent, te National Capital Region at 19.3 percent and Caraga at 6.3 percent. Cai

remains committed to supporting safety nets—and even expanding them—to cushion vulnerable sectors of society from the effect of rising food prices.

“We would have to work toward widening the scope of these interventions while we are simultaneously working on the long-term solution or target of rice self-sufficiency, efficiencies are generated, and there is less dependence on expensive, imported rice.”

Romualdez cited, among others, the Cash and Rice Assistance (CARD) program—a joint initiative of the House and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)— that provides qualified indigents with rice, along with cash for other food items.

Likewise, he noted the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) Program, which provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a poor person or family in crisis; as well as the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, designed for those classified in the “near poor” segment to prevent them from spiraling down below the poverty line.

weeks and months.

Still, the moves are insufficient to herald a major turning point, according to Zhu Zengyong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Rather, the market has entered “an upward cycle on a smaller scale,” he said.

“The fall in the sow herd, though continuous, is still not enough to restart a major new pork

The so-called pork cycle in China, where prices are driven by mismatches in supply and demand, has implications beyond farm incomes. Analysts look to the cycle for clues on inflation because the nation’s favorite meat is an important element in the basket of goods used to measure price changes. Weakness in livestock markets has contributed to the deflationary pressures that have weighed on consumer spending in recent months, posing risks to Beijing’s target for economic growth.

China’s pork cycle is just another variant of the booms and busts that characterize commodities markets and typically lasts three or four years. The current one began with a steep drop in prices in 2021 after farmers expanded their herds to capture better margins.

Fewer pigs now mean prices have once again turned higher, which is starting to entice speculators into the market, according to Cofco Futures Co. Hog slaughters are expected to fall

further, by more than 5 percent in both the second and third quarters compared to the previous year, the brokerage said in a note this week.

Green shoots

THE central bank’s target of 3 percent annual growth in the consumer price index has long looked out of reach. CPI grew just 0.1 percent in March, while prices actually fell from October through January, so any green shoots of recovery in food markets will be welcome, even if the improvement is driven by supply

While sentiment has undoubtedly improved, there are still obstacles to overcome if the rebound in the hog industry is to be maintained.

China’s sluggish economy could cap any further gains in price if cash-strapped households continue to penny-pinch. Some farmers may be too quick to restock their herds.

Others are holding back pigs that are already ready for slaughter, fattening them further for bigger profits, the agriculture ministry said last week. That’s likely to swell supply in coming

And the structure of the market has changed in recent years. Previously, steep losses would wipe out smallholders, which in turn would deepen supply deficits.

But consolidation has reduced the number of small farms, leaving more capacity in the hands of larger companies that are better able to ride out unprofitable periods.

“With production more concentrated with big corporate players, continuous losses will lead to some output cuts, but they won’t be as dramatic,” said Zhu. Bloomberg News

U. Ordinario

A FARMER in Central Luzon plants rice in this BusinessMirror file photo.

the tragedy of sudden unexpected infant deaths—and how bedsharing, maternal smoking and stomach sleeping all contribute

By Fern R. Hauck University of Virginia

UNSaFE sleep practices underlie most sudden unexpected infant deaths in the US, with three-quarters of infants affected by multiple unsafe practices at the time of death, and almost 60 percent sharing a sleep surface with another person. these are the key findings from our recent study published in Pediatrics. Sudden unexpected infant death, or SUid occurs in infants less than 1 year old who die suddenly and unexpectedly without an obvious cause before investigation, accounting for about 3,400 deaths annually in the US. these infants die from sudden infant death syndrome, or SidS, accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, or other illdefined and unknown causes. infants sharing a sleep surface with parents, other adults or other infants or children is highly discouraged by the american academy of Pediatrics and numerous other agencies because it can increase the risk of these deaths.

So the high occurrence of surface sharing—also called bedsharing—in our study is alarming. the study included 7,595 infants who died from SUid during the period 2011 to 2020 and who were in the Centers for disease Control and Prevention’s SUid Case registry, which collects data from child death review teams in 23 states, cities or counties. We examined characteristics of infants who were bedsharing at the time of death.

Compared with nonsharing infants in our study, bedsharing infants were more likely to have the following characteristics:

n 0 to 3 months old, non-Hispanic Black and insured by Medicaid or other public plan

n Were found lying on their back in an adult bed, chair or couch

n Were affected by a higher number of unsafe sleep factors

n Had been exposed to maternal cigarette smoking while in the womb

n Were being supervised by someone impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of death

n did not have a crib in the home among nonsharing infants in the study, only one-third were sleeping in the recommended back position, and threequarters were in sleep areas that had soft bedding such as pillows, comforters or bumper pads at the time of death. three-quarters of all the sudden unexpected infant deaths in our study were affected by multiple unsafe sleep factors. rates of sudden unexpected infant deaths overall in the US have changed only minimally in the past 20 years, but racial-ethnic disparities in these deaths are widening due to increasing rates among non-Hispanic Black infants. our study suggests that the majority of these deaths are preventable by following the guidelines for safe infant sleep as outlined by the american academy of Pediatrics and the National institute of Child Health and Human development. these guidelines include:

n Placing the baby to sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface

n Placing the baby to sleep in his or her parents' room for the first six months on a separate sleep surface designed for infant sleep, close to the parents' bed n keeping the baby's sleep space free of soft objects, such as pillows and loose bedding n avoiding alcohol, marijuana, opioids and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth n avoiding smoke and nicotine exposure during pregnancy and after birth

So why are the sudden unexpected infant death rates not changing? Even with knowledge of the recommended practices, many parents find it difficult to follow the recommendations. others may choose not to follow them or may not follow them all of the time. THE CONVERSATION

Giving your home a cool coastal vibe

TOP lifestyle brand Crate & Barrel invites homemakers to transform their space into an oasis of contemporary comfort. Discover fresh new collections where you’re sure to find something that will suit your style—the Cool Coastal Home and the Modern Organic Home, a beautifully curated aesthetic packed with mixed materials, sculptured curves and travelinspired finds; as well as exciting collaborations with American interior designer Leanne Ford and star chef Eric Adjepong.

The Cool Coastal vibe is all about fresh, beautiful and breezy designs. Think light wood, nautical blues, easy-to-layer beachy neutrals and textural showstoppers. The collection also features built-tolast all-weather pieces in eye-catching form that lets you enjoy every moment under the sun all year long where outdoor getaways and alfresco dining are made even more special.

Breezy and beautiful, the Cool Coastal home is made for real life, inviting and comfortable, welledited and easy to be a way of living.

The Crate & Barrel stores can be found at SM Aura Premier, SM Makati, SM Megamall, or online at www. crateandbarrel.com.ph. n

Happy summer learnin’: Preschool edition

LAST week, I shared summer learning activities for toddlers. This week, I will focus on our preschoolers. Preschool is the age between 3 to 5 years old. This is a time when I observed my children were very enthusiastic about anything I introduced to them. It was also the time, and I am sure a lot of you can relate, that our children just want to be with us all the time. That’s why I was most excited to play with my preschooler with educational tools. I wanted them to have happy learning memories that build deep foundations for their lifelong love for learning. At this stage also, it is fascinating to observe how our child continuously develops skills that allow them to be more “big school ready.” According to renowned developmental pediatrician Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta, in his Dr. D’s Happy Learning World Learning

Boxes with Ogalala, we need to “provide activities that allow them to enjoy learning literacy and numeracy through games, puzzles and art-infused learning. We also build their confidence through developing critical thinking and motor skills through games and active play.”

At age three, let’s enjoy puzzles and games that expose our preschoolers to school concepts; drawing together so they would enjoy holding a pen; giving simple instructions to follow while leaving lots of room for creative time. At ages four to five, I call this the “deposit” year. I loved introducing subject learning through art-infused learning so I tried to find STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) toys for as early as four years old. Crayola Marker Maker has been a staple for us. The brand Science4You, all made in Europe, are my latest finds for STEAM that are safe for preschoolers. By introducing subjects early and play-based, our children will naturally find it fun and familiar when they encounter these subjects in school. I also introduced activities that promote critical thinking and logic to build confidence. I found Montessori toys from Headu Italy that specifically focuses on teaching logic. Logic is the foundation for subjects like Math, Science and Reading comprehension.

I remember how I was so worried that my firstborn was late in learning her alphabet. Like I

shared last week, I initially felt the pressure, but I was lucky to have realized early on that I needed to have a growth and even playful mindset with my children. Each learning concept at this stage became a fun puzzle that my child tried to crack, with me as her parent providing effective play tools and all the loving guidance and encouragement my child needed. I saw my daughter blossom from having difficulty in Math in her early school years, to loving the whole process of “cracking the code.” Today, she got accepted in top US universities including Columbia, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Notre Dame.

Below are my suggested baskets of Happy Learning Summer Activities for Preschool: 1. Summer building. Summer is a time that involves a lot of car and plane rides. It is also a time when our child might ask for the screen far more than usual. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends 1 hour per weekday, and three hours for weekend days for ages two to five. This is the best time to have ready on-the-go play tools ready in places where your child usually asks for the screen. So, I would have separate plastic crates ready filled with play tools in the car, dining and living room.

The key is to find toys that can be played longer because it offers many functions or can be done over and over again. That’s why I love The Learning

Journey ABC Melody Maker. It has five interactive activities, piano keys and a songbook to teach music, sounds, letters and numbers. In game modes, they have a find-me game and before-and-after like “What number comes before nine?” I also had several kinds of Melissa-and-Doug alphabet, number and Water-Wow in my crates because I observed that my children truly loved the hand feel of the alphabet and number pieces. The magnetic board was something I had both in the car and in the mealtime area, because my child could write on it, play with the letters, and we could spell or count the food they were eating. It was such an effective way to distract them from asking for the tablet.

2. Summer exploration. Active play is very important to start or develop as a routine for our preschoolers. Motor development promotes brain development. That’s why I really like the Dancing Dino toy. The fun music, funny responses and sound effects invites your child to sing and dance, as well as ask them questions about letters and colors. I also loved taking my preschoolers to the zoo, science museums, and new places. Then always having coloring materials available, for when we found time to draw what we saw together, which doubled up as a memorabilia. This is a fun way to develop a preschooler’s handgrip

DIGITALIZATION A BOOST TO EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE PHL—BRITISH BUSINESS GROUP

THE British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (BCCP) believes that digitalization will certainly help in terms of the ease of doing business in the country. This is why it is working closely with the Philippine government to ensure quick passage of important legislative measures, particularly on cybersecurity.

“We’re working closely with the government and we’d like to see priority measures or pieces of legislation, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, so we’d like the Cybersecurity Act passed as a priority measure,” according to Chris Nelson, BCCP Executive Director and Trustee.

He made the remarks during BCCP’s event, “Securing the Digital Frontier: Breaking Through Digital Boundaries” that was held in partnership with BCCP members CyberQ Group and Colliers at the Makati Commerce Tower recently.

As Jose Carlos Reyes, Director of the Cybersecurity Bureau from the Depart -

ment of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) outlined cybersecurity concerns in the Philippines as one of the event’s speakers, Nelson agreed about how vital cybersecurity is.

“We see that cybersecurity is critically important. It’s an issue not only in the Philippines and the UK so it’s important the Philippine government is taking serious action on cybersecurity that reinforces overseas investors and it helps them to come in and know that they will be safe that’s why those actions such as the passage of the Cybersecurity Act is important,” Nelson said.

Aside from cybersecurity, Nelson said one of the advocacies of the BCCP is to ensure an increased investment from UKbased companies and trade and investment here. He emphasized the need for a breakdown or further removal of economic barriers, particularly those stated in the Philippine Constitution that bars investments from foreign companies or

ownership.

He added that the BCCP is also meeting with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as part of the chamber’s commitment to championing regulatory reform and enhancing economic competitiveness. “We’re close to supporting them in their aims such as those in regard to ease of doing business, which is a phrase often used, is very critical in getting those businesses, moving forward.” The BCCP continues to remain as a leader in making more people aware of the business opportunities in the Philippines, trying to drive investment and trade, and getting key legislation passed as soon as possible, Nelson reiterated.

Other guests during the event were Chris Woods, Founder and CEO of CyberQ Group, Roberto Tayag, CEO-APAC of CyberQ Group, Vishvas Nayi, Chief Solutions Architect of the CyberQ Group, and Pat Pio Fondevilla, Cybersecurity Operations Head of the Philippine National Bank.

All-New OMODA 7 Set for Global Launch on April 28

ONE year after the launch of its first global model, the OMODA 5, OMODA is set to introduce the OMODA 7 to the global market, embodying an all-dimensional “evolution” in design aesthetics, and smart innovations, leading the way to a new era of mobility. The new vehicle is slated for a global launch at the end of April, with more product details to be unveiled.

According to the official teaser images released, the design language of the new vehicle emphasizes a futuristic sensibility and aesthetic beauty. Every angle exudes style; the front face of the car is

sharp distinctive, the side profile boasts an elegantly smooth waistline, the lightning taillight design conveys the power of technology and aesthetics. The OMODA 7 will undoubtedly be an avant-garde model that refreshes SUV aesthetic standards.

Compared to the OMODA 5, the OMODA 7 positions itself higher with larger dimensions. In addition to continuing the futuristic, technological, and fashionable design ethos, it will further enhance the intelligent driving experience.

OMODA’s SUVs are known for their futuristic designs, enjoyable intelligent experiences, cutting-edge new energy

THE words “bangus” and “art” may not usually come together, but this April, different local artists will showcase how beautiful this humble fish could be.

Bang Bang Special Crispy Bangus, together with ArtShow Philippines and Gateway Gallery, is mounting a bangus-themed art exhibit which shall feature drawings, paintings, and sculptures inspired by the bangus. The show is entitled BANGUS ART: A Collective Art Exhibit on our National Fish and it will be open to the public until -May 3, 2024 at The Gateway Gallery, 5th floor, Gateway Tower, Gen. Aguinaldo Ave. Araneta City, Quezon City.

“Eating bangus has been been part of Filipino culture for more than a century, and I’m sure that most of us have memories of eating bangus with our families. In this exhibit, our goal is to bring

out an artistic and expressive energy on this fish, which has made our country proud all over the world,” shares Lucci Canlas, co-founder of Bang Bang Bangus. The Philippines has always been one of the top producers and exporters of milkfish, or bangus, and its aquaculture has been around since the latter part of the 19th century. Though the bangus may be an unofficial national fish, it continues to be a staple in many Filipino households. Today, the bangus is not only enjoyed in the Philippines, but also by people in different parts of the world including Asia, Europe, Middle East, and America.

Aside from selling flavored fried bangus nationwide, Bang Bang Bangus also advocates local art. They believe that just like the bangus, Filipino art is also world-class.

“The intertwining of bangus and art aims to

technologies, and comprehensive safety features, making them highly competitive in the market and a popular choice among many young people. The first global model, the OMODA 5, introduced fashionable crossover C5 and all-electric E5, not only reshaping consumer perception of OMODA but also leading a new trend of green technology and unique aesthetic style.

The OMODA E5, in particular, achieved a 65 percent month-over-month growth in March, making it the fastest-growing star of the global A0-class all-electric SUVs in 2024. The appearance of the new model undoubtedly becomes another significant highlight in the trend of global youthoriented consumerism, leveraging the power of technology to propel OMODA to new heights.

It is reported that at the end of April, alongside the debut of the OMODA 7, OMODA will also bring the OMODA E5 to the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. This event will also feature the largest group of international dignitaries ever assembled to support the launch, and OMODA will unveil a completely new brand ecosystem and a global public welfare initiative. With the international-level major events, the unveiling of a new model, new strategies, and a new ecosystem, the surprises that OMODA has in store this April are highly anticipated.

showcase how the milkfish can also be relatable to the younger generation, and thus encourage them to continue our tradition of eating bangus,” says Canlas. “We purposely scheduled the exhibit at this time, to promote and celebrate bangus in solidarity with the Bangus festival that shall take place in Dagupan this April.”

Just like the versatile bangus which could be cooked in a variety of ways—pinirito, inihaw, sinigang, paksiw, and baked among others—the works of art that will be featured in the Bangus Art exhibit shall also use different media and techniques. An array of sculptures and paintings made with oil, acrylic, mixed media, colored pencils, fused plastics, clay, metal, and other materials shall be showcased.

“Bangus is part of our culture and isn’t it just fitting to make artworks about it? These visual love letters are not just about the fish but a reflection of the stories involving it—may it be about a bountiful harvest, a shared meal among the family, or simply just a tribute to this beautiful fish,” says Canlas.

This homage to the bangus aspires to show how fun and enjoyable this subject could be. It wants to emit a vibrant and dynamic energy as it attempts to communicate through visual artistry. How artistic can the subject of bangus be? This shall be revealed as the creativity and imagination of the 53 local artists from Luzon and Mindanao take centerstage in this collective exhibit.

When in Siargao, visit Coastal Grounds for your coffee fix

GOING to Siargao? Make sure to check out Coastal Grounds at the Pops District in General Luna. If you are in the mood for interesting caffeine treats, ask the barista to prepare their signature drinks like the Orange Shakerato, Italian style iced coffee shake with espresso and syrup; Honey Rose Latte, your favorite espresso mixture with a delicate floral spike or the Black Sesame Latte, sweet blend of milk and espresso topped with rich taste of black sesame. The café also serves favorite espresso concoctions like Long Black, Cortado, Affogato, and Dark Chocolate Mocha. Something cool for the warm weather? Order their 12-hour Cold Brew, Flavored Iced tea (strawberry-mango, Masala Chai, and Uji Matcha), and Frappes. Coastal Grounds Coffee is the very first café venture of the MASA (Manpower for Advertising Services Agency Inc.) Group. Headed by their Executive Vice President for Business Development and Operations Dr. Stephene Roy Condino, also known as Doc Bigs to his colleagues and students. Known for his expertise in business and entrepreneurship, Coastal Grounds Coffee captures the fascination of Doc Bigs for coffee and the infectious Siargao island vibe.

In between running the family business and his teaching duties, Doc Bigs will always find time to pause and enjoy a cup of coffee. The MASA head office in Manila has its coffee shop, which serves a popular coffee brand at employee-friendly prices.

When the opportunity to open his coffee place materialized, Doc Bigs couldn’t think of a better location. “Siargao is the best, it is so warm and friendly. The people are constantly helping one another. It is not commercialized, it is not congested, it’s all about supporting the local business. They made us feel so welcome, the community spirit is very inspiring.”

Guests like savoring every sip while watching the surfers ride the waves, an experience that can only be enjoyed at Coastal Grounds. “We use Yardstick coffee for our drinks, and local beans from Bukidnon, Davao, and Benguet to prepare our Pour Over Coffee.” Also known as filter or drip coffee, it involves pouring hot water through coffee grounds in a filter to bring out a fuller flavor.

With its unique menu, (they also plan to offer breakfast treats) Coastal Grounds is fast becoming the favorite island hub thanks to its relaxing, friendly, and laidback ambiance.

Partner in business, partner in life

THE gift of a husband to his wife is a surprise birthday celebration with all her father’s siblings as special guests together with other relatives. Her birthday is on Tuesday, April 23.

The husband, Sherwin Lim, said the gift is a token of appreciation to his wife, Weng, his lucky partner in business. Sherwin admired his wife for being a dedicated sister concerned with the welfare of her siblings. She helped them find good place to reside and provide some of their needs.

Sherwin just celebrated his birthday weeks ago with all siblings of his wife as special guests together with other relatives.

For the birthday of Weng, all siblings of her father were her special guests. The siblings of her father are from Masbate, Albay, Rizal, Cavite, and Metro Manila. Sherwin shouldered their transportation and related expenses back and forth.

Sherwin expected that the birthday celebration would be a memorable one. She came from a poor family and has not tasted luxury at all. Now that she enjoys a better life, she can find ways to help her siblings. Sherwin supports his wife’s wish to give her siblings a better life.

COASTAL Grounds in Siargao

ANDY TINAWIN Bangus on Threads on Canvas 18” by 9”

Envoys&Expats

BCCP: Digitalization to boost PHL’s ease of doing business

By Rory Visco | Contributor

THE British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (BCCP) believes digitalization will greatly help facilitate the ease of doing business (EODB) in the country.

That is why it is working closely with the Philippine government to ensure the quick passage of important legislative measures, with focus on cybersecurity. “We’re working closely with the government, and we’d like to see priority measures or pieces of legislation—particularly in the areas of cybersecurity; so, we’d like the ‘Cybersecurity Act’ passed as a priority measure,” stated BCCP executive director and trustee Chris Nelson. “We see that cybersecurity is critically important. It’s an issue not only in the Philippines and the United Kingdom, so it’s important [for us that the national] govern -

ment is taking serious action on cybersecurity that reinforces overseas investors, and it helps them to come in and know that they will be safe.”

Actions such as the passage of the “Cybersecurity Act,” he said, is important.

He made the remarks during the “Securing the Digital Frontier: Breaking Through Digital Boundaries” event that was organized in partnership with BCCP members CyberQ Group and Colliers.

Aside from that, Nelson shared that one of the advocacies of the chamber is to ensure increased investments from UK-based companies, as well as local trade and investments. He emphasized the need for a breakdown or further removal of economic barriers, particularly those

stated in the Philippine Constitution that bars investments from foreign companies or ownership.

He added that the BCCP is also meeting with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as part of the chamber’s commitment to championing regulatory reform and enhancing economic competitiveness: “We’re close to supporting them in their aims such as those [regarding EoDB], which is…very critical in getting those businesses moving forward.”

Nelson reiterated that the chamber continues to maintain its leadership in making more people aware of the business opportunities in the Philippines, trying to drive investment and trade, and getting key legislation passed as soon as possible.

Norway, Palawan bolster efforts in environmental, social governance

PUERTo PRINCESA—The Norwegian government is boosting ties with the leadership of Palawan Province, with an eye toward enhancing partnerships in various fields.

Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster led a delegation’s cordial visit to the province’s top officials on April 3. He was welcomed at the Provincial Capitol by provincial legal officer-lawyer Joshua Bolusa who represented Gov. Dennis Socrates, tourism promotions and development officer Maribel Buñi, health officer Dr. Faye Labrador, as well as Roots of Health Executive Director Amina Swanepoel.

The focus of discussions, Lyster said, centered on bolstering efforts in environmental and social governance, health care, and tourism sectors. “We are exploring maritime, energy, and fisheries industry coopera-

tion with the Philippines that will help the different sectors,” the ambassador said. “We are also expressing our support for the reforms and

initiatives being undertaken by your government in terms of managing several issues and concerns.”

For the province’s part, Bolusa shared facts on Palawan’s development priorities, as he cited critical health initiatives aimed at improving public well-being.

The Palawan government official also highlighted the strategic approaches to bolstering tourism promotion, with focus on sustainable practices and community engagement. He hoped that the meeting will be the “start of a meaningful and fruitful relationship between Palawan and Norway.”

“Basically, tourism, agriculture, and the fishing industries are the major engines of growth for the province’s economic advancement,” he pointed out. Izza Reynoso/PNA

Malaysia celebrates ‘Eid’ through cultural culinary fusion with DoT

IN a vibrant celebration of ‘Eid’ on April 10, the Embassy of Malaysia and the Department of Tourism (DoT ) held a unique cultural and culinary festival.

The event, which coincides with “Filipino Food Month,” highlighted similarities between the cuisines of Malaysia and Mindanao, with a special focus on roti jala, chicken curry, sinulabai, and chicken linigil.

The celebration, which took place at the Malaysian Embassy, commenced with the Eid prayer. It was followed by the food demonstration, then provided an immersive experience into the rich culinary traditions that Malaysia and the Mindanao region share.

Chairperson of the Ladies Association of the Embassy of Malaysia

Madam Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and Chef Tahir Ayunan Malikol expertly demonstrated the process of making the delicacies. often referred to as “lace pancakes,” roti jala is a traditional Malaysian delicacy that is as “delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate.” This intricate creation involves a batter of flour, eggs, and coconut milk, poured through a small container with multiple holes to form delicate, net-like crepes.

These are then expertly folded and served alongside a hearty and aromatic chicken curry. The curry, rich with spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, slow-cooked with tender chicken pieces, potatoes, and coconut milk, offers a creamy and spicy complement to the soft, absorbent roti jala. Together, they embody a culinary harmony, presenting a blend of textures and flavors that are deeply rooted in the Malaysian gastronomic tradition.

From the Philippines, sinulabay can be considered the local version of the Malaysian roti. Made with

flour, coconut milk, and a dash of turmeric, the mixture is prepared on a hot grill into a crepe-like shape. The hot flatbread is accompanied by a hearty serving of chicken linigil: a type of dry curry prepared with chicken, herbs, and chillis cooked in turmeric, chicken liver, coconut milk. The star of the show—the palapa—is a unique Filipino condiment, sweet and spicy on the palate, and is made with pounded ginger, turmeric, labuyo chili, toasted coconut, and the sakurab: a kind of white scallion endemic to the provinces of Cotabato and Maguindanao. The palapa beautifully rounds off the linigil, giving it a uniquely Filipino flavor.

Ambassador Melik Melvin Castellano shared his excitement: “This is a landmark year for Malaysia-Philippines ties, and what better way to celebrate this milestone and the shared joy of Eid than through the universal language of food.”

According to the ambassador, “our culinary traditions tell the story of our shared heritage, influences, and the bonds that have been nurtured over six decades of friendship and diplomatic relations.”

He explained that “Eid is a celebration that signifies the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is a time of joy, a season of giving, and a period of reflection and unity. It symbolizes the core values that both Malaysians and Filipinos hold dear, family, community, and the spirit of togetherness. In the same vein, food plays a central role in our cultures, not just as sustenance, but as a means to bring people together, to share in our heritage, and to express our love and hospitality.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, represented by Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar of the office of Muslim Affairs and Mindanao Promotions, shared this sentiment, as she emphasized

Paris 2024: French Embassy leads relay, sets photo exhibit of olympic, Paralympic athletes

THE Embassy of France, in partnership with SM SuperMalls, organized a symbolic relay between Greece’s ambassador Ioannis Pediotis and Ambassador Marie Fontanel of France on April 16—when the Paris 2024 olympic Flame was lit in the sanctuary of olympia in the former.

The relay, which was held at the SM Mall of Asia Globe, is part of the series of events organized from September 8 until the closing day of the Paralympic Games.

“Inclusivity, audacity, and innovation are the key words of the 2024 olympic and Paralympic Games, but also those that best characterize France,” said the French envoy. “We will continue to promote this spirit not only for the 2024 Summer olympics, but also within our cooperation with our Filipino partners.”

Following the relay, Fontanel and Pediotis also led the inauguration

of the exhibit: “Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to olympic and Paralympic Athletes,” presented by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Alliance Française de Manille and the Embassy of France to the Philippines, with support from Decathlon and SM SuperMalls.

With a carefully curated collection of images from AFP, the display is a poignant tribute to athletes and sports that have defined the olympic movement.

For the Philippine showcase, photos of Filipino athletes Hidilyn Diaz, Margielyn Arda Didal, Eumir Felix Marcial, Carlos Edriel Yulo, Nesthy Petecio who participated in the Tokyo 2020 olympics, and Michael Christian Martinez who participated in the 2014 Sochi Winter olympics, were showcased.

The exhibit runs until April 26 at S Maison, May 20 to 26 at The Podium, and June 21 to 30 at SM Aura.

US provides ₧4M to further protect Fil. women, children

THE United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), provided P4 million ($72,000) in funding and technical support to the Department of Health (DoH) and Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN) as they boost reporting and training systems for women and child protection in the Philippines.

on April 11, USAID Philippines

Mission Director Ryan Washburn witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Health

the importance of culinary diplomacy in bridging cultures: “Food is a powerful medium that brings people together, transcending borders and linguistic barriers. This event is a testament to our shared values, history, and aspirations. It’s a celebration of unity, diversity, and the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Malaysia, and it is perfect to have it during an auspicious day such as Eid, while also coinciding with our own Filipino Food Month.” Guests also feasted on an elaborate spread prepared by the ambassador’s chef Ammar Syafiq bin Ayob, as well as officers and spouses at the embassy: nasi minyak, lemang, rendang ayam, sambal udang, lontong, kuah kacang and satay. For the deputation, the celebration is not just about marking the end of Ramadan, but also a reflection of the deep-rooted connections and shared histories between Malaysia and the Philippines.

Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Executive Director Dr. Bernadette Madrid of CPN for the enhancement of the Women and Children Protection Management Information System (WCPMIS), which tracks cases of women and child abuse in the Philippines.

Through the funding, USAID will support the DoH and CPN in enhancing the WCPMIS by streamlining its data collection, analysis, and reporting of abuse cases. This will enable more efficient monitoring of abuse survivors’ progress, ensuring timely support from responders. Accurate data will also be made available to other organizations and individuals providing services to abuse survivors.

DoH and CPN also signed a memorandum of understanding for the online training of health-care workers on recognizing, reporting, recording, and referring (4Rs) abuse cases.

Under the MoU, the health department will now require Women and Child Protection Units in hospitals to report abuse cases to authorities.

“In all of our work, we are guided by the paramount principle of the child’s best interest,” Washburn said

during the signing ceremony. “The agreements signed…will ensure that those charged with identifying and reporting abuse will understand their obligations and how to fulfill them. Consequently, those agencies and persons charged with preventing, protecting, and providing support to survivors will have the information they need to effectively carry out their own roles in combating child abuse.”

“This database is important, being one of the missing gaps in preventing and intervening in cases of violence against children. Data will tell us what the victims need, the appropriate policies and projects intended for them and where to exert more effort [for the victims],” Dr. Madrid explained.

“The culture of violence must be stopped. Tight collaboration and solid data can change policies to protect women and children,” Herbosa said.

“We have an ‘ocean’ of data all around us. We must harness the power of that ocean, organizing information into seas of knowledge with safe harbors that will allow boats of wisdom to dock.”

other than strengthening the reporting infrastructure, the partnership between the DoH and CPN will also improve training programs for health-care workers in identifying and reporting abuse cases.

USAID supports the Philippine government in integrating gender-based violence prevention and response into its health programming. Since 2019, the aid agency has trained more than 3,400 health providers in the 4Rs, along with training on gender sensitivity and gender-based violence prevention and response across its project areas.

AMBASSADORS Ioannis Pediotis and Marie Fontanel

AMBASSADOR Christian Halaas Lyster (left) was recently received by Palawan Provincial Legal Office chief Joshua Bolusa. PALAWAN PIO/PNA

CHAIRPERSON Madam Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (right) and Chef Tahir Ayunan Malikol (second from right)

EJ on Mondo’s record: It’s good for pole vault

By Josef Ramos

THE higher Armand Duplantis soars over the bar, the better for the sport. “It’s a good thing for pole vault and it’s nice,” Ernest John “EJ” Obiena told BusinessMirror on Wednesday from his training camp at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in California.

“It shows that he’s really in good shape and it didn’t change anything,”

Training course on for Paris volunteers

THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the French Embassy in Manila and the Volontaires-Philippines will hold a training course for nine Filipino volunteers to Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The training course will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the VIP Room of Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall and will cover lectures aimed at awakening the sense of pride and level expectations of of the volunteers.

The volunteers will also be taught the French culture as part of their task as Committee Assistants and Sports Facilitators in different sporting associations. They will join 45,000 other volunteers and individuals who will welcome, direct and guide spectators and athletes during both games.

“We fully support the cause of this program, it reflects the country’s determination of contributing to the exceptional experience for all delegates Paris 2024 wants to give and symbolizes our solidarity with the international sporting community,” PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said.

A total of 112 individuals applied for the volunteers program that kicked off in August 2022 and the number was trimmed to nine in July 14 last year during the French National day hosted by its embassy in the country. Selected volunteers were given prior immersions in major sporting and volunteering events including FIBA Draw Festival, Sports First-Aid Training, French Language Class and French Volunteering Day.

The volunteers are youth leaders Jeneca Rombaon and John Vincent Balawen, para-athletes Daisy Jane Omega and Brylle Samgel Arombo, athlete-coach Monica Chavez, Romina Manahan and Ezra Balingit. Entrepreneur Isaac Jefferson Coloma and multimedia specialist Mari Gabrielle Faro complete the volunteer program cast.

LIKE many little girls, a young KristiYamaguchi loved playing with Barbie. With a schedule packed with ice skating practices, her Barbie dolls became her “best friends.”

So, it’s surreal for the decorated Olympian figure skater to now be a Barbie girl herself. “It’s a huge, huge honor. I think a lot of pride comes along with it, not just recognizing the Olympic achievement, but also being recognized during AAPI Month and following in the footsteps of some incredible women that I idolize— Anna May Wong, Maya Angelou and Rosa Parks,” Yamaguchi told The Associated Press. “It’s hard to see me put in the category with them.”

gold hair ribbon and even a red-andwhite bouquet like Yamaguchi held atop the podium.

Yamaguchi said both she and Sheehan are “just so tickled pink.” She also is happy with the doll’s visage.

“It looks like me for sure. You know, the eyes and just the shape of the face. And then, of course, the hair, for sure. I mean, it has the bangs that are the ‘90s,” Yamaguchi said, chuckling.

She appreciates that the doll’s release comes on the high heels of the blockbuster “Barbie” movie last year. Her daughters, ages 18 and 20, are fans of the Oscar-nominated film. Their initial reaction to their mother being a Barbie? Disbelief.

“When they found out I was getting a doll, they were kind of flabbergasted and being like, ‘What?

Like Mom, like how do you qualify?

second to the Swede at last year’s world championships in Budapest. Words of wisdom from Obiena, who, since his Tokyo 2020 stint, has become a professional athlete having broken the 6.0-meter barrier and climbing to world No. 3 in 2022 to No. 2 to date.

Obiena’s flying to Paris for the Olympics where he aims to soar higher than the man they call “Mondo,” who only last Sunday reset his own world record by a centimeter at 6.24 meters in the Diamond League Xiamen leg.

“He’s the record holder and it just goes higher than before,” said Obiena of Duplantis, a competition on the field but a buddy off it as the elite pole vaulting community, which consists of some two-dozen of the world’s best, have become closely-knit and even share training programs together.

Obiena and his coach, Ukrainian Vitaly Petrov, are training at Chula Vista, a global facility that has molded many of the world’s best in track and field.

Kongkraphan burns course with 66 on another hot, hot day in Luisita

REIGNING Asian Games gold medalist PK Kongkraphan delivered a stellar performance under sweltering conditions with a six-under 66 to wrest control from Hsuan Chen after 36 holes of the $100,000 International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Luisita Ladies International 2024 in Tarlac on Wednesday.

Enduring a heat index of 44 degrees, the Thai standout demonstrated exceptional consistency while adopting an aggressive approach and buried birdies in three of the first six holes and added four more birdies against a lone bogey in the last eight to fashion out a pair of 33s.

With a bogey-free 71 in the previous round, Kongkraphan, 32, asserted her dominance with a seven-under 137 aggregate for a one-stroke lead over Chen at the Luisita Golf and Country Club course. The Taiwanese, who initially appeared poised to dominate the field with three consecutive birdies from No. 10, encountered setbacks with two bogeys against a birdie throughout the round and settled for a 70 after a sterling 68.

Playoffs mania

IT’S that time of year again when Pinoy fans are willing to forego sleep to watch National Basketball Association (NBA) games playing at ungodly hours and when those who can afford to do so report late for work so they can finish the game.

(Thank God for work-from-home set-ups.) When dopamine and adrenaline abound in bet-happy odds-watchers who think

She slipped to second place at 138.

Punpaka Phuntumabamrung briefly positioned herself to challenge for the top with a four-under card with four holes remaining at the front, but a stroke of misfortune on the parthree No. 6 dashed her hopes with a triple bogey for a 70—good for third place at 140, three strokes behind Kongkraphan.

Describing her stellar play, Kongkraphan attributed her success to her aggressive mindset.

“I challenged myself and played very aggressively,” she said.

Chen missed completing a four-birdie spree with a muffed putt from close range on No. 4, after which she struggled to maintain her rhythm and focus under the scorching afternoon sun.

“The heat really got to me in the afternoon and I lost my concentration,” Chen said.

Unlike Kongkraphan, she’ll be relying on her long game as she pursues a breakthrough victory and the top prize of $18,000.

Despite a strong finish on the frontside with birdies on the last two holes for a second straight 71, Florence

the NBA Playoffs are the happiest season of all.

The NBA Playoffs are something else. The first of the four-round, best of seven tournament began April 20 and is now in full swing, with 16 of the best performing teams in the regular season now showing off their play-off personas, each one angling to outperform the other to survive the gritty ordeals and arduous journey of the post-season.

As of Wednesday afternoon, here’s how the play-off picture looks like. In the East: Celtics 1, Miami 0; Cavaliers 2, Magic 0; Pacers 1, Bucks 1; Sixers 0, Knicks 2. In the West: Pelicans 0, Thunder 2; Mavericks 1, Clippers 1; Suns 0, Wolves 2; Lakers 0, Nuggets 2.

The Boston Celtics have been llamado all season long and have entered the playoffs with an impressive record: 64 won games, 14 games ahead of their closest opponent, fifthbest scoring margin of all time with plus 11.3 points per game. They had also not lost more than two games in a row. But to quickly choose the Celtics as shoo-in winners of the play-offs, hail them as the Eastern conference champs, and consider them as the ultimate winner-take-all 2024 world champions is not that easy. Nobody chose the Denver Nuggets last year as the outright champs either, even if they had the best record in the league at about the same time and

Obiena didn’t see action in Xiamen as he opted for his tough regimen in Chula Vista—but he and Petrov have lined up a series of competitions for fine-tuning ahead of the July 26 to August 11 Paris Games.

“I know what I signed up myself for and I know what I am aiming for and that doesn’t really change anything,” said Obiena, the reigning Asian and Asian Games champion and undisputed Southeast Asian Games king.

Up soon on Obiena’s schedule is the Los Angeles Grand Prix on May 18 at the University of California Los Angeles oval.

Obiena and Duplantis are in the 31-athlete cast in men’s pole vault action set August 3 and 5 at the Stade de France.

Obiena started the year with two indoor gold medals but was way off his elements at the world championships in February in Glasgow where he finished ninth.

He accepted responsibility for that setback.

“I need to be more prepared. It was no excuse for my performance and I take full responsibility for that,” he said of his Glawgow stint. “Things didn’t go the way I wanted to go.”

Bisera remained five strokes off the pace at 142, recognizing the need to fine-tune her short game and execute flawlessly to snatch the victory on the demanding Luisita layout.

The Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) South Pacific leg champion last year rued a number of birdie chances, including a flubbed three-footer on No. 13 and a birdie putt from pin-length high on No. 15 that resulted in a threeputt miscue.

Yamaguchi, who became the first Asian American to win an individual figure skating gold medal, at the 1992 Winter Olympics, has been immortalized as a doll for Barbie’s “Inspiring Women Series,” Mattel announced Wednesday. The release is timed for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in May.

This isn’t Yamaguchi’s first doll depiction. In the ‘90s, touring show Stars on Ice put out a line of dolls modeled after notable skaters. The Barbie version is a lot more detailed.

Mattel duplicated everything the then 20-yearold medalist wore at the Olympics in Albertville, France: the sparkling black-and-gold brocade outfit designed by Lauren Sheehan, the

But that’s way too cool for you,’” Yamaguchi said. When Yamaguchi became a household name in the ‘90s, most Asian American children were growing up feeling like toys-aren’t-us kids. If you were an Asian parent looking for an Asian doll in the US, you likely turned to independent mail-order companies or waited until you were visiting your country of heritage.

Since then, the toy market has evolved somewhat with big companies like Mattel diversifying and independent entrepreneurs filling the void. Two Asian doll lines—Jilly Bing and Joeydolls—launched within the last year, one by an Asian American mother and the other by an Asian Canadian mother. Both could not find dolls that looked like their daughters. AP

two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in their fold. In fact, NBA watchers had in fact already eliminated Denver from contention in the Western conference finals, which many hoped would be contested by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. So when GSW bowed to the Lakers in the second round, Western Conference lovers felt the rest of the way was anticlimactic. So the Nuggets just kept digging gold, quietly. And won it in the end. The Boston Celtics were dominant too last year, finishing second in the league after the regular season with home court advantage in the East. But yes, they faltered and caved in against play-in survivors, the Miami Heat, who stole home court from them by winning two in Boston and another one at home.

And though Boston won Games 4, 5 and 6, the Heat took home the ultimate Game 7 and ran away with the Eastern crown. For the talented duo of Jayson Tautm and Jaylen Brown and the Merry Men in Green, that was the unkindest cut of all.

Now is a different year. The C’s have gone through a crucible of fire and survived a pre-season of tears and regrets. But the metal is now hardened, tempered and sharp. And this sword has an inner strength that was

not there before.

for seats on the board. They reviewed NGAP’s bylaws, focusing on the annual meeting and election procedures. Believing change was necessary within NGAP due to these alleged anomalies, Arroyo and Soriano filed their candidacies and solicited proxies from other club members for the upcoming elections.

However, the NGAP’s NOMELEC disqualified some proxies submitted on the grounds that they failed to comply with the requirements imposed on the “official proxy form.”

But until they handle the play-offs as dominantly as they did the regular season, there will be doubts about their consistency, keeping in mind the disastrous post-season of 2023.

But The Athletic says the odds are kinder to the Celtics this time around. “Of the 15 teams to post a margin of plus-9.3 or greater in an 82-game NBA season—taking us two points below what the Celtics did—only the 2015-16 Warriors [who lost the NBA Finals in seven games] and the 2015-16 Spurs failed to win a title. The other 13 won, many in romps.”

But the Nuggets are still the defending champions. And yes, they are still entering their prime. They also still have the seven-foot wonder that even LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined cannot solve to date.

If Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic stay healthy, if their starting five roars out of the gates and dominates games, if the Nuggets’ awesome chemistry remains intact, the team wins handily in the playoffs to get good rest and ride their youth the rest of the way, they can repeat and go back-to-back.

It’s still too early to think about that

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA (left) poses with his silver medal at last year’s world championships in Budapest with (from left) gold medalist Armand Duplantis and bronze medalists Chris Nilsen of the US and Kurtis Marschall of Australia.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela

Health& Fitness BusinessMirror

PHL is a complex, inspiring case study in sexual, reproductive health, rights–UNFPA

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor

DespiTe global gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights over the last 30 years, millions of women and girls, including Filipinas, have been deprived of access and opportunities, according to the 2024 state of World population report, released recently by UNFpA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.

i n its report titled, “ i nterwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights,” gender inequality and other forms of discrimination have thwarted the broad gains in sexual and reproductive health for women and girls. Women and girls who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial and indigenous minority groups, or are trapped in conflict settings, are more likely to die because they lack access to timely health care. As far as the Philippines is concerned, UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane pointed out that it is a

paradox because of the several contradictions.

“The Philippines serves as a complex, and in many ways, inspiring case study.  We’ve seen significant advances in some areas, yet profound inequalities persist,” she said.

“Access to contraception, reductions in maternal death, and the continued fight for gender equality are successes to be honored. Yet we know the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights is far from over, especially for marginalized communities, young people, and those left furthest behind,” she added.

Strides made T HE Philippines has made strides when it comes to maternal and reproductive health since 1994. Antenatal care for women increased by 30 percent (from 53 to 83 percent), unmet need for Family Planning has been halved (from 30 to 12 percent), and important laws like such as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, the Act

Asian Hospital extends medical services through HEAL Program

To ensure that its quality healthcare services reach as many Filipinos as possible, premier medical institution Asian Hospital and Medical Center, has a referral program that targets private and government institutions.

Launched in June 2023, the HEAL or Hospital Engagement and Alliance Linkage Program is Asian Hospital’s referral program that is designed to establish impactful partnerships with private and government hospitals, clinics, lying ins, dialysis centers and other healthcare providers.

o ur mission is to enhance patient care continuity by providing access to specialized services,” explained Hennesy Lou Miranda, Asian Hospital’s Director for Marketing and Patient Experience.

“The good thing about our HEAL Program is that Asian Hospital complements and extends existing services of the referring institution through this collaboration. We tailor our support to address the unique needs of their patients and bring them back to them,” she added.

Many benefits

T H is arrangement brings benefits to both Asian Hospital and the referring institution. i t also contributes to the success of the program which results in building the foundation for collaborative growth.

“ o ne of the benefits of this program is that the HEAL partner doctors can be credentialed to practice

at Asian Hospital through the collaboration with the Medical Affairs Unit. They also get invitations to exclusive events like lay fora, scientific symposiums, lectures, networking opportunities,” explained Ramil Camanag, Asian Hospital’s s enior Manager for s trategic Partnerships.

He added that the program also offers preferential rates to partner hospitals as well as a direct billing arrangement to HEAL partners. This allows HEAL partners to focus on addressing their patient’s needs.

“What is important here is that we offer continuity of care for specialized procedures such as Tomotherapy and Brachytherapy to government hospital cancer patients with our No Balance Billing,” Camanag added.

As of April 2024, Asian Hospital has served 57 patients from government hospitals from November 2023 to March 2024 for the “No Balance Billing Tomotherapy and Brachytherapy” procedures of the Asian Cancer i nstitute for cancer cases of the cervix, endometrium, breast, brain, lung, maxilla nasopharynx, and rectum.

Emergency tie-ups

Asi AN Hospital also entertains

patients from nursing homes and hospital partners with close collaboration with the Emergency Department, o utpatient/ i npatient Navigation Team to address patients’ emergency needs.

Additionally, Asian Hospital addresses the needs of hospital partners for specimen referrals not available in their institutions with proactive communication on relaying details and information of Pathology and Laboratory and Nuclear Medicine to HEAL Patients.

“We are strengthening the HEAL Program by offering specialty experts and services from our Centers for Excellence like the Asian Cardiovascular Center and the Asian Cancer i nstitute, our new machines like the 256 slice CT s can which delivers the fastest CT scans and improved imaging with low dose radiation,” Miranda said.

s he added that the hospital also plans to expand the partnerships to other hospitals as well.

“We plan to expand the partnerships not limited to our Metro Pacific Health group of hospitals but also to other group of hospital networks. We are also starting to reach out not only to Luzon healthcare partners but also to other provinces in the Visayas like Cebu and i loilo,” Miranda said. To partner with AHMC’s HEAL contact the s

Partnerships

Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage, and many others have been enacted.

o ver half of all preventable maternal deaths are estimated to occur in countries with humanitarian crises and conflicts; that’s nearly 500 deaths per day. Women from indigenous ethnic groups are more likely to die of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Women with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience gender-based violence than their peers without disabilities. People of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression face rampant violence and steep barriers to care.

“This report underscores a sobering truth: inequalities are widening and the rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse people face increasing pushbacks. This report delves into the critical issues that continue to shape our world and provides a roadmap for realizing the promises we made in Cairo for the i nternational Conference on Population and Development [30 years ago],” explained

Joudane during the local launch of the report at the University of the Philippines.

Anniversary celebration

T HE event, attended by government officials such as those from the National Economic and Development Authority and the Commission on Population and Development, also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the i nternational Conference on Population and Development ( i CPD). From a focus on population control, the i CPD was pivotal in convincing the world’s nations to prioritize reproductive justice by recognizing the rights and choices of individuals—especially women and girls—to make informed choices about their bodies, their lives, and their futures. Through the iCPD in 1994, 179 governments, including that of the Philippines, committed to placing sexual and reproductive health and rights at the core of sustainable development.

Further, UNFPA Philippines presented additional data on how access to family planning,

especially among the poorest or lowest socioeconomic quintile, has greatly expanded due to the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. Nevertheless, while the law improved access for economically disadvantaged women, it has also resulted in lower access to family planning among adolescents due to the need for parental consent.

UNFPA Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Dr. Aleksandar s asha Bodiroza, said the report is “a celebration of progress and a stark reminder of the work that remains.”

“Millions of women and girls remain far behind, and progress is slowing or stalled on key measures: 800 women die every day giving birth, unchanged since 2016; a quarter of women cannot make her own health-care decisions and around the same number cannot say no to sex with their partner. i n 40 percent of countries with data, women’s bodily autonomy is diminishing,” Bodiroza said.

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

BAC k in 2010, premier hospital Makati Medical Center had wanted to acquire a robotic surgical system to live up to its vision of being the leading healthcare facility in the country with top notch service, expertise and technology.

At that time, it was disapproved because there were other priorities that needed to be addressed. These priorities, according to Dr. s aturnino P. Javier, Medical Director and i nterim Co-President and CE o of Makati Medical Center, were “very basic, simple needs that the hospital had to address on top of the robotics platform.”

“But comparing that time to today, many things have changed. i f you put in that robotics technology last week, there are people who can use it already. Back in 2010, the doctors were on their learning curve. Today, it is different,” Dr. Javier said during the launch of the da Vinci Robotic s ystem.

He added that “because we allowed it to slip through our hands, another hospital benefitted from it and keep in mind that those doctors who operate, a good number of them are MakatiMed based.”

“ s o another hospital took advantage of the expertise of our own doctors to make this platform work,” Dr. Javier said.

Another reason for pushing for the acquisition of the system is that MakatiMed wanted to offer an option to patients. He pointed out that patients have preferences and he sometimes “heaves a sigh of frustration whenever i learn that someone has been transferred to another hospital because the equipment is not available in MakatiMed.”

“We want to make sure that our line of equipment is complete so that we don’t have any more leakages to other hospitals. We will give our patients the complete line of options from which to choose from,” he said, adding that the hospital will couple the

technology with the kind of compassionate service that the hospital is known for.

“ i think the difference lies in terms of who drives the technol

ogy and when i saw who drives it or

uses it, it’s the doctors, the team, the nursing team who will all be part of the operators group using that particular technology. s o the technology is just one aspect of the care. You still need to have the compassionate service and the expertise,” Dr. Javier added.

For him, the acquisition of the robotic system cements MakatiMed’s position as the leading hospital not only in the country but in the Metro Pacific Health group of hospitals as well.

s o far, MakatiMed is the only hospital in the Metro Pacific Health group that has the robotic surgery platform,” he added.

The da Vinci Xi Robotic s urgery system offers several advantages. it allows surgeons to make smaller incisions, reducing the risk of infection and promoting faster healing. Patients experience less pain and discomfort, leading to shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries. This means they can return to their normal routines sooner,

with minimal scarring and reduced need for blood transfusions.

The da Vinci s ystem is versatile as it caters to treatments in the fields of urology, hepatobiliary, cardiovascular, thoracic, and general surgery, o B-Gyne, and otorhinolaryngology or ENT. i n each area, it enables surgeons to perform procedures with greater precision and minimally invasive techniques.

This groundbreaking advancement in surgical technology means that patients now have the option to receive this precision surgical care at MakatiMed, setting a new standard for surgical excellence in the Philippines. Beyond technological advancements, MakatiMed prides itself on its unwavering dedication to providing compassionate care, ensuring that every patient receives personalized attention throughout their surgical journey—saving time and resources through a holistic service.

With the introduction of the da Vinci Xi® Robotic system, MakatiMed marks a significant milestone towards shaping the future of surgery. Patients can trust they are in good hands, receiving topnotch care with the latest technology available.

Health&

Drop in Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes seen with new drug

By John Eiron R. Francisco

AmedicAl expert is optimistic about the potential drop in the progression of chronic Kidney disease (cKd) in Type 2 diabetes (T2d) cases in the country over the next five to 10 years.

Dr. Ronald Perez, the Head of Nephrology and Hemodialysis Unit at Capitol Medical Center, said during a press briefing at Bayer Philippines on April 23, 2024, that there is currently an annual estimated rise of 10 to 12 percent in chronic kidney disease patients who require dialysis. However, he expressed confidence in reducing this figure to 5 to 6 percent per annum with the introduction of the latest treatment approach for managing CKD in Type 2 Diabetes, known as Firenone (Firialta).

“I hope that we will be able to raise awareness that there is hope in decreasing or curbing the chronic kidney disease patients,” he said.

Dr. Perez emphasized the prospect of fewer patients requiring dialysis or kidney transplants.

“Although this is not a quick fix, but we will realize that in the next 10 years,” he said.

He also noted that this anticipated decline would alleviate the strain on the healthcare sector and the release PhilHealth funds, allowing for increased allocation towards other healthcare resources.

Based on the 2023 PhilHealth report, more than P17 billion is being spent to cover dialysis costs of Filipinos, which supports over three million dialysis claims.

Finerenone Study Highlights

DR Perez presented the Fidelio (focuses on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD and T2D) and Figaro (concentrates on renal outcomes in patients with CKD and T2D) trials.

A total of 13,000 patients were randomized globally, with around 6,000 in Fidelio and 7,500 in Figaro.

In terms of cardiovascular (CV)

outcomes, Finerenone demonstrated a 14 percent reduced risk of CV morbidity and mortality compared to the placebo. This reduction in risk encompassed various events such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and hospitalization due to heart failure.

Regarding kidney outcomes, the study assessed the time to kidney failure or a sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) of more than 57 percent from baseline, as well as kidneyrelated death. Patients treated with Finerenone showed a notable 23 percent decrease in EGFR, indicating a reduction in the progression to CKD and the need for dialysis.

The EGFR blood test is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. The eGFR is an estimated number based on a blood test and your age, sex and body type.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated a significant reduction in CKD progression with Finerenone treatment compared to placebo. Specifically, Finerenone led to a 32 percent decrease in the urinealbumin failure ratio between baseline and the end of the four-month treatment period.

Meanwhile, Dr. Perez’s patients, who participated in a medical trial conducted between 2015 and 2019 in The Medical City, faced challenges due to the limited availability of suitable candidates.

With ongoing trials globally, particularly in China, which had a significant population, the Philippines encountered difficulties in enrolling patients, especially those with chronic kidney disease stages 3 and 4.

Despite these enrollment chal -

lenges, patients who received the experimental drug experienced a notable 50 percent reduction in albuminuria, without any instances of dialysis initiation during the study.

However, there was a risk of increased serum potassium levels with the drug venerenone, necessitating careful monitoring due to the potential lethality of potassium to heart muscles.

Dr. Perez emphasized the critical importance of managing potassium levels, highlighting its lethal effects, akin to those in lethal injections where potassium chloride is administered. It is noted that no patients died during the trial period.

New treatment

HOWEVER , in 2021, statistics from the International Diabetes Federation revealed that 4.3 million Filipino adults are living with diabetes.

Research indicated that about one-third of adult patients with diabetes also experience CKD due to T2D, equating to roughly 1.43 million CKD patients.

Meanwhile, data from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI)  further illustrated that roughly one Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour, contributing to an estimated 7 million Filipinos grappling with CKD.

Bayer Philippines Medical Director of Pharmaceutical Carmela Luisa Pagunsan emphasized that this newest treatment pillar, when integrated with the current standard of care, represents a significant step towards slowing down the progression of CKD. This, in turn, alleviates the burden on patients and their families who are already grappling with various physical, emotional, and financial challenges associated with multiple complications.

When BusinessMirror asked about the possibility of combining Firenone with other medications for CKD management, given that CKD often arises from hypertension and diabetes, it was confirmed that such a combination is feasible.

Firenone, being a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, has been researched for its ability to mitigate inflammation

and fibrosis in the kidneys, thereby reducing the risk of kidney failure. Patients can concurrently use medications for hypertension and diabetes alongside Firenone.

Precautionary Measures

W HEN BusinessMirror  asked about the precautions with the administration of the firenone, Dr. Perez outlined the monitoring of serum creatinine levels and ensuring patient protection.

If serum creatinine levels increase by more than 30 percent, clinicians should consider discontinuing finerenone.

Additionally, potassium levels should not exceed 4.8 millimoles per liter. Exceeding these levels necessitates stopping the drug and observing for two weeks before potential re-administration.

Persistent elevation suggests advanced diabetic kidney disease, rendering the drug ineffective.

Limit fruit intake

R EGARDING dietary interactions, Perez advised limiting fruit intake due to potassium concerns and suggested reducing protein consumption to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, approximately equivalent to two matchbox-sized servings of pork or beef, one drumstick of chicken, or one pound of fish per meal.

Dr. Perez further added that while he does not discourage the use of herbal medicine and holds no bias against them, he does caution against their indiscriminate combination.

His concern lies in the potential interactions between various herbal remedies when combined into a single concoction or drug, which can exacerbate side effects or nullify their intended benefits.

On the other hand, Pagunsan, further emphasized the importance of avoiding regular use of over-thecounter pills, as many of them can be toxic to the kidneys. Specifically, she warned against the use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), a type of pain reliever commonly known for its potential kidney toxicity.

New clinical trials recruitment model powered by AI, blockchain launched in PHL

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

EVOLUTIONIZING medi -

Rcal research in the country, the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) has teamed up with Care.Trials Inc. (CTI) to launch a new model of patient engagement in clinical trials with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies. With their partnership, CTI’s solution is designed in a way that even a grandmother can explore it in just a couple of minutes. It features anonymous browsing of trials; simple mechanisms for liking and connecting with trials; pre-screening capabilities; unbiased advocacy; and a strict no pressure policy, ensuring no unsolicited emails or messages.

According to CTI Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Goel, their tie up is meant to connect patients directly with clinical trial research, while ensuring their privacy and engagement as well as producing efficient outcomes. Together, they reinvent the enrollment process for clinical studies, making it more efficient for both patients and research teams.  “[It is] a whole new approach that is rooted in empowering and

engaging the patient without mining their data and earning patient trust by protecting them and advocating on their behalf,” he said. “At the same time, we bring powerful new tools to study teams to identify and connect with the right patient and effectively determine if they are suitable and eligible to participate.

Our goal is to accelerate research such that cures for all diseases can be found faster.” For PAPO President Karen Al -

parce-Villanueva, their collaborative effort signifies their mission to empower Filipino patients by arming them with the right tools they need to advocate for their rights and actively get involve in their health care.

“By integrating Care.Trials’ innovative technology, we are enhancing our network’s strength and activity, enabling patients to become more informed and productive members of society,” she noted.

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

IN pursuit of its expansion nationwide to bring quality eyecare services closer to more Filipinos, Borough Lasik Center (BLC) has opened in Bacolod, bringing the total number of its facilities to five.

Located at the 3rd floor of Ayala Malls Capitol Central, this is BLC’s second satellite clinic, adding to that in General Santos City and three full-service clinics in Manila, Iloilo, and Davao.

“Our commitment to accessibility is the foundation of our expansion efforts. The opening of our Bacolod satellite clinic marks a significant step towards making premium vision care services accessible nationwide,” BLC General Manager Karlo Serafin Sanchez said.

According to him, residents of the “City of Smiles” and nearby towns need not have to endure long travels to Manila or other distant locations for vision care. He noted: “BLC has conveniently brought cutting-edge technology to Western Visayas, reaffirming our mission to provide life-changing vision services to every corner of the country.”

For BLC Chief Executive Officer and Head Ophthalmologist Dr. Ches Heredia, the Bacolod satellite clinic mainly aims to do comprehensive eye screenings for interested patients.

“If the assessment indicates their eligibility for Lasik, we then schedule their procedure at our Iloilo clinic. This eliminates the need for patients to travel extensively for follow-up appointments. Instead, they can simply cross to Iloilo (via ferry) for their surgery and return to Bacolod for follow-up check-ups at our satel -

SENATE Committee of Health and Demography Chairman Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally joined the celebration of World Liver Day at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City last April 19, 2024.

In his speech, Senator Go talked about the success of the Pediatric Access to Liver Transplant (PasLit) program which he initiated during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

What comes next BEING a leading group championing for patient rights and welfare in the Philippines, PAPO serves as a strong and active network of patient groups that empowers more than 50 disease-specific groups of patients nationwide. It works with healthcare providers, policymakers, and industry leaders to make sure that the voices of patients are heard and acted upon.

Sharing the same vision with PAPO, CTI seeks to revolutionize the way individuals access and participate in clinical trials. This global firm operates the Care.Trials Network. CTI’s Care.Trials is a powerful new technology that protects and implements patient privacy and rights, and achieves high levels of trust and engagement.

By leveraging AI and blockchain, patients are able to exercise total control over their identity, data and decisions.

Following their partnership, PAPO and Care.Trials will work closely to empower and engage the 3.8 million member-patients that the former represents, providing them with unprecedented tools for access, engagement, and participation in relevant research.

The program has significantly benefitted numerous children and is part of a broader consortium involving the Office of the President, the Department of Health, PCMC, and The Medical City (TMC). This collaboration provides comprehensive medical support for pediatric liver patients, enhancing the country’s capacity for life-saving transplant procedures.

Highlighting the event were the touching accounts of two recipients of the PasLit program. The first, Sophie Aguilo, a six-year-old diagnosed with biliary atresia, underwent a successful liver transplant on November 17, 2020. As the first patient-beneficiary of the program and one of the few liver transplant recipients at TMC, Sophie had her regular follow-ups at PCMC and was reported to have no complaints during her last check-up last February 14.

The second story shared was that of threeyear-old Gianna Visto, also diagnosed with biliary atresia, who received her liver transplant last February 22 at TMC with her mother as the donor.

Gianna is reportedly doing well post-operation.

“This PasLit program is only available here in the Philippines. Between Medical City, PCMC and DOH, we already have two success stories I felt some tightness in my chest when I saw them earlier. However, when I learned of their success stories, it made me feel a little better because there is hope and we can help more patients because of this program,” shared Go in an interview.

In line with his advocacy for improved public health services especially for the poor, Go explained that the reason for the program is to enhance

lite clinic,” he said.

On Lasik SHORT for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, Lasik is a kind of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and an actual cure for astigmatism since it is in the cornea. Commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, it serves as an alternative to wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.

“Our dedication to excellence in vision care extends beyond accessibility; it encompasses our unwavering commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology and delivering customized treatments to each patient,” said BLC Chief Operating Officer Dr. Ricky Aranzamendez III.

The Lasik center boasts of top-of-the-line machines that perform the best ophthalmic treatments. One of which is the Schwind Amaris Excimer Laser, a high-performance laser system used in refractive surgery to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

“With over 20,000 eyes already transformed under our care, our globally-trained and highlyexperienced doctors stand ready to continue this legacy of life-changing vision,” he stressed.

Existing and prospective clients of Borough Lasik Center Bacolod can avail of its opening promo for limited slots on free comprehensive eye screenings and exclusive all-in Lasik packages from as low as P50,000. Just message Borough Lasik Center Visayas through official social media accounts @blc.visayas (Instagram) and Borough Lasik Center Visayas (Facebook).

medical training programs and services for treating liver diseases such as biliary atresia in the country.

“I was frequent visitor of PCMC before. There were a lot of parents who bring their children here to seek treatment. The parents beg for help. But we cannot balme them because some of them what to have their procedure done abroad like in India. It is cheaper there,” Go said, citing how PasLit program started.

With this, he stressed the importance of local treatment options to prevent patients from seeking medical attention abroad, thereby making healthcare more accessible and timely for Filipino children.

“Now, they have a choice. They have a choice to be treated in the Philippines. We have a lot of very good and well-trained doctors. We already have many good facilities like PCMC and we already have private hospitals like The Medical City. This is the reason why we came up with the program so that there is hope for them,” he shared.

The head of TMC’s Liver Disease Management and Transplantation, Dr. Vanessa de Villa appreciated Senator Go for supporting the PasLit program.

“I am very thank for this because it is true to your mandate that you promote this program and promote Filipino healthcare. You could have extended financial assistance so that patients can seek treatment abroad. That, however, will not help the Philippines’ progress,” Dr. de Villa explained.

“And I will speak for myself, from my hospital. It is an important matter that we think of our country, we think for the Filipinos. Let’s think of who we should be helping—our fellow Filipinos or foreigners? We can achive all this if we come together and help each other,” Dr. de Villa further shared. During his visit, Go extended financial assistance, grocery packs, basketballs and volleyballs to select patients. Meanwhile,

& Fitness

Healthway Cancer Care Hospital offers world-class cancer care at affordable prices

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

For AC Health, the dream was to bring world class cancer care to the Philippines but at affordable prices. That dream is now a reality with the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) which opened its doors to patients in February 2024.

Strategically located in Arca South, Taguig City, h CC h is just a 20-minute drive from the airport. it provides a comprehensive range of services, including consultations, imaging chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. i n its inaugural months, it has already served hundreds of patients addressing a wide spectrum of cancer cases, from colorectal and breast to lung and head and neck cancers, catering to patients of all ages.

“This is what will distinguish this facility. it offers world class cancer service with partnerships with international groups such as Siemens, AstraZeneca, Roche, MSD, national Cancer Center of Singapore and so many more. it’s world class quality cancer services at more affordable prices so that we can cater to more Filipinos who are undergoing cancer,” related Paolo Borromeo, President and CE o of AC h ealth, during a recent media roundtable discussion.

Patient comfort h CC h prioritizes patient comfort and well-being with superior recovery facilities, including 100 beds and a 12-bed i ntensive Care u nit ( i C u ). The hospital features an integrated outpatient department with a specialized women’s health unit, ensuring comprehensive care. its advanced

DEAtH tALKS:

cancer imaging center offers leading interventional oncology, radiology, and nuclear medicine procedures, aiding in early cancer detection. The cancer treatment units boast a fully-equipped radiation oncology section with Varian’s latest Linear Accelerator and 18 chemotherapy infusion hubs for administering chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Additionally, the hospital houses four specialized operating theaters, two advanced endoscopy rooms, and other ancillary services to support patient needs.

“We invested heavily in state-ofthe art equipment. o ur main machines, diagnostic and radiation therapy are in partnership with Siemens and Varian. We are confident that with our partnership with Siemens, we have the best possible technology that we can use for diagnosis and radiation,” Borromeo added.

Centers of Excellence

Th E hospital’s Centers of Excellence (C o E) program provides comprehensive care for various cancer types, covering the entire spectrum from screening to survivorship focusing on four key areas—breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. it also offers specialized cancer programs for pe -

In the photo are, from left, HCCH Chief Operating Officer Jenara Rosanna Ong, Head of HCCH’s Medical Advisory Board Dr. Conrado Gabriel Lorenzo III, Head of HCCH’s Department of Radiation Oncology Dr. Gaudencio Vega, Healthway Medical Network President and CEO Jaime Ysmael, AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo, HCCH Medical Director and Head of HCCH’s Colorectal Center of Excellence Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, Head of HCCH’s Head & Neck Center of Excellence Dr. Daniel Alonzo and AC Health Chief Finance Officer Ruby Chiong

diatric oncology, gynecologic oncology, hematologic oncology, and among others.

g oing beyond conventional pain and nutrition management, it distinguishes itself with its groundbreaking Quality of Life (Q o L) program— the first of its kind in the country. This holistic initiative addresses all facets of patient well-being, including psychosocial support, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Seamlessly integrated with

End-of-life planning is healthy, practical–insurer

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

UNDOUBTEDLY, the Covid-19 crisis is a very tragic part of human history to date, claiming millions of lives internationally. When this novel virus first came out in China at the latter part of 2019 and abruptly hit the rest of the world the following year, the entire globe was caught unprepared to curb its alarmingly immediate spread.

Almost all the nations were not spared from the massive impact of this fatal disease, overwhelming the health systems, particularly of the Third World countries like the Philippines. This deadly virus also brought immense fear among the general public given the recorded high mortality rates over time. Mental issues also emerged due to uncertainties as to when this would end, most especially to those people with co-morbidities who are considered more susceptible to contracting such illness.

The grim scenario of hospitals overflowing with patients fighting for their lives; the piling of dead bodies waiting to be cremated in private funerals homes or public crematories; and the denial of traditional, decent death rites in favor of hurried, impersonal incinerations have caused grave concern, inconvenience, distress, grief, and even trauma to both the survivors and families left behind by the deceased victims.

Silver lining THERE still, however, appeared a silver lining no matter how gloomy this health malady has

been, according to PhilPlans Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Ronald Bautista.

“When Covid-19 happened, it made us realize that there’s really a need for a memorial plan or a proper memorial service,” he said during a panel discussion at the PhilPlans’ 35th Anniversary: Empowered Entrepreneur Bazaar event that was held in Makati City last April 17, 2024.

In fact, he told reporters that the memorial plan, which used to be the least performer among their three products pre-Covid period, has become the leader from its onset to postpandemic, accounting for up to 65 percent of their total sales. Pension and education plans now rank at second (30 percent) and third (5 percent), respectively.

“We’re thankful that since the pandemic, there has been openness to everybody,” Pearl Siasoco, area manager at Siasoco & Associates, noted of the positive market reception on memorial plans at present.

Needless to say, such insurance products need further pushing to Filipinos who openly value and celebrate familial ties, but discreet when it comes to discussion about death.

“For generations, Filipino families have prioritized strong bonds, yet a crucial conversation has often been left unspoken,” said PhilPlans Assistant Vice President Edgardo P. Aytona. “The tide is turning. We’re thrilled to see more Filipinos recognizing the importance of pre-planning for end-of-life needs. By taking the time to discuss and plan preferences, families can navigate this difficult time with greater emotional and logistical ease, allowing them to focus on cherishing the memory of their dearly beloved.”

Plan for death

PLANNING ahead for death goes far beyond the practicalities of arranging one’s funeral.

Thinking about resting in peace could be detrimental to mental and well-being, especially for those who are sick. So for memorial planholders, they need not have to worry on their burial, thus relieving them from the stress or anxiety on whether their death wish and will be granted. Feeling secured and fulfilled, this could somehow positively impact them physically, emotionally and psychologically.

On the part of their dependents, it would be painful to lose their loved ones, much more of the urgent need to make important decisions about their final desires. Unplanned passing can leave families in emotional turmoil, not to mention struggling with financial encumbrances and contradicting choices. Hence, it’s unhealthy not only to their hearts, but also to their families’ financial status and relationship.

PhilPlans understands the sensitive issue of end-of-life planning given the still conservative Filipino culture. Nevertheless, the insurer believes it’s a family matter that needs to be discussed because the pros outweigh the cons. To allay fears and discomfort about pre-planning, the industry leader offers various tips on how to start these conversations with sensitivity.

Start small, per the firm, by sharing your thoughts on deathcare options, like cremation or memorial gardens. Then, focus on honoring loved one’s death wishes. Next, listen with empathy through acknowledging the emo -

the C o E program, the Q o L initiative ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.

When necessary, patients can be paired with a dedicated patient navigator, guaranteeing a comforting and supportive experience throughout their journey. By consolidating comprehensive cancer care services under one roof, it not only elevates patient care standards but also eliminates the need for patients to seek treatment

tional weight of the topic and creating a safe space for open communication.

Gathering of information

TO get started with the planning for death, PhilPlans suggest the proper gathering of information on different pre-need plan options and their benefits. The company offers a variety of customizable packages to suit individual needs.

In initiating the conversation, choose a calm and private moment to talk to dear ones. Work together with them by talking about preferences for end-of-life care, funeral arrangements, and memorial services.

Don’t forget to document your wishes. Writing down your preferences for medical care, financial matters, funeral arrangements, and other pertinent details guarantees that your wishes are known and followed. Not to be ignored, of course, is consultation with professionals. Through the guidance of a team of experienced estate planners, lawyers and financial advisors, you are assured that each pre-planning aspect is handled effectively, giving you the confidence that your final wants will be carried out smoothly.

“No one understands your journey better than you do. By proactively planning, you provide your loved ones with a roadmap on how to honor your legacy with warmth and affection,” said PhilPlans President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime B. Dizon.

“Consider the relief you could offer to your friends and family. By sparing them from tough decisions during an emotional time, you give them the space to reminisce and celebrate their fond memories of you, knowing they are fulfilling your final wishes exactly the way you wanted it to be. It is a profound act of love and a final gift to those you cherish,” he added.

“As we continue to champion personalized cancer care and cost-conscious services, we are committed to make a difference in terms of the lives of our patients. i also wanted to highlight the fact that our pricing strategy here is to provide the most competitive rates for Filipinos,” Borromeo said.

Integrated network

J A i ME

Y SMAEL h ealthway Medical n etwork President and CE o, added that h CC h is also “leveraging on the integrated network that we are creating, enabled by technology.”

“We are actually investing in a hospital information system, electronic medical records system that will unify across the network. This is how we deliver care, a multidisciplinary integrated practice approach which we call connected care circle,” Ysmaeil said.

Dr. Ramy Roxas, h CC h Medical Director, pointed out that since hCC h is part of a network with six other hospitals, clinics in the malls and corporate clinics, this set up would be ideal to implement screening programs among the network.

“We hope that cancer screening will become the norm and we will start this with our network employees. We can start with the corporate clinics that we run, and then move on to the hospital or Apex hospital,” Dr. Roxas explained.

Cancer screening

Y SMAEL added that the network will change the way cancer screening is done. This will help get more accurate detection of cancer.

“The power of our network is the pool of doctors that are at our disposal, opening up communication lines and tapping into their expertise and referrals,” he added.

With over 188,000 cases diagnosed annually and financial barriers hindering treatment, hCC h strives to offer cost effective rates for cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment, expanding access to care.

“The h ealthway Cancer Care h ospital is an affirmation of our commitment at AC h ealth to improve cancer services in the country. o ur vision is to lead in cancer care, providing world-class treatment at a lower cost, thus extending the best value to a wider base of Filipinos,” shared Borromeo.

LEADING tHE wAY: PRECISION IMAGING SEtS

NEw StANDARDS IN CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Chong hua h ospital is dedicated to achieving its mission to provide excellent patientcentered care with state-of the art equipment, as well as advanced highquality services in the Visayas region.

o n January 31, 2024, Chong hua

h ospital launched the first g allium-68 D o TATATE PET-CT scan in the whole Visayas and Mindanao.

This is an advanced imaging study, utilizing the high-resolution hybrid PET-CT scanner with a target-specific radiopharmaceutical, g allium-68

D o TATATE. This targeted imaging approach provides an unparalleled accuracy in neuroendocrine tumors

( n ETs) imaging.

Likewise in February 2024, the hospital launched yet another first in the Viz-Min region: the g allium-68 PSMA PET-CT scan. This service provides a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic imaging for prostate cancer.

These cutting-edge, targeted radiopharmaceutical technologies offer groundbreaking precision and accuracy in early tumor detection and localization, disease staging, treatment response evaluation, and disease monitoring. Accordingly, these will empower clinicians to make better, informed decisions, optimize treatment strategies, and improve patient outcome for n ETs and prostate malignancy.

g al -

lium-68 PSMA PET-CT imaging are the new services offered in the nuclear Medicine Department of Chong hua h ospital Mandaue, on top of their well-established F-18 FD g PET-CT scan service. With the existence of their own Cyclotron facility (which is also the first in the Visayas and Mindanao) for radiopharmaceutical production, PET-CT scanning was made even more readily available to serve our cancer patients.

Moreover, with the availability of these target-specific molecular scans in Chong h ua h ospital, determining the suitability of patients for targeted radionuclide therapies are also made easier and possible. h ence, offered together with their new PET-CT imaging services, are their new Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapies (PRRT), the Lutetium-177 D o TATATE for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and Lutetium-177 PSMA for treatment of prostate cancer, respectively. These services make Chong h ua h ospital the best choice for accurate and precise diagnostic procedures in cancer.

i ndeed, as a leading and prime healthcare institution, Chong h ua h ospital ushers itself to new heights of precision medicine and personalized patient care.

For details about these new services please call (032)

Health& Fitness BusinessMirror

Vaccination

effective method vs pertussis

By Rory Visco Contributor

The number of pertussis or whooping cough cases in the Philippines continue to grow at an alarming rate and sadly, so does the number of fatalities.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that for the first three months of the year, 1,112 cases have already been recorded, with around 54 deaths from January 1 to March 30, 2024.

The health agency also revealed that out of the total number of cases, around 77 percent of them were children below five years old, with adults 20 years of age and above accounting for four percent of the cases.

As the number of pertussis cases continue on an upward trend, the DOH also noticed a continuing increase of cases in five regions, mainly Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, the administrative region of CARAGA or Region 13, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region or CAR. And there are now pertussis outbreaks in Quezon City, Pasig City, Iloilo City, and Cavite.

Deep concern

AS defined by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) “pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The infection poses a significant threat particularly among infants and young children who are at risk of severe symptoms and life-threatening complications and outcome. While teens and adults may experience milder symptoms, there is a risk of severe illness, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions and the unvaccinated elderly population.”

And the PCP is deeply concerned by this continuing rise in cases of pertussis across the nation. It said that pertussis “is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can have serious consequences,

particularly for infants, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems.”

The rising cases of pertussis thus prompted the PCP to issue a position paper complete with recommendations and strategies to address the issue, highlighting the critical “importance of vaccination, early detection, and appropriate treatment in preventing the spread of pertussis and protecting vulnerable populations from its potentially severe complications.”

The PCP also expressed its full and unequivocal support to the call of the DOH in conducting enhanced vaccination campaigns across the country, with the hope of increased vaccination coverage and to protect all infants and children to vaccine preventable diseases.

“We urge all stakeholders, healthcare providers, local government units and community leaders to collaborate in preventing the spread of pertussis and other vaccine preventable infections including measles, diphtheria, influenza and pneumonia,” the PCP said.

Regarding vaccination, the PCP highly recommends getting a single Tdap vaccine, a common vaccine that protects against three serious bacterial infections such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis for infants and children. It said the three-dose primary immunization series with DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) recommended at ages 1 1⁄2, 2 1⁄2, and 3 1⁄2 months, plus booster of one dose at 12-18 months and another booster dose between 4 to 6 years old.

For Adolescents, on the other hand, who have already completed the recommended childhood DTaP series, a single

DTaP booster should be given, particularly recommended for adolescents aged between nine to 18 years old.

As for Adults, the PCP said those aged 19 to 64 years old should receive a single Tdap booster in lieu of one Td booster shot. With regard to adults 65 years old and above who has yet to receive a Tdap booster should receive one booster dose, particularly if contact with infants is anticipated.

The PCP paper also strongly suggested that the Tdap vaccine be administered to pregnant women of all ages, ideally in the third trimester or between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy.

For those who are particularly susceptible or have not been vaccinated previously, the Tdap vaccine may also be administered during the first trimester, the paper added.

The paper also cited that several studies have consistently shown that the Tdap vaccines helps significantly decrease the incidence of pertussis by over 92 percent and decrease mortality rates by 97 percent. In fully vaccinated individuals the PCP said “symptoms tend to be less severe, with a reduced likelihood of experiencing prolonged coughing spells, apnea, and cyanosis. Extensive safety evaluations have confirmed that Tdap vaccines are safe for use in children and adults, pregnant women and seniors over the age of 65, with no unexpected safety concerns reported.

The PCP likewise called on parents and caregivers to be vigilant for symptoms of pertussis such as cough, colds, fever, and to seek immediate medical attention. “Early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving patient outcomes and reducing transmission,” it said.

In conclusion, the organization, a group composed of leading medical health professionals, also reiterated its strong support to the government, the DOH and the healthcare community in dealing with the pertussis outbreak.

“We encourage everyone to participate in vaccination campaigns and adhere to public health guidelines. We are one in protecting our communities, our children and the vulnerable populations from the potentially devastating effects of these vaccine-preventable infections.”

DOH

to

flu immunization campaign for seniors to prevent outbreaks

OBy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

ver the past year, the Philippines witnessed a staggering 45 percent surge in cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI), indicating a notable uptick in respiratory diseases. This poses a significant threat, especially among senior citizens who are more susceptible to heart attacks and pneumonia once contracting the flu virus.

Compounding this issue, is the 568 pertussis cases that have emerged in numerous communities across the country, further emphasizing the critical need for immediate vaccination efforts.

vaccine experts, meanwhile, called on the Department of Health [DOH] to expedite the flu immunization campaign to prevent an outbreak that could severely impact senior citizens and to mitigate potential outbreaks before the expected peak incidence between June and November.

“The recent outbreak of respiratory diseases is a testament to the importance of early preparation in mitigating the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases ( v PDs). The DOH must act now and expedite the release of flu vaccines to the public before the peak incidence to safeguard the elderly from severe complications like pneumonia,” stressed Dr. r ontgene Solante, Infectious Disease e xpert and lead convenor of the r aising Awareness on Influenza to Support ederlies ( r AIS e ) Coalition.

Free vaccination

U ND er the e xpanded Senior Citizens act of 2010, the DOH is tasked to administer free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease for indigent senior citizens.

Nevertheless, the r AIS e Coalition and various legislators have been advocating to expand this further to cover all senior citizens in the country.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, r AIS e Coalition co-convenor, called on the DOH to expand free flu vaccination for all seniors. She stated, “Many elderly depend solely on government-provided free vaccines as their primary protection against the flu.”

Additionally, she stressed, “It is crucial to vaccinate all seniors, similar to the proactive measures implemented during the CO v ID-19 pandemic. Controlling pertussis will take time, and its concurrent rise with flu cases could strain our healthcare system’s capacity to respond effectively.”

Protective measure

A PA r T from the urgent need for flu vaccines, the two health experts also highlighted the importance of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination for the elderly population amid the outbreak, emphasizing its importance beyond just infants and

children. Getting vaccinated not only helps reduce potential transmission but also acts as a protective measure for households and the wider community.

As a multi-sectoral group that has been working with esteemed medical societies, the r AIS e Coalition emphasizes the critical role of the government in prioritizing timely response and vaccination programs, particularly for the elderly population.

e nsuring their access to preventive healthcare, including vaccination, is not just essential but also a fundamental right, crucial for safeguarding their overall well-being and reducing the burden of vaccinepreventable diseases ( v PDs).

Furthermore, the coalition encouraged senior citizens to proactively inquire at their health centers for their free flu vaccinations.

Wake-up call

Me AN w HIL e , UNIC e F said the measles and pertussis outbreak in the Philippines is a wake-up call. The aid organization pointed out that the country is experiencing outbreaks in the Bangsamoro region and pertussis outbreaks in parts of Luzon and v isayas while nearly 70 percent of provinces and cities are at high risk for polio. All three are highly infectious diseases for children.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous r egion in Muslim Mindanao embarked on a Measles Outbreak r esponse Immunization at the beginning of the month after declaring the outbreak mid-March. The region had already reported more than 500 measles cases before the start of the campaign on April 1, 2024. This number is already half of the cases reported for almost 2023 and could be much higher, troubling for a region that has great aspirations for its children and future.

“Immunization is one of the crucial components of a robust health system. On the 50th year of the e ssential Programme of Immunization, we’ve gone from a world where the death of at least one child was something every parent expected to a world where every child has a chance if they get their vaccines. To stem the outbreak, we urge leaders to go to the hardest-hit communities to see with their own eyes the many challenges being faced by families and health workers,” UNIC e F Philippines r epresentative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

To support the measles and pertussis outbreaks, UNIC e F is helping the emergency procurement of two million doses of measles vaccines, fielding immunization coordinators, cold chain managers and social mobilizers in the poorest performing provinces, engaging community leaders to address refusals, and providing cold rooms to keep the vaccines potent, among others. One million measles vaccines are projected to arrive in the coming weeks, with a million more expected in the coming months.

2 Filipino pharma companies win healthcare awards in Singapore TMC South Luzon, Landers Superstore

THE Medical City (TMC) South Luzon officially started its partnership with Landers Superstore n uvali in the City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna on April 2, 2024, in a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony of TMC South Luzon R.E.A.C.H. (Reach and Engage in the Community through Healthcare) booth. TMC South Luzon R.E.A.C. H. booth, which will run for a month, provides the members of Landers Superstore n uvali easy access to the hospital services with Wellness Gift Cards that members can buy in P500 and P1,000 denominations, assistance in the set-up of online appointments for doctors’ consultations, diagnostic tests and procedures, and coordination of benefits for HMOs and other affiliated healthcare providers. TMC South Luzon Mobile Clinic was at the Landers Superstore n uvali Parking for members interested in having their

partnership officially begins

diagnostic tests done on-site.

Representing the two companies during the ceremony were Landers Superstore’s Chief Operating Officer, Pieter Lukman, and VP for Marketing and Membership, Kenneth Ocampo, with TMC South Luzon President and CEO, Dr. Cesar Ramon G. Espiritu, Head of Patient Services Group, Leticia E. Carolino, and Chief Finance Officer, Rosybelle D. Miclat. The staff of both institutions were in full force to witness the launch.

Lukman delivered the opening remarks with enthusiasm and said, “The Medical City South Luzon is well-known for its reputation of upholding excellent standards of healthcare. This is aligned with Landers’ mission to give its members more worth and benefits that add value to their lives. I am happy about the partnership and hope this is just a start and there will be more tie-ups with other Medical City facilities in the Philippines.”

In his message, Dr. Espiritu narrated, “This tie-up is going to be the first and to be followed by others, a relationship between stores and the idea of family and wellness. It is an appropriate tie-up of both companies and institutions that promote family well-being. We need to have continuous communication, especially with our clients, and find what they need so we can provide them with a customized type of healthcare emphasizing wellness. We are shifting from curing /disease management to wellness and focusing on preventing disease. Let us communicate with each other so we can provide an optimum wellness offering to our clients.”

Discover what is in store by stopping by The Medical City

DBy Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CITY—Two Filipino pharmaceutical companies recently romped away with three healthcare awards at the prestigious Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2024 in Singapore. The public relations firm, BrandComm Asia, said pharmaceutical firms I.E. Medica, Inc. and MedEthix Inc., were recently awarded the Supply Chain Initiative of the Year, Hospital Partnership of the Year, and the Most Differentiated Service of the Year awards.

MedEthix was recognized for leveraging the synergy of strategic alliances to ease the access of Molnupiravir in the Philippines at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I.E. Medica was also awarded for its efforts in implementing solutions to its endto-end supply chain operations to meet the nation’s healthcare product supply chain needs.

“This marks the first time native Philippine pharmaceutical brands have won in these categories. The brands are active proponents in the importation, registration, and supply of healthcare products in the Philippines,” the BrandComm Asia statement said.

The two firms are sister companies.

I.E. Medica and MedEthix executives, Monaliza Balnig Salian, co-founder, president and CEO, and Ma. Victoria P. Sugapong, COO, accepted the awards on behalf of the pharma group at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, which was held on late March.

Dependent on importation

In her acceptance speech, Salian said the Philippine pharmaceutical industry “is heavily dependent on importation; thus, we continuously look for ways to improve our supply

chain operations.”

“As a young pharma group, I.E. Medica and MedEthix are aware of the overwhelming needs of our countrymen for quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare solutions, and so we will continue to respond to these unmet needs, as Filipinos, for the Filipino,” she added

The awards are conferred by the respected regional publication Healthcare Asia magazine.

I.E. Medica said it was on track to secure the Level 1 Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certification from the Philippine Customs Administration to comply with supply chain security standards and the benefits of improved accessibility to healthcare goods brought about by streamlined importexport systems across borders. It obtained the Super Green Lane certificate in 2017 for having demonstrated its initial compliance with the cargo security risk management framework required for accreditation as an AEO importer. The MedEthix, on the other hand, secured its first four hospital partners from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the compassionate special permit (CSP) for Molnupiravir, the oral drug indicated for mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 infection. It later expanded the distribution of Molnupiravir from the first four CSP grantees to more 80 health institutions and more than 500 doctors across the country.

“As recipients of the three prestigious awards for the pharma category in the Philippines, I.E. Medica and MedEthix remain committed to providing a wide range of products that cover almost all therapeutic areas to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of Filipinos,” Salian said.

In the photo are, from left, Leticia Carolino, TMCSL Patient Services Group Head; Dr. Cesar Espiritu, TMCSL President and CEO; Pieter Lukman, Landers Superstore COO; Kenneth Ocampo, Landers Superstore VP-Marketing and Membership; Rosybelle Miclat, TMCSL CFO; Jan Clarizze Alberto, Marketing, Communications and CPE, Manager TMC South Luzon Mobile Clinic at Landers Nuvali Parking