BusinessMirror April 26, 2024

Digital economy accounts for 8.4% of total economy

DIGITAL transactions including electronic commerce and online content contributed nearly a tenth of the country's GDP in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The data showed the digital economy amounted to P2.05 trillion, contributing 8.4 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2023.

This marked a growth of 7.7 percent from the P1.9-trillion Gross Value Added of the digital economy in 2022.

“The digital economy is composed of digital transactions covering Digital-enabling infrastructure, E-commerce, Digital media/content, and Government digital services. The Government digital services is a newly added component to cover the

IBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

F the conflict in the Middle East escalates, the World Bank expects natural gas, fertilizers, and food to become even more expensive than they are today.

In its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank said a major outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East could stall the steady decline in inflation recorded in the past two years.

Without the escalation of the conflict, the World Bank said food prices could decline to 6 percent in 2024 and 4 percent in 2025. Fertilizer prices are also expected to fall by 22 percent in 2024 and 6 percent in 2025.

“Global inflation remains undefeated,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President.

government services directly related to supporting the digital economy,” PSA said.

According to PSA, of the digital subcomponents, Digital-enabling infrastructure made up the bulk, amounting to P1.7 trillion.

The top three biggest shares under this component come from Telecommunication services, Professional and business services, and Computer, electronic and optical products with 32.9 percent, 30.1 percent, and 17.1 percent shares in the digital economy, respectively.

E-commerce had a share of 14 percent, Digital media/content 2.9 percent, and Government digital services, 0.2 percent.

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ncr FaMIlIES: WE nEED P25K tO aVOID bEIng taggED ‘POOr’

FILIPINO families living in Metro Manila believe they need to earn P25,000 to keep them from being considered poor, according to the latest survey results of the Social Weather Station (SWS).

Based on the Self-Rated Poverty (SRP) data, SWS said a Self-Rated Poverty Threshold of P25,000 is a new record. This is the highest threshold recorded by SWS in the past three administrations or since 2010.

The data also marked a threshold poverty gap of P10,000, the third quarter that

this gap was recorded by SWS. This is the eighth time this gap was recorded in Metro Manila in three administrations.

“The SRP Threshold, or the minimum monthly budget selfrated poor families say they need for home expenses in order not to consider themselves poor, has remained sluggish for several years despite considerable inflation.

“This indicates that poor families have been lowering their living standards, i.e., belttightening,” SWS said.

Neda: Imports still needed, AO 20 vital to food security

IMPORTS remain necessary as local production is still unable to meet demand for key commodities like rice and pork, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

In a 14-page statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan defended Administrative Order No. 20 which aims to ensure the country’s food security by removing non-tariff barriers for agricultural products. (https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/22/marcos-wantsnon-tariff-curbs-on-farm-products-out/).

The Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IACIMO) expects the local production of

key commodities such as rice, pork, onion,and sugar to fall short of domestic demand this year.

“By streamlining administrative procedures and removing nontariff barriers, we aim to create a regulatory environment that enables—rather than hinders—the delivery of goods and services that our people need while safeguarding the welfare of our citizens,” Balisacan said.

“It would be irresponsible not to augment local supply during periods of acute shortages. Failing to do so would lead to highly elevated prices,

relations and asean affairs Ma. theresa lazaro, and US assistant Secretary of State for East asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink pose after the 11th PhilippinesUnited States bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.c Full story in A13 News.

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Innovations tech center; Edric calma from Knowledge channel Foundation Inc.; austere Panadero from Zuellig Family Foundation Inc.; blessille Par from Manila Water Foundation Inc.; and Enrique canoy from radio Mindanao network Foundation. See

Marcos Jr. promotes Cacdac from OIC to DMW secretary

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has promoted veteran labor official Hans J. Cacdac as the new Secretary of the Department of Migrant of Workers (DMW).

Marcos signed the appointment papers of Cacdac on Thursday.

Neda…

Continued from A1

adversely affecting everyone—even farmers who are also consumers of agricultural products and fall victim to higher food prices themselves,” he added.

Balisacan said domestic production of rice is expected to fall 15 percent below demand despite the 0.7-percent increase in output in 2024. There is also a deficit in the production of pork due to the African Swine Fever (ASF).

The Neda chief explained that rice retail prices in the international market surged on the back of trade-restricting policies of major food exporters.

In March 2024, he noted that the price of rice, 5 percent broken, from Vietnam and Thailand eased month-on-month but was still 27 to 37 percent higher than prices a year ago.

The landed cost of imported rice, 5 percent broken, in 2024 remained stable at approximately P39 per kilo but is 27 to 29 percent higher than the previous year.

“As landed cost includes tariffs and other fees [e.g., brokerage fee, arrastre charge, customs documentary stamp], carefully adjusting tariff rates temporarily, or while world prices

“Pursuant to the provision of Section 16, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution and existing laws, you are hereby appointed ad interim Secretary, Department of Migrant Workers,” the President said in the issuance.

Cacdac’s appointment comes seven months after he served as the

are increasing, could help in stabilizing rice prices in the country,” Balisacan said. Meanwhile, Balisacan said prior to the ASF outbreak, domestic pork production could meet local demand.

From 2017 to 2019, local pork production in carcass weight averaged 1.61 million metric tons (MMT). This exceeded the average demand of 1.52 million metric tons with a surplus reaching 87,920 metric tons.

With the ASF, which required culling thousands of hogs, the country had a deficit in pork production—with the 61,430 MT shortfall in 2020 rising to 389,770 MT in 2021-2022. Balisacan said imported pork has been critical in augmenting domestic production. The sharp increase in imported pork arrivals since 2021, he said, helped meet local demand.

“While local hog production exhibited improvements in the past two years and is expected to increase by 2.8 percent in 2024, it will still fall 20 percent below pre-ASF levels,” Balisacan said.

Other commodities

A PART from rice and pork, AO No. 20 will also benefit commodities such as onion and sugar, which saw recent price spikes.

The average retail price of red onions in January 2023 skyrocketed to P465 per kilogram,

officer-in-charge of the DMW after the passing of former DMW secretary Susan “Toots” Ople in August.

Cacdac spent most of his career in public service in the Department of Labor and Employment, where he served as director of the Bureau of Labor Relations, Executive Director of the National Conciliation Mediation Board, Administrator

more than double or 113 percent higher than the P219 per kilo average in January 2022.

The price of white onions, Balisacan said, posted a 215 percent year-on-year increase to P367.7 per kilogram from P116.7 in January 2022.

This year, Balisacan said, despite the expected 4.7-percent increase in local onion production, local upply will still fall short of demand by 10 percent.

“Onion prices in the Philippines reached a record high in January 2023 amid the nonissuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) for red and white onions since December 2021,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan explained that in 2022, sugarcane production shrank 10.7 percent and the area harvested decreased by 4.5 percent.

As a result, Balisacan said, sugar prices in 2023 stayed high and did not return to their levels in the years before 2022.

He attributed this to low fertilizer usage due to high prices, resulting in lower yields; weather disturbances such as Typhoons Odette in December 2021 and Agaton in April 2022 were also a factor.

These, Balisacan said, affected standing crops, disrupted operations of milling and refining facilities, and damaged sugar stocks and warehouses.“Relying mainly on the country’s

of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

While in the private sector, he served as Associate Lawyer and Urban Poor Unit Coordinator of the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlingal (Saligan). Han S J. CaCDaC

production of refined sugar is insufficient to meet the domestic demand requirements.”

Rates

W ITH the high prices of these commodities, food inflation increased from 1.6 percent in January 2022 to 11.2 percent in January 2023, he added.

Rice started to become a main driver of inflation starting in August 2023. As of March 2024, it accounted for 58 percent or 2.2 percentage points of the observed 3.7 percent headline inflation.

Given this, Balisacan noted, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released its riskadjusted inflation forecast of 3.9 percent for 2024, near the government’s upper-bound target of 4 percent for the year.

The BSP has also remained hawkish and said it will likely hold rates higher for longer, given the threat of inflation. (https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/09/inflationmay-prompt-rate-cuts-delay-to-2025/).

HSBC revises forecast

M EANWHILE , HSBC analyst Aris Dacanay said that given recent developments, they revised

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In terms of employment, PSA data showed the digital economy employed 9.68 million Filipinos, with majority or 87.3 percent employed in E-commerce. This was followed by Digital-enabling infrastructure, Digital media/ content, and Government digital services with 11.5 percent, 1.1 percent, and 0.1

NCR…

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The SRP threshold in Metro Manila was significantly higher than the national average of P15,000. The SRP gap was also higher in Metro Manila compared to the P7,000 average recorded nationwide.

“In the past, the median SRP Gap has generally been half of the median SRP Threshold. This means that typical poor families lack about half of what they need to not consider themselves poor,” SWS said.

“An increase in the proportion of the median SRP Gap relative to the median SRP Threshold means a worsening in families’ budget for home expenses,” it added.

Based on SWS data, this is due to the lower SRP threshold and SRP gap recorded in Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In Balance Luzon, SWS said the median SRP Threshold stayed at P15,000, while the median SRP Gap stayed at P6,000.

The median SRFP Threshold rose from P8,000 to P9,000, while the median SRFP Gap stayed at P3,000.

In the Visayas, the data showed, the median SRP Threshold stayed at P15,000, while the median SRP Gap stayed at P5,000.

SWS said the median SRFP Threshold rose from P6,000 to P10,000, while the median SRFP Gap rose from P3,000 to P4,000.

In Mindanao, SWS said the median SRP Threshold fell from P15,000 to P10,000, while the median SRP Gap fell from P7,000 to P5,000

The data showed the median SRFP Threshold fell from P8,000 to P5,000, while the median SRFP Gap fell from P3,000 to P2,000.

More poor

B ASED on the latest SWS data, some 46 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as Mahirap or Poor.

The data also showed 30 percent rated themselves as Borderline or placed themselves on a horizontal line dividing Poor and Not Poor; while the remaining 23 percent rated themselves as Hindi Mahirap or Not Poor.

"Compared to December 2023, the percentage of Poor families hardly changed from 47 percent, while Borderline families barely moved from 33 percent, and Not Poor families rose slightly from 20 percent," SWS said.

their policy rate forecast for the Philippines. They now expect the BSP to do its first 25-basis-point rate cut in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the initial estimate of the third quarter. Given this, he said policy rates in the country may end the year at 6.25 percent, higher than the initial forecast of 5.75 percent.

Nonetheless, Dacanay said HSBC continues to expect the BSP to bring its policy rate down to as much as 5 percent by the end of 2025.

“Even though interest rate hikes—a monetary policy tool utilized by the BSP— can decelerate inflation by discouraging consumption and investment activities, it may also dampen demand and reduce economic opportunities made available to Filipino workers,” Balisacan said.

Neda said the IAC-IMO, along with other relevant government agencies of the Economic Development Group (EDG), recommended the issuance of AO 20.

It is seen as a supply-side response to help curb inflation by addressing its fundamental causes: shortages of food commodities due to inadequate and untimely importation.

Cai U. Ordinario

percent shares, respectively.

The data on the digital economy is based on the results of the pilot study done by the technical staff of PSA. Since the methodology is currently being refined for presentation later to the PSA Board, the results are considered preliminary.

The PSA plans to institutionalize the compilation of the Philippine Digital Economy Satellite Account subject to the approval of the PSA Board.

Cai U. Ordinario

Given this, the estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families were 12.9 million in March 2024 and 13 million in December 2023.

To arrive at the estimated numbers of SelfRated Poor families, SWS said the percentage of respondent households rating themselves as poor was applied to the Philippine Statistics Authority medium-population projections for 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Meanwhile, the March 2024 survey also asked the Self-Rated Poor if they had ever experienced being non-poor (either not poor or borderline) in the past.

The total percentage of poor families consists of 6 percent who were non-poor 1 to 4 years ago and categorized as Newly Poor.

The SWS said 5.3 percent were non-poor five or more years ago or Usually Poor; and 34.9 percent who never experienced being non-poor or Always Poor.

This meant that of the estimated 12.9-million Self-Rated Poor families in March 2024, the SWS estimated that 1.7 million were Newly Poor; 1.5 million were Usually Poor; and 9.7 million were Always Poor.

The survey asked those who were SelfRated Non-Poor or those who were either Borderline or Not Poor if they had ever experienced being poor in the past.

The total percentage of non-poor families consists of 15.6 percent or 4.3 million who were poor 1-4 years ago or Newly Non-Poor.

SWS said 10.1 percent or 2.8 million were poor five or more years ago or Usually NonPoor while 27.8 percent or 7.7 million were never poor or Always Non-Poor.

The First Quarter 2024 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 21-25, 2024, using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide.

This included 600 in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Face-to-face is the standard interviewing method for SWS; the only exceptions were early in the pandemic when movement restrictions made face-to-face impossible and mobile phone interviews were conducted. Normal face-to-face field operations resumed in November 2020.

The sampling error margins are ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Cai U. Ordinario

“A key force for disinflation—falling commodity prices—has essentially hit a wall. That means interest rates could remain higher than currently expected this year and next. The world is at a vulnerable moment: a major energy shock could undermine much of the progress in reducing inflation over the past two years.”

In 2024 and 2025, the report said, overall commodity prices are forecast to decline slightly but remain about 38 percent above prepandemic levels.

Unlike prices for most other commodities, oil prices are set to increase in 2024, by 2 percent. Gold and copper prices are also set to rise this year, by 8 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

“Risks to the price forecasts are tilted to the upside, with the primary risk arising from a broadening of the conflict in the Middle East. A conflict-driven rise in commodity prices could stoke stubbornly elevated global inflation, further delaying global monetary easing,” the report stated.

“Food insecurity, which worsened markedly last year reflecting armed conflicts and elevated food prices, could also rise further,” it added.

The World Bank noted that between mid-2022 and mid-2023, global commodity prices plummeted by nearly 40 percent. This helped to drive most of the roughly 2-percentage-point reduction in global inflation between 2022 and 2023.

However, the World Bank estimates that should the conflict in the Middle East escalate, oil-supply disruptions could push up global inflation.

A moderate conflict-related supply disruption could raise the average Brent price this year to $92 per barrel while a more severe disruption could see oil prices surpass $100 per barrel.

If oil prices average above $100 per barrel, the world could see global inflation in 2024 rise by nearly one percentage point. The estimate, without the conflict escalation, is for global inflation to average 3 percent in 2024 and 4 percent in 2025.

“A striking divergence is emerging between global growth and commodity prices: despite relatively weaker global growth, commodity prices will most likely remain higher in 2024-25 than in the half-decade before the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group.

“One critical factor behind this divergence relates to heightened geopolitical tensions that are keeping upward pressure on prices of major commodities and stoking risks of sharp price movements. Central banks must remain alert about the inflationary implications of commodity-price spikes amid elevated geopolitical tensions.”

The World Bank said the Middle East is a crucial gas supplier—20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade transits the Strait of Hormuz.

If the LNG supply were interrupted, fertilizer prices would also rise substantially, likely driving up food prices.

Earlier, local economists said geopolitical risks would make it more difficult for imported oil-dependent countries like the Philippines to tame inflation, which could accelerate to double digits if oil prices jump to unprecedented levels.

Bloomberg initially reported that oil traders piled into more than 3 million barrels worth of options contracts in a bet that prices would spike to $250 a barrel by June as geopolitical risks remain elevated. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/04/19/ geopolitics-may-hurt-bid-to-tameinflation/).

Regardless of whether oil prices reach $250 per barrel, Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona Jr. told B usiness M irror that addressing high oil prices cannot be similar to how the country responded in the 1970s.

In order to keep oil prices stable locally, the government “imposed oil price regulations and subsidized gasoline consumption.” Lanzona added the government also too its response further by owning oil refineries that led to “tremendous loans.” (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/04/22/%e2%82%b1100wage-hike-should-have-beenapproved-yesterday/).

SM Prime marks 30th anniversary with recordbreaking income, Php 100 billion investment for 2024

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH), the leading integrated property developer in the Philippines, marks its 30th anniversary as a publicly listed company with the announcement of its highest-ever recorded income and a P100 billion investment for its partners, stakeholders, and communities they operate in. With eyes set on the future, SM Prime reaffirms its position as a catalyst for economic development and community advancement.

Record-Breaking Performance

During the Annual Stockholders

Meeting held on April 23, 2024, SM Prime announced its highest-ever recorded income, reaching PHP40 billion in consolidated net income, marking a 33% increase from 2022.

Additionally, the company's revenues surged by 21%, soaring to PHP128.1 billion, a notable growth from the previous year. The consolidated operating income also saw significant growth, rising by 24% to PHP61.3 billion.

The outstanding performance can be attributed to SM Prime's mall business, driving 56% of consolidated revenues and a 30% growth to PHP71.9 billion in 2023. This growth was bolstered by a 24% increase in mall rental income, amounting to PHP61.3 billion. Moreover, the opening of four new malls in 2023 expanded SM's retail presence to 85 malls in the Philippines and 8 malls in China.

Meanwhile, SM Prime's resi-

dential business group, led by SM Development Corporation (SMDC), recorded an 8% growth in revenues to PHP43.1 billion in 2023. The residential group's gross profit rose by 15% to PHP25.4 billion, with reservation sales standing at PHP102 billion. In addition to its mall and residential businesses, SM Prime's other key segments, comprising offices, hotels, and convention centers, contributed 10% of consolidated revenues, reported PHP13.1 billion in revenues in 2023, marking a remarkable 26% increase from the previous year.

Commitment to Shared Growth

At the core of SM Prime's success is its unwavering commitment to shared prosperity in every city where they are present. With a strategic P100 billion investment capital expenditure in 2024, SM Prime aims to reinvest in its partners, stakeholders, and communities.

SM Prime aims to continuously expand and develop new places for every Filipino to enjoy. 60% will be dedicated to enhancing its malls, development of new residential properties under SMDC, and construction of new hotels and convention centers. 40% will be directed towards acquiring new properties and coastal developments to pave the way for modern, eco-friendly urbanization.

Commitment to Environmental Sustainability and Disaster Resilience

SM Prime has always been committed towards creating a sustainable future. SM Prime continues

to work towards its goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040, aligning with the Department of Energy's target of reaching a 35% renewable energy share by 2030. Through partnerships with renewable energy suppliers and organizations like the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), SM Prime endeavors to reduce its environmental footprint and advocate for sustainable practices in all areas of its operations.

SM Supermalls' SM Cares and SMDC's The Good Guys also remain actively engaged in various community initiatives, such as conducting community disaster preparedness programs, providing support

programs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and promoting job generation and entrepreneurship through nationwide job fairs and MSME programs. Other initiatives include coastal cleanups, the donation of school buildings and fire trucks, and the organization of eco-camps for youth.

Jeffrey C. Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings shared, “At SM Prime, we're not just building spaces; we're cultivating lifetimes of progress and shared growth. Our commitment lies in empowering Filipinos to thrive within their

neighborhoods, whether through convenient shopping experiences at SM Supermalls, quality living in SMDC homes, or fulfilling work environments in our office properties. We believe that individual success fuels community prosperity, creating opportunities, and driving the nation's growth for many years to come.” SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. For more information, visit www.smprime.com.

Olympic excitement kicks off at SM

Symbolic torch relay and photo exhibit mark 100-day countdown to Paris 2024

ALL roads lead to Paris as the 100-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games begins. In the Philippines, a ceremonial lighting and torch relay was held at the SM Mall of Asia Globe between Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel.

Both Ambassadors also graced the opening of the photo exhibition ‘Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes,’ at S Maison presented by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Alliance Française de Manille (AFM),

the Embassy of France to the Philippines, and SM Supermalls.

The ceremony coincides with the lighting of the Olympic Flame in the sanctuary of Olympia in Greece, where the ancient Games were first held. The Olympic and

Paralympic Games will be held in the French capital from July 26 to August 11, and August 28 to September 8, 2024 respectively.

Through a carefully curated collection of images from leading global news agency AFP, ‘Legacy in Motion’ is a poignant tribute to the athletes and sports that have defined the Olympic movement. The exhibit celebrates the spirit of athleticism, perseverance, and camaraderie that transcends borders and generations. More than just a showcase of athletic prowess – it is a powerful tribute to the human spirit, a story of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering determination.

Among those featured are the country’s first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Filipino athletes Margielyn Didal, Eumir Marcial, Carlos Yulo, and Nesthy Petecio, who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Michael Christian Martinez, who began his ice-skating career at SM Skating to become a two-time Winter Olympian.

The event is also supported by Decathlon, Sula Spirits, and Shake Shack, and is ongoing at S Maison until April 27, and will tour The Podium on May 20-26 and SM Aura on June 23-30.

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (right) receives the symbolic torch from Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (left) during a lighting ceremony and torch relay at the SM Mall of Asia Globe marking the 100-day countdown to Paris 2024.

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (left) and Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (right) with student athletes and scholars from the National University.

Leading the launch of the Agence France-Presse (AFP) photo exhibition, ‘Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes,’ at S Maison were: French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (6th from right), Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (5th from left), SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan (4th from left), Philippine Sports Commission President Richard Bachmann (back, left), Philippine Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary General Karen Caballero (2nd from left), Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo (left), and AFP Manila Bureau Chief Allison Jackson (4th from right). They are joined by Alliance Francaise de Manille (AFM) Executive Director Xavier Leroux (3rd from left), President Ambassador Cristina Ortega (5th from right), and Cultural Manager Noe Fuentes (2nd from right); AFP Deputy Sales and Marketing Director for Asia-Pacific Alexis Bibard (3rd from right), and Decathlon’s Kim del Rosario (right).

Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist, beside the iconic photograph capturing her triumphant moment by Agence France-Presse (AFP’s) Vincenzo Pinto.

SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan

Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis Philippine Sports Commission President Richard Bachmann

Philippine Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary General Karen Caballero Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo

Agence France-Presse Manila Bureau Chief Allison Jackson (center) with Together-Ensemble Foundation’s Hubert d'Aboville (right) and wife Araceli (left).

Agence France-Presse Manila Bureau Chief Allison Jackson

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel

Powerlifting para-athletes Carlo John Nuyda (standing, back), with (from left, front) Achell Guion, Marydol Pamati-an, Adeline Dumapong, and para-athlete Marites Burce.

4 New SM Malls in 2024: SM City Caloocan, SM City J Mall, SM City Laoag, and SM City La Union From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: SM Foundation’s Grow Trees Community Program, SM Cares’ Bike-Friendly Program, ARISE Philippines Chairperson Mr. Hans Sy and Members, SM Supermalls x Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill, SM Supermalls’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations, and SM Prime’s Solar Rooftop Project

April 26, 2024

The Nation

Marcos extends term of COS, JO govt workers

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

TO give government agencies more time to implement measures that will enable them to absorb workers under contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) arrangements, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the extension of the employment of the nonregular workers to next year.

Under the Commission on Audit (COA)-Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2, series of 2022, government agencies may only engage the services of COS and JO workers until December 31, 2024.

However, during a sectoral meeting last Wednesday, Marcos decided to move the deadline for the said engagement to December 31, 2025 to prevent the possible mass dis -

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team assisted residents affected by previous fire incidents in Talisay City, Cordova, and Mandaue City, Cebu, on April 23 and 24. This is in line with collective efforts to help victims of disasters rebuild and recover. Held at Tabunok Barangay Hall in Talisay City, Poblacion Barangay Hall in Cordova, and Old North Bus Terminal in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Go’s team provided a total of 192 residents food packs, shirts, masks, vitamins, snacks, sockets, and balls for basketball and volleyball. There is also a select recipient of a pair of shoes and a mobile phone from the senator.

The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Emergency Housing Assistance

placement of COS and JO workers. He made the decision after DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong reported that many of the current COS and JO workers will not qualify for the “thousands of vacant plantilla positions in the government” due to lack of eligibility from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

COS refers to the engagement of the services of an individual, private firm, other government agency, nongovernmental agency or international organization as consultant, learning service provider or technical expert to undertake special project or job within a specific period.

As for JO, it refers to the agreement between the government agency and contractor or service provider duly registered and recognized by authorized government agencies.

Program (EHAP), which Go advocated for and continues to support, also provided financial assistance for housing materials to the victims.

“Isinulong natin ang programang EHAP noon at patuloy ko itong sinusuportahanngayonupangmatulunganang mga biktima ng sunog na makabili ng materyales para sa bahay tulad ng yero, pako, semento, at iba pang kagamitan,” Go said in a video message.

Furthermore, Go, also known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for poor Filipinos, highlighted SBN 2451, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he co-sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. Based on the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill Go filed earlier, the

Plantilla positions

AS of June 30, 2023, the number of COS and JOs in the government rose to 832,812 from 642,077 in the previous year.

Local government units (LGUs) have the highest number of COS/JO workers, at 580,323. It was followed by National Government Agencies (NGAs) with 173,227 and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) with 44,168.

The top five national government agencies with the highest number of COS and JO workers are the Department of Public Works and Highways (29,275), Department of Health (18,264), Department of Education (15,143), Department of Social Welfare and Development (13,770), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (10,990).

Marcos ordered the concerned agencies to help COS and JO workers by providing them with reviews

proposed legislation underscores the necessity of establishing mandatory evacuation centers in provinces and municipalities.

Go also emphasized the significance of modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to effectively enhance its capabilities in responding to emergencies.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 11589 in 2021, which he principally authored and co-sponsored, Go stressed that modernizing the BFP is crucial and long overdue. As natural disasters and emergencies become more frequent and severe, it is essential to equip the BFP with technology and resources to address these challenges efficiently.

At the forefront of Go’s legislative initiatives as the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, he encouraged the fire victims to take advantage of available medical assistance from government by visiting the Malasakit Centers in Cebu.

The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that gathers the agencies where patients may seek medical assistance.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that over 10 million impoverished Filipinos have benefited from the 163 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Malasakit Centers in Cebu City are in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). Meanwhile, other Malasakit Centers

enable them to secure permanent positions in the government.

“The President said agencies should work with educational institutions to help them review for the CSC examinations,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

PCO said Marcos wants to build a pool of government workers that can perform and qualify for the government’s plantilla positions.

The government first tried to end the proliferation of COS and JO within its ranks through CSCCOA-DBM Joint Circular (JC) No. 1, series of 2017.

Under JC 1, agencies may only renew the individual contracts of COS or JO workers until December 31, 2018.

The deadline has been reset by successive issuance from CSC, COA, and DBM to 2022 and 2024 before Marcos’ latest order to move it to 2025.

are located at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City. Go then expressed his appreciation to Talisay City local government officials headed by Mayor Samsam Gullas, Congresswoman Rhea Gullas, Vice Mayor Choy Aznar, and Kap Benjie Cabigas; Cordova, local officials, including Mayor Cesar Suan, Vice Mayor Victor Tago, and Kap. Ritchell Basillote; and to Mandaue City local officials led by Mayor Jonas Cortes, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede, Congresswoman Lollypop Ouano-Dizon, Subangdaku Brgy. Captain Mona Manatad and Tabok Brgy. Captain Dario Tarriman, among others, for their unending support to uplift the lives of their needy constituents.

“ Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng ating mga local officials at sa ating mga frontliners. Kung wala po ang inyong malasakit sa ating kapwa ay hindi po natin maaabot ang inaasam na pagbalik sa normal. Kaya nakikusap po ako na huwag niyong pabayaan ng mga kababayan natin, lalo na yung mga hopeless athelpless.Tulungannatinsilahanggang makabangon sila muli,” Go said.

“Akonamanaypatuloynamagseserbisyosainyosaabotngakingmakakayadahil yanpoangpinangakokosainyobilang Mr. Malasakit, ang pagserbisyuhan kayo mga kababayanko.Bisyokonaangmagserbisyo atnaniniwalaakonaangserbisyosataoay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.

Padilla pushes Con-con to amend 1987 Charter

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATOR Robin Padilla declared on Thursday that he is open to pushing for a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) to amend the economic and political provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Padilla, presiding chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said he is also “seeking help” from two former Finance secretaries to “ensure the the Con-Con will not be too expensive.”

“Kasi nang nag-uusap kanina, halos lahat ng expert sinasabi nila bakit utayutay pa, bakit hindi sabayin,” Padilla said, adding: “Sabing legis, siguroisulongnatin ang Con-Con.”

The senator also indicated that his fellow lawmakers are keen to take the task to review the Constitution.

“Gustonatintalagangang Constitution, kasi may nagsabi kanina na expert, ang linawngpagkakasabi,bakitnamanisa-isa?

‘Dipapagusapannangbuo. (Almost all the experts at today’s hearing said many provisions need to be amended simultaneously and not one provision at a time),” he said in an interview Wednesday night. Padilla also signaled that he plans to file a resolution to the effect as early as

this coming week.

Moreover, he cited “a need to amend the economic and political provisions of the Charter,” after resource persons at Wednesday’s hearing cited problems with provisions of the 1987 Constitution. One involved the call of councilors to also extend the terms of local officials to five years instead of three, to have enough time to implement their programs.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Romeo Benitez noted that “three years is too short as the first year is a honeymoon period, the second is for serious work, and the third is to prepare for the next elections.”

“Sinasabi ng nasa local government, dapat 5 years. Kailangan pag-aralan. [Three years may be too short for local government posts—five years would be better. We must study this],” said Padilla. Moreover, Padilla indicated he would seek help from former Finance Secretaries Margarito Teves and Romulo Neri to ensure the Con-Con will not cost too much.

“ Narinig nyo ang expert kanina... malinaw na malinaw na sinabi nila, old na po. Hindi na po natutugma sa panahon ngayon ang Constitution natin [You heard the experts. They clearly said the Constitution is old and no longer in tune with the times],” he said.

AFP chief lauds heroism of 7 wounded soldiers

ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday commended the bravery of the seven soldiers who were wounded during the encounter that resulted in the death of a ranking Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader and 11 of his followers in Maguindanao Del Sur last April 22.

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Wednesday night, said the wounded troops are all assigned to the 6th Infantry Division which is headquartered at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Del Norte.

“Gen. Brawner commended the 6th Infantry Division personnel for their immense dedication and sacrifices for safeguarding peace and security in the region. He assured them of the AFP’s unwavering support and pledged to ensure that they receive the best possible medical care and assistance in their recovery,” he added.

These troops were wounded in the series of encounter that neutralized BIFF leader Mohiden Alimodin Animbang, also known as Kagi Karialan and 11 of his supporters, in Sitio Pendililang, Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Del Sur last Monday.

“Gen. Brawner expressed high hope to meet the timelines for the cessation of violence in Mindanao. As the nation honors its courage, the AFP remains firm in its mission to safeguard the welfare of the Filipino people and uphold the integrity of the nation,” Trinidad noted.

Meanwhile, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. lauded

the AFP for its successful operation.

Galvez, a former AFP chief himself, called the neutralization of Animbang a testament to the military’s professionalism and bravery.

The OPAPRU chief added that this operation highlights the AFP’s commitment in safeguarding the peace and security of the region.

Galvez also commended the officers and enlisted personnel of the 6th Infantry Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Alex S. Rillera for their outstanding work.

“We also want to highlight the key role played by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF] leadership and its commanders in supporting the AFP’s successful operations against Animbang and his men. Their full cooperation is a testament of their desire to help defeat the spoilers of peace, and bring long-lasting peace in the Bangsamoro,” the OPAPRU chief noted.

Galvez also called on the remaining members of the BIFF to abandon violence and return to the fold of the law. He also added that there is no longer reason for these BIFF members to engage in violent acts, as the dividends of peace are now starting to arrive.

“Moving forward, we must all work together to address the challenges in achieving genuine peace and security. We must not allow these instruments of unpeace to negate the gains we have made under the Bangsamoro peace process. Let us all stand united in defeating violent extremism and building a peaceful, progressive and prosperous future for all,” Galvez said.

Bong Go provides additional support to recovering fire victims from Talisay, Cordova and Mandaue

Rex Anthony Naval

• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

‘High

heat index

to prolong yellow, red alerts until May’

Continued from A16

“The Commission is diligently studying additional measures we can put in place under this extraordinary increase in demand, as a result of the effects of El Niño, and unavailability of supply or reserves”, said ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta.

“While we are completing our investigation on the outages, we are not losing sight of the fact that consumers—households and businesses alike—will bear the brunt of unavailable supply and/or high WESM prices.

“That is why, early on, we have emphasized to distribution utilities the importance of contracting for power supply to at least avoid exposure to price spikes in the WESM. We have also facilitated the registration of solar-powered facilities for those consumers that have the ability to self-provide their own power requirements. All these efforts contribute to preparing for these eventualities,” Dimalanta said.

The red and yellow alert issuances do not necessarily mean that the country is experiencing a power supply crisis, according to DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla. “It’s a calamity and we are adjusting. We are responding to it as needed,” said Lotilla.

He was referring to the collective efforts among the government and the private sector to avoid further strains on the grid as well as to avoid running expensive power plants.

For instance, Lotilla cited the acceleration of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which directs government agencies to streamline energy consumption to help reduce the overall demand in the grid. These can be carried out by adopting flexible working schedules, setting the thermostat of office air-conditioning units at 24°C to attain a comfort level room temperature, among others.

Aside from the GEMP, the government is also doing cloud seeding operations in certain areas of the country, encouraging the private sector to participate in the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), and continuously urging everyone to practice energy conservation and efficiency measures during peak hours.

“I am positive that the public is also listening to our appeal,” said Lotilla, when asked if electricity consumers do heed the government’s call to conserve electricity.

For the summer months of 2025, the DOE does not expect any power supply issues because at least 4,164.92 MW of power projects will come online this year.

To date, 161.20 MW of these committed projects are now in full commercial operation while 835.888 MW are under the testing and commissioning stage. These power projects represent a mix of both renewable and conventional sources.

Baseload plants will comprise around 678.06 MW, while mid-merit plants will total 1,320 MW. Peaking plants will comprise 2,164.92 MW.

Of the expected capacities, 4,030 MW are in Luzon, 80.25 MW are in Visayas and 52.50 MW are in Mindanao.

In terms of the timeline, 1,224.655 MW will operate in the second quarter, 1,352.167 MW in the third quarter and 1,571.154 MW in the fourth quarter.

Among the committed capacities is the 4x150 MW Mariveles Coal-Fired Power Plant (600 MW), with Unit 1 already under commercial operation last month, while the remaining three units are under testing and commissioning. They are expected to be on full commercial operations by the third quarter of this year.

Additionally, the 3x440 MW Batangas Combined Cyle Power Plant (1,320 MW) of Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) is expected to operate by the last quarter of this year.

The DOE is also looking at the completion and commercial operation of 1,984.775 MW of solar capacities, of which 966.294 MW are expected to come online by June 2024 while 494.888 MW are under testing and commissioning and can already inject energy to the grid.

Battery energy storage

MEANWHILE , at least 590 MW of battery energy storage system will also come online this year, with 32.42 MW already operational.

These additional capacities will strengthen the reliability and stability of the grid, providing much-needed capacity to meet the growing energy demand in the country. The anticipated increase in capacity will prevent supply deficiencies and potential power interruptions, particularly during peak demand periods.

“As far as next year, because precisely of the new power plants, the new capacities that are coming in, then we will have adequate supply for next year. And next year, it’s La Niña that we are facing, not really El Niño. Therefore, the rated hydro power plants are likely to be performing optimally,” said Lotilla.

DTI to tap Lithuanian tech for PHL e-governance devt

THE Philippines would tap Lithuanian technology to help the country improve its e-governance and digital literacy, among others, as it aims to expand its trade relations with the European country, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said.

“Lithuania’s prowess in digital technology is well recognized. Your advancements in software development, fintech, and cybersecurity are commendable,” the Trade chief said during his speech at a forum with the Lithuanian delegation last Thursday in Taguig City.

Describing the Philippines as “one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing” digital markets, Pascual said the country presents a “fertile ground” for collaboration.

With this, he said: “We are particularly interested in how Lithuanian technologies can help us improve e-governance and digital literacy, which are vital for our digital economy’s expansion.”

Apart from the area of digital technology, the Philippines’s trade chief said the country is keen to expand its trade in sectors such as

information technology and business process management where, he said, “Lithuania’s expertise and our capacity can effectively synergize.”

Likewise, in the energy sector, Pascual emphasized that Lithuania’s transition towards renewable energy sources and sustainable practices “sets a benchmark” the country aims to emulate.

With this, he expressed interest in the European country’s expertise in developing advanced energy solutions including wind and solar technologies.

“We look forward to exploring synergies to help the Philippines accelerate our energy transformation,” Pascual said.

Further, the Trade official noted the surge in bilateral trade between the Philippines and Lithuania.

He noted that in 2023, Philippines imports from Lithuania, driven by sectors such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals, grew “substantially.” This, Pascual noted, is a “testament” to Lithuania’s advanced technological capabilities and alignment with the needs of the Philippine market.

On the other hand, the Philippines remains a key exporter of “high-quality” goods to Lithuania, ranging from electronics to agricultural products.

“We are committed to supplying Lithuania with the best the Philippines offers. Notably, our exports of carrageenan and seaweed have shown significant growth, highlighting the demand for our marine and agri-based products,” said Pascual said during the dialogue organized by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

Data obtained by reporters from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bureau of Policy Research showed that total trade between the two nations surged from $20.79 million in 2022 to $223.78 million.

Imports of the Philippines from Lithuania surged to $214.12 million in 2023 from $10.88 million in 2022 while Philippine exports to Lithuania decreased to $9.67 million last year from $9.90 million in 2022.

Lithuania ranked as the Philippines’s 42nd trade partner. In terms of exports it ranks as the Philippines 69th partner, and 37th as import partner. Andrea San Juan

Stakeholders doubt hotel shortage, but hike in room rates ‘inevitable’

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

STAKEHOLDERS in the hotel industry doubt a shortage of properties in their industry and believe more investors are confident in opening up new accommodation establishments.

In an interview with the B usiness M irror , Hotel Sales and Management Association (HSMA) president Loleth So said, “We believe there will be no shortage in hotel room inventory as there are properties opening this year and the next five years ahead. Hotel development is now happening as investors and owners are now more confident as inbound and domestic travels continue to increase.”

She acknowledged there have been delays in the openings of new properties due to the pandemic, “but now that airline frequencies are increasing, it signals a very positive outlook for tourism arrivals increasing. Thus, investors are showing more confidence to proceed with hotel developments in the country.”

For her part, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles said, “I think there could be more hotels that will be built, it’s just of course probably not being reported. I’ms not sure about the [hotel] shortage, because we want to reach like 90-percent [occupancy levels] all year round.”

Leechiu Property Consultants, in a recent media briefing, predicted a shortage in rooms with only some 308,000 keys available by 2028, thus imperiling the country’s efforts to attract some 12 million inbound arrivals by that year. This room shortage will increase room rates and likely turn off foreign and domestic tourists. (See, “‘KEYS MUNA’: Imminent hotel room

shortage—and resulting higher room rates—could derail PHL’s ambition to lure more visitors,” in the B usiness M irror April 20, 2024.)

Virtus Awards launched ON the uptick in average daily rates of hotels due to the projected room shortage, Angeles underscored, “Price increase is inevitable, especially because there are costs also that are rising, inflation—all of us are feeling it even from a personal perspective. don’t think it is driving the tourists away because really, we’re not as expensive as Hong Kong or Singapore…. To me, the price increases, as long as it’s not a major jump as it is to cover the cost, or of labor, it all adds up, right?”

The HSMA on Thursday launched its annual Virtus Awards, now in its 10th year, with Philippine Airlines President and COO Capt. Stanley Ng as keynote speaker.

The pilot and PAL chief extolled the hotel sales and marketing professionals “to care how the products and the services are being delivered by your frontliners because it’s going to be easier for you to sell next time if your operations team will do their job better. It’s really a collaboration and constant communication to really help each other focus on the bigger purpose.”

PAL signs up for CRM system

NG also revealed that PAL has followed the lead of the hospitality industry and has “recently signed up for a CRM (customer relationship management) system so we will get to know each of our customers better. We’re catching up and we continue to learn and try to innnovate as well to make our product even better.”

Meanwhile, the Virtus Awards will recognize the Outstanding Sales and Marketing Associate, Outstanding Sales and Marketing Manager, and Outstanding Sales and Marketing Leader, and the some group category, the Institutional Award for Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign of the Year.

“This is a momentous event because it is happening also on HSMA’s 45th anniversary, and having reached its 10th year, the Virtus has earned the high regard and respect of the travel industry because of the way it has always been conducted,” said Virtus Awards chair Rose Libongco.

Nominations remain open until August 2, with the awards night happening on October 11 at the Grand Hyatt Manila. The 10th Virtus

Win says Senate to tackle brownouts, blasts

Continued from A16

The NGCP also placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Visayas grid, on the other hand, was placed on red alert period from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and from 6p.m. to 8p.m. and yellow alert from 10a.m. to 12 noon, 5p.m. to 6p.m, and 8p.m. to 9p.m.

gencos

“The reduced capacity exported by Mindanao to Visayas also aggravated the power situation in Visayas,” NGCP said. For the first time this year, the Mindanao grid was placed on yellow alert from 10a.m. to 4p.m. after nine power plants are on forced outage, while five are running on derated capacities, for a total of 673.98MW unavailable to the grid. Butch Fernandez

₧29.5M worth of marijuana, kush from Thailand seized

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized

TP29.5 million worth of dried marijuana or kush in a shipment from Thailand at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-MICP recently discovered 74 balikbayan boxes containing dried marijuana or kush.

Three boxes included in the shipment, which arrived last April 12, were opened and found to contain 21,071 grams of marijuana during three inspections conducted by the CIIS-MICP.

“We are seeing this modus more and more these days of marijuana being shipped through balikbayan boxes, which have become symbols of the Filipino diaspora,” BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.

“It’s sad to think that this modus is using something ubiquitous to every Filipino family as a balikbayan box because it degrades what that box symbolizes for us,” Rubio added.

CIIS Director Verne Y. Enciso said the physical examinations were conducted on April 19, 23, and 24 after the CIIS-MICP office received “derogatory information” that the shipment contains illegal drugs.

Awards is co-presented by the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board, with the support of Atlantis, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila, and Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila. For more information, visit hsma.org.ph or HSMA’s social media pages.

“Based on the report from our field station at the MICP, the shipment was declared to contain only household items, shoes, and motor parts from Thailand. We so far opened three boxes out of the 74 boxes found and

now we have positive confirmation of the presence of marijuana,” Enciso said.

The first box has more or less 6,400 grams of dried marijuana or kush packed in 24 pieces of plastic pouch; the second box has more or less 9,771 grams packed in 42 pieces of plastic pouch; and the third box has more or less 4,900 grams packed in 22 pieces of plastic pouch.

The more or less total of 21,071 grams of dried marijuana or kush had an estimated street value of P29,499,400. These three consolidated boxes are consigned to a certain Wilma Bulahagui and Erickson Bulahagui.

MICP District Collector Carmelita M. Talusan immediately issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on the shipment following the discovery of the illegal drugs.

According to the BOC, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is set to do confirmatory testing on the samples of the seized dried marijuana or kush. The remaining boxes have been brought back to the container, which was secured with padlocks and seals for safekeeping, the BOC added.

The BOC said the consignees, senders, and recipients of the balikbayan boxes will possibly face charges in violation of Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in goods declaration in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

PHILIPPINE Airlines Inc. President and COO Capt. Stanley K. Ng talks about the airline’s transformation from a “customer-centric” to a “customer-obsessed” carrier. Ng was keynote speaker at Thursday’s Hotel Sales and Marketing Association’s launch of the 10th Virtus Awards.

degree in any field, able to speak, read and write fluently both

ITO, NAOYA

3 CANON BUSINESS MACHINES (PHILIPPINES), INC.

4 EPSON PRECISION (PHILIPPINES), INC.

that manufacturing process run reliably and efficiently.

Qualification:

have a Japanese JLPT N2-N1 certificate, strong background of ISO 19011:2018, International Manufacturing Audit, supply chain management, and logistics

Basic Qualification:

Responsible for planning production schedules and ensuring efficiently.

13 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

14 HYS METAL PLASTIC AND ELECTRONICS (PHILIPPINES) INC.

Amplefield Sme Park, J.P. Rizal Ave., Lima Technology Center, Bugtong na Pulo, City of Lipa, Batangas

15 HONDA PHILIPPINES, INC.

Lot 34, Phase 1-B, Road

3, First Philippine Industrial Park, Ulango, City of Tanauan, Batangas

TRAN, TIEN SI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

ARISAKA, HIDEAKI

Sales Consultant

Brief Job Description:

In charge of devising strategies for promoting and selling products

MANIT, VARUNEE Adviser

Brief Job Description:

Acts as purchasing section adviser/ recommends strategic programs for HPI in line with global Honda directions/supports local leaders to achieve divisional business goals/ establishes strong global business network to other Honda subsidiaries

Qualification:

to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Basic Qualification:

Must have some technical skills and experience in manufacturing company

Salary Range:

30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Graduate of Bachelor’s

degree major in international trade/ marketing/business management/ extensive knowledge in supply chain operations & Mfg/ with background in sales & financial management/possess strong business acumen/exceptional communication skills JLPT N2-N1 passer and English language

XIONG, LAMAI

16 LS ONE CORPORATION

Lot 2680, Arnaldo Highway, San Francisco, City of General Trias, Cavite

17 LS ONE CORPORATION

Lot 2680, Arnaldo Highway, San Francisco, City of General Trias, Cavite

CHOI, KYUNGMIN Foreign Finance and Budget Officer

Brief Job Description:

Support and facilitate preparation and approval of purchases

BAK, SANG UK

Marketing Officer (Foreign Market)

Brief Job Description:

Create and maintain a product marketing plan for increasing sales and revenue

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Korean and English language

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Must be proficient in peaking, reading and writing Korean and English

Range:

30,000 - Php 59,999

28 NEW WAVE INFOTECH LIMITED PHILIPPINES,

30 SQUARED ROUTE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

31 SQUARED ROUTE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

32 SQUARED ROUTE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

33 SQUARED ROUTE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

34 SQUARED ROUTE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Representative

Brief Job Description:

Monitor employee productivity by providing useful feedback and training. Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards

FAN, YUQIANG

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HY CAM TU

Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

Range:

60,000 - Php 89,999

Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

30,000 - Php 59,999

LE THAI HOANG

NGUYEN CHIEN

THI HA

56.

57.

goals.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin site coordinator will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin site coordinator will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.

Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin quality inspector, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin site coordinator, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin site coordinator, excellent communication, interpersonal and

60.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin site manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.

61. ZHOU, TONG Mandarin Site Manager

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin site manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company in the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission,

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin site manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

US-China relations: Blinken’s visit in Shanghai highlights deep-seated trade, security concerns

By Matthew Lee Ap Diplomatic Writer

SHANGHAI—US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised what the US describes as unfair Chinese trade practices during his first full day of meetings in China on Thursday with local government officials in the financial hub of Shanghai.

Blinken met with the city’s top official, Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining, and “raised concerns about (Chinese) trade policies and non-market economic practices,” the State Department said in a statement.

It said he stressed that the United States seeks healthy economic competition with China and “a level playing field for US workers and firms operating in China.”

“The two sides reaffirmed the importance of ties between the people of the United States and

(China), including the expansion of exchanges between students, scholars, and business,” it said. China’s multibillion-dollar trade surplus with the US along with accusations of intellectual property theft and other practices seen as discriminating against US businesses in China have long been a source of friction in relations. China, for its part, has objected strongly to US accusations of human rights abuses and Washington’s support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing

Ship attacked off coast of Yemen as Houthi rebel campaign appears to gain new speed

by jon gambrell The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—A ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden came under attack Thursday, officials said, the latest assault likely carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack comes after the US military said early Thursday an allied warship shot down a Houthi missile targeting a vessel the day before near the same area. The Houthis claimed that Wednesday assault, which comes after a period of relatively few rebel attacks on shipping in the region over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In Thursday’s attack, a ship was targeted just over 15 miles (25 kilometers) southwest of Aden, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. There was no other immediate information about the attack, which also was reported by the private security firm Ambrey.

The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, though it typically takes them hours to acknowledge an assault.

The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration. Houthi attacks have dropped in recent

weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. American officials have speculated that the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the US-led campaign against them and firing off drones and missiles steadily in the last months.

However, Wednesday’s attack was the first one by rebels in some time. An explosion struck some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, the UKMTO said.

Early Thursday, the US military’s Central Command said the explosion came from a coalition warship shooting down the missile likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged, owned and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members.

“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition or commercial ships,” Central Command said.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed the attack but insisted without evidence that the missile hit the Yorktown. Saree also claimed the Houthis targeted another ship in the Indian Ocean, without providing proof. The Houthis have made repeated claims that turned out to not be true during their yearslong war in Yemen.

considers its own territory and warns could be annexed by force.

Blinken also spoke with students and business leaders before flying to Beijing for what are expected to be contentious talks with national officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and possibly President Xi Jinping.

Blinken arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday shortly before US

President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid package that has several elements likely to anger Beijing, including $8 billion to counter China’s growing aggressiveness toward Taiwan and in the South China Sea. It also seeks to force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform.

China has railed against US

assistance to Taiwan and immediately condemned the aid as a dangerous provocation. It also strongly opposes efforts to force TikTok’s sale.

Still, the fact that Blinken made the trip—shortly after a conversation between Biden and Xi, a visit to China by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and a call between the US and Chinese defense chiefs—is a sign the two sides are at least willing to discuss their differences.

“I think it’s important to underscore the value—in fact, the necessity—of direct engagement, of speaking to each other, laying out our differences, which are real, seeking to work through them,” Blinken told Chen.

“We have an obligation for our people, indeed an obligation to the world, to manage the relationship between our two countries responsibly,” he said. “That is the obligation we have, and one that we take very seriously.”

Chen agreed with that sentiment and said the recent BidenXi call had helped the “stable and healthy development of our two countries’ relationship.”

“Whether we choose cooperation or confrontation affects the well-be-

ing of both peoples, both countries, and the future of humanity,” he said. Chen added that he hoped Blinken was able to get a “deep impression and understanding” of Shanghai, a city of skyscrapers, ports and more than 25 million people that is a magnet for commercially ambitious young people from China and abroad.

Most recently, the US has raised concerns that potential overcapacity in Chinese industries—such as electric vehicles, steel and solar panels—might crowd out US and other foreign manufacturers.

Shortly after arriving, Blinken attended a Chinese basketball playoff game between the local Shanghai Sharks and the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, with the home team losing in the last seconds in a 121-120 nailbiter.

With the US presidential race heating up, it’s unclear what ramifications a victory for either Biden or former President Donald Trump might have for relations. But Trump could deepen a trade war he started during his first term. His tough rhetoric on China and isolationist approach to foreign policy could ramp up uncertainties.

Israeli strikes in Rafah kill 5, including 2 children, as death toll in Gaza surges

By The Associated Press

Palestinian hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes on the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip have killed at least five people.

Among those killed in the strikes overnight and into Thursday were two children, identified in hospital records as Sham Najjar, 6, and Jamal Nabahan, 8.

More than half of the territory’s population of 2.3 million have sought refuge in Rafah, where Israel has conducted near-daily raids as it prepares for an offensive in the city.

In central Gaza, four people were killed in Israeli tank shelling, and their bodies were brought to a local hospital. Family members told The Associated Press they were killed as they tried to move to northern Gaza, where Israel’s military is preventing people from returning to their homes.

Meanwhile, a top Hamas political official told The Associated

Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestin -

ian state is established along pre1967 borders.

That appeared to be a significant concession by the militant group, which remains officially committed to Israel’s destruction,

but it’s unlikely Israel would consider such a scenario. It has vowed to crush Hamas, and its current leadership is adamantly opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

US President Joe Biden signed into law on Wednesday a $95 billion war aid measure that includes around $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine, as well as billions for Israel.

The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 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.

The war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, around two-thirds of them children and women.

Biden says the US is rushing weaponry to Ukraine as he signs a $95 billion war aid measure into law

By Aamer Madhani & Seung Min Kim The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hot spots.

The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine, with Biden promising that US weapons shipment would begin making the way into Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

“We rose to the moment, we came together, and we got it done,” Biden said a White House event to announce the bill signing. “Now we need to move fast, and we are.”

But significant damage has been done

to the Biden administration’s effort to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion during the funding impasse that dates back to August, when the Democratic president made his first emergency spending request for Ukraine. Even with a burst of new weapons and ammunition, it’s unlikely Ukraine will immediately recover after months of setbacks.

Biden immediately approved sending Ukraine $1 billion in military assistance, the first installment from about $61 billion allocated for Ukraine. The package includes air defense capabilities, artillery rounds, armored vehicles and other weapons to shore up Ukrainian forces who have seen morale sink as Russian President Vladimir Putin has racked up win after win.

Meanwhile, Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another

occupied area overnight, American officials confirmed Wednesday. The US is providing more of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in the new military package, according to one official who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Still, longer term, it remains uncertain if Ukraine, after months of losses and massive damage to its infrastructure, can make enough progress to sustain American political support before burning through the latest influx of money.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan cautioned that even as new U.S. aid flows into Ukraine, it’s possible that Russia will continue to make tactical gains in the weeks ahead.

“The fact is that it’s going to take some time for us to dig out of the hole that was created by six months of delay,” he said.

Tucked into the measure is a provision that gives TikTok’s Beijing-based parent

company, ByteDance, nine months to sell it or face a nationwide prohibition in the United States. The administration and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called the social media site a growing national security concern, which ByteDance denies.

The bill includes about $26 billion in aid for Israel and about $1 billion in humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war continues. Biden said Israel must ensure the humanitarian aid for Palestinians in bill reaches the Hamascontrolled territory “without delay.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delayed the aid package for months as members of his party’s far right wing, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, threatened to move to oust him if he allowed a vote to send more assistance to Ukraine. Those threats persist.

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has

complained that European allies have not done enough for Ukraine. While the former president stopped short of endorsing the funding package, his tone has shifted in recent days, acknowledging that Ukraine’s survival is important to the United States.

Many European leaders have long been nervous that a second Trump term would mean decreased US support for Ukraine and NATO. The European anxiety was heightened in February when Trump in a campaign speech warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that don’t meet defense spending goals if he returns to the White House.

It was a key moment in the debate over Ukraine spending. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg quickly called out Trump for putting “American and European soldiers at increased risk.” But in reality, the White House maneuvering to win additional funding for Ukraine started months earlier.

Biden, the day after returning from a trip to Tel Aviv following Hamas militants’ October 7 attack on Israel, used a primetime address to make his pitch for the funding.

At the time, the House was in chaos because the Republican majority had been unable to select a speaker to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who had been ousted weeks earlier at the urging of restive legislators on the right.

Far-right Republicans have adamantly opposed sending more money for Ukraine, with the war appearing to have no end in sight. Biden in August requested more than $20 billion to keep aid flowing into Ukraine, but the money was stripped out of a must-pass spending bill.

The Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Haleluya Hadero, Mary Clare Jalonick and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, talks with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining at the Grand Halls on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Shanghai, China. AP/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

FRIENDS and supporters of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, protest outside of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence to demand a deal for the immediate release of all hostages, after Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin, in Jerusalem on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. AP/MAYA ALLERUZZO

PHL stays out of Washington’s IP watchlist for 11th year now

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE United States Trade Representative (USTR) kept the Philippines out of its watch list of countries with intellectual property (IP) concerns for the 11th consecutive year.

On April 25, the USTR released its latest Special 301 Report which identified the trading partners of the US that violate intellectual property rights.

The 2024 edition of the report indicated that Washington kept the Philippines out of its watch list for the 11th consecutive year.

The USTR identified 27 trading partners in its 2024 Special 301 List.

Naval vessels leave Palawan for ‘Balikatan’ maritime drills

By Rex Anthony Naval

THE four participating naval vessels in the so-called “multilateral maritime exercise” (MME) of this year’s “Balikatan” departed from Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Thursday for their training event scheduled until April 29.

Western Command spokesperson Captain Ariel Coloma told reporters that MME participants for the Philippine Navy include the patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the US Navy landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and the French Navy’s Floreal-class frigate, the FS Vendemiaire (F-374).

He added that all four naval vessels have safely cleared the port in Puerto Princesa around noontime.

And while sailing on the east coast of Palawan, Coloma said the ships will practice “division tactics” and officer-of-the-watch maneuvers.

Coloma said the vessels will also conduct drills like photo and gunnery exercises while passing through Mindoro Strait and the West Philippine Sea.

After the completion of the fourday training activity, the ships will disperse towards their other commitments like BRP Davao Del Sur who is scheduled for an amphibious assault exercise on April 30.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz and FS FS Vendemiaire will conduct a “bilateral sail” from April 30 to May 3.

Meanwhile, USS Harpers Ferry will “proceed independently” on its next assigned area.

When asked about the benefits of MME to the Philippine military, Coloma said this will help the country enhance its interoperability with its allies specially the United States.

Training will also boost the capability of Filipino troops and “reaffirmed” if still applicable doctrines being used by the country.

“The MME would really help us build (our) defense capabilities, we share the same security challenges with our partner nations, our other allies, so it’s really very timely (that) we train with them (in case of) unforeseen scenarios even disasters at sea, we can respond together seamlessly,” Coloma noted.

Under its Priority Watch List are Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia,Russia and Venezuela while the 10 other countries under the Watch List are Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Mexico, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.

“Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IP protection, enforcement, or market access for US persons relying on IP,” the USTR 2024 Special 301 Report noted.

Moreover, the USTR report cited the Philippines among the “Illustrative Best Intellectual Property Practices by Trade Partners.”

For one, the report of the US trade body noted that the Philippines, in March 2024, launched a new E-Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), “which is intended to focus on protecting consumers and merchants engaged in e-commerce transactions, including to protect against the sale of counterfeit goods online.”

The Philippines was also cited in the USTR report as one of the examples in terms of adopting laws and enforcement practices designed

to prevent unauthorized camcording.

“Countries also need to update legal frameworks to effectively deter unauthorized camcording and keep up with changing practices. For example, the requirement in some countries that a law enforcement officer must observe a person camcording and then prove that the person is circulating the unlawfully recorded movie before intervening often precludes effective enforcement,” the 2024 Special 301 Report noted.

“The United States urges countries to adopt laws and enforcement practices designed to prevent unauthorized camcording, such as laws that have been adopted in Canada, Japan, the Philippines, and Ukraine,” the US trade body said in its report.

However, the report also cited intellectual property issues that the Philippines must address. For one, the USTR report said, “A recent study by the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop-

ment] and EUIPO [European Union Intellectual Property Office] found that China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Vietnam are the leading sources of counterfeit medicines distributed globally.”

Last year, Kathi Vidal, Director of United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Undersecretary of Commerce told some members of the Philippine media that “just not being on the [United States Trade Representative Special] 301 report is huge. A lot of countries we go to that’s the one thing they want to get off because being on the 301 report makes it very difficult to attract foreign investments so that is huge.”

However, Vidal said “doing all the work to not only stay off of it (USTR Special 301 report) but to really combat counterfeiting and piracy is really important.” (Full story here: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/05/23/phl-couldattract-more-investments-withright-ip-ecosystem/)

Group rejects MMDA plan to remove Edsa bike lanes

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Move As One Coalition is opposing the proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to eliminate bicycle lanes along Edsa.

In a statement, the coalition said this plan directly contradicts President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent commitment to prioritize active transportation, something that he promised during his campaign. Expressing deep concern over the implications of such a decision, the coalition outlined three fundamental objections, noting that the removal of bike lanes “on Edsa, or anywhere else in the country for that matter, is a terrible idea.”

On Monday, Aries was quoted

‘Merciless’

by a radio program as saying that the MMDA is studying the closure of the bike lanes along Edsa, citing underutilization with only 1,500 cyclists per day.

“It goes against the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 20232028,” the coalition said.

The PDP prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists in the hierarchy of road users. The coalition said by advocating for the removal of bike lanes, the MMDA’s actions are deemed to be in conflict with the integrated approach to active mobility outlined in the national development agenda.

Secondly, the coalition said the “apparent failure” of the MMDA to learn from international best practices, particularly evident in their study tour to the Netherlands, renowned for its exemplary

bicycle infrastructure.

“If the bike lanes on Edsa are removed, then the study tour would be an expensive junket and a terrible waste of the taxpayer money that funded the trip as well as the salaries of Artes and Undersecretary Frisco S. San Juan, Jr. while they were on the study tour,” Move As One said.

Lastly, drawing on data from the Social Weather Stations, the coalition noted the significant proportion of Filipino households owning bicycles.

As of March 2023, 24 percent of Filipino households nationwide own bicycles, resulting in a ratio of bicycle owners to car owners to 4:1.

The removal of bike lanes would not only compromise the safety and convenience of these individuals but also infringe upon their fundamental right to accessible

transportation options, it added.

“The coalition calls on Artes to fully adhere to President Marcos Jr.’s policy to support active transportation and to honor the president and vice-president’s campaign promise to make bike lanes permanent in the country. This includes Artes’ rethinking of his ill-conceived ban on light electric vehicles, an important mode of transportation for the 94 percent of Filipinos who do not own cars,” the statement read.

The coalition called on Artes to “devote his time and energies as a public official, whose salary is paid by taxpayers, to the safe and sustainable mobility of this supermajority, many of whom believed President Marcos Jr.’s promise to prioritize them in his transportation agenda.”

crackdown on child sex abuse set amid rising cases

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

AMID the surge in incidents of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered concerned agencies to launch a “merciless” campaign against those engaged in the illegal activities.

“In our relentless pursuit to end the sexual exploitation of children, we stand firm: we will protect our children, and we will show no mercy to offenders,” the chief executive said in a social media post.

He made the pronouncement after a sectoral meeting ob Wednesday, where it was revealed there were signs there are now more OSAEC and CSAEM incidents despite the government gains in the prosecution of its perpetrators.

Cheaper transactions

MARGARITA MAGSAYSAY, Department of Justice (DOJ) Center for Anti-Online Child Sexual Abuse Executive Director, expressed concern oVER the reduction in the amount of payment for CSAEM, which is now as low as P200 to P300.

She noted cheaper CSAEM can be attributed to itS increasing supply, which makes it more accessible to perpetrators.

Citing the Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), DOJ said there was an uptick in OSAEC and CSAEM-related trans-

actions in 2019, when it breached the 10,000 mark for the first time.

It consistently increased with the start of the pandemic in 2020, when lockdowns were enforced, reaching 22,315 transactions with a value of over P83.3 million.

The STR volume more than doubled in 2021 to 68,214 and resulted in P996.7 million worth of transactions.

In 2022, STR volume soared to 92,200, but the value of the transactions was only P478.2 million, which alarmed DOJ since it indicated an increase in supply.

Vulnerable victims

DESPITE the declining cost of CSAEM and OSAEC, Magsaysay said the illegal activities remain “financially lucrative” for its perpetrators since it targets the vulnerable, particularly poor children.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said the average OSAEC victim at the time of referral and rescue is 11 years old, while the youngest victim is three months.

“It’s something that is unthinkable for us but apparently, it happens and all we have to do really is to spread the awareness, spread the information that these things are really not normal,” the DOJ official said.

Most or 86 percent of the victims were female, while their “facilitator” is usually their parents, making it a “family-based crime.”

Clavano said this makes OSAEC a particularly “hard to spot” since it happens within

households.

Magsaysay said they also received reports of “self-generating OSAEC,” wherein some victims willingly engaged in OSAEC upon the encouragement of their schoolmates so they can earn income.

Intensified campaign

UPON hearing all these, Marcos ordered the DOJ and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify their campaign against OSAEC and CSAEM.

He wants an interagency strategy on OSAEC and CSAEM to be finalized in the next four weeks.

“We will enhance our data and collaborate with experts as part of the next steps in this battle,” the President said.

Magsaysay said their initiatives will focus on the four key areas: prevention and advocacy; protection and reintegration of victims; partnership and networking; and prosecution and law enforcement.

DOJ said it registered 723 convictions against the perpetrators of OSAEC and CSAEM.

Clavano noted a significant jump in the number of convictions with the passage of Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and CSAEM Act in 2022.

“However, this number is still not satisfactory to the government and to the President,” he said.

“And as already mentioned, this will come in the form of grassroots reporting mechanism, whereby people who are embedded in the community, people who have

PHL, US to conclude new pact on intel, defense gear

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

THE Philippines and United States are set to finalize a new defense agreement that could allow both militaries to share top-secret intelligence and for the US to export defense equipment and share defense technology data to the Philippines.

According to a statement released from Washington D.C., both the Philippines and the US agreed to conclude the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of 2024.

GSOMIA allows both countries to share confidential information. It is also required under the US law for the Philippines to be a signatory to GSOMIA before it can receive any defense-related equipment or technology transfer.

Both sides have been negotiating for the GSOMIA since 2021 after US Defense Secretary Austin’s visit to the Philippines.

Senior defense, national security and foreign affairs officials of the Philippines and the US held a two-day meeting in Washington D.C. on April 22-23.

This annual Bilateral Strategic Security Dialogue came two weeks after US President Biden and Philippine President Marcos Jr. met in Washington D.C., and had another trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In other highlights of the dialogue, both sides committed to:

 Conclude the bilateral Philippines—Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR);

 Fully finalize the addition of sites and implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), to include DoD investing $128 million for infrastructure as part of the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget;

 Preposition USAID disaster relief commodities for Philippine civilian disaster response authorities at key Edca sites;

standing in their areas will serve as that mechanism to bridge between the community where the crime actually happens and the law enforcement who can do something about it,” he added.

Technical support

DOJ is also coordinating with telecommunication companies and social media platforms to track and take down the accounts of the facilitators and customers of OSAEC and CSAEM.

Magsaysay explained transactions for OSAEC and CSAEM are coursed through remittances in money service banks.

She said the AMLC is now crafting the guidelines so banks can effectively flag such transactions.

PBGen. Portia B. Manalad, PNP Women and Children Protection Center Chief, said they are currently engaging with other partner countries so they can enhance their capabilities in investigating OSAEC and CSAEM cases.

The PNP official noted among the capabilities they want to develop is a tool to identify Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated child exploitation material.

Magsaysay said the new tool will augment the system of some “internet intermediaries” used by PNP to detect CSAEM, which can only detect real children and not those generated by AI.

“So I guess that’s what General Manalad po is saying, is that they’re trying to improve or upgrade their system to recognize this AI-generated images of children,” she said.

 Expand multilateral cooperation with like-minded countries, including through maritime cooperative activities, bilateral and multilateral exercises, and security cooperation coordination. Hold the fourth “2+2” ministerial dialogue;

 Convene the inaugural joint committee meeting under the USPhilippines Science and Technology Agreement;

 Establish a Roles, Missions, and Capabilities (RMC) Working Group to replace the Defense and Security Working Group;

 Establish inaugural bilateral dialogues on cyber-digital, space, and democracy; and

 Deepen collaboration on countering foreign information manipulation.

 Convene the 3rd Maritime Dialogue in September/October 2024 in Manila and build upon the outcomes of the countries’ prior dialogues and meetings;

 Explore additional opportunities to strengthen global support for upholding the international law of the sea;

 Deepen cooperation to strengthen efforts in addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, in line with relevant international law and voluntary guidelines; andConsider and develop, as appropriate, procedures and protocols on cooperative maritime law enforcement operations, in accordance with international law and our respective national laws.

The power of vaccines: 154

million lives

saved over the last 50 years

The recently published landmark study in The Lancet, led by the World health Organization (WhO), has revealed a truly remarkable achievement: global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years. This translates to six lives saved every minute, a testament to the power of vaccines in preventing once-feared diseases and ensuring healthier lives for infants and children worldwide.

Immunization has proven to be the single greatest contribution to child survival and overall health. The study highlights that the measles vaccination, in particular, has had the most significant impact, accounting for 60 percent of the lives saved due to immunization. This vaccine’s crucial role in reducing infant mortality cannot be overstated, and it will likely continue to be a leading contributor in preventing deaths in the future.

The impact of vaccination against 14 diseases, including diphtheria, hepatitis B, polio, and tuberculosis, has directly contributed to a 40 percent reduction in global infant deaths. In the African Region, this reduction exceeds 50 percent. These numbers underscore the importance of protecting and expanding immunization progress globally.

Immunization not only saves lives but also improves the quality of life. For every life saved through immunization, an average of 66 years of full health is gained. Over the past 50 years, a total of 10.2 billion full health years have been gained, enabling individuals to lead productive and fulfilling lives, the report says. For example, thanks to polio vaccination, more than 20 million people can walk today, who would otherwise have been paralyzed.

While celebrating these monumental achievements, it is crucial to recognize the challenges that lie ahead. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization services, leaving an estimated 67 million children without one or more vaccines. This underscores the importance of accelerating efforts to reach these children and ensure they receive the necessary protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The study emphasizes the need for increased vaccination coverage, particularly for diseases like measles. Currently, global coverage rates for the first and second doses of the measles vaccine are 83 percent and 74 percent, respectively, falling short of the 95 percent coverage needed to protect communities from outbreaks. To address this, organizations like UNICEF have played a critical role in procuring vaccines and ensuring their distribution reaches even the most remote communities.

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), now known as the Essential Program on Immunization, has been instrumental in expanding access to vaccines. Founded in 1974, it initially aimed to vaccinate children against several diseases, including smallpox, which was successfully eradicated. Today, the program’s recommendations extend beyond children to include adolescents and adults, protecting against a broader range of diseases.

Collaborative efforts among organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have been pivotal in expanding immunization coverage, particularly in the world’s poorest countries. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, established in 2000, has helped protect over a billion children by increasing coverage and introducing life-saving vaccines. These partnerships have demonstrated the power of collective action in saving lives and promoting vaccine equity.

As we look to the future, it is crucial to build on the progress made and ensure that every child, everywhere, has access to life-saving immunizations. New vaccine introductions against diseases such as malaria, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and meningitis, along with efforts to eliminate cervical cancer through increased HPV vaccination, will further contribute to saving lives in the next 50 years.

To reinforce the importance of vaccines and the immunization programs that deliver them, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are launching the “Humanly Possible” campaign. This global initiative calls on world leaders to advocate, support, and fund vaccines, reaffirming their commitment to public health and celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

The progress achieved through immunization efforts is a testament to what is humanly possible when stakeholders from governments, health agencies, scientists, charities, businesses, and communities collaborate. Continued investment in immunization is vital to ensure that every child and every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life.

BusinessMirror

A broader look at today’s business

Clamping down on bureaucratic red tape

OBetter Days

veR the years the country has done a lot to improve its internal processes as part of its efforts to bring in more investments. We continuously introduce new policies and pass new laws to support these efforts, specifically to streamline the procedures for doing business in the country. We constantly make public pronouncements about the Philippines being open for business and this has been echoed by every administration.

This is all well and good, but we occasionally shoot ourselves in the foot with the persistent complaints about bureaucratic red tape. This has long been an issue raised by investors in the Philippines, who consistently cite the number of permits required to start a business and the amount of time it takes to secure these permits. We recently heard about the statements made by the German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke about red tape being the biggest hindrance for foreign businesses to expand their investments in the Philippines. The Ambassador echoed the frustration

of the business community in the Philippines about needing to secure several permits and the multiple layers of government units involved in getting these permits. Worst of all, he said there is corruption in this process. In the last two decades, we have seen improvements in dealing with the issue of red tape. This includes the passage of Republic Acts 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) and 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act. We were among the authors of both laws, which aimed at speeding up government transactions. ARTA instituted the no-noon break policy,

no fixing activities, easy-to-read IDs or nameplates, presence of public assistance and complaints desks, and the implementation of the agency’s Citizen’s Charter, which contains the types of frontline services offered with the step-by-step procedure, the person responsible for each step, time needed to transact, documents required, and fees. The EODB, on the other hand, puts in place the “3-7-20” rule, which requires government offices to complete simple transactions within three days, complex ones within seven days, and highly technical ones within 20 days.

More recently, with the enactment of Republic Act 11981 or the Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, the efforts to eliminate red tape would be enhanced. This provision covers all of government—from the national government agencies, their regional and provincial offices, government owned and controlled corporations, quasi-judicial bodies, other government instrumentalities, and local government units that are involved in the issuance of permits, licenses, certifications or authorizations for Tatak Pinoy investments. Under the law, green lanes will be established within the concerned offices in order to expedite and streamline the processes

The economics of owning a pet

RakuTen Insights notes that the Philippines had the biggest pet ownership rate among Southeast asian countries in 2021. Dog adoption appears to be the highest among pets in the country, as dogs serve as added security at home. The Philippine Canine Club, Inc. reported an estimated total of 10.8 million dogs in 2020, which eventually grew over 40 percent in 2021. This presented an opportunity for the uS pet food market, as more and more Filipinos are drawn into acquiring pets, which seemed to have served as a coping mechanism among individuals, especially during the pandemic.

In 2021, the US Department of Agriculture reported a record-high dog and cat food exports and total pet food sales of $51 million and $434 million, respectively. These are expected to rise in the coming years, as more people get into pet owning, and pet owners spend more on quality pet food.

Despite the increased interest among local pet food manufacturers, most pure-breed pet owners still opt for imported pet food, which mostly originates from the United States, Thailand, and Europe. Purina Philippines, a brand that offers premium pet food, has stated that the pet food market is dominated by kibble brands selling at $2 per kilogram at most. The high demand for economy dry dog food is due to its affordability and convenience. However, they believe that Fili-

pino pet owners’ willingness to spend on premium food to meet their pets’ nutritional requirements is increasing. Therefore, it is without a doubt that pet food is one expense that should not be cut back and must be taken into serious consideration before owning a pet. Whether it is dog kibble, cat food, or fish flakes, these cost money. Another guaranteed expense in pet owning is medical care. Routine veterinary care is important to prevent any future problems with the pet’s health. During such visits, the veterinarian identifies issues that need to be addressed, which can be expensive. A recent survey conducted by Royal Canin, a French manufacturer of cat and dog food, revealed that only 20 percent of Filipino pet owners bring their pets to veterinarians at least once a year, while

the remaining 80 percent bring their pets only when they are sick or would require immediate or special care. Pet owners, therefore, should be further educated on preventive healthcare and responsible practice of regular veterinarian visits even after their pet’s first year.

Apart from these regular expenses, pet owners also splurge on other petrelated purchases like pet toys, treats, cages, carriers, beds, accessories, and training sessions. Clearly, a pet’s life is no longer what it used to be. Dogs, for instance, are more than just for guarding the house. Nowadays, pets have all the privileges that humans do, and because they are part of the family, pet owners spare no expense in providing the best for their pets. According to Statista, 3 out of 10 Filipino pet owners spend at least P500 per month on their pets. This, of course, depends on how deep a pet owner’s love for their pets is, along with how deep their pockets are.

Although pet-related businesses and trends have been gaining attention lately, there remains to be hardly any sort of formal economic analysis involving the contribution of pets or pet owning in general. As posed by Endenburg, Hart, and Bouw (1994) in their work “Motives for Acquiring Companion Animals”, this is because pets are considered as an impulse buy and are, therefore, not subject to economic analysis.

However, there also seems to be a growing segment of pet owners among empty nesters, as well as young professionals who settle on either not having kids or postponing it. A study by Schwarz, Troyer, and Walker (2007)

and requirements for the issuance of permits and other documents. An export green lane facility will also be established for qualified exporters for advanced processing and clearances of their export requirements, including the importation of critical raw materials and capital equipment under the Bureau of Customs, Food and Drug Administration, and other regulatory authorities.

We welcome the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to confront the issue of red tape head on. In February of 2023, the President issued Executive Order 18, calling for the establishment of green lanes for strategic investments. On April 18, 2024, the President issued Administrative Order 20, directing the Department of Agriculture to further streamline administrative procedures and policies on the importation of agricultural products and to remove non-tariff barriers to help ensure food security. The common goal here in working to reduce or eliminate red tape, is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to invest or do business in the country and to ensure the faster delivery of service to our people. We cannot afford to continue losing out to our Asean neighbors, particularly See “Angara,” A15

entitled “Animal House: Economics of Pets and the Household” suggests that children and pets tend to be substitutes as an increased number of children often lead to reduced pet spending among married households. The opposite can be observed among young professional couples who view pets as a cheaper alternative to having children.

Meanwhile, households with older children are also likely to own pets, showing evidence of complementarity between pets and children. The study also suggests that pets are considered as normal goods by households and are viewed as necessities rather than luxuries. Other household pet ownership and expenditure patterns in the study show rational economic behavior; therefore, applying the economic model of a household to recognize the contribution of pets may be worth exploring in the future.

Ultimately, it is important to keep in mind that pets rely only on their owners for their needs. Hence, proper planning and awareness of the financial implications of owning a pet should first be ascertained. As modern lifestyles foster household animals into society, with pets now being considered as additional family members, perhaps, the applicability of household economics to pet ownership decisions and expenditures should be further explored, as opportunities may emerge from understanding this type of consumption.

sonny M. angara

allysa Kim B. eugenio

Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate

Climate change is a real threat to worker safety across the Asia-Pacific region. To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 , ILO Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa explains what needs to change.

By Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa

CLIMATE change is having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in the Asia and the Pacific region.  From blistering heatwaves to dangerously poor air quality, workers bear the brunt of its effects, frequently finding themselves with no choice but to continue working, without adequate protection or recourse, even if conditions are hazardous.

Heat stress is perhaps the most obvious challenge. As temperatures soar, those working outdoors in agriculture, construction, fishing and transport are particularly vulnerable, facing heightened risks of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

However, indoor workers are at risk too, especially where they are exposed to sources of heat or poor ventilation.

Factories, food processing plants, brick kilns or warehouses can all be as dangerous to workers as toiling under the hot sun.

Better regulations, enforcement, mitigation strategies, training and awareness can all make a difference. The empowerment of workers, allowing them to stop working due to extreme heat without the fear of losing wages or their jobs, is crucial.

Air pollution exacerbated by climate change heightens the risk of respiratory illnesses. In cities like Beijing, New Delhi and Bangkok poor air quality is a daily reality, posing significant health risks for workers exposed to pollutants.

Ideally, the root causes need to be addressed. But for a delivery driver or streetside vendor spending all day breathing in this toxic soup, awareness, protective equipment and—wherever possible—adaptations to working patterns are needed to help minimize the impact.

Beyond heat stress and air pollution, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events present additional challenges for workplace safety and health.

From cyclones and floods to droughts and wildfires, natural disasters disrupt businesses, endanger workers and inflict significant economic losses.

One example is the garment industry where a recent study by Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute found that extreme heat and flooding could cost the sector $65 billion in export revenue and 950,000 jobs by 2030.

In the aftermath of disasters, recovery efforts must prioritize the safety and well-being of workers, ensuring access to essential services, protective equipment and psychosocial support.

Not all workers are impacted the same. Those who are vulnerable, informal workers, migrants and the marginalized suffer most. Women are also disproportionately affected. Long standing inequalities and limited access to resources, hinders their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

In the face of these challenges, there is an urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard the safety and health of workers in a changing climate.

The starting point must be robust

Angara

continued from A14

Indonesia and Vietnam, who have seen strong growth over the past decade. A lot of their success in drawing investments is based on their commitment to provide a businessfriendly environment that includes streamlined regulations and the provision of incentives. We have a lot to offer to investors. We have a very skilled and hardworking workforce, an abundance of resources and a strategic location. Some of the biggest companies in the world who have done

The (Bicol Express) train stops here once more (This one’s for you, Caloy Aureus: Scholar, Bikolano)

Tregulatory frameworks which are essential to enforce safety standards and protect workers from climate-related hazards.

In 2022, the International Labor Conference agreed to include “a safe and healthy working environment” in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. This carries profound implications for policy and practice.

Governments are now compelled to enact and enforce laws that mandate workplace safety and health measures, adequate rest breaks, and access to personal protective equipment, particularly in high-risk industries.

While some countries in the region such as China, India, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have implemented laws and guidelines to address excessive heat in the workplace, protection for workers against other climate change impacts remain fragmented.

There is a real need for comprehensive legislation that integrates climate resilience into existing Occupational Safety and Health frameworks, risk assessments and preventive measures.

Furthermore, social dialogue between governments, employers, and workers’ representatives as well as researchers and experts in the field is essential for crafting effective policies that are practical and adaptable at the workplace level. Coordination among government departments coupled with knowledge transfer and capacity building, is critical for ensuring policy coherence and implementation. Occupational safety and health initiatives should also be integrated into broader public health campaigns.

At the same time, raising awareness and building capacity among workers and employers will help foster a culture of prevention and resilience. Training programs on heat stress prevention and management, emergency preparedness, and occupational health can empower workers to protect themselves and their colleagues from climate-related risks.

Trade unions have a key role in this process. By advocating for the rights of workers and ensuring their voices are heard they can help champion workplace safety and advocate for fair and equitable policies that drive positive change.

As we mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting the safety and health of workers in the face of a changing climate. By taking decisive action and investing in climate-resilient workplaces, we can build a future where safety, health and sustainability go hand in hand, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of a safer, healthier world for all.

business with us can attest to this. It’s all about encouraging more of them to take a look in our direction and we can only do this by becoming as competitive and welcoming as our neighbors. Eliminating the tedious processes and requirements for doing business here will go a long way in achieving this.

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 19 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 10 as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

Tito Genova Valiente annoTaTions

o wake up at 3 in the morning is to wake up for the gods. or that’s how strong my faith was when I decided one day to take the train that once more moved between Naga the city in Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay. I have to emphasize the provincial appellation of the first city, a site often belabored as an ancient city by cultural workers, because there is another Naga City in Cebu. Legazpi City (with a Z, as the poet Marne Kilates emphasizes), has always been the default tourism city by virtue of Mayon Volcano looming over everything in this peninsula, except, I hope, corruption that produces bad English on tarpaulin (oh, this is for another column).

There is, presently, one schedule for this train that once more promises a great future for the Bikolanos. Interesting, how a means of transportation does change a landscape—be it one that is about hills and dales or that which pertains to politics. In one of our international airports, when the new airport was built in Albay on a new territory, the name “Legazpi” vanished as a destination at airport departure gates and, in its place, “Daraga” was placed as a marker.

Now, this train.

It used to be officially known as PNR or Philippine National Railways. Then it became Mayon Limited, a train that did not stop in all of the stations. An Express. Then Bikol Express. Or Bicol Express. Take note of the “k” and “c” in the word denoting the region. Locally, it is an issue, with some sectors believing a revision of the orthography connotes a new identity, a recuperation, a relief from colonization. This is very much like the ideology behind the “Baybayin,” that some sectors believe is a glorious path to getting back our vanished pre-Magellanic personas.

In our city, the train station used to be a bustling place. It was where you met who were leaving the city —or the province. The train could carry anything and it was because of

this the Bikolanos when they traveled they seemed to carry with them their homes and their memories of their homeland.

The train could bear anything, anything at all, including the greatest heartbreaks a young man suffered in the hands of a lovely Bikolana or a strappingly handsome Bikolano.

Then, when the trains had their glorious days, only the brave ones or those with smaller funds would take the bus. You passed through what was called the South Road. The zigzag roads meant more accidents and when, indeed, there were road mishaps, the Bikolanos carried with them kilos of prayers when they ventured from their porch to the lands beyond. From Manila, going back, you entered Camarines Norte, stopped by Daet. After the Quirino Highway was completed, the other Camarines, the Tagalog Camarines, was skipped. From Quezon province, save some disputed lands that Bikol recovered from the said neighboring province, it was immediately Bikol land. Or Camarines Sur, which then linked itself up to the other mighty province, Albay.

But the train is back. And a few minutes before five in the morning, I was in front of the old train station. I got there not by calesa (as it happened

sometimes in the 70s) but by Grab!

A few repairs had been done on the old buildings around the station. But it felt old. Abandoned. The place was a ghost of its old self.

From where I was standing I could see a train. With a few coaches, it was more like a bus distorted because of its length. I would find out later, there was another train on the southbound side of the tracks.

The guard pointed to the ticketing area. A line was forming. As I queued up, an old man (meaning, looking in his 80s) nudged me and said, “Senior, there…” A bit slighted for being noticeable for my age, I felt relieved for the privilege of getting my ticket faster.

The ticket came: watermarked. NG to LG. Does that mean “Naga to Legazpi”? There were blanks left unmarked. No name for Station. No

Train number. No Class.

Another guard directed me to a room to my left. I did not follow his instructions. I proceeded to the main gate where I entered and saw the train. As I was approaching the platform, another man (he could be a guard) asked me where I was going. I said Legazpi. He looked to the

The 120/240 days rule in claims for seafarer’s disability benefits

ADennis Gorecho

Pinoy Marino Rights

CLAIM for total and permanent disability benefits by a seafarer is governed by the 120/240 days rule.   The summary of the rule was enunciated by the Supreme Court in Elburg Shipmgt. Phils., Inc.,v. Quiogue, (765 Phil. 341):

1. The company-designated physician must issue a final medical assessment on the seafarer’s disability grading within a period of 120 days from the time the seafarer reported to him;

2. If the company-designated physician fails to give his assessment within the period of 120 days, without any justifiable reason, then the seafarer’s disability becomes permanent and total;

3. If the company-designated physician fails to give his assessment within the period of 120 days with a sufficient justification (e.g., seafarer required further medical treatment or seafarer was uncooperative), then the period of diagnosis and treatment shall be extended to 240 days. The employer has the burden to prove that the company-designated physician has sufficient justification to extend the period; and

4. If the company-designated physician still fails to give his assessment within the extended period of 240 days, then the seafarer’s disability becomes permanent and total, regardless of any justification.

The following requisites must be met in determining the seafarer’s condition:  (1) the assessment on the seafarer’s disability grading must be issued within the period of 120 or 240 days, as the case may be; and (2) the assessment must be final and definitive.

The responsibility of the company-designated physician to arrive at a definite assessment within the prescribed periods necessitates that the perceived disability rating has been properly established and inscribed in a valid and timely medical report.

To be conclusive and to give proper disability benefits to the seafarer, this assessment must be complete and definite; otherwise, the medical report shall be set aside and the disability grading contained therein shall be ignored.

A final and definite disability assessment is necessary in order to truly reflect the true extent of the sickness or injuries of the seafarer and his or her capacity to resume work as such.

Failure to do so transforms the temporary total disability to per -

The responsibility of the company-designated physician to arrive at a definite assessment within the prescribed periods necessitates that the perceived disability rating has been properly established and inscribed in a valid and timely medical report.

manent total disability, regardless of the disability grade.

The company-designated physician is mandated to issue a medical certificate, which should be personally received by the seafarer, or, if not practicable, sent to him/her by any other means. Proper notice is one of the cornerstones of due process, and the seafarer must be accorded the same especially so in cases where his/her well-being is at stake.

In Esplago vs  NAESS Shipping Phil. Inc (G.R. No. 238652, June 21, 2021), the Supreme Court explained that before declaration and issuance of the final assessment, the seafarer shall be deemed on temporary total disability and shall receive his basic wage until he is declared fit to work or his temporary disability is acknowledged by the company to be permanent, either partially or totally.

In cases where the 120-day period is exceeded and no definitive declaration is made for justifiable reasons, e.g., the seafarer requires further medical attention or is uncooperative, then the temporary total disability period may be extended up to a maximum of 240 days, subject to the right of the employer to declare within this period that a

left side of the platform and when I looked, I saw there was indeed another train.

I noticed a small table in front of me. Tucked on it were two sheets of bond paper: On one side, it was written “To Sipocot”; on the other, “Legazpi.”

It was already a few minutes after five. When is this train leaving? The man heard my thoughts. “Pinapalipot pa, Noy.” How do we translate this? Are they waiting for the coaches to be less warm or are they turning it into a freezer?

It was almost five thirty in the morning, when they signaled us to go up to the train. A makeshift stand was placed near the door of the train. I got in. The seating arrangement was free. Two rows of hard metal benches facing each other. The train began to move. This train was so cold I felt like a Nagueño vegetable to be delivered as offering to the volcano in Albay, if only to appease Him (let Mayon be a man) for our daily corruptions that have produced bad means of transportation, including this train so dispossessed, so pathetic, so sad.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

permanent partial or total disability already exists.

To avail of the allowable 240day extended treatment period, the company-designated physician must perform some significant act and keep a record of documents as proof of continuous medical treatment to justify the extension of the original 120-day period. Otherwise, the law grants the seafarer the relief of permanent total disability benefits due to such noncompliance.

The 120/240 days rule on a seafarer’s entitlement to disability benefits for work-related illness or injury was lifted from applicable legal documents summarized by the Court in  Jebsen Maritime, Inc. v. Ravena (743 Phil. 371).

By law, the seafarer’s disability benefits claim is governed by Articles 191 to 193, Chapter VI (Disability benefits) of the Labor Code, in relation to Rule X. Section 2 of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Labor Code.

By contract, it is governed by the employment contract that the seafarer and his employer/local manning agency execute prior to employment, and the applicable POEA-SEC that is deemed incorporated in the employment contract.

Lastly, the medical findings of the company-designated physician, the seafarer’s personal physician, and those of the mutually agreed third physician, pursuant to the POEA-SEC.

WIN SAYS SENATE TO TACKLE BROWNOUTS, BLASTS GENCOS

THE Senate will definitely look into the latest spate of rotating brownouts, triggered by simultaneous breakdowns in power plants, even as the Energy Committee’s vice chairman said all indications point to neglect by some generating companies (gencos) this time around.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian did not hide his dismay over reports that some gencos had cited, among others, “shortage of crude” for the disruptions in their plant operations. A responsible plant operator has the duty to ensure the facility is in tiptop shape always, when it is not on scheduled shutdown for maintenance, stressed the senator.

Fielding questions at the Kapihan sa Senado, Gatchalian confirmed that the Energy Committee will call officials from the gencos to a panel hearing soon, along with energy regulators, and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines which operates the transmission network.

The senator said the Wholesale Energy Spot Market (WESM) and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), which governs the WESM, will also likely be called, amid concerns that the shortfall in supply as a result of the genco breakdowns has caused prices to spike.

Even the Philippine Competi-

tion Commission (PCC) will likely be called, added Gatchalian.

The senator acknowledged that the extremely hot and dry conditions caused by the El Niño phenomenon have impacted the operations of energy facilities, given that hydroelectric plants’ sources are drying up and some power plants are facing technical problems on account of remarkably high temperatures.  Still, he said, the gencos are responsible for ensuring contingency measures are in place for any possible crisis.

As for remedial measures by the government to blunt the impact of El Niño, Gatchalian said definitely, “cloud seeding and other interventions would be necesseary.” On Wednesday, the NGCP placed the Luzon and Visayas grids on red alert and the Mindanao grid on yellow alert.

A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement.

There are four plants that have been on forced outage since 2023, four between January and March 2024, and 12 since April 2024; while two are running on derated capacities, for a total of 1,840.3 megawatts (MW) unavailable to the Luzon grid.

Continued on A5

‘High heat index to prolong yellow, red alerts until May’

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday the issuance of yellow alerts, and possibly red alerts, will continue until next month as the heat index remains extremely high in most areas of the country, resulting in an increase in demand for electricity.

“We can only predict the demand increase based on the heat index. And you can see that there will be yellow alerts based on the heat index alone. If none of the power plants go offline unexpectedly, then we should be staying in the yellow alerts. But if some of them, especially the big power plants,... go offline, then we will go into red alerts,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara at a press briefing.

A red alert status is declared when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement; while a yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

This year’s projected peak demand for electricity at 13,917 megawatts (MW) was already breached last April 24 by 99MW. The DOE is now revisiting its electricity demand forecast. “We have already exceeded the forecasted demand. So, we will have to do our computation to adjust also the expected demand,” added Guevara.

The higher electricity demand in turn has been putting pressure on the prices of electricity in the spot market and the more expensive oil-based power plants have been dispatched.

Data on the Wholesale Energy Spot Market (WESM) shows that the average prices for Luzon over the last 10 days have increased by 47 percent in the week of April 15-

21, 2024 compared to the average prices for the previous week of April 8-14, 2024. When compared to data from previous years for the same period, the average price reflects an increase of 2 percent compared to the average price from the same period in 2023, and a 47-percent increase from 2022.

As for the average WESM prices for Visayas, data shows the average prices for April 15-21, 2024 reflects an increase of 14 percent compared to the prices in the week of April 8-14. When compared to previous years, the current average prices are consistent with those posted for 2023, but reflect a 13-percent increase when compared to the average prices from 2022 for the same period.

For several days now, many power plants are on forced shutdown, running on derated capacities, and are on extended maintenance shutdown. This prompted the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to declare red and yellow alerts and, as a consequence, had to implement manual load dropping (MLD) or rotational brownouts to maintain the integrity of the power system.

The DOE reiterated that the performance of the grid, particularly of thermal power plants, is affected

by the extremely high temperature.  Six power generation companies whose facilities were on shutdown when the red and yellow alerts were issued are being investigated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).  It did not identify the six power firms pending results of the agency’s preliminary investigation.  “The ERC, in its efforts to investigate the Red and Yellow Alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grid in April, has called on six generation companies to provide more information on the recent outages of their power plants,” the agency said.

The ERC expects to have preliminary findings by the first week of May to determine whether show cause orders (SCOs) must  be issued to the relevant stakeholders, in view of possible violations of outage allowances.

In 2023, the ERC imposed approximately P60 million in penalties on 14 generation companies for breaching the allowable number of outage days.  According to the ERC, 95 generation companies remain under investigation for exceeding the outage allowances under ERC Resolution No. 10, series of 2020, to determine if these outages are justified or excused under the regulation.

Continued on A5

DISCOVER BUSINESS AND PLEASURE IN BORACAY

By John Eiron R. Francisco

WHO isn't familiar with this island? Known as one of the premier tourist destinations in Western Visayas, the island boasts powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a vibrant island culture.

Boracay is home to world-class beach hotels and resorts that cater to travelers seeking the ultimate tropical getaway.

In addition to being a soughtafter tropical destination, Maia Israel, President of the Boracay Meetings Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) Alliance, said in a statement that this “island is also an ideal place for people to gather and create important business decisions while creating memories at a grander scale.”

With over 14,700 room options spread across nearly 300 hotels and event spaces accommodating up to 4,500

guests, the island provides ample facilities for corporate gatherings.

Savoy Hotel Boracay

One option is the Savoy Hotel Boracay Newcoast, boasting 559 rooms nestled in Boracay's private gardens, just a 10-minute drive from Puka Shell Beach and 15 minutes from D'Mall and guests can enjoy free WiFi across the property. But the perks don't stop there; they also offer enticing packages like the 'Beach Buddies,' which triples the fun with a package for three. This includes room accommodation of your choice with an extra bed set-up for three days and two nights, breakfast for three, shared roundtrip airport transfers via Caticlan, an island hopping tour for three persons for four hours, and a 10 percent discount on spa, laundry service, and food and beverage outlets, including in-room dining. Additionally, guests can

enjoy complimentary scheduled shuttle service to and from D'Mall, 15-minute non-motorized sports and activities, use of the swimming pool, gym, party pool, and Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Rates start at PhP16,400 and are available from April 15 to July 1, 2024.

Alternatively, you can opt for the 'Live in Sunshine' experience, which offers a blissful stay in an exquisite room for two, complete with the added convenience of roundtrip airport transfer via Caticlan. Rates start at PhP11,200 and are available from January 28, 2024, to March 31, 2025. This package includes three nights and two days stay with breakfast for two, shared roundtrip transfers via Caticlan airport, welcome drinks, a 10 percent discount on spa, laundry service, and food and beverage outlets, complimentary scheduled shuttle service to and from D'Mall, 15-minute non-motorized sports

and activities, use of the swimming pool, gym, party pool, and Wi-Fi access throughout the property.

And experience a romantic getaway at this hotel with their special package tailored for two. The magical dinner under the stars at Cove 2, complemented by a two-night stay in a cozy room with breakfast included. Enjoy a romantic beachside dinner for two, along with welcome drinks to set the mood. Plus, take advantage of 10 percent off spa treatments, laundry services, and food and beverage outlets, including in-room dining, and other complimentary amenities. Additional amenities include coffee and tea-making facilities in the room. Rates start at PhP17,855 and this offer is valid from February 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Belmont

Hotel Boracay

With Mother's Day around the corner, Belmont Hotel Boracay,

located at the northeastern side of the island presents the 'Moments with Mom' promotion, available for booking until May 30, 2024, and valid for stays from May 5 to May 30, 2024, priced at PhP5,500 per night.

Included in this package are room accommodations with breakfast for two, a complimentary room upgrade to the next category, a 60-minute massage for two, PhP900 in food and beverage credits, welcome treats from Belmont Boracay, a 15

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Slex expansion will boost Calabarzon growth–SMC

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said on Thursday the ongoing South Luzon Expressway (Slex) expansion project is now approximately 70 percent complete.

With a target completion date set for december, SMC President Ramon S. a ng said the project will enhance the experience of motorists traversing the vital thoroughfare during the holiday rush.

a side from this, the project is also expected to contribute to the growth of the Calabarzon Region.

“The SLEX expansion will be a significant boost to the Calabarzon Region, which currently generates almost 20 percent of the country’s GdP,” he said.

The expansion project aims to widen the expressway from the cur-

rent three to four lanes to six lanes on each side. a ng noted that the expanded expressway is anticipated to offer faster, safer, and more convenient travel for residents of the southern provinces, including those commuting to Metro Manila. Moreover, it is expected to attract investments to the region while aiding in decongesting the capital. addressing concerns over temporary traffic slowdowns resulting from construction works, a ng acknowledged the inconvenience faced by motorists but emphasized

the long-term benefits.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused during this period. However, the long-term benefits, including improved traffic conditions and regional economic support, will be substantial,” he said.

despite the overall cooperation of most landowners affected by the expansion, challenges have arisen from a minority seeking disproportionate compensation for alleged disruptions. notably, a property owner in San Pedro City has demanded excessive fees, posing potential hurdles to the project’s timely completion.

a ng assured, however, that the company is committed to resolving such issues promptly and fairly, ensuring minimal disruption to all stakeholders and maintaining the project’s schedule. Last March, the conglomerate reported that its income in 2023 jumped by 67 percent to P44.69 billion from the previous year’s P26.76 billion.

Consolidated revenues slipped 4 percent to P1.44 trillion from the

previous year’s P1.5 trillion due to the double-digit decline registered by its power unit.

“We had a strong finish to 2023, which was marked by a healthy operating income and EBi T da [earnings, before interest, depreciation and amortization] thanks to our continuous efforts to maximize operational efficiencies, aligned with our sustainability agenda,” a ng said.

“Our robust performance again reflects our resilience and ability to deliver a strong bottom line despite macroeconomic uncertainties, and our commitment to continue investing on nation-building projects.”

a ng said SMC’s infrastructure business will sustain its growth trajectory with the continued traffic growth across its network, along with increased travel throughout the country.

“Meanwhile, with its increased capacity, the cement business is expected to benefit from both private and public sectors’ push for economic and infrastructure development.”

Filinvest REIT buildings switch to RE

Fi L in VEST RE i T Corp., the real estate investment trust of the Gotianun Group, said it transitioned five of its office building properties to renewable energy (RE) sources under the government’s green energy option program (GEOP).

The company said the switch signifies its commitment to environmental responsibility and marks “a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards a greener future.”

GEOP, a pioneering initiative led by the d epartment of Energy in accordance with the Renewable Energy a ct of 2008, empowers consumers to opt for renewable energy as their primary energy source. This program offers a choice to end-users to transition to an electricity supplier capable of delivering energy from 100 percent RE-generating facilities.

Filreit said eight buildings are now connected to RE sources. These were Vector One, Vector Two, Vec -

Hyundai Motor to spend more on hybrids

Hyundai Motor Co. wants to increase sales of hybrid vehicles to offset the slowdown in demand for electric vehicles.

The South Korean carmaker is planning to spend more on the manufacturing plant it’s building in the uS state of Georgia in order to produce hybrids at the facility, Seung Jo Lee, Hyundai’s chief financial officer, said during a call after the release of earnings Thursday.

The factory was initially intended to solely produce batterypowered vehicles in order to comply with President Joe Biden’s i nflation Reduction a ct that offers incentives for making EVs in the country.

The move to ramp up production of hybrids follows a broad slowdown in demand for EVs, with Volkswagen aG, Mercedes-Benz Group aG and Tesla inc. all reporting lower sales in the early part of the year. Europe in particular has faced persistent weakness as carmakers contend with higher interest rates, slowing economic growth and fading subsidies for EVs.

Hyundai said deliveries of battery-powered vehicles accounted for 4.5 percent of its total shipments in the first three months of this year, down from 6.5 percent a year ago. The company’s hybrid sales climbed about 17 percent from a year earlier to almost 98,000 units, it said.

Shares fell as much as 2.6 percent in Seoul trading before paring losses to 1 percent.

Hybrid boom “ THERE was a big decline in EV sales, but those of hybrids — a high-margin product—contributed to the high profitability,” Lee said, pointing to an operating margin of about 9 percent. Still, the company will continue to spend more on EV incentives that the industry average in order to maintain market share, he said.

Total car sales in the first quarter were 947,000, down 4 percent from a year earlier, according to its earnings presentation. Value-added products, such as sports-utility vehicles and luxury brand Genesis, accounted 62.8 percent of the total. Retail sales in north a merica gained 2 percent, while those in Europe climbed 0.7 percent. China saw a 14-percent plunge, while india posted a 3-percent increase.

Hyundai reported 3.56 trillion won ($2.58 billion) in operating profit in the first quarter, beating analyst estimates, as it reaped a 251-billion-won gain from a weaker Korean currency. Bloomberg News

Nlex: Candaba viaduct project is 70% complete

NLEX Corp. said it is making significant progress on the Candaba Viaduct, with completion now estimated at approximately 70 percent as of april 22, according to its president.

tor Three, iHub 1 and 2, Filinvest One, Filinvest Two, and Plaza a This accounted for 45 percent of Filreit’s total consumption coming from renewable sources last year.

Plaza d led the switch in transitioning to renewable energy in January, with Plaza B, Plaza C, Plaza E, and 5132 following in February.

Filreit now has 13 buildings out of its 17 facilities in its renewable energy portfolio, accounting for 76 percent of its total properties.

Filinvest Three has also quali -

fied for GEOP and aims to be powered by 100 percent RE by the third quarter.

a xis Tower One and Filinvest Cyberzone Cebu Tower 1 are slated to be supplied with RE starting June. The addition of Filinvest Three, a xis Tower One, and Filinvest Cyberzone Cebu Tower 1 will further expand the company’s renewable energy portfolio from 13 to 16 office buildings, covering 94 percent of Filreit’s total office portfolio in terms of number of properties. VG Cabuag

Luigi Bautista, president of n lex Corp., said in a roundtable discussion on Thursday that the company is poised to meet its target to complete the P7.89-billion project by november 2024.

“We’re approaching about 70 percent as we speak,” he told reporters, sharing that construction is currently focused on the superstructure, with coping beams largely completed and girders being erected.

The project involves the construction of a third bridge that runs between Pampanga and Bulacan. The new five-kilometer bridge is being built in the middle of the two existing viaducts to further

improve safety and expand the expressway’s capacity to handle more vehicles.

Once completed, this will increase the road capacity of the entire Candaba Viaduct from three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction.

These lanes and shoulders will be wide hence, boosting the safety and convenience of those traversing the viaduct.

“We are still on track for a november opening,” Bautista said, emphasizing the strategic segmentation of the project into three zones, a move designed to optimize the utilization of the viaduct even before its full completion.

n lex is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific investments Corp. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Photo from www.nlex.com.Ph

Credit line for MSMEs sought in Senate bill

SBanking&Finance

House price ceilings under review

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

Jose Pimentel

ENATOR

“Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada is asking Congress to pass an enabling bill mandating banks to allocate credit resources for micro-sized, small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) citing the need to keep small businesses afloat.

Estrada’s Senate Bill (SB) 2632 aims to require all lending institutions to allocate at least 10 percent of their total loan portfolio to MSMEs. Additionally, it provides that “compliance will only count if loans are actually given to eligible firms.”

The senator affirmed this would “mean increased access to financial support for MSMEs, which is the biggest hurdle to the growth of small businesses in the country.”

Under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 6977, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which has since “expired,” banks are mandated to earmark eight percent of their loan portfolio for micro and small enterprises and two percent for medium enterprises for a period of ten years. The 10year mandatory period is contained in RA 9501, the amendatory law enacted on May 23, 2008.

“Access to finance has remained a chronic barrier to MSME growth, and even survival,” Estrada noted, recalling that “as of December 2023, compliance with the prescribed allocation of loan portfolio to micro-scale and small-sized enterprises amounted to P200.7 billion or 1.93 percent, and for medium enterprises was only P301.4 billion or 2.9 percent.”

The senator cited a discussion paper crafted by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, which noted that banks have been avoiding meeting the required percentage of loans for MSMEs through various means.

“These.” he notes, “include giving most SME funds to larger firms pretending to be mediumsized, depositing the required amount with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) instead of lending to SMEs, opting to pay fines rather than setting aside funds for MSME lending, or investing in preferred stocks issued by the Small Business Corp. (SBC).

“MSMEs account for 99.59 percent of the more than a million business establishments in the country,” Estrada said.

Sila ang bumubuhay ng ekonomiya natin at nagbibigay ng trabaho sa 65.1 percent ng kabuuang bilang ng mga manggagawa natin.

Nararapat lamang na mabigyan sila ng sapat na suporta sa ilalim ng mga umiiral nating mga batas upang lumago at dumami pa sila. Kung madadagdagan ang bilang ng mga namumuhunan at nagnenegosyo nating mga kababayan, tataas din ang bilang ng mga may trabahong Pilipino,” the senator added.

[They enliven our economy and provide employment to 65.1 percent of the total number of our labor force. It is only appropriate that they be given adequate support under our existing laws so that they can grow and multiply. If the number of our compatriots who invest and do business increases, the number of employed Filipinos will also increase.]

HE House Committee on Housing and Urban Development is currently reviewing existing government issuances related to housing price ceilings to enhance private sector involvement in mass socialized housing projects.

House Committee on Housing and Urban Development Chairman

Francisco B. Benitez emphasized the necessity of bolstering private sector engagement in housing production, particularly amidst a perceived decline.

Benitez highlighted the government’s ambitious goal of constructing six million housing units by 2028. The committee examined last Wednesday various government directives, including Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 3 of 2023, which

adjusts price ceilings for socialized subdivision and condominium projects. The committee also reviewed orders issued by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) that are related to economic-housing price ceilings and incentivized compliance with balanced housing programs.

“We must further strengthen the participation of the private sector in housing production, which seems regrettably to be declining even as we speak,” Benitez said.

DSHUD Undersecretary Avelino D. Tolentino III informed the panel of the investments by the private sector.

“There have been private entities that have invested well within the financial framework” that is set by JMC 3, Tolentino said.

The lawyer pointed out the increase in the prices of units in condominiums: a 32-square-meter (sqm)

unit or 28-sqm loft that was priced at P580,000 under HUDCC Resolution 1 (series of 2018) is currently priced at P850,000.

Tolentino cited present economic conditions as the reason for the increase in prices.

He noted that Section 23 of Republic Act 11201 (DHSUD Act) has authorized the DHSUD and the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) were authorized to jointly issue price ceilings for housing units every two years.

“The shift (in prices) is in line with the issuances of the current administration declaring the ‘Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing’ (4PH) as a flagship program of the government and then bringing in private sector and private financing into the mix,” Tolentino added.

“We are hoping that with these amounts set, we will be able to attract

private developers and contractors to invest their financial and technical expertise in projects and then later on be paid via take-out by government financial institutions, primarily the Pag-IBIG fund, which has at this point already set aside P250 billion in allocations for the expected take-outs,” the DHSUD official told members of the panel.

Representatives from the NEDA, the National Housing Authority, the Home Development Mutual Fund, the Social Housing Finance Corp., the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., the National Real Estate Association Inc., the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations Inc. and the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines also attended the committee meeting.

The Future of work Sun Life Grepa posts 17% rise in premium income

THE Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) recently held a webinar, “The Future of Work,” featuring two Washington, D.C.-based speakers: Amy Hissrich, vice president of the International Affairs of the American Society of Association Executives, and Tom Reiser, executive director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

The webinar focused on workrelated skills and covered, among others, ten current and on-the-rise work skills based on the “Future of Jobs Report 2023” of the World Economic Forum and how organizations, including associations, and their leaders are adapting to these changes.

The fourth edition of the WEF report brings together the perspective of 803 companies which collectively employ more than 11.3 million workers across 27 industry clusters and 45 economies from all world regions. The survey covers questions of macrotrends and technology trends, their impact on jobs and on skills, and the workforce transformation strategies businesses plan to use within the 2023-2027 timeframe.

In relation to the webinar, the WEF report mentions that 44 percent of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years. Of the top 10 listed skills, those highly ranked are: (1) cognitive skills (analytical thinking, creative thinking), (2) self-efficacy skills (resilience, flexibility and agil-

ity, motivation and self-awareness and curiosity and lifelong learning), and (3) technology literacy (AI and big data).

When the 23 webinar attendees discussed the matter in the context of their own associations’ experiences, the results of their discussions mostly matched what was in the WEF report. The attendees also mentioned empathy and compassion, leadership, innovation, and communication skills, as well as interpersonal and relationship- or network-building skills.

In terms of providing training for the skills required, the WEF report listed these methodologies in their order: (1) on-the-job training and coaching, (2) internal training departments, (3) employer-sponsored apprenticeships, (4) private sector online platforms, and (5) universities and other educational institutions. OJT, coaching, and internal training resonated with the attendee-association professionals.

When asked about the macrotrends driving transformation in their association’s profession and industry, the attendees ranked these five trends in the order of importance: (1) increased adoption on

Sovereign bonds at risk from Asia’s most inflation-sensitive central bank

EMERGING Asia’s worst-performing sovereign bonds are at risk of further declines as the Philippine central bank looks to delay monetary easing due to inflation fears and a weak peso.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has said interest-rate cuts may be pushed back, given higher consumer prices and the Federal Reserve’s less-dovish pivot. The BSP has had to contend with the country’s history of intense price pressures, and Barclays Bank Plc calls it the region’s most “inflation-sensitive” central bank.

With investors pricing in hawkish expectations, the country’s 10-year bond yields have jumped 73 basis points so far in April, the most in emerging Asia. That’s nearly double the 41 basis-point jump in similardated Indonesia yields.

Inflation has steadily risen in the Southeast Asian nation this year, and is expected to pickup pace in the coming months, bucking the disinflationary trend that some of its peers have experienced. The BSP raised its inflation forecast earlier this month, saying price growth will likely remain above the 2-percent to 4-percent target through the third quarter. This indicates that the rise

in yields may not let up.

Yields have risen due higher oil prices, the peso’s fall that “could lead to higher import prices, and higherfor-longer signals” from the Federal Reserve and BSP, said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael Ricafort. Ricafort noted oil prices have eased in recent days.

Previous rate-hike cycles show how sensitive the BSP is to surging inflation. In five earlier tightening cycles going back to 2008, the correlation between a rate hike in a given month relative to CPI data three months before was as high as 0.99, according to analysis by Bloomberg. A correlation of one means both entries move in tandem.

“Inflation is the number one priority for the most inflation-sensitive central bank in the region,” according to an April 19 note by Barclays economists including Brian Tan. The risk of an inflation upsurge or currency depreciation pressures aren’t unique to the Philippines. In March, Taiwanese policymakers shocked the market by hiking 12.5 basis points to combat inflation, while Bank Indonesia similarly surprised by raising by 25 basis points last Wednesday.

new and frontier technologies, (2) rising cost of living, (3) slower global economic growth, (4) consumers becoming more vocal on social issues, and (5) broader application of environmental, social, and governance standards.

The WEF economy, job, and skills report was an eye-opener for the attendees in appreciating what changes can associations and association professionals expect and undertake in this ever-evolving environment they are operating in.

Indeed, associations, which serve as pillars of professions, industries, and communities, face a myriad of challenges in today’s fast-paced world. To thrive and fulfill their missions effectively, associations must harness the power of data, statistics, and trends in their planning endeavors.

By embracing a data-driven approach to their planning and decision-making process, associations can enhance their relevance, resilience, and effectiveness in serving the needs of their members and advancing their missions. In doing so, associations can navigate the challenges of the present and position themselves for sustained success and significance in the years to come.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror. E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org.

SBy VG Cabuag @villygc

UN Life Grepa Financial Inc., a joint venture between Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. and the Yuchengco Group of Companies, announced last Thursday it posted a 17-percent increase in total premium income to P13.5 billion last year from P11.5 billion in 2022.

“There have been challenges in the current landscape but the premium-income growth indicates that Filipinos are on a steady path to understanding how achieving financial security is important in planning the future. There is still much room for the market to truly find value in securing the future not just for themselves but more so for their loved ones and we are in a position to meet that demand when the market matures further,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said.

Data from the Insurance Commission showed Sun Life Grepa ranked 10th when it comes to total premium income and net income of life insurance companies as of end 2023.

The company was able to insure over 3 million people in 2023 and is set to mark 2024 with 70 years in service.

“As we celebrate our 70th year, we would like to affirm our commitment to help Filipinos achieve

lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. We are positive that things will continue to get better from here. We believe that increasing awareness and conducting stronger information campaign about financial preparedness and accessibility of financial solutions will surely aid the consistent growth not just of our company but also of the industry in the coming years,” Lim said.

The company has been re-certified as Great Place to Work (GPTW) for November 2023 to November 2024. It was first recognized as GPTW in November 2022.

The results of the GPTW survey showed that Sun Life Grepa is a great place to work with 92 percent said the company makes them feel welcome and another 93 percent said the company shows fair treatment regardless of sexual orientation. Some 92 percent of Sun Life Grepa employees expressed pride in telling others that they work for the company.

“We value our clients, and at the same time, we also recognize that our people here at Sun Life Grepa are our greatest asset. The growth and longevity of the company will only be possible because of the people’s commitment to quality service and passion for our mission to futureproof the lives of Filipinos. We hope that they will continue to feel valued as well,” Lim said.

Traders hiking prices of goods warned

LAWMAKERS sternly warned traders inflating the prices of essential goods in the market that the government will pursue legal action against them if necessary.

House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun of Zambales emphasized the gravity of the House investigation, stressing that it should act as a caution to unethical businessmen involved in cartels across agricultural industries.

“The pronouncements of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez about the investigation are serious, and they should serve as a warning to our unscrupulous businessmen who are engaged in cartels in various industries in the agriculture sector,” Khonghun said last Thursday.

“Please don’t do it, not at the expense of our poor Kababayans. Otherwise, we will be forced to implement the full force of the law. And if worse comes to worst, we can have them in court for economic sabotage, a non-bailable offense,” the lawmaker said.

Reps. Paolo P. Ortega V of La Union and Amparo Maria J. Zamora of San Juan echoed Khonghun’s statement.

“We have to protect the interests of our consumers, especially those

in the impoverished sector who could hardly make ends meet for their families. In times like these, government intervention is necessary to prevent abuses done with impunity,” Zamora said.

Ortega pointed out that “food is an essential part of everyone’s being.”

“Let’s not victimize these people who are in a hand-to-mouth situation. Let’s have some conscience. Let’s make life easier by giving them affordable prices,” she said.

“The poorest of the poor needs nourishment the most among our population, which is a huge part. Imagine they have to grapple with the almost never-ending inflation, yet our business sector still takes advantage of them. This shouldn’t be,” Ortega added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Zia A. Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st district) said farmers remain among the most vulnerable in society, deserving of the utmost attention and support from government leaders.

The investigation aims to address the delicate balance between farm gate and retail prices, as highlighted by Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel D. Almario, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

“For farm gate prices to be low and retail prices to be high is the worst case scenario since it hurts both the farmer and the consumer. If this is truly the case, then the House probe will nip this problem in the bud. That’s why we fully support it, and I am personally eager to join the discussions and help the panel get to the bottom of the matter,” Almario added.

Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo D. Bongalon emphasized that the House’s oversight function will ensure accountability and protection of agricultural workers and consumers.

Deputy Majority Leader and Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Margarita B. Nograles echoed the call for investigation, denouncing “the exploitation evident in the gap between farm gate and retail prices.”

“This disparity reflects a blatant disregard for fellow Filipinos’ welfare. Through this inquiry, we aim to identify those responsible and enforce necessary measures to prevent further profiteering,” Nograles said.

“Our goal is to halt this apparent profiteering and to implement the laws where they apply,” she added.

Octavio Peralta Association World

MMPC WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) commemorated its transition of leadership in the country with former president and CEO Takeshi Hara handing over the helm to the new president and CEO, Ritsu Imaeda, in a recently concluded solemn ceremony.

reins to

successor, Imaeda, urging continued support for the new leadership.

new president Ritsu Imaeda mainly handled the

markets for

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

FORMER MMPC president and CEO Takeshi Hara and new MMPC president and CEO Ritsu Imaeda MMPC

(FROM left) New MMPC president and CEO Ritsu Imaeda, former MMPC president and CEO Takeshi Hara, Sta. Rosa (Laguna) City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual. PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, and MMPC Chairman Noriaki Hirakata. MMPC

Motoring

1Q sales breach 100k units; Isuzu promo

HERE is a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) on auto sales for the year’s first quarter.

“CAMPI president Rommel

Gutierrez said the auto industry closed Q1 2024 with a strong performance despite a slight decline on a month-on-month basis of 1.6 percent.

“YTD sales performance was driven by sustained demand for new vehicles, supported by overall supply improvement. Our Q1 performance keeps us on track to achieve our 2024 target,” Gutierrez said.

“YTD sales show 23 percent achievement of CAMPI’s conservative forecast of 468,300 units in 2024.

“Commercial vehicles (CVs) continue to drive industry performance at 81,395 units, accounting for 74 percent of total sales. Light Commercial Vehicles still drive CV sales with 60,302 units or 74-percent share of total CV sales, but MPV/AUV sub-segment displayed the strongest Yearon-Year growth of 27 percent.

“Passenger cars registered sales of 28,211 units equivalent to 26 percent share of total sales.

“As expected, Toyota continues to lead with a 45.31-percent market share, followed by Mitsubishi with 19.04 percent, Nissan 7.22

percent, Ford 6.87 percent and Suzuki 4.01 percent.”

Isuzu promo

ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC), known for its durability and reliable vehicles, has announced its new Summertastic Discount Promo of a free safety check-up and up to 20-percent discount on parts from April 17 to May 31.

The Summertastic Promo includes special discounts on parts famously encapsulated by the mnemonic BLOWBAGETS— representing Battery, Lights, Oil, Water, Brake, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires, and Shock Absorbers.

“We hope that through this promo, we can encourage our customers to avail of the free service check-up so that we can ensure the safety and readiness of their vehicle. On top of that, enjoy these discounts before embarking on the summer road trips,” said Hodaka Matsuda, IPC Asst. Vice President for Aftersales.

The offers can be availed at any of the 48 authorized Isuzu dealerships across the country, applicable to all Isuzu models.

Visit  www.isuzuphil.com  for more details.

Shell zero

PAM Sales reveals that Shell Fleet Solutions has recently partnered with Flash Express, one of the fastest-growing delivery service providers in the Philippines and in the region, as it takes a step towards decarbonizing its extensive, nationwide operations by joining Shell’s Accelerate to Zero initiative.

According to Ken Research estimates,  the logistics market in the Philippines is projected to expand to approximately PHP ~1160 Bn by 2027, driven by increasing budget allocations and a rising demand for food, beverages, and manufacturing products in the country, as well as infrastructural developments and technological advancements. The environmental impact of this growth has yet to be considered or measured on a large scale.

While the predominant vehicle of choice for the delivery services side of logistics is motorcycles, and these have a relatively small carbon footprint, the fact remains that many of the trips motorbike delivery operators make in a day are inefficient. Motorcycles delivering 1-3 meals, over

5-kilometer (km) distances, or small packages or even envelopes across the city, often over distances greater than 10 km, are not unusual.

“What happens next will be hopefully the utilization of other offers under the umbrella of our Accelerate to Zero program. We already have the carbon offset program, and telematics system is underway. So hopefully all these will help accelerate Flash Express in reaching its goals to fully decarbonize,” said Christopher Alli, Country Business Manager for Shell Fleet Solutions.

Good move, Shell.  PEE STOP Nikkei reports that  XPeng, EHang and other Chinese companies are commercializing flying cars this year, tapping the country’s advantages in electric car technologies to claim a large share of the emerging global market. China accounts for 50 percent of the world›s total electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle models, according to a China Merchants Securities report, far above the US’s 18 percent and Germany’s 8 percent.

Relationships

S. Ramos

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

EVER since I was a child, I take my meals usually with a piece banana on the side. It’s a trait I apparently share with people of an older generation and is a constant source of surprise or goofy wonderment for people whom I’ve just met.

I learned the habit from my Mama and her mother, my Lola, but I’ve never questioned why they did it, and I suppose I grew up thinking this is the just a typical part of a meal. Bless my friends when I visit them for a get-together, they will usually have a bunch of bananas on hand, and of course I will be kapal to demand to take these home, if there are any left after our meal.

But I’m picky about what type of bananas I eat. It has to be the sweet orange-colored Lacatan, and not the white-fleshy Latundan which to me, tastes rather dull and flat. And I don’t eat the bananas with any kind of meal either. It has to be rice-based; so you won’t ever catch me eating a Lacatan while wolfing down a pasta dish or having a sandwich.

Somehow, a meal isn’t complete and my digestive system isn’t working well unless I have a banana. Apparently, this feeling of unease especially after a heavy meal with rice and meat isn’t some figment of my imagination. There is a scientific explanation to why bananas promote gut health.

(Meanwhile, I remember stories about a media colleague who supposedly consumes bananas like a monkey when she feels depressed. I don’t know how true that is because the stories are told by a guy she once dated, an equally weird person, but the said anecdotes have become part of the folklore in the publication where we used to work.)

According to the website Health Exchange, there are six good reasons to eat a banana:

■ They are one of the best fruit sources of vitamin B6, which helps produce red blood cells and help eliminate toxins from our bodies.

■ Bananas are a “respectable” source of vitamin C, which aids the body produce collagen and promotes the production of serotonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep and moods. (Aha, there you go! Depression away!)

■ They’re good for our complexion as it has manganese, which protects the skin against damage from free radicals.

■ Bananas also provide about 400 mg of potassium which is good for cardiovascular health and the regulation of one’s blood pressure.

■ They aid in digestion because it provides about 12 percent of one’s daily fiber needs. (Told ‘ya!) “Soluble fiber helps your body control your blood sugar level and get rid of fatty substances such as cholesterol. Insoluble fiber adds weight and softness to stools, making it easier for you to have regular bowel movements.”

■ Lastly, bananas gives us and fat- and cholesterolfree source of energy, so if you ever feel lethargic and need a pick-me-up in the middle day, have one. And so, I write this odd ode to the banana because I was deprived of the fruit when I was recently checked in a hotel. There were no bananas for dinner, nor where there any for breakfast. On the upside, the establishment did offer other summer fruits like watermelons and cantaloupes, but I found it extremely weird that they had no bananas when

waitstaff has known me from way back since my gang has been patronizing Bistro Remedios in Malate. I was so happy that he noticed, as he proceeded to fetch the bananas from the kitchen. Credit must go to the late restaurateur Larry J. Cruz for having trained his staff so well, and for keeping them on until they’re good and ready to retire.)

Anyway, back to the said hotel, “supply issues,” was the response of the chef to the waitstaff to whom I addressed my query on the absent bananas at the breakfast buffet. To which I replied, only halfjokingly, “Ang lungkot naman.” (On the upside, the hotel has at least a lot of Greek yogurt which helps ease my digestive issues, although my potassium level is running low.)

for bananas? And now that it’s summer, I don’t quite understand why the Lacatan is priced so high when there shouldn’t be a shortage of the fruit.

(But then my brown rice is now selling for P85 a kilo, when it was just P60 last Christmas as well. So, yes, inflation is a bitch.) Anyway, I ususally end up buying Saba bananas which sells for P60 a kilo at the supermarket. The only thing is that it takes longer to prepare them for my meals as I have to slice then fry these, before topping them off with coconut sugar.

What a conundrum. There aren’t even enough bananas to get me over my funk of having to pay high prices for bananas.

“This shit is bananas!

—GWEN STEFANI

B-A-N-A-N-A-S!”

AMBASSADOR ENDO PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS FREDERICK GO

ON 8 April 2024, Ambassador Endo Kazuya paid a courtesy call on the Special Assistant for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go and exchanged views on Japan-Philippines economic relations.

Ambassador Endo stated that Japan is one of the Philippines’ largest trading and investment partners, and that the Philippines is a major source of human resources, including nurses and caregivers. He expressed that he would fulfill his responsibility to further deepen this mutually beneficial relationship during his term.

On the other hand, Special Assistant Go conveyed his sincere welcome to Ambassador Endo and his commitment to work with the Embassy of Japan to create a more attractive business environment, and to further promote investment and expansion of Japanese companies in the Philippines.

Both Ambassador Endo and Special Assistant Go agreed to work closely together to advance JapanPhilippines economic relations.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS Jemima Kirke, 39; Channing Tatum, 44; Tom Welling, 47; Kevin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: It’s up to you to change what you don’t like. Set standards and be clear about what you expect of others and what you are willing to give in return. The changes you make this year will profoundly impact your life. Your power is in your ability to size up situations and follow through. Your actions will carry weight and boost your confidence. Your numbers are 6, 13, 23, 28, 31, 44, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Use your imagination, charm and connections to get ahead. High energy and an eagerness to please will gain approval, support and the opportunity to use your skills to achieve financial success. Longterm investments will offer peace of mind. Address relationships that lack equality. ★★★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. If you don’t like something, change it; if you do, speak up and applaud. A unique approach to meaningful relationships will help bring you closer together. A personal change will lead to compliments. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Follow the money. Be conscious of where every dollar goes. Joint ventures will not pan out as planned, and partnerships will require a written agreement before you move forward. Refrain from relying on secondhand information. ★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll gain recognition for your effort and input. Offer novel suggestions that impact how you fit in and progress. Don’t buy into someone else’s dream when you have personal desires to fulfill. Feel free to apply friendly pressure to get what you want. ★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a pass if you are not interested in an invite. Focus on what matters most and surround yourself with the people who bring out the best in you. Take heed of advice, but use it to your advantage. Update your image and goals. ★★★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider your options, hit the reset button and make a move. Let go of what’s irrelevant in your life and make room for new beginnings. Learning, expanding your interests and finding your bliss will point you in the right direction. ★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Speak from the heart, and you will resolve issues that concern you. Refuse to let anyone take advantage of you, especially when your health or finances are at risk. Don’t wait; be the first to enforce change. ★★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Check out something or someone that interests you. Look at opportunities from every angle and pursue the path that makes the most sense. A change will give you the boost you need to lift your spirits and push you in a direction that brings you joy. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t share personal information or let anyone use emotional manipulation to exploit you. Head in a direction that allows you to use your skills and imagination to get what you want. A social or networking event will lead to an exciting connection. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take notes, elaborate and try doing something you’ve never done. Expand your interests, and you’ll discover something that enriches your life. Don’t change your goals or plans because someone pressures you to do something else. Take better care of yourself, and choose your friends wisely. ★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a unique path. Don’t feel pressured to follow the crowd. Venture in a direction that allows you to use your intelligence and physical attributes to get ahead. Connect with people who can offer insight into something that interests you. ★★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put everything into getting what you want. Giving your best will impress someone who can help you reach your goal. Hard work and a relentless attitude will pay off and position you for advancement. ★★

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are powerful, demonstrative and aggressive. You are distinctive and playful.

‘dumpster bandit’ BY HANH HUYNH

The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Jared Goudsmit/Andrian Johnson

puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

Hubris and justice in the fall of Troy

another power. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, precisely offered the same, beauty and love. Aphrodite wins to the terror and hysteria of the other two goddesses.

What follows is epic.

First, there is the revelation that the shepherd was no ordinary mortal. Then there is the problem of how to claim the prize. As Aphrodite promises, Paris will win the most beautiful woman on earth. She turns out to be Helen, the Queen of Sparta. The search is on, bringing the young man to the place where Helen is. They escape and the next scene is how to bring the young queen back to her King.

she is not and cannot be a helpless and hopeless pawn in this geopolitical game played by men. When beseeched by her people, Helen comes out brave and resolute: she alone acted out of love and no one can force her to go back to Sparta.

But when men are hopelessly dying on the battlefield for this woman who left her marriage for a young man whose premium is both male and sexual allure, then the question if all this tragedy has been worth it becomes of cosmic importance.

The tales of Homer and Hesiod are really allegorical devices to picture to us notions of divinity and transcendence. Puzzled by the seas not favoring

National Artists to lead in NJLA 2024

THREE of the country’s National Artists will be on hand to lead close to a hundred short story writers and poets in celebrating the 2024 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA) this coming May 7. NJLA 2024 will be held at the 6th floor, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, and will be headlined by National Artists for Literature Ricky Lee and Gemino Abad, and 2006 National Artist for the Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, better known as “BenCab.” Named after the late National Artist for Literature and former Philippines Graphic editor in chief Nick Joaquin, the NJLA will pay tribute to the outstanding works of 82 short fictionists and poets whose works were published in the Philippines Graphic Reader, the companion literary magazine of the Philippines Graphic. The Graphic Reader is the only monthly magazine in the country today that is completely devoted to publishing short stories and poems written in English by budding and veteran Filipino writers and poets. Every month, it features on its pages four short stories and four poems selected from literary submissions to the magazine— matched by the colorful illustrations of visual artists that grace its covers, with support from Graphic Reader Creative Director Ed Davad and Creative Design Consultant Ces Cabangon. The marriage of the creative word and

daughter is killed on the day she thought she is going to be married to Achilles.

But this is where the notion of sacrifice is one of the most enduring of human practices: the Greeks know they would not lose the war because the gods are most pleased with their offering: the life of one of the great Greek warriors. Nothing could match that and when the Trojans see that, their hearts are besieged by fear of defeat. What sacrifice can they make to their own gods?

Troy: The Fall of a City is a British miniseries created by David Farr and Nancy Harris for BBC and Netflix. n

GRAPHIC SALUTE AWARDEES

M. A.

Garcellano, Richard Giye, Jonell Segador Gregorio, Kiff Joshua, Jefferson Limos, I.S.A. Crisostomo-Lopez, Theresa YaptencoLoyloy, Benson Lucero, Joseph Anthony Montecillo, Diana B. Noche, Homer Novicio, Carla M. Pacis, Aurelio A. Peña, Kannika Claudine D. Peña, E. Agnes Puerto, Danton Remoto, Ninotchka Rosca, Zosimo Quibilan Jr., Raymund P. Reyes, Melissa Salva, Ramon Sunico, Gil Marvel Tabucanon, Yvette Tan, Tristan Dyln Tano, Joel H. Vega, Kelly Baños Vergel de Dios, Achinette Villamor, and Criselda Yabes For Poetry, the 39 Graphic Salute Awardees for NJLA 2024 are (in alphabetical order): Miguel Agcaoili, Michellan SarileAlgao, Mila Aguilar (deceased), Cathy Sanchez Babao, Jona Branzuela Bering, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Rofel G. Brion, Skarlet Brown, F. Jordan Carnice, Isidoro M. Cruz, Alice M. Sun-Cua, Nestor Cuartero, Totel de Jesus, Totel de Jesus, Noel Romero Prado, Byron Diaz, Ma. Ceres Doyo, Simeon Dumdum Jr., Nestor Felix, Nena Gajudo-Fernandez, Gretchen Filart, Selya Gonzales, Ramil Digal Gulle, Khavn, Marne Kilates, Fe P.Koons, Babeth Lolarga, Paulo Manalo, Luchie Maranan, Jeric Olay, Rochit I. Tañedo, Merlita Lorena Tariman, Pablo Tariman, Grace Torrecampo, Ana Celia A. Ver-Papa, Ria Rebolledo, D. M. Reyes, Angelo Suarez, Nicolo Rocamora Vitug, and Hope Sabanpan-Yu.

Stars

help the White House unveil its national suicide prevention strategy

WASHINGTON—Actor Ashley Judd and singersongwriter Aloe Blacc, who both lost loved ones to suicide, on Tuesday helped the Biden administration promote its new national strategy to prevent suicide.

Judd’s mother, country star Naomi Judd, died nearly two years ago. Blacc’s frequent collaborator, Tim Bergling, died in 2018.

Both were on hand as Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, helped unveil the Democratic administration’s blueprint for reducing suicides in the United States. Some 132 people a day kill themselves, he said.

“We’re here today because we know that we can and will change this,” Emhoff said. “Suicide is preventable.”

Judd’s mother had lived most of her 76 years with an untreated sickness and, on the day she died, “the disease of mental illness was lying to her,” Ashley Judd said during a discussion moderated by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy with Blacc and Shelby Rowe, executive director of the Suicide Prevention Research Center.

“She deserved better,” Judd said about her mother. Judd said she also has suffered from depression and has had a different outcome because of treatment.

“I carry a message of hope,” she said.

Asked what people can do to help someone in crisis, Rowe said people shouldn’t worry about “if you’re saying the right thing. Just say something and show up.”

Blacc suggested that people offer a “moment of joy” when they do reach out, such as a memory that sparks laughter or a song. He also encouraged people to remember that they are “the light.”

“There’s no such thing as too much love. Let’s give as much as we can,” he said, before he led the audience in singing the chorus from “This Little Light of Mine.” AP

FROM left: National Artists for Literature Ricky Lee and Gemino Abad, and National Artist for the Visual Arts Benedicto Reyes Cabrera

No-fly zone over Paris skies

PARIS—Skies over the Paris region will be closed for six hours as part of the massive security operation for the July 26 opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Paris airports operator said Wednesday.

Augustin de Romanet, chairman of Aéroports de Paris, said airlines are being warned in advance about the closure and told they will have to fly around the restricted airspace.

“For six hours, there won’t be any aircraft over the Paris region,” he said on France Info radio.

The no-fly zone will extend for a radius of 150 kilometers around Paris, the civil aviation authority and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin have said.

The unprecedented waterborne ceremony on the River Seine running through the French capital is the stiffest single security challenge for Paris Games organizers, with crowds of more than 320,000 people

Nadal unsure about playing French Open M

ADRID—Rafael Nadal will play in the Madrid Open despite not being fully fit and didn’t seem too optimistic about his chances of being ready for the French Open next month.

The 37-year-old Nadal said Wednesday he would not play in Paris if he arrives there feeling the same way that he is feeling ahead of his opening match in Madrid this week.

“The sensations haven’t been perfect this week. If it wasn’t Madrid, maybe I wouldn’t play. But there are a lot of emotions involved,” Nadal said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the following three weeks. I’ll keep fighting and doing the things that I think I need to do to play in Paris. And if it’s possible, then it’s possible. If not, then not. I’m not going to play in Paris the way I’m feeling today. It it was Paris, I wouldn’t be playing.”

Nadal has said this is likely his farewell year on tour, and is hoping to be competitive one last time at Roland Garros, where he is a 14time champion.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has won a record five times in Madrid, with his last title in the Spanish capital coming in 2017. He is scheduled to debut on Thursday against 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch.

“Hopefully I can play without many limitations,” Nadal said. “Then we’ll see what happens. If I play without limitations, even if I lose, then it will be positive.”

Nadal, who had hip surgery last summer, lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round in Barcelona in what was his first tournament in more than three months.

“The goal is be on court. Enjoy as long as possible,” he said. “I mean, that’s the thing. Try to finish the tournament alive in terms of body issues, and enjoy the fact that I will be able to compete one more time in the professional tour and here at home in Madrid, a place that give me everything, no, in terms of support.”

He said he is giving himself “a chance” and hopes to “find better feelings” in his body going forward.

“I don’t lose hope. I just accept the situation that I have today,” Nadal said. “I mean, I am not playing bad. It’s about more body limitations.... That’s not allowed me to compete the way that I would like to compete.”

WOMEN’S DRAW

FORMER world No. 1 Naomi

Osaka earned her first win on clay in two years by defeating lucky loser Greet Minnen 6-4, 6-1 in the first round.

Osaka had eight aces and faced one break point for her first clay win since beating Anastasia Potapova in the first round in Madrid in 2022.

“There’s a basis to my game and I want to stick to that, but also respect the court,” said Osaka, who returned from maternity leave in January. “It’s a work in progress for me, but I’m watching a lot more matches on clay, I’m trying to do my homework as best as I can.”

Qualifier Jessica Bouzas Maneiro rallied to defeat fellow Spaniard Paula Badosa 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to earn her first Women’s Tennis Association 1000 main-draw victory and improve her 2024 record to 30-7. AP

expected to line the waterway.

At least one French military AWACS surveillance aircraft will police the skies during the Olympics, using its powerful radar to watch for any potential airborne threats, the French AWACS squadron’s commander previously told The Associated Press Other military aircraft can be scrambled to intercept any non-authorized flights that enter restricted Olympic airspace.

Separately, de Romanet said there’s still a “very, very high” probability that small electricpowered airborne taxis will be tried with passengers over Paris during the July 26 and August 11 Games, which he said would be a world first.

But European air-certification authorities might initially only allow the taxis to fly passengers on an experimental basis, not commercially, he added.

“We have high hopes that we will be able to carry passengers

experimentally which will pave the way, over Paris, for the first flight in the world of an electrical vertical take-off aircraft,” he said.

Multiple companies are developing electrically powered aircraft that take off and land vertically. Some have already flown demonstration flights in a race to turn their promises of environmentally friendly air transport into a commercially viable reality.

De Romanet insisted that the aircraft are safe, saying: “I am ready to climb aboard.”

Critics worry that taxis zipping through the airs of Paris will be a noisy and potentially dangerous nuisance and affordable only by the wealthy. The Socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, is among opponents of proposals to trial them on a few Paris-region routes during the Games. AP

GENDARMES stand in from of the Charles de Gaulle Airport’s Terminal 1 where the Olympic rings are installed. AP

SBy Josef Ramos

EVENTY players are seeing action in the Philippine Padel Open Championships that kicked off on Thursday at Play Padel in Mandaluyong and no less than Padel Pilipinas president Pia Cayetano is so happy over the sport’s potential in the country.

“Looking back last year, a lot of improvements are happening in padel sport as the community is continuously growing so fast,” Cayetano told reporters during a break at the padel facility at the La Perla Warehouse along Sheridan Street. “Now, we’re

excited to hold our first ever national or Philippine Open.”

The championships has two phases—Thursday to Sunday for the men and women intermediate category and May 2 to 5 for the mixed intermediate class.

Japanese Hayato Nakayashiki— winner of the Baler Open last February and ranked No. 13 in the Asia Pacific Padel Tour—is the man to watch in the tournament.

“As a sports advocate all my life, I don’t like to see sports not growing after 20 years,” Cayetano said. “I don’t want padel to be played as only for the elite. I want the sport to be more

B8 | Friday, april 26, 2024

Editor: Jun Lomibao

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST), National University (NU), Angatleta-Orion (Bataan) and Umingan (Pangasinan) loom as the heavy favorites with their unblemished records that they will stake against separate opponents in the knockout semifinals of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 boys and girls championships on Friday (April 26) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. All eyes though are on the Junior Golden Tigresses and Lady Bullpups in girls’ play while Orion and Umingan banner boys’ action in their bid to arrange championship duels on Sunday.

UST takes on Kings’ Montessori School at 10 a.m., NU’s battles La SalleLipa at 12:30 p.m., Orion collides with VNS-Savouge at 3 p.m. and Umingan tackles Canossa Academy of Lipa City at 5:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the annual tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara. Students from the schools seeing action in the semifinals Friday, classification matches on Saturday and finals on Sunday could watch the games for free—all they need is to show their school ID cards.

The Junior Golden Tigresses and Lady Bulldogs clawed and bullied their way unopposed in the girls’ competition and booked convincing quarterfinal victories to advance deeper in the tournament— UST eliminated Canossa Academy, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 and NU trounced fellow University Athletic Association of the Philippines bet La Salle-Zobel, 25-18, 2516, 25-17.

Orion and Umingan were as dominant in boys’ play over Taytay (Rizal) and Philippine Christian University on 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-22, 25-12, 25-18 victories, respectively.

In the girls’ quarterfinals, Kings’ Montessori School posted an equally big 25-15, 25-18, 25-12 win over San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas to earn a shot at UST as La Salle-Lipa smothered Gracel Christian College, 25-14, 25-13, 25-21 to win a right of challenging powerhouse NU. Set on Saturday (April 27) are the classification matches for fifth to eighth places for both genders starting at 10 a.m. with the last match set at 5:30 p.m., while scheduled for Sunday are the battle for bronze at 10 a.m. for boys and 12:30 p.m. for girls and the gold medal duels at 3 p.m. for the girls and 5:30 p.m. for the boys.

Padel community growing–Senator Pia

inclusive especially to beginners.”

Padel Pilipinas held the Play Padel Open October last year and the Baler National Open last February.

“In those first tournaments, we had only a few participants, around 20, but today we already got 70 entries,” said Jackie Gan, executive director of Padel Pilipinas. “It only shows that the people are getting interested.”

Long-time national tennis champion Johnny Arcilla headlines the Philippine campaign with Derrick Santos and Duane Santos.

Coaches Bryan Joshua Casao, LA Canizares, Raymark Gulfo and Tao Yee Tan attended a series

Thai Kongkraphan outwits Chen in showdown of nerves in Luisita

PK KONGKRAPHAN extended her dominance on foreign soil by capturing the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Luisita Ladies International 2024 championship despite a 74 on Thursday.

The victory, however, didn’t come easily as Hsuan Chen posed a formidable challenge throughout the $100,000 championship co-sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Taiwan (TLPGA) and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT), turning the final nine holes into a virtual match play and a gripping test of nerves.

But was Kongkraphan’s unwavering determination that proved decisive in the stretch. Capitalizing on Chen’s costly bogeys on Nos. 15, 16 and 17, Kongkraphan seized the opportunity to regain control and secured the hard-fought, threestroke victory with a brave run of pars at the Luisita Golf Club course in Tarlac.

Kongkraphan’s triumph was fashioned out on a five-under 211 total and worth $18,000 in the tournament marked by intense competition and punishing conditions.

of training sessions, match plays and

Padel Pilipinas is recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission as the national federation for the sport.

It was her a 24th professional title in a career spanning 15 years that saw her triumph on various tours, including the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and Epson Tour.

Kongkraphan, who campaigned for seven years on the LPGA Tour, also accumulated several championships on the Thailand LPGA, leading to Order of Merit titles the last three years.

“I’ve been working hard for this and it paid off. It was a tough day, I tried to be aggressive but the conditions were tough. It was very stressful but I’m very proud of myself,” said Kongkraphan, who also noted the tough pin positions and the wind that picked up from the start.

Despite facing adversity with a one-birdie, two-bogey over nine holes to fall behind, the reigning Asian Games individual gold medalist displayed her experience and composure by stringing together a series a pars in the last seven holes.

As Chen briefly seized the lead with a frontside 35 and remained neck-and-

neck with Kongkraphan in the early stages of the back nine, the pressure mounted for both competitors with the Taiwanese reeling back with consecutive bogeys from No. 10 and the Khon Kaen native also yielding a stroke on the 11th, setting the stage for a frenetic finish.

But Chen’s wavering backside 41 led to a 76 and Kongkraphan’s commanding victory. It also enabled Harmie Constantino, who fired the day’s best 69, and Chih-Yun Wu, who matched par 72 for the second straight time, to finish tied for second at 214 in the 54-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Each received $8,233.

As Chen faltered in the closing stages of the match, Kongkraphan pounced on her rival’s miscues.

She also acknowledged the difficulty of the day’s play, emphasizing the need to staying mentally sharp and maintaining distance control on the greens.

Gov. Ebdane hosts Lumba Tamo race during mango fest

GOVERNOR Hermogenes

Ebdane welcomes the country’s elite and up-and-coming riders to the second edition of the Lumba Tamo Zambales 2024 on May 7—one of the highlights of the province’s worldfamous celebration of the Dinamulag Mango Festival 2024. At least 500 riders in the Elite, Junior and Youth categories are expected to be flagged off in the 150-km road race that will cover an out-and-back course at the Zambales Sports Complex in the provincial capital Iba—all competing for medals and cash prizes.

“Cycling tourism is growing increasingly popular, not only in Zambales province, but throughout the country,” Ebdane said. “And, through our ingenuity, we have combined cycling and trail tourism and along this line, I welcome all the athletes taking part in the Lumba.” Zambales has maintained its lofty niche in the Philippine sporting map, having played venue for cycling, triathlon, off-road races and even multi-sport competitions like regional athletic meets in the last 15 years.

Lumba Tamo (karera tayo or let’s race) is sanctioned by the PhilCycling as one of its ranking races for the national championships and will bring the riders to the picturesque coastline of Zambales, one of the longest in the country province wise, but will offer a tough challenge as the summer heat and unpredictable crosswind would demand the most from the riders.

The race is principally organized by the Provincial Government of Zambales through the Zambales Youth and Development Office headed by Eric Matibag.

The Dinamulag Mango Festival 2024 celebrations start on May 2 and culminates on May 11 with a series of daily festivities and activities.

PK KONGKRAPHAN captures her24th professional title in a career spanning 15 years.

EBDANE

SENATOR Pia Cayetano sweats it out during the start of the national padel open.

Nabor vs Marzan Cherry Tigo’s Jasmine Nabor and Galeries Tower Highrisers Andrea Marzan go one-on-one at the net during their Premiere Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. The Crossovers won, 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9.

LOCALE OF MANY BELOVED DIMENSIONS

As the country continues to stride with inclusive growth and diversification, “Regions” explores thriving places that are taking the holistic approach towards progress and transformation. The Province of Iloilo is one such example of a thriving area that is able to synergize its many contrasting aspects into one future-ready environment.

Old-world meets the digital era through its heritage homes and hulking corporate buildings. The rehabilitated Iloilo River and a handsome promenade for human connections are just two of the various eco-friendly initiatives here. Booming with business investments and opportunities, it is also proudly a 2023 UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Iloilo, the City of Love and once also called the Queen City of the South, is reigning again.

Iloilo’s full-circle growth: The city’s heart won’t stop beating

By Joel C. Paredes

DESPITE Iloilo City’s rise as

an economic powerhouse, the city mayor still goes about his business running it with utmost zeal and passion—convinced that it has barely scratched the surface of its growth potential in the Western Visayas region.

“It’s not over yet ,” remarked Mayor Jerry Treñas as he quickly glanced at a piece of paper, which turned out to be the latest report on the city’s power situation. The latest data from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market or WESM showed that the average demand for the city has increased by 16 percent at the end of February.

Treñas was hardly surprised and proudly showed the report, noting that total investments in Iloilo City alone grew by 64 percent the past year. The gross sales of registered firms also increased by 5.6 percent.

Today, with a strong economy and high-income level, Iloilo City has the highest per capita Gross Development Product (GDP) in Western Visayas. The Philippine

Statistics Authority reported that each person creates a value-added through the production of goods and services totaling P306,000 for the entire year, higher than the P118,00

per capita GDP of Region 6.

The mayor, however, admitted that the power situation in the city is really a concern. It in fact used to be a major problem at the turn of

the century when the entire province was trying to diversify its economic base after the collapse of the sugar industry in the sixties.

C2

Iloilo’s full-circle growth: The city’s heart won’t stop beating

Continued from C1

Historically, the economy of Iloilo, then known as the “Queen City of the South,” relied heavily on sugar production, along with its neighboring cities and provinces in the Western Visayas region.

Beyond sugar

Despite the “very chaotic” situation in sugar production, the mayor said the city continued to recover and sustain its growth, until eventually becoming a major destination of the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) services that now thrive in the region.

Treñas conceded that the electricity problem in Iloilo was the reason Bacolod City was the first to thrive from the BPOs. During his first term as mayor in 2002, he recalled how they were already trying to entice the BPOs to take advantage of the city’s potential as their major hub.

“We were really trying to get them here. Unfortunately, we had problems with power,” he said.

They then asked Metrobank and its affiliate Global Business Power Corp. to build the first coal-fired power plant in La Paz to stabilize the electricity demand in the city.

Now, with the surge in power demand, he said they are optimistic that the 245 additional mega-

watts they can generate with the completion of the Cebu-NegrosPanay Grid is more than enough for Iloilo to sustain its growth. Iloilo City’s economy is fueled by accommodation and food services activities at 52.4 percent , other services at 41.2 percent, and construction at 39.6 percent. After painstakingly encouraging BPO investments, the city now boasts 47,000 full-time employees in this fast-growing service industry, with the influx of 141 BPO companies within a span of two decades. The mayor traced the surge in BPO expansion to the city’s efficient supply of employees, with

its 26 colleges and universities that produce 15,000 graduates annually.

When Iloilo Business Park started in 2010, he was already a member of the House of Representatives, an elected post he held until the end of his third term in 2019. His being a lawmaker proved to be an advantage, giving him the opportunity to work closely with then Sen. Franklin Drilon, a native of Iloilo City, whom he credits for being instrumental in the muchneeded government interventions to boost the city’s private-sector driven economy.

“During that time, I was

collaborating closely with Senator Frank for new roads, the cleaning up of the Iloilo River and the widening of the roads for the esplanade,” he said.

The Iloilo River Esplanade, which was opened to public in 2012, is a 9-kilometer urban esplanade and park which stretches along both sides of the Iloilo River from Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurria and Molo districts to Muelle Loney Bridge in the city proper and Lapuz district. The iconic landmark, which helps protect the historic river, also continues to promote emerging active lifestyles among the Ilonggo, as the

people living in the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras and Panay are known.

The Iloilo Business Park, on the other hand, was Megaworld’s award-winning 72-hectare township which houses the 4 1.7-hectare Iloilo Convention Center -- considered the biggest convention center in Western Visayas -- along with residential condominiums, office towers and world-class hotels Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Courtyard by Marriot Iloilo. It also hosts the Festive Walk Mall, the 1.1-kilometer Festive Wal Parade and Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art.

Megaworld was one of the pioneering industry leaders in the

Iloilo Economic Triangle, which also includes the Atria Park District by Ayala Land, the Iloilo City Center by Gaisano Group and recently, the SM Development Corp. and its community mid-rise condominiums.

‘Gateway to Western Visayas’ Iloilo City has also turned out to be the new “gateway” to the region.

“It’s the gateway since you don’t have to go Manila if you don’t need it. It’s all here without the traffic,” Mayor Treñas said. “What we really did was to make it easy for business to come in.”

In early April, the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) formally took over the operation and development of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (IOCPC), a move meant to transform Iloilo’s main port as a premier gateway.

Initially, Mayor Treñas said they already got information that five new international shippers just came in under the new port operations.

The ICPC has been renamed Visayas Container Terminal following the notice of award based on the unsolicited proposal of the Enrique Razon-led ICTSI, with the Philippine Ports Authority awarding a 25-year lease contract.

Continued on C4

Molo Church. The neogothic Spanish colonial church located in the Molo district is among the heritage structures in the house. | BERNARD TESTA

Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas: ‘What we really did was to make it easy for business to come in.’ | BERNARD TESTA

Iloilo-headquartered Stronghold Insurance puts premium on trust of clients, customers

STRONGHOLD Insurance Company Inc.’s journey as a leading non-life insurance company in the Philippines began humbly in 1960. Sixty-four years later, the company has emerged as one of the leaders in the nonlife insurance industry, ranking in the Top 3 for Net Income, Top 3 for Paid-Up Capital, and securing the Top 4 spot for Premiums Earned among the 53 non-life insurance companies in 2023, according to the Insurance Commission’s Statistics Report as of December 2023. Key factors behind this success are the trust of clients and customers nationwide, as well as the efforts of its prudent underwriters, employees,

officers, and directors, led by the Chairman of the Board, Atty. Emmanuel F. Dooc, and the President and General Manager Romulo I. Delos Reyes, Jr. The company has 130 offices nationwide consisting of corporate centers, regional offices, business centers, branch offices, and business development offices. The Western Visayas Corporate Center in Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, is one of the topperforming offices in the region. The Western Visayas Corporate Center, housed in a 12-story building is wholly owned by Stronghold Insurance. It serves as the flagship location for the company's expansion strategy. Stronghold Insurance

adheres to the mission of "providing and delivering excellent non-life insurance protection and value for customers and other stakeholders." And by 2030, the company "envisions to be the leading non-life insurance provider in the country.”

The company remains committed to the continuous expansion, bringing us closer to the people. This success is driven by the accumulated financial growth and customer trust in services that include Motor Car Insurance, Suretyship, Comprehensive General Liability, Property Floater Insurance, Contractor’s All Risks Insurance, Marine Insurance, Fire Insurance,

Personal Accident Insurance, OFW Insurance, and Micro Insurance.

"Consistent hard work leads to success," is among the company's favorite adage. This perspective drives its continued progress despite unforeseen challenges. Chairman Dooc says, "we should not rest on our laurels, nor become complacent. Always remember that the best years are yet to come."

By embodying the core values of social responsibility, integrity, commitment, customer-centricity, competence, compassion, and innovation, or SICI, the company ensures customers that it is moving forward with the same dedication and passion that brought the company to its success.

Stronghold Insurance and GM Romulo delos Reyes, Jr., and AVP Irene A. Azarraga.

Iloilo’s full-circle growth: The city’s heart won’t stop beating

Privatizing the airport

According to Treñas, the national government is now also in the process of privatizing the Iloilo International Airport, with the Villars, Aboitizes and Megaworld among the top bidders.

The launching of the International Airport in Cabatuan town was a major game changer in loilo’s economic life. It opened access to more routes to various parts of the country, alongside the new international routes.

During the same period, the Iloilo Investment Incentives Ordinance, along with its council, was also established.

According to Treñas, the Iloilo Airport is now the fifth busiest airport in the country.

From 2007-2009, the city government undertook as strategic roadmap aimed at making Iloilo “A Primer City by 2015.” It was then that priority investment areas were identified, among them on power and water utilities, infrastructure, ICT, tourism, agri-business and education.

‘Easy to do business here’

According to Treñas, the city government had set up off-site payment centers in the malls “so that people don’t have to go to city hall to get permits and pay their taxes. ”

The mayor also noted how they have maintained their real property taxes for 18 years, and it was only this year that they decided to increase their taxes to comply with the devolution in the bureaucracy.

According to Vilma Lao, who heads the city’s Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, they have been a priority among investors in recent years because “quality of life is better here.”

While the minimum wage is lower in the city and the entire province, the cost of living there is “cheaper than Metro Manila,” she added.

Employment rate increased to 95.1 percent in 2022, compared to 89.4 during the previous year after the city prioritized livelihood and job opportunities, Late last year, Iloilo City was adjudged the “Most Competitive and Most Improved Highly-Urbanized City in Western Visayas, a “back-to-back win” for the city after being conferred with the same recognition in 2022 by the Department of Trade and Industry.

It also garnered the top spot in all the competitive pillars—government efficiency, economic dynamism, resilience and infrastructure.

At the national level, Iloilo City was fourth place as the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City and the highest outside the National Capital Region. It was

also tagged as the “Most Business-Friendly City.” Apparently, it need not be known any longer as the “City of Love,” a term coined during the martial law years.

The city has adopted a new branding, “My Heart Beats in Iloilo’.” As Mayor Treñas put it during its official launching in August last year, “you know when you’re in Iloilo: there is a certain sense of pride in being an Ilonggo that you do not see in any other place. We’re proud of our food, places, heritage, and Ilonggos.”

‘Wheels’ on the go

To address concerns in the city’s seven districts, Trenas outlined a new roadmap when he was elected for another three terms as mayor. The blueprint is to make the premier city “even better.” Its priority now is to combat many challenges the city is facing.

He has formulated the program he called “WHEELS,” which stands for Welfare, Health and Sanitation, Education, Environmental Management, Livelihood and Sustainability. He vowed to turn the city “into something we all envision it to become.”

Facing poverty

As Iloilo gears up to sustaining the economy’s gains, there’s a need, said the mayor, for parallel “social

development” to reckon with poverty, which remains a concern even as Iloilo is progressing.

It is something he does not flinch from acknowledging. After all, even as a young boy who grew up near the city proper, he had always dreamed of being a politician. He had seen the conditions of the sugar workers during the decline in the sugar industry, even though their family was hardly affected because his father was into law practice. Still, they tried to sustain their small farm producing sugar cane.

He considers himself privileged to be elected president of the student council in high school; he also chaired the student councils at the Ateneo de Manila University during his undergraduate years, and then the Ateneo Law School, where he studied until 1982 until he passed the Bar two years later.

In 1986, he entered politics as city councilor, and was reelected and stayed in office until 1992. He was finally elected city mayor in 2021 and had the distinction of winning by landslide in all precincts during the 2004 and 2007 elections.

”I really enjoy politics because I can help the poor,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor notes that since the Marcos government has prioritized housing for the poor, he immediately partnered with SMDC to construct two build-

ings, with 120 units that will be completed this year, and another four buildings, with a total 2,400 units for informal settlers.

In early April, the city government signed an agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Human Development (DHSUD) and Phinma Property Holdings Corp. to serve as developer of a new 2,000 units in the government socialized housing program.

City Hall has also nearly completed renovating all the public markets while training vendors for financial literacy and food handling together with the BDO Foundation.

At the end of their training, the participants are given an additional P5,000 assistance for their capital.

“Here you can implement what you planned. There’s so much that we were able to do here in Iloilo,” the mayor said.

‘Creative City of Gastronomy’

In 2023, Iloilo City was named a Unesco City of Gastronomy in the latest Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN), adding to the 55 cities covering the field of crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and much.

Before that, only two other cities in the country have become part of the creative network –Baguio for crafts and Cebu for design.

“We have ben getting a lot of awards like Galing Pook, but this

time it’s an international award, “he said. “We are proud of this because now we are getting a lot of visitors,” he said.

City officials guarantee the cleanliness in the seven city districts where local Ilonggo cuisine are served. “People also feel very safe even when they go around the city at night,” the mayor said Rich heritage

Meanwhile, he noted, at the turn of the century, the city had passed an ordinance on heritage conservation to preserve its rich cultural heritage – from food to old Hispanic houses and churches which they have catalogued for preservation Ilonggo cuisine, according to him, is practically a combination of Spanish and Chinese influence, as shown in the Miki noodles used in their batches and their Arroz Valenciana, two dishes that Ilonggos are known for.

Overall, the city’s ongoing transformation shows that, despite the challenges, it can fulfill its potential to sustain its economic growth and diversify its industries, even while preserving its rich heritage and culture. As it completes full circle, its unwavering spirit and determination for renewal will shine through as it invites outsiders to relish its glorious past and share its exciting journey to claim the promise of the future.

SWEET DESTINATION

Exploring the UNESCO City of Gastronomy

By Joel C. Paredes

WHAT makes Iloilo’s cultural heritage unique and interesting? “It’s the stories behind the cultural icons,” according to Gilbert Marin, who heads the Provincial Cultural, Arts, History and Tourism Office, as he narrated the provincial government’s initiatives to document their rich cultural heritage—from the Hispanic houses and churches to their traditional food, especially after the City of Iloilo was declared a Unesco Creative City for Gastronomy last year.

He said it is important to document the “tangibles” and “intangibles” of its shared history that make Iloilo a preferred tourism destination, while preserving the Ilonggo culture, heritage and values.

There are significant traces of their colonial past from the sugar barons and their feudal practices, as shown in their ancestral mansions and the ruins of the sugar plantations that once dominated the local economy, to the remnants from the Japanese wartime occupation in Western Visayas.

“People don’t just know that it is

there. There is a historical significance, and we want the people to know more,” Marin said. For the Ilongos, he said , “we want them to have ownership of these structures.”

Cultural mapping

Since 2019, the provincial government has been documenting the stories, customs, practices and rituals in all 43 towns and city outside the City of Iloilo. In the process, it was important for the local tourism officers to become the mappers of their cultural icons.

For instance, he said that few may

realize it, but the new Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town used to be the landing site of the Japanese war planes. After the war, it was abandoned and most of the area was converted into farmland.

“We can now tell the story on the significance of the the new airport, and why it was placed in town outside the city,” he said.

That was also the case with some old churches that were burned during the Japanese occupation to stop the invaders from using their parishes as wartime camps.

During the early years of Spanish colonial rule, Marin said they also found that

most of the early churches were merely built of wood and bamboo, and some of the ruins could be traced to the locals’ violent resistance against pirates that burned the churches.

“It’s good to undergo cultural mapping because they get to know their towns and the historical facts that have not been recorded,” he said.

In their mapping, Marin said they found that out of its 43 municipalities, there are now only 17 heritage churches outside of Iloilo City. The oldest archdiocese, however , in there Iloilo City district of Jaro.

The oldest existing church on Panay island was also traced to the San Jose De Placer Parish Church built by the Jesuits in 1607.

Then there is the Miag-ao Church built by the Spanish Augustinian missionaries in 1786 and was declared part of the Unesco World Heritage Site of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. The unique blending of Spanish and native influences can be seen on the front façade, which is flanked by two watchtowers

Most of their heritage churches, he said, were also built on coral rocks, and they are now preserved by the government.

“We have the stories because they were documented,” he said.

‘Underrated” dish

The UNESCO declaration, he said was immensely helpful since it ensures the influx of tourists.

Still, Marin felt that Ilonggo cuisine is somewhat ”underrated.” “Before that, we were only known for our Batchoy or Inasal , but we have an array of dishes to offer,” he said.

For instance, a favorite of the Ilonggos is the Kansi , often described as the Ilonggo version of the bulalo and sinigang

combined. The Kansi soup is normally made from a broth of beef shanks, with green jackfruit, chili peppers and Batwan, the fruit of an endemic tree used as souring agent in Ilonggo cuisine.

In Cabatuan town, they even have an annual festival on the Tinu-om dish, a native delicacy which is prepared by wrapping in banana leaves cutlets of native chicken with chopped tomatoes, onions and tanglad (lemon grass), mixed with water and salt.

The dish is steamed for several minutes until the chicken meat becomes more tender.

The highlight of the festival is a tribal dance competition where dances use chicken feather bustles worn on the upper back, along with ornamental tribal costumes.

Sustainable communities

Right now, he said, they are trying to create sustainable communities, where the locals engage in promoting tourism in their villages.

For instance, he noted the need for community involvement in Gigantes island near the coastal town of Carles, which lacks overnight facilities. The popular tourist destination is viable only for day trips for visitors to enjoy its white sand beaches, diverse marine life, and unique rock formations.

As they celebrate their 132nd founding anniversary in April, the provincial government also decided to highlight agro-tourism by awarding the best farms, based on their use of recyclable materials plus tourism prospects and organic vegetation.

As they say, preserving our heritage is not merely a choice. It is an obligation. The engagement of communities and preservation of its rich cultural heritage reflects how the province has evolved and is continuously shaped for future generations.

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Carmiña Balay Nga Bato, built in 1860, is now a popular foodie place for Ilonggo cuisine. | JOEL PAREDES

Jose Gerardo Guaderrama of Biscocho Haus says that besides their well-loved buttery toast, they now also offer mango-flavored biscocho. | JOEL PAREDES

Vibrant

POSITIVE ENERGY

Finally, power development starts keeping pace with Iloilo’s growth

THE newly-energized Cebu-NegrosPanay stage 3 (CNP3) interconnection project will minimize the risk of a prolonged blackout in Iloilo, preventing a repeat of the four-day massive power outage that occurred in January.

“Finally, people are starting to move,” remarked Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a recent interview, referring not only to NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines), which spearheaded the P67.98-billion transmission backbone project, but other industry stakeholders as well.

CNP3 will enable power supply from Cebu to augment Panay Island’s demand in case power plants bogged down, preventing Panay Island from being isolated again from the rest of the Visayas grid. It is a 238-kilometer long circuit and a 230-kilovolt capacity transmission line linking Cebu, Negros and Panay islands.

“Before the energization of the CNP project, there was a 50-percent probability of experiencing again a four-day blackout. Now, the probability is only 10-20 percent. However, this probability, as it's called, can still occur,” said MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) President Ruel Castro.

The power distributor in Iloilo City has recorded an electricity peak demand of 135 megawatts (MW). Castro said this may increase by 6

to 8 percent as the economy picks up.

To meet the growing economy’s needs, MORE Power is entertaining “possible investors” interested to put up a baseload power. “Within our franchise area, I am looking for ways on how I can increase capacity but without really impacting on the rate. We’re looking to source from outside and trying to see if we can also source from inside,” Castro said.

Also, MORE Power is considering to replicate the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) of other distribution utility firms.

The ILP is an energy demand-side management program through which large-load customers are asked to use their generator sets or shift their operations, instead of drawing power from the grid, to spare households from power interruptions during instances of red alert or when supply is insufficient to meet the demand. “It’s not a new program, but it’s never been done here. That’s about 50-75MW,” said Castro.

From a policy point of view, the DOE has committed to further help the country’s first

Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy by establishing zonal ancillary services, which are necessary to better manage power fluctuations, ensuring reliable power flowing through the identified zones.

“One of the things we discovered was that Iloilo was growing at 8 percent, but the projection for power development was at 6 percent. One of the things that we're looking at is the zonal ancillary services. Rather than Visayas

ancillary, we're going to look at the four major islands having their own ancillary services. So, we're in the process of formulating that and that will definitely help Iloilo and Panay Island,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara.

Treñas acknowledged the full support of the DOE, saying ancillary service, or more known as the power reserves, would ensure that in case something goes wrong with the transmission lines or with the power plants, power firms can

immediately restart the power facilities. “We are also working on ancillary reserve of 50-60 megawatts in Panay. I continue to dialogue with the DOE concerning this,” he said.

The mayor said businesses and investments continue to thrive in the city amid power issues. “While investors are scared, they are still coming in. So, assuming that they will no longer be scared, I think there will be more (investments)"

TALK OF THE TOWN

Tourism township transforms a slice of Iloilo into a major hub

By Joel C. Paredes

IN 2015, Natalie Lim, General Manager of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, initially felt a bit out of place in Megaworld Corporation’s Iloilo township. With just the hotel, a McDonald’s, and a couple of BPO centers, it seemed a bit deserted.

However, she soon discovered the potential of the Megaworld Business Park: it was destined to become a thriving hub in Iloilo’s booming city center.

“Now, if you ask the taxi driver to take you to the Iloilo Business Park, they will just give you a blank stare. But if you tell them, you are going to Megaworld, then they will say ’Ok’,” said Lim, the hotel’s general manager.

Lim said she was one of the first senior employes tapped to manage the operations of Richmonde Hotel when it opened in July 2015. Her colleague Jun Justo had already sounded her off about working in Iloilo while it was still under construction, and she agreed.

“When we arrived here, this was a dirt road. There was nothing

here, it was a struggle to stay at our hotel,” she said. She even wondered how they can sustain their operations when hotels everywhere were half – or even below -- their normal rates. Worse, she could hardly see taxi cabs around the area.

Then she also noticed that the whole stretch that they were occupying near Mandurria District was perpendicular to the main road. True enough, a few years later, the transport hub of Iloilo City for the provincial buses was relocated a few meters away from Richmonde because of its accessibility.

After living in Iloilo for nine years, Lim says she has learned to enjoy “life (here) which is a lot slower.”

When she was working in Manila, she recalled how she had to travel three hours every day due to traffic. In Iloilo, it only takes her 20 minutes to reach home.

The rise of the Iloilo Convention Center

Two months after Richmonde’s formal opening, the Iloilo Convention Center was also inaugurated in the 72-hectare township developed by Megaworld, which used to house the old Iloilo Airport and its runway.

It was also Megaworld that donated the lot beside Richmonde for the two-level convention center, a brainchild of then senator Franklin Drilon, who hails from the city. As the largest meeting place in the Western Visayas, the complex has a 4,200 seating capacity.

Lim recalled that the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone offered Richmonde the management of the convention center, but Megaworld gave way to Premier Island, which is owned by a local tycoon.

“Everything was being rushed at that time for the Apec (Asia Pa-

Business is thriving

He cited the city’s booming BPO industry and growing tourism, adding that the city is also the preferred place for conferences and exhibitions, among others. The strong interest could be attributed to the local government’s decision not to raise property tax for the past 18 years.

“I think a clear sign that Iloilo has been growing very fast is that we never increased our real property taxes for the past 18 years because what was needed for the additional services was provided for by the businesses coming in. When you say that taxes are the lifeblood of a city or government, it's not. If you have enough, you don't need to increase,” the mayor said.

And since Iloilo is considered as one of the major centers for education in the country,

Treñas said the BPO industry is steadily flourishing. “First of all, we have eight universities and 18 colleges producing more than 25,000 graduates every year. It makes sense to put up BPOs here because the talent is here,” the mayor explained.

Treñas said all of these represent an important component in establishing the city as a major investment hub. “We already have publicprivate partnerships (PPP) with SMDC (SM Development Corp.) for the central market and the terminal market .

We also signed another PPP with MPIC (Metro Pacific Investments Corp.) for a wasteto-energy project for a desalination plant that will provide potable water for Iloilo,” he said.

Coming soon is another PPP to be sealed with First Balfour, one of the subsidiaries of First Gen Corp., for an electric BRT (Bus Rapid Transit). Treñas said negotiations are ongoing.

Iloilo City is indeed booming despite concerns on its power supply, which the mayor described as “improving” because industry stakeholders are now actively taking steps to prevent another massive power outage.

“Iloilo is growing very fast. Unlike Cebu and Davao, we are not waiting for the national government to look at Iloilo. We are working on it by ourselves because we are a little far from Metro Manila and we don’t have so many high officials from Metro Manila. We try to manage ourselves here in Iloilo. Sometimes, we call this the Republic of Iloilo,” said Treñas. #

binging it to them,” she said. Right now, she said their function room only has a 100-seating capacity.

With the boom in city tourism, Richmonde has become a favorite destination of international travelers, along with “leisure tourists, “who have a budget of $100 and up.”

“Price wise, people are willing to pay more, Lim noted, “And I would say we have gone up to our prepandemic level,” Richmonde likewise found a ‘niche’ in promoting Ilonggo dishes even before the city was declared a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. In their menu, guests can find Ilonggo food which are not normally served as comfort food in the local restaurants, and Lim described these as “heritage menu.” A favorite dish of both locals and visitors is the way they cook mongo with pompano in the traditional way using gata, or coconut milk. Another traditional dish served in their restaurant is Linutik, a classic Ilonggo soup with mashed squash and malunggay leaves.

cific Economic Forum) and the investment was big. The only guy who had the money was Alfonso Tan,” she noted. Tan, a homegrown contractor, was also behind the Iloilo Esplanade and operates the downtown Hotel Del Rio.

MICE tourism

Lim said they have been specializing in Meetings, Incentives and Conventions, or simply MICE, because of Richmonde’s proximity to the convention center.

It turned out that the local government is also active in marketing the city as a MICE destination.

Meanwhile, Lim said the hotel has become “interdependent” with the convention center,

“We have a strong partnership with Premier (Island). We can accommodate our guests for sleeping, but not for big functions so we are

Lim revealed that when in the city, singer Jose Mari Chan would often just go the hotel’s Granary restaurant and order the Laswa, a vegetable-based dish which relies on garlic, onion, and tomato plus a little salt as flavor enhancer.

Once a month, the hotel serves degustation dinner—a seven-course meal of of Ilonggo dishes on the table, dubbed “LaMeza Ilonggo.” Lim noted that most of their guests are locals who would spend for a typical Ilonggo meal served in the hotel.

Recently, Megaworld launched its “Visit Iloilo” marketing campaign to help the Iloilo Festival Foundation boost the festivals that are happening all year round in the entire province.

“We are here to make Iloilo the festival capital of the Philippines,” Lim declared.

Accordig to her, the unique opportunity to sustain tourism needs a sustainable approach, and Megaworld has started becoming a zerowaste township ideal both for tourism and business opportunities.

In K-Town, a well-lit festive walk keeps retail and dining businesses even more attractive. Lately, the local government is considering power investors in anticipation of a shortage. | BERNARD TESTA

By Lenie Lectura

PORT MAJEURE

PPA cites gains from

privatizing Iloilo Port operations with ICTSI takeover

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is optimistic that the recent formal takeover by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) of the operations and management of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex is “advantageous” to government and will lead to a “more efficient” operation in one of the country’s premier ports.

According to Iloilo PPA General Manager Allan Rojo, the ICTSI formally took over the port operation and renamed it the Visayas Container Terminal (VST) in the first week of April, following the approval early this year of the “unsolicited” proposal of the Enrique-Rizal led port handling giant.

“This agreement [will] not only be advantageous to government, but to all port stakeholders, including the businesses here,” he told the Business Mirror.

According to Rojo, while the port complex has been on a par with international standards with its integrated management system, it must be upgraded to improve its efficiency and capacity.

“That’s why we are soliciting a partnership with the private sector,” he added.

Right now, he said, port operations can only accommodate a “limited” number of foreign vessels since it lacks the much-needed specialized equipment to manage foreign vessels and make it a containerized port.

Rojo said they average a mere two foreign vessels weekly and cater mostly to domestic vessels – indicating a huge business potential that must be unlocked given the strategic location of the port. By September, he said the port will be using the mobile harbor cranes that are needed to

modernize the cargo handling and increase its capacity. With the ICTSI takeover, the PPA will maximize the older Port of San Pedro about three kilometers away, which is the main port for domestic passenger vessels. The old port will now service smaller cargo vessels that cannot be accommodated in the VST.

Hearings on charges

Meanwhile, Rojo noted that they completed two public hearings with the local government units and business sector, explaining the increase in port charges now that they have upgraded the system from Tier 3 to Tier 1. “We were able to address their concern since that means more efficient handling and turnaround time, “he said.

Rojo noted that that modernizing the port entails reducing the turnaround time for the vessels which can now directly forward their containerized cargo directly to Iloilo. “That will now save the businessmen cost for their shipments,” he said.

He also explained that the annual P400-million incomes for the government from the Port of Iloilo will increase once VST starts servicing big foreign commercial vessels.

Under the parameters set by the regulator, the ICTSI remits to government P500 million per year starting the sixth year until the 10th year as concession fees. Another P100 million will also be remitted as annual fee.

Under the agreement, Rojo said the PPA will collect 20 percent of port earnings in the next five years. “If there are deviations in their operations, it will be tantamount to a review of the contract. We can revisit it anytime,” Rojo said.

Joel C. Paredes

By September, the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex will be using mobile harbor cranes needed to modernize cargo handling and increase its capacity. | JOEL PAREDES

PPA Iloilo Port Manager Allan Rojo | JOEL PAREDES

Warmth and Hospitality Define Iloilo: Discover the Charms of ‘The City of Love’ with Megaworld’s Hotels and Resorts

By John Eiron R. Francisco

IN the Philippines, with 82 provinces to explore, it’s quite common for both locals and foreigners to venture to major destinations. This is largely because many of these places offer accessible travel options, whether by land, air, or sea.

However, what truly defines a destination worth visiting? Is it simply its ease of access, or is it the overall experience a tourist encounters, including interactions with locals, the variety of food, and the quality of accommodation?

In essence, the appeal of a tourist destination extends beyond mere convenience to encompass the richness of the experience it offers.

During the kick-off event of the ‘Visit Iloilo Campaign’ at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao on April 15, 2024, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) was one of the frontrunners in making it happen, which aims to showcase the establishments, culinary offerings, and tourist attractions in the city. On the other hand, MHR Managing Director Cleofe Albiso stated, "It's not really about the campaign, but rather about gathering everyone to promote Iloilo."

“We just wanted it to have a trigger to gather everybody, to unify our voices and really amplify it,” she said.

“We'll slowly feature more of what you can experience when you visit Iloilo,” President of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. Allan Tan added.

While Iloilo Provincial Government Arthur Defensor Jr.

said that the city beckons as "worth your while, worth exploring, and worth gathering in."

He condensed the essence of their identity into three words: "fun, foodie, friendly," believing they encapsulate the spirit of their community and the soul of their province.

“We are fun, because of our tourist destinations, our cultural heritage, our natural environment, and our people,” Defensor said.

In 2022, according to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI, this southern city ranked as the second top tourist destination in Western Visayas after Boracay Island.

The city welcomed a total of 752,301 tourist arrivals, comprising 734,218 domestic travelers and 18,083 foreign visitors. This figure marks a significant increase compared to the 2021 data recorded post-pandemic, when the city saw 211,914 tourists: 195,941 domestic and 15,973 foreign.

“We definitely know that the past couple of years have been focused on recovery. We found that this is the best time for a lot of businesses to be on their foot again and we can afford it together. We can afford to socialize because

our businesses are on the road,” Albiso said.

When asked about the readiness of Iloilo's local supply and service ecosystem on a global scale, Tan affirmed that "in terms of infrastructure, Iloilo is prepared." With numerous hotels, resorts, and various business establishments throughout the city and province, it is well-equipped to accommodate more travelers.

However, Tan expressed the desire for additional flights to Iloilo to further increase the influx of people to the area.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

One of the notable hotels here in the region is Richmonde Hotel Iloilo (RHI), conveniently situated adjacent to the renowned Festive Walk Mall by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and amidst the business and commercial hubs of Megaworld Corporation’s Iloilo Business Park (IBP).

Within IBP, tourists can discover high-rise condominiums, corporate buildings, a world-class mall and convention center, a museum showcasing contemporary arts and the history of brandy, and public event spaces that regularly host concerts and festivities.

Despite IBP emerging as a tourist hotspot itself, it remains easily accessible to the famous historical attractions and mustvisit destinations for both local and foreign travelers.

However, a premier hotel is essential for any highly recommended tourist destination to provide visitors with a top-notch place to stay while exploring the city. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo fulfills this requirement with its 149 rooms and exceptional amenities.

Since its inception in 2015, it has set a new benchmark in the hotel industry in Western Visayas by offering well-appointed rooms, stylish architecture incorporating design elements that pay homage to the region's history, and genuinely accommodating service that exudes warmth and sincerity.

As the pioneering first-class hotel in Iloilo City, Richmonde Hotel is dedicated to delivering on its promise of comfort, convenience, and renowned Ilonggo hospitality to all its guests. The guest rooms boast the most generous space in the city, starting at 36 sqm, allowing for effortless movement within the relaxing confines of the room.

Various bed types, including king and twin beds, are available, and room options range from the Deluxe Room and Premier Room to the One-Bedroom Suite. Additionally, the hotel offers PWD rooms equipped with facilities and space designed for easy mobility of differently abled guests.

Aside from providing hotel accommodations, this establishment also offers exclusive tour packages such as the Chase the Sunset Room and Cruise Package where tourists can experience the breathtaking colors of the sky as they ride a speedboat while the sun sets over the Iloilo River. The package, catering to groups of ten, costs PhP45,800 nett or PhP4,500 per person.

Included in the package are an overnight stay in deluxe rooms at double occupancy, a breakfast buffet at The Granary, welcome drinks, van transfers from the hotel to The Boat Club and back, and a private charter from The Boat Club to the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait for sunset viewing from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Additionally, guests get to enjoy a charcuterie board and non-alcoholic beverages during the cruise.

Ride the River Room and Cruise Package is another enticing offering which allows guests to admire the illuminating lights of Iloilo at night while enjoying a refreshing boat tour through the city. Priced at PhP43,300 nett or PhP4,330 nett per person, this package is available to groups of ten.

Deluxe room accommodations at twin sharing with breakfast buffet, welcome drinks, and transportation to The Boat Club are also included,

Ilonggo Cuisine Shines

Iloilo City was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a Creative City for Gastronomy. This acknowledgement was based on several criteria, one of which is a well-established gastronomic culture that reflects the unique flavors of the urban center or the surrounding region. Iloilo easily met this criterion as it boasts renowned dishes such as pancit molo, batchoy, and its distinct version of native lechon manok, among other culinary delights. Another criterion set by UNESCO is the presence of a vibrant gastronomic community. If you're new to the province and city of Iloilo and eager to sample their local cuisine, simply ask the Ilonggos for guidance.

They are more than willing to share their knowledge of how these dishes are prepared and provide recommendations to perfectly suit your palate.

Furthermore, to meet the third and fourth criteria, which involve the use of indigenous ingredients in traditional cooking, locals in Iloilo utilize batwan, a native souring agent commonly found in Ilonggo dishes like kansi, among other unique ingredients.

with the night cruise around Iloilo River scheduled from 7 PM to 11 PM.

And if you find yourself hungry after exploring Iloilo, RHI, on the other hand, offers "Lameza Ilonggo," where guests can prearrange an indulgent modern table experience like no other, featuring an innovative tasting menu of delightful Iloilo heritage cuisine.

Belmont Hotel Iloilo Belmont Hotel Iloilo (BHI), soon to be the city's largest hotel, offers accommodation in the heart of Iloilo Business Park. With amenities tailored for the modern traveler on the go, it promises comfort and ergonomic design while embracing the culture of Iloilo. This is showcased through the caricatures of scenes from Iloilo featured on the headboards in the rooms and the art pieces displayed along the hotel halls.

Nonetheless, Megaworld has stated that the hotel is currently undergoing final construction stages, with plans to commence operations in the last quarter of this year.

Situated just a half-hour drive from the airport, it boasts 405 rooms, including a diverse range of suites catering to various preferences, such as Twin, Queen, Junior, Executive, and SpeciallyAbled Suites for PWDs.

The hotel features amenities like a pool, lounge, fitness center with sauna, a function room, and an all-day dining restaurant.

Meanwhile, as they say, a visit to a place wouldn't be complete without tasting its renowned cuisine. Here in Iloilo, every municipality takes pride in its unique food offerings and identity.

When tourists explore each area and try its specialties, they're bound to be drawn back by the unforgettable flavors.

With every bite, you'll recognize that unmistakable Iloilo touch – flavorful, authentic, and truly an identity of the region's culinary heritage.

Ilonggos' Endearing Persona

Perhaps you've also wondered why, for the longest time, they say that Iloilo is "The City of Love."

But one thing that surely strikes a tourist when they first visit the city is the soft-spoken nature of the Ilonggos. It's the kind of gentle speech that draws you in with warmth, even when you know they might be upset, their tone remains soft-spoken.

Their approachable, friendly, and easy-to-talk-to personalities are evident everywhere you go in Iloilo. It's almost like they share one positive characteristic, making Iloilo City truly deserving of its title as the city of love — their culture and the way they handle interactions with others and situations calmly and positively will make tourists fall in love with this city.

RHI Chase the Sunset & Ride the River.

In the heart of Iloilo Business Park, Belmont Hotel Iloilo rises tall, set to become the city's largest hotel. Featuring 405 modern rooms over 12 stories, its sleek design and amenities herald a new era of hospitality, opening in 2024.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

BHI Junior Suite.

BHI Executive Suite - Sleeping Area.

RHI LaMeza Ilonggo.