BusinessMirror December 22, 2022

THE national government’s budget deficit through November declined by 7.2 percent on an annual basis to P1.236 trillion as government revenues continue to rise by doubledigit growth rates.

Latest figures released by the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that the country’s budget deficit from January to November was P96.3 billion lower than the P1.332 trillion recorded a year ago.

e national government’s total revenues during the 11-month period rose by 18.13 percent to P3.277 trillion from last year’s P2.774 trillion. e increase in revenues was driven by the higher tax and non-tax collections during the reference period.

e national government’s tax revenues grew by 17.48 percent year-on-year to P2.959 trillion while non-tax income rose by a fi fth on an annual basis to P317.7 billion.

@lorenzmarasigan

THE management team of PLDT Inc. admitted fault on oversight functions over the P48-billion budget overruns it recently unearthed within the organization, an irregularity that they blame on Typhoon Odette and the pandemic.

One of the analysts who joined the company’s briefi ng for investors and analysts on Wednesday disclosed that PLDT bigwig Manuel V. Pangilinan personally explained, in part, how the company incurred billions of pesos in budget overruns.

“ ey explained the decisions on the capex. e explanation

they gave was the typhoon and the pandemic. ey needed to install broadband to houses quickly due to pressure from Duterte and competitors. Vendors have been installing equipment even before asking approval. So they deploy fi rst even before being budgeted in the capex. at’s the only explanation that I understood,” said an analyst who requested anonymity.

e analyst further explained that they were told that when personnel requested for capex disbursement, the management “did not ask if this was within the budget.”

“ e management acknowledged that they failed to ask. en at the same time, those who requested for the capex did not pro-

THE Marcos Jr. administration will not amend the country’s current rice trade regime, which was liberalized in 2019, according to the Philippines’s official communication to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a statement to the WTO Committee on Agriculture, the Philippines said it is “not considering” any modifications on its current rice trade regime.

“We would like to inform the Committee that the Philippines is not considering modifying its import regime on rice,” Manila said recently.

Manila’s statement was an ac-

tual response to a query raised by Washington regarding publicized proposals or plans by previous Philippine government authorities about reviewing the country’s rice trade regime.

e Philippines liberalized its rice trade regime in March 2019 following the enactment of Republic Act 11203 or the rice trade liberalization (RTL) law.

Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita A. Sombilla said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is conducting a mid-term review of the RTL law to determine its impact on the rice sector after three years.

Sombilla added that a review of the entire RTL law will be conducted in 2024.

“Right now, we don’t see any amendments to the provisions. What we are seeing in terms of the impact of the law has been really positive,” she said in a recent press briefi ng.

Monetary Board member V. Bruce J. Tolentino said the Philippines’s communication to the WTO shows the country’s commitment of “maintaining” its “gains” from the liberalization of its rice trade regime.

“ is is an official affi rmation to the international community that the Philippines will maintain its reform gains in rice trade,” Tolentino told the BM

‘Vaguely worded’ FEDERATION of Free Farmers

(FFF) national manager Raul Q. Montemayor said the Philippines’s statement is “vaguely worded” and does not entirely close the doors on the possibility of amending the RTL law.

Montemayor argued that the national government could still put in place various mechanisms that would allow it to have “better” control over rice imports while keeping the rice tariffication in place.

ese mechanisms, Montemayor said, include restoration of import licensing, strengthening usage of trade remedies such as safeguard duties, tighter import controls to curb smuggling, under-

@sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government said Metro Manila and its surrounding areas will be prioritized under the government’s 6-year mass housing initiative.

Marcos made the announcement during the groundbreaking of the Palayan City Township Housing Project in Nueva Ecija last Wednesday.

“We just started in Metro Manila and around Metro Manila because that is where the greatest

vide anything,” the analyst said.

Pangilinan did not welcome reporters who camped near the analysts’ briefi ng room at the Dusit ani Manila on Wednesday. Security personnel quickly blocked media off inside a makeshift holding room inside the hotel’s gym when PLDT Spokesman Cathy Y. Yang went ahead of Pangilinan.

Shortly after Yang left, reporters were allowed to go out of the hotel gym.

PLDT officials have been mum on the real reason behind the socalled budget overruns.

Friday last week saw PLDT announcing that it had a “budget overrun” of P48 billion, which represents 12.7 percent of its total capital expenditures (capex) spend

of P379 billion over the last four years. e overruns, uncovered through “ongoing internal forensics,” were incurred when PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan was the concurrent president and CEO of the telco titan.

He stepped down in mid-2021 and was replaced by Alfredo S. Panlilio, who was then chief revenue officer and president of subsidiary Smart Communications Inc.

Despite this, the telco highlighted that, as far as initial investigations are concerned, “fraudulent transactions, procurement anomalies, or loss of assets arising from the capex spend” are “not uncovered.”

celebrated the mass after the enthronement. ROY DOMINGO

MARCOS JR.: “That is 1 million homes a year. If we achieve that, that will be a thing in addressing the housing problem of our citizens”

PHL TO WTO: RICE TRADE LIB REGIME STAYS AS IS

valuation and misdeclaration, which he noted is allowed under the WTO rules.

“Congress will still have the prerogative to amend the law. Congress can even restore the import monopoly of [National Food Authority] and NFA will just issue quotas to the private sector to import,” he told the BusinessMirror

“Even if the tariffication is preserved, Congress and/or the Executive can still adopt measures to have a better control over imports,” he added.

The liberalization of the country’s rice trade regime led to a streamlined importation process, with eligible importers only needing to secure a sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) prior to importation.

Since 2019, the Philippines’s rice imports have been steadily increasing and eventually made it the world’s second biggest buyer of the grain.

The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the country’s rice imports this year have breached 3.6 million metric tons, posting a new record volume. (Related story: www.businessmirror.com. ph/2022/12/21/phl-worlds-2ndbiggest-rice-buyer-imports-record3-6mmt/)

DTI backs anti-dumping duties on Viet cement at TC’s behest

By Andrea E. San Juan

facturers support the application accounted for 91 percent of total domestic production or eight cement manufacturers of subject articles in 2020.

This, TC noted, satisfies the domestic industry requirement.

The Tariff body also noted that locally manufactured ordinary Portland cement type 1 is a “like product” to Portland cement type 1 imported from Vietnam.

the existence of a threat of material injury to the domestic industry is “imminent” in the near future.

This, the Tariff body noted, may be indicated by the “significant rate of increase of dumped imports into the Philippines capturing substantial market share; presence of price undercutting; price depression and price suppression during the POI.”

Cooperating with regulators

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), and the Capital Markets Integrity Corp. (CMIC) are separately conducting inquiries on the elevated capex spend and the trading activities on PLDT shares before its disclosure on Friday.

The DTI said, as it endorsed TC’s recommendation, that “definitive anti-dumping duties shall be imposed for a period of five [5] years on imports of Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P originating from Vietnam in accordance with Annex A.”

On October 11, the Trade department said it received the TC’s final report on the formal investigation on the application for imposition of definitive anti-dumping

duty against importation of ordinary Portland cement type 1 and blended cement type 1P from Vietnam.

In accordance with Republic Act 8752 or the Anti-Dumping Act of 1999, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and the World Trade Organization Anti-Dumping Agreement, the tariff body said the production of ordinary Portland cement type 1 and blended cement type 1P by four applicantcompanies and two cement manu-

“Both have similar material composition and production process, fall under the same tariff classification, conform to the chemical and physical requirements of PNS 07:2018, are used for similar applications, and have similar distribution channels,” the TC decision read.

According to the Tariff Commission (TC)’s decision in October, while period of investigation (POI) from 2017 to 2021 shows that domestic industry is not “materially injured” by dumped Ordinary Portland cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P from Vietnam,

The TC’s findings also noted that the existence of threat of material injury can be pointed to the “substantial” available production capacities of Vietnam that can accommodate increasing exports to the Philippines, its top export market. The Tariff body added that the “openness” of the Philippine cement market to the signs of imminent threat to the domestic industry.

Hence, the tariff body has ordered the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of Ordinary Portland cement Type 1 and Blended Cement Type 1P, originating and exported from Vietnam, for a period of five years.

“PLDT has responded to separate requests for clarifications and answers from SEC and PSE, and will continue to respond promptly to any further requests. The company is also gathering all the information requested by CMIC,” PLDT Assistant Corporate Secretary Abner T. Alberto said in a regulatory filing to the local bourse. He further told the stock exchange that PLDT also needs to “understand the range of issues involved and the extent of the matter.”

“Until this information is complete, any announcement would have been premature to the detriment of the public shareholders. Last Friday’s disclosure was done not one day sooner because PLDT needed time to conduct its investigation of the contracts and expenditures involved as well as to meet its major vendors for reconciliation of outstanding amounts and project status. It also needed to identify and indicate in the disclosure its action plan moving forward,” Alberto said in the disclosure.

PLDT SVP and Head of Consumer Business Jeremiah de la Cruz, in a chance interview, said PLDT is “working together as one team” to address the issues.

He declined to give further details, but noted that “it’s business as usual for us at PLDT Home.”

Ex-cadres: No to bringing home Joma’s ashes to PHL for burial

has opposed the alleged “wish” of Jose Ma. Sison’s supporters to bury the top rebel leader in the country.

“We categorically declare

our strongest opposition to the attempts and schemes of cohorts and minions of Joma Sison and the CPP-NPA-NDF to bring his ashes and/remains back to our country,” Sentrong Alyansa Ng Mga Mamamayan Para Sa Bayan (Sambayanan) headed by its Secretary General Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz said in a news statement issued on Wednesday.

He said the people collectively celebrated justice on the passing of Sison, whom he described as an “unrepentant and unremorseful destroyer of our country” and used violence that include armed terrorism.

He added that Sison, who died on Dec. 16 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, presided over the destruction of the Filipino people and of the country for over 50 years through the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Legal Cooperation Cluster Regional Task Force 6-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6-ELCAC) spokesperson Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, echoed Celiz’ sentiments in a separate statement.

“Joma Sison is a fugitive hiding in a foreign land. He died as a wanted criminal,” Gonzales said.

“Joma Sison is not a hero. Joma Sison is a notorious designated terrorist leader. Do we allow the remains of a terrorist leader to be returned to our country? The answer is ‘No.’ Let the fugitive Joma Sison be buried elsewhere,”

he added.

Celiz said former CPP-NPANDF cadres, rebels and organizers who have returned to the fold of the law and are now embracing the life of peace as advocates of security and development and have become partners of the government.

As of this posting, the national government has yet to issue any statement on the matter.

Sison and his wife were arrested in 1976 during the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and were released from detention in 1986 after President Corazon Aquino came to power.

In 1987, Sison went on selfexile in The Netherlands after

11-MO BUDGET GAP DIPS 7.2% ON HIGHER REVENUE

Revenue collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) increased by an annualized rate of 12.56 percent P21.56 billion, while collections by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) expanded by 35.31 percent to P789.2 billion.

Non-tax revenues attributed to the Bureau of the Treasury rose by 22.9 percent to P148.2 billion from P120.6 billion last year.

The national government’s total expenditures during the 11-month period rose by nearly 10 percent to P4.513 trillion from last year’s P4.106 trillion.

In the month of November alone, the national government trimmed its budget deficit by 3.71 percent on an annual basis to

P123.9 billion. The amount was P4.8 billion lower than the P128.7 billion budget deficit recorded in November 2021.

The increase in the national government’s revenues in November outpaced the rise in its expenditures. Total revenues collected by the national government last month rose by 16.57 percent to P331.1 billion from last year’s P284 billion.

Meanwhile, the national government’s expenditures in November rose by 10.24 percent to P455 billion from P412.7 billion during the same month last year.

The BIR’s revenues in November rose by 12.53 percent year-on-year to P237.1 billion while collections by the BOC expanded by 30.74 percent to P75.7 billion.

need is in terms of housing,” Marcos said.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is targeting to construct over 6 million houses by 2028 to help address the country’s housing backlog.

“That is 1 million homes a year. If we achieve that, that will be a thing in addressing the housing problem of our citizens,” Marcos said.

The President said they are coordinating with local government units (LGU) to secure the land for the housing projects.

He noted that many people become informal settlers even if they have jobs or means of livelihood because they lack access to affordable housing.

“This groundbreaking is proof of our ongoing efforts so that millions of Filipinos will have their own homes,” Marcos said.

The 11-hectare Palayan City Township Housing Project is expected to provide 5,100 housing units once completed.

Construction for the project will start in April 2023.

Its first phase, which will cover 2,500 housing units, is seen to be finished in 2024.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has agreed with the Tariff Commission’s recommendation to impose anti-dumping duties for five years on imported cement from Vietnam.

AGROUP of former cadres of the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)

peace talks with the government stalled. Peace talks were on and off until then President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the negotiations in November 2017. The CPP is the political wing of the NPA. PNA

JOSE MA. SISON

By Glen Jacob Jose

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has yet to detect any security threat ahead of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) founding anniversary on December 26.

Right now we are not receiving or monitoring any serious threats, but even if we are not receiving any serious threats, we will not let our guards down, and we will strengthen our security posture even more because we are aware they will continue to carry out attacks,” Col. Rederico “Red” Maranan, PNP public information chief, said at the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Wednesday.

“ The CPP-NPA is always issuing threats every year. The PNP is always ready in such situations before the anniversary we are already on the highest alert—a full alert—and we are ready to thwart them and protect our citizens,” he added in Filipino.

M aranan reiterated that they would not issue any recommendations for a ceasefire or suspension on police operations (SOPO) against communist insurgents this holiday season despite the recent death CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison.

“ We’d rather proceed with continuous law enforcement and public safety operations against violations of law, and maintain an active defense posture against possible terrorist actions and criminal activities,” PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., earlier said.

Maranan also revealed that they are investigating some five personalities who may possibly assume the role, which Sison vacated. Sison passed away in The Netherlands over the weekend.

“ We are looking at personalities, if I am not mistaken around three or five. So far, I am not at liberty to disclose their names, we are still studying it,” he said.

In the past, the country’s security forces had observed a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels during Christmas.

Bill pushes

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

CONGRESS, seen as last resort to untie crippling metropolis traffic gridlocks, was asked to frontload passage of an enabling law creating a nationwide Traffic Enforcement and Management Center to map out “an efficient traffic control and road safety policy.”

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian his Senate Bill 1059 to be known as “An Act Establishing the National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center,” was intended to “build the capacity of traffic enforcers” by providing them with training in areas of traffic management, including traffic engineering, road safety, accident investigation, driver training, post accident management and “understanding violations.”

T he senator stressed the need to strictly enforce a traffic management system for the safety of motorists and passengers and the orderly traffic flow at major roadways, particularly during the Christmas season, citing the surge of people during sale offers in malls.

As filed, Gatchalian’s bill proposes the creation of the the National Traffic Center that shall be attached to the Department of Transportation as the primary training center for all traffic enforcement personnel in the country.

The Nation

PHL concerned over reported SCS land-reclamation activity by China

THE Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has expressed concern over China’s latest reported reclamation activities in some unoccupied features in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).

B loomberg reported Tuesday night that China is constructing on several unoccupied land features in the contested waters, citing warnings from Western officials that these latest activities indicate an “attempt to advance a new status quo, even though it’s too early to know whether China would seek to militarize them.”

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the DFA is checking the veracity of the report with relevant Philippine government agencies.

“The department takes note of the Bloomberg article on reported reclamation activities by China in unoccupied features of the Spratlys. We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s [DOC] undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “We have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate

the contents of this report.”

The DOC, signed by China and the 10 Asean member-nations in 2002, explicitly states that all parties would exercise self-restraint from conducting activities that complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, including “refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features” in the SCS.

China and the 10-member bloc are negotiating a code of conduct, which builds upon and would serve as the upgraded version of the nonbinding DOC.

In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila tacitly denied the allegation and tagged the Bloomberg report as “fake news.”

China is building up several unoccupied land features in the SCS, according to Western officials, an unprecedented move they said was part of Beijing’s long-running effort to strengthen claims to disputed territory in a region critical to global trade.

While China has previously built out disputed reefs, islands and land formations in the area that it had long controlled—and militarized them with ports, runways and other infrastructure—the officials pre -

sented images of what they called the first known instances of a nation doing so on territory it doesn’t already occupy. They warned that Beijing’s latest construction activity indicates an attempt to advance a new status quo, even though it’s too early to know whether China would seek to militarize them.

Fishing fleets that operate as de facto maritime militias under the control of authorities in Beijing have carried out construction activities at four unoccupied features in the

Spratly Islands over the past decade, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive information. Some sand bars and other formations in the area expanded more than 10 times in size in recent years, they said.

The officials said new land formations have appeared above water over the past year at Eldad Reef in the northern Spratlys, with images showing large holes, debris piles and excavator tracks at a site that used to be only partially exposed at high

tide. A 2014 photo of the reef, previously reported to have been taken by the Philippine military, had depicted what the officials said was a Chinese maritime vessel offloading an amphibious hydraulic excavator used in land reclamation projects.

They said similar activities have also taken place at Lankiam Cay, known as Panata Island in the Philippines, where a feature had been reinforced with a new perimeter wall over the course of just a couple of months last year. Other images they presented showed physical changes at both Whitsun Reef and Sandy Cay, where previously submerged features now sit permanently above the high-tide line.

Tensions between China and other claimants in the South China Sea—the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei—have been rising for years as Beijing invested more in naval and coast guard ships to enforce its claims.

T he Spratly Islands, historically tiny and uninhabited, have taken on greater geopolitical significance given they straddle one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and could have military significance, particularly if tensions over Taiwan trigger a regional war. PNA and Bloomberg News

By  Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

AWASTE and pollution watchdog has appealed for public cooperation to lessen the environmental impact of the muchanticipated festive celebration of Christmas and New Year’s Day by reducing unnecessary wastes.

At an event on Wednesday at the San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo, Manila, the EcoWaste Coalition partnered with the Canossa -Tondo Children’s Foundation Inc. to promote practical, creative and eco-friendly ideas to prevent and reduce the massive holiday trash (or “holitrash”) associated with the celebration of Christmas.

D ubbed as “Christmas Saya 2022: Paskong Walang Aksaya,” women and youth from the parish community took part in activities espousing down-to-earth ideas for a greener Christmas such as by reusing waste materials for holiday decorations, creating gifts that come with minimal or zero packaging, and segregating discards into different categories to make waste management safe and easy.

The joyful remembrance of the Christmas story is an opportunity for Christian Filipinos to rediscover the virtue of simplicity as exemplified by the birth of Jesus in a manger,” said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.

Amid the growing threats of throw-away plastic culture to health and the environment, we are reminded to relearn and relive the simplicity

of the Nativity and avoid crass commercialism and wastefulness during Christmas and beyond,” she said.

T he groups urged the public to cut down on crass consumerism and holitrash by making a shopping list to avoid impulse buying and overspending, bringing in their own “bayong” or reusable bags, while refusing plastic or paper bags, and go for ecofriendly products that are minimally packed, durable, and safe, and which can be repaired, reused, recycled or passed on to others.

A mong other measures, they also urged consumers to support local products made or marketed by farmers, persons deprived of liberty, cooperatives, church and civic groups, and consider buying in bulk to reduce the cost per unit, as well as to lessen packaging waste.

A s for Christmas gifts, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the public to choose gifts that come with little or no packaging at all and to give gifts that foster good health and ecological balance such as vegetable seeds, kitchen herbs, flower bulbs, tree saplings, organic personal care and cosmetic products, eco-alternatives to plastics, etc.

T hey further urged gift-givers to refrain from wrapping gifts and to use old magazines, newspapers, fabric scraps or native baskets if wrapping is required.

A lso, the group suggested carefully unwrapping gifts and not to tear them open and to keep gift bags, boxes, bows, ribbons and wrappers for the next gift-giving season, or as materials for school projects.

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

PHILIPPINE Red Cross’s (PRC)

RC143 volunteers across the archipelago have been placed on full alert 24/7 to report information to the PRC’s Operations Center cases of emergencies and hazard events as the nation celebrates the Christmas holiday season, PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

T he PRC said that its 102 chapters nationwide are trained to report and respond to their communities’ needs in case of a medical emergency or disaster.

Habang ang bansa ay nagdiriwang, abala sa paghahanda sa Pasko at Bagong Taon, ang inyong Philippine Red Cross ay walang patid sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo. Ito ay posible dahil sa ating RC143 volunteer system at sa ating state-of-the-art Operations Center,” Gordon said.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza PNA FILE PHOTO

Gordon places all PRC chapters on full alert for Yuletide season

Wage hike may have to wait until ‘23 amid inflation rise–NWPC

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

assessing the socioeconomic conditions because there are a lot of factors that we really have to consider this time,” NWPC Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy told reporters in an interview.

Anniversary dates

SHE noted among the considerations of the RTWPBs for declaring a supervening event are the impacts of a pay increase to employment and the anniversary dates of their wage orders.

dinary increase in petroleum products and basic goods and services for a long period.

A supervening event exempts the RTWPB from the one-year ban in issuing new wage petitions.

A ll of the wage orders issued this year by the 16 wage boards under NWPC, including RTWPBNational Capital Region (NCR), took effect last June.

Pending petition

the Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (KAPATIRAN) to help workers cope with rising inflation, which reached 8 percent last month.

T he RTWPB-NCR is set to meet next month to look into the said petition.  Sy said the wage boards are cautious in granting additional minimum wage hikes since it can contribute to inflation.

much better prepared to provide support for minimum wage earners (MWE) without the need of increasing minimum wage rates unlike in the 2008 Global financial crisis.

During the said crisis, Sy said some regional wage boards declared a supervening event since the government has limited funds that time to help MWEs.

T he National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) are still reviewing the economic indica-

tors in their respective regions, which can help in the determination of a supervening event.

They have to be diligent and at the same time cautious in terms of

Under NWPC rules, RTWPBs can only come out with a new wage order a year after they implemented minimum wage hike unless they declare a supervening event due to unusual economic incidents, such as extraor-

AS of last Monday, Sy said there is currently one pending wage petition in Metro Manila, which was filed ahead of the anniversary date of the previous wage order in the region.

T he petition for P100 daily minimum wage hike was filed by

When you increase it, the effect is massive at the macro level. So we will have to look at that to ensure [economic] growth will continue,” Sy said.

She said this is no longer the case since the government can now afford to provide “targeted intervention” to the vulnerable, such as providing them free rides in public transportation.

Better

prepared NWPC said the government is now

Likewise, she said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has also implemented measures to control inflation.

Education gets ₧27.2-B share in BARMM’s ₧85.3-B ’23 budget

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Parliament approved on Tuesday an P85.3 billion for the region, with education, public works and health getting the priority expenditures for next year.

T he Bangsamoro Parliament approved the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Bill No. 54, known

as the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program for 2023, with the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education getting close to one third of the budget, at P27.2 billion to finance its focus on science and technology, scholarships, improving the madrasah system and supporting “learning continuity” programs.

T he 2023 BARMM budget was approved with 44 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and

zero abstentions.

The budget approval was arrived at following marathon hearings, even as the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management has been deliberating the proposed budgets of all the ministries and agencies since September.

“ The CFBM truly underwent marathon hearings and scrutinized the proposed budgets of all ministries and offices to ensure that the budget is for the Bangsamoro people,” said Member of Parliament Eduard Guerra, chairman of the committee.

Following this approval, we will move forward with the implementation of all projects and programs in the provinces of the region, including the Special Geographic

Area,” he added.

T he budget increased to P85.3 billion in 2023 from P79.8 billion in 2022.

T he Bangsamoro Government allocated P70.1 billion for all of the ministries, agencies, and offices, while P15.2 billion is allotted for Special Purpose Funds.

T he top 10 ministries and offices with the biggest budget allocation were as follows:

Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education-P27.2 billion; Ministry of Public Works— P16.4 billion; Office of the Chief MinisterP5.9 billion; Ministry of Health-P5.8 billion; Bangsamoro Transition Authority—P3.9 billion;

Ministry of Social ServicesP3.07 billion;

Ministry of Interior and Local Government—P2.04 billion;

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform—P1.5 billion; Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy—P666 million; and Ministry of Transportation and Communications—P539 million.

T he MBHTE said it would invest in human resource development, skills training, learning continuity programs and advancing science, technology and innovation through the madaris system.

T he budget also gave higher support to develop “a reliable and resilient infrastructure system” such as

road network development, bridge construction, flood management, water supply, port rehabilitation and other infrastructure programs.

T he BARMM said it would promote social protection and implement the Universal Health Care to improve “the responsiveness and timeliness of social protection in order to reduce vulnerability to economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.”

T he Ministry of Social Services and Development has been allocated P3 billion for next year to ensure that “women, children, senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, indigenous cultural communities, internally displaced persons, and those similarly situated by analogy will be prioritized.”

DICT bares digitalization strategy to hasten connectivity

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

WITH the country’s full digitalization over the next five years projected to cost government an estimated P100 billion, a senior lawmaker on Wednesday said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has assured Congress that it will implement a three-pronged strategy to speed up nationwide connectivity.

CamSur Rep. and Commission on Appointments  (CA) majority leader LRay Villafuerte said Secretary Ivan John

Uy informed legislators during a recent committee hearing by the CA on his designation as DICT secretary that with his department having what he called a “small” outlay of P2.5 billion for digitalization in next year’s proposed national budget, his office is eyeing three strategies to hasten the country’s digital connectivity starting in 2023, in tandem with the private sector and local government units (LGUs), especially those in urban areas.

Villafuerte said it was “about time” for all sectors to work together in hastening nationwide digitalization “because the past DICT secretaries were not really pushing for it.”

Uy told Villafuerte that with his office’s “very limited budget” for the national digitalization program, he will push for a much higher DICT budget for 2024 and onwards so his office can speed up the country’s digitalization plan over the next five years.

But while waiting for his hoped-for higher DICT digitalization outlay starting in 2024, Uy informed lawmakers about his strategies to accelerate the country’s digital switch next year by working separately with the private sector—via possible public-private partnerships (PPPs)—and affluent urban-based LGUs in pursing connectivity projects.

T he DICT’s third strategy, he said, is to prioritize in his department’s limited digitalization budget the funding of connectivity projects in remote communities or geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where digital connectivity would make the  “most profound effect” on the people living in those places.

“And because we got a very small budget [for 2023], we need to spend it very, very prudently and very, very wisely po So what we’re doing, is we are investing actually in the areas that would have the most profound effect on the population, and these are the GIDA areas,” Uy said.

DESPITE soaring inflation, workers may still have to wait until next year to get a possible minimum wage increase since the regional wage boards have yet to declare a “supervening event.”

BuCor chief Catapang readies plunder, torture raps vs Bantag, Zulueta

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is set to file plunder charges against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag in connection with the unfinished P1-billion project for the construction of prison cells intended to address the congestion problem at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and other prison facilities.

BuCor Officer-in-Charge Gregorio Catapang Jr., who took over Bantag’s post after he was suspended for his alleged involvement in the killing veteran radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, claimed that 95 percent of the P1-billion budget for the construction of the prison cells had already been claimed but only 60 percent of the prison cells being built were completed.

Imagine, the budget allotted by the government for the construction of new prison cells is around P1 billion. With that amount, BuCor should have been decongested,” Catapang said in an interview over dzBB.

“Come to think of it, 95 percent of the money had been claimed already, but only 60 percent has been completed. There is even no roof. So how will the PDLs [persons

deprived of liberty] live there if it’s unfinished?” he added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has prioritized the decongestion of prison facilities since he assumed office last July with hundreds of eligible inmates being released every month.

Bantag’s lawyer Rocky Thomas Balisong said his client would answer all charges against him in the proper forum.

“ We will wait for it and answer it in the proper forum,” Balisong stressed.

Catapang also said criminal charges will also be filed against Bantag and in connection with the alleged stabbing of two Bilibid gang leaders identified as Jonathan Caneta and Ronald Usman.

C atapang said charges might be filed against Bantag before the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office on or before Friday.

Hopefully, we can file the case before Friday here at Muntinlupa since the crime happened here,” he said.

Catapang also said they are looking into the claim of an inmate in Leyte that he was also stabbed on the order of former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta following an altercation.

Zulueta is also named as the principal accused in the killings of Lapid and Villamor.

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—Davao del Norte economy rebounded last year from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with its economy pulled up largely by the services sector, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said during its presentation of Provincial Product Accounts.

PSA Davao del Norte Chief Statistical Specialist Pepito Amoyen said the Gross Provincial Domestic Product (GPDP) of Davao del Norte grew by 5.1 percent last year, a quick comeback from the negative 4.5 percent it posted in the previous year.

T he income of the province, likewise, went up from P150.5 billion in 2020 to P158.1 billion in 2021.

Services contributed the highest share at 48.2 percent to the P158.1-billion GPDP, the PSA said.

T he other sectors contributed as well, from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which pitched a share of 31.3 percent and industry by 20.5 percent.

T he provincial information office said the 5.1 percent economic performance of Davao del Norte was one of the two lowest growth rates across the region, however, Davao Oriental posted the lowest growth at 4.6 percent.

Davao de Oro posted the highest increase at 7.4 percent, followed by Davao Occidental, 6.4 percent, Davao City at 6.0 percent and Davao del Sur at 5.5 percent.

T he overall growth rate of Davao Region was 5.9 percent.

D uring the PSA Provincial Product Accounts Davao del Norte Dissemination Forum, PSA Director Randolph Anthony B. Gales urged residents to patronize Davao del Norte products, the tourist destinations of the province, and even the services found within the province.

Gales said the province has indicated a high buying power but he noted that most “are going out of town and spent so much of their money outside of the province.”

He said, “As a much better option, residents must spend their money within the province to help boost economic performance.”

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

ALAWMAKER on Wednesday urged the Senate to place on its priority list the passage of the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHW) to help fill the gap in the delivery of community-based primary health-care services in the country.

D avao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte issued the call following the thirdreading approval of the House of Representatives of its version of the proposed magna carta for BHWs last week. House Bill (HB) 6557, a consolidation of more than 40 similar measures, was transmitted to the Senate on December 14, 2022.

There are at least a dozen bills in the Senate proposing a magna carta for barangay health workers that still need to be reconciled and consolidated into a substitute bill. We hope the Senate would be able to prioritize the passage of its counterpart measure of the magna carta when Congress resumes session next month,” Duterte said.

Duterte said that while the Philippines

has been adopting the community-based health-care strategy for almost four decades now, “the key component of this program—the BHWs—have yet to be properly recognized and granted the pay and benefits they deserve.”

Once the magna carta is enacted into law, Duterte said he expects more people to volunteer their services and train as BHWs given the additional compensation and benefits that they will receive under the measure.

Duterte, who has cited the “heroic role” that barangay health workers play as healthcare frontliners, is among the principal authors of the House-approved version of the magna carta for BHWs.

“

The measure unanimously approved by the House on third and final reading tasks the Department of Health [DOH] to determine the ideal ratio of BHWs to the number of households. The DOH should also ensure that the total number of BHWs nationwide should not be less than 1 percent of the total population or at least one BHW per 20 households. This ratio should help address the lack of primary health-care services in many communities, especially in remote areas,” Duterte said.

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Xi tells Russia’s Medvedev that China wants talks on Ukraine

CHINESE President Xi Jinping told former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that his nation would like to see talks on Ukraine, comments that come as Beijing tries to improve ties with Europe.

Xi told Medvedev in Beijing that his administration has been “actively promoting peace and talks,” according to state broadcaster China Central Television.

“China hopes relevant parties can stay rational and restrained, conduct comprehensive talks, and resolve mutual concerns on security via political methods,” Xi said. Beijing still wants to work with Russia to develop ties, he added.

China has avoided criticizing Russia over the war in Ukraine, blaming the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for Moscow’s actions. Beijing did sign off on a communiqué at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia in November that said “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine,” but continues to refrain from calling it a war.

Since a congress of the ruling Communist Party in October, Xi has been working to prevent already strained relations with the European Union from worsening. Last year, the EU halted an investment agreement with China after both sides traded sanctions over Xinjiang, where the US has accused Beijing of genocide. China denies those allegations. Bloomberg News

US to send $1.8 billion in aid, Patriot battery, to Ukraine

By Lolita C. Baldor & Tara Copp The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—The US will send $1.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine in a massive package that will for the first time include a Patriot missile battery and precision guided bombs for their fighter jets, US officials said Tuesday, as the Biden administration prepares to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington.

US officials described details of the aid on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced. The aid signals an expansion by the US in the kinds of advanced weaponry it will send to Ukraine to bolster the country’s air defenses against what has been an increasing barrage of Russian missile strikes.

The package, which was expected to be announced Wednesday, will include

about $1 billion in weapons from Pentagon stocks and another $800 million in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds weapons, ammunition, training and other assistance, officials said.

Zelenskyy and other Ukraine officials have pressed Western leaders to provide more advanced weapons, including the Patriots, to help their country in its war with Russia. The Patriot would be the most advanced surface-to-air missile system the West has provided to Ukraine to help repel Russian aerial attacks. The timing of the military aid announcement—as Zelenskyy makes his first trip out of Ukraine since the war began—sends a strong message of continued US support for Ukraine as the war drags on.

The aid comes as Congress is poised to approve another $44.9 billion in assistance for Ukraine as part of a massive spending bill. That would ensure that US support will continue next year and beyond as Republicans take control of the House in January. Some GOP lawmakers have expressed wariness about the assistance.

During the quick trip, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Biden at the White House, take questions from the press, and deliver an address before Congress. White House officials said the visit, which will come 10 months after the Russian invasion, is meant to

help underscore Biden’s message that the US will be there for Ukraine for as long as it takes to repel Russian forces.

Biden and Zelenskyy spoke about the possibility of the visit during their Dec. 11 call and the White House formally extended the invitation three days later.

The decision to send the Patriot battery comes despite threats from Russia’s Foreign Ministry that the delivery of the advanced surface-toair missile system would be considered a provocative step and that the Patriot and any crews accompanying it would be a legitimate target for Moscow’s military.

But the White House is pushing back against the notion that delivery of the Patriot amounts to an escalation of US involvement on behalf of Ukraine. A senior administration official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, said that Biden has been clear that his administration would “lean forward” in supporting Ukraine but it is “not seeking to engage in direct war with Russia.”

It’s not clear exactly when the Patriot would arrive on the front lines in Ukraine, since US troops will have to train Ukrainian forces on how to use the high-tech system. The training could take several weeks, and is expected to be done at the Grafenwoehr training area in Germany. To date, all training of Ukraine forces by the US and the West

has taken place in European countries.

Also included in the package will be an undisclosed number of Joint Direct Attack Munitions kits, or JDAMs, officials said. The kits will be used to modify massive bombs by adding tail fins and precision navigation systems so that rather than being simply dropped from a fighter jet onto a target, they can be released and guided to a target.

US fighter and bomber aircraft use the JDAMs, and the Pentagon has been working to modify them so they can be used by Ukraine.

The US so far has been reluctant to provide Ukraine with American fighter jets. Russia has warned the advanced aircraft would be considered provocative, and the US to date has said other weaponry would be a better fit, citing the significant maintenance and training needs for those warplanes.

So instead of providing Ukraine those US aircraft, the Pentagon is helping Kyiv find innovative ways to upgrade its fleet with the same capabilities it would get with a US fighter jet.

The aid package will also include an undisclosed number of rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, thousands of artillery and mortar rounds, trucks, and HARM air-to-surface anti-radiation missiles.

According to officials, the urgent pleadings of Ukrainian leaders and the devastating destruction of the country’s civilian infrastructure, including loss

of electricity and heat during winter, ultimately overcame US reservations about supplying the Patriots.

White House and Pentagon leaders have said consistently that providing Ukraine with additional air defenses is a priority, and Patriot missiles have been under consideration for some time. Officials said that as the winter closed in and the Russian bombardment of civilian infrastructure escalated, that consideration took on increased priority.

US officials had balked at providing the Patriots to Ukraine because they could be considered a escalation that would trigger a response from Moscow. In addition, there were concerns about the significant training that would be required and questions about whether US troops would have been required to operate it. Biden has flatly rejected sending any US combat troops to Ukraine.

One Patriot battery routinely includes up to eight launchers, each of which can hold four missiles. It would be coming from Pentagon training stocks in the US.

The entire system, which includes a phased array radar, a control station, computers and generators, typically requires about 90 soldiers to operate and maintain. However, only three soldiers are needed to actually fire it, according to the Army.

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

Chinese with mild Covid urged to work as restrictions ease

By Dake Kang & Ken Moritsugu Associated Press

BEIJING—Several local governments in China encouraged people with mild cases of Covid-19 to go to work this week, another sign of the difficulty the country

faces as its rollback of virus-containment measures sets off a wave of infections —and a growing number of deaths.

Health authorities reported Tuesday that five people died in the latest 24-hour period, all in Beijing, fueling concern that the toll could rise sharply after the lifting of most “zero-Covid”

restrictions. The official toll likely understates the actual number, and it’s unclear how the unleashing of the virus will play out in China and whether the health care system can handle a surge in cases nationwide.

The city of Guiyang in southern Guizhou province proposed that infected people with little or no symptoms go to work in a range of sectors, including government offices, state-owned companies, medical, health and emergency workers and those in express delivery and supermarkets.

That’s a sea change from just a few weeks ago, when China’s policy was to isolate anyone infected at a hospital or government-run facility. The announcement Tuesday followed similar ones from the cities of Wuhu in Anhui province and Chongqing earlier this week. The moves appear to be in response to worker shortages that have affected medical care and food deliveries.

They also reflect the difficulty officials face in trying to revive an economy that was throttled by pandemic restrictions, and now that they have been lifted, is being slowed by workers falling ill.

China had long hailed its restrictive “zeroCovid” approach of lockdowns, quarantines and compulsory testing as keeping case numbers and deaths relatively low. Yet the policy placed China’s society and the national economy under enormous stress and prompted rare antigovernment protests, apparently convincing the ruling Communist Party to heed outside advice and alter its strategy.

Now, unofficial reports suggest a widespread wave of new coronavirus cases, and relatives of victims and people who work in the funeral business have said deaths tied to Covid-19 are increasing.

Wang Guangfa, a doctor in the Respiratory Department of Peking University First Hospital, warned Beijing will see the peak of severe cases in the next one or two weeks.

“The current wave of infection resembles an epidemic tsunami,” he said in a Q&A piece published online this week. He also said northern China will have a higher rate of severe cases than the southern part because of the cold weather.

As is typical, cases of severe illness and death will be largely concentrated among the elderly or those who haven’t received booster shots of vaccines, said Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies viruses at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India.

China, despite fully vaccinating 90.3 percent of its population, has only given a booster dose to 60.5 percent. China needs to prioritize giving boosters, especially to those over 60, to avoid large numbers of deaths, Kang said.

The National Health Commission said the five newly recorded fatalities had taken the country’s total death toll to 5,242—relatively low by global standards but potentially set to increase substantially following moves by the government to step away from the “zero-Covid” policy.

With people now testing and recuperating at home, China has said it is no longer possible to keep an accurate count of new case numbers, making it substantially more difficult to gauge the state of the current wave of infection and its direction. Some scientific models have estimated numbers will rise with an eventual death toll in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

China is trying to persuade reluctant seniors and others at risk to get vaccinated, apparently with only moderate success. Vaccination centers visited over recent days have been largely empty and there has been no major publicity drive in the entirely state-controlled media.

The other major concern is shoring up health resources in smaller cities and the vast rural hinterland ahead of January’s Lunar New Year travel rush, which will see migrant workers returning to their hometowns.

Numbers of fever clinics have been expanded in both urban and rural areas and people have been asked to stay home unless seriously ill to preserve resources. Hospitals are also running short on staff, and reports say workers have been asked to return to their posts as long as they aren’t feverish.

Case and death counts in every country are thought to underestimate the true toll of the virus, but there are particular concerns in China.

Chinese health authorities count only those who died directly from Covid-19, excluding deaths blamed on underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease that raise risks of serious illness.

In many other countries, guidelines stipulate that any death where the coronavirus is a factor or contributor is counted as a Covid-19 related.

MoritsugureportedfromHongKong.Associated PressjournalistsOliviaZhanginBeijing,Aniruddha Ghosal in New Delhi and Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan,contributedtothisstory.

The

Agriculture/Commodities

Govt to tap MAV scheme for sugar imports

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fast-track the importation of 64,050 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar through the minimum access volume (MAV) mechanism to further “stabilize” sugar prices that have remained elevated.

In a memorandum order (MO) dated December 20, Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said Marcos, who is concurrently the agriculture chief, is “concerned” about the “very high” inflation rate of sugar.

He noted that the annual inflation rate of sugars, confectionery and desserts in November reached 38 percent.

Concerned about this very high inflation rate, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, has ordered the Department to take action to stabilize sugar prices,” Panganiban said in MO 77 addressed to Jocelyn A. Salvador, the OIC Executive Director of the MAV Secretariat.

Panganiban told Salvador to “immediately” convene the MAV Advisory Council (MAV-AC) and “expedite” the importation of the additional supply of refined sugar.

T he MAV-AC is a body of 10 private sector representatives tasked to advise the MAV Management Committee (MMC) on all matters concerning MAVs such as allocation

of quotas.

However, any recommendations made by the MAV-AC can be approved or overturned by the MMC, an inter-agency body chaired by the agriculture secretary.

Marcos’ directives came on the heels of the arrival of the 150,000 metric tons of sugar under the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) import program.

MAV-AC meeting

THE BusinessMirror learned that the MAV-AC convened on December 21 but it failed to arrive at a final decision or recommendation on the matter.

M AV-AC members, who requested anonymity, told the BusinessMirror that they might convene again since the representative of the sugar millers sector would present its position paper about the proposed importation program.

T he members of the MAV-AC come from the hog sector, poultry sector, grains sector, sugar sector, other MAV products sector, nonmeat processing sector, meat pro -

cessing sector, commercial food service sectors, consumers sector and the National Agriculture Fishery Councils. The MAV-AC is chaired by an agriculture official with the rank of at least assistant secretary.

M AV-AC members said they were “surprised” that they were asked to convene and discuss the proposed sugar importation since all matters related to sugar, including the commodity’s MAV, are governed by the SRA.

T he members noted that it has been the MAV-AC’s practice not to tackle any sugar importation programs, be it through MAV or outside MAV, given the SRA’s jurisdiction over the matter. Sugar imports are regulated by the SRA

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

TO help farmers achieve scale and capture more of the value-added from their produce, a lawmaker is pushing for the passage of the proposed Farmer Coopetition Act.

Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman filed House Bill (HB) 230 or the “Farmer Coopetition Act,” seeking to require cooperation among competing farmer associations and cooperatives, or “coopetition,” through place-based clustering and establishing a fully equipped multipurpose hub.

T he bill is pending before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Food

THAILAND, the world’s biggest rice exporter after India, is on track to ship the highest volume in four years as importing countries boost purchases to replenish stockpiles and keep a lid on food inflation.

Exports will probably climb to 8 million tons this year as a weak currency boosts competitiveness and countries such as China look to rebuild inventories before the Lunar New Year holidays, said Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of Thai Rice Exporters Association. Shipments could hold at a similar level through next year, he said.

Prices of essential foods such as wheat and cooking oils hit a record this year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine throttled Black Sea supplies. That sparked a wave of food protectionism as governments curbed exports to cool prices. One country to do this was top rice shipper India, opening the door for Thailand.

R ice is a staple for half the world, and while wheat soared to its highest ever in March, rice was relatively subdued, helping to constrain food

Roman, chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality said the so-called “coopetition” hubs provide a venue for produce sourcing by major buyers like the government and the retailers, cutting out the middleman.

T he hubs open up the possibility of direct marketing for rice and related products to retailers and consumers; manufacturing of rice products by farmers; and shared rice processing and storage facilities.

At present, the government extends farming assistance through competing farmer organizations, but farmlands are underutilized because not every farmer organization receives government assistance.

“ We are an agricultural country with a population of over 100

million of which about 10 million—or 24 percent of the total national employment—are rice farmers. Sadly, over 34 percent of our rice farmers are poor. They struggle to make less than P200 a day,” Roman said.

“Low income prevents our rice farmers from supporting their families, accessing and paying farm loans, and growing rice production. It has dampened interest in farming, forcing rice farmers and their children to seek other employment and sell their farmlands to industrialists, threatening our rice industry and food security.”

Roman said HB 230 will require cooperation among associations in managing multi-purpose hubs suitably equipped to help farmers cap -

through the issuance of import licensing permits.

Sugar imports within the MAV are levied with a 50-percent tariff while shipments outside MAV are slapped with a 65-percent tariff.

However, sugar imports from Asean member-states are slapped a 5-percent tariff. The Philippines sources over 95 percent of its imported sugar from Thailand, an Asean member-state.

‘Disastrous’

THE United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) on Wednesday expressed its opposition to the proposed import program, saying it would be “disastrous” to the local sugar industry,

as sugarcane harvest has entered the peak season.

“ We are at the peak of harvest and we have abundant stocks of raw and refined sugar. As such we see no need to import sugar at this time,” UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said.

We are appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to halt this importation of refined sugar through the minimum access volume mechanism until the results of a post-assessment of sugar stocks after the end of the milling season [is] conducted.”

L amata pointed out that they are not against any sugar importation as long as it is “properly timed.”

“ Millgate prices of sugar have

gone down and if this further goes down with the entry of imported sugar, the sugar farmers will be facing a double whammy.”

L amata claimed that high retail prices of sugar is not due to the lack of supply but is more of a retail trade issue.

For Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) President Danilo V. Fausto, the decision of Marcos to approve a new round of refined sugar importation is “necessary” to temper high sugar prices.

We need it to bring down the price of sugar. It is necessary. Like we told the President, if it is really necessary to bridge the supply, then let’s import as long as we import what is only needed,” Fausto said. “Hopefully [the additional stocks] would bring down the price.”

L atest SRA data showed that raw sugar production as of December 11 rose by 24 percent on an annual basis to 662,471 MT, bringing total supply to nearly 800,000 MT since the start of the current crop year.

SRA data showed that the current physical sugar inventory nationwide is at 237,737.4 MT, about 7 percent lower than last year’s 254,783.36 MT. Meanwhile, the production of refined sugar went up by 36.36 percent an annual basis.

Total refined sugar production as of December 11 reached 248,024.10 MT while total physical refined sugar stocks, including earlier imports, stood at 203,704.8 MT. The current refined sugar inventory of the country is 56.66 percent higher than last year’s 130,032.75 MT.

T he average retail price of raw sugar in Metro Manila markets is at P86.32 per kilogram while refined sugar averaged P100.10 per kg.

ture more value from their harvest.

T he lawmaker noted that the low farmgate price of unhusked rice is due to increased competition from cheaper rice imports resulting from the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) enacted to liberalize rice imports to fill the local rice shortage.

At present, the government extends farming assistance such as machinery, loans, and training through competing farmer organizations, but farmlands are underutilized because not every farmer organization receives government farming assistance,” Roman said.

L ocal farmers sell mainly to rice traders and wholesalers or millers who are known to increasingly buy imported rice or directly import

rice to avoid incurring overhead for processing and distributing rice to retailers.

A lso, the National Food Authority is unable to fulfill its legal mandate to buy rice from rice farmers at reasonable prices due to lack of resources. The high cost of rice production is attributable to notable increases in prices of fertilizers, which are imported, and the high price of diesel needed for farm irrigation systems, according to the lawmaker.

“However, to have the opportunity to test, address and mitigate any risks that may arise during implementation, and refine the proposed solution before expanding it elsewhere, this bill proposes piloting it in my own district.”

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced on Wednesday the turnover of hauling trucks to two agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) based in Malungon, Sarangani.

T he move aims to help the farmers’ organizations in delivering their agricultural products to trading centers in the province.

said. “The weak baht and our lower prices this year boosted our competitiveness,” he said, referring to the Thai currency.

Indonesian purchases

ESTIMATED exports this year of 8 million tons are higher than the target of 7.5 million tons, which would already be a jump of about 20 percent from 2021. The largest single buyer this year is Iraq, which has accounted for 1.5 million tons, according to Chookiat. The Middle Eastern country stopped importing Thai rice after 2013 due to quality concerns, and only resumed last year.

inflation in Asia. People in some countries, such as Indonesia, may have shifted away from expensive wheat to cheaper rice in a bid to keep food costs under control.

Benchmark rice in Asia hit a high this year of $468 a ton in May and a low of $410 in July. Those prices

compare with more than $1,000 a ton during a food crisis in 2008, according to data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

T hailand benefited this year from India’s move to limit shipments, and also from Iraq’s return to the market, Chookiat said in an interview. Thai-

land’s strong rice exports reflected global food security fears, and lower production in top growers like India, which accounts for almost 40 percent of international trade.

“Countries have been importing more rice to build stockpiles and keep domestic prices down,” Chookiat

Indonesia is one of the countries buying foreign rice to increase stockpiles and cap inflation. State-owned Bulog is importing the grain for the first time since 2018, with 200,000 tons coming from Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and Myanmar. The US Department of Agriculture sees Indonesian demand helping to lift Thai exports to 8.5 million tons in 2023, and has increased its estimate for this year to 7.9 million tons on strong demand from Iraq.

T he trucks were given to the Alkikan Vegetable Growers Association and Datal Batong Farmers Association in line with the objective of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to boost the livelihood of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) nationwide.

C enon S. Original, OIC-Provincial Agrarian Reform Program officer II, said the hauling trucks, with a total cost of P1.04 million, were provided under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (EPAHPP) and Linking Smallholder Farmers to Market with Microfinance (LinkSFarMM) projects.

These two hauling trucks will benefit our ARBs, the vegetable farmers, and their surrounding barangays in transporting their farm produces,” he said.

Original said DAR has been involving the younger generations of the ARBs in various activities of the organizations for them to continue the legacy of farming of their elders.

EPAHPP is a government initiative addressing food security, hunger, and poverty problems through the cooperation and convergence of essential services of various government agencies.

inflation fears send Thai rice exports to 4-year high

Solon pushes bill seeking to eliminate middlemen from food trade Sarangani farmers’ groups get hauling truck from govt

BLOOMBERG NEWS

editorial

Asean’s war against human trafficking

After drug dealing, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world. the International Labour Organization’s latest report —Global estimates of Modern Slavery—said 50 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021. Of these victims, 28 million were in forced labor and 22 million were trapped in forced marriage.

The number of people in modern slavery has risen significantly in the last five years. The report said 10 million more people were in modern slavery in 2021 compared to 2016 global estimates. Women and children remain disproportionately vulnerable. Modern slavery occurs in almost every country in the world, and cuts across ethnic, cultural and religious lines. More than half (52 percent) of all forced labor and a quarter of all forced marriages can be found in upper-middle income or high-income countries.

The most common types of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage. Forced labor, also known as involuntary servitude, is the biggest sector of trafficking in the world, according to the US State Department.

Criminal groups are now using social media to recruit victims who are lured by false promises of high-paying jobs. In Asia, victims’ groups have cited Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar as key trafficking destinations.

Chinese criminal syndicates have been accused of trafficking tens of thousands of Asians into all three countries where the victims are forced to work an array of fraudulent online activities. These include romance scams, entrapment through video calls and secret recordings of lewd acts, credit card scams, phishing, and fraudulent financial offers.

In March, a group of 35 NGOs urged the Cambodian government to urgently address “a crisis of forced labor, slavery and torture” after warnings were issued by five Asian embassies. In July, the United States dropped Cambodia to Tier 3, the lowest rank on the US human trafficking index, for its failure to deal with the issue.

The Department of Migrant Workers early this month said it has rescued and assisted over 90 Filipino workers who are victims of human trafficking in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. DMW Secretary Susan Ople said assistance has been provided to the victims, which includes psychosocial counseling, financial assistance, and the filing of cases against their recruiters in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier exposed this racket where Filipino workers are promised jobs in Thailand, but were instead transported to Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone or Yatai New City in Myanmar to become “crypto scammers” under an alleged Chinese syndicate.

Ople said most of the recruitment for the illegal scheme is done online by attracting the victims to work as call center agents in “techno parks” located in Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia.

Based on her conversation with the victims, Ople said the so-called “techno parks” are located in remote areas. The victims are brought to a small airport in northern Thailand, and then they go on an eight-hour journey to cross the border to Myanmar. Ople said coordination is ongoing with relevant agencies to rescue those who still need help.

Support groups responsible for victims of human trafficking are urging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to intervene in the affairs of its member states in a bid to end the scourge of human trafficking, which has flourished throughout this year. For starters, they want an Asean Desk established in Malaysia, staffed by police from each of the 10 Asean members to collect and share information, crack down on syndicates, stop people from traveling abroad for fake jobs, and apply pressure on governments to act.

A united effort is needed among Asean members to fight human trafficking because the impact of this deplorable crime goes beyond individual victims—it undermines the safety and security of all nations it touches.

Welcome to the Happy New Year

blown Panic Cycle.

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Merry Christmas and Happy New year. I am going on my holiday vacation, but I will be back in plenty of time for the year of Hell.”

This has been an interesting year. Here are the bookends to 2022 so far. “January 10—The first successful heart transplant from a pig to a human patient occurs in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.” Both the pig—obviously—and the man died. December 19, 2022: “Elon Musk polled Twitter on whether he should step down as CEO. Most voters said yes.” Musk pays $44 billion of his own money and then says he will step down as the boss if his customers want him to.

Another set of bookends. January 3, 2022 (Reuters): “Brent crude settled up $1.20 at $78.98 a barrel.” December 19, 2022 (Reuters): “Brent crude gained 76 cents to settle at $79.80 a barrel.”

You cannot ignore the cycles and you cannot fight them. The Philippines has a general cycle of typhoons

from April to December. The peak of the typhoon season is July through October, when nearly 70 percent of all typhoons develop. The most severe typhoons usually occur in August and September.

That is the weather cycle that has been going on since forever. Notice the language: “average,” “general,” “nearly”, and “usually”. But the cycle is clear and consistent. On April 20, 2023, a total solar eclipse—the only one in 2023—will cross South/ East Asia, Australia, Indian Ocean, and Antarctica. A total solar eclipse will occur on Friday, May 20, 2050, across the extreme South/West Pacific Ocean. It is highly unlikely that I will live to see it, but it will happen. Cycles.

We entered a new economic/political cycle wave last March and this will change again next April to a full-

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, said last month that a “mild recession” will not reduce inflation. If true, then it is an admission that inflation was made by Covid lockdowns that disrupted the supply chain and unleashed shortages. Well, if not a “mild” recession then she must mean a strong recession.

The ECB has forced banks to repay their loans, withdrawing 300 billion euros from the banking system in a desperate effort to stop inflation. That did not work. Euro Area inflation is 10.1 percent.

Here is the reality that western governments and central banks are faced with: Inflation or recession.

When you are buying eggs at a historically high price, up 78 percent in a year, and the payment on your home variable rate mortgage increased 25 percent while you are working a full-time and a part-time job, you might tend to panic. If you lose one of those jobs but your president tells you not to worry because gasoline is almost the same price as a year ago, you might tend to panic.

If you live in the EU and the average energy bill increased by 90 percent since October 2021, defending Ukraine from Russia that your government made sure you had to buy oil and natural gas from, you might

tend to panic. December 16, 2022 (Euronews): “Thousands of protesters rallied against rising inflation and called for higher wages in several European cities. Backed by several unions, crowds of people marched in Brussels, London and across Italy and France.”

Bad government economic policies lead to political chaos, which leads to more bad government economic policies in order to hold onto power, which leads to economic chaos and eventually the start of a major Panic Cycle. Welcome to 2023.

Western governments thought that keeping people at home for a few months at most that then turned into a year and a half (in the US arguing politics and which identity-group was most oppressed on SocMed), would give them time to fix the economic problems. But spending billions to keep the peasants away from their torches and pitchforks and for electing the “correct leaders,” created a slingshot price inflation effect from the supply chain disruptions that apparently were a complete surprise. Inflation or recession, or both. Welcome to the Year from Hell.

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

Tens of thousands wait at border for asylum limits to end

By Morgan Lee, Giovanna Dell’orto & Rebecca Santana The Associated Press

eL PASO, texas—Migrants along the US border with Mexico sought shelter from the cold early Wednesday as restrictions that prevented many from seeking asylum in the US remained in place beyond their anticipated end.

The US government asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday not to lift the limits before Christmas, in a filing a day after Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary order to keep the pandemic-era restrictions in place. Before Roberts issued that order, they had been slated to expire Wednesday.

Just after midnight, when Title 42 was supposed to be lifted, all was quiet on the banks of Rio Grande in El Paso where the Texas National Guard was posted. Hundreds of migrants had gathered by the concertina wire put up by the Texas National Guard but left earlier in the evening after being told by US officials to go to a gate to be processed in small groups.

First Sergeant Suzanne Ringle said one woman went into labor in the crowd on the riverbank and was assisted by Border Patrol agents. She added many children were among the crowd.

In the Mexican city of Juarez, across the border from El Paso, hun-

dreds of migrants remained in line hoping that the restrictions would be lifted and they would be let through.

In Tijuana, which has an estimated 5,000 migrants staying in more than 30 shelters and many more renting rooms and apartments, the border was quiet Tuesday night as word spread among would-be asylum seekers that nothing had changed. Layered, razor-topped walls rising 30 feet along the border with San Diego make the area daunting for illegal crossings.

Under the restrictions, officials have expelled asylum-seekers inside the United States 2.5 million times, and turned away most people who requested asylum at the border, on grounds of preventing the spread of Covid-19 under a public health rule called Title 42. Both US and international law guarantee the right to claim asylum.

The federal government also asked the Supreme Court to reject a last-minute effort by a group of conservative-leaning states to maintain

the measure. It acknowledged that ending the restrictions will likely lead to “disruption and a temporary increase in unlawful border crossings,” but said the solution is not to extend the rule indefinitely.

With the decision on what comes next going down to the wire, pressure is building in communities along both sides of the US-Mexico border.

In El Paso, Democratic Mayor Oscar Leeser warned that shelters across the border in Ciudad Juárez were packed to capacity, with an estimated 20,000 migrants prepared to cross into the US.

At one point late Tuesday, some migrants were allowed to enter in batches through a gate in the border wall between two bridges that connect downtown El Paso with Ciudad Juarez, which is not uncommon at this spot on the border. Word that the gate was opening sent hundreds of people scrambling along the concrete banks of the Rio Grande, leaving smoldering campfires behind.

The city rushed to expand its ability to accommodate more migrants by converting large buildings into shelters, as the Red Cross brings in 10,000 cots. Local officials also hope to relieve pressure on shelters by chartering buses to other large cities in Texas or nearby states, bringing migrants a step closer to relatives

and sponsors in coordination with nonprofit groups.

“We will continue to be prepared for whatever is coming through,” Leeser said.

Texas National Guard members, deployed by the state to El Paso this week, used razor wire to cordon off a gap in the border fence along a bank of the Rio Grande that became a popular crossing point for migrants who waded through shallow waters to approach immigration officials in recent days. They used a loudspeaker to announce in Spanish that it’s illegal to cross there.

Texas said it was sending 400 National Guard personnel to the border city after local officials declared a state of emergency. Leeser said the declaration was aimed largely at protecting vulnerable migrants, while a statement from the Texas National Guard said the deployment included forces used to “repel and turn-back illegal immigrants.”

In San Diego, a sense of normalcy returned to the nation’s busiest border crossing despite uncertainty leading up to Roberts’ decision. The San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce said it learned from US Customs and Border Protection that the more modern, western half of the airportsized pedestrian crossing would See “Tens” A13

John Mangun

Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

The new wonder of Boracay

Since my hometown, Tagbilaran city, is 15 minutes drive from the shorelines of the fabulous Panglao beaches, i had not really visited Boracay for many years now.

Visiting Boracay lately greeted us with a new sense of wonder about how “good can still be better”—and that magic has taken place after the government closed the island for six months and liberated it from “the curse of civilization.”

For a while, greed for profit, sloth and plain unsanitary habits converted into a virtual “cesspool” what was once the “magic of an island” whose long pristine white beach and sparkling blue waters are a balm to a soul especially in the afternoon “sunset” view, a taste of heaven on earth.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte sent his DENR secretary as his cop to clean up the mess. Secretary Roy Cimatu is a former AFP chief of staff, who may be soft-spoken but can be as hard as nails if he wants to. Strong-willed as a bull, and against the wishes and angry resistance of some capitalists and LGU officials in Boracay, the government cleaned up and brought back Boracay to its original splendor.

The sewage and solid waste management were restored and illegal pipes spilling dirty sewage into the seas were cut off. The use of plastic was banned and cleanliness strictly observed on the sand and seas. No more disturbing the sand with crazy sandcastles and stuff, no more peddlers of what-not on the shores, and unsightly massage activities blocking one’s path. No more stray dogs and their unwanted feces and piss.

No more hustlers annoying tourists, no more thugs posing as Good Samaritans.

At least in the Station One area, the best affordable and scenic area, no more people and men and women in various stages of undress—smoking grass, cigars and sniffing shabu. No more loud, irritating music and gyrating folks as if they owned the place.

Most importantly, the heretoforedocked bancas were told to get lost and all establishments were asked to observe the “25 plus 5 meters easement rule” of structures from the shoreline. “Do it yourself or we will demolish you” was the barking order. Some big fish were not spared: national boxer Manny Pacquiao’s resort on an island was closed, and so were the houses of prominent politicians near Diniwid Beach and Station Zero.

The government widened the streets by implementing easement rules for the establishments, and built new pavements for pedestrians. E-trikes, which can carry five people, now practically rule the roads —noiseless, pollutant-free and with courteous drivers with names emblazoned at the back of their tee shirts

with registered numbers.

Stations Two and Three are meant to serve specific markets, while Zero is where the superprime hotels sprawl. Boracay has preserved its diving sites and water sports galore in the open seas.

The mountains are still an option to trek. And the subdued relaxing music and dancing all stop at 10 p.m.—the better to sleep earlier or get a hotel massage and get ready for the next active day.

There is a great variety of food and shopping places to choose from. And one walks through Boracay now feeling so safe, clean, and at peace with the world. No overpricing and haggling with creatures with bad intentions.

No wonder, if one visits Boracay today, it will only make one yearn to come back for more. There are just too many other islands to hop, visit and swim. The Caticlan to Boracay transfer is now smooth as silk, unlike before. On the other side of Boracay lies the great New Coast area —planted with many high structures and edifices developed by Megaworld for those who want a detached quiet rest from the bustling Boracay crowd and just descend to the beaches when they feel like it.

Boracay then, Bohol next. This seems to be the anthem in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco’s model for the Alona Beach area, a similar but shorter stretch of white sand in Panglao, when she visited the place recently. Alona Beach is what Boracay was before the clean-up—a definite eyesore amid an otherwise resplendent beach sand and sea. A huge budget will be set up for this specific purpose.

After Panglao, all other similarly situated tourist beaches in the country should copy many of Boracay’s bold steps to make their island paradise oh-so-inviting to tourists. And then some.

This way we can reclaim our title as a nation with one of the world’s most exciting and cleanest beaches for tourists.

Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant and media practitioner. He is a Life and media member of Finex. His views here, however, are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex and BusinessMirror Dejarescobingo@yahoo. com)

reopen to US-bound travelers Wednesday at 6 a.m. The lanes, which lead to an upscale outlet mall, have been closed to almost all migrants since early 2020 to accommodate Title 42 processing.

The reopening comes “just in time for last-minute shoppers, visiting family members and those working during the holidays,” the chamber wrote to members. It said it didn’t know when the area would reopen to travelers going to Mexico from the United States.

Immigration advocates have said that the Title 42 restrictions, imposed under provisions of a 1944 health law, go against American and international obligations to people fleeing to the US to escape persecution, and that the pretext is outdated as coronavirus treatments improve. They sued to end the use of Title 42; a federal judge sided with them in November and set the Dec. 21 deadline.

Conservative-leaning states appealed to the Supreme Court, argu-

ing that an increased numbers of migrants would take a toll on public services such as law enforcement and health care and warned of an “unprecedented calamity” at the southern border. They said the federal government has no plan to deal with an increase in migrants.

The federal government opposed the appeal, and told the court Tuesday that it has marshaled more resources to the southern border in preparation for the end of Title 42. That includes more Border Patrol processing coordinators, more surveillance and increased security at ports of entry, according to President Joe Biden’s administration.

About 23,000 agents are currently deployed to the southern border, according to the White House.

“The solution to that immigration problem cannot be to extend indefinitely a public-health measure that all now acknowledge has outlived its public-health justification,” the Biden administration wrote in its brief to the Supreme Court. Santana reported from Washington, D.C. Juan Lozano in Houston and Alicia Fernández in Ciudad Juárez contributed to this report.

BusinessMirror

Labor Code silent on the rights of the most numerous

Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo

LABOREM EXERCENS

The 1987 constitution firmly recognizes and supports the rights of all workers. Section 3 of Article Xiii (Social Justice and human Rights) of the charter is unequivocal:

“The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.

“It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self‑organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peace‑ ful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of ten‑ ure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision‑making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.”

There are no exceptions mentioned in the above clauses. All workers are entitled to the same rights. In fact, the foregoing provisions of the Constitution are fully aligned with the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which declares that—

“Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organiza‑ tion and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.” (Article 22).

And yet, the existing labor law system is bizarre. The Labor Code is silent on the rights of the most numerous: the informal workers.

According to Dr. Emily Cabegin of the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations, 82-83 percent of the workforce are “informal workers” (Cabegin, E., “The Informal Labor Carries the Brunt of a Covid19-induced Economic Recession”,

UP CIDS Policy Brief 2022-01). The informal workers are workers engaged in activities “not covered or insufficiently covered by formal arrangements”, including protective labor laws. They belong to the large informal or “unorganized” sector of the economy often referred to as the “informal sector”. Examples abound: unpaid family workers, home-based workers, ambulant peddlers, jeepney and tricycle drivers, small-scale miners, agricultural tenants and laborers, street/sidewalk vendors, unregistered service workers (mostly on call), fishery workers and so on.

The informals include wage workers in the organized sector of the economy who are not fully covered or insufficiently protected by labor legislation because they have no formal employment contracts or are excluded from the list of the so-called “regular” or “permanent” paid workers. They include the seasonal workers, those hired under the “pakiao” system, the “endos” and, yes, the “job-order” workers in government (who are excluded from the Civil Service rules).

Why is the Labor Code silent on the rights of the most numerous workers?

The quick answer: the Labor Code, promulgated in 1974 or nearly half a century ago, is strongly focused on the rights of the regular paid workers in the formal or organized sector of the economy. These rights are spelled out or defined in Book III to Book VI of the Code.

Book III sets the legal standards for hours of work, rest periods, overtime pay, holiday pay, minimum wage and protection for women workers. Book IV deals with the health and

The informals include wage workers in the organized sector of the economy who are not fully covered or insufficiently protected by labor legislation because they have no formal employment contracts or are excluded from the list of the so-called “regular” or “permanent” paid workers.

safety of workers, including medicare and workers’ compensation for risks and accidents. Book V defines the rights of workers to form unions, bargain collectively and seek remedies for violations of their rights through various modes of dispute settlement (i.e., grievance machinery, conciliation-mediation, compulsory arbitration and voluntary arbitration). Book VI is often called the “termination” book because this chapter of the Code distinguishes what are the “authorized” and “just” causes for employee discipline and termination. Book VI also outlines the “due process” in termination or separation cases.

The country’s labor standard and labor relations laws, reflected in the above Books of the Labor Code, exclude the informals. These laws were developed under the heavy influence of the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition, or put simply, based on the American/ European industrial relations experience. The US-European labor laws are products of the industrial revolution of the 20th century, which saw the rise of big industries and the need to define the rules of engagement between and among the three actors: employers, unions and governments.

The exclusion of the informals from the labor law system under the Labor Code is compounded by their exclusion from the Social Security System. Yes, the SSS is open to the enrolment of the self-employed and other informals. However, these informals find SSS membership expensive given their marginal and erratic incomes and the lack of counterpart employer contributions that are enjoyed by the regular paid workers.

Now how should our policy makers respond to this legal aberration: a

Labor Code in the service of a minority of workers? No, there is no need to pull down or erode the rights of this minority. What is needed is to pull up or recognize the rights of the others, who happen to be the most numerous. The Labor Code should be overhauled and should serve as an instrument for the protection, development and well-being of ALL WORKERS.

In this regard, a number of legislators in the House led by Reps. Dan Fernandez and Raymond Mendoza have a pending bill aptly called “Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy” or MCWIE. This bill seeks to provide social protection for all workers, government subsidy for informals’ contributions to the Social Security System, security of informals in work places (especially against evictions and demolitions), and, most importantly, legal recognition of the informal workers’ organizations through a system of accreditation involving the LGUs. Can the informal workers’ organizations undertake collective negotiations like the trade unions in factories? With whom? India’s Self-Employed Women Association or SEWA, a labor union with 2.2 million informal workers as members, explains how. Bargain or negotiate on housing, education, employment, social protection and so on “with institutions that cannot run away”, meaning LGUs and national government agencies.

But will our legislators pass the MCWIE bill with the same zeal they gave to the Maharlika bill? Note that the original MCWIE proposal was filed as far back as the 13th Congress, in 2004 or nearly two decades ago. It was re-filed in the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th Congresses. Will it be different under the 19th Congress? Will the Senators and Representatives of the 19th Congress make right what is obviously an anomaly: missing rights for the most numerous under the Labor Code of the Philippines?

Policy, climate, war make 2022 ‘pivot year’ for clean energy

By Sibi Arasu | The Associated Press

BenGALURU, india—For renewable energy companies in india, it’s a good time to be in business.

One of india’s largest renewable energy firms, Renew Power, will be among the corporations big and small hoping for a piece of a $2.6 billion government scheme that encourages the domestic manufacturing of components required to produce solar energy. it’s the biggest such incentive in india’s history.

Renew Power’s CEO Sumant Sinha said the government funds for clean energy send “a strong signal” that the country wants “to become a manufacturing location for renewable energy equipment and a global alternative to China eventually.”

“We are excited to be a part of this journey,” he said.

The company has over 100 clean energy projects across India and has become the world’s tenth largest solar and wind energy company in just over a decade.

Other major governments around the world have been green lighting ambitious renewable energy policies this past year that aim for major expansions of wind and solar energies, along with development of technologies like carbon capture, which captures carbon dioxide, a central cause of climate change, and stores it in the ground. Some of the policies also include tax credits to buy electric vehicles, heat pumps or energy efficient materials for construction.

The United States signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, the most ambitious climate legislation in US history, the European parliament passed the REPower EU plan to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the transition to clean energy and China announced ambitious schemes to enable the country to meet its 2030 clean energy goals five years ahead

of schedule.

Experts say the task is now to build on this momentum in 2023, strengthen energy grid infrastructure and resolve backend issues which slow down the distribution and transmission of clean energy.

“From an energy perspective, 2022 will go down as a pivot year. For the first time, we have discernible proof that fossil fuel demand after 200 years of growth had reached a peak in 2019 and we are now bumping along a plateau before an inevitable decline,” said Kingsmill Bond, an energy strategist at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a clean energy non-profit group.

RMI’s research has found that global energy demand grew by around six additional exajoules in 2022—enough energy for around 6 million transatlantic flights. This is less than usual year-on-year growth as energy use is getting more efficient, the report said. Solar and wind supply growth this year was also calculated to be about six exajoules.

Bond added that the price of clean energy was getting closer to that of fossil fuels and in some cases it was cheaper.

A report by the International Energy Agency said that oil prices rose well above $100 per barrel in mid2022 and high gas and coal prices accounted for electricity cost hikes around the world. But increased use

Other major governments around the world have been green lighting ambitious renewable energy policies this past year that aim for major expansions of wind and solar energies, along with development of technologies like carbon capture, which captures carbon dioxide, a central cause of climate change, and stores it in the ground. Some of the policies also include tax credits to buy electric vehicles, heat pumps or energy efficient materials for construction.

of clean energy saved Asian countries, including China and India, a total of $34 billion in the past year, a separate report found.

Energy analysts say that the global energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and increasing climate threats such as the disastrous floods in Pakistan have accelerated the clean energy policies and big tickets investments that are needed to transition to renewable energy, especially wind and solar energy, around the world.

The sudden lack of access to fossil fuels and supply chain crunches were also other key reasons for the aggressive tilt towards cleaner energy. For example, Russia’s sale of gas to Europe was reduced to a trickle.

The invasion “had the effect of making it apparent that clean energy is the solution,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, a lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Despite the positive momentum towards clean energy, there were some pitfalls too.

“Knee jerk reactions saw some places shift back to fossil fuels even if

it’s at a higher price to the taxpayer,” said Vibhuti Garg, a New Delhi-based energy economist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

India’s coal production increased by about 17% from April to November 2022. Bangladesh increased its imports of natural gas and went ahead with opening thermal powerplants in the country. Germany, a strong advocate of clean energy, turned to coal and oil to address its short term power needs.

“It was a good year for renewable energy but sadly, not a bad year for fossil fuels either,” Garg added.

But spurred by momentum from previous years the clean energy sector worldwide nevertheless took off this year.

“You know, 20 years ago, renewables became the cleanest forms of energy and then in the last few years, renewables become the cheapest form of energy,” said Dave Jones, an energy analyst at London-based environmental think-tank, Ember.

“Only this year, they’ve become the most secure form of energy.”

Another report by the IEA said that developments in 2022 triggered unprecedented momentum behind renewables, with the world set to add as much renewable power in the next five years as it did in the past 20.

“There is still a lot that needs to be done but I think 2022 will be remembered as the year in which for the first time, renewables have ticked all the boxes,” Jones said.

There’s acknowledgement from those in the sector that more work needs to be done to overcome the scale of the transition.

Sinha of Renew Power hopes that government policies in 2023 focus on dealing with the bottlenecks that prevent clean energy growth.

Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo is a Professor Emeritus of the University of the Philippines. For comments, please write to reneofreneo@gmail.com.

Finex Free enTerpriSe

Zoilo ‘Bingo’ Dejaresco iii

BOI investment approvals up 11%, mostly in RE, ICT sectors

By Andrea E. San Juan

tion of electric vehicle—the Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

A s to the source of investments, 57 percent came from Singapore, 22 percent from Japan, 7 percent from the United Kingdom, 3 percent from the United States, 2 percent from Virgin Islands, and 2 percent from South Korea.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual noted that BOI’s investment approval levels signal continuing strong confidence by businessmen in the Philippine economy despite the global headwinds.

scribed as “very strategic” and “fully aligned with the direction that DTI Secretary and BOI Chair Fred Pascual had set.”

R odolfo, the BOI managing head, added, “Thus, you can see the clustering of Projects in the area of Renewable Energy, in Data Centers, in Telco Towers, and in Electric Vehicles.”

Moving forward, Rodolfo said the investment promotion agency is targeting P1 trillion investments for 2023.

DOF, FIRB ASKED TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR BPO WFH BID

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means is appealing to the Department of Finance and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) to extend the deadline for business process outsourcing companies to submit requirements for shifting from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to the Board of Investments, so that they can keep their tax incentives under the CREATE law “and retain work-from-home jobs.”

C iting PEZA, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said only about 41 percent of them made it to submitting their requirements on time.

I n terms of sectors, the investment promotion agency said growth drivers were Renewable Energy, with 56-percent share in the total investments recorded. This was followed by Information and Communication, particularly in data centers and telecommunications towers, with 28 percent.

A ccording to the attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), other sectors that contributed to the

investment approvals for the year were the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), manufacturing, mass housing, and transportation sectors which includes storage including logistics and cold chain facilities.

A side from the above-mentioned sectors, the investment promotion agency said the investments also include projects related to electric vehicles (EVs) particularly 1,000 charging stations and the opera -

The 2022 BOI Approval levels clearly indicate that despite the lingering effects of the Pandemic especially in the first half of the year, coupled with global decline in investments due to the RussiaUkraine War, investors continue to have strong confidence in the Philippine economy,” Pascual told reporters at a media briefing on Wednesday.

For his part, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo put the spotlight on the composition of the approved investment projects, which he de -

We have a healthy pipeline of strong leads, including those generated and further confirmed through investment missions by the [Trade] Secretary and through the presidential visits by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Rodolfo said.

T he Trade chief added, “we also have investment leads that are looking to take advantage of our fullimplementation of game-changing reform legislations in the area of Public Utilities, Retail trade, and Tech Start-ups.”

I n January to December 2021, the BOI said it approved P655.4 billion worth of investments.

S alceda is proposing that the deadline be extended to January 31, “as many compliance and audit personnel and companies might be on vacation.”

Some 640 firms have not yet submitted their requirements. That means, they have to stop work-from-home and return fully onsite, or they will lose their tax incentives,” he said.

PEZA also needs more time, because they have so far been able to process around 70 percent and endorse them to the BOI,” Salceda added. Companies only had around three months since the September issuance of the FIRB resolution allowing the shift from

PEZA to BOI, said Salceda.  Protecting work-from-home jobs is important. It’s good for reducing traffic. It’s good for solo parents and those who need to care for other at home. It also equalizes opportunities between those living in the cities and those in rural or suburban areas like Albay,” he added.

The work-from-home option is also a significant draw in for companies who may want to recruit from a more diverse talent pool. They can recruit from anywhere in the country. And recruitment in the BPO sector is tough. Retention costs are significant,” the lawmaker said.

S alceda added that “keeping the work-from-home option is also a cost-competitiveness measure. God knows we need that relief, given increased power costs and the many holidays that employers need to pay for.”

S alceda also asked the PEZA to expedite the remaining applications still bound for submission from the PEZA to the BOI.

I am requesting the PEZA to complete submitting full applications to the BOI by the end of this month, if the deadline is not extended,” he said.

“ It is vital that the companies that have completed their applications for transfer start 2023 on a solid footing of tax certainty,” Salceda added.

Presidential veto clears way for change in tourism slogan

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

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday cleared the way for the Department of Tourism (DOT) to change the Philippines’s tourism branding slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” despite the agency’s piddling P3.5billion budget for 2023.

In his veto message for the P5.3trillion national budget for 2023 dated December 16, 2022, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said, “I likewise veto the proviso, ‘in no case shall the appropriations be utilized to change the tourism campaign slogan,’ under Department of Tourism (DOT)-OSEC, Special Provision No. 4, ‘Branding Campaign Program,’ Volume I-B, page 313, inasmuch as it intends to limit the exercise of the functions of the Executive Branch in implementing RA No. 9593 (The Tourism Act of 2009).

Under the same law, the DOT is mandated to be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing, and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestic and international. It is tasked to promote tourism as an engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth in the country.”

Marcos vetoes 3 items in 2023 budget law

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has vetoed three

“illegal” provisions of the newly signed 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

I n a statement on Wednesday, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) disclosed that the President scrapped the “special provision” of the 2023 national budget on the “use of income” of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

T he NLRC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, which has a quasijudicial function and is tasked to resolve cases involving labor and

management disputes.

T he President maintained there is no existing law allowing NLRC to use its income, thus, its revenues should be deposited with the National Treasury or in any duly authorized government depository.

Section 66 of PD No. 1445 and Section 45, Chapter 5, Book VI of EO No. 292 prescribe that receipts shall be recorded as income of Special, Fiduciary or Trust Funds or Funds other than the General Fund only when authorized by law,” Marcos said.

He also noted that the agency’s

fund requirements are already provided for in the 2023 GAA.

M arcos also junked the 2023 GAA provision allowing the Department of Education (DepEd)Office of the Secretary (OSEC) to create a “Revolving Fund of DepEd TV.”

A s in the case of NLRC, he noted there is no law allowing DepEd to create such fund.

I n its website, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said revolving funds are derived from rentals for the use of buildings, facilities, or from fees imposed for board and lodging by

national government agencies for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlay requirements.

D epEd TV is not a “businesstype activity” of the DepEd, which may qualify for revolving funds, according to Marcos.

T he last vetoed provision of the 2023 GAA is on the prohibition for the Department of Tourism (DOT)-OSEC from using its fund appropriation to change the tourism campaign slogan.

T he President signed the P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget last Friday. Samuel P. Medenilla

I n separate statements, a lawmaker and tourism stakeholders urged the DOT to retain the “fun” branding slogan, to conserve financial resources and maintain a consistent message to attract tourists.

S enator Nancy Binay, chair of the Committee on Tourism in the Senate, said, “We respect the President’s power and prerogative to veto. Having been sidelined by the pandemic, we recognize the need to kickstart the tourism industry and push our persuasive power to sell the Philippines.”

She added, “We appreciate the promotions initiative of the DOT, but rebranding and marketing can be very costly considering that the DOT would be spending in millions of US dollars by just changing the slogan, not to mention the printing of marketing collaterals, global quad-media advertising placements, international and local sponsorships, travel and trade shows, and

other below-the-line campaigns.”

B inay, who sponsored the DOT’s 2023 budget during Senate deliberations, said: “It is our commitment to equip the DOT with the necessary marketing tools, and provide essential funds to support its programs. But given the country’s financial challenges, changing to a new slogan at this time may not be a compelling argument. As much as possible, we don’t want potential tourists to be confused with constantly changing messages every time they watch our new ads on television and social media. We still hope that the DOT considers deferring its plan to ‘rebrand’ and replace the ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’ campaign.”

For Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III, “The stakeholders, on multiple occasions, and based on our regional consultations, have already made it clear that we prefer to keep the current slogan, as it has been effective in promoting tourism to the country, and we find it needless to change it.”

He added, “‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ captures the spirit of Filipinos, of ensuring all guests are welcome and enjoy their stay in the country. Our hospitality, famous throughout the world, provides the ‘fun’ in every tourist’s visit.” Under RA 9593, the TCP is mandated to represent tourism stakeholders nationwide.

T he slogan was launched in 2012 under the term of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., and has since gone on to win several major international advertising and tourism awards. Even during the pandemic, the DOT tweaked the slogan but kept the image and text of the “fun” visitor experience.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco early on in her term expressed preference to change the tourism slogan to reflect the heritage and culture of Filipinos. During initial deliberations on the DOT’s 2023 budget, Frasco promised Binay and Senator Koko Pimentel they will retain the “fun” slogan.

T he DOT and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board, however, have not been using any “fun” branding campaigns in the international travel trade events they have been attending so far.

THE Board of Investments (BOI) said it has approved P729 billion worth of investments from January to December 2022,  an 11-percent increase compared to the same period in 2021.

WHO’S NEXT JOMA? Supporters of Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Prof. Jose Maria ”Joma” Sison are seen on Tuesday, December 20, as they prepare the banners and flowers for the tribute and vigil for Sison at UP Diliman in Quezon City. Sison died after two weeks in the hospital in The Netherlands, where he had been in exile for over three decades. Security authorities say they are still monitoring possible successors for Sison, even as they saw no palpable threat from communist rebels any time soon. Story in Nation, A3. NONOY LACZA

Local firms told to join ILP to help prevent outages

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

The Manila electric Co. (Meralco) and the Department of energy (DOe) are urging more companies to enroll in the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to help ensure the availability of sufficient electricity, especially during the hot dry season of 2023.

energy Director of the electric Power Industry Management Bureau Irma C. exconde said the government expects challenges in 2023, given the delays in the completion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.

“We are already preparing for the contingencies for next year because of the challenges faced by the power sector,” exconde said.

h e nce, the DO e and Meralco “encourage more companies across different industries to join the government’s ILP, which can help prevent power interruptions whenever the grid is placed on Red Alert.”

“Big companies, malls, hotels, buildings either have their own gensets that can run, or reduce their

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

The two participating car manufacturers (PCMs) in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program have produced over 200,000 units, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).

BOI Managing head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that the production of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) and Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) reached 207,165 units.

Rodolfo said Toyota accounted for a chunk of the figure at 134,242 units, while Mitsubishi produced 72,923 units.

Mitsubishi enrolled the Mirage G4 while Toyota enrolled its Vios model in the CARS program. The said program mandates a minimum production goal of 200,000 units for a maximum of six years, or the life span of the particular model enrolled.

According to the BOI, Mitsubishi started its production in February 2018 while Toyota started in July 2018.

The investment promotion agency said Mitsubishi employed 35,606 people, while Toyota created 74,353 jobs, including those in parts making and the provision of ancillary services.

According to the BOI, Mitsubishi has six participating parts makers (PPMs). Toyota also has six PPMs. The agency noted, however, that the

operations, so we can avoid brownouts. This is so that small businesses and residential users can still continue with their day-to-day activities without any power interruptions,” Meralco VP and head for enterprise and National Government Ma. Cecilia M. Domingo said.

The ILP is a voluntary and demand-side management program which calls on big-load customers to temporarily de-load from the grid and use their own generating units or reduce their operations instead when there is insufficient power supply.

“We aim to recruit more ILP participants and increase the available de-loading capacity under ILP,” Domingo added, noting that these will play as very important contingency measures for next year’s summer months.

Since 2014, ILP in the Meralco franchise area has been implemented 26 times. Since then, the program has successfully spared as many as

1.8 million households from power interruptions.

Meralco Lead Specialist for Generation and Transmission economics Ma. Leticia Sapina said the support of ILP participants has proven to be “very instrumental” in ensuring continuity of electricity supply in Meralco’s franchise area.

As of December 21, the total capacity available for de-loading in Meralco’s area is 563.89 megawatts (MW) from 267 participating accounts.

Besides promoting the ILP, Meralco and DOe are also calling on the public to continue practicing energy efficiency and conservation measures.

“The DOe has come out publicly to say that we are not endorsing any energy-saving device. If you want to save on electricity, you practice energy efficiency, you do conservation. Nothing beats that,” Patrick Aquino, DOe Director of the energy Utilization Management Bureau, said.

San Miguel beefs up personnel in tollways

AFORM e R executive at troubled crypto lender BlockFi has taken a role at Alphabet Inc.’s Google to work on Web3.

Rishi Ramchandani, who was BlockFi’s vice president for Asia from June 2020 through this month, is stepping in as APAC Web3 Lead at Google, according to his LinkedIn profile as well as a post on the social-media site from Mitesh Agarwal, a managing director at Google focusing on its cloud service customers, partner engineering and a Web3-related effort.

Google Cloud aims to enable the Web3 ecosystem—which encompasses companies looking to build new web uses and applications on blockchain technology—by supporting development, transactions, storage and deployment of new products, a spokesperson said via email last month. Its customers include top cryptocurrency and Web3-related outfits including Coinbase Global Inc., Dapper Labs Inc., Sky Mavis Inc., Nansen and h e dera, the spokesperson said. Bloomberg News

INV e S TORS ready to turn the page on the worst year for equities since the global financial crisis should brace for more pain heading into 2023.

That’s the blunt message from top strategists at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and others, who are warning that stocks face fresh declines in the first half as corporate earnings succumb to weaker economic growth and still sky-high inflation, and central banks remain staunchly hawkish.

The second half will mark a recovery once the Federal Reserve stops hiking rates, they say — but it’s likely to be a muted rebound that will still leave stocks only moderately higher than at the end of 2022.

“The risks that stock markets grappled with this year aren’t over and that makes me nervous about the outlook, particularly in the first half,” Mislav Matejka, global equity strategist at JPMorgan Chase & Co., said in an interview.

The average target of 22 strategists canvassed by Bloomberg has the S&P 500 ending next year at 4,078 points—about 7 percent

car manufacturers have three common PPMs.

The agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry said investments in the CARS program have reached P9.6 billion. It has also resulted in $1.01-billion foreign exchange savings.

Net government revenues amounted to P18.77 billion based on a six-year model life, according to the agency.

While talks on the extension of CARS program are ongoing, the BOI said the program generated “new capabilities” in big volume parts particularly in the body shell and in large plastics, which the agency said is a “key contributor” to the high import logistics cost of complete knockdown (CKD) manufacturing.

The CARS program is a government stimulus program that aims to revive the country’s declining manufacturing sector by specifically targeting the automotive industry, given its strong linkages to other industries and its so-called multiplier effect.

Both car manufacturers are expected to deliver its commitments under the program by 2024. In August, however, TMP First Vice President and Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) President Rommel R. Gutierrez said the CARS program has to be extended until 2027 so it can achieve the objectives of the program.

Rodolfo said last November that the BOI is “closely working with the industry on a CARS extension.”

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) said on Wednesday it expects holiday traffic to peak this week, prompting it to deploy traffic management processes to reduce the impact of heavy vehicle volumes.

SMC said it has deployed additional traffic management personnel at all its tollways—the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon e x pressway (SL e X ), the Skyway System, NAIA e x pressway, and the TarlacPangasinan-La Union e x pressway (TPL e X )—to provide roadside assistance to motorists, and help manage the flow of vehicles at exit points.

“Traffic buildup and congestion at our expressways, ports, and airports is something we all expect at this time of the year, especially as restrictions have fully eased. We appeal to our motorists for their patience and understanding as we anticipate heavy traffic,” SMC President Ramon S. Ang said in a statement.

h e also advised motorists to “plan their trips ahead to avoid lengthy delays.”

accounts are topped up, to prevent any delays to you and others.”

Aside from the deployment of additional personnel, Ang said that its recently-launched “Seamless Southern Tollways” initiative is also part of its preparations for the holiday rush.

The program cuts down toll stops for motorists headed south via the Skyway System, SL e X , and STAR from five to just two--their entry and exit points--and turns the Calamba, SL e X Greenfield, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas toll plazas into pass-through lanes, reducing potential traffic chokepoints.

higher than current levels. The most optimistic forecast is for a 24 percent increase, while the bearish view sees it slumping 11 percent. In e u rope, a similar survey of 14 strategists projected average gains of about 5 percent for the Stoxx 600.

The cautious central case reflects the mountain of challenges from monetary tightening to the war in Ukraine and eu rope’s energy crisis. The first of those has already helped quench a recent stock rally.

even the better news on inflation has come with a big caveat because it hasn’t swayed central banks from their focus on getting it under control. h awkish tones from both the Fed and the eu ropean Central Bank last week sparked sharp equity declines, and reminded investors that timing the long-awaited policy shift won’t be simple.

If that message wasn’t getting through already, the Bank of Japan hammered it home on Tuesday with a shock tweak to its bondyield policy.

JPMorgan’s team expects the S&P 500 to fall back toward the

lows seen in 2022 before a pivot by the Fed fuels a second-half rebound that will leave it about 10 percent higher than current levels. At its worst point this year, in October, the index had slumped 25 percent to 3,577 points.

Top money managers are also predicting a rocky start to 2023, with gains to be skewed to the latter half, according to a Bloomberg News survey published this month.

For those taking an optimistic view, they can point to the resilience of the US economy, a slower pace of interest-rate increases and China’s reopening from strict Covid lockdowns.

But despite all that, one of the main consensus views among strategists is that stock markets aren’t yet reflecting a generally downbeat economic outlook.

Christian Mueller-Glissmann and Cecilia Mariotti at Goldman Sachs said late last month that their model implies a 39 percent probability of a US growth slowdown in the next 12 months, but risk assets were only pricing in an 11 percent chance. Bloomberg News

“What would be a big help is if we all plan our trips well ahead, and leave earlier to allot more time for travel, especially if you are catching a flight or scheduled bus trips. For motorists, we also suggest to please make sure your vehicles are in good condition, and that your electronic toll collection

“We implemented the Seamless Southern Tollways initiative so motorists will no longer need to make as many stops and can fully enjoy seamless travel along Skyway, SL e X , and STAR. We started implementation last December 1, so that motorists can start feeling its benefits during the busy Christmas season. SMC Infrastructure had been working to complete the program since early this year, and we’re glad to report that so far, feedback on the initiative has been very positive,” said Ang.

In another development, Ang announced that it will be waiving the toll at STAR, SL e X , Skyway, NAIAX, and TPL e X between December 24 and December 25, as well as from December 31 to January 1. Lorenz S. Marasigan

BusinessMirror file photo

Banking&Finance

SEC moves all payments channel offsite to online

By VG Cabuag @villygc

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving its payment channels online and offsite by February 1, as it continues to implement a zero face-toface transaction policy.

In a notice dated December 14, the SEC said all payments will be accepted only through the Electronic System for Payments to the SEC (eSPAYSEC) at www.espaysec@sec.gov.ph or at any branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines nationwide.

The cashier’s office located at the SEC in Makati City and at all SEC Extension of fices will be closed by then. The Commission will only accept over-the-counter transactions until January 31, 2023.

The shift to online payments is in line with the zero-contact policy and automation of business-related transactions mandated by Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018).

Launched on March 1, 2021, the eSPAYSEC is a web-based system that allows for the payment of fees and penalties to the SEC online using debit and credit cards, digital wallets and other cashless payment options. To proceed, clients only need to enter the reference number provided in the Payment Assessment Form

issued by the SEC, select a payment option, then provide the required information. o n ce the payment goes through, the system will generate an electronic official receipt, which clients will likewise receive through email.

The public may pay through the eSPAYSEC using debit and credit cards powered by Visa, Mastercard and JCB, as well as digital wallets GCash and Maya, for a minimal convenience fee.

The SEC also recently signed a deal with Landbank that will allow payments for SEC-related transactions to be made through its on line Collection facility in all 609 branches nationwide.

“The shift to online and offsite payments furthers our unwavering commitment to ensuring the transparent and efficient management of our funds, as transaction fees and any other amounts that we collect will directly be deposited to and immediately be reflected on the Commission’s accounts,” SEC chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.

“This also complements the transacting public’s pivot to cashless transactions and the national government’s push for the digital transformation of public services to improve ease of doing business in the Philippines, as in the case of the SEC.”

Pru Life Insurance Corp. of UK Chief Customer and Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga received the trophy from the global GMBHorganized “Global Business Magazine Awards 2022” for “Best Life Insurance Company-Philippines.”

The company was recognized for its innovative and inclusive products, community investment initiatives and agency workforce empowerment. Photo courtesy of Pru Life insurance corP of uK

Law controlling tobacco goods seen to aid govt regain income

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

large-scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage when it involves sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish and cruciferous vegetables.

“The approval of House Bill 3917 is a welcome development in this time that the country is in much need of revenues due to a somehow cash trapped economy,” Jesus Arranza, chairman of FPI and head of FIT, was quoted in a statement as saying.

Arranza estimated that the government loses at least P24.75 billion in revenues annually due to smuggled cigarettes in the country.

amount of illicit cigarettes is as high as 74 percent of total sticks sold,” he said.

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading HB 3917 recently with 225 affirmative votes and no dissenting vote.

HB 3917 modified the provisions on jail term and penalties providing that violators face an imprison term of 30 to 40 years and a fine twice the fair value and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other unpaid charges of smuggled items.

The Fight Illicit Trade (FIT) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) lauded the third and final reading approval by the House of Representatives on House Bill (HB) 3917.

HB 3917 seeks to recognize cigarettes and other tobacco-related products as commodities covered by the Republic Act (RA) 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. At present, RA 10845 only covers

Citing Euromonitor figures, Arranza added there are about 9 billion cigarette sticks smuggled in the country annually. Bulk of the smuggled cigarettes are found and openly sold in Mindanao, he said.

“In Lanao Del Norte alone the

FIT also urged the government to intensify its efforts against illicit trade in general as the country loses P250 billion in revenues annually.

Arranza emphasized that smuggling has nearly or totally killed local industries citing the case of glass manufacturing, textile, steel, tire, palm oil, among others.

ABA maintains dividend policy with strong profit Private sector financing of biodiversity stressed

ABAC oR E Capital Holdings Inc. (PSE:ABA) is set to continue paying dividends of not less than 10 percent per year to investors, with the Board of Directors’s decision affirming the company’ strong financial performance.

The dividends for the succeeding periods will come from ABA’s unrestricted earnings as confirmed by its external auditor. These dividends may also come from subscription receivables that will be paid to ABA.

This year, ABA has paid dividends to its shareholders consisting of a 1-centavo cash dividend and 0.0009 share in Philippine Regional Investment Development Corp. (Pride)—a subsidiary of ABA that provides financial services such as advisory, asset management and underwriting. The dividend was paid to shareholders of record as of June 28.

“The Board’s decision is a testament to ABA’s commitment to provide shareholders’ the returns on investment that they deserve,” ABA President, Chairman, and CEo Raul B. De Mesa said. “We believe this decision, together with the growth initiatives we are pursuing, will reinforce our shareholders’ confidence in us.”

So far this year, ABA has an-

nounced a number of growth initiatives throughout the key sectors it operates in. Recently, Pride entered into an agreement with Highsource Prime Building Inc. to undertake various projects at the Monte Maria Shrine in Batangas such as a 4-star hotel, a land and water amusement park, and residential and commercial establishments.

In mining, ABA is one step closer to executing its agreement with or iental Vision Mining Philippines Inc. (oRVI) as it received regulatory approval from the National Commission on Indigenous People. Under the agreement, ABA will receive royalty fees should oRVI find coal and other minerals in its assets in Surigao del Sur.

ot her growth initiatives ABA is continuing to execute include leveraging its 330-hectare land bank as a gateway to Batangas for local and foreign investors and developing ABA Energy Hub in Batangas.

“our growth initiatives are anchored with our shareholders’ interests in mind to affirm the sentiment ABA is a company with great potential,” De Mesa said. “Keeping this in mind, we are motivated to pursue ventures for the benefit of ABA and its shareholders.”

GSIS set to launch housing program for gov’t workers

randum of understanding with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) last Wednesday. The MoU aims to help provide housing for over six million families nationwide.

However, Veloso said they are still firming up the structure. Still, he said this will be approved by the GSIS Board in January.

Veloso made the announcement following the signing of a memo-

The MoU provides modes by which participating GFIs may support the government’s housing initiatives—by formulating or enhancing their own housing programs and developing housing projects and giving options to both the private sector and government employees

to obtain ownership or rights to developed housing units.

Under the program, the award of the housing units will be in the form of lease rights for a maximum of 100 years. This means that the awardees will have the right to use and enjoy the housing unit as residence by paying only the monthly rental.

The sale of rights will only be granted to first time homebuyers, Pag-IBIG Fund members and minimum wage earners.

Veloso said this arrangement pro-

vides a safety net to unscrupulous individuals.

“GSIS will adopt the same for government employees the allocation for which will be based on the breakdown of our sectoral membership,” the GSIS chief was quoted in the statement as saying.

Aside from the GSIS, other signatories to the MoU included the Home Development Mutual Fund, the Social Security System, the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Philippines continues to advance and explore new ways to unlock finance for conservation and climate action through private sector investment.

This was disclosed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Y. Loyzaga, underscoring the importance of private-sector collaboration in measures to protect and restore biodiversity.

Loyzaga, head of the Philippine delegation to the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, served as one of the panelists in Conservation International’s event, “Innovations for a Nature Positive and Net Zero Future.”

In that event held last December 14, the designated representative of President Ferdinand Romualdez R. Marcos Jr. said that traditional public sources of funding for biodiversity conservation are not sufficient. Loyzaga said this is the nexus that the private sector must be in.

The Philippine delegation is composed of officials from the Philippine Embassy in ottawa, Permanent Mission to the UN, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and experts from civil society.

Loyzaga said the Philippines is focused on two general ways to encourage and enable private sector investment in addressing the biodiversity financing gap: adoption of a systemic, risk-based and whole-ofsociety approach; and the creation of a sustainable finance ecosystem.

A systemic, risk-based and wholeof-society approach underlines that biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development are inextrica-

bly linked, she said.

According to Loyzaga, more than 50 percent of global gross domestic product is linked directly to nature, but public sector funds support over 80 percent of annual spending.

“This challenge must be owned by all of us,” she said. “Each stakeholder —the whole of government, private sector, philanthropies, academia, non-government organizations and communities—needs to contribute to our sustained action.”

ESG goals

LoY ZAGA said the Philippines is moving to institutionalize environmental social and governance (ESG) goals and operations and reporting through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Currently, ESG reporting is voluntary in the Philippines.

This as the DENR chief bared that the Philippines is now espousing direct targeted engagement to develop partnerships with the private sector for ESG goals and operations.

Loyzaga said debt-for-nature agreements are being implemented. She added that the offset agreements with Conservation International and Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) are being finalized to enable the identification and valuation of natural resources and ecosystem services. This in turn will provide P&G opportunities to reach its net-zero goal by 2050.

As for the construction of a sustainable finance ecosystem, Loyzaga shared that the Department of Finance (DoF) has already established a Sustainable Finance Roadmap.

This, she said, strengthened the synergies between the DoF, the SEC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in enabling private financial institutions to issue green, development and social bonds and support projects that contribute to the just energy transition.

Global sales of ethical debt set to suffer first drop as high rates deter borrowers

THE gold rush for greener debt may be over.

Global sales of ethical debt are set to suffer their first drop this year, as volatility and higher rates deter borrowers. Next year may see a slight recovery, yet arrangers and analysts aren’t predicting a return to the exponential growth of the past decade that turned a fringe concept into a $5.6 trillion asset class.

There’s plenty of factors that risk holding it back now, from growing regulation in Europe and a political backlash against ESG in the US, to greater scrutiny from buyers and bankers needing more time to get deals done. That’s taken the market from commanding a so-called “greenium” to

underperforming conventional debt. “We expect greenwashing concerns and higher rates to continue to be headwinds to overall supply and to keep the amount below 2021’s highwater mark,” said Carolyn L Campbell, a strategist at Morgan Stanley.

While Morgan Stanley and Barclays Plc predict just under $1 trillion of global ESG bond sales in 2023, many market watchers seem to be holding back on forecasts, after uncertainty in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Global sales of ESG and green bonds have reached about $870 billion this year, a 15% drop on the bumper $1.1 trillion sold in 2021, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data.

Challenges in Europe

EU RoPE where ESG bonds now make up a quarter of the primary market, is expected to continue to lead the sector with around €350 billion ($372 billion) in sales. Yet even here, there are challenges.

There’s been a decline in postpandemic social spending by governments, while a looming recession and an energy crisis mean policy makers may prioritize national security and financial liquidity over long term sustainability, said Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Christopher Ratti and Remus Negoita in a report.

Governments and agency sales will only post mild growth, while

issuance from another key sector— financial institutions—will lose “some steam” given an anticipated slowdown in general lending, according to ING Groep NV strategists including Nadege Tillier.

“For 2023 a stabilization is likely,” said Stephan Kippe, head of ESG research at Commerzbank AG, of the euro ESG market. “Growth in this market segment seems unlikely though, absent any surprising events like a potential decision by the EU or member states to use social bonds as a means to finance energy cost support measures.”

Regulators getting tougher REGULAT o R S are also getting

tougher as they seek to prevent greenwashing, after companies from Tesco Plc to Chanel have come under fire for setting soft goals when selling debt. Lawmakers want to extend voluntary standards so that climate transition plans are mandatory for all issuers. That’s already drawn an industry warning that it could hurt sales.

“Its potential effects to sustainable bond market activity and Europe’s clear leadership position thereof have not been properly scrutinised,” said the International Capital Market Association. “Listing of sustainable bonds in the EU may be particularly impacted.”

In the US, the market is also feel-

ing the heat from politicians—but in this case, Republican officials who are sharply critical of ESG investing as a concept. Intense scrutiny may delay or hurt sales, according to BNP Paribas SA, the biggest arranger of green bonds globally this year.

“Most corporates are interested to issue ESG bonds,” said Anne van Riel, the head of sustainable finance capital markets for the Americas at BNP Paribas, in an interview in New York. “At the same time there’s a little bit of, ‘if we do it, let’s do it right,’ because of all the attention to ESG. They may take more time to structure, which will definitely impact volumes in the end.”

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

THE enactment of a law declaring the smuggling of cigarettes and other tobacco-related products as economic sabotage would allow the government to regain lost revenues of at least P25 billion annually, an industry group said.

PALAYAN City, Nueva Ecija— State pension fund Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said that the GSIS would launch a housing program for government employees next year.

SEEN BY ZINE

Health& Fitness

BusinessMirror

Education campaigns, info drives about HIV, sex are keys to preventing spread of disease

By Rory Visco Contributor

FOR almost four decades now, or from 1984 up to March of this year, a total of 97,792 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV were recorded, with about 5,548 fatalities. In March of this year alone, 1,539 individuals were tagged as confirmed HIV-positive, according to the HIV/AIDS & Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) Registry of the Philippines or HARP.

The Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau revealed that an average of 41 cases per day were recorded from January to July 2022, which is higher than the 33 daily cases registered for the same period last year. In July this year, there were about 1,346 people who were confirmed as HIV-positive. Of this number, 382 were noted in the National Capital Region (NCR), 265 in Calabarzon, and 143 cases in Central Luzon.

The number of HIV cases in the Philippines continue to rise but the sad thing is, many still do not know their real HIV status, mainly due to stigma and discrimination from society. People living with HIV (PLHIV) choose to hide from the shadows, refuse to have themselves checked, and suffer silently despite the obvious symptoms of this dreaded disease.

Recently, Healthy Pilipinas, a communications campaign spearheaded by the DOH, held the first episode of Konsultayo, a series of discussions that emphasizes on the value of medical consultation, especially for those who have practiced unsafe

sex in the past and not being able to have themselves tested for HIV whose pilot coincided with the celebration of World AIDS Day 2022, a global event that aims to raise awareness about AIDS and HIV.

End HIV, Act for Equality para sa Healthy Pilipinas

ACCORDING to Roland Sardan, HIV and AIDS Program Expert from the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH, most PLHIVs continue to experience various forms of inequality like access to medical services, the right jobs, legal services and others. “I believe this is the correct theme that will allow us to show that HIV is beyond the medical issue but it is also a social issue.”

Danvic Rosadiño, Program and Innovations Director of LoveYourself Inc., on the other hand, said that is the reason why the issue of equality is being pushed. “Technically, HIV is just an ailment but is not being discussed as merely a simple ailment. There are many issues attached to it that people are scared to know or read about. That’s why we want, in the future that HIV be discussed as just that, a common ailment. We’re not yet there that’s why we are having these discussions.”

Dr. Lloyd Norella, HIV Program Manager of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., echoed the fact that equality is not just about being equal by law but also equal in having access to services. “In order for us to encourage people to get tested early, they should have equal access regardless of who they are so that they are properly informed where they can avail of these services, whether they have HIV or

any other form of sickness.”

Who are the most affected?

THERE is a need to identify who are the most affected, according to Rosadiño, but clarified that having HIV is not limited to a key segment of the population and emphasized that all people can have HIV. However, in the Philippines, HIV has not yet spread to the entire population but only affects key segments like gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers, and people who inject or use drugs. “These are the people whom we somehow give special attention to because we believe that it’s their behavior that makes them at risk to contract HIV.”

With regard to inequalities experienced by key affected populations, Sardan said they are expanding the presence of testing sites, treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities so those in rural areas won’t have to go too far to access medical services.

In terms of legal services, Sardan said they have partnered with civil society organizations that help people with HIV regarding legal matters. “These are for those who suffered discrimination or experienced unjust labor practices. These are the things we do to address those inequalities,” he explained.

Speaking of laws that protect PLHIVs, Dr. Norella pointed out that the Philippines is one of the pioneers in the creation of an AIDS law in Southeast Asia as early as around 1994, or Republic Act 8504, which was recently updated by RA 11166 in 2018. The law lists the protection and the rights not only of PLHIVs but also other key populations, particularly on being

treated with respect and confidentiality of information, security and others. “Even in local regions, there are now ordinances that aim to promote equality and human rights in the context of health service provision,” Dr. Norella explained.

Prevention is better than cure WITH regard to HIV prevention methods and safer sex practices, Dr. Norella said that in any sexual exposure, it presents potential risks so he advised to assess one’s own risks, behaviors engaged in so one can opt to use one of the many options available like condoms and lubricants. He said there is now the “PrEP” or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a medicine that can be taken to prevent HIV, which he said is available for free in some government and nongovernment facilities.

Rosadiño, for his part, urged that sex should be discussed in an educated manner and not as a vulgar topic. Once discussed freely, people are educated on how to protect themselves so they won’t be embarrassed anymore to go to health facilities and have themselves checked or avail of the right protection. “Through a ‘combination prevention’ approach, it means one option may work for someone but won’t work for another because of differing lifestyles so sex should not be discussed in a vulgar manner so we won’t be embarrassed in accessing services.”

Finally, Sardan rued the lack of education in the use of combination prevention methods, that is why there is a need to focus on inclusive sexuality education among the youth and also among the population.

Gift yourself with good health; stop smoking now–expert

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Qu I TTING s moking is the best gift that you can give to yourself and your loved ones this Christmas.

“Let this Christmas season be the time to kick the bad habit of smoking,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Health Secretary and a trustee of HealthJustice Philippines.

Dr. Galvez Tan noted that smoking may lead to major non-communicable diseases which are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus.

He said that quitting smoking is also the best way to protect your family for you will spare them from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

By kicking the bad habit, Dr. Galvez Tan said that it will also be good for the mental health of a person and that vaping is not also a better option.

“Focus instead on exercising, listening to music, and get enough sleep,” he said.

“May quitting smoking also be your New Year’s resolution. It is one of the best things you can do for your health,” Dr. Galvez Tan said added.

Smoking cessation

T HE D epartment of Health (DOH) said that tobacco use is one of the most serious avoidable risk factors for premature death and chronic illness from tobacco-related diseases that needs to be ad -

dressed.

To help smokers stay nicotine-free, the DOH said that there is a Tobacco Control component of the Lifestyle Related Diseases Prevention and Control Program which primarily aims to reduce non-communicable diseases caused by cigarette smoking.

It implements the World Health Organization (WHO) MPOWER measures which monitors tobacco use and policies, protects people from exposure to second-hand smoke, offers help to quit tobacco use, warns people of its dangers, enforces bans on tobacco advertising, and reduces the affordability of tobacco products.

This program helps create an enabling environment to help current tobacco users quit, protect people from secondhand smoke and prevent young people from taking up the habit.

Smokers who wish to quit may call hotline no. 165-364 or simply text ‘STOPSMOKE’ to (29290) 165-354.

The DOH national quit line is 1558 and professional counselors will give them advice.

Local government units also have smoking cessation clinics aside from hospitals offering the same.

Services offered are free within Metro Manila, and currently the Philippine Lung Center together with DOH are working towards enabling free mobile services to areas even outside the region.

OW

Pilar Armina Bartolome was ecstatic after her son, Lucas, completed a surgery that removed cataracts i n both his eyes.

The 14-year old was the first patient to undergo an eye surgery in the newly opened operating facility of EyeSite, a full-service eye care medical clinic in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that causes the eye lens to turn white or change color which subsequently blurs the vision. The condition usually affects people over the age o f 60 but can also develop in children. Childhood cataracts could either be congenital or related to other medical conditions. During a cataract operation, the cataract is removed and the l ens is replaced with an artificial one.

Lucas’s cataracts were diagnosed when he was 10. At that time the simplest activity became a challenge for h im. He had to be guided when taking the stairs or walking in public places. There was even a time when he almost broke a mall’s glass door because he walked straight into it, thinking it was a hole. In school, Lucas had to pull objects and books close to his face just so he c ould see them.

Although Lucas’s parents consulted

a few eye doctors in other prominent hospitals in Manila, they chose EyeSite Mandaluyong because its sole specialty put their main worries to rest.

“Minor ang anak namin, tapos critical pa ang mata kaya takot kami [Our son is a minor and he has a very critical eye condition so we were scared],” Mrs. Bartolome explains. “G usto ng husband ko manigurado. Gusto niya sa eye specialists na talaga [My husband wanted to be sure. He wanted eye specialists]. So when pandemic lockdowns eased, we went to EyeSite for our son’s cataract removal.”

Dr. Michelle Lingao, the ophthalmology surgeon who performed the c ataract procedure on Lucas in EyeSite, is a pediatric ophthalmologist who also specializes in adult strabismus, comprehensive ophthalmology, and ocular genetics. She said when the nurse g uided Lucas to the recovery room after the second of two operations, he k ept pointing at things he was possibly seeing more clearly for the first time.

“He kept on asking, ‘ u y , what’s this?’” Dr. Lingao recounts. “He was very jolly and inquisitive, asking a lot of questions about his eyes. Even minutes before surgery, he kept talking a bout a lot of things like his favorite TV shows and anime. He was very brave and cooperative during the procedure.”

Lucas completed a two-visit procedure in a span of two months. His left e ye was the first to be operated on in August 2022. The second procedure, for the right eye, was done in October to allow enough time for the left eye to regain full function.

Mrs. Bartolome almost immediately began to see the great improvement in Lucas’ eyesight after completion of the surgery.

“Ang color daw ng leaves is green, at ang color daw ng car namin is totally black [Green is the color of leaves and the color of our car is totally black]” she notes. “ Na -appreciate n iya na lahat ng nakikita niya [He appreciates everything that he sees].”

E yeSite continues to provide postsurgery care to Lucas, which is projected to last a year.

A ccording to Dr. Lingao, the machines in the new EyeSite Mandaluyong o perating rooms are more advanced. In particular, the one for removing cataract is more sensitive because of the p arameters it requires medical professionals to follow. In addition, the OR m aintains a strict level of cleanliness to make young or adult patients feel safer when undergoing a procedure.

“It’s more sensitive that it can detect the inside part of the eye to make sure everything is in balance while you’re

doing the surgery,” she notes. “The artificial lenses it uses for patients also have higher quality compared to several years back, making people see better.”

By opening its new operating facility to kids and adults needing sight-saving procedures like cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery, EyeSite Mandaluyong has firmly positioned itself as a o ne-stop shop for all eye care needs.

EyeSite Mandaluyong is a joint venture between the Asian Eye Institute a nd Reliance u n ited, a company under u n ited Laboratories ( u n ilab) that aligns with u n ilab’s mission to provide “Trusted Quality Healthcare.” The c linic directly addresses the changing health care needs of Filipinos in the new normal and its services include general ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, and optical retail.

F or consultations and other services, the clinic can be contacted via mobile number (0966) 9501-464 or visited a t Level C, Williams Center, Williams St., corner Mayflower St., Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.

EyeSite Mandaluyong is offering a 15% off promo on selected eye surgeries and procedures until January 17, 2023.

For more information about EyeSite’s #SerbisyongSulitAlagangMaaasahan, please visit eyesitemandaluyong.com.

AC H E A lTH an d Healthway Philippines Inc. (HPI) are proud to announce the expansion of Healthway Multi-Specialty Centers across the Greater Manila Area before the end of 2022.

Since the Healthway brand started in 1998, the chain has established itself with seven main branches in key cities in Metro Manila, grown a network of around 800 specialist doctors, and served more than 2 million patients to date.

This December, patients living and working in Pasig City, Quezon City, and Imus, Cavite will now have access to the same quality of health care services known of the Healthway brand through its new branches in Estancia Mall, Ayala

Malls Cloverleaf, and The District Imus.

The multi-specialty centers offer a comprehensive range of out-patient services, including specialty consults, imaging, laboratory, specialized diagnostics, ambulatory surgical services, dental services, physical therapy, and an outpatient pharmacy within the premises. All new branches also boast of a refreshed look to further enhance the overall experience of visiting patients and customers.

“At Healthway, we will continue to innovate to deliver relevant and quality health-care; to inspire and motivate each other by cultivating a culture of inclusiveness, excellence, and sincere service. We assure our patients that

they will receive quality care that Healthway can only provide, the Healthway kind of care,” said Healthway COO Dr. Suzanne Ringler-Pama.

In addition to the opening of the new branches, existing centers are also expanding, starting with the new dedicated wing for preventive care at Healthway Multi-Specialty Center Market! Market! This is for companies, families, and individuals who look beyond routine check-ups.

Healthway President and CEO Mr. Jaime Ysmael affirmed, “For 24 years, Healthway has been the health-care provider of choice of millions of Filipinos. Opening new Multi-Specialty Centers and expanding our range of services are a manifestation of our continuing commitment to

reach out to more individuals, as well as elevate the standard of health care by offering a healthy and hopeful life to our community of patients.”

Healthway Multi-Specialty Centers also play an integral part in HPI’s network and in the broader health-care ecosystem of AC Health, as a convenient touchpoint for patients to see their doctors, schedule diagnostics, and purchase their medicines, all in one accessible, outpatient, and mall-based facility.

Visit the new clinics or schedule a visit to any Healthway Multi-Specialty Center today located in SM North EDSA, Festival Mall, Alabang Town Center, Adriatico Manila, Shangri- l a M all, MarketMarket, and Greenbelt 5.

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

IN ADDITION to worrying about contracting the virus, Covid-19 also leads to anxiety and depression, especially for those who are not mentally strong to handle such a situation.

According to the World Health Organization, the uncertainties and changes brought about by the pandemic spark serious mental health problems.

In view of this, Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) recognized the likely psychological distress and responded by adopting a mental health program for its workforce.

I n fact, the energy company launched the kAPit program in 2020. The program offers life coaching sessions, individual and group counseling, and 24/7 crisis hotlines to help address the employees’ mental well-being.

D erived from the Tagalog word “kapit,” which means to endure or keep going in difficult times, this initiative aims to make mental health support available and accessible.

Through its partnership with mental health services provider PowerVision EAP, kAPit reinforces the firm’s priority of fostering a safe and connected community by normalizing conversations around mental health struggles and addressing the stigma.

”The mere act of talking to someone really helps unburden us, especially from things we have no control over or thoughts that just ultimately overwhelm us,” said Doreen Manalang, one of AboitizPower’s employees who received counseling services from such undertaking at the height of the pandemic.

“I remember sending a request to

talk to someone at night while I was in bed, overthinking. I received an immediate response and scheduled a conversation with a counselor the next day,” she shared.

Because the Aboitiz Group’s power arm does not only care for its employees, kAPit also extends assistance even to their family members.

“The benefits are competitive, and it also trickles down to my family, who also needs it. There is also a wide range of perks kAPit offers that hel ps us improve our overall health and well-being,” Manalang added.

Due recognition

BECAUSE of the positive outcomes of its employee welfare programs and initiatives, AboitizPower was feted as a regional exemplar of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) 2022 Employer of the Year.

AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Manny Rubio, who received the award, underscored that in striving to fulfill its role of empowering and inspiring, the company must start from within.

“To achieve our aspirations, we must leverage our most valuable resources—our team members,” he said.

It not only cultivates an agile and resilient workforce; AboitizPower also gives the benefits of mental health to its people to make them feel safe, valued and empowered.

“We are on the brink of the biggest transition as we transform our company as a techglomerate and carry out our purpose of transforming energy for a better future. We are excited about what tomorrow holds for us, especially knowing that we have a wonderful workforce that will power through this journey,” Rubio stressed.

‘W! M y son can finally see clearly again!”

Empowering employees’ mental health tops energy firm’s priorities

Let’s have a mindful Christmas

IN my previous column, I talked about attending Rex Publishing’s launch of Little Explorers book series where I emphasized how parents are the most critical contributors and champions of education for children at home. I like how these book lays out socio-emotional learning in a simple and local way.

I was invited to the event largely to share my knowledge on the importance and tools on socioemotional learning (SEL). I shared how I am a strong advocate of 21st century learner skills and even a stronger believer that socio-emotional skills bears even greater importance in our children’s everchanging environment. Part of the 21st century learning include socio-emotional skills such as communication, confidence and collaboration.

The most basic SEL skills which many children are having difficulty in classrooms is listening skills. Auditory exercises such as listening to different sounds like bells, instruments or natural sounds must start as early as infancy. Next is the expression of emotions. Many parents like this Big Feeling Pineapple toy because it allows their toddlers to define what they are feeling, resulting to less tantrums.

Confidence is important to build early because this is your child’s best protection from bullying. This is built by constant repetition and mastery of basic skills, and, in my experience, being allowed as much imperfection and room for iterations. That’s why art has been a constant staple in our household because there is no painting that is wrong. Lastly, I always tell my children, who are 16 and 13 now, that most future problems will need a team, and not one person to solve; therefore, knowing team work is no longer an option but a necessity. Today, global tools further dissect SEL into various skills like identity and autonomy, citizenship, respect and global inclusiveness.

They asked me what exercises and activities I think are needed so families can help create better foundations for children and unlock their potential

during their young years. I shared that although my children today do well in academics, leadership and sports, it was equally important to me that they are empathetic and loving people who care about their family and community. I think there are two main activities during their early childhood years that laid this foundation.

The first is pretend play and nurture time as early as toddler years. I remember coming from home from work every day and I would tell my daughter, “Mom’s so tired. Can you prepare a cup of coffee for me?”

Meagan would prepare it with her play set with such delight and I would hug her. This is her first encounter with accountability, collaboration and confidence— that even if she as a toddler, she was able help and contribute to her family. The second is STEAM play.

This is injecting play which includes art in science, technology, engineering and math. I never aimed for my children to excel in school. What I wished was for them to love asking questions and enjoy learning, so I tried to make subject learning relaxing through play.

This made me think of how this holiday season would be a perfect time for mindfulness in our families. Mindfulness means we are more aware of ourselves—our mind, intention, and action, what is truly important and what we truly need. It would be

Climate change affects your kids’ health

WHEN it comes to climate change, no one is exempt from experiencing its impact on their health—and our children are bearing the most brunt. Burning fossil fuel to operate our vehicles, cutting down trees, clearing vast tracts of land, dumping garbage on landfills and other human activities all contribute to the release of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. These and other gasses trap the sun’s heat, creating what is known as a greenhouse effect, and in turn global warming. Global warming is just one of many consequences of climate change. Note the rising sea waters, warmer oceans, melting glaciers, intense droughts, and more devastating storms.

“While it may not be apparent at first, climate change directly affects our children’s health,” says Dr. Romina Gerolaga, MD from the Department of Pediatrics of top hospital in the Philippines, the Makati Medical Center (Makati Med, www.makatimed.net.ph).

“Our kids’ immune system and organs are not quite fully developed; children breathe at a faster rate and, therefore, this increases their exposure to toxic air pollutants which can damage their lungs.”

The doctor points out that this was confirmed by a study conducted by Harvard University, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, and University College London. Thousands of kids under age 5 die each year due to respiratory infections attributed to fossil fuel pollution.

“Moreover, the hotter temperature makes it dangerous for kids to play outdoors for a prolonged period of

time,” the pediatrician shares. “With limited physical activity though, they set themselves up for obesity, another major health challenge facing our children today. But if they do play outdoors, the poor air quality could trigger allergies or asthma attacks, while prolonged direct sun exposure may cause skin diseases.”

Furthermore, natural disasters worsened by climate change can bring flooding and with it, diseases caused by contaminated water, trauma or relocation that impact children’s mental health.

The reality is that climate change isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Slowing it down takes a concerted global effort over a significant number of years. Till then, there are some ways parents can still protect their kids from climate change’s ill effects.

■ More plants on your plate. Shifting to a more plant-based diet is good for not just your kids’ health but also the environment. “We are already

great if we could all start to be more conscious and reflect mindfulness in various aspects of our lives this holiday season. From our celebrations, our gifts and more importantly the activities we plan to do as a family, it would be meaningful to sprinkle a little mindfulness into them.

Some of my top picks include listening and talking as a family and learning to express emotions. If you need a little guide, tools like Talking Cubes can start the ball rolling, as well as SEL toys, like Pineapple Feelings which has a poster for various emotions that you can do on the toy and allow your child to physically express. We can act out nurturing activities with our children, like cooking or playing doctor, or playing familiar games like bingo. This is even great for being inclusive of grandparents. When the new year comes, why not do safe “explosive” experiments like creating your own erupting volcano. A list of New Year’s Resolution can also be done as a family by thinking of how we can help our community, like starting to reuse paper or playing with sustainable toys that save the environment and support bigger causes, like this wooden panda blocks that support the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Here is to all of us having a mindful Christmas and New Year ahead. ■

9 TIPS FOR POST-PANDEMIC HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FAMILY

THIS holiday season, most have begun to slowly step out from virtual meetings into a relatively normal celebration for the first time after almost three years.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Gene Beresin, MD, MA, the executive director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds and a full professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, noted that amid the advent of vaccines and other treatments, many have already assumed a sense of normalcy.

“We are once again dining out, going to sporting events, commuting to work and school, and, yes, planning our upcoming holiday family travel schedules and gatherings,” he stated. “In many ways, the experience of the pandemic along with other national and global concerns have influenced how we may experience the season.”

Echoing Beresin, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde encourages the general public to take time to celebrate learnings and appreciate each other’s differences.

Here are some tips to help families have a brighter holiday celebration:

1. MAKE THE HOLIDAYS COLLABORATIVE. This season, assign tasks to share responsibilities. It could be cooking, decorating or shopping. These will generate feelings of contribution and closeness.

2. DON’T FORGET SELF-CARE. PRACTICE SELF-CARE. Exercise and diet. Meditate and take breaks. Spend time outside. These are activities that families can do together. It promotes health and well-being and help bring the holiday cheer.

3. VALUE OF SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Loneliness skyrocketed during the pandemic. Don’t take your close social relationships for granted. Maintain connections. Meet them in person or through digital media. Remember humans are pack animals—we need each other.

4. REMEMBER YOU ARE MORE RESILIENT NOW. With so much being taken away from us, we found ways of accepting loss. With a new perspective, let us remember the things we endured.

5. HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC. Have conversations about our experiences. Talk to family and friends about your challenges. Tell how you coped. Share your learnings.

filter. Gerolaga suggests, “Cleaning your house regularly and making sure fans and filters of air conditioning units are regularly checked also improves air quality and prevents dust accumulation.”

■ Prevent diseases. Stop dengue in its tracks by clearing your immediate surroundings of standing water, where mosquitoes typically breed. When going out, you can also apply a mosquito repellent for extra safety. Repellants made from natural ingredients which are safe for children are already available in the market.

6. REFLECT ON HOW WE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH LESS. The pandemic forced us to sacrifice. No going out for dinner. No shopping. Just getting by with basic meals. Given the serious economic downturn and with the cost of products escalating, we can use these lessons to live within our means.

7. REFLECT ON THE VALUE OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING. Contemplate with your kids. Discuss what makes experiences important. Development of all skills—academic, social, emotional, or athletic—are not lost, they are simply delayed. We always have a second chance.

8. ENGAGE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION. Conflicts invariably developed with much of our family in one place. Holidays are generally time to put negative feelings aside. Post-pandemic holidays may be an excellent time to set things straight.

aware of how beneficial a plantbased diet is, and it can help lessen the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions since livestock contributes roughly 15 percent to that annually according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.”

■ Protect your child’s skin from the sun. The sun casts its damaging UV rays from 10 am to 4 pm, expert points out. “If your kids want to be outdoors at those hours, remember to slather them with sunblock and provide them with cold drinks. Playing in the shade also shields them from direct heat and the sun’s harmful rays, or schedule their playtime or outdoor walks during the early mornings.”

■ Improve air quality. Though you cannot control air pollution outdoors, you can certainly keep the air in your home clean by purging air and allowing better air flow and, if possible, by investing in a portable air purifier or a high-efficiency air

“Also, do not let your kids wade or play in flood water,” the doctor underlines. “This ensures their safety against leptospirosis, cholera and other illnesses from contaminated water.”

■ Prep for emergencies. “When preparing an emergency bag for your child, fill it with essentials like clean potable water in bottles and ready-toeat food, clothes, toiletries, a flashlight, and medicines,” Gerolaga says. “You may opt to include comforting things like a blanket or their favorite small toy, a book, and some paper and pencils to keep them busy and pleasantly distracted from unfamiliar surroundings or a stressful time.”

Climate change can be such a complicated issue, especially now that it is hitting home and affecting the most vulnerable in your household. That is why Gerolaga reminds you to get help from health experts when it comes to your child’s health. “It is best to let your child’s pediatrician in on what’s going on. They will be able to offer a workable solution for your child’s overall well-being despite the challenges,” the expert recommends.

9. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN CREATIVE ARTS. Christmas bring the arts into our homes—music, decorations, creative meals. It is time to bring art into communal experiences. Make music together. Share playlists. Create a collage that expresses your feelings.

DONATION

purifiers to the University of the Philippines (UP) as part of the company’s Healthy Places and Workplaces initiative. Nick Gitsis, chairman of Air Intellipure (third, from left), explains to UP president Danilo L. Concepcion (second, from right) how Intellipure’s patented Disinfecting Filtration System (DFS) technology works. Guaranteed to provide the highest

and

removal,

can drastically improve indoor air quality. Looking on (from left) are Lulu Punongbayan and Loreto Dapon Jr. of Air Intellipure, UP vice president for public affairs Elena E Pernia, vice president for development Elvira A Zamora, Sarah Joy Salvio-Bituin from the office of the vice president for development, and Jerico Baliza, Air Intellipure sales and marketing director. The donated purifiers will be installed at the University Health Service, the UP Integrated School, and other select public areas in the UP Diliman campus.

Looking for reasons to stay at Savoy Mactan this holiday season? Find out what the reasons are here

Ports on heightened security alert; ready to serve 57 M passengers

During his port inspection, Santiago warned the Port Police to be honest and transparent during the conduct of their duties since security is one of the dayto-day top priorities.

“I won’t tolerate any unpleasant cases or any maltreatment to continue. If we encounter people who are lost, we should remind and guide them still,” Santiago said.

Santiago assures that the Port Police should be “one call away” during these times. “I hope that you can follow or look up to the good examples of those

who went ahead of you who rendered great and excellent service. Though I am supportive of various activities to further improve our delivery of service, I am expecting that you’ll continue to be part in combatting any wrong doings,” Santiago added.

Aside from the more than 200 Port Police Officers wearing body-worn cameras, PPA continues to watch over ports 24/7 all over the country through the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that are part of the Port Surveillance System (PSS) located at its Head Office in Manila.

The PSS covers 52 PPA sites all over the Philippines and features random viewing capability that operators can control in order to verify reports the PPA management and other offices

have received.

“CCTV monitoring is our eyes when it comes to observing thoroughly our ports. Through this, we have a macro perspective of our ports. Because having this added instrument is a help to see beyond what the naked eye could not,” Atty. Diane Steffi T. Guillamon, Head of the PPA Internal Security Affairs Staff (ISAS) said.

Per PPA data, it is expected that the number of passengers will climb to 57 million by the end of December 2022 or a 200 percent increase compared to previous years’ recorded data.

Meanwhile, “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” and “No Leave Policy” for port employees are currently in effect at ports under PPA to guarantee a safe and sound sea travels this holiday season.

A home for every heart at Novotel Manila Araneta City

check-out are also included, subject to room availability.

This is the official season for overindulgence and festive meals. Bring the whole family to Food Exchange Manila to enjoy a wide array of festive buffet selections such as Roasted Tandoori Australian Lamb Leg, Roasted Turkey, Roasted Chimichurri Salmon, Singaporean Chili Crab, Glazed Christmas Ham and much more for only P2,888 nett per person. Choose from the highlighted buffet dates: December 24 (6pm to 10pm) Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, December 24 (11pm to 2am) Christmas Midnight Buffet or Noche Buena, and December 31 (6pm to 10pm) New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet. A glass of red wine, white wine or a special holiday beverage is served to each diner as a beautiful end to the meal.

IT has been three years since township developer, Megaworld officially opened the doors of its first hotel development inside its 30-hectare, The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The 18-story Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown offers 547 guestrooms and suites, making it the biggest hotel in terms of the number of rooms in Mactan Island and the second biggest in the entire Cebu Province.

The hotel targets mostly business travelers and family vacationers because of its close accessibility to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and nearby beach and historical sites around the island.

Make the spirit of the season even more colorful as we made a round-up of festive offerings and holiday staycations to fill your hearts with the warm hospitality and joyous season you deserve.

Get ready for an ultimate gastronomic experience as Savoy Hotel Mactan invites you and your family to a joyous special Festive Dinner Buffet on a seasonal spread prepared by the hotel’s finest culinary team.

Holiday Festive Dinner Buffet opens every Friday and Saturday of December from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Savoy Café. Kids’ policy applies to this buffet promo.

Apart from the Festive Dinner Buffet, Savoy Café is also highlighting the Holiday Feast which includes party trays, mouthwatering treats, hampers, and house wines.

Adding to a delightful holiday feast, the hotel will be giving you and your family a wonderful and relaxing stay while welcoming the New Year with an entertainment band, DJ House music, a fireworks display, and a lot more. The room package starts at Php 5,000

NETT with room accommodation, dinner buffet and New Year’s Eve Countdown pass good for two persons.

Clebrate a wonderful evening of festive drinks, merry-making, and nonstop entertainment from the riveting live performances from KOA together with the sought-after DJ Mark Lester Soliman and MC Lemuel Cabilin performing from 9:30 pm onwards

Come and be part of this grand celebration by availing of the vouchers for only Php500 inclusive of two local drinks and a street part pass that can be purchased at Savoy Hotel Mactan Front Desk.

For more information, you may contact us at +032 494 4000 / +63 917 871 8007 or email reserve@savoymactan.com. You may also follow us on our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) at Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @ savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

PLDT and Smart’s Alfred S. Panlilio is ACA’s CEO of the Year

since we launched it earlier this year. It is a journey that has deepened our commitment to the nation’s digital transformation and understanding of PLDT Group’s pioneering influence on Philippine society.”

Following an assessment by a panel of judges and industry votes, Total Telecom Managing Director Rob Chambers recognized Panlilio’s role in PLDT’s full year 2021 performance and transformation. “He's led great improvements in customer experience, market share, and profitability.

“PLDT’s Consolidated Service Revenues grew six percent to P182.1 billion and Home connected a record 1.13 million new fiber customers,” Chambers announced during ACA’s virtual ceremony.

“I share this CEO of the Year honor with my leadership team and our over 17,000-strong workforce at PLDT Group,” Panlilio said. “How timely that the ACA highlighted our ongoing group-wide transformation, having learned so much as one PLDT and Smart family

Total Telecom also lauded landmark social initiatives under Panlilio’s leadership, particularly education improvements for over 6,000 students under the School-ina-Bag program and digital trainings for over 1,700 farmers. ACA and its global counterpart, the World Communication Awards, trace their roots back to 1999. PLDT and Smart also bagged nominations under the ACA’s Operator of the Year, Crisis Response and Social Contribution categories.

ARANETA City, also known as the City Of Firsts, has long been known as the Metro’s Christmas Blueprint as family time, community and holiday merriment have been the focus of what the holidays should revolve around. Without fail, this blueprint has proven to be successful for decades. Even before the eye-catching yuletide displays, a lot of QCitizens, and even those who lived in the far-flung provinces of Luzon, consider Araneta City as their home for the holidays.

Since the pandemic and for the previous two Christmases, Novotel Manila has released original music compositions with uplifting messages devoted to its supporters and front liners to touch the hearts of numerous Novo-Fans. This time around, Novotel Manila switches things up and opts for a different way of using a video narration to touch the hearts of its viewers titled “Home” produced by the hotel’s Marketing Communications team in collaboration with Halikon Films director Arvin “Kadiboy” Belarmino and director of photography and editor Tristan Cua.

The Hotel's moving narrative depicts the life of a busy vlogger, Hayley, who no

longer has time for her parents. But since it is the Christmas season, it’s a common tradition for Filipinos to reconnect and gather for the holidays. It is a relatable story as we have all occasionally been caught up in life's busyness, yet Novotel Manila embraces every heart yearning for true love and connection. Families, couples, and friends can enjoy and make themselves comfortable in their one and only home in the City of Firsts, thanks to all the festive deals planned by the hotel’s Heartists for this special season.

Enjoy the best time of the year with Merry Magical Stays curated to satisfy the needs of families seeking a joyous staycation. Bed, breakfast, and dinner packages in December start at P8,000 nett for non-holiday dates, while stays during the holidays (December 24 and December 31) start from P12,000 nett. Each merry magical stay includes complimentary use of the InBalance Fitness center and pool, free use of the Kids Club by Novotel for one hour per day for two children, and a 10 percent discount on all massage treatments at the InBalance Spa from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Early check-in and

Every ending is followed by a fresh start. The days till 2023 are being counted down at Novotel Manila. On December 31 from 7pm to 1am at Monet Grand Ballroom, join in the fun and enjoy a memorable countdown celebration with lots of delicious food, sparkling drinks, great music, and merriment with family and friends for only P2,888 nett per person, inclusive of one glass of sparkling wine or sparkling juice. Admission begins at 7 PM, and the buffet is available from 8pm to 11 pm. This offer is available to in-house guests for just P2,223 nett per person.

With your family and friends surrounding you this Christmas season, find the meaning of true ‘’home’’ this holiday season at Novotel Manila, a home for every heart. Packed in this highly regarded international brand hotel is a complete experience where you would feel at home and take time to enjoy the moments that matter.

For inquiries and reservations, please call (02) 8 990 7888 or email H7090@accor.com. More information about Novotel Manila Araneta City, its facilities and services are available at www.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com.

BRUNEI

of Health’s visit, other delegates from JPMC also toured FEU Manila, FEU Alabang and its industry partners St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City and Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City to observe the internship program of its nursing students and to expand their knowledge on the country’s health industry.

The recent visit further explored FEU’s Nursing curriculum and facilities, as well as its learning modalities in the post-pandemic education setup to strengthen JCHS’s Nursing program. Prior the Brunei Minister

JCHS opened the first school term this October 2022 to students based in Brunei. Through this joint venture, it aims to produce globally competent nurses and medical leaders to address the growing demand in the healthcare sector.

PLDT and Smart President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio has been recognized as CEO of the Year at the recently concluded Asia Communications Awards (ACA), the annual recognition program for outstanding telco players organized by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.

FROM left are FEU Center for the Arts Director Martin Lopez; FEU Vice President for Facilities and Technical Services Engr. Edward Kilakiga; Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Second Secretary of Brunei Khairul Hazwan Nor; Brunei Minister of Health Hon. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar; FEU Chief Finance Officer Juan Miguel Montinola; Director General of Medical and Health Services of Brunei Dr. Khalifah Ismail; Assistant Director of International Affairs of Brunei Noresamsiah Hussin; and FEU Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing Dean John Anthony Yason

Far Eastern University welcomes Brunei Minister of Health, together with Brunei school officials, in nursing school visit

Minister of Health Hon. Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar visited Far Eastern University as part of a Nursing program partnership with Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and Darussalam Assets. The JPMC College of Health Sciences (JCHS) is the first private health science college in Brunei to be established.

PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago gathered Port Police officials last December 19, 2022 to ensure the safety and security of passengers travelling at the ports during this peak season.

Envoys&Expats

PHL Embassy in Tel Aviv, Filipinos in ‘Holy Land’ welcome Christmas

THE

Festivities returned to their traditional home at the Terra Sancta Secondary School in Jaffa after two years of scaled-down celebrations due to the pandemic.

Charge d’Affaires (CDA) Anthony Achilles L. Mandap led the ceremony and was joined by Honorary Consul Boaz Waksman; Fr. Carlos Santos, guardian of the St. Peter’s Church; Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel’s president Jovelyn Taynan; and National Alliance of Filipino Communities’ president Emma Emiliano in lighting up the Christmas tree—regarded as the symbolic beginning of the Christmas cel-

ebrations among Filipinos in the State of Israel, or the “Holy Land.”

Mandap thanked the Filipinos for the warm welcome and conveyed the holiday greetings of incoming Ambassador to Israel Pedro Ramirez Laylo Jr. He also announced the full resumption of the embassy’s sociocultural activities with the Filipino community.

The CDA also expressed appreciation for the support extended by a team from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Migrant Workers’ Affairs headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary Kristine Salle. Members coordinated with the embassy in the hosting

of a dinner for guests from the community, and the distribution of holiday gifts to children.

The celebration showcased the Philippines’s unique and colorful ways of celebrating the season. Aside from the parol, groups took

turns performing Yuletide carols. Filipino organizations also brought their entries for the best Pinoy lantern contest. They were judged based on originality, creativity, as well as the use of native and recycled materials.

Deputation spreads Pinoy Yuletide cheer for the

Hague’s diplomatic corps,

ANIGHT of joyous fellowship and festive Christmas music reflected the Filipino way of celebrating the Yuletide season at the much-anticipated “Himig ng Pasko: A Christmas Concert,” which was hosted by the Philippine Embassy in this city of the Netherlands.

The concert featured the Nightingales—a duo of Bernadette Mamauag and Katrina Marie Saga. They have been enthralling audiences around the world—including those from the United States, Canada, China, Africa and Europe with their wide-ranging repertoire of opera arias, Broadway classics, folksongs and popular standards—all performed in their unique bel canto style of singing.

In his remarks at the embassy’s Kalayaan Hall, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya shared that the concert “is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for [the] support, kind understanding, and for being part of our collective work this year…We hope that through the wonderful music of the Nightingales, we can help spread the joys and cheers of the Yuletide season and convey our heartfelt appreciation.”

In a surprise number, Malaya took to the piano and accompanied the pair in singing “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” (It’s Christmas, My Dear).

Filipino-Dutch artist Sarah Jane

Verouden also provided a piano intermezzo of traditional Christmas carols.

Thai Ambassador Chatri Archjananun and his spouse Nataya said that the concert was a “fascinating performance which showcased the excellent performance of Philippine artists.”

“It [was] indeed a great way to start the Christmas celebration. I also felt the very warm hospitality of the embassy officers and staff,” the envoy added.

“It was a lovely concert in a nicely renovated embassy chancery,” remarked Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, managing director of the Common Fund for Commodities.

Fr. Sjaak de Boer delivered a Christmas message that underscored the importance of “taking care of our shared earth and fellow…which [are] not only measured in material gain, but of people’s happiness.”

The event was capped off by the community singing of the popular Christmas song: It’s the Most Won-

friends

Embassy, Filipinos in Norway celebrate ‘Paskong Pinoy’

THE Filipino brand of Christmas cheer crossed continents as the Philippine Embassy in Norway, together with the Filipino community in the Scandinavian country, came together in an evening of music and gift-giving at the Paskong Pinoy 2022 inside the Filadelfia International Church Main Hall in Oslo.

Addressing the crowd of almost 1,200, Ambassador Enrico T. Fos said that the Paskong Pinoy is a three-inone event mounted by all-volunteer effort, aimed at bringing a slice of “Pinoy Christmas” in faraway Norway.

“First, it is a choral festival [of] the beautiful music and voices of the participating church choirs,” said Fos. “Second, it is a food bazaar of Filipino Christmas delicacies; and third, it is a gift-giving event, where we have plenty of door prizes and a ‘pamaskong handog’ for some of our nationals, as selected by our participating choirs.”

“Paskong Pinoy…is a way for the Philippine Embassy to bring together this over a thousand-strong crowd— the biggest so far in an embassyinitiated event—and showcase our unique brand of Christmas here in Norway,” he added.

Eight choirs composed of Filipinos from various churches in Oslo and surrounding environs showcased their talents and musicality in a concert which featured a wide array of Christian and Christmas songs. They were supported by their church leaders, who watched proudly among the crowd.

Since it was also a gift-giving celebration, individuals nominated by the choirs were given bags of Christ-

mas and Filipino goodies. It was part of the Philippine government’s assistance to overseas Filipinos, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs, and the embassy.

The event also featured a bazaar, where Filipino delicacies, products and other Christmas favorites were sold by representatives of the choirs.

Apart from showcasing the Filipino kind of Christmas in Norway, Fos hoped that the Paskong Pinoy would further strengthen the sense of community among Filipinos in Norway: “We at the embassy hope to count on your support as we hold events, [as well as] other programs and initiatives over the next years.”

The ambassador also recognized the efforts of more than 200 volunteers who helped mount the event, mostly staffed by volunteers from the Filipino community. The organizing committee also received support from various Filipino-owned companies and community members in the European country.

“...Also remarkable in [the event] was not just the sheer number of volunteers, but also the display of bayanihan spirit,” Fos observed.

derful Time of the Year. It was held in collaboration with the Music for Environment and National Development, as well as the PhilippinesNetherlands Business Council.

Well-attended by members of the diplomatic corps, key officials from the Dutch government and other international organizations based in the Hague, the event was the embassy’s way of conveying thanks and appreciation to those who extended support to its initiatives and programs for 2022.

Pampanga giant lanterns light up Phil. Center in New York

THE Philippine Consulate General in New York, together with the FilipinoAmerican community, commenced the Christmas season in the “Big Apple” through the first ever giant Christmas lantern lighting ceremony at the Philippine Center.

Almost a hundred attended the historic lighting of two parols, which were shipped all the way from the province of Pampanga through the support of its local government led by Governor Dennis Pineda. Installed as Christmas window decors of the Philippine Center, one measures 8 feet in diameter with close to a thousand light bulbs, while the other is 6 feet tall with more than 500 light bulbs.

“With many Filipinos working in New York missing their families and friends in the Philippines during the Christmas season, we wanted to spread a little holiday cheer—the Filipino way—by having our parols light up the street outside the Philippine Center,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato.

“For the Filipino, the parol is a symbol of hope, an expression of faith, and a reminder

to remain resilient amid personal hardships and societal challenges,” Cato added. “This is the same message we wish to share with everyone…”

Mayor Esmeralda Pineda represented the Pampanga governor, who said that the parols were brought to New York to give an authentic feel of “Paskong Pinoy,” and to allow Filipinos there to renew their sense of country and of home.

Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan of the New York City Commission on International Affairs spoke on behalf of Mayor Eric Adams. Filipino-American New York State Assemblyman Steven Raga, diplomatic corps members led by Consul General Winanto Adi of Indonesia, Consul General Abu Hassan of Malaysia, Consul Christine Tay of Singapore and other officials also joined the ceremony.

The lighting ceremony was followed by a Christmas serenade led by the FilipinoAmerican community. Attendees also enjoyed the Kapampangan -style cooking of classic Filipino dishes.

German Chamber rolls out community outreach in Makati

THE German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI), in cooperation with Makati City’s League of Barangays, conducted its Christmas-themed “Nikolaustag for a Cause” community-outreach program in Poblacion, Makati City on December 7.

More than 200 attended, as 150 families from 26 barangays of the city’s Districts 1 and 2 were selected as beneficiaries of Noche Buena packs, toys and books. The program also featured a carnivallike celebration where story-telling activities, food booths and party games entertained both adults and children.

“The practice of German companies giving back to communities traces [its roots to] their social code of being an honorable merchant,” GPCCI’s executive director Chris-

topher Zimmer explained. “We would like to thank the League of Barangays…for allowing us…to share blessings [with] those who deserve them most. In this generous way of celebrating our annual ‘Nikolaustag,’ we wish that more families will have a very Merry Christmas.”

Supporting donors and partners are German Club Inc., Allianz PNB Life Insurance Inc., BASF, PPI Pazifik Power Inc., ALI Makati Hotel Property Inc. (Raffles and Fairmont Makati), United Marine Training Center Inc., Alster International Shipping Services Inc., Adrenaline Group, BAUER Foundations Phils., GOLDMÜNZEN Inc., Logwin Air + Ocean Phils. Inc., Sidelifter Inc., Zeaborn Marine Services Phils. Corp. and S&P Global Inc.

The program was also supported by numerous private donations.

WEAVING WONDERFUL WORK The Embassy of the Republic of Poland, led by Charge d’Affaires Jarosław Szczepankiewicz and Minister-Counsellor Anna Krzak-Danel, graced the culmination ceremonies of a development-assistance project through a sewing course attended by 25 females from Barangay Payatas, Quezon City. The embassy procured sewing machines and textiles used by the beneficiaries in creating and eventually selling school uniforms, dresses, pillow cases and the like. The Sisters of Mary Immaculate, composed of Polish sisters, coordinated with the deputation in the selection of the recipients, some of whom were solo parents and sole providers for their families. Through the initiative, Krzak-Danel attested that “much can be achieved, even with limited funding—with a good idea, and an even better implementation.” For Szczepankiewicz, the project is an example of the embassy’s “sunny diplomacy,” where efforts are directly and immediately felt by grantees, yet not as extravagant in scale and funding. MIKE POLICARPIO

Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv led Israel-based Filipinos in welcoming the Christmas season with its annual tree-lighting ceremony.

THE Nightingales being accompanied on piano by Ambassador Malaya. THE HAGUE PE/DFA

CEREMONIAL lighting of the embassy’s Christmas tree. PE ISRAEL/DFA

AMBASSADOR Fos PASTOR JOHN ANGELES/DFA

Puerto Princesa

archer Carlos rules

2022 Batang Pinoy with 7 gold medals

By Josef Ramos

VIGAN City, Ilocos Sur—Puerto

Princesa City’s Miguel Carlos emerged as the most successful athlete of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Batang Pinoy National Finals with seven gold medals in archery he snatched on Wednesday.

Carlos, 12, a seventh grader at the Palawan National High School, frolicked at the San Ildefonso Central School range, sending General Santos City’s Adrie Sabdielle Gonzaga to the silver in the boys’ under-13 Olympic round.

He teamed up with Lizette Mayumi Bagnol in beating a General Santos team of Samantha Isabel Loreno and Romee Jonathan Rioja in the mixed team event.

C arlos also won gold medals in the 20 meters, 25m, 30m and 40m and a 1440 total in the games that came to a close on Wednesday.

We were surprised he got seven gold medals,” said his father Ramil Carlos. “But he deserves it because he trains so hard.”

Two more archers, Jathniel Caleb Fernandez of Baguio City and Adrianna Jessie Magbojos also made heads turn. They topped the under-10 boys and girls’ Olympic round to each end up with six gold medals apiece.

L eonelyn Compuesto, meanwhile, led Masbate Province’s domination of athletics with five golds, while Baguio City was the most dominant local government unit (LGU).

The 4-foot-11 Grade 10 student at the Masbate Sports Academy, Compuesto—who bared that he learned to run fast when she was chased by a stray dog at home in Barangay Puro Placer, captured her fourth and fifth gold medals by in the girls’ under-15 100 meters and the 4x400-m relay.

Every time I’m running and the other runners are near me, I always remember the big dog that chased me so I just keep running fast,” said Compuesto, daughter of a construction worker, at the Quirino Stadium here in Bantay.

Compuesto clocked 13.11.103, beating South Cotabato’s Schenley Faye Ombid (13.11.109) in a photo finish. Angel Villagracia of Capiz settled for the bronze with 13.47.

B aguio City topped the medals race with 29 golds, 27 silvers and 35 bronzes while Laguna was second with an 18-10-13 (gold-silverbronze) haul and Quezon City third with 15-9-13.

R ounding out the top 10 were Lapu Lapu (14-6-5), General Santos (13-12-10), Pasig (13-9-9), Iloilo City (12-10-13), Masbate (11-7-6), Lucena (11-7-3) and Davao City (9-13-28).

H ost Ilocos Sur Gov. Jerry Singson and PSC chairman Noli Eala were both delighted at the competition’s successful turnout while sponsor Milo gave out special awards named “Pursigido Awards” at the closing ceremony at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—A parade to celebrate the Argentine World Cup champions was abruptly cut short Tuesday as millions of people poured onto thoroughfares, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of the national team that won one of the great World Cup finals of all time.

So many jubilant, flag-waving fans swarmed the capital that the players had to abandon the open-air bus transporting them to Buenos Aires and board helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade.

The world champions are flying over the whole route on helicopters because it was impossible to continue by land due to the explosion of people’s happiness,” Gabriela Cerruti, the spokesperson for President Alberto Fernández, wrote on social media.

A fter flying over key points of Buenos Aires where fans had gathered, the helicopters returned to the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association outside the capital.

Some fans continued celebrating in t he streets, while others headed out of Buenos Aires with long faces, complaining they were unable to pay their respects to the team that brought home the country’s first World Cup trophy since 1986.

We’re angry because the government didn’t organize this properly so we could all celebrate,” said Diego Benavídez, 25, who had been waiting since early morning to see the team. “They stole the World Cup from us.”

O thers, however, took it in stride.

I’m not disappointed, we lived the party,” said Nicolás López, 33, who was in downtown Buenos Aires with his 7-year-old daughter.

The parade was suspended shortly after two people jumped from a bridge onto the open-top bus carrying the players. One made it inside the

GRAND WELCOME TURNS CHAOTIC

bus, the other fell onto the pavement.

Football association head Claudio Tapia blamed law enforcement for the changeup of plans. “The same security organisms that were escorting us are not allowing us to move forward,” Tapia wrote on social media. “I apologize in the name of all the champion players.”

Toward nightfall, when most of the fans had already poured out of downtown Buenos Aires, there were isolated clashes between a few stragglers and law enforcemen. At least eight people were injured, according to local media reports.

The incidents began when firefighters went to the Obelisk, the iconic Buenos Aires landmark that is the traditional site of celebrations, to evict a few people who had broken their way inside the monument.

The bus had been moving at a snail’s pace for more than four hours through the throngs of humanity before the overland parade was cut short. Team Captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the players waved at the massive crowd as they carried the World Cup trophy aloft after securing the country’s third title.

“ This is madness, it’s indescribable,” said Brian Andreassi, 23, as he walked downtown wearing the team’s jersey. “There are no words.”

The World Cup and the success of the Messi-led squad brought muchneeded good news for a country stuck for years in economic doldrums and suffering one of the world’s highest

inflation rates, with nearly 4-in-10 people living in poverty.

“ There’s an immense union among all Argentines—unity, happiness. It’s as if you can breathe another air, there’s another energy in the air,” said Victoria Roldán. “My body and heart are about to burst.”

C arrying a World Cup replica, the 32-year-old and her 36-year-old sister, Mariana, were eager to catch a glimpse of the team and in particular its captain, Messi.

We’re dying to see him,” Roldán said. “Seeing him with that immense smile, with those bright eyes filled with hope, it really fills our heart with joy and happiness. ... I think that Leo has deserved it for years, and this was his moment.”

The players were all smiles as they watched the multitudes hostling to get as close as possible to the bus. An estimated 4 million people were in the streets by Tuesday afternoon, according to local media citing police sources.

I celebrate the way the people took to the streets to honor our squad,” President Alberto Fernández wrote on social media after the parade was cut short.

Celebrating fans took over hig hw ays, avenues and the access routes into the capital as temperatures climbed to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Thousands had set up camp since early Tuesday morning at the Obelisk.

Ginebra in Comm’s Cup finals

semifinals series, 3-1.

Veteran playmaker LA Tenorio started the Gin Kings’ early run and stayed in command with import Justin Brownlee

Season finale

T he recent championship series between Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines (UP) was one for the books in terms of drama, expectations, preparations and ticket demand. The Smart-Araneta

Brownlee had an all-around performance of 24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals and five blocks, more than enough to deny his counterpart, Serbian Nicholas Rakocevic, who shot an atrocious 3-of-13 shooting from the field for 13 points and 13 rebounds for Magnolia.

“ I’m thankful for the confidence given by the coaching staff. That’s

Coliseum buzzed with a crowd-size never before assembled after pandemic restrictions eased. You could feel the electricity in your skin.

Game 3 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals was the fitting climax to a season that started still with considerable Covid protocols in place. Only in the second round were fans allowed to occupy the Patron sections of the Mall of Asia Arena. So as the season wore on, fan numbers surged, making this a Revenge Tour for spectators as well.   B asketball fans will remember this one as “the unpredictable season.” Coaches and fans had always assumed that Ateneo would be the team to beat every year. But this year was different. Even as Season 85 was marked as Ateneo’s revenge tour, there was no clear path to that conclusion at the start of the season.

Spectacular performances from National University and University of the East (UE), for one, made them strong contenders for the bright lights. Disappointing starts from erstwhile strong teams Far Eastern University and Adamson U were nevertheless turned around by resurrections and strong finishing kicks. Up and down plays from De La Salle University kept it in the running till the last trip to the playoffs. Only University of Santo Tomas had

big to every player because it helps a lot in our execution to create a lot of open shots within our offense,” said Tenorio, who posted 10 of his 18 points in the first quarter.

He also added five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

A guilar racked up 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and had eight rebounds while Scottie Thompson had 14 points, five

T he Argentine president declared a national holiday Tuesday so the country could celebrate the World Cup victory.

The song “Muchachos,” which was written by a fan and became a popular unofficial anthem for the Argentine team at the World Cup, filled the streets as fans joined in singing it over and over again.

Some fans also paid tribute to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, the captain of the 1986 squad that won the World Cup and who died two years ago, with flags bearing his name and face. “This is for Diego, who’s seeing it from heaven,” fans chanted.

This is a party. The last time Argentina was a champion I was 3 years old, I don’t remember anything,” said Yael Torchinsky, 39. “I want to live this intensely because the Argentine people need this happiness.” AP

RSA, SMC support sisters Laurea, Lia campaign in golf

SAN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) has ventured from a successful basketball program to the greens with SMC’s top honcho Ramon S. Ang (RSA) supporting the campaign of up-and-coming golfers Laurea and Lia Duque.

L aurea, 18 is a member of the national pool for four years now and has represented the country in many junior and open amateur events, while  Lia, 14, is an upcoming  talent who has great potential to be one of the better golfers in the country.

The Duque sisters recently paid RSA a courtesy call at the SMC headquarters at the Ortigas Center recently.

The Duque sisters are the main draw of Team SMC in golf. They are the only golfers fully supported by the conglomerate.

SMC’s support covers everything local and overseas tournaments, equipment, apparel, uniform and gear, as well as all coaching from swing to putting and short game to strength and conditioning.

SMC will send Laurea to Thailand  for at least two weeks every month to train under coach Kris Assawaniporn, who is credited for producing current world No. 3 Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul.

S he had a chance to train with Thitikul in her trip to Bangkok last month.

L ia, on the other hand, will kick off her Thailand training in 2023.

S MC hopes that the sisters will benefit from the world-class training that will translate to a vast improvements in their games and further result to good performances and even wins in major international competition.

Their last US summer tour funded by SMC and BMW Philippines, an RSA company, resulted to a number of modest finishes for the sisters in Northern California Laurea highlighted with a victory at the San Francisco Junior Championships, one of the oldest junior events in the US.

It was an auspicious start for her as the event has been won by a number of future big names in the sport, including former Ladies Professional Golfers Association winner, Filipino American golfer Dorothy Delasin.

R SA and SMC’s basketball teams—San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and Ginebra San Miguel—are among the greatest teams in the Philippine Basketball Association.

rebounds and five assists. Jamie Malonzo contributed 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Ginebra.

The Gin Kings posted their biggest lead at 71-47 in the third period.

Calvin Abueva had 14 points and six rebounds for Magnolia, who saw from Paul Lee struggle with his shots and finished with only nine points.  Josef Ramos

LA

a luckless season, although it did pull off surprises now and then. The defending champs University of the Philippines were the front runners for most of the eliminations, but got upended by their now favorite rivals, Ateneo, in the last game of the elims.

Ne w heroes were hailed this year that were not on the radar last year. Luis Villegas, a one-and-done UE Warrior, was so impressive he became a member of this season’s Mythical Five. Rey Remogat, also from UE, wrote his name in the books after a sparkling 24-point performance highlighted by a dagger three in overtime against La Salle in UE’s last game this season.

Tamaraw Patrick Sleat reminded me so much of Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics for his hardworking, takecharge, never-say-die personality. Growling Tiger Nic Cabañero could make eyes pop with his shot-making ability. Kevin Quiambao of the De La Salle came good as advertised. Blue Eagle Kai Balunggay was a sweet-faced assassin just like UP’s Harold Alarcon. Maroon Cyril Gonzales was hardy and fearless, like a 4-wheel drive traversing rugged terrain. Falcon Joem Sabandal always showed grace under pressure. Steve Nash Hernandez never said never to any rough situation the Bulldogs were in.

Much as the fans enjoyed the anything goes trajectories

that almost every team faced, the athletes and even the sports media found the season schedules brutal and physically demanding. The still shortened season plus four-game Wednesdays taxed the stars and the scribes who wrote about the games. But somehow the beautiful stories and unexpected outcomes of the competitions made everything worthwhile.

S o in the end, most fans got the finals that they wanted. This new, seething rivalry between the Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons played out to a crowd almost 23,000 strong. Although the Blue Eagles controlled the game from the start down to the last quarter, the Fighting Maroons put on a show that erased a 20-point lead and shaved it down to five, at one point, reducing it to three in the dying seconds. But a crucial possession awarded the ball to Ateneo.

A nd so it was all there, the emotion and the drama. The little known fact that Ange Kouame was still playing hurt all season long despite his monster performance. The bittersweet image of injured Maroon Xavier Lucero sinking the last shot on a technical foul that allowed him to step on court again and be showered with love by the crowd.

Thus ended Season 85 basketball. Stay tuned for what might happen in Season 86.

SEASON 85’s men’s basketball tournament is done.

All hail to the Ateneo Blue Eagles for pulling off their Revenge Tour and bringing back the championship trophy to their side of Katipunan.

SO many jubilant, flag-waving fans swarm Buenos Aires that the players have to abandon the open-air bus transporting them to board helicopters for a capital flyover that the government bills as an aerial parade. AP

PUERTO PRINCESA City’s Miguel Carlos with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala.

RAMON S. ANG welcomes Laurea and Lia Duque during a courtesy call at the San Miguel Corp. offices in Ortigas.

TENORIO helps lift Ginebra with his veteran smarts.

BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel caught Magnolia on its bad hair day and scored a 99-84 victory on Wednesday and claim the first finals berth in Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

and Japeth Aguilar imposing their will almost throughout the game to close out their best-of-five