BusinessMirror January 12, 2023

Data showed net foreign direct investment declined to $7.6 billion in the January to October 2022 period from $8.3 billion in January to October 2021.

“FDI includes [a] investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and [b] investment made by a non-resident subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor.

FDI can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings,” BSP said.

Of this amount, net debt instruments accounted for more than half or $5.36 billion in the January to October 2022 period. It posted a 10.2-percent contraction from the $5.97 billion in the same period in 2021.

e rest or $2.27 billion is accounted for by equity and investment fund shares in the 10-month period of 2022. is also contracted 3.7 percent from the $2.36 billion posted in 2021.

Meanwhile, BSP data showed that October FDIs rose 6.3 percent to $923 million in October 2022 from the $868-million net in ows in October 2021.

“Despite the global economic headwinds, FDI net in ows rose on account of the increase in nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments and equity capital of their local a liates,” BSP said.

By country source, equity capital placements emanated largely from Japan, the United States, and Singapore in October as well as in the January-October 2022 period.

e BSP said in October, these investments were channeled mainly to the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply at 31 percent; manufacturing at 29 percent; and information and communica-

THE agriculture department has reactivated its price and volume watch body to ensure proper coordination with the livestock and poultry stakeholders in securing the country’s meat supplies.

Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban issued Special Order (SO) 19 that ordered the recomposition of the price and volume watch committee and advisory groups for livestock and poultry.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Y. Evangelista said the revival of the price and volume watch group has long been proposed since

HOUSEHOLD consumption as well as infrastructure projects are expected to boost economic growth this year to 6 percent, according to First Metro Investment Corporation-University of Asia & the Paci c Capital Markets Research.

In a brie ng on Wednesday, University of Asia and the Paci c economist Victor A. Abola said this is a slowdown from the 7.3-percent GDP growth estimates of the think tank for 2022. e o cial full-year growth estimates of the government will be released in two weeks.

For 2022, the think tank expects the industry sector to post a full-year growth of 6.5 percent and 6.3 percent in 2023 while services may have grown 8 percent in 2022 and is expected to slow to 6.6 percent this year.

“Amidst the unexpected challenges in the global economy in the past year, the Philippines pulled through and grew 7.7 percent [in the rst nine months] driven by strong domestic demand,” First Metro President Jose Patricio Dumlao said.

“ is year, we continue to anticipate external headwinds—slower global growth, interest rates and in ation will remain elevated and

volatility will persist—which will temper growth. In the face of all this, the economy will remain resilient and is expected to expand by 6 percent,” he added.

Abola said growth will be driven by domestic demand, given expectations of higher household consumption as well as government spending, mainly for infrastructure and housing programs.

e easing of the increase in crude oil prices; slower wheat and industrial commodity prices; and expectations of the slowdown in monetary policy tightening will contribute to higher spending.

Abola also noted record employment levels that ensure Filipinos

were receiving salaries and wages; a reduction in personal income tax; and the peso depreciation of 3 to 4 percent which translates to about P60 million to P70 million worth of bene ts to spending.

For infrastructure, Abola noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was given a higher budget this year and this will contribute to public sector spending.

THE WORLD »A8 PHL FDIs SHRINK TO $7.6B IN JAN-OCT ’22—BSP DATA S “PNP,” ASome infrastructure projects that this budget will nance include the P122 billion of the P488billion Metro Manila Subway; P35 billion of the P141-billion North-

S “R,” AEJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDSBusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ■ Thursday, January 12, 2023 Vol. 18 No. 89www.businessmirror.com.ph CHEAPER SUB Sakurab, a food seasoning used in traditional cuisines in Mindanao and the Visayas, where it is commonly known as sibujing, is shown in Quiapo, Manila. At P50 to P60 per kilo, the native scallion is gaining popularity as an alternative to the much higher-priced onions. ROY DOMINGOHE ongoing “cleansing” of the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) can also help improve the country’s reputation in terms of compliance with human and labor rights, according to a labor group.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) urged the government to use its ongoing attempts to rid the PNP of o cials with links to illegal drugs as an opportunity to reform the organization.

“ e FFW further calls on the DILG chief to adopt measures to align reforms that will inculcate trade union and human rights standards among the ranks of the PNP,” the labor group said.

It noted the country is currently in need of improving its compliance with labor and human rights, especially with the arrival of the International Labor Organization is sending an ILO-High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM) on January 23,

e mission will investigate reported extralegal killings, enforced disappearances, intimidations, and violence committed against trade union leaders, organizers, and activists throughout the year.

it serves as a platform for production guidance among industry stakeholders.

“It guides them whether there is enough supply or shortfall and therefore helps them in deciding whether to increase their production or not. It is also helpful to the department since we would have better projections regarding the su ciency of our meat commodities,” Evangelista told reporters on Wednesday.

e technical committee of the price and volume watch group will now be chaired by the Assistant Secretary for Consumer A airs and co-chaired by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) director.

Members of the technical committee are the heads of all the live-

stock- and poultry-related agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as well as representatives from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Minimum Access Volume, National Corn Program and Philippine Coconut Authority.

Meanwhile, there will be ve livestock and poultry-related advisory groups: swine, broiler and layer, meat importers and processors, ruminants, and vendors.

e members of each advisory group would come from prominent livestock and poultry industry groups, most of whom are longtime industry leaders.

e primary role of the techni-

PNP...

“

e FFW stands with Secretary Abalos in believing that the PNP must undergo a process of cleansing to restore a good image, discipline, and improve e ectiveness in the campaign against illegal drugs as well as respect for human and trade union rights,” FFW said.

Last week, Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. ordered PNP generals and full colonels to submit their courtesy resignations in an attempt to remove police o cials with links to illegal drug trade.

He said a ve-man committee will be created to screen the replacement of the resigned o cials.

Among them is former police general and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong. FFW lauded the inclusion of Magalong in the committee.

“ e inclusion of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, with his integrity, expertise, and experience, in the ve-man committee evaluating the pro les of resigned o cials is also a welcome development,” it said. Samuel P. Medenilla

Risks...

South Commuter Rail; and other key projects such as the Davao City Circumferential road and the Boracay Circumferential road, among others. Infrastructure spending

Senate sets CAAP fiasco hearing; Zubiri sees serious security risks

SENATE President Miguel Zubiri signaled readiness to actively participate in the Senate Public Services Committee inquiry on ursday into the New Year’s aviation fiasco involving the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), that paralyzed air traffic control and navigation systems, disrupting nearly 300 flights and stranding 65,000 passengers.

The Senate President lamented, “it does not give us a good picture of our country and so we are having a hearing Thursday,” to be presided by Senator Grace Poe, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

For her part, Poe said, “While I preside over the hearing, we are keen to learn what really happened?”

“Was it lack of equipment? Or was it a sabotage, as that is also a possibility?” she added.

will also include Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects such as the Calax which will see spending worth P13 billion of the P45-billion project budget this year; the MRT 7, P15 billion of the P43 billion; and the LRT-1 Extension, P15 billion of the P69 billion.

e government is also seen to invest in mass housing to plug the

Poe added her initial reaction was it could be “a sabotage,” adding: “That was my rst instinct and if it was incompetence then people should be red.”

Senate President Zubiri agreed with Poe, saying at the Manila Bay forum Wednesday it could also be due to “kapalpakan” (incompetence), indicating that if that caused it, those at fault should be kicked out.

“Imagine, if that were true, that the wrong

6 million housing backlog. is, Abola said, has received a P500-billion seed money and the creation of a Fannie Mae type secondary mortgage as well as local government participation.

“ e country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong. Our gross international reserves [GIR] which stood at $96 billion is at a

switches were applied, that is crazy, is it not?” Zubiri asked, partly in Filipino, referring to the mind-boggling excuse given that a faulty circuit breaker led to greater damage to vital equipment, instead of resolving the instant crisis.

He added: “Kapalpakan ‘yon [That was incompetence], and we have to look into that, so that it will never happen again and let’s get properly trained individuals to handle this because it’s also a national security risk mga kababayan ko [my countrymen].”

Zubiri stressed, “This is a national security risk, meaning, our potential enemies now know that if they want to create trouble, they can simply tri e with a switch, and no airplane can y over the entire Philippines. Not like before, [when] there was redundancy: when there was a similar situation in NAIA where a radar is knocked out in Luzon, planes can still land in Visayas and Davao in the south. You can still land in Visayas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, in Davao, you can divert the ights because before it was never centralized.”

The senator also wants to raise that question at the hearing on Thursday: “I do not know who is the genius that decided to centralize it to Metro Manila. Before, apparently, I was told by former pilots I had talked to, it was spread out into three main islands—Luzon, Visayas

comfortable level. is is equivalent to over 7 months’ worth of imports. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is still manageable—63 percent in 2022 and 64-65 percent in 2023. is is anticipated to decline starting 2024,” Dumlao said. In 2022, the Monetary Board hiked policy rates seven times for a total of 350 basis points. As central banks continue to manage stubborn in ation, interest rates will continue to rise from its current levels.

After rates peak in the second quarter of this year, the local think tank said the yield curve is expected to retrace its path to levels below end December 2022 by about 12.550 basis points. ey said they see a slight steepening of the curve with the 2-year vs 10-year spread increasing back up to around 150 basis points.

“In the debt markets, frequent issuers are anticipated to come back through re nancing opportunities but may exhibit caution in the early part of the year until there’s a better picture on the trajectory of in ation and interest rates. Issuances should pick-up in the second half,” the think tank said.

at Mindanao—so that if there’s a problem in NAIA you can divert to other parts of the Philiuppines. But now, none—you’ll have a total blackout over the Philippines and if there’s an invading force it is very easy for them to switch that o and there will be no planes ying on our skies, for them to quickly and easily enter the Philippine airspace, right?”

Zubiri said he will also raise security questions at the Thursday hearing of Poe’s panel. “[The question] I will ask also tomorrow is, is our AFP ready for an eventual happening such as that? Do we have, does the air force have their own backup system? Do they have their own programs for monitoring the skies? Because it will be, I would say a mortal sin, that if the civilian flights such as what had happened in January 1, are canceled or all those systems break down, that our air force as well cannot fly. They should have a backup system where our air force can fly and protect our skies.”

He added: “So that’s many question, because this is of course a risk to our country and it is important that we have to see their system. How the system is being operated and how we can rectify the situation of January 1. It is really an issue on national defense, it is a national security issue as well.”

WB view: Dim HOWEVER, the World Bank which released its latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP), believes the country’s GDP growth will be weak until 2025.

e World Bank said the country’s GDP growth is expected to average 7.2 percent in 2022; 5.4 percent in 2023; and 5.9 percent in 2024.

Based on the Philippine Economic Update that the Washington-based lender released in December 2022, the World Bank also expects the country to post a growth of 5.9 percent in 2025. “ e baseline projection is subject to multiple downside risks, including the possibility of renewed pandemic-related disruptions, more prolonged real estate sector stress in China, sharper tightening of global nancial conditions, weaker global growth, and more frequent disruptive weather events linked to climate change,” the World Bank, however, said.

“A prolonged war in Ukraine and intensifying geopolitical uncertainty could further reduce business and consumer con dence globally and lead to a sharper slowdown than projected in the region’s

tion, 16 percent.

In the January to October 2022 period, the top industries that received these FDIs are manufacturing at 30 percent; real estate at 18 percent; and nance and insurance at 17 percent.

e BSP statistics on FDI are compiled based on the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th Edition (BPM6).

e FDI statistics are distinct from the investment data of other government sources since BSP’s data covers actual investment inows.

By contrast, the approved foreign investments data published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)—which are sourced from Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs)—represent investment commitments, which may not necessarily be realized fully, in a given period.

e PSA data are not based on the 10-percent ownership criterion under BPM6. Moreover, the BSP’s FDI data are presented in net terms (i.e., equity capital placements less withdrawals), while the PSA’s foreign investment data do not account for equity withdrawals.

[East Asia and the Paci c] export growth,” the report added.

Other risks to the outlook, the World Bank said, include further disruptions caused by “renewed large-scale Covid-19 outbreaks” in China. is could hamper regional and global value chains.

e World Bank also pointed out that “unexpectedly persistent high global in ation” could tighten monetary policy further and cause a sharper than expected slowdown in economic growth.

e report stated that growth in the East Asia and Paci c (EAP) region is projected at 4.3 percent in 2023, an improvement from the 3.2 percent growth initially expected last year due to a projected rebound in China.

China is forecast to post a growth of 2.7 percent in 2022 and 4.3 percent this year. e World Bank, however said, this is still below its potential growth rate due to pandemic-related disruptions. Growth in the rest of the region is expected to slow to 4.7 percent in 2023 from 5.6 percent in 2022, as pent-up demand dissipates and declining goods export growth outweighs recovery in tourism and travel.

DA REACTIVATES PRICE, VOLUME WATCH BODY

cal committee is to serve as the primary advisory body of the agriculture secretary in terms of supply and demand situation of livestock commodities, based on the SO.

Under the SO, the technical committee should conduct regular and emergency meetings with the advisory groups to discuss issues and concerns a ecting the country’s livestock and poultry industries.

ese issues and concerns include supply situation, farm-gate and retail prices, importation programs, animal disease situations, minimum access volume, cold storage inventors and industry outlooks.

e technical committee is responsible for integrating and analyzing pertinent information gathered during its meetings and formulate a situational analysis and adoption measures that address any existing supply gaps and sudden price surges.

e committee shall also evaluate policy options to address pressing supply issues and likewise transmit policy recommendations that allow the government to e ectively manage the country’s meat supply.

Meanwhile, the advisory groups are tasked to assist the technical committee in monitoring the pric-

es of various livestock and poultry products as well as feeds including demand and supply trends.

e advisory groups are also required to provide “reliable” industry information with regard to the prices of livestock, poultry, eggs, meat and meat products during the meetings.

e SO said the advisory groups should assist the government in the “development and implementation of programs that enhance the predictability of production and consumption, supply and demand of livestock, poultry, meat and meat products.”

e SO also ordered the creation of regional price and volume watch committees and advisory groups, especially in key livestock and poultry-producing regions such as Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen.

Livestock and poultry industry stakeholders have been lobbying for the resurrection of the price and volume watch since the body has been critical in ensuring the country’s meat supply in the past.

Industry stakeholders emphasized that the body has been the go-to platform for both local producers and meat importers to discuss the country’s overall meat situation, such as output projections, and demand estimates. ey lamented that the advisory body

ceased to operate and exist during the previous leadership of the agriculture department.

Elias Jose Inciong, United Broiler Raisers Association President, said the issuance of SO 19 is a “good rst step” toward better coordination between the government and stakeholders in terms of ensuring the country’s meat supplies.

However, Inciong, who has been part of the previous iterations of the price and volume watch, proposed that other government agencies such as the Customs bureau and the Philippine Statistics Authority should be part of the group.

Other government agencies that should be part of the price and volume watch are the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Finance, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Science and Technology in order for it to have more holistic discussions, Inciong said.

“If the SO will not be amended to include the other agencies then our e orts will not culminate [in an ideal] information network in accordance with Sections 38 and 45 of the [Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act]. We will go nowhere, we will just run in circles,” he said in a forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. on Wednesday.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

IMMIGRATION Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Wednesday called on agencies involved in airport operations as well as airline companies to work together in addressing passenger woes, particularly the long queues in various airports.

Tansingco made the call after receiving reports of long lines at the immigration area, following the New Year’s Day air traffic control glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that prompted the cancellation or diversion of local and international flights, affecting more than 60,000 passengers.

He noted that the agency has reached the maximum capacity of counters at the airport, and that he has even assigned two to four immigration officers in counters at certain terminals to help address the long lines.

All counters were manned, but the lines remained long,” Tansingco said in a news statement.

While passengers were processed expeditiously, more can be done to improve this,” he added.

Tansingco identified the airports’ limited space as one of the major reasons contributing to the long queues in various terminals.

It’s already a space problem.  We can add so many officers, but if the space is limited, then there will still be lines,” he stated.

T hus, Tansingco said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) supports the decongestion of Naia and opening of new airports.

“As we open our borders, we should innovate in anticipation of the rebound of international tourism,” Tansingco added.

Tansingco also stressed the need for airline companies to cooperate with concerned government agencies in addressing the problem.

He said regulating the influx of passengers by proper scheduling is one of the measures that airlines can implement.

“ This is a joint concern that we must all address in all aspects. We believe that by working together, this concern can be resolved,” Tansingco stressed.

The Nation

DND chief Galvez tells key defense officials to stay in posts amid reported resignations

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

NEWLY installed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. called on DND officials with coterminus appointments to stay on to their posts during a transition briefing accorded to him on Tuesday by agency officials.

At least seven up to nine undersecretaries and assistant secretaries have earlier tendered their courtesy resignations as part of the regular procedure after the appointment of Galvez as the new defense chief following the resignation of Defense Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino Jr. D ND spokesman Arsenio “Popong” Andolong Jr. said that during the briefing, Galvez asked all members of the DND’s executive committee and bureau heads to stay on.

During the briefing, a formal report was presented to Galvez, the focus of which was the department’s

direction and the 10-point agenda initiated by Faustino.

It was followed by a meeting with senior officials and heads of bureaus and a discussion with members of the executive committee.

We will sustain the gains of the past Secretaries and will also further enhance the capability of our nation-

al defense,” Andolong quoted Galvez as saying during the meeting, where he also emphasized the importance of employees’ morale in the DND and professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Before coming to Camp Aguinaldo where the DND office is located, Galvez met in private with Faustino,

who briefed him on the different accomplishments of the agency along with his recommendations to ensure continuity of DND programs.

On Wednesday, the DND and the AFP made a joint New Year’s Call on Galvez and AFP Chief of Staff Gen.

Andres Centino.

G alvez, who accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Misamis Occidental, was represented by DND Undersecretary for Capability Assessment and Development Angelito de Leon, who, for his part, defended the reappointment of Centino.

There is nothing irregular if you are referring to the law that prescribes [the appointment and term of chief-of-staff], and besides, rightfully, it is the prerogative of the Commander-in-Chief to designate not only the chief-of-staff, but of course the key officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DND civilian bureaus,” de Leon said during news briefing that followed.

He said the changes in the mili-

tary top brass have not affected the morale of troops.

Based on the turnout in this morning’s traditional joint DND and AFP New Year’s Call, all the key commanders were there, including the key staff officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DND civilian bureaus. So, I think there is no issue with morale. The morale remains high, we are focused on our mandate,” he said.

On the other hand, Centino, during the call, urged members of the AFP to remain united in “embodying only the highest standards of excellence across all AFP mission areas.”

“ The new leadership in the AFP and the DND shall represent a renewed commitment to unity. In ensuring the cohesiveness and professionalism of our institutions, while serving as role models to the subordinates following us, we fortify the relationship of our soldiers to their units and enhance the formidable foundation upon which the legacy of the AFP is built upon,” he said.

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—Mountaineers have been told to coordinate their plans and share their itinerary with barangay officials here before they scale the country’s highest peak at the Davao City side of Mt. Apo, the head of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) said.

PSSO chief, Angel Sumagaysay, said there have been incidents in the past “when people going up to the mountain did not ask permission from barangay officials in the area. These people eventually got lost and had to be rescued.”

They went up, then it rained, and you know in the mountains if there are many trees it is very dark. Now the rain became strong, the water level rose they could not go down,” Sumagaysay said, as he recalled a recent incident.

T he mountaineers were eventually found by the Bantay Bukid, the city’s forest guards.

T he Bantay Bukid is composed of members of tribal communities living in the area who were deputized to guard the forests in the area.

“ They were able to penetrate and locate the area where the hikers were trapped,” Sumagaysay said.

T he rescue was augmented by personnel from the Davao City Central 911 and policemen who were deployed to assist the Bantay Bukid in rescuing the trapped hikers.

“ Don’t just look at mountain climbing as all enjoyment. You should anticipate that there are so many considerations to look at,” Sumagaysay said.

He said the hikers should consider the weather and the conditions of the area, such as if the trails are slippery.

You should ask permission and coordinate with barangay officials of the area where you are trekking, or plan to trek,” he said.

THE country’s largest labor group is pushing for the creation of a new commission that will be tasked to look into reported incidents of freedom of association violations (FOA) and extra judicial killings (EJK) in the country.

T he Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) made the proposal ahead of the arrival of the International Labor Organization (ILO) High Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) from January 23 to 26 that will look into alleged harassment and killings of trade unionists.

I n a news statement issued last Tuesday, TUCP Vice President

Luis Corral said the new commission would serve as “a concrete action” of the government to address the concerns raised by local labor groups before ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions.

“Placing it under the Office of the President will provide the needed stature, boost its resources, and ensure effectiveness to investigate these alleged labor-related EJKs and FOA violations,” Corral said.

He noted their proposed commission should replace “the budgeted but ineffective and non-performing Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-

Legal Killings [created under Administrative Order 35].”

All trade union EJK cases submitted to it by the Department of Labor and Employment-chaired National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council-Monitoring Body were dismissed as supposedly not laborrelated,” Corral said.

T he labor leader said other measures, which could be adopted by the government to address the issues to be tackled by the HLTM are the financial reparations for EJK victims; trade union notification of personsat-risk to state forces; and approval of labor legislations.    Samuel P. Medenilla

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

ARECENT ruling by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) holding an online food delivery company liable for illegally dismissing its riders has underscored the urgency of passing a law protecting the rights and welfare of freelance workers, a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

D avao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte said the legal dispute between the company and the delivery riders would not have reached this far had there been a law safeguarding the rights of freelancers from abuse and exploitation.

We won’t be commenting on the details of the case as this is still a continuing legal battle between the two parties. What we would like to point out, though, is that this issue has highlighted the lack of protection and benefits for freelancers. This could be corrected by passing a pending measure in Congress that squarely addresses this long-standing concern in our fast-growing gig economy,” Duterte said in a news statement.

D uterte was referring to the case filed by seven delivery riders in Davao City against the operator of a leading app-based food delivery platform.  The riders, represented by the Davao United Delivery Riders Association Inc. (DUDRAI), said they were illegally dismissed by the company by suspending them and barring them from using its mobile app for 10 years.

T he riders had been calling for transparency on how their pay was calculated by the company before their services were terminated.

I n a ruling handed down last month, the NLRC affirmed its Labor Arbiter’s decision stating that an employer-employee relationship existed between the company and the riders. Thus, the NLRC said, the termination of the riders and barring them from using the company’s mobile app for 10 years is tantamount to “constructive dismissal,” and upheld the Labor Arbiter’s award of monetary claims to the riders.

T he company is reportedly set to appeal NLRC’s ruling.

W ith Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano, Duterte earlier filed House Bill 3738, which aims to recognize and protect the rights of freelancers like couriers and delivery riders, along with millions of other workers identified under the measure as “independent contractors.”

Similar other bills are also pending in the House and Senate.

Duterte said that in the absence of a law providing them protection from abuse, many freelancers are hired with vague and unclear conditions, leaving them to fend off for themselves in instances when payments for their services are delayed, unreasonably reduced, or worse, not given to them at all.

To shield them from these unfair labor practices, Duterte said HB 3738 seeks to make written contracts mandatory in obtaining the services of freelancers, along with providing them with night differential and hazard pay when applicable.

T he bill also makes it unlawful to commit any form of retaliation arising from the acts of freelancers meant to protect their rights as workers.

To ensure that freelancers re -

TO be able to deliver basic services to the people efficiently, a lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill identifying certain basic services and privileges that barangays and their residents are entitled to.

B ataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, principal author of House Bill 228 known as “the Magna Carta for Barangays,” said that the proposal would empower and enable barangay officials to serve their constitu-

ents more effectively.

T he bill also declares it is the right of every barangay to have a regular supply of clean and potable drinking water. To attain this goal, every city and municipality, as the case may be, is hereby required to construct and/ or maintain at least one deep well with a pumping device for drawing drinking water to supply the needs of every 1,000 residents for each barangay within its jurisdiction.

“ To be able to deliver basic ser-

vices to the people efficiently, the Barangay should be empowered and enabled to stand on its own,” Roman said adding that necessary facilities like safe and drinkable water, health centers, educational centers and schools, barangay halls, and means for public commuting should be in place to promote the general welfare of the barangay.

Every barangay is entitled to have at least one elementary school: Provided that there shall be at least one

high school for every 5 kilometers from the barangay center. It shall also be the right of every barangay to have one health center and one barangay hall.

Roman, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality said by the nature of their work, the safety and security of barangay officials are always at risk.

“One glaring example of this is in the fight against drugs. It is the Barangay officials who have the list

of actual or possible drug peddlers and users in the community,” the lawmaker from Bataan added.

Complaints against those involved in drugs are more often than not lodged with them before the complainants go to the police. It is these barangay officials who are the first in line when it comes to receiving reports of crimes that are being committed or have just been committed, Roman said.

Sadly, despite the services that they render with the accompanying

ceive just compensation for services rendered, the bill makes it unlawful for hiring party to pay them later than 15 days after the stated payment date in their contracts; or require them to accept less than the specified contract price as condition for receipt of compensation, Duterte noted.

U nder the bill, written contracts in hiring freelancers should include 1) the itemization of all services to be provided; 2) details of compensation and other benefits, including rate, method and schedule of payment; 3) period of employment; 4) grounds for breach of contract on the part of both the hiring party and the freelancer;  and 5) the Tax Identification Number of the freelancer.  Duterte said the bill also encourages freelancers to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to file and pay taxes.

Freelancers are covered by the tax relief provisions under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act under HB 3738.

Complaints about any violation of the bill’s provisions may be filed with the Department of Labor and Employment, through the Undersecretary for Workers with Special Concerns, the bill also states.

T he Philippines ranks 6th among countries with the fastest growing market for freelancers, according to the 2019 Global Gig Economy Index of the financial services provider Payoneer.

P ayoneer said this growth has contributed to a 35 percent rise in freelance earnings.

I ndependent estimates show that there are about 1.5 million to 2 million Filipino freelancers in the country.

danger to themselves and their family members, Barangay officials are a sorely neglected lot. The benefits that they currently receive from the government are not commensurate with what is due them,” she said. For her, equal opportunity is a “state of fairness in which individuals are treated similarly, unhampered by artificial barriers, prejudices or preferences, except when particular distinctions can be explicitly justified.”

Govt

urged

DTI counts on ₧1-B USAID project speed up MSME digital evolution

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is hoping that the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) program on strengthening digital economy will support the DTI’s electronic commerce-related targets.

D uring the public launch of USAID’s Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED) Activity, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual stressed that one of the top priorities of the trade department is to assist micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in digital transformation.

“ With Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy

[SPEED], USAID can be DTI’s partner in empowering small and medium enterprises through digital transformation. One of DTI’s strategic actions is to upgrade, upskill, and upsize MSMEs,” Pascual said.

T he USAID SPEED is a five-year project that seeks to expand the participation of Philippines’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the digital economy.

According to the fact sheet released by USAID, SPEED has four objectives: to improve SME capacity and access to e-commerce platforms; expand and increase the use of epayment systems and other fintech innovations; improve the integration of e-commerce platforms with logistical supply chains; and increase

consumer awareness and protection.

A s for the project’s funding, Mary Kay Carlson, United States Ambassador to the Philippines, said that $18 million or P1 billion would be allotted to the said project.

“ To help achieve these shared objectives, today we are launching USAID’s five year $18 million dollar or that’s P1 billion in Philippine peso, strengthening private enterprise for the digital economy program or SPEED. This partnership with the Philippine government aims to enable small and medium enterprises to participate safely, reliably and competitively in the country’s emerging e-commerce ecosystem,” Carlson said at the USAID SPEED public launch on Wednesday in Makati City.

Pascual also highlighted the benefits of digital transformation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), noting that, “digitalized MSMEs can operate more efficiently, reduce costs, reach bigger markets, and earn profits.”

For instance, the trade chief said, digital systems of enterprises can accumulate cash flow data on sales, use enterprise data for credit scoring and provide access to cash flow-based credit.

In pursuit of its digitalization goals, the DTI said it is also working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish an e-commerce platform that can be utilized by MSMEs and will facilitate MSMEs’ pivot from offline to online.

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—The newest province of Davao Occidental registered the second fastest-growing local economy in the region and among the few pilot provinces to emerge from the financiallydebilitating Covid-19 pandemic.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data on Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) showed the province of Davao Occidental on the second spot in the fastest-growing economy in the Davao Region in 2021.

PSA Davao Occidental chief statistical specialist Jessie Madulin said

the first-ever released PPAs covering the period 2018–2021 showed the economy of Davao Occidental posting 6.4 percent growth in 2021 from a negative 1.8 percent in 2020.

“ This represented an increase in the value of the Gross Provincial Domestic Product [GPDP] of P32.4 billion in 2020 to P34.4 billion in 2021,” Madulin told the Philippine Information Agency.

“

It is worth noting that Davao Occidental is one of the 16 provinces among the 46 pilot provinces in the country that had already surpassed the 2019 pre-pandemic level,” he added. He said its 2021 GPDP was higher than the 2019 GPDP level by 4.5 percent.

Davao de Oro posted the fastest GDP growth with 7.4 percent, while Davao City ranked third with 6 percent, Madulin said.

T he PSA started releasing annually last year the sub-regional level economic performances on the identified pilot provinces and highly urbanized cities. Davao Occidental was one of the pilot areas for PPA compilation in 2022.

Madulin said the top contributor of Davao Occidental’s growth was Services with 2.8 percent, closely followed by the Industry with 2.6 percent. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing also contributed positively with 1 percent.

A mong the 16 industries in the province, construction contributed the highest with 1.9 percent.

The wholesale and retail trade industry followed with 1.5 percent; re-

pair of motor vehicles and motorcycles with 1.5 percent and agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 1 percent.

T he rest of the industries also contributed positively to the growth of Davao Occidental’s economy, Madulin stated.

Construction recorded the fastest growth among the industries at 23.4 percent, followed by the human health and social work activities at 19.9 percent, while mining and quarrying recorded 13.2 percent.

Madulin said the PPA is a mechanism to compile the GPDP and Gross City Domestic Product (GCDP), complementing the GDP at the national and the GRDP at the regional level.

“PPA is very advantageous, especially to our government planners in crafting policies and programs for the economic development of the province,” he said.

DAVAO CITY—Some 100 cooperatives from across the Bangsamoro region were granted financial assistance amounting to a total of P150,000 to continue serving their members.

T he Bangsamoro government’s Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA) distributed the checks to the cooperatives under its Special Assistance for Viable Enterprise or SAVE grant program.

Seventy-four of the cooperatives are

operating from the mainland provinces of Maguindanao Del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Lanao Del Sur, as well as cities of Cotabato and Marawi, while 26 are from the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

T he first batch of 56 cooperatives from the mainland provinces areas received their checks on December 29, while the remaining beneficiaries are scheduled to receive their assistance in January 2023.

Abdullah Dipatuan, chief of the CSEA

THE Board of Investments (BOI) said it has entered into an agreement with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) to strongly position the province as a “prime gateway” to East Asia and a “major” commercial hub in Northern Philippines.

With the newly forged strategic partnership, the BOI said the prime gateway to East Asia and a major commercial hub in Northern Philippines will be linking North and Central Luzon to Asian countries such as Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

I n a news statement issued on Wednesday, the investment promotion agency said the memorandum of agreement (MOA) will “align the efforts of both offices on creating an enabling business-friendly environment that will generate and fast-track the realization of highly desirable investments in Ilocos Norte, particularly in the agriculture, tourism, renewables, infrastructure, and services sectors.”

In his remarks, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing head Ceferino S. Rodolfo pointed out that numerous investment opportunities are bound to happen in Ilocos Norte because of its “irreplaceable geographical location, investment readiness, forward-looking leaders, and its established offerings for the renewable energy [RE] sector.”

T he RE sector, Rodolfo noted, could woo more investors as there is an “increasing importance” being placed on carbon neutrality and on shifting to renewables to address climate change.

For instance, the BOI said, the largest wind power project in the country and in Southeast Asia, which is the Burgos Wind Farm, is located

in the province.

Moreover, the attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the PGIN officially welcomed BuhaWind Energy’s Offshore Wind Farm investments in the province.

A ccording to the BOI, these strengths could also position Ilocos Norte as a top destination for highvalue manufacturing and agriculture, powered by RE.

For his part, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc asserted that the province will sustain its investment “readiness” and will make sure that its development goals, investment policies, and proactive programs will be “well-aligned” with the national government.

In fact, he said, the province’s Local Investment and Incentive Code (LIIC) was crafted to attract highly desirable projects and responsible businesses, waiving its share on real property taxes as an incentive.

“ We look forward to working with you. On behalf of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa BOI sa suporta ,” he said, adding “the MOA will deepen and enhance the endeavors to generate more strategic investments and high-quality jobs for Ilocanos and Ilocanas.”

BOI Executive Director Bobby G. Fondevilla said the agreement would benefit both parties in terms of productivity, but “ultimately” the country as a whole, specifically on furthering economic development and growth through increased strategic investments.

T hese investments, Fondevilla said, “Will fill in the gaps in the industries’ value chains and generate quality employment” for the Filipino people.

Administrative Division, said the cooperatives were identified after a thorough selection and screening process set under the grant’s guidelines.

“ The selected cooperatives underwent a strict process of application, including the submission of their respective project proposal and verification of their residencies from conflict-affected areas. They were severely affected by the pandemic, and needing sustainable intervention,” Dipatuan said.

C SEA Executive Director Samcia

Ibrahim also emphasized the importance of the cooperatives’ compliance to ensure that the beneficiaries were really functional and operational.

“ This financial assistance will serve as a start-up capital of your cooperatives in the implementation of your submitted feasible and viable business proposal to increase your earnings and eventually, your co-op will boost its functionality and could even lead to enhance the living conditions of your members,” Ibrahim said. Manuel T. Cayon

BOI grooms Ilocos Norte as next prime gateway and commercial hub in N. Luzon

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ENVIRONMENTAL groups on Wednesday hailed the Supreme Court’s decision declaring as unconstitutional the country’s 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) with China and Vietnam.

For the environmentalists and people’s groups in our network, this decision spells stronger protection of the resources of the West Philippine Sea [WPS] and their preservation for the next generation,” Jon Bonifacio, National Coordinator of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE), said in a news release.

“ This decision is also a big and concrete step in addressing the climate crisis, as it will serve as a deterrent to any plans…to explore fossil fuels in those waters,” Bonifacio added.

T he group noted that during President Marcos Jr.’s trip to China last week, the Philippines and China reopened talks, begun in 2018, over the possibility of jointly developing oil and gas resources in the WPS, which is contested by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand.

T he burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of climate change, to which the Philippines is highly vulnerable. It is made up of many islands that can be submerged or flooded by sea level rise, stronger and more frequent typhoons are already causing

disastrous floods, and most Filipinos live on the country’s vast coastlines and depend on climate-sensitive natural resources, the group stated.

“ We call on the Marcos administration to respect the High Court’s decision, and, at the same time, to put all his climate rhetoric into action by actually stopping all plans for fossil fuel exploration and development in the West Philippine Sea,” Bonifacio said.

T he JMSU was signed in 2005 between China’s National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Vietnam’s Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) and the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).

Under the undertaking, joint explorations were to be conducted in 142,886 square kilometers of the South China Sea covering the six islands claimed and occupied by the Philippines in Spratly—the islands of Pag-Asa, Lawak, Kota, Patag, and Panata.

B ecause 80 percent of the JMSU site is within the Philippines’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone, progressive groups filed petitions seeking to declare the agreement unconstitutional.

Today, after 14 years, the SC declared that the JMSU violated the Constitution for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to explore the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution. It voted 12-2-1.

PBBM orders rehab of flood control infra in N. Mindanao

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered for the immediate rehabilitation of flood-control infrastructures and resettlement of flood victims in some areas in Northern Mindanao that were devastated by the shear line rain and flooding last month.

Marcos issued the statement during a situation briefing on Wednesday after visiting areas in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which suffered intense rains and flooding brought about by the shear line in December.

T he shear line is formed when the cold air of the northeast monsoon converges with the warmth of the easterlies and generates thick clouds, which results in heavy rains.

T he President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to focus on fixing the damaged spillways, dikes, and seawall in the affected areas upon the recommendation of concerned local government units (LGU).

For Misamis Occidental, he proposed getting assistance from Japan on how to solve the flooding problem in the said province.    DPWH was also instructed to repair damaged roads, bridges and school buildings.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATE President Miguel Zubiri sees his fellow senators passing within the first quarter of the year the rest of the priority measures from the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) list that have been passed in the House and still pending in the Senate.

However, the Senate leader said they will not railroad the measures, “even as several priority bills are also pending with us,” but assured “hopefully we can pass these on the first quarter of this year.”

“Iyong mga priority measures, ’yong sa LEDAC natin na priority measures, alam mo naman...iba ‘yong dynamics dito sa Senado,” the Senate leader explained, adding, “Hindi po kami pwedeng mag-‘Choo, Choo, Train’ na sabihing “Ipasa ito, without comment, without discussion.”

T he Senate President added: “With due respect to the House— kasi galing din po ako sa House of Representatives…tyranny of numbers.”

“Speaking from experience,” as a former House member, he recalled, “Kapag sinabi ng Speaker, ng majority leader na “Ipasa na ‘yan,’ ay talagang ipapasa na ‘yan. Wala talaga tayong magagawa. You can raise hell and high water, you can debate and ask questions, pero ‘pag na overrule ka ng majority, wala tayong magagawa.”

In contrast, he affirmed, “Sa Senate, we have rules and traditions, and we follow traditions more than the rules. Because we can do the same, but time and time again, the Senate has proven to be a bastion of democracy of our country and we allow all our colleagues to raise issues, ques-

tions, debate on it on the floor.”

A ppearing at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Zubiri added, “Of course, except for filibustering. Yung filibustering hindi na po uso ‘yan, dahil gawain ‘yan ng ating mga ninuno sa Senado. Pero ngayon for the good of the country, basta maganda po para sa ating bayan, ay pwede nating pag-usapan ng masinsinan, and of course, come up with a compromise na maipasa natin itong mga batas na ito.”

So, we are ready and raring to go by the first quarter of this year to take up all our priority measures like the Virology Institute; the creation of the Center for Disease Control; the medical—bills that will help increase our economic standing, and many, many others. So ‘yan ang paguusapan natin ngayon at, of course, pagdedebatehan namin sa Senado this coming first quarter.”

“ With eagle eyes, we are going to look at this budget bill,” Zubiri said, referring to the  senators’ readiness in tracking spending by agencies of their approved 2023 budgets, in order to check chronic underspending by some critical agencies like the Transportation and Health departments.

T he Senate leader indicated that “definitely, there will be a realignment of budgets by 2024,” signaling that “we will be using, of course, the knowledge of what we have seen in this year’s 2023 budget. That is the commitment that we do every year to our scarce resources, particularly, our budget, our national budget, through the oversight functions.”

Speaking in Filipino, the senator pointed out that if they were sleeping on their job, “you would not see the brazen differences when it comes to

“ [The Department of] Public Works will do the assessment first on what [repairs] they have to do. How much was the damage? And then we’ll see how we will correct the damage and we can already do it,” Marcos said in mixed Filipino and English in the situation briefing in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

T he Chief Executive noted that high floodwaters in some of the affected areas could hamper the said rehabilitation efforts.

Evacuees’ aid

MEANWHILE , he directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to help homeless evacuees.

“ Those whose home were totally destroyed, we will look for a resettlement area so you will have new homes,” said Marcos when he led the distribution of government assistance in the Municipality of Tudela in Misamis Occidental.

He also ordered continued aid for the evacuees in the affected areas.

That is why we assure everyone, who has yet to be able to go back to their homes and are still in evacuation centers, will be given support and be cared for. You will have food and a place to rest,” Marcos said.

M arcos led in the distribution of P16 million worth of aid in Misamis Occidental.

Based on government data, the shear line affected over 16,000 people in Misamis Occidental and over 18,000 others in Misamis Oriental.

T he government already released P55.81 million worth of financial assistance from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations to 11,133 beneficiaries in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.

Rains wreak havoc in VisMin anew

IN a related development, the town of Tubod in Lanao del Norte has declared a state of calamity due to the effects of incessant rains that was also felt in other parts of the country because of the combined shear line and low pressure areas.

At least 10 people have been killed while four others were injured as a result of the torrential rains that have spawned flooding in some areas, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao because of the low pressure areas that affected the country since January 2.

On Wednesday, newly installed Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairman Carlito Galvez Jr. accompanied President Marcos in distributing relief assistance to affected residents in Misamis Occidental.

Reports from regional disaster offices indicated that several areas in Northern and Eastern Samar were also flooded, closing a number of roads and bridges from motorists.

T he NDRRMC said that the low pressure areas affected Region 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao since January 2. As a result, at least 69, 308 families or 291,826 individuals were affected. At least 784 families of 3,224 persons were also displaced.

T he NDRRMC said that flooding has already damaged at least P153,066,260 worth of government projects and P111, 738,324.31 worth of crops. At least 487 houses had also been damaged.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said that the shear line, which has been affecting various parts of the country since last month and has triggered flooding and landslides has also killed at least 52 people and injured 18 others. Another 18 people remained missing.

A t least 185, 826 families or 743,956 individuals have so far been affected and about 3,617 families or 11, 853 people displaced.

T he damage has been pegged at P273,030,000 in infrastructure and P425,326,730.45 in agriculture. At least 5,408 houses were likewise damaged. With Rene Acosta

budget spending. We will have eagle eyes, bantayan natin.” “

We’ll have eagle eyes, bantayan natin talaga sila , and then pagdating ng discussions on October for the 2024 budget, tatanungin namin isaisa itong mga ahensyang ito kung ano bang ginagawa nila sa ating pondo,” he added.

For example, Zubiri confirmed that, “together with Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. JV Ejercito, the budget of the Department of Health [DOH] when it comes to specialty hospitals. We added P10 billion, if I’m not mistaken...but we added about P10 billion more to the budget of the DOH to retrofit all the regional hospitals, to include the Heart Centers, Lung Centers, Kidney Institute offices in these regional hospitals. Nag-agree na po kami na hindi na po kami magtatayo ng stand alone.  Ibig sabihin, kasi napakamahal, magtatayo ng isang building para sa Heart Center, Kidney Center, matagal at mahal. Retrofit na lang, kasi marami naman lugar ang regional hospitals, malalaki.”

Moreover, he added, “Pwede tayong maglagay ng wing, a heart wing, or a kidney wing, of the regional centers. That’s why we added P10 billion to start off with the large regional centers, like Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Vicente Sotto sa Cebu, Northern Luzon lalagyan din natin, syempre, sa Bicol Region. So ang mga kababayan natin di na kailangang pumunta pa sa Manila para magpagamot, they can do it now in the regional centers with qualified specialty doctors.

“Now, ‘pag hindi nila ginawa ‘yan by the end of 2023, we will grill them, the DOH, on why they have not properly implemented the funds,” Zubiri said.

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) maintained its growth momentum since its first transition year in 2019, posting the lowest inflation rate record in the Philippines at 6.3 percent at the end of the year, the regional government said, citing a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Edward Donald Eloja, chief statistical specialist and the acting head of the PSA-BARMM said the PSA report that was released on Tuesday showed the region’s inflation rate at 6.3 percent as of December last year.

W hile it was the country’s lowest by region, Eloja noted that it was slightly high compared to the 6 percent the BARMM registered during the previous month of November.

He said both Region 12, or Soccsksargen and Region 4A or Calabarzon, logged the second lowest inflation rate at 7.1 percent and Region 5 or Bicol Region posted the third lowest inflation rate at 7.2 percent.

Region 6 or Western Visayas got the highest inflation rate at 10.5 percent.

“ The slight increase of an inflation rate at 0.3 percent in December compared to the previous month in the Bangsamoro region was primarily due to the increase in growths in the indices

of two commodity groups such as food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.5 percent in December compared to 7.6 percent in November; and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 3.2 percent compared to 2.9 percent in November,” Eloja said.

“ BARMM has recorded an average inflation rate of 4.1 percent in the entire year of 2022 while 1.9 percent average inflation rate compared in the year 2021,” he added.

A mong the provinces in BARMM, Lanao del Sur recorded the highest inflation rate in December at 8.7 percent followed by Tawi-Tawi at 7.3 percent, Basilan at 6.6 percent, Sulu at 5.4 percent and Maguindanao at 4.8 percent.

T he PSA-BARMM also said Cotabato City, the seat of BARMM government, slightly climbed its inflation rate to 5.3 percent in December compared to the 4.2-percent inflation rate in the previous month of November.

T he headline inflation rate in the entire Philippines slightly rose to 8.1 percent in December last year from 8.0 percent compared to the previous month of November 2022, he added.

T he BARMM information office cited Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Senior Research Specialist Zarinah Aligsao as saying “the increase in inflation rate was primarily due to external factors, including the war in Ukraine and internal factors due to high demand of commodities because of the Yuletide Season.”

DAVAO CITY—Filipinos need not go far in looking for the face of a person living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

HIV infection is no longer a far-off concern of anyone as it now becomes a neighborhood situation worthy of everybody’s

attention regardless of ethnicity, religion and sex,” said Flor Lucas, head of the Davao del Norte Provincial Health Office Population Program Division.

S he said the Philippine Registry on HIV reveals that the number of those diagnosed with HIV used to be just nine per day nationally. “This had increased over time to 30 newly diagnosed

with HIV per day in 2017, to 34 per day in 2021 and to as many as 42 per day in 2022.”

Davao City remained on top with a registered number of 4,171 from 1993 to 2022 but Lucas said, “It has become a concern that Tagum City came next highest in number of HIV cases with a total of 769 from 1993 to 2022.”

High incidence was noted in the 25

to 34-year-old age bracked and the 15 to 24-year-old brackets of the population “who are usually are sexually active and whose sexual curiosity is naturally extreme,” Lucas said.

Cases are still high among men having sex with men though there were also positive cases among male having sex with female. There were already cases of children getting positive of HIV, which they may have

acquired from their mother.

“All provinces in Davao Region, including Davao City, have registered HIV cases and all municipalities in Davao del Norte HIV cases,” she said.

“

The number is increasing, so health workers, volunteer educators and advocates must go on double time,” Lucas said.

R ae Katherine Apura, health edu-

cator of Tagum City Health Office confirmed that “indeed Tagum City contributed a large portion of the HIV cases in Davao del Norte.”

She pointed to the high awareness level on the availability of free HIV testing and the heightened community information and education drive on HIV that may explain why there was a big registered number in Tagum City. Manuel T. Cayon

10.

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CHU, HONGYAO Site Technical Specialist

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in both English and Chinese; Performs desktop review of existing and potential site locations.

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Basic Qualification: College Graduate, with good moral character an excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese; Performs desktop review of existing and potential site locations.

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BOLOU, KOFFI NUKUNU Customer Service Representative BilingualFrench/English

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Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; both in English and French. Strong knowledge of Thomson Reuters business, products, service and customers. Ability to deal with professional client base and complex customer issues with limited supervision. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to exercise good judgement. Ability to operate in a highpressure environment. College graduate. Focusing on Customers. Driving Results.

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CIZA, ANSELME RWABISHUGI Customer Service Representative BilingualFrench/English

44.

Brief Job Description: Respond to customers inquiries via phone, email and chat. Respond to inquiries regarding a specific or more complex product or a specific customer. Inquiries will vary but typically include address changes, account changes/ updates, order status, product feedback, password assistance, billing inquiry, etc. Ensure each customer contact is handled in a manner consistent with the Thomson Reuters brand and values to maintain customer satisfaction and retention. Apply company policy and procedures to resolve routine customer issues. Log and classify all calls and requests for assistance in the call tracking database. Filter and escalate inquiries as appropriate. Apply active listening skills to diffuse a potentially tense customer interaction. May include some order processing tasks per customer inquiry.

Basic Qualification: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; both in English and French. Strong knowledge of Thomson Reuters business, products, service and customers. Ability to deal with professional client base and complex customer issues with limited supervision. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to exercise good judgement. Ability to operate in a highpressure environment. College graduate. Focusing on Customers. Driving Results. Collaborating across Boundaries

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

39.

Brief Job Description: Must have a wide and strong knowledge about authentic Chinese cuisine, prepares wide variety of authentic Chinese menu items and plans menu

TAM, YIU MAN Chinese Sous Chef

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

Basic

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

40.

Brief Job Description: Must have a wide and strong knowledge about authentic Chinese cuisine, prepares wide variety of authentic Chinese menu items and plans menu

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferable 8-15 years experience in a Chinese restaurant in China. Must knowledgeable in different authentic Chinese cooking , can create/modify authentic Chinese recipe Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferable 8-15 years experience in a Chinese restaurant in China. Must knowledgeable in different authentic Chinese cooking , can create/modify authentic Chinese recipe

Range:

45.

NIBA NWICHAMBI, HANANEEL Customer Service Representative BilingualFrench/English

Brief Job Description: Respond to customers inquiries via phone, email and chat. Respond to inquiries regarding a specific or more complex product or a specific customer. Inquiries will vary but typically include address changes, account changes/ updates, order status, product feedback, password assistance, billing inquiry, etc. Ensure each customer contact is handled in a manner consistent with the Thomson Reuters brand and values to maintain customer satisfaction and retention. Apply company policy and procedures to resolve routine customer issues. Log and classify all calls and requests for assistance in the call tracking database. Filter and escalate inquiries as appropriate. Apply active listening

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

‘What madness looks like’: Russia intensifies attack on Bakhmut City

By Andrew Meldrum The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Russian forces are escalating their onslaught against Ukrainian positions around the wrecked city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian officials said, bringing new levels of death and devastation in the grinding, monthslong battle for control of eastern Ukraine that is part of Moscow’s wider war.

“Everything is completely destroyed. There is almost no life left,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday of the scene around Bakhmut and the nearby Donetsk province city of Soledar, known for salt mining and processing.

“The whole land near Soledar is covered with the corpses of the occupiers and scars from the strikes,” Zelenskyy said. “This is what madness looks like.”

Late Tuesday, the head of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military contractor, Dmitry Prigozhin, claimed in audio reports posted on his Russian social media platform that his forces had seized control of Soledar, with battles continuing in a “cauldron” in the city’s center. Ukrainian officials did not comment on the claim, and The Associated Press was unable to verify it.

The UK Defense Ministry said earlier that Russian troops alongside soldiers from the Wagner Group had advanced in Soledar and “are likely in control of most of the settlement.”

The ministry said that taking Soledar, 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Bakhmut, was likely Moscow’s immediate military objective and part of a strategy to encircle Bakhmut. But it added that “Ukrainian forces maintain stable defensive lines in depth and control over supply routes” in the area.

A Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Wagner Group “has moved from

being a niche sideshow of Russia’s war to a major component of the conflict,” adding that its forces now make up as much as a quarter of Russian combatants.

The Kremlin, whose invasion of its neighbor 10 1/2 months ago has suffered numerous reversals, is hungry for victories. Russia illegally annexed Donetsk and three other Ukrainian provinces in September, but its troops have struggled to advance.

After Ukrainian forces recaptured the southern city of Kherson in November, the battle heated up around Bakhmut.

Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Malyar, said Russia has thrown “a large number of storm groups” into the fight for the city. “The enemy is advancing literally on the bodies of their own soldiers and is massively using artillery, rocket launchers and mortars, hitting their own troops,” she said.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, the Donetsk region’s Kyiv-appointed governor, on Tuesday described the Russian attacks on Soledar and Bakhmut as relentless.

“The Russian army is reducing Ukrainian cities to rubble using all kinds of weapons in their scorched-earth tactics,” Kyrylenko said in televised remarks. “Russia is waging a war without rules, resulting in civilian deaths and suffering.”

Wounded soldiers arrive around the clock for emergency treatment at a Ukrainian medical stabiliza -

tion center near the front line around Bakhmut. Medics fought for 30 minutes Monday to save a soldier, but his injuries were too severe.

Another soldier suffered a head injury after a fragment pierced his helmet. Medics quickly stabilized him enough to transfer him to a military hospital.

“We fight to the end to save a life,” Kostyantyn Vasylkevich, a surgeon and the center’s coordinator, told The Associated Press. “Of course, it hurts when it is not possible to save them.”

The Moscow-backed leader of the occupied areas of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, told Russian state TV control over the city would create “good prospects” for taking over Bakhmut, as well as Siversk, a town further north where Ukrainian fortifications “are also quite serious.”

An exceptional feature of the fighting near Bakhmut is that some of it has taken place around entrances to disused salt mine tunnels that run for some 200 kilometers (120 miles), the British intelligence report noted.

“Both sides are likely concerned that [the tunnels] could be used for infiltration behind their lines,” it said.

In Russia, two signs emerged Tuesday that officials were grappling with the military shortcomings revealed during the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, whose performance has

been fiercely criticized in some Russian circles but who has retained Russian President Vladimir Putin’s confidence, said Tuesday that his military would use its experience in Ukraine to improve combat training.

Military communications and control systems will be improved using artificial intelligence, Shoigu said, and troops will be given better tactical gear and equipment.

The second indication of trouble involves Russia’s production of weapons and other supplies its military needs for the fight in Ukraine. The deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, warned that officials who failed to meet deadlines for such items could face criminal charges.

Putin appointed Medvedev last month to head a new commission tasked with trying to solve the military’s supply problems. Numerous reports have suggested Russia is running low on certain weapons and was sending some troops into battle with insufficient equipment and clothing.

Part of the Kremlin’s challenge is keeping up with the weapons and supplies that Western allies are providing to Ukraine.

The Patriot surface-to-air guided missile defense system is one of the weapons Ukraine is about to receive, and the Pentagon announced Tuesday that about 100 Ukrainian troops will head to Oklahoma’s Fort Sill as soon as next week to begin training on

it. That will help Ukraine protect itself against Russian missile attacks. The United States pledged one Patriot battery last month, and Germany has pledged an additional system.

Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, announced Tuesday while visiting Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, that her country would also provide 40 million euros ($43 million) to help with demining, energy infrastructure and Internet connections, German news agency dpa reported.

Several frontline cities in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk provinces have witnessed intense fighting in recent months.

Together, the provinces make up the Donbas, a broad industrial region bordering Russia that Putin identified as a focus from the war’s outset and where Moscow-backed separatists have fought since 2014.

Russia’s grinding eastern offensive captured almost all of Luhansk during the summer. Donetsk escaped the same fate, and the Russian military subsequently poured manpower and resources around Bakhmut.

Taking Bakhmut would disrupt Ukraine’s supply lines and open a route for Russian forces to press toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk.

Like Mariupol and other contested cities, Bakhmut endured a long siege without water and power even before Moscow launched massive strikes to take out public utilities across Ukraine.

Kyrylenko, the Donetsk region’s governor, estimated more than two months ago that 90 percent of Bakhmut’s prewar population of over 70,000 had fled since Moscow focused on seizing the entire Donbas.

Ukraine’s presidential office said at least four civilians were killed and another 30 wounded in Russian shelling between Monday and Tuesday.

Vitaliy Kim, the governor of the southern Mykolaiv region, said Russian forces shelled the port of Ochakiv and the area around it late Monday and again early Tuesday. He said 15 people, including a 2-year-old child, were wounded.

WB: Recession a looming threat for global economy

By Christopher Rugaber AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON—The global economy will come “perilously close” to a recession this year, led by weaker growth in all the world’s top economies—the United States, Europe and China—the World Bank warned on Tuesday.

In an annual report, the World Bank, which lends money to poorer countries for development projects, said it had slashed its forecast for global growth this year by nearly half, to just 1.7 percent, from its previous projection of 3 percent. If that forecast proves accurate, it would be the third-weakest annual expansion in three decades, behind only the deep recessions that resulted from the 2008 global financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Though the United States might avoid a recession this year—the World Bank predicts the US economy will eke out

growth of 0.5 percent—global weakness will likely pose another headwind for America’s businesses and consumers, on top of high prices and more expensive borrowing rates. The US also remains vulnerable to further supply chain disruptions if Covid-19 keeps surging or Russia’s war in Ukraine worsens.

And Europe, long a major exporter to China, will likely suffer from a weaker Chinese economy.

The World Bank report also noted that rising interest rates in developed economies like the United States and Europe will attract investment capital from poorer countries, thereby depriving them of crucial domestic investment. At the same time, the report said, those high interest rates will slow growth in developed countries at a time when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has kept world food prices high.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has added major new costs,” World Bank President David Malpass said on a call with reporters. “The

outlook is particularly devastating for many of the poorest economies where poverty reduction is already ground to a halt and access to electricity, fertilizer, food and capital is likely to remain limited for a prolonged period.”

The impact of a global downturn would fall particularly hard on poorer countries in such areas as Saharan Africa, which is home to 60 percent of the world’s poor. The World Bank predicts per capita income will grow just 1.2 percent in 2023 and 2024, which is such a tepid pace that poverty rates could rise.

“Weakness in growth and business investment will compound the already devastating reversals in education, health, poverty and infrastructure and the increasing demands from climate change,” Malpass said. “Addressing the scale of these challenges will require significantly more resources for development and global public goods.”

Along with seeking new financing so it can lend more to poorer countries, Malpass said,

the World Bank is, among other things, seeking to improve its lending terms that would increase debt transparency, “especially for the rising share of poor countries that are at high risk of debt distress.”

The report follows a similarly gloomy forecast a week earlier from Kristina Georgieva, the head of the International Monetary Fund, the global lending agency. Georgieva estimated on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that onethird of the world will fall into recession this year.

“For most of the world economy, this is going to be a tough year, tougher than the year we leave behind,” Georgieva said. “Why? Because the three big economies— US, EU, China—are all slowing down simultaneously.”

The World Bank projects that the European Union’s economy won’t grow at all next year after having expanded 3.3 percent in 2022. It foresees China growing 4.3 percent, nearly a percentage point lower than it had previously forecast and about half the

pace that Beijing posted in 2021.

The bank expects developing countries to fare better, growing 3.4 t his year, the same as in 2022, though still only about half the pace of 2021. It forecasts Brazil’s growth slowing to 0.8 percent in 2023, down from 3 percent last year. In Pakistan, it expects the economy to expand just 2 percent this year, one-third of last year’s pace.

Other economists have also issued bleak outlooks, though most of them not quite as dire. Economists at JPMorgan are predicting slow growth this year for advanced economies and the world as a whole, but they don’t expect a global recession. Last month, the bank predicted that slowing inflation will bolster consumers’ ability to spend and power growth in the United States and elsewhere.

“The global expansion will turn 2023 bent but not broken,” the JPMorgan report said.

The Associated Press reporter Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.

Brazilian protests demand jail for proBolsonaro rioters

By David Biller & Felipe Mello The Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO—“No amnesty! No amnesty! No amnesty!”

The chant reverberated off the walls of the jam-packed hall at the University of São Paulo’s law college on Monday afternoon. Within hours, it was the rallying cry for thousands of Brazilians who streamed into the streets of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, penned on protest posters and banners.

The words are a demand for retribution against the supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro who stormed Brazil’s capital Sunday, and those who enabled the rampage.

“These people need to be punished, the people who ordered it need to be punished, those who gave money for it need to be punished,” Bety Amin, a 61-year-old therapist, said on São Paulo’s main boulevard. The word “DEMOCRACY” stretched across the back of her shirt. “They don’t represent Brazil. We represent Brazil.”

Protesters’ push for accountability evokes memories of an amnesty law that for decades has protected military members accused of abuse and murder during the country’s 1964-85 dictatorship. A 2014 truth commission report sparked debate over how Brazil has grappled with the regime’s legacy.

Declining to mete out punishment “can avoid tensions at the moment, but perpetuates instability,” Luis Felipe Miguel, a professor of political science at the University of Brasilia, wrote in a column entitled “No Amnesty” published Monday evening. “That is the lesson we should have learned from the end of the military dictatorship, when Brazil opted not to punish the regime’s killers and torturers.”

The same day, Brazilian police rounded up roughly 1,500 rioters. Some were caught in the act of trashing Brazil’s Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace. Most were detained the following morning at an encampment in Brasilia. Many were held in a gymnasium throughout the day, and video shared on pro-Bolsonaro social media channels showed some complaining about poor treatment in the crowded space.

Almost 600 who were elderly, sick, homeless or mothers with their children were released Tuesday after being questioned and having their phones inspected, the Federal Police said in a statement. Its press office previously told The Associated Press that the force plans to indict at least 1,000 people. As of Tuesday afternoon, 527 people had been transferred to either a detention center or prison.

The administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says jailing the rioters is only the start.

Justice minister Flávio Dino vowed to prosecute those who acted behind the scenes to summon supporters on social media and finance their transport on charges involving organized crime, staging a coup, and violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. Authorities also are investigating allegations that local security personnel allowed the destruction to proceed unabated.

“We cannot and will not compromise in fulfilling our legal duties,” Dino said. “This fulfillment is essential so such events do not repeat themselves.”

Lula signed a decree, now approved by both houses of Congress, ordering the federal government to assume control of security in the capital.

Far-right elements have refused to accept Bolsonaro’s electoral defeat. Since his Oct. 30 loss, they have camped outside military barracks in Brasilia, pleading for intervention to allow Bolsonaro to remain in power and oust Lula. When no coup materialized, they rose up themselves.

Decked out in the green and yellow of the national flag, they broke windows, toppled furniture and hurled computers and printers to the ground. They punched holes in a massive Emiliano Di Cavalcanti painting at the presidential palace and destroyed other works of art. They overturned the U-shaped table where Supreme Court justices convene, ripped a door off one justice’s office and vandalized a statue outside the court. Hours passed before police expelled the mob.

“It’s unacceptable what happened yesterday. It’s terrorism,” Marcelo Menezes, a 59-year-old police officer from northeastern Pernambuco state, said at a protest in São Paulo. “I’m here in defense of democracy, I’m here in defense of the people.”

Cries of “No amnesty!” were also heard during Lula’s Jan. 1 inaugural address, in response to the president detailing the neglect of the outgoing Bolsonaro administration.

AP videojournalist Mello reported from São Paulo. AP writer Carla Bridi contributed from Salvador.

UKRAINIAN military medics carry an injured Ukrainian serviceman evacuated from the battlefield into a hospital in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Monday, January 9, 2023. The serviceman did not survive. AP/EVGENIY MALOLETKA

Agriculture/Commodities

China to spend $260M for PHL durian–DA

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

CHINA is set to purchase $260 million worth of durian from the Philippines this year, a deal negotiated by Manila during its recent bilateral talks with Beijing, according to the agriculture department.

T he Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed that four Chinese firms have committed to buy durian from the Philippines.

T he commitment was part of the $2-billion fruit export deal secured by the Philippines from China during President Marcos Jr.’s recent state visit.

“One of the focal points of the discussion is the durian imports by China all over the world. We are pinpointed as one of the sources that China would like to avail from and they have allocated $260 million initially to start off the project from the Philippines,” Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said in a statement.

We hope and anticipate that this

will be a major breakthrough that we should avail of and hope that we should be able to maintain a good relationship with China in the long run.”

T he four Chinese firms that would import Philippine durians are Dole (Shanghai) Fruits and Vegetables Trading Co., Ltd/Dole China, Prestige International Co. Ltd., Shanghai Goodfarmer Group, and the Dashang Group.

Panganiban together with Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel V. De Mesa recently met with regional executive directors (REDs) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to discuss the necessary measures to fulfill the $260-million durian export deal.

During the meeting, Panganiban said he directed the REDs to “immediately” identify potential areas in their regions for expansion of durian production. Furthermore, they were instructed to “formulate necessary work and financial plans to sustain the durian export,” according to the DA.

“ In coordination with the BPI and the High Value Crops Devel -

opment Program [HVCDP] led by Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, the Regional Field Offices [RFOs] will also conduct capacity building activities, ensure the production of market preferred varieties, develop

must reduce waste to boost local food supply’

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham) said the government should consider reducing food waste amid the spike in commodity prices.

C hris Ilagan, co-chair of AmCham’s Agribusiness committee, said cutting food waste would help ease high food prices and boost domestic supply.

“ We do know for example that food waste, estimated to be one third of all food production, it’s certainly an area I think we need to look into especially at this time of supply shortages, of supply gluts,” Ilagan said in a televised interview last Tuesday.

“ They say about 40 percent of that 33 percent is actually lost in the postharvest and processing stages. These are low hanging fruits so to speak. The food’s already produced and it’s just a matter of finding a way to maximize its use.”

L ast Monday, Philippine Cham-

ber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President George T. Barcelon expressed concern over high food prices and has urged the government to address it immediately given its impact on inflation.

“ Issue of concern is for the government to find solutions on high food prices which have heightened the clamor for big wage adjustments that could lead to even higher inflation,” Barcelon said in a Viber message sent to reporters on Monday.

He said this is a “vicious cycle” that could stunt business and “negatively impact” the competitiveness of the export sector. As such, Barcelon said, “the outlook on both job creation and sustainability for the year may encounter headwinds.”

Barcelon made the statement after the prices of onions skyrocketed to as much as P700 per kilogram last month.

In a statement issued by Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Ramon Clarete was quoted as saying that the “tradability” of the Philippines’s agricuture and food sector

has weakened.

C larete said during an e-forum on food security that low productivity and high population growth have pressured the country to turn to food imports, including rice, making it vulnerable to international trade disruptions.

To mitigate disruptions in the “new normal,” he said there is a need to improve trade, particularly of perishable goods, as the storage and delivery of these products that require cold chains and air shipments were severely impacted during the pandemic.

Consolidation

ILAGAN said AmCham has been pushing for other measures, such as land consolidation, to boost the country’s food security. He noted that the Department of Agriculture is now working on land consolidation and is trying to do this through cooperatives.

To support the effort, Ilagan said the size of land ownership must be expanded.

packing houses, and assist in marketing,” the DA said.

T he DA said the BPI will also provide durian producers with support in terms of accreditation, Philippine Good Agricultural Practice certifica-

tion, and protocol implementation, among others, to be able to meet export standards.

T he DA noted that the Philippines and China signed last January 4 the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Re -

quirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China.” The protocol paved the way for the opening of the Chinese market for an estimated amount of 50,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh durian.

Initially, the durian will be exported from the list of registered farms in major durian production areas of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato. Moreover, the project is expected to generate at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs from the bilateral venture,” the DA said.

T he Philippines exported 88,790 kilograms of fresh durian worth $183,038 from January to October last year, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

T he volume was 77.17 percent lower than the 388,936 kg (worth $453,975) exported in the same period in 2021, PSA data showed.

T he Philippines exports fresh durian to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, South Korea, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

FAO index of world food prices higher in 2022–report

THE index of world food prices dipped for the ninth consecutive month in December 2022, declining by 1.9 percent from the previous month, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported today.

T he FAO Food Price Index averaged 132.4 points in December, 1.0 percent below its value a year earlier. However, for 2022 as a whole, the index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, averaged 143.7 points, 14.3 percent higher than the average value over 2021.

Calmer food commodity prices are welcome after two very volatile years,” said FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero. “It is important to remain vigilant and keep a strong focus on mitigating global food insecurity given that world food prices remain at elevated levels, with many staples near record highs, and with prices of rice increasing, and still many risks associated with future supplies.”

Vegetable oil world quotations led the decrease, with the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index down 6.7 percent from November to reach its lowest level since February 2021. International quotations for palm,

soy, rapeseed and sunflowerseed oils all declined in December, driven by subdued global import demand and prospects of seasonally rising soy oil production in South America as well as declining crude oil prices.

T he FAO Cereal Price Index decreased 1.9 percent from November. Ongoing harvests in the southern hemisphere boosted wheat exportable supplies, while strong competition from Brazil drove down world maize prices. Conversely, international rice prices rose, buoyed by Asian buying and currency appreciation against the United States dollar for exporting countries.

T he FAO Meat Price Index in December dropped by 1.2 percent from November, with lower world prices of bovine and poultry meats outweighing higher pig and ovine meat prices. International bovine meat prices were impacted by lackluster global demand for mediumterm supplies, while more-thanadequate export supplies pushed down poultry meat prices. Pig meat prices rose on the back of strong internal holiday demand, especially in Europe.

T he FAO Dairy Price Index increased by 1.2 percent in December, following five months of consecutive

FOR all the torrential rains soaking California, it’s not enough to end the drought that has dogged the state for years.

T he most optimistic case is a downward spiral of drought, though that depends on whether the downpours continue. The bundle of atmospheric rivers in the past couple weeks have caused widespread flooding and killed at least 14 people. While the deluge raises hopes of drought relief, there’s still a risk California could suffer a repeat of last year, when the state had its driest January-to-March period despite a flurry of storms in late 2021.

While current storms have created a strong start to the wet season, we’re still in early January with over half the wet season to come,” said Jeanine Jones of the California Department of Water Resources. “Major reservoir storage remains below average, and conditions could turn dry again this winter, offsetting recent rain and snow.”

T he rains are critical in breaking the worst period of drought in the United States southwest in 1,200 years. The dryness has hurt crops across California’s Central Valley, one of the world’s largest agriculture economies, put large cities under stress, threatened water supplies

for many smaller communities and contributed to some of the largest and deadliest wildfires in state his-

tory. Dwindling flow in the Colorado River bordering California has also put hydroelectric supplies in danger.

California is coming off its driest three-year period since 1896, according to Jones.

“ This has created a huge water deficit that will take time—and much more rain and snow—to erase,” Jones said in an emailed statement.

“Groundwater levels in much of the state have also been depleted by the numerous dry years. It would take more than a single wet year for groundwater levels to substantially improve at the statewide scale.”

T he next US Drought Monitor update, which comes out Thursday, may provide an early signal of just how much relief storms have offered to the parched lands in the most populous US state. California was 97.9 percent in drought through the last week, although the worst categories of dryness were improving, according to the last weekly update of water resources across the US. The Pacific storms have brought California within 80 percent of what it needs by April 1 to consider this an average year, which is vastly better than the past three years.

Even then, drought has left lingering challenges for California, according to Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and co-author of the drought report. Years of pumping ground water has led to a collapse of underground chambers where water was held and the sink-

declines. Higher international cheese prices, reflecting tightening market conditions, drove the monthly increase in the index, while international quotations for butter and milk powder declined.

T he FAO Sugar Price Index also rose, increasing by 2.4 percent from November, mostly due to concerns over the impact of adverse weather conditions on crop yields in India and sugarcane crushing delays in Thailand and Australia.

Looking back

AS noted, the FAO Food Price Index average over 2022 was notably higher than the previous year, which on top of large increases in 2021 catalyzed significant strains and food security concerns for lower-income food-importing countries and the adoption, inspired by FAO, of a “Food Shock Window” lending facility by the International Monetary Fund.

World prices of wheat and maize reached record highs over the year. The average value of the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index for all of 2022 reached a new record high, while the FAO Dairy Price Index and Meat Price Index marked their highest full-year levels since 1990.

ing of lands on the surface.

T hose underground pockets “may never come back because of the nature of geology,” he said. “There has definitely been some damage to the ecosystem in terms of groundwater storage.”

W hile the latest storms aren’t seen to do much to dent California’s total drought, the weather has reduced the overall severity of the dryness. The state has seen the level of exceptional drought—the worst category—drop to zero in its January 5 report, which was down from about 7.2 percent a week earlier and almost 17 percent three months before.

T he western US is expected to get more rain and snow than normal through the end of January, according to Marc Chenard, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. An atmospheric river expected to land Thursday is likely to graze Northern California before moving into the Pacific Northwest.

A ll of which is a good start, but doesn’t necessarily mean it will lead to a strong finish, according to USDA’s Rippey.

We’re doing a lot good in terms of drought easing, but we are not there in terms of drought eradication,” he said. Bloomberg

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

‘Manila

PHOTO FROM WWW.DOST.GOV.PH

editorial

A war on drugs that people will support

Former president rodrigo Duterte launched his war on drugs with a promise to end the country’s drug scourge in three to six months. Six years later, Duterte admitted that he underestimated the magnitude and the complexity of the illegal drugs problem. He lamented that government officials and law enforcers themselves were involved in the drug trade.

President Marcos pledged to continue the war on drugs, but it will focus on prevention and rehabilitation. “We will have to do it in a different way,” Marcos said in his first interview after winning the presidency. “We have seen that the drug war has been conducted purely on the enforcement side. I think we should also focus on the prevention side.”

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the first PNP chief to oversee Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, earlier warned that police officers and politicians involved in illegal drugs appear to be coming back. Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said it seems these criminals think the Marcos administration may be going soft on illegal drugs. Urging no letup in the offensive against drug syndicates, the senator cautioned against the return of the “ninja cops.”

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos defended the Marcos administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, saying the evidence would speak for itself. He cited over P10 billion worth of illegal drugs seized since the President took office.

Abalos, however, admitted in a recent news briefing the involvement of some policemen in illegal drugs activities, which is dragging the whole PNP down and tainting its reputation. “This must be stopped, it keeps on repeating. This war on drugs will be a difficult battle especially when your own allies are the ones shooting you from behind,” Abalos said.

Last month, a district chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and three other personnel were apprehended during an anti-illegal drug operation in Taguig City. This prompted the city government to cut its ties with PDEA, saying it is “a betrayal of the highest order since the PDEA chief and agents were arrested at the very building the city allowed them to use for anti-drug operations.”

Abalos on Wednesday called on all police officials from the ranks of colonel, brigadier general and up to submit their voluntary resignations in a drastic move to weed out those involved in illegal drugs from the PNP.

Police Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who was the first to tender his courtesy resignation, said close to 600 senior police officials have heeded the DILG secretary’s call. “As of Sunday, we were able to account close to 600,” Azurin said, adding that at least 456 more senior officials are expected to file their voluntary resignations. The submission deadline is January 31.

Azurin earlier said only about five ranking PNP officials, among almost a thousand generals and full colonels, are suspected of involvement in the drug trade. An independent five-man committee will conduct an evaluation process to determine potential links of the police officers to the drug trade.

President Marcos said on Friday that the call for senior PNP officers to submit courtesy resignations was his directive. We are cleansing the ranks and making sure that the officials who will remain are trustworthy and are working for the government, not for syndicates, he said. The President said officers who will be cleared will be reinstated, while those with “severe” cases may face charges.

Abalos said the resignation of senior PNP officers will help keep the public’s confidence in the campaign against illegal drugs. He explained that the “ninja cops” are dangerous because they know how to cover their tracks, and they have drug money to buy protection from the powers that be. With their corrosive influence, they can make PNP drug enforcers their cohorts, and eliminate honest subordinates that are perceived as threats to their criminal activities.

The move to cleanse the police force should give the PNP a fresh start. But it would do well for the Marcos administration to also go after fiscals, judges and government officials who are involved in the illegal trade, or protectors of drug lords.

Drug abuse harms families and communities and erodes the social fabric that holds people together. That’s why the war on drugs must be relentless against drug lords and narcotraffickers. But users should not be treated as criminals. The government needs to find effective measures to reintegrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse. This is one way for authorities involved in the war on drugs to fully regain the public’s trust.

The markets: 2023

OUTSIDE THE BOX

NeArly 50 years ago I thought it would be a great idea to have a job wearing a three-piece suit, a “power tie,” and expensive shoes. And buying a new car every year. I was right.

But the critical “fun” part of analyzing and trading the asset and financial markets is the never-ending changes. Whether talking on an Inmarsat phone to a broker in London from the Majuro Yacht Club—now a part of dusty history—or sitting in a Wall Street office, every day is literally a new adventure.

Nothing is as fast-paced as the markets in 2023. Instant global communication is responsible for some of it. Then again, Isaac Newton lost £40 million of today’s money in two months back in 1720 when the South Sea Company “bubble” burst. Newton had bought earlier in the year and doubled his money. But when the stock price kept going higher, he bought back in at the high in July and was wiped out by September. Even a genius can be an “expert” when it concerned the markets.

However, if there was a turning point in history it might be on “Black Wednesday,” September 16,

1992, when George Soros broke the Bank of England and made over $1 billion.

What triggered the massive selling in the British pound is not important, and forget George Soros. What is important is that the government could not do anything to stop it and that virtually any person could take advantage of it. I even made a few bucks on the Soros trade watching the action from my office in Makati.

Five years later, “The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.” You might read that “the causes of the debacle are many and disputed” and more nonsense from “economists” and “experts.”

The Crisis officially started on July 2, with the collapse of the Thai baht. “Unofficially” it was a month earlier. Officially, the USD/PHP rate was 26.37 at the close on Friday, June 6 and officially 26.39 on Monday, June 9.

“Unofficially,” meaning if you

Bloomberg January 9, 2023: “Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson said in a research note that the S&P 500 could fall about 22 percent below current levels.” “J.P. Morgan’s Dubravko Lakos-Bujas thinks that the S&P 500 could rise around 9 percent by the end of this year.” “David Kostin, chief US equity strategist for Goldman Sachs Research says, “The S&P 500 Index is forecast to turn out flat returns and zero appreciation.”

needed US dollars since the banks seemed to be out of US dollars, the “black market” rate was 29.02, and this was on a day when the US dollar index dropped “unexpectedly” in Asia.

But again, nothing rivals the markets as now in 2023.

I hate to use bitcoin as an example because the cryptonuts react as if I drew a cartoon of Muhammad or painted a naked Virgin Mary. But this is 2023 and to be expected.

CNBC January 3, 2023: “Bitcoin bull Tim Draper had one of the most optimistic calls of 2022, predicting the token would be worth $250,000 by the end of the year. In November, the billionaire venture capitalist said he’s extending the timeline for that prediction until mid-2023.”

CNBC January 3, 2023: “Veteran investor Mark Mobius said bitcoin

would fall to $10,000 in 2022. That did not happen. However, Mobius told CNBC that he is sticking for his $10,000 price call in 2023.”

I am certainly glad we have it all figured out. But that is Bitcoin. What about something from the “real” markets like equities?

Bloomberg January 9, 2023:

“Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson said in a research note that the S&P 500 could fall about 22 percent below current levels.” “J.P. Morgan’s Dubravko Lakos-Bujas thinks that the S&P 500 could rise around 9 percent by the end of this year.”

“David Kostin, chief US equity strategist for Goldman Sachs Research says, “The S&P 500 Index is forecast to turn out flat returns and zero appreciation.”

Up, down, and sideways—take your pick. Maybe, though, the markets are no crazier than the world around us.

AP News January 7, 2023: “A journalists’ union in South Sudan asserted Friday that six staffers with the national broadcaster are detained in connection with airing video footage apparently showing the country’s president urinating on himself at an event during the national anthem.” Where are the “Freedom of the Press” people when you really need them?

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.

Bolsonaro eyes return to Brazil as US stay pressures Biden

By Joshua Goodman | The Associated Press

mIAmI—The Biden administration is under growing pressure from leftists in latin America as well as US lawmakers to expel Jair Bolsonaro from a post-presidential retreat in Florida following his supporters’ brazen attack on Brazil’s capital over the weekend.

But the far-right ex-president may pre-empt any plans for such a stinging rebuke. On Tuesday, he told a Brazilian media outlet that he would push up his return home, originally scheduled for late January, after being hospitalized with abdominal pains stemming from a 2018 stabbing.

“I came to spend some time away with my family but these weren’t calm days,” Bolsonaro told CNN’s Portuguese-language affiliate in Brazil. “First, there was this sad episode in Brazil and then my hospitalization.”

Bolsonaro arrived in Florida in late December, skipping the Jan. 1 swearing-in of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who became the first elected Brazilian president not to receive the presidential sash from his predecessor since democracy was restored in the 1980s. Bolsonaro is reportedly

staying at the Orlando-area home of Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Jose Aldo, a fervent supporter.

His visit to the Sunshine state went largely unnoticed in the US until Sunday’s attack by thousands of die-hard supporters who had been camping for weeks outside a military base in Brasilia, refusing to accept Bolsonaro’s narrow defeat in an October runoff. Their invasion of Brazil’s congress and presidential palace left behind shattered glass, smashed computers and slashed artwork.

Almost from the moment the images of destruction were broadcast to the world, Democrats voiced concern about Bolsonaro’s continued presence on US soil, drawing parallels between the rampage in Brazil and the Jan. 6, 2020 insurrection by allies of Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol to try to overturn the US presidential election results.

Almost from the moment the images of destruction were broadcast to the world, Democrats voiced concern about Bolsonaro’s continued presence on US soil, drawing parallels between the rampage in Brazil and the Jan. 6, 2020 insurrection by allies of Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol to try to overturn the US presidential election results.

Among those calling for President Joe Biden to give Bolsonaro the boot was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“Nearly two years to the day the US Capitol was attacked by fascists, we see fascist movements abroad attempt to do the same in Brazil,” the New York City lawmaker said. “The US must cease granting refuge to Bolsonaro in Florida.”

It should be a no brainer for the White House, experts say.

Biden has never had a close relationship with Bolsonaro, who made common cause with Trump’s top allies on the far right. And any action to expel him is likely to play well in Latin America, where Biden is courting a crop of new leftist leaders who have

risen to power in places like Chile and Colombia expressing similar concerns about threats to democracy.

“It’s one thing to make statements about support for democracy,” said John Feeley, a longtime US diplomat in Latin America who resigned as ambassador to Panama in 2018 over differences with the Trump administration.

“It’s another to actually take action in your own home, where you have sovereign control, with someone who is clearly in league with the same folks who brought you Jan. 6,” Feeley said.

But so far the Biden administration has proceeded cautiously.

On Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price, while sidestepping questions about Bolsonaro’s presence, said anyone entering the US on a so-called A-1 visa reserved for sitting heads of state would have 30 days to either leave the country or adjust their status with the Department of Homeland Security at the conclusion of their term of office.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was similarly circumspect, saying only that any request from Brazil’s government related See “Bolsonaro”

John Mangun

China’s population likely shrank in 2022 as births hit new low

China’s population likely started shrinking last year for the first time in decades, experts say, a significant milestone that will have long-term repercussions for the economy.

The government’s official data for total number of births in 2022—expected to be released next week— will probably show a record low of 10 million, according to independent demographer He Yafu.

That would be less than the 10.6 million babies born in 2021, which was already the sixth straight year of declines and the lowest since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. He added that the country likely recorded more deaths last year than the 10.1 million people who died in 2021, in part because of the spread of Covid infections.

The anticipated population dropoff is coming much faster than previously expected, and could curb growth in the world’s second-largest economy. The labor force is already shrinking, long-term demand for houses will fall further, and the government may also struggle to pay for its underfunded national pension system.

The upshot is that China’s economy may struggle to overtake the US in size and it could lose its status as the world’s most populous country to India this year.

Births fell in many nations during the pandemic as people feared going to hospitals, lacked family support because of lockdown restrictions and balked at child-care costs.

China, however, faces additional problems spurred in part by the decades-long enforcement of a “onechild policy” that skewed the gender ratio, given the traditional preference among Chinese parents for sons. That has led to a decline in the number of women of child-bearing age that will be hard to reverse— even after the government ended the policy and allowed families to have more children.

“The measures taken to boost birth rates have been far too little and too late, and were completely overwhelmed by the impact of Covid Zero on birth rates,” said Christopher Beddor, deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics.

“The core issue is that there’s only so much policy can accomplish in this realm, because declining birth rates are driven by deep structural factors,” Beddor said, adding that economic challenges posed by China’s aging and shrinking population have been discussed for years. “The leadership seems to have belatedly realized that those issues are very real and arriving very quickly.”

As recently as 2019, the United Nations was forecasting that China’s population would peak in 2031 and then decline. By last year, though, the UN had revised that estimate to see a peak at the start of 2022. It now expects China to lose 110 million people by 2050 and fall to about half its current size by the end of the century.

The fall in the working-age population will be even greater: That group will slump to about 650 mil-

As recently as 2019, the United Nations was forecasting that China’s population would peak in 2031 and then decline. By last year, though, the UN had revised that estimate to see a peak at the start of 2022. It now expects China to lose 110 million people by 2050 and fall to about half its current size by the end of the century.

lion people in 2050, a drop of about 260 million from 2020, according to Bloomberg Economics.

They forecast that the demographic headwinds will cut into the long-term growth potential of the economy unless government policies to promote having children start to be effective.

It may take a few years for the population to settle into a steady contraction, according to Yuan Xin, a demographics professor at Nankai University in Tianjin. He cited the government’s decision to ease birth limits and introduce policies to encourage childbirth.

“Usually population growth would hover around zero for a few years before one can conclude that a country has entered the phase of population contraction,” he added.

The economy also may not feel an immediate hit from the population decline. Labor can still be shifted from less-productive or rural sectors, such as farming, to other areas, according to Wang Tao, head of Asia economics and chief China economist at UBS AG. “Total labor supply for the non-farming sector can still go up,” she said.

A change to the retirement age may address some of the issues, she added. Countries such as Japan have been successful in maintaining the total size of the labor force even as the population aged and shrank, as more older people worked and women who’d left the workforce to raise a family returned.

China would have to overcome some challenges, though. The topic has been discussed for years but never implemented at scale, and has frequently sparked public outcry. The country has kept that age—60 for men and 55 for women white-collar workers — unchanged for more than four decades, even as life expectancy has risen. By contrast, most men and women in Japan and Taiwan can retire and start drawing a pension a few years later.

The issue may come up again soon.

At last month’s Central Economic Work Conference, China’s leadership said that they would “push forward the postponement of legal retirement ages in a gradual manner at the right time to actively deal with the issues of population aging and low birth rate,” according to a readout of the meeting. With assistance from Jing Li and Fran Wang / Bloomberg.

citizenship out of fear he could be prosecuted in Brazil for corruption or his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Close encounters with historian William Henry Scott in Sagada

Dennis gorecho

Kuwentong peyups

sagada, Mountain Province—i lost count of the number of times i have been travelling to sagada since 1991, usually during the yuletide season.

Approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, Sagada is a small and tranquil town of Mountain Province in the highland Cordilleras, which is approximately 396 kilometers from Manila via Halsema Highway.

With a land area of 8,396 hectares, Sagada is a popular tourist destination with activities like trekking, exploring caves (spelunking) and waterfalls, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites (like hanging coffins), and participating in tribal celebrations.

In the early 1990s, I remember taking the buses from Baguio that we call as “chicken express” because chickens were literally placed along the aisle of the bus.

As most buses were non-aircon then, one will arrive in Sagada from Baguio after almost six hours as “mestizo”—one’s  hair color turns grey due to the dust from the narrow and unpaved rugged roads.

“Top-load” adds more thrill as one sits on top of the jeepney or bus for a better view of the mountain ranges.

Spelunking is one of the reasons that tourists come to Sagada as there are more or less 60 caves here. Sumaguing Cave has the biggest chamber, earning its nickname “The Big Cave” with its countless rock formations slowly shaped by nature over thousands of years.

Historian William Henry Scott said in one of his works that when a person dies, his soul does not die but becomes a spirit (anito) that then lives in the village, especially in the caves or rocky places where its former body is entombed.

This spirit, he added, has the power to inflict injury, sickness or death upon the living. Nature spirits, meanwhile, inhabit stones, watercourses and trees, and are generally beneficial or neutral, doing misfortune only to those who do physical violence to their dwelling place.

Sagada is the place that allowed Scott the solitude he needed to write about pre-colonial Philippine society, ethnology, linguistics, and the history of the Cordilleras as well as theological discourses. He was initially assigned as a lay missionary of the Episcopal Church in 1954. He served as a teacher of English and history at St. Mary’s School and later as the school principal for many years. He also taught at various educational institutions like the University of the Philippines.

Fondly called “Scotty”, I had the privilege to meet him in 1991 in Sagada. I told him that one of his works I read in my History classes in UP Diliman was “The Igorot Defense of Northern Luzon,” a book about

Sagada is the place that allowed Scott the solitude he needed to write about pre-colonial Philippine society, ethnology, linguistics, and the history of the Cordilleras as well as theological discourses. He was initially assigned as a lay missionary of the Episcopal Church in 1954. He served as a teacher of English and history at St. Mary’s School and later as the school principal for many years. He also taught at various educational institutions like the University of the Philippines.

Igorot resistance against Spanish colonial rule.

“They were never slaves to the Spaniards nor did they play the role of slaves. Quite the contrary, Spanish records make it clear that they fought for their independence with every means at their disposal for three centuries, and that this resistance to invasion was deliberate, selfconscious, and continuous,” Scotty said in the book.

Scotty added: “The Spaniards did not consider this resistance a fight for independence. They considered the Igorots to be bandits and savages and lawbreakers because they did not submit to Spanish rule like the lowlanders. And they explained the Igorot defense of their liberty as the instincts of uncivilized tribes who had always been at war with their more peaceloving neighbors.”

Ironically, this same work was used against him as one of the “evidence” (along with Mao Zedong’s “red book”) after he was arrested a month after Martial Law was imposed in 1972.

The book was often tagged as “subversive” by the military although it was actually about incidents that took place from 1576 to 1896, the Spanish colonial era.

As a political prisoner, Scott was accused of being a communist sympathizer involved in “seditious activities” and an “undesirable alien” subject to deportation “because his presence has been and will always be inimical to the peace, security and tranquility of the community”.

Perhaps this was due to the fact that many of his students have joined the anti-Marcos opposition, especially in view of the controversial Chico River hydroelectric project, a Marcos project that would have flooded and submerged Sagada and many other places in the Mountain Province. Many of the arrested youth in the north were generally queried about his book.

Scott defended himself in a public trial, with scholars testifying on his vast contribution to Philippine historiography and ethnography. All charges against him were eventually dropped.

It is unfortunate that I was not able to have a photo taken with him during our encounters in Sagada when he was still alive.

Scott left behind 14 foster sons at the time of his death on October 4, 1993 at the age of 72.

On December 8, 2021, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a historical marker in memory of Scott at St. Mary’s School, which is part of the celebration of his centennial birth anniversary.

Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

House GOP demands probe of Biden files after defending Trump

By Justin Sink Bloomberg Opinion

HOUSE Republicans seized on the discovery of classified documents at a private office used by President Joe Biden, demanding multiple probes of the incident even after defending Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of hundreds of sensitive records.

Representative Mike Turner, the Ohio Republican who leads the House Intelligence Committee, on Tuesday wrote to the Director of National Intelligence requesting an immediate damage assessment of the Biden records and a briefing for lawmakers on any sensitive secrets that may have been put at risk.

“Those entrusted with access to classified information have a duty and an obligation to protect it,” Turner said. “This issue demands a full and thorough review.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said Tuesday his committee also planned to investigate Biden’s handling of classified documents.

to Bolsonaro would be evaluated, taking into consideration legal precedent. Typically, the US is reluctant to discuss visa issues out of privacy concerns.

Feeley said the longer the Biden administration waits the weaker its support for democracy will be perceived in the region.

One place Bolsonaro apparently isn’t going is Italy. The former president is the descendant of 19th-century immigrants from northern Italy and Brazilian media had speculated for months that he and his children would seek Italian

But Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told state radio on Tuesday that Bolsonaro has never requested citizenship—despite being bestowed honorary citizenship in 2021 by the small town where his great-grandfather was born.

“There are laws that address who gets citizenship,” Tajani said, emphasizing his far-right-led government’s strong condemnation of the raid on Brazilian government institutions by Bolsonaro supporters. “It is not a political, discretionary choice.” AP Writers Matt Lee in Washington and Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.

But Turner defended Trump after FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in August and seized dozens of classified documents the former president hadn’t voluntarily turned over to the National Archives. And Comer told CNN in November that Trump’s handling of classified documents after he left office “will not be a priority” for his panel.

Nonetheless, the records found at Biden’s office have created a litany of possible political headaches for the president. In addition to a DOJ review and the promised congressional investigation, Republicans have mocked Biden for calling Trump “totally irresponsible” after the FBI search. The president faces questions about the nature of the documents found at his office, how they wound up there and why the White House waited until Monday to disclose their

Nov. 2 discovery—six days before midterm elections.

“My question is the same for the National Archives for Biden as it was for Trump—exactly what kinds of documents are we talking about here and will Joe Biden’s personal residence be raided like Mar-a-Lago was raided,” Comer said.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, said that “I think everybody sees the double-standard there.”

Difference in magnitude

HOWEv ER , the GOP’s effort to draw equivalence between the discovery of the Biden records and the ongoing criminal investigation into the Mar-a-Lago documents suffers from vast differences in the magnitude of the incidents and the responses by Biden and Trump.

Biden’s attorneys found about 10 classified documents, CBS News reported, while packing up files stored in a locked closet at the Biden Penn Center for Diplomacy & Global Engagement, a think tank Biden established after his vice presidency. They immediately alerted the National Archives, which took possession of the records the next day, according to Richard Sauber, a White House lawyer.

Trump, by contrast, took hundreds of classified documents from the White House to his Florida home. The National Archives sought their voluntary return for months before the FBI search, when agents found the documents in Trump’s personal office and a storage closet near a pool and deck open to members of the Mar-a-Lago club.

“Our system of classification exists in order to protect our most important national security secrets, and we expect to be briefed on what happened both at Mar-a-Lago and at the Biden office as part of our constitutional oversight obligations,” Senator Mark Warner, a virginia Democrat, said in a statement.  “From what we know so far, the latter is about

finding documents with markings, and turning them over, which is certainly different from a months-long effort to retain material actively being sought by the government.”

Trump’s associates may have also misled the government about the presence of the documents at his club and how they were handled, and they defied a subpoena requesting the return of the records.

“I think the most compelling difference, based on what we know, is how individuals responded when they became aware there was classified information,” said Brandon va n Grack, a former senior national security official at the Department of Justice.

Democrats hope the incident at Biden’s office will clarify rather than muddy the political and legal waters surrounding a possible prosecution of Trump by demonstrating the appropriate way to handle such documents.

Trump has claimed that he declassified all of the records found at his home, without providing substantiation.

“When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” Trump said Monday on his Truth Social account.

DOJ review AT TORNEY General Merrick Garland directed John Lausch, the Trump-appointed US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to review Biden’s handling of the classified materials found at his office, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Lausch’s inquiry—and Republican efforts on Capitol Hill—are expected to examine the content of the classified documents, how they were removed from the White House and how they were stored.

But former prosecutors say that Trump’s legal jeopardy arises more from possible efforts by his team to

obfuscate his possession of classified documents after the government asked for them back. Sauber, the White House lawyer, said that the archives never requested the documents found in Biden’s office.

“There appear to be some differences from the situation with the classified Mar-a-Lago documents— most notably, with these classified documents, the voluntary notification to NARA the same day they were located and retrieval by NARA the next day,” said Kathleen Kedian, who previously held senior roles in the counterintelligence and export control section of the Department of Justice and is a lecturer at George Washington University Law School.

“But investigators should and will still be looking at how the documents got there, who handled them, how long they were there, and what threat they pose to national security,” Kedian added.

Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor and professor of law at Columbia University, said “whether criminal charges are contemplated has historically been much more about how the official deals with the discovery of materials.”

‘Bookkeeping issue’

T HOUGH he’s now seeking to probe Biden’s handling of the newly revealed files, Turner told Fox News in August that Trump’s handling of classified documents more closely amounted to “a bookkeeping issue than a national security threat.”

But Republicans have also questioned the timing of the White House revelation. voters went to the polls on Nov. 8 to elect all 435 members of the House and about a third of the Senate ignorant of the discovery of the Biden documents, six days earlier. Democrats performed better than expected, gaining a seat in the Senate and limiting the GOP to a narrow majority in the House.

With assistance from Sabrina Willmer, Billy House, Erik Wasson, Chris Strohm and Emily Wilkins / Bloomberg.

MBC BACKS ERC EFFORT FOR CHEAP, ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY

THE Makati Business Club (MBC) expressed its support for the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) efforts to secure “adequate and affordable electricity supply by pursuing “transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly” policies.

T he business group made the statement on Wednesday following a meeting with ERC Chairwoman Monalisa C. Dimalanta last Tuesday.

T he efforts MBC is pertaining to include ERC’s reviews of the secondary price cap mechanism, which it said is designed to moderate spikes but may be curtailing new investment; the rules on open access (meant to allow consumers to choose their supplier but has not gained much ground), and rules on renewable energy and storage (batteries).

M BC also expressed support for the “constant” collaboration between ERC, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Transmission Corp. (Transco), and industry players to find solutions to the many challenges in the sector.  I n the near term, the business group said it would support the government’s efforts to prepare the public for higher prices while improving energy efficiency.

For his part, MBC Chairman Edgar O. Chua lauded the ERC under Dimalanta’s leadership, saying it appears “focused, determined, and on the right track.”

Amid all the challenges in the sector, it is a confidence booster that our energy officials are all knowledgeable and professional with a high sense of urgency,” Chua added.

T he business group offered to assist in providing ERC with

information and connections to help improve its operations, including digitalization.

A ccording to MBC, among those present at the meeting with Chua were Shell Philippines CEO Lorelie Osial; ACEN COO Miguel de Jesus; Aboitiz Power COO Liza Montelibano and SVP Sandro Aboitiz; National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) AVPs Leonor Felipa Cynthia P. Alabanza and Giovanni Randolfo A. Galang; Terra Renewables Chief Administrative Officer Cheryll Len V. Mendoza; and Amber Kinetics Technical Manager Andy Dimaandal.

A ccording to a story published by the BusinessMirror last Monday, Dimalanta said the ERC is pushing for greater transparency so that true rates are reflected in the electricity bills. She said the priorities the ERC has set for this year are all meant to protect consumer interest.

T he ERC said it would complete within the first quarter the reset of NGCP’s rates. It will also process the generation rates review for pass through charges in the first quarter and complete them within the first half of 2023.

For the second half, Dimalanta said the ERC and the DOE are expected to complete the revised guidelines for competitive bidding for power supply agreements (PSAs) contracting, and dispense the pending rulings on PSAs affected by the Supreme Court’s decision on Alyansa cases. (Full story here: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2023/01/09/ bleak-challenging-energy-sector-outlook-seen-in-23/_ )  Andrea E. San Juan

DBM reviewing govt workers’ pay, focuses on competitiveness

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it is reviewing the current benefits received by some government employees to assess if there is a need for adjustments in the future.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman disclosed that the agency will also conduct a study on whether all civilian personnel are receiving “competitive” compensation against private sector employment.

Pangandaman explained that the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) has a P48-million budget this year to support undertaking a study on the government compensation structure of national government agencies and GOCCs.

President Bongbong Marcos directed us to conduct a study to ensure that the compensation of all civilian personnel will be generally competitive with those in the private sector doing comparable work to attract, retain, and motivate corps of competent and dedicated civil servants,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

Apart from the conduct of the study, the DBM is also undertaking a review of the rates of the existing benefits being provided to qualified government employees to assess if these may need adjustment in the future,” she added.

T he DBM also announced on Wednesday that the fourth and last tranche of mandated salary hikes for government employees took effect last January 1.

T he fourth tranche is the last phase of the pay increase mandated by Republic ACt 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019. The first salary increase took effect last January 1, 2020.

The government recognizes the indispensable role of its dedicated personnel in serving our

beloved country. We are firmly committed to help them amidst rising prices of goods and services. We hope this latest salary increase will cushion the impact of inflation,” Pangandaman said.

T he DBM said Pangandaman recently signed two separate budget circulars on the implementation of the fourth tranche of Salary Schedule for civilian personnel and local government unit (LGU) workers.

R A 11466 covers all positions for civilian personnel, whether regular, casual, or contractual in nature, appointive or elective, fulltime or part-time, now existing or thereafter created in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; constitutional commissions and other constitutional offices; state universities and colleges (SUCs); and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) not covered by RA 10149, according to the DBM.

T he DBM added that the salary hike also applies to all positions for salaried LGU personnel, whether regular, contractual or casual in nature, elective or appointive; on full-time or part-time basis, now existing or thereafter created in LGUs, and all positions for barangay personnel which are paid monthly honoraria.

Those engaged without employer-employee relationship and funded from non-Personnel Services (PS) appropriations/budgets shall be excluded from the coverage of the Circular,” it said.

Also excluded are the military and uniformed personnel, GOCCs under RA 10149, and individuals whose services are engaged through job orders, contracts of service, consultancy or service contracts with no employer-employee relationship,” it added. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Peso boost only ‘temporary,’ seen at ₧57-₧59 to $ in 2023

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Philippine peso is not expected to continue strengthening this year and the recent performance of the currency is only temporary, according to a local think tank.

I n a briefing on Wednesday, First Metro Investment Corporation-University of Asia & the Pacific Capital Markets Research said the Philippine peso is expected to depreciate and settle at the P57 to P59 range against the dollar this year.

“ Now we are experiencing strength in the peso. We also expect the dollar to weaken. So I think the peso will probably trade around that range. And as Dr. (Victor) Abola also mentioned  . . .  the depreciation of the peso is not necessarily bad for the country, especially for consumers because a lot of our citizens are very much dependent on OFW remittances which has been consistently growing, of course at different levels. So I think consumer spending will still be strong this year,” First Metro president Jose Patricio Dumlao said.

UA&P economist Victor A. Abola also said there are a number of reasons for this depreciation, including the country’s trade deficit which is expected to continue widening this year.

However, latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday indicated that the trade deficit declined 21.9 percent in November 2022, the lowest since the 41.3 percent recorded in November 2020.

E xports grew 13.2 percent in November 2022, the second consecutive month of double-digit growth; while imports contracted 1.9 percent, also the lowest since November 2020 (Full story here: https:// businessmirror com.ph/2023/01/11/trade-deficit-in-november-falls-to-2-yearlow-psa/).

“Our deficit right now is more

than 40 percent of our imports, meaning we cannot finance that by exports. So that alone, as we see in the current account, is going to still be negative actually, according to even BSP’s projections,” Abola explained.

So that’s going to create that pressure on the peso. Even though the dollar will strengthen little by little, the domestic environment will put a lot of pressure on the peso still,” he added.

A bola said another reason for the depreciation is the need to rebuild the country’s reserves. given that the Gross International Reserves (GIR) is now equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

W hile this indicates that the reserves are adequate to cover payments for the country’s foreign liabilities, public and private, falling due within the immediate 12-month period, this was still significantly lower than the level the country started from, Abola said.

H e added that the country’s reserves were largely composed of borrowings in 2021 and 2022 instead of actual inflows such as those coming from Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) remittances.

“ A lot of the reserves had been borrowed. The increase [in reserves] of about P20 billion [that] we’ve seen in 2022 and 2021 was basically borrowing. That’s not a very sound way of building your reserves. You have to build the reserves from actual inflows coming from the country like during the time when our OFW earnings were exceeding our trade deficits,” Abola said.

Oxford Economics

MEANWHILE , Oxford Economics said the Philippine peso and the Thai Baht are among the currencies in the region that suffered from significant depreciations.

T he United Kingdom-based think tank said the pressure to depreciate is strongest among importers like the Philippines. The country is a net oil and food importer.

O xford Economics also noted that in terms of the Financial Conditions Index (FCI), the Philippines and Thailand were “performing poorly.”

The Philippines, where our financial conditions index is the tightest among the five economies (ASEAN-5), is also where the central bank has tightened policy most aggressively. Long-term rates have risen the most since the start of 2022, while the Philippines’ peso and equity prices have underperformed,” Oxford Economics said.

O n Tuesday, the Philippine peso reached its strongest level against the US dollar in almost seven months on the back of expectations of slower rate hikes and a weaker greenback.

T he peso closed at P54.87 to the US dollar. It reached a high of P54.95 to the dollar and a low of P54.8 to the greenback.

T his is the strongest level of the peso since June 29, 2022 when it closed at P54.757 to the US dollar.

The peso breached the P54 level at P54.005 last June 21, 2022.

“Our traders largely think that the strength of the PHP is due to the USD’s weakness on the back of slower US Fed rate hike expectations. As a result, markets have started to price in a 25bps (basis points) hike by the US Fed in their February policy meeting,” Unionbank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion told BusinessMirror on Tuesday.

“ The USD-PHP drop, in today’s trading, was only halted at the P54.80 level due to bids from ‘suspected’ BSP agent banks. Some corporate demand was also seen at these levels which helped keep the pair supported,” he added.

A suncion also said the lower-

than-expected trade deficit in November 2022 may have also contributed to the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar.

There is growing belief that after the 25bps hike this February, the US Fed may seriously ponder pausing. Fed futures further show a potential cut in rates by the end of 2023. So, it will be difficult to assess how sustainable the USD-PHP strength is because of the gamut of moving parts,” he explained.

B angko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla said expectations that other currencies will strengthen against the dollar in the coming months also improves the peso’s chances to strengthen.

Medalla said the Euro and the Japanese yen are expected to strengthen against the US dollar. The same is expected for the Korean won and other currencies.

“ There are signs that the extremely strong dollar seems to be over,” Medalla said. “The yen is getting stronger, the euro is getting stronger. And almost by the design of the global economy, so will the peso, and so will the Korean won and many other currencies.”

US inflation

MEANWHILE , Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said US inflation is one of the major factors in the possible performance of the Philippine peso in the coming months.

He said any easing in US inflation would reduce the need for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in the coming months. This will weaken the US dollar improving the chances of the Philippine peso to strengthen.

R icafort said the “major support over the past 8 months: P54.15 to P54.20 levels, which help keep intact the underlying upward trend since April 2022.”

Immediate resistance: P55 psychological mark. Next minor resistance levels over the past 3 months: P55.80 to P56.40 levels,” he added.

A STAFF member counts dollars at a currency-exchange booth inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. The Philippine peso continues to strengthen against the US dollar from its losses last year, but experts say it is not expected to continue strengthening this year and the recent performance of the currency is only temporary NONIE REYES

‘Top power firms mull over schemes to avert outages’

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Power industry stakeholders are discussing a so-called “gas-swapping” arrangement that will result in gas allocation for the 1,200megawatt (Mw) Ilijan power plant that has been on shutdown since June last year.

In a recent meeting with the department of energy (dOe), representatives of First gen Corp., Manila electric Co. (Meralco), South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC), and Prime energy came up with possible solutions to avert brownouts in the hot dry season.

Among others, the parties involved discussed the allocation of 80 standard cubic foot (SCuF) of First gen’s Malampaya banked gas to operate Ilijan plant. t his plan, if implemented, would allow lijan to generate a minimum of 400MW to a maximum of 1,000MW to support

the expected increase in demand for electricity from March to July and prevent brownouts.

t he 1,200MW Ilijan plant has been on shutdown since June last year after the build-operate-transfer (BOt) arrangement between the government and SPPC, a subsidiary of SMC global Power Holdings Corp., had lapsed. Ilijan could not source gas from the depleting Malampaya gas field. However, it could run on diesel but this would mean higher prices for consumers because of skyrocketing fuel prices in the world market.

t he dOe has yet to formally an-

nounce this arrangement, but based on the minutes of its december 27, 2022 meeting, the parties also discussed to keep costs of power to a maximum of P4 pesos per kilowatt hour (kWh); to draw up the gas swapping agreement for submission to Prime energy, now the operator of the Malampaya gas field; for dOe to ensure that Meralco sources energy at the least possible cost; and for the dOe to commit to helping those involved in the gas-swap arrangement secure permits and hurdle bureaucratic processes at the shortest time possible.

“We are here to assure the public that we are prepared and we are not going to let our people down as far as power supply stability is concerned,” a source from the dOe said. “ t hanks to the foresight of our secretary, this plan would be in place to ease worries about power supply when demand rises in March to July.”

dOe estimates placed the potential shortage of electricity in the socalled peak months possibly at up to 1,000MW. “We are taking this proactive stand so there would be no need

Megawide to issue preferred shares

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Meg AWI de Construction

Corp. is set to raise some P1.5 billion from its issuance of non-voting preferred shares.

According to its prospectus submitted to the Securities and e x change Commission, the company will offer up to 15 million in redeemable, non-reissuable perpetual Series 5 preferred shares, with a par value of P1, and will be offered at P100 apiece.

RCBC Capital Corp. has been picked as the deal’s sole issue manager, lead underwriter and bookrunner.

t h e net proceeds for this offer will be used to fully redeem the Series 2A preferred shares. In case the offer does not materialize or the funds raised from the offer are insufficient to redeem the Series 2A preferred shares, the company will use internally generated cash and other programmed funding to finance the redemption of the

Series 2A preferred shares,” the company said.

t he said preferred shares are set to be listed on the Philippine Stock e x change in late March.

Proceeds of the Series 2A preferred shares were used by Megawide to finance various publicprivate partnership projects, such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Paranaque Integrated te rminal e x change, Public School Infrastructure Project Phase II and Clark International Airport.

In d e cember, Megawide and g M R Airports International B.V. have closed their transaction with Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) for AIC’s acquisition of shares in g M R Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (g MCAC), the developer and operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

AIC acquired a 33 and 1/3 percent minus 1 share stake in g MC AC from Megawide and gM R for a total consideration of P9.5 billion.

In addition, Megawide and gM R simultaneously issued exchangeable notes to AIC amounting to

P15.5 billion, which will mature on October 30, 2024, and are expected to be exchanged by AIC for the remaining 66 and 2/3 percent plus 1 share of gMCAC’s outstanding capital stock.

“We are excited to finally consummate this transaction that will clear the runway for g MCAC’s next chapter, as well as accelerate Megawide’s long-term growth aspirations. We are also looking forward to unlocking more opportunities with this venture as we continuously re-engineer our portfolio towards achieving a First-World Philippines,” e d gar Saavedra, chairman and C e O of Megawide, said.

Megawide said it is strengthening its portfolio towards more cycle-resilient, scalable and higher growth segments.

t h e company initially bared its intention to build several transit-centric developments in key locations across the country and ride the information technology wave through its foray into data centers.

Pent-up demand boosts car sales in 2022

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

TH e Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and tr uck Manufacturers Association ( t M A) said its fullyear sales have exceeded the industry forecast for 2022.

Campi and t M A said the industry’s performance last year is “strong evidence” that it has recovered from the pandemic and other external challenges.

A joint report released by the two groups shows new motor vehicle sales in d e cember 2022 reached 37,259 units, a 33.8 percent growth compared with 27,849 units recorded in the same period in 2021.

CAMPI President Rommel g u tierrez said the d e cember figure was the “highest monthly performance recorded,” which

contributed in achieving its fullyear sales of 352,596 units.

g u tierrez said the last time the industry sold 37,000 units was in 2017. Achieving it again, he said, gives the industry “renewed optimism” for the year ahead.

From January to d e cember, Campi-t M A data showed that vehicle sales reached 352,596 units, 31.3 percent higher than the 268,488 units sold in the same period in 2021.

“Campi-t M A sales alone have exceeded the total industry sales forecast of 336,000 units.”

On a monthly basis, data indicated that car sales rose by 6.3 percent from the 35,037 units sold in November.

g u tierrez said “the continued expansion of the economy, creation of new jobs and opportunities is just as important as ensuring that no pandemic disruption occurs anew this year.”

Nonetheless, he added, the industry will continue to “capitalize on the growing market demand for new motor vehicles.”

Among all the vehicle segments, trucks and buses performed poorly in 2022.

In contrast, the light commercial vehicle, commercial vehicle, and Asian utility vehicle segments posted gains last year.

Sales of trucks and buses fell by 21.1 percent to 889 units from the 1,127 units recorded in 2021.

to yota Motor Philippines Corp. led year-to-date sales with 174,106 units, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 53,211 units and Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. with 24,710 units.

In June 2022, Campi said the automotive industry recovery is “progressing” as new motor vehicle sales returned to an upward growth trajectory on the back of pent-up consumer demand.

for our businesses, our consumers and especially those relying on continued supply of power to worry,” the dOe official added.

“given dOe s main objective to lower electricity prices, it commits to help with all government processes required to implement the gas swapping agreement including endorsement to eRC [energy Regulatory Commission],” a dOe document read.

t he same document stated that First ga s proposed to run two units of Sta. Rita on liquid fuel oil (LFO), effectively making available to Meralco around 80MMscf/day of Malampaya gas under the Santa Rita gas sale purchase agreement, which Meralco can then allocate for Ilijan’s use, to make available 500MW of Ilijan’s unit 1.

First gas needs a lead time of two months to secure additional LFO deliveries for the gas-swapping arrangement, which could take place in March until June.

t he parties stressed that dOe endorsement is needed to proceed with any discussion on gas swapping.

AirAsia lands on list of safest budget carriers

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines said on Wednesday it was recently named one of the “Safest LowCost Airlines for 2023” by aviation rating organization airlineratings.com.

AirAsia Philippines C e O Ricky Isla said the carrier received a perfect 7 out of 7 rating for both Safety and Covid-19 compliance, making it one of the top 20 safest budget airlines in the world.

He said AirAsia bested other local and international low-cost airlines in terms of incident records over the past two years, positive results of audits conducted by the governing body of aviation, and fleet age.

“In AirAsia, we live and breathe safety. From the challenges brought by the pandemic to the most recent incident impairing the country’s communications and navigation facilities, our Allstar employees have demonstrated professionalism, tenacity, and resilience. t h is recognition from Airlineratings.com is both a reminder and a motivation for all of us to raise the bar even more in

the service of all our dear guests,” Isla said.

t h e budget carrier opened 2023 with an overall load factor of 75 percent, which it recorded in the first 10 days of January.

Caticlan (Boracay) topped the list of most booked domestic destinations with an 85 percent load factor, followed by ta cloban and Cebu.

Incheon, South Korea meanwhile still is the most preferred international destination among Filipino travelers, with its flights originating from Cebu and Manila achieving a 97 percent and 95 percent load factor, respectively.

Furthermore, Osaka, Japan, another preferred travel destination, is now at 75 percent load factor.

AirAsia is set to open its to kyo services next month.

LandBank starts release of ₧10.3-M fuel subsidy

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) said it began disbursing P10.3 million to over 10,300 tricycle drivers as part of the government’s fuel subsidy program.

A statement issued last Wednesday said the LandBank and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) started distributing fuel subsidies worth P1,000 each to qualified tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region, Regions 1 and 3. The distribution started last January 10.

In partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units, the state-owned lender said they are targeting to disburse the fuel subsidy to an initial 10,343 eligible tricycle

drivers under the LTFRB’s program.

“LandBank is committed to complete the distribution of fuel subsidy to all eligible tricycle beneficiaries in the most immediate time,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo was quoted in the statement as saying.

“We are one with our national and local partners in providing immediate support interventions to PUV drivers nationwide,” said Borromeo.

According to the LandBank, the eligible tricycle drivers under the Fuel Subsidy Program, as identified by the DILG and LTFRB, can claim their subsidies via over-the-counter (OTC) transactions at designated branches of the bank nationwide.

“A representative from the concerned LGU will be present during the scheduled distribution of the fuel subsidy to verify the eligibility of the beneficiaries,” LandBank said.

Treasury yields can fall to 2% on recession risks–Jupiter

THE Federal Reserve could cut interest rates this year, sending Treasury yields tumbling as the risks of a recession become ever more real, according to Jupiter Asset Management.

A global downturn spurred by the most aggressive US rate hikes since the 1980s could see 10-year Treasury yields fall to as low as 2 percent as investors rush to haven assets, said Ariel Bezalel, a money manager in London. That’s almost 160 basis points lower than where the notes were trading on Wednesday, even as Treasury yields dropped following gains in European government debt.

“There is enough data for the Fed to soon go on hold,” he said. “My concern is if the Fed doesn’t back off soon, they could well cause a hard recession.”

While firms from Fidelity International to Pictet Wealth Management favor US government debt, few investors are as bullish as Bezalel after the bonds suffered the biggest annual loss on record as the Fed raised rates to vanquish runaway price growth. Yields on 10-year Treasuries soared to as high as 4.34

percent in October, though benchmark yields have since retreated as risks of a recession mount. They last traded at 2 percent or lower in March.

The yield on 10-year US Treasuries fell about five basis points on Wednesday, supported by gains in Europe’s bond market. Italy outperformed, sending the 10-year yield as much as 16 basis points lower to 4.06 percent. Gilts also rose, sending the 10-year yield lower by 8 basis points to 3.48 percent.

Too severe BEZALEL, whose firm oversees $53 billion, has bullish bets on US, Australian and Korean government debt on expectations the bonds would gain in the event of a downturn.

Recent economic data back Bezalel’s view. US wage growth cooled in December, prompting investors to pare expectations of the Fed’s resolve to aggressively hike borrowing costs. Swap contracts show traders now expect the Fed funds effective rate to peak below 5 percent, down from 5.06 percent before the wage data on Friday. Bloomberg News

SBCorp’s dismal loan uptake by MSMEs alarms lawmaker

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE Small Business Corp. (SBCorp) has confirmed the “sluggish” uptake of supposedly easy loans by Covid-hit travel and tourismrelated micro, small and medium enterprises at the height of the pandemic, with these companies availing just P329-million worth of financing assistance or only 8.22 percent of the P4 billion set aside for MSMEs under the rescue package of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), a senior lawmaker said on Wednesday.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay F. Villafuerte, author of Bayanihan 2, said this revelation has “confirmed the view by certain legislators like him in the previous Congress that the last-minute diversion to this bailout package of the amount originally intended under the House-approved Bayanihan 2 to build job-intensive tourism infrastructure nationwide had undermined government efforts to create jobs in, and quicken the recovery of, our once booming tourism sector.”

Villafuerte, former Deputy Speaker for Finance, said he and his House peers felt at that time that a P10-billion tourism infrastructure spending by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) would create the needed jobs for dislocated workers in this sector during the pandemic while at the same time improving facilities leading to tourist sites while the nation was still on lockdown.

“But this infra spending plan for Tieza was subsequently hijacked as the House-approved tourism infra budget proposal of P10 billion was realigned during the bicam [bicam-

eral conference committee negotiations on the then-Bayanihan 2 bill], all because of the vigorous lobbying among senators for the fund diversion by DOT [officials] in tandem with big-time [tourism] industry players,” Villafuerte, now the president of the National Unity Party (NUP), was quoted in a statement as saying.

Remains

ism loans was and remains sluggish. As of December 2022, only the amount allotted for tourism MSMEs remains from the original DBM disbursement,” the SBCorp said in the news release. The government financial institution added that as of November 30, 2022, it has only released P329-million worth of loans to 735 tourism enterprises.

And because of this low loan uptake, SBCorp said it plans to make this unused portion originally meant for tourism-related enterprises available to MSMEs in other sectors beginning this January.

“SBCorp looks forward to disbursing funds previously set aside for tourism MSMEs to multisectoral MSMES starting January 2023,” the state-run firm under the Department of Trade and Industry said. “It is worth noting that tourism MSMEs and other tourism-related establishments may still avail of loans under the terms for multi-sectoral MSMEs beginning January 2023.”

Policy blooper

VILLAFUERTE bemoaned that only P3.1 billion or less than a third of the P10-billion outlay realigned during the bicam talks from the infrastructure budget of Tieza to the MSME loan package of SBCorp had been utilized by the time the Bayanihan 2 law expired in June 30 last year.

expected to apply for loans when the country was still in lockdown and nobody neither knew when Covid-19 would vanish, when foreigners or locals would again be allowed to travel and visit tourist spots, nor how cashstrapped enterprises would manage to pay back their SBP loans with their businesses down.”

Under the Bayanihan “Cares” component, Covid-hit MSMEs could apply for loans from P10,000 to P5 million each at zero interest and no collateral requirement.

Tucked in Villafuerte explained that the House of Representatives had originally proposed in their version of the budget for Bayanihan 2 that P10 billion of the entire stimulus package be set aside for Tieza to build job-intensive tourism infrastructure as a way to create a lot of instant jobs, especially for this sector’s workers who were dislocated by the Covid-related temporary closure nationwide of tourist spots, resorts and other establishments in this industry.

sluggish

IN a December news release, the SBCorp disclosed that of the P7.93 billion released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for zero-interest, no-collateral loans for all MSMEs devastated by the Covid-driven global health and economic crises, P4 billion was allotted for travel and tourism-related loans under the “Cares for Travel” (Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises-Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood) component of Bayanihan 2’s rescue package for MSMEs in the trading, manufacturing, services, agriculture, tourism and other business sectors.

“Unfortunately, uptake of tour-

Macasaet takes over helm of SSS from Regino

PRESIDENT and CEO Rolando L. Macasaet formally assumed the post as the 20th head of the Social Security System (SSS) from outgoing President and CEO Michael Gonzales Regino during turnover ceremonies held at the Magsaysay Hall of the SSS main office in East Avenue, Quezon City last Tuesday.

Macasaet, who held the position of President and General of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) during the last four years of the Duterte Administration, was appointed last week by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to head the SSS.

In his brief speech, Macasaet assured the SSS officials and employees that under his stewardship, the agency will continue with the reforms and innovations started by Regino to provide better social services to workers and pensioners.

Macasaet was quoted in a statement as saying he “will continue with the path of growth started by” Regino as well as “explore new ways for the benefit of members, pensioners and other stakeholders.”

“We will work doubly hard to provide our current members and pensioners what is just and due to them without jeopardizing the financial protection of members and future pensioners,” he added.

High expectations

THE new SSS Chief said he was grateful for being given the opportunity to serve under the Marcos administration by overseeing the state-run

pension fund for those in the private sector.

Macasaet acknowledge the “high expectations” for him and the SSS “to provide guaranteed safety nets to the Filipino people.”

“We have to work doubly hard so we could provide our current members and pensioners on what is just and due to them without putting in jeopardy the financial protection of current members and future pensioners.”

At the same time, Macasaet commended Regino for his dedicated hard work and professional as PCEO and for instituting various reforms and programs that made SSS a leading social protection institution in the country today.

He said Regino managed to transform the agency “into a government show window of reform, efficacy and dedicated public service.”

“The records will show that under his leadership, the SSS achieved new heights in improved social security services, in better coverages and benefits to pensioners, in providing equitable loans, better investments and improved collections.”

Earlier in his own speech, Regino urged Macasaet, whom he described as his personal friend, to continue with the implementation with the innovations he introduced that will result to better services to at least 3.1 million SSS pensioners in the country.

School classmates MACASAET took his Oath of Office before Executive Secretary Lucas P.

Bersamin in Malacañang last January 5. Regino served as SSS PCEO for nine months after being appointed by Duterte in March 2022. Before that, he was a member of the Social Security Commission, the highest policy-making body of the SSS.

Both Macasaet and Regino are natives of Zamboanga City and were high school classmates at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University class of 1977. They started their professional careers in Metro Manila and were appointed to key positions during the Duterte administration.

During his term, Regino said the SSS increased its efficiency, built its investment portfolio and ensured the timely and proper delivery of

benefits to SSS members. In his stint as SSS chief, Regino implemented innovative programs that benefit its members and employers.

Among these programs are: the flexible contribution payment schedule for farmers and fishermen; the contribution subsidy provider program; the consolidation of past due short-term member loans with condonation of penalty; contribution penalty condonation programs for business and household employers; and, the workers’ investment and savings program Plus. The SSS also disbursed a record of P238 billion in benefits to members, pensioners and their beneficiaries.

Extensive experience

BEFORE joining the SSS, Macasaet had an extensive experience in public service as he served in various leadership capacities in several government-owned and controlled corporations from 1988 to 2005, such as the Philippine National Construction Corp., Dasmariñas Industrial Steel Corp., Skyway Corp. and Tierra Factors Corp.

Moreover, he has more than two decades of professional experience in financial services, banking and public-private partnerships, most of it under the Philippine National Bank, which makes him a perfect fit to manage the pension fund. He also served as a board member of various companies such as San Miguel Corp., Bank of Commerce, Private Infrastructure and Development Corp. and PCI Bank.

Of this already limited amount, the congressman said that the SBCorp had released just over P300 million combined to about 700 borrowers under the “Cares for Travel” component of this bailout package for the tourism industry, or a paltry 3.35 percent of the P10-billion outlay under Bayanihan 2 that lawmakers led by Villafuerte originally proposed in 2020 for tourism infrastructure.

He said SBCorp’s revelation “bolstered up our point back then that the last-minute diversion at the bicam negotiations on Bayanihan 2 of TIEZA’s infrastructure budget to a bailout package for MSMEs of SBCorp—as lobbied by the DOT along with big-time industry players—was a policy blooper as most of the distressed enterprises were not

“But this proposed TIEZA budget was later junked and the P10 billion was realigned instead to SBCorp, thanks to the intense lobbying by DOT officials in tandem with the industry’s big guns including those belonging to the TCP (Tourism Congress of the Philippines) headed by Jose [C.] Clemente III during the bicam talks on the final version of Bayanihan 2,” he added.

Bayanihan 2 had extended financial support to sectors devastated by the prolonged economic slump caused by the strict community lockdowns that the then-Duterte administration had imposed nationwide to slow the spread of the killer virus.

Villafuerte said that “the P10-billion infra budget of Tieza was tucked in the House-passed Bayanihan 2 on our belief that more and better tourism infrastructure projects needed to be built in 2021 and onwards for the government to rev up this Covidbattered sector anew as a boom industry and major dollar-earner once the pandemic is over.”

GSIS head office serves as voter-registration site

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced last Tuesday that its head office in Pasay City is now one of the voters’ registration sites for the pilot implementation of the “register anywhere project,” or “RAP,” of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

A memorandum of understanding on the designation of the GSIS head office as a registration site was signed by GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso and Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia at the GSIS Gymnasium in Pasay where the RAP Team is now stationed.

The voters’ registration in GSIS is ongoing at the GSIS Gymnasium in the GSIS Office in Pasay and will operate until January 13, and from January 16 to 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for those who wish to register or transfer their voter registration anywhere in the Philippines, a statement from the GSIS read.

Veloso was quoted in the statement as saying the agency “fully support initiatives that make the services of the government convenient and accessible to our stakeholders. And RAP is definitely one of these worthwhile programs.”

“We hope that through RAP, Filipinos who are not yet registered voters will take the first step to exercise their right to vote.”

As part of its pilot implementation, the Comelec will offer two services under RAP, namely first-time

voter registration and transfer of registration, including transfers from overseas to local. The Comelec will also accept applications from qualified applicants who are present or temporary residents in a locality where the RAP site is situated and desire to be registered, or to transfer in another locality where they are permanent residents and intending to vote in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October 2023.

Applicants may walk in and submit their application form and photocopy of one valid government-issued identification (ID) card upon presentation of the original ID and have their biometrics taken at the GSIS Gym within the scheduled dates.

Garcia was quoted in the statement as saying the Comelec is grateful to the GSIS for being an avenue for the project.

“We hope to achieve our objective of increasing the number of voters and avoid overcrowding at Comelec offices for last-minute registrations. Applicants as young as 15 years old are encouraged to register and exercise their right to vote in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” Garcia said.

The GSIS said that applications for registration, transfer, reactivation and correction of entries for applicants residing in Pasay City District 1 shall be received at the Office of the Election Office of Pasay City District 1 or at their satellite venues.

This January 10, 2023, photo shows former social security system President and CEO

Michael G. Regino (right) in ceremonies of turn-over of leadership of the sss to newlyappointed Acting President and CEO Rolando L. Macasaet (left) in a ceremony held at the sss Main Office in Quezon City. Photo courtesy social security system

Digital

Health& Fitness

BusinessMirror

app aims to make

any time, anywhere

By Rory Visco Contributor

THOUGH it may sound sci-fiish or futuristic, telemedicine has been around for quite some time already, long before a certain virus emanated from a certain area called Wuhan in China and changed our world and the way we do things forever.

It has proven its effectivity and efficiency way before this pandemic. It has taken center stage in a way doctors in the “new normal” aim to deliver health-care services they never imagined would be possible, until now. And whether we like it or not, the pandemic somewhat hastened awareness and acceptance of it.

Digital health services made people see a different side to medical consultation. Suddenly, it gave people access to medical services even faster. Patients don’t have to dress up and travel far for a doctor’s appointment. There’s also no need to take a leave from work and spend precious vacation leave credits just for a visit to the doctor.

These are still debatable since there still are medical services where consultation should be done in person. But the promise of changing the landscape of delivering healthcare services is there.

The value of digital services in the future WILL patient-doctor consultation go back to the traditional face-to-face visits just like before? Lorraine Anne Macapagal, Head of Operations at mWell, a telemedicine service provider recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) and the country’s first fully integrated health app, said digital health services have been around in Southeast Asia even before the pandemic. What the pandem -

ic did, Macapagal said, was it merely spurred exponential growth and demand, and hastened the digital adaptation of users when it comes to health services. “Post-pandemic, we foresee that online health services will continue to stay as an option to get [for patients] and provide [for health-care professionals] health-care access,” she explained.

Macapagal said both the private and public sector will also play a significant role in ensuring that online health-care services will be here to stay. Likewise, the local government units are beginning to realize that they can help more through online consultations, where services such as mental health consults to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have become easier through online health-care platforms. “So yes, online health-care services will be here to stay to complement faceto-face visits post pandemic. When it comes to health-care, mWell is breaking boundaries through technology, responding to the needs of Filipinos, wherever they may be.”

One other important issue facing digital health-care services is on data privacy and securing patients’ personal information, which explains why many patients continue to insist on the sanctity of the four corners of a doctor’s clinic since information that goes in there, stays there. Macapagal said they have employed top-notch standards in technology and most especially cybersecurity features in order for them to deliver only the best and most secured health-care platform for Filipinos in the most convenient way possible.

To ensure protection against cyber threats, mWell is supported by sophisticated technologies and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. Angel Redoble, PLDT Group and Smart Communications FVP and Group Chief Information Officer says mWell’s cybersecurity practice is based on the Predic -

tive, Preventive, Detective and Responsive cybersecurity operations framework of the PLDT Group that’s designed to identify and respond to threats efficiently and effectively. “The mWell systems go through rigorous testings to ensure a sustainable approach in maintaining the highest level of security to protect our systems, network and customers data.”

Choosing the right partners in health-care services delivery

MACAPAGAL also emphasized that choosing the right partners is vital in making sure that delivery of digital health-care service offerings a success. She said their partners are the ones who fulfill the services that they provide online so it’s important that their partners should be able to provide the best and most reliable service for patients and users. “They must share a common mission with us in providing health-care access to more Filipinos nationwide—and to provide the best health-care solutions that Filipinos deserve,” she stressed.

That is why mWell created powerhouse partnerships in its drive for innovation anchored on good health and well-being, such as those mWell inked recently with HealthLink, Lifeline 16-911, and MedExpress, Macapagal explained. The aim, she said, is to raise the bar in digital health apps to deliver a healthy ecosystem of digital health-care services that offer a holistic approach, from doctor consultation, e-pharmacy, emergency services and home care, to fitness and nutrition programs created by experts.

With HealthLink, she said mWell users can now avail of expert care for loved ones at home such as basic care support, cardiac care, elderly care, and post stroke care. For MedExpress, users may have their medicines delivered immediately after their online

consultation, and with Lifeline 16-911, access to emergency quick response service is also made easier where it’s just a tap away on the mWell app.

Helping the elderly embrace the future of health care

ONE of the more vulnerable sectors in society when it comes to health-care are the elderly. At the height of the pandemic, one of the greatest concerns is how to bring them to a hospital without contracting Covid-19.

At this juncture, Macapagal pointed out that it is the elderly who are most in need of online health-care access because of their limitations when it comes to commuting and traveling in order to get to a doctor or purchase medicines. She believes in the importance of creating an awareness campaign targeted to elderly Filipinos and their children or grandchildren about the available health-care services that they can tap for their needs. “On our end, we ensure that our app interface and journey are user-friendly for our elderly kababayan Filipinos.”

For his part, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) President, Chairman and CEO, Manny Pangilinan says, “Metro Pacific Group’s mWell shall continue to set the standards in digital health care by bringing together experts in technology, medicine, wellness, and health care in one sustainable living ecosystem.”

On the other hand, MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla said their mission is to bring health care closer to more Filipinos and make health and wellness available and accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere. “We aim to mWellize the Philippines with good health and wellness. With help from our valued partners, we can truly democratize health care.”

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Secondhand smoke exposure, according to the US c e nters for d i sease c o ntrol Prevention (c dc ), can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other diseases. It can also result in premature death.

To help prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, a smoke-free environment is important.

True to its commitment in promoting smokefree environment, the Metropolitan Manila d e velopment a u thority (MM da ) v owed to intensify the promotion of the smoke-free environment policy and public awareness on the effects of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.

a si de from promotion and public awareness, the MM da also provides technical assistance to the 17 local government units (LGUs) in the development of policies, capacity building, communication strategies and monitoring of compliance.

T he MM da noted that the US cdc stated that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that even brief exposure can cause immediate harm.

I t added that non-smoking adults who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or at work have a 25 percent to 30 percent increased risk of developing lung cancer.

GATS

In d e cember 2022, it was reported that the results of the 2021 Global a d ult Tobacco Survey (G aT S) showed that the exposure to secondhand smoke in homes and public places had “significantly declined,” with the largest decrease in exposure to secondhand smoke occurring in public transportation—from 55.3 percent in 2009 and 37.6 percent in 2015 down to 12.2 percent in 2021.

a c cording to the survey the exposure to secondhand smoke in homes also declined from 54.4 percent in 2009 to 34.7 percent in 2015 to 21.4 percent in 2021.

M eanwhile, in the workplace, it also decreased from 22.6 percent in 2009 and 21.5 percent in 2015 to 12.9 percent in 2021.

Sustain

measures to reduce tobacco use

The holiday season is over. n o w that everyone is back to work, how’s your health?

o u r health usually takes a back seat especially when we are bombarded by too much information and consumed by many responsibilities.

b u t with the n e w Year comes new and even better priorities for our health and well-being. Staying h ealthy has never been so important, and it can be achieved in a variety of ways including proper exercise, lifestyle, diet, and of course, regular check-ups to your doctor.

Good health is almost always synonymous with a healthy body and physique. b u t a healthy mind, soul, and body complete the holistic wellness of a person.

I t is a good thing though that there are various ways to recharge yourself and make you on top o f your physical and mental health this new year. These include:

d i versify your palate’s palette or eat a healthy and balanced diet. When one talks about diet, people automatically assume that they are trying to lose weight. b u t one should not just lose weight to be considered healthy. c o nsuming a combination of different foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, legumes, nuts, and whole grains is a healthier option for the body and mind. It’s wise to follow your dietary guidelines but it’s also important to mix things up. Give yourself the widest range of benefits by consuming the right amount o f carbohydrates, proteins, and fats on a daily basis.

b e more physically active. e ngage yourself with physical activities that would require you to get up and move. c o nsider outdoor exercises like brisk walking and jogging, or even indoor exercises like doing h ousehold chores. You can even incorporate some exercises in your daily activities while at work. Ideally, a p erson should at least have 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, but any movement is better than nothing. Try to stand up and stretch more often, go around the block, or explore new activities that will help you move more.

Get enough rest. Most people tend to forego sleep despite it being a must for good health. a person may increase their odds of having heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, among other sicknesses due to lack of sleep. Getting enough sleep also refreshes and recharges your mind so you can function efficiently on your job and daily activities.

r e lieve your stress. Learning how to manage stress spells a difference in a way we live our lives. When you find yourself too stressed and burnt out, find a way to blow off steam and compose yourself again. e ngage yourself in some hobbies, do things with friends, exercise, or meditate. If you have done

these things and you still feel overwhelmed, perhaps you can make an appointment with a counselor or a mental health professional.

c o nsult your doctor and have regular check-ups. r e gular consultations with your doctor and having medical and wellness check-ups are essential to make sure that all is well and our body and mind are functioning harmoniously. Like how a mother knows best for their child, a doctor knows best on how we can better take care of our body and mind. Make sure to find time in your busy schedule to consult your doctor for checkups. For optimum and more comprehensive results, it is best to consider an executive checkup.

For most people, finding time to prioritize health can be a bit challenging. With easy access to travel and leisure these days, people would often opt to just have recreational activities instead of visiting their doctors or the hospital.

T he good news is you need not to choose between having a refreshing staycation or an executive checkup at a hospital because there is a wellness package that brings together health and leisure by combining an executive checkup with relaxing hotel accommodation into one.

Yes, you read it right! Manila d o ctors h o spital understands the needs of busy executives and young professionals to have a package that combines health, wellness, and leisure.

The rechar G e Wellness Package offers a comprehensive health check for one person. It includes p hysical examination, laboratory tests, diagnostic and imaging procedures, and gender-specific tests such as Prostate Specific a n tigen-Immunoradiometric a ssay (PS a - I r M a ) f or men and Pap smear for women.

a ll medical examinations and tests will be conveniently done at the hospital’s Wellness h u b, a one-stop shop and gateway to a holistic health and wellness experience, located at the 9th floor of Manila d o ctors h o spital’s d r. George S.K. Ty Medical Tower 2, its new 21-storey building along Kalaw a v enue in Manila. n u trition counselling and life coaching are also included in the package at the Wellness h u b. a f ter a comprehensive health check-up, you (and your companion) can enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast at any of the select partner hotels and spa. You can choose to be whisked away for the weekend at The b e llevue Manila or c r imson h o tel in a labang, or experience the look and feel of old Manila at the historic Manila h o tel.

I f you’re up for a quick nature getaway, you can choose to go at c l ub b al ai Isabel in Talisay, b at angas or at the n u rture Wellness Village in Tagaytay c i ty. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

By roderick l. Abad Contributor

WIT h the goal of providing Filipinos with access to quality health-care services and elevate the competencies of medical technologists (medtechs) in the country, Singapore d ia gnostics (SG d) i s building a new world-class facility in Metro Manila this year.

This state-of-the-art laboratory will not only serve more patients but also open employment opportunities and help upskill the local medtechs.

c u rrently, SG d has six labs nationwide, strategically located in Makati, c e bu, d avao, Iloilo, d agupan and a n geles c i ty. It also offers home service to bring medical care closer to the people.

a s p art of its expansion plans, the company is also looking forward to establish more facilities, up to 40 in the coming months. It’s eyeing to build more labs in every major city in the Philippines, each outfitted with multi-stage screening systems to ensure that both patients and employees are safe.

This is a welcome development considering the rampant inequity in the quality and availability of health-care service in the country. Topnotch medical care is, more often than not, only available in select private institutions. h e nce, only the moneyed can afford this due to the exorbitant cost, not to mention that most health facilities are located in the Metro and a few select cities.

G iven this scenario, SG d President and c h ief e x ecutive o f ficer (ce o) r i tche e v idente believes that only one in 10 Filipinos has access to quality health-care services, with many having to settle for mediocre treatment and many more not receiving any cure at all. This situation is further exacerbated by the ensuing c o vid-19 pandemic, according to him.

Superb, attainable diagnostic services L a b results are the basis for many medical decisions. h e nce, their delivery at high-quality and lower price is very crucial.

“Quality and affordable laboratory tests are very important because they help monitor changes in a patient’s health, and their doctors can work with them on any prevention, diagnosis, and treatment needed. Lab tests can help Filipinos be in the best of health,” e v idente said.

W ith this in mind, SG d, e ver since it entered the domestic market in late 2013, has been offering various lab tests at rates within reach of Filipinos. In fact, it has been processing lab requirements for more than 500 hospitals, clinics, labs and health-care institutions in the country, serving up to 50,000 patients every month and

running 2.5 million lab examinations at most annually. at S ingapore d ia gnostics, we have stringent and rigorous procedures in place to ensure that we deliver the most accurate laboratory results possible,” he boasted.

Capacitating local medtechs

T hr o U G h the years, the country’s health system has been facing a lot of challenges, including the lack of hospitals and allied facilities, costly services, and constant exodus of talents. Filipino medical professionals are consistently in-demand overseas because of their excellent talent and skills, per the top executive.

“We really cannot blame our health-care workers for wanting to seek greener pastures abroad,” e v idente noted. “Instead, we need to continue providing them excellent training so that we have a steady stream of professionals who can serve both local and international demands.”

T his is exactly what SG d is doing for its over 200 medtechs across its various laboratories. a subsidiary of Pathology a sia , which is among Southeast a sia ’s large medical diagnostic groups with laboratory, genomic and digital health operations in a u stralia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, the firm provides Filipino medtechs with world-class training conducted by global experts.

L ikewise, it grooms them to become internationally at par prior to working overseas, should they choose to. h e s aid: “We need to help them in their professional training so that when they leave, they can make our country proud with their skills.”

In this way, SG d provides Filipino patients with well-educated practitioners and, at the same time, helps retain and boost the impeccable reputation of local talents in the health-care industry the world over. To wit, its highly-skilled roster of Filipino medtechs is a major factor why the company has been continuously accredited by the prestigious c o llege of a m erican Pathologists for its diagnostic services that are of top quality.

“o u r well-trained professionals were trained experts with experience and credentials from all over the world. n o netheless, even at that high level of quality, we also strongly believe in continuous training and monitoring to make improvements and elevate the health-care industry for Filipinos so they can get the help they need,” explained e v idente.

Collaborative efforts

c L I che it may sound, but the Singaporean health-care provider believes that “the more, the merrier” in making quality of health-care services accessible to more Filipinos. Thus, SG d collaborates with partner-hospitals and laboratories for both lab work and personnel training.

For former h e alth Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not waiver in its commitment to address the immeasurable harm of tobacco use.

“ While the results of the 2021 doh G aT S underscore the immense progress the Philippines has made, the Marcos Jr. government must not waiver in its commitment to address the immeasurable harm of tobacco use. a s s uch, the government must continue and sustain the implementation of proven measures to reduce tobacco use,” said d r Galvez Tan, who is also a trustee of h ealthJustice Philippines.

a m ong these are “enacting further increases in tobacco excise tax, institutionalizing the smoke-free policy, strictly regulating e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, imposing plain packaging on tobacco products, and prohibiting tobacco advertising and sponsorships.”

MMDA’s activity on tobacco control to continue

d e S PIT e the decrease in the exposure to the secondhand, the MM da said they will continue with their activities on tobacco control. This includes:

r e strict minors’ access to the sale of cigarettes by keeping them within 100 meters of school’s vicinity; a d vocate in public transport terminals by giving short orientation on the danger of smoking to health to public utility drivers and operators; and Im plementation of the 100 percent smoke-free workplace policy in compliance to c i vil Service c o mmission Memorandum c ir cular n o. 17 series of 2009.

Passage of smoke-free law

Tobacco control advocates, meanwhile, are also pushing for the passage of the smoke-free law. n o w is an opportune time to pass h o use b i ll 5315.

Smoke-Free laws have been shown to reduce smoking initiation and exposure to secondhand smoke. We call on our leaders to pass this legislation and protect the policy-making process from any interference from the tobacco industry,” said d r. Ma. Victoria r a quiza, co-convenor of Social Watch Philippines.

hb 5315, also known as the Smoke-Free e nvironment b i ll, authored by Kalinga Partylist Irene Gay Saulog, aims to institutionalize the smoking ban in public places as defined by e x ecutive o r der 26. This will ensure that a singular definition of areas where an absolute ban on smoking shall be observed across the country.

T he bill also prohibits indoor designated smoking areas ( d S a s). This shall be in compliance with the country’s commitment to the World h e alth o r ganization-Framework c o nvention on Tobacco c o ntrol (W ho - F c Tc ) t o promote the right to health of workers and people in enclosed spaces.

Five healthy digital habits for 2023

OUR lives are getting more digital by the minute. At the same time, we are also getting more exposed to “cyber surprises” that are also evolving at a rapid clip. Here are some healthy digital habits suggested by cybersecurity specialist Kaspersky that can strengthen the safety of your personal data as well as your family’s, and make life protected and easier in the coming year:

1. New Year, new passwords. Start the New Year with a real password revision. Now is the time to check and change passwords on all accounts. And remember the main rule—don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. If you are like many people and have several online accounts, then a reliable password manager is a good help. Modern password managers have features that greatly simplify life with passwords. For example, you can use auto-fill features for different browsers and platforms. Another handy option is the automatic password generator. As a result, a password manager will help you generate unique and complex passwords for each account—and you only need to remember one master password.

2. Subscribe to notifications about account data leaks. Besides weak passwords, data leaks are another threat to your personal and corporate accounts. Unfortunately, data breaches happen quite often, and it’s hard to keep track of all of them. If your account details leak, fraudsters can use them to take over your accounts. However, you can get ahead of scammers in 2023 if you use services that scan the latest leaks and look whether they contain your data. Advanced password managers include this feature as well and quickly notify users if any of the saved logins or passwords are found in the data leaks.

3. Need more privacy, get a VPN. Once a niche product for geeky users and businesses, VPNs are now a must-have for anyone who wants to stay safe and private online. Modern VPN solutions meet all user needs—they are easy to use, provide high traffic speeds, and keep personal data private. Now the range of possible scenarios for using a VPN has expanded significantly. It allows you to securely shop online, watch streaming services from anywhere in the world, or access local content. Modern VPN services also provide high-traffic speeds and let users watch content even in 4K without quality loss or delays. Moreover, it hides your IP address from web sites and advertisers, granting better privacy. Web tracking

can lead to unexpected consequences—for example, targeted ads can reveal the presents you bought for your family. Don’t let advertisers spoil your next celebration.

4. Transfer documents to a safe place. With the development of digital services, scans and electronic versions of documents are now used as often as their paper originals. This raises a reasonable question— how to store electronic versions so they remain safe and do not fall into unwanted hands? You can create a folder on your computer or upload them to a password-protected cloud—but both of these options are potentially insecure and can lead to the loss of personal data.

A secure alternative would be to store documents in a password manager app. Modern password managers are capable of storing more than just passwords or banking data. Most now double as fullfledged encrypted electronic storages where you can upload scans, PDFs and other important documents that you want to protect. This can also include medical records and telephone addresses, as well as any documentation or files related to work and business.

At the same time, such storage services are many times safer compared to more traditional storage locations, because they are specially encrypted, and can be decrypted only with the help of one master password, which should only be in the user’s head.

5. Learn more about child’s hobbies on the Internet. Today, children have digital devices in their hands from an early age—about five years old. For a child’s path to the digital world to be safe and interesting, it is important to teach and share with them the rules of online safety from childhood. To make such talks more enjoyable and interesting, parents can use games and other entertaining formats.

Another tip for the New Year is to dive deep into your kids’ online interests. For instance, parents can ask about a favorite series, or listen to music tracks together so you can both learn together some secure practices to stay safe online. There are also a range of child safety software that can help parents learn more about kids’ hobbies, and help kids develop healthy digital habits from an early age.

“Privacy and security are not a result but a process. Just like you cannot get fit or become a healthy-eating person overnight, securing your account and digital footprint also requires some dedication. However, small steps such as creating unique passwords for different accounts and using advanced tools like password managers can greatly boost your privacy while making this task much simpler. And there’s no better time to start a new, more secure digital life than in the new year,” said Vladislav Tushkanov, lead data scientist at Kaspersky. ■

BY GENE JOHNSON The Associated Press

SEATTLE—The public school district in Seattle has filed a novel lawsuit against the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth.

Seattle Public Schools filed the lawsuit on Friday in US District Court. The 91-page complaint says the social-media companies have created a public nuisance by targeting their products to children.

It blames them for worsening mental health and behavioral disorders including anxiety, depression, disordered eating and cyberbullying; making it more difficult to educate students; and forcing schools to take steps such as hiring additional mental health professionals, developing lesson plans about the effects of social media, and providing additional training to teachers.

“Defendants have successfully exploited the vulnerable brains of youth, hooking tens of millions of students across the country into positive feedback loops of excessive use and abuse of Defendants’ socialmedia platforms,” the complaint said. “Worse, the content Defendants curate and direct to youth is too often harmful and exploitive....”

While federal law—Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act—helps protect online companies from liability arising from what thirdparty users post on their platforms, the lawsuit argues that provision does not protect the tech giants’ behavior in this case.

“Plaintiff is not alleging Defendants are liable for what third-parties have said on Defendants’ platforms but, rather, for Defendants’ own conduct,” the lawsuit said. “Defendants affirmatively recommend and promote harmful content to youth, such as proanorexia and eating disorder content.”

In e-mailed statements on Sunday, Google and Snap said they had worked to protect young people who use their platforms.

Style your home for the new year

SALEM brings its iconic bed quality to its new line of sofas, dining sets and lamps in a new shop-in-shop at Our Home in SM Megamall.

Reflective of Our Home’s philosophy of helping customers create their ideal modern contemporary home, this lifestyle area not only elevates the shopping experience for customers but also gives them more options and ideas on how to style for their home.

One of the premium brands offered in Our Home and the inaugural brand for the store’s shop-in-shop space, Salem can now showcase its wide range of products exclusively to Our Home customers in one area. While best known for mattresses, Salem now also offers sofas, dining sets and lamps under the chain. With this selection of items, the “Salem homestyle” can now be easily achieved in the comfort of your homes.

For decades now, Salem and Our Home have worked hand in hand in helping families create their dream space.

Snap launched an in-app support system called Here For You in 2020, to help those who might be having a mental health or emotional crisis find expert resources, and it also has enabled settings that allow parents to see whom their children contact on Snapchat, though not the content of those messages. It also has recently expanded content about the new 988 suicide and crisis phone system in the US.

“We will continue working to make sure our platform is safe and to give Snapchatters dealing with mental health issues resources to help them deal with the challenges facing young people today,” the company said in a written statement.

José Castañeda, a spokesman for Google, said Google, which owns YouTube, had also given parents the ability to set reminders, limit screen time and block certain types of content on their children’s devices.

“We have invested heavily in creating safe experiences for children across our platforms and have introduced strong protections and dedicated features to prioritize their well being,” Castañeda said.

Meta and TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

PHOTO BY DAI KE ON UNSPLASH

Seattle schools sue tech giants over social-media harm

Trust the newest logistics player, Pudo Express, to deliver with love and care

And this is where empathy kicks in. Every time you use Pudo Express, you can be sure that all riders deliver your items to the hands of the recipient with the same love and care, the same reliable and safe delivery as if you sent it in person.

“Lessons learned from the two years of uncertainty include resilience and innovation. To survive, we at Pudo Express know that we must constantly earn the customers’ trust. That’s the only way to continue bringing services that make them experience how much we care for them, and how much we believe in taking part in their daily life, and what they want to achieve,” says Jennifer Marfil, Chairman and CEO of Pudo Express.

It’s all about that word: trust. At Pudo Express the goal is to get the trust of every person, business and community. Every time a Pudo Express rider delivers a package they understand that the package is entrusted to them.

The Bottomline: Stay away from bad fitting underwear as it can throw off your outfit, says Queen Pia Wurtzbach

complement your body at all.’ Of course, I was surprised because I learned there were other silhouettes that can really make a difference.”

EVERY Filipino dreams of providing their loved ones with a better life. With the help of technology and ingenuity, these dreams become more achievable. Companies that want to survive the competition understand these dreams and will come up with ways to make these dreams come true.

In the Philippines, genuine care and empathy, or the ability to tap into people’s dreams and tune in to how people feel is a unique strength. Pudo Express, the latest playmaker in delivery and logistics, knows this ability yields power and it’s putting it to good use. Launching Pudo Express during the season of giving is

clever, and so is tapping into the essence of delivery with Pick Up, Drop Off or PUDO as your brand.

The brand pulls the stops on how they roll. Pun aside, at the core of Pudo is the very essence of why people deliver. More than the why, the answer lies in who and what. People deliver items that are important for work and for everyday life. These items also include food and home supplies that are delivered to family and loved ones to show care and cheers. Whatever the item, there is a deep meaning and purpose attached to it. This is especially true for Filipinos where each delivery comes from the heart.

“In Pudo Express, we will deliver for you in any weather, rain or shine. Ganun kayo kahalaga, kasing halaga ng inyong padala. Everyone everywhere is out to look after each other. We all have this sense of community. Companies make sure that we’re reaching out the best way we can to help our customers. Our Filipino culture is really all about kapwa at kawang-gawa. It’s all about coming together to achieve something good and bigger than all of us,” adds Ralph Torres, Managing Director of Pudo Express.

So, the next time you need delivery, there’s only PUDO, po! And it’s always pudong pudo po!

DBP unveils special 75th anniversary commemorative book

STATE-OWNED Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has unveiled a special commemorative book that captures the breadth and scope of its developmental initiatives for the past 75 years, top officials said.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa and Director Dante V. Liban jointly said the book titled “Creating Opportunities, Building Possibilities” features stories of selected institutions, clients, and partners that DBP has assisted through the years.

“This special commemorative book aptly chronicles DBP’s long and remarkable history as the country’s premier development financial institution by focusing on the

compelling narratives of the people whose interests the Bank has advanced through its different funding facilities and banking services,” Herbosa said.

DBP is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development.

Among the DBP clients featured in the book are the provincial government of Batangas, Romblon Electric Cooperative, local petroleum player Insular Oil Corporation, solid waste management company FDR Integrated Resource

Recovery Management, Inc., and private water utility firm Richli Water Corporation.

DBP Director Liban, who also chairs the Bank’s Development Advocacy Committee and Oversight Committee on the 75th Anniversary celebration, said the launch of the book is also a fitting way to cap off the Bank’s year-long 75th anniversary celebration.

“DBP is proud to share this book that perfectly encapsulates its admirable legacy as the country’s premiere development financing institution. Rest assured that DBP will continuously work hand in hand with our development partners to raise the level of competitiveness of the economy for sustainable growth,” he said.

THERE’S nothing worse than the pull or pinch of uncomfortable underwear no matter what poise, elegance, and composure you may have. These traits make Queens stand out from the rest. But back then, even Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe herself, had days she’d honestly rather forget—all because of bad fitting panties. Little did she know that undies can be pretty, practical, comfortable and functional so you feel no pressure at all — pun intended.

The former Ms. Universe recalls that during her early days as a model and actress, she became more aware of what most women don’t realize: that bad fitting underwear can really make a difference. Pia shares “There were a lot of times during fittings at work where I was told I was not wearing the right panties for my body type. I mean, they’re just panties! You put it on, and just go on with your day!”

Pia reveals one of her best realizations.

“This one time, I was told, ‘Girl, why are you wearing those panties? That does not

With a natural hourglass figure, Pia was told it was better to wear hi-leg or bikini panties. And so she did, and she actually felt different when she got used to it. “Imagine, for years I didn’t really care much about this one thing that I wear on a daily basis.” When she managed to make the change, suddenly she felt more in tune with her body. “There’s a big difference when what you’re wearing fits so perfectly that you become less conscious about how others look at you, because you’ll be comfortable in your own skin.”

These days, Pia feels more confident as she has found the perfect panties for herself, and hopefully other women can follow suit. “It was Avon who made the difference in what I feel.” says the beauty queen. “Not only do they have the right silhouette—each one is also made with quality materials that does not wear-and-tear easily,” she shares.

Avon, the number one intimate apparel brand in the country, offers up to seven panty silhouettes for every shape and size, helping more women find the best one for their body type. All seven silhouettes include hi-legs, bikinis, hipsters, mini’s, maxi’s, full briefs—with each one offering maximum comfort for every shape.

Pia continues, “I think my advice for all other queens reading is that YOU don’t need to adjust to your underwear, it should be the other way around! Because if one thing isn’t working for you, the next step should be changing it to what you have and need. It should be like that in all aspects.”

Just like Pia, you can also find the perfect panties by visiting www.avonshop.ph or contacting your local Avon representative. Don’t forget to like and follow Avon Philippines via Facebook and Instagram for more updates

JANUARY is a time for beginnings and Revlon Professional Philippines won’t disappoint us with their launch of the leave-on treatment for the active, busy, and productive women of today. Revlon Professional Philippines understands that a woman’s time is precious, which is why they took the liberty to give us a hair treatment that has 10 benefits in one spectacular leave-on product, that delivers professional results in the blink of an eye. Hence, there’s more time for us to do precious things.

Revlon Professional Philippines dedicated its launch to inspiring Filipino women with stories on stepping out of the usual and breaking cliché.

Abi Marquez, on Creating Boldly LUMPIA Queen, as we know her, is a 22-year-old TikTok Content Creator with 2.3 million followers and is the epitome of passion for her craft. She does content that showcases her love for food through easy-to-do but unconventional recipes, making her loved by 51.6 million times. She is indeed a powerful young woman who communicates a clear message that we should step out of our comfort zone and just do what you want to do. That’s why to keep her hair in check, apart from the most recent Revlon Professional hair makeover, Abi mentioned that she requires a product

that delivers salon-treatment results in the blink of an eye, so there’s more time for her to do precious things; “and that is Revlon UniqOne Classic, with its aroma and 10hair benefits that I can get in an instant, I have more time to create boldly” she ends.

Eloi Regaliza, on Challenging Gender Stereotypes. STAYING out of the cliché is Eloi’s game. She is a cyclist, entrepreneur, and content creator, an ideal depiction of a strong and capable woman making waves in a maledominated arena. With her active lifestyle, Eloi would require a leave-on treatment that provides heat protection and refreshes hairstyle in a snap, “that only the fresh, soft, and floral fragrance inspired in the lotus flowers delicate perfume, Revlon UniqOne™️ Hair Treatment Lotus Flower Fragrance can do”, she ends.

UniqOne™️ from Revlon Professional can proudly say that it is not only about the benefits. As part of their commitment to reducing its environmental impact, the new bottle is more sustainable and contains 25 percent recycled PET.

It’s time to get that great hair instantly, no matter the hair type at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, Bench Fix Salon, Salon Threema by Miguelized, Hairshaft, Headway Vera Salon, The List Salon BGC, and hairMNL.com.

GOVERNMENT SATELLITE OFFICE. Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla together with Filinvest Land Main Square Mall General Manager Dorinda Recalde and Filinvest Land FVP and Brand and Product Head for Mid-rise Buildings Aven Valderrama, lead the launching of the government satellite office dubbed “Strike sa Serbisyo” at Main Square Mall in Bacoor City, Cavite, December 19, 2022. The satellite office will serve as a one-stop-shop for civic services offered by key government agencies and offices including Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Develoment, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, National Labor Relations Commission, Public Attorney's Office, and Philhealth.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa, Batangas

Governor Hermilando Mandanas, and DBP director Dante V. Liban (sixth, seventh, and eighth from left, respectively) are shown during the launch of the DBP commemorative book “Creating Opportunities, Building Possibilities” held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taguig City.

Also in photo are (from left): Richli Water Corporation President Ralph Miguel Lim, FDR Integrated Resource Recovery Management President Paul Revalde, DBP Director Roberto Antonio, Insular Oil Corporation Chief of Staff to the Chairman Maia Villavicencio-Mistal, Romblon

Revlon Professional Philippines launches UniqOne™️ leave-on hair treatment with two Influential Women

Envoys&Expats

PHL, SoKor sign $3-B devt aid loan package

THE Philippines and South Korea have formalized a document on the “Framework Arrangement Concerning Loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund for the Years 2022 through 2026.”

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Ambassador Kim In-chul officially marked late in December the framework enabling the Philippine government to obtain official development assistance (ODA) loans from its South Korean counterpart for a maximum commitment of $3 billion until 2026.

In his remarks, Manalo acknowledged the swift and steady support of South Korea in Philippine development efforts. The loan aid’s purpose and generous amount, he said, highlight the alignment of the thrust of the Korean government with Philippine socioeconomic priorities.

The secretary further acknowledged the firm foundation of trust and friendship between the two nations’ peoples.

South Korea, or the Republic of

Korea, is the Philippines’s sixthlargest ODA source in 2021. It had funded efforts, such as the second phase of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Dam project worth P11.2 billion, which currently irrigates more than 31,000 hectares of land, mitigates flooding in downstream communities, and connects bulk-water supply in Iloilo; the P9.2-billion construction of a port with cargohandling capacity on a reclaimed land to address congestion in the Cebu International Port; and the construction of a two-lane bridge across the Panguil Bay connecting Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte worth P7.4 billion.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the framework scheme paves the way for the implementation of more

development-cooperation projects. The amount is three times that of the previous one between 2017 to 2022.

Major loan projects in the pipeline include, among others, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges project that would construct two 32.47-kilometer sea-crossing bridges with four-lanes connecting the said islands; one that would build a four-lane, 13.32-kilometer road traversing the coastal areas of Mandaue, Consolacion and Liloan in Cebu; the Ilocos Norte and Abra Irrigation project that would erect a 126.41-meter storage dam, a power plant to generate 42.8 megawatts of electricity, and other components for watershed management; as well as other flood-control projects under

South Korea’s participation in Philippine infrastructure development, including the construction of highways, railways, ports and airports, is a vital aspect of bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the former’s embassy.

Both have committed to elevate their mutual cooperation, to include increased high-level engagements, closer maritime linkages, increased teamwork in addressing common security challenges, expanded trade and investments cooperation as well as in science and technology, and even closer people-to-people exchanges through tourism, education exchanges, and labor ties.

Envoy focuses on strong PHL-EU engagements

AMBASSADOR of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines Luc Véron recently took centerstage in the seventh installment of University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Ambassadors’ Lecture Series (ALS).

Véron began his talk on “Strengthening EU-Philippine relations” with a background on current engagements between the EU and the Philippines, which focus on a bilateral partnership and cooperation agreement. He then provided insights on key points such as trade, good governance, maritime security and human rights, among others.

A key highlight he shared with more than 200 onsite studentparticipants was about the climate and the environment, where the EU commits to further cut emissions by 55 percent by 2030, and to become climate-neutral by 2050.

The envoy revealed that the bloc will also support the Philippines and other countries in their own efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

“Climate and the environment have been…priorities in the EU cooperation programs with the Philippines for some time, and will continue to be so in the coming years. We have been supporting the development of renewable sources of energy, the protection of biodiversity, and waste management through several projects, which also aimed at providing livelihoods to poor communities,” Véron disclosed.

He went on to say that “the top priority for our development coop-

eration with the Philippines until 2027 will be the transition to a green circular economy, and the support to sustainable sources of energy.”

In his welcome remarks, UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel mentioned UST’s participation as an educational partner in the just-concluded European Higher Education Fair 2022. He also underscored their previous collaborations with the EU that highlighted the importance of strengthening the internationalization thrusts of the university.

Diplomats who had previously served as speakers for the UST ALS include former ambassador of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Han Dong-man (2018), former deputy chief of mission of the Royal Thai Embassy Urawadee Sriphiromya (2017), and former ambassador of the United States Philip Goldberg (2016), among others.

Asst. Prof. Joreen T. Rocamora, Ph.D, who is the director of UST’s Office of Public Affairs, explained: “The ALS is a forum for intellectual engagement between the embassies and the Thomasian academic community. It paves the way not only for linkages, but also for new learning opportunities.”

Addressing climate crisis with PHL: Germany partners for a greener world

THE catastrophic effects of the ongoing climate crisis can be felt extensively in many parts of the globe, with the Philippines being one of the most vulnerable countries.

With this in mind, Germany is upholding its promise to help create a greener planet, while limiting global warming both nationally and internationally.

“We consider the climate crisis the greatest security challenge of our time. The world cannot afford to wait longer. We need to end the fossil age, and rapidly reduce emissions,” Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel said.

“This is why Germany has massively upped the pace on the shift to green energy, with the aim of being climate neutral by 2045. Globally, [my country is a reliable partner of those] that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as the Philippines,” Reiffenstuel further stated. “Being a priority country of the International Climate Initiative, Germany is currently implementing more than 50 projects with a total volume of more than €88 million [or around P5.2 billion] in the areas of climate, environment and biodiversity.”

Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock reemphasized her country’s commitment at the recent Conference of the Parties, or COP27, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt: “[We are] putting climate justice at the top of our agenda,” she said, and added that the European country was to raise its contribution for climate finance

directed to emerging and developing countries at the tune of $6 billion per year.

Baerbock also stressed the “breakthrough on the issue of loss and damage” that was achieved in the conference, which is “opening up a new chapter in the area of climate justice.”

During its “G7” presidency, Germany also initiated the development of a “Global Shield Against Climate Risks,” which was unanimously supported by the group. The Global Shield, officially launched on November 14, 2022 at the COP 27, systematically analyzes—country by country—gaps in protection, and works with those hardest hit by climate change to develop protection packages, as well as financial protection against climate-related loss and damage.

Environment-friendly transport systems

SINCE 2014 German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been implementing projects that aim to transform the local public-transport system—a key sector for reducing emissions in the Philippines.

Jeepneys, a part of everyday Filipino life, use diesel—a fossil fuel proven to contribute to the production of ground-level ozone. Traffic jams in the city provoke longer idle time for the said vehicles and others that employ fossil fuels. According to a GIZ study published in 2016, there are 250,000 jeepneys in the Philip-

pines, with 55,000 of them operating in Metro Manila alone. They account for 40 percent of vehicle trips, making them the biggest greenhouse-gas emissions contributor in the transport sector.

Together with the Department of Transportation, the GIZ embarked on the “Jeepney+ NAMA,” or Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action project, which aimed to create a modern, sustainable and climate-friendly transport system in Philippine cities. By 2026 the project strives to modernize jeepney fleets and reduce the share of diesel-powered vehicles by 22 percent. This means replacing them with electric jeepneys and public-transport vehicles that follow the Euro-4 emission norms.

The project also helps craft systems that will make public transport more efficient for users. Institutional reorganization and planning will also help fully modernize the country’s jeepneys.

“The transport sectors both in Germany and in the Philippines [are] key when it comes to reducing emissions. Focusing on public transportation benefits especially the lower-income segments of society, and has positive, sustainable long-term effects,” Reiffenstuel explained.

She went further that Germany has expanded its rail networks and financially incentivized the use of public transportation, while taxes on airfares were increased. At the same time, the said country has invested in making cycling more attractive

and in incentivizing individuals to switch to e-mobility.

The envoy added that the “Jeepney+” project doesn’t stop there: The aim is to help create people-oriented cities, empowered by efficient, dignified and sustainable mobility. Through another GIZ-powered project called “TRANSfer,” similar efforts are being implemented to also modernize the Philippines’s bus systems.

Climate resiliency among farmers

ANOTHER crucial but vulnerable sector affected by the climate crisis is agriculture, especially in Mindanao. Typhoons, floods and droughts—induced by the climate crisis—are now more frequent and destructive, leaving farmers’ livelihood at risk.

Partnering with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, World Vision and GIZ, the German government is helping farmers adapt to climate change, while teaching them about eco-friendly practices that will sustain their yield.

The project initially focuses on farmers located on the North Cotabato side of the Liguasan Marsh: a low-lying tract of land that gets flooded during the rainy season. In such areas, floodwater takes longer to dissipate after heavy rains.

“Every year farmers lose so much of their crops due to the effects of climate change,” said Executive Director Marlon P. Palomo of PRRM.

“This leads to financial loss for the farmer, but also has an effect on the rest of the country, as it means less rice and produce will be available for sale, leading to higher prices.”

As of September 2022, 360 farmers are now undergoing capacitybuilding workshops. These include biointensive gardening practices, information on the “Systems of Rice Intensification” methodology, and even seed banking to ensure genetic diversity in the area. Farmers are also being taught on ways to compost and make natural fertilizers for organic produce.

Keeping the world informed JOURNALISTS reporting on climate change carry the heavy burden of being the bearers of mostly bad news.

As the world grapples with the pressure to adapt to climate change, the information is sometimes met with rejection and denial.

Armed with data and credibility, it is the members of the press’ job to help the world understand what is going on, and inform ways to help prevent the climate crisis from getting worse.

Through a five-day training with mentors like journalist Kyle James and Project Officer Deborah Urban of the Deutsche Welle Akademie, Filipino journalists from seven different news organizations went through an intensive course in October 2022 on the manner to better report about the climate.

Participating media practitioners were provided with an overview of

global warming’s causes and consequences, and were briefed on safety and security issues. They were also trained to better understand and use data to ultimately become better storytellers.

The journalists were given the chance to hear practical tips from Imelda Albano, the founding president of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, and senior coordinator for the Philippines and the Pacific Region of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.

Participants and their mentors also visited the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority’s main building and Green Technology Center to witness first-hand how projects like the “Greening Technical Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development” bring new employment opportunities to Filipinos, and improve existing job profiles to accelerate the transition to green economies and sustainable societies.

In the wake of Typhoon Paeng (international name Nalgae), Germany redirected part of the P70.4-million (€1.2-million) donation through the International Organization for Migration’s strategic response and recovery plan for Covid-19 for the Philippines, to enable emergency assistance for communities affected by the typhoon.

Addressing climate change is a long and arduous process. Reiffenstuel however assures the Philippines that Germany will remain a committed partner in this fight.

OFFICIAL VISIT United Nations Special Rapporteur Mama Fatimah Singhateh presented a summary of her two-week official visit to the country in a December 2022 media briefing. The issue of the sale, sexual abuse and exploitation of children, she said, requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to help them cope through care, rehabilitation and reintegration. PNA/AVITO DALAN

THANKS, MATES! Ambassador Hae Kyong (H.K.) Yu engaged with Davao-based media also in December to express her gratitude to the Philippine government for its 75 years of diplomatic relations with Australia. She said about $89-million worth of development programs for the country is in the pipeline—a big chunk of which will be allotted for Mindanao. PNA/ROBINSON NIÑAL JR.

CEREMONIAL TOSS Ambassador of the United States MaryKay Carlson (center) led the ceremonial jump ball in Game 5 of the championship series between Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings (in dark-colored uniform) and Bay Area Dragons last January 8 in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup conference. TWITTER: @USAMBPH

the Philippine-Korea Project Preparation Facility.

SECRETARY Manalo and Ambassador Kim ink the framework arrangement. DFA-OPCD/MARIA VANESSA UBAC

VÉRON

Ancajas fight in Imus scrapped –Gibbons

By Josef Ramos

JERWIN ANCAJAS would no longer fight a Thai opponent before Filipino fans in Imus City next month and will train a month or so more instead in the US for a more lucrative and explosive debut as a bantamweight.

Jerwin [Ancajas] will be US-bound next week for a better training to sharpen his skills under his new weight class, bantamweight,” international matchmaker Sean Gibbons told BusinessMirror on Wednesday.

A ncajas lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt to Argentina’s Fernando Daniel Martinez last February in Las Vegas and again yielded in a rematch eight months later in Carson City, California.

He looked drained making the 115-pount limit losing both by unanimous decision.

Gibbons and trainer and manager Joven Jimenez opted to move Ancajas to the next heavier division at bantamweight and was supposed to figure in a redemption fight against IBF Pacific bantamweight champion Songsaeng Phoyaem on February 12 at the Imus Sports Complex in Cavite.

Gibbons deemed it would be better for the 31-year-old fighter from Panabo City fighter to sharpen his skills and body as a bantamweight in Las Vegas.

It’s still a better training atmosphere and sparring in the US, there are no distractions and he can focus there,” Gibbons said. “He needs to win his debut at 118 [pounds] and he’s going to fight for a world title after that.”

A ncajas (33-3-2 win-lossdraw record with 22 knockouts) is currently ranked No. 5 in the IBF’s bantamweight rankings and No. 10 in the World Boxing Association.

A fight in the US would be more profitable for Jerwin than in the Philippines,” said Gibbons, adding Ancajas could be making his debut either in the US or Mexico in March.

Senator Jinggoy hails kickboxing medal winners in Asian tourney

SEN. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada hailed the Philippine contingent for clinching four gold, one silver and six bronze medals in the recent Asian Kickboxing Championships in Bangkok.

“ The Filipino fighters and warriors in the elite kickboxing competition embodied the unyielding courage, resilience and indomitable spirit of the nation confronted with adversities and formidable challenges,” Estrada said.

Jovan Medallo, a 22-year-old farmer from Cebu City, won the Senior Men’s Creative Musical Form with Weapons gold medal, a feat Abra’s Renalyn “Renz” Dacquel duplicated in the Women’s Low Kick -48 kg event.

Jean Claude “The Dynamite”

TENNIS STARTS SANS SERENA

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press

TENNIS will move on from Serena Williams. It has to. Might not be easy, mind you, given what a transcendent figure she was, on the court and off. But that is what sports do, even when superstars leave. They all leave, of course, and sports always move on.

T he matches will be played, new stars will emerge, fans will continue to watch. And Williams will be missed, of course. By spectators. By executives from the tours, tournaments and television. By other athletes.

A nd as the 2023 Australian Open gets started Monday, the first Grand Slam tournament to be held since she walked away with a farewell at the US Open in September, shortly before her 41st birthday—the owner of 23 major singles championships said she preferred the term “evolving” to “retiring”—tennis will get a real taste of what a post-Serena world looks like on a big stage.

Th at is the case even if her impact won’t fade away, as US Open

Saclag and Gina Iniong-Araos also topped the Men’s Low Kick -63.5 kg event and Women’s Low Kick -60 kg event, respectively, to complete the four-gold medal haul.

K arol Maguide clinched silver medal in Men’s Full Contact -54 kg while Ralph Chein Yosorez (Women’s Musical Form Hard Style), Gretel de Paz (Women’s Low Kick -56 kg), Jomar Balangui (Men’s Low Kick -57 kg), Kurt Lubrica (Men’s Low Kick -51 kg), Claudine Veloso (Women’s Point Fighting -55 kg) and Carlos Alvarez (Men’s Point fighting -69 kg) provided the bronze medals.

I n proposing the approval of Senate Resolution No. 393, Estrada sought commendation for the 14-member team that participated in the continental tournament that

tournament director Stacey Allaster put it: “She leaves an indelible legacy of grace and grit that will inspire athletes, female and male, for many generations to come.”

There surely will be those who keep an eye on tangible data during the two weeks at Melbourne Park and as this season, and future seasons, go along. Numbers such as attendance figures and TV ratings will be parsed in an effort to gauge what effect there is from the departure of someone who earned status as a just-one-namenecessary celebrity.

I n a way, that is all a bit beside the point, however.

Her legacy is really wide, to the point where you can’t even describe it in words. She changed the sport so much. She’s introduced people that have never heard of tennis into the sport,” said Naomi Osaka, a 25-year-old from Japan who has won four Grand Slam titles but hasn’t played a full match since August and will sit out the Australian Open. “I honestly think that she’s, like, the biggest force in the sport. That’s not intentionally trying to make (Roger) Federer or (Rafael) Nadal smaller. I just think she’s the biggest thing that

will ever be in the sport.” I n recent decades, folks might have worried about what would happen when Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova stopped playing. Or when Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors moved on. Or Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Or Steffi Graf. And so on.

It’s always a loss when you have great players leave. But I’ve been through six or seven generations of this,” said Billie Jean King, a twotime inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame who won 12 Grand Slam trophies in singles and another 27 in women’s or mixed doubles.

Coach Tiu taps 3 top scoring guards from collegiate ranks for Strong 5

served as qualifiers for the 2023 World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Their successful outing and victory in the international arena brought immense pride, glory and honor to the country, and inspiration to our fellowmen, hence, merit commendation from the Senate,” Estrada added.

Estrada said copies of the resolution will be given to the athletes and their coaches and trainers.

Japanese B. League to play overseas as a pro. It was unlikely that he would suit up again for the Maroons should they score a backto-back championship or not. It was just a matter of time.

Th at Tamayo was in the crosshairs of Japanese pro ball scouts as prime prospect to beef up their teams in the Japanese league is a no-brainer. The 20-year-old is a special talent with a level of maturity and professionalism that is evident even in the collegiate level.

Sobrang angat niya” (he’s on a different level), “Kinakain ni Carl ’yung mga tumatao sa kaniya sa ilalim” (he gets the best of his competition in the paint), “Para na siyang pro maglaro” (he plays like a pro already) are some of the comments from UAAP spectators from Seasons 84 and 85.

STRONG Group added Lebron Lopez and three other collegiate stars to its roster that has already been beefed up by three former National Basketball Association (NBA) players and a spitfire Filipino-American guard.

S trong Group is bound for the 32nd Dubai International Championship set from January 27 to February 5 in the United Arab Emirates.

B esides Lopez, team owner Jacob Lao announced the inclusion of University of the Philippines’ Joel

Cagulangan, Adamson University’s Jerom Lastimosa and College of St. Benilde’s Miguel Oczon.

We all know JD [Cagulangan] can make big shots and lead a championship team— he’s been doing it for a while now,” Lao said.

“I’m just excited for him to showcase his talents as he gets the chance to represent the country.”

L ao thanked Gilas Pilipinas management for allowing Lopez to suit up for the team that aims to keep the crown to a Philippine club team.

M ighty Sports completed a grand

success in the UAAP with a historic championship in Season 84 and another Finals appearance in Season 85.

The Season 84 Rookie of the Year and two-time Mythical Team member has nothing more to prove in the collegiate level. He had given the league and his team his all.

Thus after Season 85 wound down, the question on everyone’s mind was: will he, or won’t he? Accept the offer from Japan, that is. Or would he be back to work on unfinished business?

Bye, Baby Carl

THE day has come. Since before the start of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 last October, the buzz was alive.

Carl Tamayo, the University of the Philippines’ prized recruit for its seniors basketball team, would not finish his playing years with the Fighting Maroons that he helped bring home a priceless championship to after 36 winless years.

Carl, the grapevine said, had already been recruited by the

A nd turn pro he did at a very young age, following the path of special talents like himself who still have to finish college when they turned pro.

The National Basketball Association’s first straight-outof-high school-pro Kevin Garnett, as well as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, among others, come to mind. Young men who tackled the challenges of pro ball and excelled even if they seemed to be, well, nipped in the bud.

A s for Carl, he had already devoted two years as a collegiate player to the UP Fighting Maroons, helping to bring the formerly hapless Diliman squad to the pinnacle of

A nd then finally on January 10 he posted on his social media account that he had accepted the offer to play in Japan. “To the UP community and to the team’s fans, salamat kaayo. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and for your support. Whatever colors I wear in the years to come, my heart will always bleed maroon,” he added.

C aught in a bittersweet fix, the UP community was not stunned. It knew that someone as good as Carl would inevitably take the next step forward in his blazing basketball career.

It responded with mixed emotions: a mixture of regret, sadness, then acceptance, gratitude, and finally good wishes and pride.

Again the Philippine Basketball Association—formerly the mountaintop for aspiring young hoopers—has lost another

Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats

KABUL, Afghanistan— Noura’s determination to play sports was so great that she defied her family’s opposition for years. Beatings from her mother and jeers from her neighbors never stopped her from the sports she loved.

But the 20-year-old Afghan woman could not defy her country’s Taliban rulers. They have not just banned all sports for women and girls, they have actively intimidated and harassed those who once played, often scaring them from even practicing in private, Noura and other women say.

oura has been left shattered. “I’m not the same person anymore,” she said. “Since the Taliban came, I feel like I’m dead.”

umber of girls and women who once played a variety of sports told The Associated Press they have been intimidated by the Taliban with visits and phone calls warning them not to engage in their sports. The women and girls spoke on condition of anonymity for fear they will face further threats.

ey posed for an Associated Press photographer for portraits with the equipment of the sports they loved. They hid their identities with burqas, the all-encompassing robes and hood that completely cover the face, leaving only a mesh to see through. They didn’t normally wear the burqa, but they said they sometimes do now when they go outside and want to remain anonymous and avoid harassment.

e ban on sports is part of the Taliban’s escalating campaign of restrictions that have shut down life for girls and women. ince their takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from attending middle and high school. Last month, they ordered all women thrown out of universities as well. The Taliban require women to cover their hair and faces in public and prohibit them from going to parks or gyms. They have severely limited women’s ability to work outside the home and most recently forbade non-governmental organizations from employing women, a step that could cripple the vital flow of aid.

Even before the Taliban, women’s sports were opposed by many in Afghanistan’s deeply conservative society, seen as a violation of women’s modesty and of their role in society.

Still, the previous, internationallybacked government had programs encouraging women’s sports and school clubs, leagues and national teams for women in many sports. AP

sweep of the title three years ago to become the first club team outside of the Middle East to win the event.

Great talent. Still raw but we are hopeful we can give him the opportunity to improve himself and gain some experience,” Strong Group Coach Charles Tiu said.

Tiu is convinced that the team is “already good enough” but his main concern is developing team chemistry inside a three-week window.

Tiu said Cagulangan, Oczon and Lastimosa adds excitement to the team’s goal.

“ I love shooting guards and we are thankful they [their schools] allowed them to play for us,” he said. “Hopefully they will improve further playing with and against some great players.”

blue chip youngblood to the siren call of foreign leagues.

C an the trend be stopped? We don’t think so. It is simply the way of the world right now. Collegiate basketball has undergone a radical change with the availability of a new frontier for local basketball talents. The world has become borderless, not just in sports but in everything else.

Tamayo’s departure to go the way of Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Kobe Paras, Roosevelt Adams, Jordan Heading, Greg Slaughter, Jay Washington, SJ Belangel and RJ Abarrientos in the Asian leagues is not to be looked at as a death knell for Philippine basketball.

O n the contrary, it is an opportunity for those talented individuals to become the best versions of themselves, and in so doing, give pride to their families and their country.

Their success on the world stage also feeds the myth of Filipino basketball talents as world-class. Thus we send off Carl Tamayo in triumph and wish him good luck. His success is our success and his achievements in the B League do us proud as a nation and a basketball loving people.

To keep him here is not fair if we truly love the guy. He has served well and will continue to serve his country when called upon. He does not just belong to us now. We have shared him with the world.

ESTRADA

SERENA WILLIAMS will be missed on the court by spectators, executives from the tours, tournaments, television and by other athletes. AP

MEMBERS of an Afghan women’s soccer team and a Muay Thai athlete pose for the Associated Press in Kabul hiding their identities with their burqas because they fear Taliban reprisals and because some of them continue to practice their sports in secret. AP