BusinessMirror July 06, 2023

SUPPLY limitation, low incentives, delay in the conduct of grid impact studies, and the cost of fi nancial guarantees are some of the reasons for the low turnout of bidders in the recently concluded second round of Green Energy Auction (GEA), according to energy secretary Raphael Lotilla.

“We are going to [conduct] focus group discussions with private sector because at that time that we announced the bids, not only...were there were no objections, but it was welcomed by private sector. But as the bidding date drew closer, after the announcement of the GEAR [Green Energy Auction Reserve]

prices by the ERC, and the big bond requirements and so on, the level of interest dwindled,” said Lotilla at “Pandesal Forum” hosted by Wilson Lee Flores on Wednesday.

e DOE said the GEA Program 2 generated 3,580.76 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) capacities that are committed for delivery from 2024 to 2026. e numbers are way below the 11,600MW offered by the DOE.

Of which, 1,968.982 MW was committed for ground-mounted solar from 2024 to 2026; 9.39 MW was committed for 2024 and 2025 for rooftop solar; 90 MW for the construction of floating solar in 2026; 1,512.384 MW for onshore wind from 2025 and 2026. ere were no bidders for biomass and

waste-to-energy projects.

“We recognized that the markets have spoken that in terms of the attractability of the options based on the maximum price, that was approved by the ERC, the bids were one-third of the volumes that were made available,” said Lotilla.

e energy chief said there are “good lessons to be learned” from here. “For instance, the biomass, the waste-to-energy technologies, there were no takers,” he said.

“I think this was a message not only to DOE but also to our LGUs [local government units] that one of the sources of uncertainty is the stability of supply of waste and that is actually within the control of LGUs. If one puts up a waste-toenergy facility that will be able to

JUNE INFLATION

TO 5.4%; EL

EL Niño is now considered one of the major upside risks to inflation in the next few months, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

On Wednesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that infl ation slowed to 5.4 percent in June from the 6.1 percent posted in May 2023 and June 2022. (Full story hereL: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2023/07/05/

inflation-slows-down-to-5-4-in-junedowntrend-mostly-due-to-cheaperfood-transpo-costs-psa/).

e Philippine weather bureau, Pagasa, on Tuesday issued an advisory that El Niño’s impact will be most pronounced in the latter part of 2023 and will extend until the second quarter of next year.

“ e balance of risks to the infl ation outlook continues to lean towards the upside owing to the potential impact of additional transport fare increases and minimum wage adjustments, persistent supply constraints of key food items, El Niño weather conditions, and possible knock-on effects of higher toll rates on prices of key agricultural items. Meanwhile, the impact of a weaker-than-expected global economic recovery remains the primary downside risk to the outlook,” BSP said in a statement.

BSP said the June 2023 infl ation rate was within the BSP’s forecast range of 5.3 to 6.1 percent. It is also consistent with the assessment that infl ation will remain elevated over the near term before gradually decelerating back to target range in last quarter of 2023 in the absence of further supplyshocks. “ e BSP stands ready to adjust the monetary policy stance as necessary to prevent the further broadening of price pressures as well as the emergence of additional second order effects in view of the

THE Philippines has made it to the top five host economies of renewable energy investments in the Developing Asia and Oceania region from 2015 to 2022, according to the World Investment Report 2023 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

e Unctad report, published on July 5, 2023, showed that in the Developing Asia and Oceania region, the top host economies for international renewable energy projects are India, Vietnam and Taiwan Province of China, which attract more than 40 percent of the projects. e remaining 14 percent in the region was shared by the Phil-

economies.

Between 2015 and 2022, Unctad noted that Ayala Group is the top investor in renewable power in the Philippines, with 31 projects in the country.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Wednesday, the Unctad called for “urgent support” to developing countries, which includes the Philippines, to enable them to attract significantly more investment for their transition to clean energy.

“Developing countries need renewable energy investments of about $1.7 trillion annually but attracted foreign direct investment in clean energy worth only $544 billion in 2022,” noted the Unctad World Investment Report 2023.

significant increase in investment in sustainable energy systems in developing countries is crucial for the world to reach climate goals by 2030.”

Last month, the Philippines’s Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said renewable energy (RE) projects are seen to account for a third of the Board of Investments (BOI) P1.5-trillion investments approval target for 2023.

e country has allowed 100-percent foreign investments in renewable energy in its bid to attain a 35-percent share of renewable energy in the country’s energy

recover investment over a 15 or 20year period, they will need a stable supply of waste.

But if the supply of waste is not going to be assured to them, they’re not going to waste good investment involved. ese are some of the things that we need to look into,” Lotilla explained. Another concern raised was the availability of transmission lines “because the system impact studies [SIS] are delayed.” e results of the SIS are vital as this will determine if the transmission lines will be able to absorb new power generation capacities. “ e waiting time right now is ranging from 1.5 years to 2 years.

THE government expressed optimism on Wednesday that the country can overcome the hurdles posed by El Niño phenomenon to the poultry, livestock and aquaculture industries.

“ e problem with the water, I think, is solvable when it comes to, in terms of the livestock. e difficulty [is] with crops. In fi sheries, not much, as you can imagine. So, I think I’m confident that when it comes to livestock and the broilers, the hogs, and the cattle,” the problems are manageable, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a sideline interview at the Livestock

Philippines Expo 2023 that opened Wednesday at the World Trade Center in Manila.

He added that problems can be reckoned with “if we continue to be able to fi x the systems, and now, of course, the biggest issue is still the ASF [African swine fever] and then the Avian influenza. So, slowly it looks like we are getting control and we are seeing a good supply here for us now. e price is not very volatile, it is quite stable.” e President said he believes that as long as the country con-

PHL AMONG TOP 5 HOST ECONOMIES OF RE BUSINESS

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mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

The World Investment Report 2023 showed that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for the Philippines declined by 23.2 percent from $11.9 billion in 2021 to $9.2 billion in 2022.

Meanwhile, global FDI declined by 12 percent in 2022, to $1.3 trillion, after a strong rebound in 2021 following the steep drop induced by Covid-19 in 2020, the report showed. Unctad said the decline was mainly a result of lower volumes of financial flows and transactions in developed countries. The slowdown was driven by overlapping crises: the war in Ukraine, high food and energy prices and debt pressures.

The fall in FDI flows was mostly caused by financial transactions of multinational enterprises in developed economies, where FDI fell by 37 percent to $378 billion.

“The global environment for international business and crossborder investment remains challenging in 2023. Geopolitical tensions are still high. Recent financial sector turmoil has added to investor uncertainty,” Unctad said in a statement on Wednesday.

With this, Unctad said it expects downward pressure on global FDI to continue in 2023.

House, Senate vow to approve 20 priority measures by end of 2023

develop a legal framework that would enhance cybersecurity and protection and establish protocols in their use among government agencies and vital institutions.

key administration measures before the end of the year.

“It was a productive meeting, and President Marcos was very participative, with his questions on the problems and bottlenecks in some of the bills,” said Zubiri.

Among the nine proposed bills for inclusion are the Philippine Defense Industry Development Act (PDIDA), the Cybersecurity Law, and amendments to the procurement provisions of the AFP Modernization Act—which were all discussed during Zubiri’s working visit to Washington, DC, in June.

“These bills will be vital in strengthening our AFP, and to our overall efforts to build a

truly self-reliant defense strategy,” he said.

He explained that “PDIDA, in particular, is crucial to provide local capability to manufacture [our own] equipment. As we do that, we will be creating jobs, and courting foreign companies to invest here as well.”

The amendments to the procurement provisions of the AFP Modernization Act will allow for the purchase of non-new equipment—“so we can acquire highly advanced, good-as-new equipment, at a lower price point. We want to buy smart, and not just buy what is new.”

The Cybersecurity Law, meanwhile, seeks to

Two education bills—the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act and the Batang Magaling Act—were also proposed for inclusion, as well as the Safe Pathways Act, the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, the Tatak Pinoy Act, and the Blue Economy Act. On the part of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber proposed 15 additional bills on agriculture, industry and services, infrastructure, digital regulatory frameworks, transport, good governance, energy, environment, and domestic resources. These include the Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastic, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Act, and the act rationalizing Motor Vehicle User’s Charge.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also proposed two more bills, namely, the Bank Deposits Secrecy Bill and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday affirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to abide by the agreement reached at the Ledac for the passage of 20

“Upon the start of the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress, I together with the rest of the members of the House of Representatives will continue our efforts in realizing the President’s vision to greatly improve the Philippine economy, to reduce the prices of everyday commodities, and to increase the purchasing power of every Filipino citizen,” Romualdez said at the Ledac meeting.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives committed to approve a total of 20 priority measures before the year ends, including two measures added Wednesday to the CLA.

Of the 20 priority measures due for approval before the end of the year, 16 have already been approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading during the First Regular Session.

The only four remaining measures are the National Rightsizing Program; Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension of MUPs; National Employment Action Plan and the Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz, Butch Fernandez

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persistent upside risks to the inflation outlook,” BSP said.

“The BSP also supports the timely and ef-

fective implementation of non-monetary government measures to mitigate the impact of persistent supply-side pressures on inflation,” it added.

It may be noted that El Niño years such as

1998, which saw one of the worst dry spells experienced by the country, saw inflation average 9 percent and peak at 10 percent, according to PSA data.

However, data showed that in 2014 to 2016 when the country also experienced an El Niño, inflation averaged 3.8 percent in 2014; 0.9 percent in 2015; and 1.4 percent in 2016.

“The Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook will continue to take proactive steps to address the main causes of inflation. This is particularly important considering the impending El Niño, which poses risks to food supply and prices,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

This may be a concern given that rice prices are already increasing. PSA National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said rice prices have been climbing since January 2023.

Rice inflation reached 2.7 percent in January 2023; 2.2 percent in February; 2.6 percent in March; 2.9 percent in April; 3.4 percent in May; and 3.6 percent in June.

Mapa also said all rice categories, regularand well-milled as well as special rice prices in June 2023, all increased. It can be noted that rice, the country’s food staple, is a water-loving crop.

Rice has a weight of 8.87 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the All Households and 17.87 percent weight in the CPI of the Bottom 30 percent of Households.

“We are seeing that the changes [in prices] are across the three commodity groupings of rice,” Mapa said.

“’Yung presyo sa [The prices in] retail, [with the] regular, [this is] locally produced [but the uptrend is] very slow, a few centavos every month since February.”

The scenario of all rice categories showing rising prices, including special rice which is imported, indicates that El Niño is not just being felt in the Philippines but in other parts of the world.

Bloomberg earlier noted that the El Niño will have the largest impacts on countries like India, Argentina, the Philippines, Australia, and Peru in terms of GDP reduction.

In terms of inflation, Bloomberg said Argentina, Brazil, India and the Philippines will experience the largest increases in commodity prices.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said given this, importing food may now be less effective in terms of slowing inflation.

“Importing food from abroad might become less effective in addressing supply problems since El Nino is expected to affect other parts of the world,” BPI stated in an economic brief.

The PSA said the 7.5 percent food inflation at the national level in May 2023 also exhibited a downward movement for the fourth month in a row.

In the previous month, food inflation was posted at 8 percent. However, despite the deceleration, the May 2022 food inflation was still lower at 5.2 percent.

Food accounted for a 42.5-percent share, “or 2.6 percentage points to the overall inflation in May 2023,” PSA said.

The core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items in the headline inflation, slowed to 7.7 percent in May 2023 from 7.9 percent in April 2023.

This brings the average core inflation of January-May 2023 to 7.8 percent. In May 2022, core inflation was observed at 2.8 percent.

So if you have to wait that long before you can even be given a gosignal, then it can be a detriment to those who would like to be able to offer their capacities on renewable energy. These are some of the things that we need to look into further,” said Lotilla.

The ERC has set a GEAR price of P4.4043 per kWh for groundmounted solar, P4.8738 per kWh for the rooftop solar, P5.3948 per kWh for the floating solar, P5.8481 per kWh for onshore wind, P5.4024 per kWh for biomass and P6.2683 per kWh for the biomass waste-toenergy.

According to the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), the ERC should “seriously examine” the rates it had set for GEA2, saying “these do not reflect the realities of the current demand and supply of electricity in the country, nor is it encouraging developers to build.”

“The framework of the auction is to set a price cap and bid below the price cap. It seems, however, that the regulators are setting a floor price.

Secondly, the developers have repeatedly made representations to the ERC on the parameters of the tariff structure. In the case of solar, PSSEA submitted studies and actual references that can form part in designing green tariff. Unfortunately, these parameters failed to convince ERC,” said PSSEA chairperson Tetchi Capellan in a statement.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said a review will be conducted to assess what improvements need to be done. “We will review, and we will also have discussions with the auction participants,” she said.

Alternergy Group, meanwhile, said that it will “fully support” the review and call on the renewable energy industry players to join in this dialogue to address earlier concerns on transmission connection and permits processing, among others, to ensure that the project capacities offered are delivered according to more realistic timelines and within competitive power rates.

tinues to develop more and take advantage of all of the new available vaccines, it can fight diseases affecting the industries.

“I think we can sustain it. Not only sustain it but let’s make it even better, let’s make it bigger. Make it more efficient, make it more streamlined,” said Marcos, the concurrent Agriculture secretary.

Still at the Livestock Philippines Expo 2023, the President said the government is implementing the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program, with more than 430 farmers’ cooperatives and associations benefiting from the program.

He also announced the completion of Phase One of the safety and efficacy trials for the ASF vaccines, and the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product certification process for the vaccines while Phase Two trials are underway. The government is also making progress in the procurement of Avian Influenza vaccines, he said.

Invited dignitaries and officials from the Department of Agriculture, together with Informa Markets, the organizer of Livestock Philippines, warmly welcomed the President, whose championing modernization and agricultural development is timely to his visit to Livestock Philippines. Around 300 local and international exhibitors showcased at the expo their machinery, products, and other services beneficial to the agriculture industry, particularly to the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors.

Now in its sixth edition, Livestock Philippines 2023 highlights the theme of the ecosystem of livestock and poultry supply chain on food security, safety, and sustainability as the show coincides with the country’s celebration of Nutrition Month in July. Specialists are slated to spearhead the seminars and conferences that will underscore the need for a modernized but safe approach to livestock, aquaculture, and poultry farming in ensuring safe and sustainable food production. Some of the conference topics are contributed by the National Dairy Authority, the Philippine Carabao Center, the Bureau of Animal Industry, and

the National Livestock Program to name a few. This year, Livestock Philippines also collaborated with new partners like the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners.

Livestock Philippines also highlights exclusive technical seminars by the exhibitors about the in-depth discussion on feed production, sustainable livestock production, aqua farming, breeding, broiler caging system, and egg forum.

The show’s success is being attributed to the valuable partnership between the DA and Informa Markets—the organizers of Livestock Philippines and its ASEAN and Taiwan series. The exceptional insights of the DA, along with its affiliated agencies and the global marketing connection of Informa Markets, made Livestock Philippines the most trusted trade event for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture since 2011.

Livestock Philippines is concurrently held with the 3rd edition of Aquaculture Philippines, led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

This year, Livestock Philippines expects around 10,000 trade visitors both local and international. Raadee S. Sausa

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri wants to add nine bills for inclusion in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) on top of the 42 bills already listed in the agenda. He made the pitch in Wednesday’s Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council meeting.

RTC orders transfer of ‘Jad’ Dera to Muntinlupa City jail

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa City has ordered the transfer of high-profile detainee Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera, who is a coaccused in the remaining drug case filed against former senator Leila de Lima, from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention center to a regular jail facility in Muntinlupa City.

D era’s transfer came more than two weeks after he was able to sneak out from his NBI detention with the assistance of his security escorts to seek medical attention for gastritis or acid reflux.

T he incident resulted in the filing of criminal charges against Dera before the justice department for corruption of public officials.

The six NBI security officers who helped him to get out his detention center were also charged for violation of Republic Act 3019, commonly known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Dera has denied bribing NBI officials to allow him to leave the detention facility.

The DOJ also filed a motion before the Muntinlupa RTC seeking Dera’s transfer to the Mun tinlupa City Jail Male Dormitory.

T he DOJ cited the impending demolition of the NBI detention facility in seeking Dera’s transfer.

In an order dated July 3, Muntinlupa

RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham

Groups back DENR move to review Manila Bay reclamation and quarrying projects

Joseph Alcantara granted the request of the DOJ, which previously sought the assistance of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) in requesting the court to allow Dera’s transfer.

Responding to the DOJ request, the OCA then issued a memorandum directing the court to issue a commitment order for the immediate transfer of Dera.

“Accordingly, the Chief of the Security Management Section, NBI, is hereby directed to turn over the body of the living person of accused Jose Adrian Dera to the Muntinlupa City Jail Male Dormitory, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City who is ordered to take custody of said accused during the pendency of the case and until further orders from the Court,” it added.

T he NBI earlier entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa for the use of their facility as a temporary detention center for its detainees to pave the way for the demolition and construction of the new NBI buildings and detention facility in Taft, Manila.

D era has denied bribing NBI officials to allow him to go out of the detention facility.

H e is facing a drug case before the Muntinlupa RTC where he is accused of running the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison with detained former senator de Lima when the latter was still the DOJ chief during the administration of the late former president Noynoy Aquino.

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

clearly at the losing end of the deal.”

Garganera said it is high time that a review of the reclamation projects in Manila Bay is undertaken. “Closely related to this, we likewise call on the DENR to undertake an impact assessment or cost-benefit analysis of seabed quarrying and offshore mining projects.”

out for reclamation. While thriving coral reefs in the said province have undoubtedly shrunk due to ongoing dredging and reclamation projects across Manila Bay. These marine resources could’ve been preserved if the DENR did not take its sweet time to make a stand on reclamation,” Hicap said.

This as groups under the Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) underscored the link between seabed quarrying and reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Sand from various seabed quarrying sites are supplied to the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, the group said.

“In particular, fishermen in Zambales report that the sand from the offshore mining in the area supply sand to Manila Bay,” ATM National Coordinator Jaybee Garganera said.

“We are highly critical of reclamation projects precisely because they involve seabed quarrying, and possibly offshore mining, which violate regulatory laws as well as negatively impact communities,” Garganera said.

Garganera added that according to fishermen participating in a

focused-group discussion last week in Cavite, seabed quarrying is being done close to the shore.

“This is contrary to the project proponent’s assurance that quarrying would be done far from the shore,” he said.

Garganera also pointed out that the project proponent, the Philippine Reclamation Authority, held only one consultation, which only a few local leaders were invited.

Garganera said the fishermen from Cavite also reported that quarrying is usually done at night and causes noise pollution, “which scare fishes away and deprive the fishermen of their catch.” He added that fishermen have not also received any financial assistance promised to them by mining companies, and “fisherfolk are

Last week, small fishermen under the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) called on the DENR to “entirely review and ultimately revoke” all the 22 reclamation projects with environmental permits in Manila Bay on environmental and socioeconomic grounds.

‘Long overdue’

THE call was made by Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap in response to a recent statement of DENR secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga, that the agency is monitoring the compliance and looking into possible violations of reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

“While we welcome this rare initiative from the DENR, this has been actually long overdue, because various reclamation projects have already inflicted irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and the livelihood of coastal people. Abandoned fish ponds in some towns in Cavite could’ve been converted into productive mangrove areas but were wiped

He added Loyzaga should work closely with the affected fishing communities and progressive environmental experts in reviewing the reclamation projects for impartiality and should heed the fisherfolk and coastal residents, who constitute the majority of the stakeholders, in regard to the preservation and rehabilitation of coastal communities and marine biodiversity.

“Moreover, the DENR should be reminded of its role in the 2008 Supreme Court mandamus directing various government agencies to clean up and rehabilitate Manila Bay for recreational use and fishery resources development. Allowing or keeping mum on destructive reclamation is a violation of the mandamus,” Hicap said.

Pamalakaya said that among the projects that have environmental permits are the 420-hectare Bacoor Reclamation project; the 2,500-hectare Bulacan Aerotropolis project; the 360-hectare reclamation project in Pasay City; the 650-hectare reclamation project in Navotas City; and the 419-hectare Horizon Manila project.

GROUPS opposed to the massive land reclamation and seabed quarrying in Manila Bay expressed support behind the move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to review ongoing development in the area.

Data show how households dispose of unwanted garbage

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

GARBAGE truck collection, burning, and dumping in individual pits are the most common waste disposal mechanisms employed by Filipinos, based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data showed 50.7 percent or 13.362 million of the 26.4 million households have their kitchen garbage picked up by garbage trucks. This was followed by the 16.3 percent or 4.3 million of households who burned their kitchen waste and 10.3 percent or 2.72 million who dump their waste into pits.

PSA data showed that kitchen garbage is

disposed by feeding the waste to animals at 8.8 percent in 2020 or 2.33 million, while 8.6 percent or 2.28 million of households practiced composting.

Other households or 4.3 percent or 1.14 million households buried their waste and 1 percent or 260,291 households employed other means of disposal such as being thrown in esteros, vacant lots, and rivers, among others.

The data also showed that among the households who disposed of their kitchen waste through garbage truck collection services, the majority or 87.6 percent were living in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The data also showed nearly 70 percent or 68.8 percent were in Region 4A, while 65.8 percent were located in Region 3.

IPOPHL inks pact with NBDB to bring copyright awareness to book fests

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

However, burning of kitchen waste was dominant among households based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It was the highest proportion reported by households at 44.8 percent.

The highest number of households who employ dumping of their kitchen waste in individual pits were found in Western Visayas with 308,556 households.

For burning, Calabarzon posted the highest number of households with 467,226 followed by Central Luzon, 464,706; and Western Visayas, 464,521.

For burying, the largest number was in Calabarzon at 171.470 households followed by Central Luzon at 109,313 households and Western Visayas, 104,891 households.

In terms of feeding animals, the most number of them were found in Western Visayas at 288,547 households followed by Eastern Visayas at 268,596 households.

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has partnered with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to bring copyright awareness to the latter’s biggest local book festivals.

At the NBDB’s first-ever Philippine Book Festival held at the World Trade Center in Manila Friday, June 2, 2023, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire C. Cabochan and NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will include the Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights’ (BCRR) Copyright Caravan at the NBDB’s book festivals in the regions.

Cabochan stressed that “respect” for intellectual property (IP) rights is key to empowering and inspiring more writers as well as the nation’s creative sector.

“And with copyright, our creatives will be encouraged to create more works, fully knowing that their ownership will not be stolen from them, and that they can continue to benefit both artistically and economically from their creative talents,” Cabochan said.

That’s why we welcome this collaboration with NBDB not only in today’s Philippine Book Festival but in the subsequent book events set to happen later this year,” she added.

F or NBDB’s part, Tugade expressed gratitude for IPOPHL’s support and looks forward to its continued support for its programs, particularly in promoting the copyright protection of books, in the latter half of the year.

In a news statement issued on Wednesday, IPOPHL said the Copyright Caravan is an initiative of the BCRR focusing on knowledgesharing copyright matters through seminars, and the promotion of copyright registration, projects and activities. The agency added that the caravan seeks to “establish linkages and build rapport” with the copyright-based industries.

IPOPHL said its participation in the Manila leg of the Philippine Book Festival had been arranged prior to the signing with the MOA formalizing the arrangement.

The BCRR conducted seminars focusing on the basics of copyright and copyright in the digital age. IPOPHL said both “cumulatively” drew in a total of 77 attendees.

The BCRR also held the IP Tabletop

Playtesting project with nine Young Intellectual Property Advocates (YIPA) students and officers. Developed under the BCRR’s flagship Copyright Plus Program, the “tabletop card game” teaches players about the value of IP even as they play and enjoy the game.

Meanwhile, the IPOPHL booth manned by copyright experts fielded questions about copyright and how to register their works with IPOPHL from 58 visitors.

Following the Manila event, IPOPHL said the BCRR aims to conduct similar activities to promote awareness on the basics of copyright and emerging related issues during the succeeding NBDB regional book fairs. The next will be held in Davao City later this year.

For his part, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said that “while this collaboration will undoubtedly strengthen the partnership of IPOPHL and the NBDB, we’re confident this will lead to more activities in the future that will raise the public’s awareness of their IP rights while also boosting the creative industry’s socioeconomic development and growth consistent with the Marcos administration’s priorities.”

PHL delegation of plant-based product exhibitors to Seoul generate $174.69M in initial export sales

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced the Philippine delegation of coconut and plant-based products exhibitors to the Seoul Food and Hotel (SFH) 2023 generated initial export sales of $174.69 million during the fourday food and hospitality trade show held from May 30 to June 2, 2023 at the Korea International Exhibition (KINTEX) Center 1, South Korea.

A ccording to the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), the mission resulted in “significant” interest from foreign buyers, with $154.80

million in sales under negotiation and $19.89 million actual sales.

The $154.80 million sales under negotiation, DTI-EMB said, is “one

of the highest” among the trade fairs participated in by DTI’s export marketing arm under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) following its first year of implementation in 2022.

Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Seoul Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. S. Dinsay emphasized that the potential for coconut and plant-based products in Korea is “huge.”

Aside from retail products, we are looking to grab bigger opportunities in high-value inputs to manufacturing, food processing, farming, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics,” Dinsay added.

The export marketing arm said the initiative is part of the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, where the DTI has been assisting farmer cooperatives and exporters to increase their knowledge in the global market through research, marketing, and marketing promotion strategies, and in line with the Philippine Export Development

Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028.

I n fact, DTI Assistant Secretary Glenn G. Peñaranda said the Philippines “was able to prove its readiness to seize opportunities for coconut and plant-based products and collaborate with Korean buyers.”

W ith this, Peñaranda said the DTI will “strengthen” its initiatives that aim to expand and diversify the country’s exports, in line with the PEDP 2023-2028.

SFH is Korea’s “most prominent” international food and hospitality trade show, connecting global businesses and enabling Korean buyers to access premium products worldwide.

O rganized by the Korea TradeInvestment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and co-organized by Informa Markets and KINTEX, the 2023 edition consisted of 2,515 booths of 1,316 companies from 39 countries, DTI reported.

Moreover, DTI said SFH provides a “valuable” platform for networking, showcasing products, and facilitating business opportunities within the food and hospitality sectors, making

it a key event for industry professionals and businesses looking to engage in the Korean market.

The Philippine participation in SFH also enabled Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises [MSME] to gain on-theground market insights that will allow them to better position their products in the highly competitive Korean market,” DTI said.

The Philippine delegation included 14 coconut, coffee, and cacao exporters, and two farmer cooperatives that were featured in the Coconut Philippines pavilion, and four exporters of plant-based products in the Asean Trade Fair, and was led by DTI-EMB and PTIC-Seoul.

The Coconut Philippines Pavilion showcased the products of Benevelle Corporation, Cattleya & Rose Gourmet Foods Trading, Eng Seng

Food Products, Fortune of Wishes Seafood Products, Fruits of Life Inc., Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines, Inc., Hijo Superfoods, Kalipunan ng Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipino Agriculture Cooperative,

Kimes Food International Inc., Marigold Manufacturing Corporation, Miguelitos International Corporation, Pinagdanlayan Multi-purpose Cooperative, Profood International Corporation, Sol’s Italian Food, Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory, and Tongsan Industrial Corporation which gained high level of interest from both Korean and other foreign buyers during SFH 2023.

A ccording to the DTI’s export marketing arm, the Coconut Philippines pavilion and Philippine booths at the Asean Korea Trade Fair were visited by major buyers and large general food companies such as Lotte, E-Mart, Daesang Group; Shinsegae department store; and e-commerce platforms like Coupang and AMAZON Korea.

Meanwhile, the DTI-EMB said these major buyers expressed their interest to source Filipino products, particularly desiccated coconut, coconut water, coconut butter, coconut chips, coconut wraps, fruit crisps, vegetable crisps, and calamansi fruit concentrate.

SC affirms ruling on 2003 JMSU accord with China and Vietnam

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

THE new tourism slogan “Love the Philippines” and its controversial video using stock footage of foreign sites, apparently made its debut in Cambodia, not in the Philippines.

Th is was revealed by Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno in an interview published by the Jakarta Globe on July 4, saying he watched the video in Cambodia recently, and was intrigued by the scene at a paddy field: “I thought to myself ‘it looks like an Indonesian scenery,’” but indicated he may have just been confused because of the similarities between Indonesia and the Philippines. Uno, along with Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco attended the United Nations World Tourism Organization regional commission meetings in Phnom Penh from June 15 to 19.

The controversial video was first shown locally to select tourism stakeholders’ groups on June 21, and then unveiled to the public on

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

MORE senators weighed in on the issue of banning the live-action film Barbie from cinema exhibition in the Philippines, a day after Vietnam announced a decision to ban it over a segment showing China’s controversial nine-dashline map that other South China Sea claimants deem an excessive claim.

S enators Francis Tolentino, a lawyer, and actor Senator Robin Padilla joined earlier calls by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Jinggoy Estrada—also an actor like Padilla—to urge the film classification agency to seriously consider banning the movie.

Tolentino warned that allowing the local screening of the motion picture Barbie will only lead to “injurious” consequences to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines.

This will not just be injurious to the Republic of the Philippines but would be contrary to what our country fought for and achieved under that Arbitral Ruling in 2016,”

June 27, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Department of Tourism (DOT). The DOT has since terminated its P50-million contract with advertising firm DDB Philippines Inc., which confessed to the oversight. (See, “Despite fiasco, ad agency of DOT could still get paid,” in the BusinessMirror, July 4, 2023.)

DOT to keep ‘loving’

FOLLOWING this, Frasco is standing firm on using the “Love the Philippines” slogan despite suggestions by several lawmakers and netizens to change it or revert to the still popular “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

At Wednesday’s 2022 Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) and Tourism Statistics Dissemination Forum, the DOT chief again recounted her agency’s accomplishments and ended her speech by saying: “The world has told us that there is so much to love about our country. And I’m fully confident that if all of us looks into the depths of our heart, we will find in each and every one of our fellow Filipinos that burning pride of place for the

warned Tolentino, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said during an interview on CNN Philippines.

What the effect would be?

Something that would dilute our sovereignty,” he added.

Tolentino made the remarks after he earlier urged the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to block the upcoming screening of the Barbie movie, which was directed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, after the film’s digital illustration of a scene with the so-called “ninedash line”—the People’s Republic of China’s basis of their supposed militaristic expansion in the entire South China Sea (SCS) region, including the zone along the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

I n 2016, The Hague Tribunal invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line doctrine over the entire SCS region following an arbitration case filed by the Philippine government on January 22, 2013. China’s ninedash line unilaterally encroached territories of other member-states of the Asean.

Philippines and the deep love of country that will propel the recovery of Philippine tourism and allow our country to claim its position as Asia’s tourism powerhouse. Thank you to all of you. Love the Philippines.”

DOT officials have failed to admit any guilt in giving the final thumbs for the controversial video to be shown in public, laying the blame squarely on DDB. They also continue to refuse to respond to media inquiries on details of the review of the ad, the alleged involvement of other personalities in the video’s production, among others.

‘Bring back the fun’

MEANWHILE , Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the upper chamber’s Committee on Tourism said DOT should just scrap the “Love” slogan, after it has become a “laughingstock” due to the video fiasco. In a mix of Filipino and English, she said, “It’s not wise for DOT to gamble and show another TV commercial because netizens will be waiting for the next ‘Love’ itérations to be spoofed. My recommendation is to revert to the tried-and-tested

“ The Arbitral Ruling clearly stated that the claim of China here has no legal basis,” Tolentino stressed.

T he Vietnamese government already decided to totally ban the screening of Barbie following a review, in which, the depiction of the nine-dash line scene was first noticed.

According to Tolentino, it is up to leadership of the MTRCB on whether to forbid the showing of Barbie, similar to what the said agency did when it decided not to allow the local screening of the films “Abominable” and “Unchartered” in 2019 and 2022 respectively, due to their depiction of the nine-dash line.

Meanwhile, Sen. Padilla, an actor by profession, said on Wednesday that a decision to ban showing of the movie in the country “will depend on the context of the film, and to what extent the producer is willing to make sure the concern about the arbitral ruling will be addressed.”

This assumes the controversial segment of the movie Barbie has an impact on the 2016 arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,

campaign, and from there, create a tactical marketing plan to avoid a window for it to be sabotaged.”

A lbay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda earlier said the same considering the “bad vibes” the slogan has drawn from the market. (See, “DOT bid out P550-million projects for rebranding campaign,” in the BusinessMirror, July 5, 2023.) He also said in a TV interview that he was counting on Binay’s committee to ask the hard questions on the tourism video fiasco.

W hile Binay appreciated the quick action taken by the DOT against DDB, she said, “The [tourism] campaign has lost its redeeming value and has become unsalvageable—I hope the DOT is level-headed enough to accept this. We expect them to be agile and move forward from failure because we don’t want the slogan to become a national embarrassment and [we] look like losers.”

She stressed, “Again, don’t force it. It’s not wrong to make a mistake. LOVE was not meant to be. Let us all move on and just bring back the FUN to the Philippines.

which invalidated China’s ninedash-line claim.

First, in the interest of fairness, I cannot make a personal call at this time on whether or not to allow the showing of the movie Barbie in the Philippines, without first watching it,” Padilla said in a statement.

B ut Padilla added, “this is clear: The decision of whether to allow the showing of this film due to its scene about China’s ninedash line—which contradicts the arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines—ultimately depends on the messaging of the film.

If the scene or scenes will affect the arbitral ruling, but if the producers would agree to edit it, or them out, then I have no problem having it shown,” Padilla said.

H owever, he added, “if an agreement cannot be reached to make sure the film does not become a geopolitical issue, then there is no choice but to disallow its showing here. Thus, all this will depend on the context of the film, and to what extent the producer is willing to make sure the concern about the arbitral ruling will be addressed.”

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Supreme Court has affirmed with finality its January 2023 decision, which declared as unconstitutional the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) entered into by the government during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with China and Vietnam in 2004.

T he SC-Public Information Office said the Court’s en banc issued a resolution penned by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, which held that the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by the government failed to raise new arguments that would warrant the reversal of the said decision.

t noted that the MR, “merely repleaded the issues raised in the comment and memorandum, which the Court had already passed upon in the assailed decision.”

The SC, in its January 2023 decision, declared the JMSU as unconstitutional for allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to participate in the exploration of the country’s natural resources without observing the safeguards provided in Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution.

Under the JMSU, which expired in 2008, the Philippines, China and Vietnam through their respective national oil corporations—

Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PETROVIETNAM)—agreed to conduct joint explorations of the disputed South China Sea but up to 80 percent of the JMSU site is within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The case stemmed from the petition filed by former Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives Satur C. Ocampo and Teodoro A. Casiño, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran, Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan of the Gabriela Women’s party-list groups, then Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III and former senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III. N amed respondents in the petition were then president Gloria MacapagalArroyo, her executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, her foreign and energy secretaries as well as the Philippine National Oil Company and the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation. In d enying the MR, the Court reiterated that the JMSU is unconstitutional as it involves the exploration of the country’s natural resources.

It noted that since the objective of the JMSU as stated in its Fifth Whereas Clause is “to engage in a joint research of petroleum resource potential” in the Agreement Area, the agreement clearly involved exploration.

A SENIOR lawmaker on Wednesday called on the Department of Health (DOH) to track down almost 130,000 licensed nurses, who are believed jobless, underemployed or doing non-nursing jobs and then try hiring enough of them to fill the current gap, in lieu of the proposal by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to employ board exam flunkers, which “could end up being a cure worse than the disease.”

For starters, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said that the DOH should also find out who among the almost 30,000 graduates, who passed either of the two most recent Philippine Nurse (PN) Licensure Examination (NLE) tests but not yet working—and then “make its best effort to try convincing the stilljobless among these passers to fill up the DOHestimated 4,500 nursing vacancies in government hospitals nationwide.”

“The immediate hiring of still-jobless NLE passers and or already licensed nurses but who are unemployed, underemployed or doing nonnursing jobs is a much better option than Secretary Ted [Herbosa]’s plan on the conditional hiring of unlicensed nurses or nursing board exam flunkers, which might possibly end up being a cure worse than the disease,” Villafuerte said.

He also cautioned Herbosa against hiring nursing graduates who flunked the NLE, as this could “likely open the door to the wholesale hiring of second-rate medical

frontliners that could undercut our healthcare system in the long haul.”

“ While we laud newly confirmed DOH Secretary Health Secretary Ted [Herbosa] for thinking out of the box in finding swift ways to reverse the worsening nursing shortage, I fear that the conditional hiring of unlicensed nurses or graduates who had flunked the professional board exams as a way to instantly fill up the increasing number of vacancies could, in the end, chip away at our vaunted healthcare system,” Villafuerte said.

He said the huge demand for Filipino doctors and nurses overseas, which is the main reason behind the worsening nursing shortage, underscores the country’s excellent health-care system.

“So what will happen to our health-care system that is highly esteemed across the globe if the DOH ends up filling the nursing vacancies with board exam flunkers who obviously are ill-prepared to become frontliners in our hospitals?” he asked.

Villafuerte issued the statement in response to Herbosa’s recent plan to immediately fill up 4,500 vacancies in over 70 DOH-run hospitals nationwide by granting temporary licenses to board-eligible nursing graduates and those who failed the NLE, and then assign them to these government medical facilities.

Marie N. Dela Cruz

‘Love the Philippines’ debuted in Cambodia, not in the Philippines–Indonesian minister

MTRCB urged to seriously study calls to ban ‘Barbie’ showing in PHL over 9-dash-line segment

Villafuerte to DOH: Tap inactive, jobless or underemployed licensed nurses first

The World

Seafood to beauty exports at risk over Japan’s Fukushima waste

By Shoko Oda, Hallie Gu & Heesu Lee

OPPOSITION to Japan’s plan to discharge treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear site into the Pacific Ocean is posing risks to key exports, including seafood to cosmetics.

Officials in mainland China

and Hong Kong, both major importers of Japanese goods, have reiterated concerns over the proposal even after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed a two-year review had concluded the disposal strategy is safe and in line with global standards.

Hong Kong has “repeatedly expressed grave concern about the

impact of the discharge plan on food safety,” and plans to impose some curbs on seafood from high risk areas once the release of Fukushima waste begins, the city’s government said late Tuesday in a statement.

Despite existing curbs on some food products related to the 2011 Fukushima meltdown, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, Japan’s agricultural and seafood exports rose last year to a record. China’s purchases totaled 278.3 billion yen ($1.9 billion), of which about a third was seafood.

The plan for Tokyo Electric Power Co. to release the wastewater—equivalent in volume to about 500 Olympic-size swimming pools—has drawn fierce criticism from China and stirred wider regional concerns. Releasing the waste will “have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment,” the IAEA said in its study.

Worries in South Korea over health hazards have sent the price

of sea salt, a key ingredient in kimchi, soaring as consumers hoard the condiment. The nation plans to release 120,000 tons of sea salt from a state reserve through July 11, and will continue to add more supply into the market, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

Members of the public and

some opposition lawmakers in South Korea have held demonstrations to oppose Japan’s plan.

The country is completing its own review on the safety of the Tepco proposal, Park Koo-yeon, an official at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said Wednesday.

In China, a consumer boycott

of Japanese cosmetics tied to unproven allegations about the safety of the water release has impacted stocks of firms like Shiseido Co.

China has urged Japan to stop the planned discharge and claimed there are key differences between Tepco’s proposal and the routine disposal of wastewater by its own nuclear plants and others globally. Japan should “face up to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties,” and devise an alternative strategy, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment said in a Wednesday statement. Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will meet his Chinese and South Korean counterparts this month in an effort to secure support for the wastewater plan, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is scheduled to hold talks with South Korean officials from Friday. With assistance from Isabel Reynolds, Naoto Hosoda and Sangmi Cha/ Bloomberg

South Korea salvages North’s satellite in intelligence win

By Sangmi Cha & Jon Herskovitz

SOUTH KOREA salvaged a failed North Korean spy satellite from the sea, giving it a rare direct look at Pyongyang’s capabilities even as it concluded that the technology had little military value.

Officials on Wednesday said they concluded a 36-day salvage operation that deployed ships, aircraft and deep-sea divers to search for a rocket that was launched on May 31 but failed a few minutes into flight before crashing in international waters in the Yellow Sea. The salvage operation will likely end up being the most significant by the outside world on a North Korean rocket.

“Through this operation, major parts of North Korea’s space launch vehicle and satellite were recovered, and after careful analysis by American and South Korean experts, it was determined that they had no military efficacy as reconnaissance satellites,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Experts said the recovered pieces still could provide information about the secretive state’s rocket program and give clues about possible sanctions violations in the procurement of its components.

The first stage of the rocket

North Korea dubbed “Chollima-1,” in reference to a mythological winged horse, had a successful burn and is suspected to have used liquid-fuel engines, weapons experts said. Kim Jong Un’s regime has also deployed those engines in its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear warheads to the US mainland.

The rocket failed when the second stage engine did not ignite, North Korea said. The third stage contained the spy satellite. Its recovery is likely to provide information on the resolution of a camera that it carried.

Last month South Korea released photos of a 14.5-meter (48 feet) portion of the North Korean rocket. The two pieces it recovered

in waters about 70 meters deep were from the second stage and likely contained the engine that did not fire, weapons experts said.

Sejin Kwon, a professor of aerospace engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, said even though South Korea has discounted the technology of the salvaged satellite, the outside world shouldn’t underestimate North Korea.

“This is the very first spy satellite Pyongyang has launched, and shortcomings are understandable,” Kwon said. “Yet the fact that the North, which has no contacts with outside, has reached this level of space tech is worth appraising.”

He added that it’s a matter of time before North Korea raises its

game with reconnaissance, “since they have no other choice.”

David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said if North Korea can launch and place an imaging satellite into orbit, it would likely use those images to refine its targeting list.

North Korea has said it wants to use spy satellites to keep an eye on military facilities in South Korea and Japan, where the US positions tens of thousands of military personnel.

North Korea is barred by United Nations Security Council resolutions from conducting ballistic missile tests, but Pyongyang has long claimed it’s entitled to a civilian space program for satellite launches. The US and its partners have warned that technology derived from North Korea’s space program could be used to advance its ballistic missiles.

Under Kim, North Korea has been increasing the domestic technology and components that go into its newest array of missiles. The country still needs the outside world for certain materials and components, which it is barred from acquiring under global sanctions to punish it for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deliver warheads. With assistance from Shinhye Kang/Bloomberg

Thailand’s parliament sets July 13 vote to select premier Taiwan presidential bet sends signal to US with China status quo pledge

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

THAILAND will hold a joint session of its parliament on July 13 to elect a prime minister, taking a key step toward government formation almost two months after a group of pro-democracy parties swept the May election.

The 750-member National Assembly will convene for the vote at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, newly-elected speaker of the House of Representatives, told reporters on Wednesday. The session may not be immediately conclusive and may be only the first of many, as a successful premier candidate needs to gain the support of the majority of lawmakers, he said.

The eight-party coalition that has staked a claim to form Thailand’s next government will solely nominate Pita Limjaroenrat, the 42-year-old leader of the progressive Move Forward Party

that won the most seats in the May 14 election. It is not yet clear if other parties will nominate someone to challenge Pita’s bid.

The coalition Pita’s cobbled together after the election currently commands 312 lawmakers, a clear majority in the 500-member House of Representatives. But he needs the support of over a fourth of the 250-member Senate—a body appointed by the royalist military establishment following a 2014 coup that will vote alongside the lower chamber.

Many senators oppose his Move Forward Party’s proposal to amend the lese majeste law, or Article 112 of the Thai criminal code, which penalizes criticisms against the king and other royals.

As the house speaker usually abstains from taking sides with any group, the coalition will likely be down one vote in support for Pita, leaving him still short of about 65 votes to reach the 376-vote marker to secure the

premiership. As Pita has ruled out alliances with conservative parties, there is little alternative but to win as many Senate votes as possible.

Despite the uphill battle, Pita has said that he is confident he will secure the top job.

A long drawn-out government formation may further spook investors in the Thai financial markets. While the nation’s benchmark stock index is the worst performer in Asia this year, the baht is the second-biggest loser in Southeast Asia since the May 14 vote.

There is no deadline for when the next leader has to be elected by, and the parliament may need to convene more than once to vote until a clear winner emerges, Wan said.

Asked how many times such a vote may take place, the 79-year-old speaker said: “We cannot anticipate in advance.”

With assistance from Napat Kongsawad/ Bloomberg

By Betty Hou

THE presidential candidate for Taiwan’s ruling party vowed to protect the status quo with China if elected, comments intended to reassure voters and the US that he can be trusted to handle a difficult relationship with Beijing.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Vice President Lai Ching-te said he’d build up Taiwan’s military deterrence capabilities, ensure economic security, partner with other democracies, and conduct “steady and principled cross-strait leadership.”

“I will support the cross-strait status quo,” the Democratic Progressive Party chairman wrote on Tuesday. “I will always work toward peace and stability for the people of Taiwan and the international community.”

Lai’s article signals to the US and its allies that he is on board with one of their key positions regarding Taiwan. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last month that “the United States remains deeply committed to preserving the status quo,” and Group of Seven leaders made similar comments in a May statement.

FISHERMEN unload freshly caught bonito fish in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on July 5. BLOOMBERG

AN object salvaged by South Korea’s military that is presumed to be part of the North Korean space-launch vehicle that crashed into sea following a launch failure in waters off on May 31. SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

The World

Armed mobs rampage through villages, push remote Indian region to the brink of civil war

By Sheikh Saaliq The Associated Press

KANGVAI, India—Zuan

Vaiphei is armed and pre -

pared

to kill. He is also ready to die.

Vaiphei spends most of his days behind the sandbag walls of a makeshift bunker, his fingers resting on the trigger of a 12-gauge shotgun. Some 1,000 yards ahead of him, between a field of tall green grass and wildflowers, is the enemy, peering from parapets of similar sandbag fortifications, armed and ready.

“The only thing that crosses our mind is will they approach us; will they come and kill us? So, if they happen to come with weapons, we have to forget everything and protect ourselves,” the 32-year-old says, his voice barely audible amid an earsplitting drone of cicadas in Kangvai village that rests along the foothills of India’s remote northeastern Manipur state.

Dozens of such sandbag fortifications mark one of the many front lines that don’t exist on any map and yet dissect Manipur in two ethnic zones—between people from hill tribes and those from the plains below.

Two months ago, Vaiphei was teaching economics to students when the simmering tensions between the two communities exploded in a bloodletting so horrific that thousands of Indian troops who were sent to quell the unrest remain near paralyzed by it.

Ethnic clashes between different groups have occasionally erupted in the past, mostly pitting the minority Christian Kukis against mostly Hindu Meiteis, who form a narrow majority in the state. But no one was prepared for the killings, arson and a rampage of hate that followed in May, after Meiteis had demanded a special status that would allow them to buy land in the hills populated by Kukis and other tribal groups, as well as a share of government jobs.

Witnesses interviewed by The Associated Press described how angry mobs and armed gangs swept into villages and towns,

burning down houses, massacring civilians, and driving tens of thousands from their homes. More than 50,000 people have fled to packed relief camps. Those who fought back were killed, sometimes bludgeoned to death or beheaded, and the injured tossed into raging fires, according to witnesses and others with first-hand knowledge of the events.

The deadly clashes, which have left at least 120 dead by the authorities’ conservative estimates, persist despite the army’s presence. Wide swathes have turned into ghost towns, scorched by fire so fierce that it left tin roofs melted and twisted.

“It is as close to civil war as any state in independent India has ever been,” said Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in India and an Indian army veteran. The unrest has been met with nearly two months of silence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party rules Manipur. Modi’s powerful home minister, Amit Shah, visited the state in May and tried to make peace between the two sides. Since then, state lawmakers—many of whom escaped after their homes were torched by mobs—have huddled in New

Delhi to try to find a solution.

The state government, nonetheless, has assured Manipur is returning to normalcy. On June 25, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the government and armed forces had been “able to control the violence to a great extent in the past week.” However, Singh’s visit on Sunday to a front line coincided with fresh clashes that left three people dead, officials said.

Meiteis have long blamed minority Kukis for the state’s rampant drug problems and accused them of harboring migrants from Myanmar. The administration, mostly made up of Meiteis, also appears to be coming down heavily on Kukis after Singh alleged that some of those involved in the latest clashes were “terrorists.”

Trouble reached A. Ramesh Singh’s home on May 4 in Phayeng, a predominantly Meitei village some 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the state capital Imphal.

The previous day, Singh had kept a vigil outside his village whose residents, more than 200 of them, were expecting mobs of Kukis to descend from an adjacent hill. A former soldier, Singh carried a licensed gun with him, his son, Robert Singh, said.

The night of the raid, Singh

fired shots, some in the air and some at the mobs, but was hit in his leg. Wounded and unable to walk, he watched his village being ransacked, before he was abducted with four other people and dragged up the hills, his son said.

The next day, Robert was told his father’s body was found in a grove. He was shot in the head.

The anguish of victims also resonates quietly through hundreds of relief camps where displaced Kukis—who have suffered most deaths and destruction of homes and churches—are taking shelter.

Kim Neineng, 43, and her husband had enjoyed years of peace in Lailampat village. He farmed the fields. She sold the produce in the market.

On the afternoon of May 5, Neineng went outside her house to check on noise. Out of breath, she rushed inside and told her husband what she had seen: a Meitei mob, many of them armed, had descended on their village, screaming, and hurling abuses.

Neineng’s husband knew what it meant. He asked her to escape with their four children and not look back, promising he would take care of the cattle and their home. She quickly packed her belongings and ran to a nearby relief camp.

A day later, more of her neighbors reached the shelter and told Neineng what had happened to her husband.

When the mob reached their house, the husband tried to reason with them, but they wouldn’t listen. Soon, they started beating him with iron bars. More armed men arrived and chopped off his legs. Then they picked him up and tossed him in the raging fire that had already engulfed his home. Neighbors found his charred body on the scorched floor.

“They tortured and treated him like an animal, without any humanity. When I think of his last moments, I can’t comprehend what he must have felt,” Neineng said, barely choking out words.

China, EU at odds over top diplomat’s visit, cancellation at the last minute

By Simina Mistreanu The Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan—China has abruptly canceled a visit to Beijing by the European Union’s top diplomat, the EU said Wednesday, amid ongoing disagreements between the two powers over trade, human rights and the Ukraine war.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, was due to arrive in China on July 10 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and other officials, according to an announcement by the EU ambassador to Beijing on Sunday. The European and Chinese diplomats were set to discuss topics including trade, human rights and China’s stance on the war in Ukraine, according to Ambassador Jorge Toledo.

But China has canceled Borrell’s visit, the EU announced, without saying why.

“Unfortunately, we were informed by the Chinese counterparts that the envisaged dates next week are no longer possible and we must now look for alternatives,” EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

“It is for China to communicate on the reasons,” she added. “We will adapt and find together a new date.”

China’s Foreign Ministry was vague on the topic.

“China attaches high importance to Sino-European relations and has maintained exchanges with Europe at all levels and in various aspects,” ministry

EUROPEAN Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a media conference after a meeting ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’ at the European Council building in Brussels on June 15, 2023. The European Union says China has abruptly cancelled a visit by the EU’s top diplomat for unspecified reasons. Borrell, the E.U.’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, was due to arrive in China on July 10 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and other officials, according to an announcement by the EU ambassador to Beijing on Sunday. AP/GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT

spokesperson Wang Wenbing said at a routine briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. “We welcome Representative Borrell to visit China as soon as possible at the convenience of both sides, and we are ready to carry on exchanges with the European side.”

Borrell was initially scheduled to visit Beijing in April but had to postpone after testing positive for Covid-19, the EU said.

While it remains unclear what has caused the latest cancellation, it comes on the heels of a summit by EU member

states last week during which the bloc endorsed a strategy to try to procure critical materials from sources other than China, while insisting it did not want to entirely “decouple” from the world’s second-largest economy.

The member states also affirmed the EU’s “multifaceted” position on China, which the bloc labels as “simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival.”

The “systemic rival” designation, first adopted by the EU in 2019, has long irked Beijing, as have recent European efforts to

align with the United States on reducing dependencies on Chinese trade and supply chains.

Brussels, on the other hand, takes issue with China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Beijing claims it is neutral in the conflict but has backed Russia by organizing frequent state visits and joint military drills.

The EU member states last week urged China “to press Russia to stop its war of aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron made similar requests during visits to Beijing earlier this year.

The EU also opposes a change in the status quo of China’s relationship with Taiwan, even as Beijing continues to threaten to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers a breakaway province.

China and the EU appeared to find more common ground during a high-level climate dialogue in Beijing on Monday between China’s climate envoy Xie Zhenhua and the EU’s top climate official, Frans Timmermans. It was the first in-person bilateral meeting on climate change and the environment between the two sides since the start of the pandemic.

Beijing and Brussels are supposed to hold two more summits, focused on economic and digital cooperation, in September, Toledo said. The last two recurring meetings on these topics failed to produce joint statements.

The Associated Press journalists Altaf Qadri and Shonal Ganguly contributed to this report.

ZUAN VAIPHEI, 32, left, an armed tribal Kuki, keeps a watch on rival Meitei community bunkers, along a de facto frontline that dissect the area into two ethnic zones in Churachandpur, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur on June 20, 2023. Two months ago, Vaiphei was teaching economics to students when the simmering tensions between the two communities exploded. The deadly clashes have left at least 120 dead by the authorities’ conservative estimates. Other Kukis and Meiteis are asking questions they thought they would never ask: Should they also pick up arms and fight? AP/ALTAF QADRI

Job Description: Translate verbal or written communication from Korean to English or another language to Korean, in all instances keeping the ideas and context of the original verbal or written communication. Transcribe thoughts,

US citizenship test being updated, raising concerns for those with low English skills

By Trisha Ahmed The Associated Press/Report for America

The naturalization test is one of the final steps toward citizenship—a monthslong process that requires legal permanent residency for years before applying.

Many are still shaken after former Republican President Donald Trump’s administration changed the test in 2020, making it longer and more difficult to pass. Within months, Democratic President Joe Biden took office and signed an executive order aimed at eliminating barriers to citizenship. In that spirit, the citizenship test was changed back to its previous version, which was last updated in 2008.

In December, US authorities said the test was due for an update after 15 years. The new version is expected late next year.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes that the new test adds a speaking section to assess English skills. An officer would show photos of ordinary scenarios—like daily activities, weather or food—and ask the applicant to verbally describe the photos.

In the current test, an officer evaluates speaking ability during the naturalization interview by asking personal questions the applicant has already answered in the naturalization paperwork.

“For me, I think it would be harder to look at pictures and explain them,” said Heaven Mehreta, who immigrated from Ethiopia 10 years ago, passed the naturalization test in May and became a US citizen in Minnesota in June.

Mehreta, 32, said she learned English as an adult after moving

to the US and found pronunciation to be very difficult. She worries that adding a new speaking section based on photos, rather than personal questions, will make the test harder for others like her.

Shai Avny, who emigrated from Israel five years ago and became a US citizen last year, said the new speaking section could also increase the stress applicants already feel during the test.

“Sitting next to someone from the federal government, it can be intimidating to talk and speak with them. Some people have this fear anyway. When it’s not your first language, it can be even more difficult. Maybe you will be nervous and you won’t find the words to tell them what you need to describe,” Avny said. “It’s a test that will determine if you are going to be a citizen. So there is a lot to lose.”

Another proposed change would make the civics section on US history and government multiple-choice instead of the current oral short-answer format.

Bill Bliss, a citizenship textbook author in Massachusetts, gave an example in a blog post of how the test would become more difficult because it would require a larger base of knowledge.

A current civics question has an officer asking the applicant to name a war fought by the US in the 1900s. The applicant only needs to say one out of five acceptable answers—World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War or Gulf War—to get the question right.

But in the proposed multiplechoice format, the applicant would

read that question and select the correct answer from the following choices:

A. Civil War

B. Mexican-American War

C. Korean War

D. Spanish-American Wa r

The applicant must know all five of the wars fought by the US in the 1900s in order to select the one correct answer, Bliss said, and that requires a “significantly higher level of language proficiency and test-taking skill.”

Currently, the applicant must answer six out of 10 civics questions correctly to pass. Those 10 questions are selected from a bank of 100 civics questions. The applicant is not told which questions will be selected but can see and study the 100 questions before taking the test.

Lynne Weintraub, a citizenship coordinator at Jones Library’s English as a Second Language Center in Massachusetts, said the proposed format for the civics section could make the citizenship test harder for people who struggle with English literacy. That includes refugees, elderly immigrants and people with disabilities that interfere with their test performance.

“We have a lot of students that are refugees, and they’re coming from war-torn countries where

maybe they didn’t have a chance to complete school or even go to school,” said Mechelle Perrott, a citizenship coordinator at San Diego Community College District’s College of Continuing Education in California.

“It’s more difficult learning to read and write if you don’t know how to do that in your first language. That’s my main concern about the multiple-choice test; it’s a lot of reading,” Perrott said.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a December announcement that the proposed changes “reflect current best practices in test design” and would help standardize the citizenship test.

Under federal law, most applicants seeking citizenship must demonstrate an understanding of the English language—including an ability to speak, read and write words in ordinary usage— and demonstrate knowledge of US history and government.

The agency said it will conduct a nationwide trial of the proposed changes in 2023 with opportunities for public feedback.

Then, an external group of experts—in the fields of language acquisition, civics and test development—will review the results of the trial and recommend ways to best implement the proposed changes, which could take effect late next year.

The US currently has the easi -

est citizenship test compared to other Western countries—including Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom—according to Sara Goodman, a political science professor at the University of California, Irvine.

Goodman said she uses the following metrics to determine the difficulty of a test: the number of questions required to pass and the number of questions overall, the percentage of applicants who pass the test, the language level of the test, and whether or not questions with answers are made available to study before taking the test.

In the US test, applicants must answer six out of 10 questions correctly to pass. About 96 percent of applicants pass the test, according to recent estimates. The test is at a “high beginner” level of English, Goodman said, and a question bank with answers is made available to study beforehand.

But in the German test, Goodman said applicants must answer 17 out of 33 questions correctly to pass. About 90 percent of applicants pass the test, according to recent estimates. The test is at an “intermediate” level of German, according to Goodman. And a question bank with answers is made available.

The Canada and United Kingdom tests are even harder, and a question bank is not provided in the latter, Goodman said.

Elizabeth Jacobs, director of regulatory affairs and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies—a nonprofit research organization that advocates for less immigration—said the proposed changes would make the US citizenship test even easier for many people.

“We think that’s in the wrong direction,” Jacobs said on behalf of the organization.

The proposed multiple-choice format for the civics section would put the answer to each question in front of applicants, Jacobs said, and would get rid of the memory challenge that’s in the current test.

Jacobs said her organization would prefer a test that includes more material and emphasizes American values, such as religious

freedom and freedom of speech, more.

She added that most people who naturalize in the US are not in the country because of merit or refugee status, but because of family sponsorship, where someone in their family became a US citizen before them and petitioned for them to naturalize.

Jacobs said having a stricter test would help ensure that new citizens integrate into American society—and the economy—with sufficient English language skills, as well as promote a healthy democracy with civics knowledge and engagement.

Not everyone agrees.

IS it important for us to even have a civics test in the first place?

I don’t know the answer to that question,” said Corleen Smith, director of immigration services at the International Institute of Minnesota, a nonprofit that connects immigrants to resources.

Smith said USCIS already evaluates whether applicants have past criminal histories, pay taxes and support their children financially.

“They’re already evaluating that portion of your background. Is it also important to know this information about history and government and be able to memorize it?” Smith said, adding: “People that were born in the US and are natural-born citizens—a lot of those folks don’t know many of these answers to the history of government questions.”

More than 1 million people became US citizens in fiscal year 2022—one of the highest numbers on record since 1907, the earliest year with available data—and USCIS reduced the huge backlog of naturalization applications by over 60 percent compared to the year before, according to a USCIS report also released in December.

Trisha Ahmed is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

A troubled new power plant leaves Jordan in debt to China, raising concerns over Beijing’s influence

By Isabel Debre

The Associated Press

ATTARAT, Jordan—Jordan’s Attarat power plant was envisioned as a landmark project promising to provide the desert kingdom with a major source of energy while solidifying its relations with China.

But weeks after its official opening, the site, a sea of black, crumbly rock in the barren desert south of Jordan’s capital, is instead a source of heated controversy. Deals surrounding the plant put Jordan on the hook for billions of dollars in debt to China—all for a plant that is no longer needed for its energy, because of other agreements made since the project’s conception.

The result is fueling tensions between China and Jordan and causing grief for the Jordanian government as it tries to contest the deal in an international legal battle. As Chinese influence grows in the Middle East and America withdraws, the $2.1 billion shale oil station has come to characterize China’s wider model that has burdened many Asian and African states with crippling debt and served as a cautionary tale for the region.

“Attarat is a representation of what the Belt and Road Initiative was and has become,” said Jesse Marks, a nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, referring to China’s scheme to build global infrastructure and boost Beijing’s

political sway.

“Jordan evolves as an interesting case study not for China’s success in the region but for how China engages in middleincome countries,” he said.

First conceived some 15 years ago as a way to fulfill national ambitions of energy independence, the Attarat shale oil plant is now causing anger in Jordan because of its enormous price tag. If the original agreement holds, Jordan would have to pay China a staggering $8.4 billion over 30 years to buy the electricity generated by the plant.

Laborers flown from rural China toil in the shadow of the giant station, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Amman.

When Shi Changqing arrived in the Jordanian desert earlier this year from the Jilin province in China’s northeast, fears were mounting in the workers’ dormitories that the project could grind to a halt, leaving everyone in the lurch, the 36-year-old welder said.

“It’s very strange to feel that, being from China, you are not wanted here,” he said. With its meager natural resources in a region awash with oil and gas, Jordan seemed to have drawn a losing ticket. Then in the 2000s, it struck shale oil trapped in the black rock that underlies the country.

With the fourth-largest concentration of shale oil in the world, Jordan had high hopes for a big pay-off.

In 2012, the Jordanian Attarat Power Company proposed to the government to extract shale oil from the desert and build a plant using it to provide 15 percent of the country’s electricity supply. The proposal fit the government’s intensifying desire for energy self-sufficiency amid the turmoil of the 2011 Arab uprisings, company officials say.

But extraction proved expensive, risky and technologically challenging. As the project lagged, Jordan struck a $15 billion agreement to import vast amounts of natural gas at competitive prices from Israel in 2014. Interest in Attarat waned.

Attarat Power Co. CEO Mohammed Maaitah said he pitched the project the world over—from the United States and Europe to Japan and South Korea. No one bit, he said.

To Jordan’s surprise, Chinese banks offered Jordan over $1.6 billion in loans to finance the plant in 2017. A Chinese state-owned firm, Guangdong Energy Group, bought a 45 percent stake in the Attarat Power Co., turning the white elephant into the largest private enterprise to come out of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative outside China, according to the company.

Guangdong Energy Group did not respond to requests for comment.

The investment was part of China’s wider push into an Arab world hungry for foreign investment, experts say. The money

for large infrastructure projects came with few political strings attached.

“China doesn’t bring with it the baggage of the United States in that we actually have some concern about democratic processes, transparency, corruption,” said David Schenker, a former US assistant secretary of state for Middle East policy. “For authoritarian states, there’s some appeal in China.”

As talk grew of American unreliability, China turned to acquiring strategic assets in the Middle East, even in economically troubled states. It bought lots of Iraqi oil, tendered a port in northern Lebanon and poured money into President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s new capital in Egypt.

With Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2017 gaining the upper hand in his country’s civil war, China had an interest in investing in the Attarat project in neighboring Jordan as a springboard, anticipating a Syrian reconstruction boom that could unlock billions of dollars in investments, experts say.

Under their 30-year power purchase deal, Jordan’s state-run electricity company will have to buy electricity from the now effectively Chinese-led Attarat at an exorbitant rate that means the Jordanian government would lose $280 million annually, the treasury estimated. To cover the payments, Jordan would have to raise electricity prices for consumers by 17 percent,

energy experts said—a severe blow to an economy already saddled with debt and inflation.

The extent of losses to China appalled the Jordanian government. Jordan’s Ministry of Energy launched international arbitration against Attarat Power Co. in 2020 “on the grounds of gross unfairness.”

When asked why Jordan had agreed to such a lopsided contract to begin with, Jordan’s Ministry of Energy declined to comment, as did the National Electricity Co. As of June, hearings were being held at an arbitration tribunal of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce.

Musa Hantash, a geologist on the parliamentary energy committee, described the deal as the natural outcome of corruption and a lack of technical expertise.

“It’s very difficult to convince these big companies to invest in Jordan. There are things to help certain people make a profit,” he said, without elaborating.

American officials portrayed the Attarat contract as a case of Beijing’s “ debt trap diplomacy.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the Attarat project. But it defended Beijing’s investment in developing countries, denying allegations it ensnares partners in debt and arguing that China never compels “others to borrow from us forcibly.”

“We never attach any political strings to loan agreements,” the ministry said, urging international financial institutions to help provide debt relief.

Attarat Power said it expects a decision in the case later this year. Rulings by the world business organization are legally binding and enforceable.

Maaitah and other company officials dismissed Jordan’s claims of unjustly inflated prices, accusing Jordan of backtracking on its agreement due to anti-China sentiment.

Since the first of two power units went live last fall, the Jordanian government has paid only half its monthly dues, Maaitah said.

In Jordan and other poorer Arab states allied with the US, the pace of Chinese investment in recent years has slowed.

Faced with pushback abroad and rising concerns at home, China is shifting its approach in the region, said Amman-based China expert Samer Khraino, focusing on the oil-rich Persian Gulf. Wealthy states like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have no issue paying back China’s big loans. For now, Jordan appears unwilling to take any more chances with China.

In May, Jordan’s telecommunications company Orange signed a new agreement for 5G equipment. It had long been a customer of Huawei, the Chinese telecoms giant under American sanctions. This time, it chose Nokia.

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The US citizenship test is being updated, and some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will hurt test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency.

HUNDREDS of people become US citizens during a naturalization ceremony at a convention center in Saint Paul, Minn., on March 9, 2023. The US citizenship test is being updated and some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will hurt test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency. The test is one of the final steps toward citizenship—a months-long process that requires legal permanent residency for years before applying. AP/TRISHA AHMED

‘Probe will deter manipulation of food prices’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin

Romualdez issued the statement after Marcos ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the smuggling, hoarding, price fixing of onion and

other agricultural commodities pursuant to the findings of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food pointing to a cartel as the culprit.

“This is a welcome development,

a decisive action that manifests the President’s resolve to clamp down on unscrupulous businessmen preying on hapless Filipino consumers and hampering his administration’s efforts to sustain the robust growth of our economy.”

It was Romualdez who called for a congressional probe on onion smuggling after the prices

of the agricultural product hit a record high of P700 per kilo in December last year.

“The House of Representatives is ready to provide our authorities with the data uncovered from our committee hearings to provide them a head start in their own investigation.” Romualdez assured Marcos and

Marcos: Smuggling, hoarding starve farmers and consumers

SMUGGLING and hoarding bring misery to Filipino farmers and consumers, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Marcos told reporters in a chance interview that the government is bent on ending smuggling and hoarding as they cause starvation and worsen poverty.

“We can’t just let it go because some Filipinos are starving. Some Filipinos are dying from starvation and poverty because of what they [smugglers and hoarders] are doing,” he said on the sidelines of the opening of the Livestock Philippines Expo 2023 in Pasay City.

As for his directive to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a probe on smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products, Marcos said he did not

specify a deadline, but he wants the agencies to complete it “soon.”

The president also said he wants the investigation of the two agencies to cover other agricultural commodities.

“There are actually many syndicates which are still operating. So we should go after them and stop them.”

The government’s investigation will focus on possible violations of Republic Act (RA) 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which specifically targets the illegal importation of agricultural products, including onions.

The DOJ noted that profiteering, smuggling, and hoarding are acts of economic sabotage.

In May, the president announced that the government will study the possibility of reinstating

IFAD bats for more investments in rural areas to curb food insecurity

AMID a global food crisis triggered by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the acceleration of climate change, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is pushing for greater investments in the small-scale farmers and food producers in developing countries.

Alvaro Lario, IFAD president, recently visited Ireland where he advocated for more investments in rural food producers. He said in a statement that planters in developing countries generate a third of the world’s food but are often most impacted by hunger and poverty.

“Investing in small-scale farmers is an investment in a more prosperous and stable world. We cannot continue to neglect rural women and men. After years of underfunding, we need to urgently scale-up these investments so that rural people and smallscale farmers can adapt to climate change, increase local food production, and access markets to earn a decent living,” said Lario. “Failure to do so will mean more hunger, more poverty and more conflict and migration.”

“Ireland has relentlessly shown that the fight against hunger and poverty is a critical issue that needs to be prioritized. I look forward to meeting Irish decision-makers to provide an updated brief on the urgent need to invest much more in rural people and in food systems to make them more productive, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.”

While small-scale farmers produce up to 70 percent of food in low- and middleincome countries, they are often the first to go to bed hungry. About 80 percent of the world’s poorest people live in the rural areas of developing countries.

Official development assistance (ODA) to agriculture has been stagnant at 4 to 6

percent for at least 2 decades. Small-scale farmers receive less than 2 percent of global climate finance, and on average, they earn a mere $0.06 for every $1 worth of food they produced.

With targeted investments, small-scale farmers can adapt to climate change, and access the markets, technologies and financial services that will transform their lives.

IFAD said investing in agriculture is two to three times more effective at reducing poverty than investment in any other sector. Between 2019-2021, IFAD said its investments raised the incomes of 77.4 million rural people while improving food security for 57 million people.

At the Paris summit on a New Global Financial Pact, 22-23 June, IFAD and French President Emmanuel Macron, made a call for greater funding from IFAD’s 177 member states to mobilize as much as $10 billion for IFAD’s work in rural areas between 2025-2027.

During his two-day visit, Lario met with Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland; Sean Fleming, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; as well as the chair and co-chairs of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs—overseeing development matters.

Minister for International Development and Diaspora Sean Fleming T.D. said: “Ireland is proud to partner with IFAD to help lift small-scale farmers and rural communities out of poverty. President Lario’s visit is a great opportunity to discuss the immense global challenges we face related to food, nutrition and climate, and our shared vision for how to respond.”

the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) of agricultural commodities to combat smuggling and the spread of diseases.

Marcos made the pronouncement after it was recommended by Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) Vice President George Bottomley and Managing Director Cresenciano Maramot during their meeting.

Under the proposed scheme, the quality as well as the sanitary and phytosanitary import permits of the Philippines-bound agricultural products will be checked prior to being transported from their country of destination. The said goods should also be paid prior to shipment.

Sharing of ideas

MARCOS urged government agencies and stakeholders to share

ideas that will advance the poultry and livestock sector.

“Rest assured that the government stands firm with you in overcoming our present challenges by implementing data and science-based policies and programs,” he said.

“We aim to streamline our value chain systems, ease our access to local produce, and cushion the impact of food inflation on the lives of our farmers and our consumers.”

He said good ideas that will make agricultural production more efficient will allow the government to help farmers and increase their incomes.

“It is our hope to bring back nobility to a profession that has sacrificed so much to feed and to nourish us for many, many generations.” Raadee S. Sausa

the public that the House would remain vigilant against price fixing by monitoring the prices of onion, rice, and other vital commodities and services to protect the interest of consumers.

“We will continue to monitor prices, especially of basic staples like rice, vegetables, meat, onions, and garlic, to protect our people from hoarding, price manipulation, unreasonable price increases, and other practices in restraint of trade and which hamper competition,” he said.

“That is part of our oversight function. We have the appropriate tools to carry this out, including conducting follow-up hearings and summoning suspected hoarders, smugglers and cartel leaders if needed. We will not shirk from our duty to help our people.”

According to Malacañang, the President’s directive was based on a memorandum submitted by Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo indicating substantial evidence pointing to the existence of an onion

cartel which could be behind the surge in onion prices in 2022.

Last May, during a hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, Quimbo alleged that Lillia or Leah Cruz and her familycontrolled firm were at the center of the purported onion cartel.

According to Quimbo, the cartel, which operates through a group of companies, was engaged in various activities in the supply chain such as farming, importation, local trading, warehousing, and logistics.

Following the directive of Marcos, the DOJ announced the creation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force, which will include the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture. I n a statement, the department said it would also form a special team of prosecutors “primarily focused on protecting the entire agricultural sector, not only the onion industry.”

Farmers from C. Luzon provinces receive land titles from govt

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Agrarian Reform

(DAR) has recently distributed land titles to 161 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Pampanga, Bataan, and Bulacan.

The distributed land titles comprise 114 emancipation patents (EPs) and 76 certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) covering a total area of 105.515 hectares in the 3 Central Luzon provinces.

“The EPs and CLOAs are proof that they are now the owners of the land they have been tilling as given by the government through the DAR,” DAR Undersecretary Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan said.

He also said the agency is focused not only on the distribution of lands but also on giving support services to the farmers.

“As a mandate of the department, support services will continue to be provided for farmer-beneficiaries even after the distribution of titles to help alleviate their lives.”

At the event, the DAR official announced that on July 7, the President will sign into law the bill that will write off the principal debt and outstanding amortizations of ARBs across the nation.

The law, which will be known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, will cover the condonation of P57.557-billion principal debt of more than 610,000 ARBs tilling over 1 million hectares of agrarian reform lands in the country.

“When this law takes effect, the land that was given to you will be given freely. You have no more debt to pay. This is the dream of our dear President, for the farmers to have true freedom from debt, true freedom from poverty.”

EU set for battle over relaxing GMO crop rules in green push

THE European Union is set to propose softer rules on genetically modified crops in a plan backed by big agricultural companies and opposed by green activists and small farmers.

The measure, to be adopted under a broader package on biodiversity and food sectors, is aimed at making agri-food systems more sustainable and resilient, according to draft EU documents seen by Bloomberg News. Supporters such as Bayer AG say it’s needed to counter the effects of climate change, while detractors argue it will boost seed costs and hurt consumers.

The European Commission, the bloc’s regulatory arm, wants to relax rules on crops made with so-called new genomic technologies, or NGTs, which can improve tolerance to diseases, pests and environmental stresses.

Current regulations aren’t keeping up with developments like gene editing, which the bloc had previously deemed subject to the same policies as all genetically-modified organisms (GMO).

“The Union risks being excluded to a significant extent from the technological development and economic,

social and environmental benefits that these new technologies can potentially generate if its GMO framework is not adapted to NGTs,” the commission said in the draft law being proposed Wednesday. “In turn, this would lead to less strategic autonomy for the Union.”

The new measure comes at a time when governments and businesses across the region are increasingly balking at the costs associated with the bloc’s transition to a low-carbon economy. It follows a proposal on nature restoration that ran into Parliamentary opposition over concerns of its affect on

food security and inflation.

The assembly is due to hold a plenary vote on it next week.

Regulatory rollback

THE regulatory rollback on GMOs is intended for plants produced with targeted specific mutations or modifications from the same or closely-related species. It will not apply to crops inserted with foreign species.

The commission has a policy of not commenting on draft documents.

Bayer, one of the world’s largest suppliers of genetically modified crops, said the EU proposal will accelerate

breeding of plants that can better cope with extreme weather, helping farms boost resilience against climate change.

“This new regulation is as important as the establishment of book printing was for leading sciences,” said Matthias Berninger, global head of public affairs, science, sustainability, health, safety and environment at Bayer.

Once adopted by the commission, the proposal will need endorsement from both the European Parliament and from member states. It has already drawn criticism from Green lawmakers in the EU assembly for significantly softening the existing requirements on labeling, traceability and risk assessment.

“This is really a false miracle solution that plays in the hands of big business and is against small farmers, small seed breeders and also against consumers,” said Tilly Metz, a member of the Green party in the EU Parliament. “The consequences will be higher seed prices, less seed choices and less breeding innovation, greater use of pesticides and more herbicide-resistant weeds.”

PHOTO BY NONOY LACZA

AN ear of corn grows at the Bayer AG booth during the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. BLOOMBERG NEWS

G. Romualdez on Wednesday said the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to conduct a probe on the smuggling of onions and other agricultural products should be enough to deter further supply manipulation of agricultural products and help stabilize prices.

Israel ends West Bank raid calling it a blow to militants. Palestinians grapple with destruction

By Majdi Mohammed & Imad Isseid | The Associated Press

R eFUGee CAMP, West Bank—Israel withdrew troops from a West Bank militant stronghold Wednesday but warned that its most intense military operation in the occupied territory in nearly two decades was not a one-off. Twelve Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in the two-day raid.

Residents of the Jenin refugee camp emerged from their homes to find alleys lined by piles of rubble and flattened or scorched cars. Shopkeepers and bulldozers started clearing the debris. Thousands who had fled the fighting began returning.

The army claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on militant groups in the operation, which included a series of airstrikes and hundreds of ground troops. But it remained unclear whether there would be any lasting effect after nearly a year and a half of heavy fighting in the West Bank.

Ahead of the withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out similar operations if needed.

“At these moments we are completing the mission, and I can say that our extensive operation in Jenin is not a one-off,” he said during a visit to a military post on the outskirts of Jenin. “We will eradicate terrorism wherever we see it and we will strike at it.”

The Jenin raid was one of the most intense Israeli military operations in the West Bank since an armed Palestinian uprising against Israel’s open-ended occupation ended two decades ago.

Some of the scenes from Jenin, including massive army bulldozers tearing through camp alleys, were eerily similar to those from a major Israeli incursion in 2002, which lasted for eight days and became known as the battle of Jenin.

Both operations, two decades apart, were meant to crush militant groups in the camp and deter and prevent attacks on Israelis emanating from the camp. In each case, the army claimed success.

however, the continued cycle of army raids and Palestinian attacks raised new questions about Israel’s tactics. This week’s raid had wide support across Israel’s political spectrum, but some critics in Israel argued the impact is short-lived, with slain gunmen quickly replaced by others.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose autonomy government administers parts of the West Bank, has rejected violence against Israelis, but has effectively lost control over several strongholds of gunmen.

Many Palestinians see the actions of the gunmen as an inevitable result of 56 years of occupation and the absence of any political process with Israel. They also point to increased West Bank settlement construction and violence by extremist settlers.

Palestinian health officials said 12 Palestinians were killed in Jenin and more than 140 were wounded, including 83 who needed treatment in hospitals. Another Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in

Gorecho . .

continued from A18

“benefits even beyond the claims they are actually entitled” linked with alleged ambulance chasing to sanitize the problematic legal battle for compensation. Such argument is debunked by the affirmation rate in SC of the VA decisions favorable to seafarers.

The reversal rates in the Court of Appeals (28 percent) and Supreme Court (30 percent) cannot overshadow the fact that almost 70 percent of decisions of the appealed VA cases are affirmed in favor of labor.

The numbers contradict the

an unrelated incident near the West Bank city of Ramallah. Dr. Wissam Bakr, the head of Jenin hospital, said most of the wounded were shot in the head and chest, and that 20 suffered severe injuries.

The Israeli military has claimed it killed only militants, but it has not provided details.

Summing up the raid, the military said it had confiscated thousands of weapons, bomb-making materials and caches of money. Weapons were found in militant hideouts and civilian areas alike, in one case beneath a mosque, the military said.

The withdrawal came hours after a hamas militant rammed his car into a crowded Tel Aviv bus stop and began stabbing people, wounding eight, including a pregnant woman who reportedly lost her baby. The attacker was killed by an armed bystander. hamas said the attack was revenge for the Israeli offensive.

Early Wednesday, militants from ha mas-ruled Gaza also fired five rockets toward Israel, which Israel said were intercepted. Israeli jets struck several sites in Gaza.

The large-scale raid comes amid a more than yearlong spike in violence that has created a challenge for Netanyahu’s far-right government, which is dominated by ultranationalists who have called for tougher action against Palestinian militants only to see the fighting worsen.

Over 140 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 25 people, including a shooting last month that killed four settlers.

The sustained operation has raised warnings from humanitarian groups of a deteriorating situation.

Doctors Without Borders accused the army of firing tear gas into a hospital, filling the emergency room with smoke and forcing emergency patients to be treated in a main hall.

The UN’s human rights chief said the scale of the operation “raises a host of serious issues with respect to international human rights norms and standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life.”

Kefah Ja’ayyasah, a camp resident, said soldiers forcibly entered her home and locked the family inside.

“They took the young men of my family to the upper floor, and they left the women and children trapped in the apartment at the first floor,” she said, speaking before the army withdrawal.

She claimed soldiers would not let her take food to the children and blocked an ambulance crew from entering the home when she yelled for help, before eventually allowing the family passage to a hospital.

sweeping allegations that most cases are “frivolous” and are associated with “ambulance chasers” or lawyers who go to lengths to push seafarers to file labor cases against their foreign employers.

The ChR stressed in a statement that the alleged problem regarding “ambulance chasers” should not result in a process that delays the compensation for the genuine sufferers of maritime work-related injuries and discourage the solicitation of legal services.

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.

Startup fund helps businesses grow

the co-investment partner will invest P1 million, NDC can invest the same amount as well, or less. The second is less than 15 percent of the SVF Fund. NDC here can only invest up to15 percent of whatever is left of the entire SVF.

The third and last is that NDC provides up to only 40 percent of your start-up’s authorized capital because if NDC’s equity is more than the startup’s share, that will make the government the owner of the business. To avoid that, NDC can only put in 40 percent.

NATIONAL development. That’s what this PBBM administration is doing, and that is what the National Development Company (NDC) is for. It is the state’s investment arm under DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.

Under the stewardship of a financial and management wizard, its general manager, Undersecretary Anton Mauricio, fits the job —a fine, good mannered and responsive official. he is tasked to manage the Startup Venture Fund (SVF), created via the Innovative Startup Act (Republic Act 11337) to provide funding opportunities for qualified business enterprises or the startups.

What qualifies a business to avail itself of the fund? The business entity could be either a corporation or single proprietorship, must have already been in operation for at least one year, and offers a product or service/process that is innovative.

Of course, it must be registered with the DTI or the SEC, and based in the Philippines. When applicable, it has to declare any other funding

received from other government entities.

A key catchphrase here is “innovative,” so the most obvious examples would be tech-startups, but it could also be a firm developing an innovative way to, for example, boost agricultural productivity (super-growth onions). So, guys, it’s not necessarily be tech-based.

Being at least one year in operation is a must so that the business’ financial viability could be established. What’s more, the SVF only co-funds and it has to be done through accredited co-investment partners (CIP). At present, there are five co-investment partners listed with the SVF.

Now, one may ask up to what extent can the SVF invest in your start-up? Well, No. 1 is up to 1:1 of the CIP’s investment. Meaning, if

Aside from this, the SVF offers non-financial benefits such as providing mentorship through its network of experts, capacity building, and other government support programs.

Evaluation of an applicant is done through an easy-to-follow 4-step coinvestment process, but one’s innovative start-up, operating for at least a year, might just fit the bill and could use the mentorship and network from the government as provided through the SVF.

Per NDC, availment of the fund and mentorship can be accessed at svf@ndc.gov.ph.

n n n DEPARTMENT of Tourism, what’s up? I asked this because it seems we’re not seeing anything better yet, one year after being appointed by the Apo Bongbong in June 30, 2022.

Secretary Christina Frasco was in the news, at last, a few days ago. One that is not also palatable because something was wrong in her department. Most people in the know who cannot imagine why she hired one DDB ad agency for about P50 mil-

lion but whose apparent expertise is cheating (when one copies an original artwork, that’s cheating).

To be more civil to the former Liloan, Cebu mayor, I don’t want to conclude failure or say she is not up to the task. Maybe, she was just overwhelmed by the gargantuan responsibilities that go with being the head of a government department with a 2023 budget of about P6.40 billion. DOT targets approximately 5 million visitors in 2023.

The Philippine tourism industry breached its 1.7-million target with 2.65 million international arrivals in 2022, which translated to P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion in tourism revenues.

Prior to the DDB fiasco, my friends and I agreed that the campaign line “Love the Philippines” is not inviting, not interesting, and most of all, commanding in its very essence. Why does our Tourism secretary use a campaign line that commands? Is she an imperial master?

While there are better set of words to use, a campaign pitch, so to speak, to sell the country to tourists worldwide, she opted not to be sweet, altogether. Constructively, to forestall being accused of doing a demolition job, we humbly suggest a campaign line: “The Philippines loves you more.” Perhaps, this is more positive, encouraging, interesting, enticing and sweeter if not captivating to the eyes and ears of potential visitors. We need to succeed luring tourists to the country!

For comments, tweet@billy andal or email@ andalbilly@yahoo.com

Ransomware criminals are dumping kids’ private files online after school hacks

By Frank Bajak, Heather Hollingsworth & Larry Fenn The

Associated Press

The confidential documents stolen from schools and dumped online by ransomware gangs are raw, intimate and graphic. They describe student sexual assaults, psychiatric hospitalizations, abusive parents, truancy—even suicide attempts.

“Please do something,” begged a student in one leaked file, recalling the trauma of continually bumping into an ex-abuser at a school in Minneapolis. Other victims talked about wetting the bed or crying themselves to sleep.

Complete sexual assault case folios containing these details were among more than 300,000 files dumped online in March after the 36,000-student Minneapolis Public Schools refused to pay a $1 million ransom. Other exposed data included medical records, discrimination complaints, Social Security numbers and contact information of district employees.

Rich in digitized data, the nation’s schools are prime targets for far-flung criminal hackers, who are assiduously locating and scooping up sensitive files that not long ago were committed to paper in locked cabinets. “In this case, everybody has a key,” said cybersecurity expert Ian Coldwater, whose son attends a Minneapolis high school.

Often strapped for cash, districts are grossly ill-equipped not just to defend themselves but to respond diligently and transparently when attacked, especially as they struggle to help kids catch up from the pandemic and grapple with shrinking budgets.

Months after the Minneapolis attack, administrators have not delivered on their promise to inform individual victims. Unlike for hospitals, no federal law exists to require this notification from schools.

The Associated Press reached families of six students whose sexual assault case files were exposed. The message from a reporter was the first time anyone had alerted them.

“Truth is, they didn’t notify us about anything,” said a mother whose son’s case file has 80 documents.

Even when schools catch a ran-

somware attack in progress, the data are typically already gone. That was what Los Angeles Unified School District did last Labor Day weekend, only to see the private paperwork of more than 1,900 former students— including psychological evaluations and medical records—leaked online.

Not until February did district officials disclose the breach’s full dimensions, noting the complexity of notifying victims with exposed files up to three decades old.

The lasting legacy of school ransomware attacks, it turns out, is not in school closures, recovery costs or even soaring cyberinsurance premiums. It is the trauma for staff, students and parents from the online exposure of private records—which the AP found on the open Internet and dark web.

“A massive amount of information is being posted online, and nobody is looking to see just how bad it all is. Or, if somebody is looking, they’re not making the results public,” said analyst Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft.

Other big districts recently stung by data theft include San Diego, Des Moines and Tucson, Arizona. While the severity of those hacks remains unclear, all have been criticized either for being slow to admit to being hit by ransomware, dragging their feet on notifying victims—or both.

On cyber security, schools have lagged

WhILE other ransomware targets have fortified and segmented networks, encrypting data and mandating multi-factor authentication, school systems have been slower to react.

Ransomware likely has affected well over 5 million US students by now, with district attacks on track to rise this year, said analyst Allan Liska of the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Nearly one in three

US districts had been breached by the end of 2021, according to a survey by the Center for Internet Security, a federally funded nonprofit.

“Everyone wants schools to be more secure, but very few want to see their taxes raised to do it,” Liska said.

Parents have instead pushed to use limited funds on things like bilingual teachers and new football helmets, said Albuquerque schools superintendent Scott Elder, whose district suffered a January 2022 ransomware attack.

Just three years ago, criminals did not routinely grab data in ransomware attacks, said TJ Sayers, cyberthreat intelligence manager at the Center for Internet Security. Now, it’s common, he said, with much of it sold on the dark web.

The criminals in the Minneapolis theft were especially aggressive. They shared links to the stolen data on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and the dark web, which standard browsers can’t access. A handwritten note naming three students involved in one of the sexual abuse complaints was featured for a time on YouTube competitor Vimeo, which promptly took down the video.

The cybercrime syndicate behind the Los Angeles United attack was less brazen. But the 500 gigabytes it dumped on its dark web “leak site” remained freely available for download in June. They include financial records and personnel files with scanned Social Security cards and passports.

The public disclosure of psychological records or sexual assault case files, complete with students’ names, can fray psyches and thwart careers, psychologists say. One file stolen from Los Angeles United described how a middle-schooler had attempted suicide and been in and out of the psychiatric hospital a dozen times in a year.

The mother of a 16-year-old with autism recently got a letter from the San Diego Unified School District saying her daughter’s medical records may have been leaked online in an October 25 breach.

“What,” Barbara Voit asked, “if she doesn’t want the world to know that she has autism?”

In a tickle, the extent of a breach emerges ThE Minneapolis parents informed by the AP of the leaked sexual assault complaints feel doubly victimized. Their children have battled PTSD, and some even left their schools. Now this.

“The family is beyond horrified to learn that this highly sensitive information is now available in perpetuity on the Internet for the child’s future friends, romantic interests, employers, and others to discover,” said Jeff Storms, an attorney for one of the families. It is AP policy not to identify sexual abuse victims.

Teachers, meanwhile, want to know why they have to call the district and report problems in order to receive the promised free credit monitoring and identity theft protection after their Social Security numbers were leaked.

“Everything they’ve learned about this is from the news,” said Greta Callahan, of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers.

Minneapolis Schools spokeswoman Crystina Lugo-Beach would not say how many people have been contacted so far or answer any other AP questions about the attack.

School nurse Angie McCracken had by early April already received 10 alerts through her credit card that her Social Security number and birth date were circulating on the dark web. She wondered about her graduating 18-year-old. “If their identity is stolen, just how hard is that going to make my kid’s life?”

Despite parents’ and teachers’ frustration, schools are routinely advised by incident response teams concerned about legal liability issues and ransom negotiations against being more transparent, said Callow of Emsisoft. Minneapolis school officials apparently followed that playbook, initially describing the February 17 attack cryptically as a “system incident,” then as “technical difficulties” and later an “encryption event.”

The extent of the breach became clear though when a ransomware group posted video of stolen data more than two weeks later, giving the district 10 days to pay the ransom before leaking files.

editorial

‘Incomplete’ grade as impetus to excel

PresIdent Ferdinand r Marcos Jr. celebrated his first year in office on June 30 with the economy posting strong growth amid improving business sentiment. nevertheless, he gave himself an “incomplete” grade on his performance. In an interview with reporters, the President candidly said he accepted the “incomplete” grade given to him by an economist.

“I agree with him. We are not done. There are many, many things that we still need to do. We have to undo 30, 35, almost 40 years of neglect when it comes to the agricultural sector,” Marcos said. “We have done a lot of growth, we are beginning to see the systemic changes that are going to be part of the new bureaucracy. But there is still a long way to go,” he added.

A senior lawmaker at the House of Representatives, however, gave the President an “above-par” rating in his first year in office, having made “notable breakthroughs” in his goal to deliver jobs and attract more investments while putting the economy back on its pre-pandemic path of high and inclusive growth. (Read, “Marcos Jr. gets ‘above-par’ rating for 1st year as President,” in the BusinessMirror, June 30, 2023).

“President Marcos has performed above par as Chief Executive, with his first year in office distinguished by notable breakthroughs in his overriding promise of more jobs and better lives for our people via an economy that is not only strong and resilient but also inclusive and sustainable,” Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said.

The Marcos administration, he added, has “reported a higher employment rate; generated local and foreign direct investments, and pushed business-friendlier reforms that created more jobs and restored the economy to its pre-pandemic high-and-inclusive-growth trajectory; accelerated programs to attack poverty and provide economic relief to disadvantaged sectors such as the jobless, low-income families, farmers and the homeless; and shepherded our people to the digital world and the post-pandemic ‘new normal.’”

A recent survey—PAHAYAG 2023 Second Quarter poll—showed that the President’s approval rating increased to 62 percent from 60 percent last quarter. Conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. between June 7 and 12, 2023, the poll has 1,500 respondents.

The approval rating is usually used to measure the President’s job execution. Pundits said a high approval rating means that the President gets a strong support in dealing with Congress, in getting public support for his programs, and getting the whole-of-government on board the administration’s major initiatives.

The Chief Executive is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 to report on his accomplishments as well as priorities in the coming years.

High on the President’s list of achievements is the government’s success in generating jobs. The Philippine Statistics Authority said the jobless rate fell to 4.5 percent in April from 5.7 percent a year ago, while the employment rate went up to 95.5 percent or 48.06 million jobs, from 94.3 percent or 45.63 million over the same comparative period, which means that about 3 million more jobs were created.

The dynamic Philippine economy is also worth touting, particularly our gross domestic product growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter, which is within the government’s growth target of 6 to 7 percent. This proves that the Philippines, under the Marcos administration, is back on its pre-pandemic high-growth path despite the global and domestic financial headwinds.

Amid this bullish outlook, companies have started ramping up their operations, with the number of businesses in the industry sector planning to expand in the coming quarter rising to 19.8 percent, according to the Business Expectations Survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Department of Economic Research.

Moody’s recently raised its 2023 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.1 percent from the previous target of 5.7 percent, making the country the fastest growing economy in the region.

The President, who retains a high approval rating, is expected to use his political capital to expand the government’s market-friendly policies to spur investment and create jobs, help bring prices down, and strengthen the country’s food security. He will soon report progress on the state of the country’s agriculture, energy, infrastructure, technology, education, health, and tourism industry, among others.

Indeed, more needs to be done to enable the Philippines to catch up with its prosperous neighbors in Southeast Asia. The President needs the people to support his agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth that will bring prosperity for all Filipinos.

How to be a ‘Victorious Warrior’

are valid. Confusing? Maybe it is meant to be.

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

We live in a world of paradoxes, that is, statements and ideas that seem to say two contrasting things but do not. In his 2023 state of the Union Address, President Joe Biden said, “I’ve made clear with President Xi that we seek competition, not conflict.” three minutes to the Us Congress: “Let’s be clear: winning the competition with China should unite all of us.”

Competition and conflict are the same thing because no matter what word you use, both define an active rivalry where two strive for a common goal that cannot be shared: where the winner’s gain is the loser’s loss. Biden’s words are all a bunch of...baloney.

The world was simple when the Cold War between the US and the USSR was in full swing, and China was where sweet-and-sour pork was invented. Then Nixon in 1972, attempting to drive a wedge between the “Russkies” and the “ChiComs,” upset the balance of power and sowed the seeds of “lifting 770 million of its citizens out of poverty.”

As a side note, China’s GDP barely increased post-World War II until it started rising after Nixon’s 1972 visit, seeing an increase of 100 percent to year 2000. Its GDP then in-

creased by 1,400 percent from 2000 to 2022 after President Bill Clinton “encouraged” and proposed China’s entry into the World Trade Organization coming eventually in 2001.

But here is the paradox. The US said that growing trade with China would be good for the world and the Chinese. That may be true. However, Clinton “demanded” the “preservation of Tibetan indigenous religion and culture” and “access to prisons for international human rights organizations.” Thirty years later and “July 3, 2023: Americans should reconsider travel to China due to the risk of wrongful detention, the US State Department warned in an updated travel.”

It is not a situation of hypocrisy. It is that both increased trade with China and demanding that human rights abuses be stopped by Beijing

The effective functioning of the Silk Road trade during its roughly 1,500 years of existence has always seen China “winning” the competition. Silk textiles, highly coveted in Europe, were produced in Byzantium in 1400. But China had an absolute monopoly on the silk cloth as they did with tea until the Scottish botanist Robert Fortune stole Chinese tea plants and its tea-processing technique in 1847.

China is still after monopolies but is much smarter today. For years, China created panic in the West with its “monopoly” of rare earth minerals, which, with huge investment by the US, has been slightly weakened. Yet China also produces roughly 60 percent and more of the world’s graphite, germanium, tellurium, indium, antimony, vanadium, and fluorspar.

While local and foreign experts are absolutely convinced China will invade Taiwan, occupy Coron (my choice), and go to war with the US, the “experts” seem to forget that every Beijing official, military leader, and businessperson in China has read this from “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu: “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

As they are writing about China’s evil intentions, they are taking some of the 80 percent of the world’s supply of Vitamin C produced in Chinese pharma plants. About 90 percent of

all eyeglasses are made in China. Xi Jinping’s government is building 100 coal-fired power plants even as it funds a massive global PR campaign for solar energy.

China owns the entire global solar supply chain. China is the world’s largest manufacturer of photovoltaic panels (Solar Panels) and modules (Cells), with a global market share of 70 percent of which 90 percent are exported to Europe and America. However, those require Silver Paste and in 2010 China relied entirely on silver paste imports. Photovoltaic silver paste is the second largest cost and a key material for photovoltaic panels, accounting for 10 percent of the total cost. In 2021, China was producing enough high-temperature silver paste annually to basically achieve self-sufficiency.

Silver Paste manufacturing requires High Purity Silver Powder, and China is still 100 percent dependent on imports mainly from Japan’s DOWA Metaltech, accounting for 92 percent. But since 2018, DOWA Metaltech has built four processing facilities in China, with more to come, and three in Thailand.

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

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.

Concealment of pre-existing illnesses in seafarer’s compensation cases

nent and total.

Dennis Gorecho

Pinoy Marino Rights

AstUdy by the Commission on Human rights (CHr) noted that from 2015 to 2019, it took 7.2 years on average for an OFW money claims case to go through the entire judicial process, from the date of filing of the complaint in the labor tribunals up to the time the supreme Court decides on it.

The case of Louie Mutia v. C.F. Sharp Crew Mgt. Inc., et al (GR 242928, June 27 2022) is not an exception.

The Filipino seafarer has waited for almost nine years for a decision from the Supreme Court awarding him at least $100,000 in disability benefits due to a spinal cord injury and vision problems he developed while on duty. While on board the vessel, the seafarer suffered an injury while he was transferring a box containing 50 kilograms of chicken meat onto a trolley when the trolley suddenly moved, forcing him to carry the full weight of the box. Due to constant back pain, the seafarer was later medically repatriated. On July 9, 2014, the seafarer filed

a complaint for permanent total disability benefits. The Supreme Court decision was issued on June 27, 2022 but was uploaded at the SC web site in June 2023.

In ruling in favor of the seafarer, the Supreme Court clarified that the company did not dispute that his medical conditions “L5-S1 dessication with annual tear,” “multiple sclerosis,” “blurring of vision,” and “neuromyelitis optica” were work-related and acquired during the term of his contract. The company-designated physician also failed to issue a final medical assessment within the prescribed period of 120 days from the time the seafarer was repatriated, which makes his disability perma-

Respondents argued that the seafarer is disqualified from claiming permanent total disability benefits because he materially concealed a preexisting medical condition in his Pre-employment Medical Exam (PEME). They claimed that he was earlier diagnosed with “acute otitis media” and had instituted a claim for disability benefits against his former employer.

The Court explained that the concealment must be fraudulent, which means that a person failed to disclose the truth and that the non-disclosure is deliberate and for a malicious purpose. The fraudulent concealment must be coupled with an intent to deceive and profit from that deception.

The Court said that pre-existing illness refers to a continuing illness or condition that cannot be diagnosed during the PEME. In Mutia’s case, however, there was no proof that his ear condition still persisted at the time of the PEME. In addition, the PEME itself diagnosed him as having “mild hearing loss.”

The Court also said the unrelatedness of the seafarer’s prior ear illness and his present medical conditions negates an intent to profit from the concealment.

The company likewise failed to establish that the seafarer’s prior ear condition caused or aggravated his present medical illnesses.

The Mutia decision is an addition to the list of cases decided by the Supreme Court in favor of labor.

Data from the Department of Migrant Workers indicated that 79 cases were decided by the Supreme Court from 2016 to 2022 in relation to the Voluntary Arbitration (VA) decisions mostly issued by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

There are 40 affirmations, 19 affirmations with modifications, 23 reversals and 2 remanded to the Court of Appeals.

The affirmation rate is 70 percent (53 cases) wherein 96 percent (51 cases) are in favor of labor, while only 4 percent (2 cases) are in favor of management.

The reversal rate is 30 percent (23 cases) wherein 96 percent (22 cases) are in favor of management while 4 percent (1 case) for labor.

Proponents of the escrow provision in the pending Magna Carta for Seafarers blamed the dwindling numbers of deployed seafarers on the increasing number of litigated cases. They argue that seafarers seek See “Gorecho,” A19

DRILLING OF MALAMPAYA NEW WELLS ON TRACK

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Malampaya consortium is on schedule in its work program, which includes the drilling of two new wells, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said on Wednesday.

The good news that was shared with the President yesterday by the Malampaya consortium is that we are on track to having the first drilling for the nearby fields by the end of 2024 and we are looking forward to new or additional supply from the same service contract by 2026,” Lotilla told the “Pandesal Forum” hosted by Willson Lee Flores.

A ccording to Lotilla, strong investor confidence also reflects the government’s commitment to achieve and maintain energy security and independence.

This good news is important in terms of encouraging more investments in exploration in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

P resident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the renewal of Malampaya Service Contract No. 38 (SC 38) from February 22,2024 until 2039.

Ever since (President Marcos) assumed office, he  has committed

the energy sector towards stabilizing the investment environment ...We were able to extend or renew the service contract,” Lotilla said.

T he 15-year renewal of SC 38 was the green light for the Razonled operator Prime Energy to carry out drilling beyond the existing production area of the depleting gas field. “ The conduct of exploratory drilling further away from the Malampaya production area within the Service Contract is a requirement for the SC 38 consortium to retain the exploration areas,” said Lotilla.

T he consortium is led by Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. of tycoon Enrique Razon, UC 38 LLC, and Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC).

P rime Energy is the gas operator and has a 45-percent stake in the project. UC 38 also has a 45-percent stake while the remaining 10 percent is owned by PNOC-EC.

T he DOE said the consortium’s work program is “geared towards unlocking the potential both in the existing gas field and nearby prospect areas to provide incremental production.”

EC move to extend EU-GSP bodes well for PHL, says DTI

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE European Commission’s

(EC) proposal to extend the European Union (EU) Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) will open opportunities for the Philippines, which aims to become an export powerhouse by 2028, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

O n July 4, 2023, the EC announced through an Explanatory Memorandum that it is proposing to extend the validity of the current GSP Regulation for an additional four years or until December 31, 2027.

Given the prevailing uncertainties about the time it will take to complete the legislative process on the new GSP Regulation, it is proposed to extend the validity of the current GSP Regulation until 31 December 2027,” the Explanatory Memorandum of the EC read.

T he EC, which is responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, among others, said in the document it is “necessary” to ensure continuity in the operation of the scheme beyond December 31, 2023 or the expiry date of the GSP.

The consequences of any discontinuity for GSP would be that all imports under GSP would revert to standard most favoured nation treatment, except for those from least developed countries which would be covered by the Everything But Arms (EBA) regime, with significant economic shocks for companies in the EU and in beneficiary countries,” the memorandum noted.

T he EC also emphasized that the new GSP Regulation “should apply as soon as possible,” stressing that this “temporary prolongation” of the existing scheme should end.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DTI said, “The proposed extension comes at an opportune time and is expected to open a multitude of opportunities for the Philippines.”

T he Philippines’s Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual described the GSP extension as a “significant boost” for the country’s exporters.

“ It will enable them to maintain their competitive edge in the EU market and expand their trade volumes. This development reinforces our commitment to strengthen our trade relations with the European Union,” Pascual added.

Weaker peso trumps import dip, BOC H1 take up 9.4%

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T he Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the total amount of taxes and dues it collected from January to June reached P434.169 billion, or P37.434 billion higher than the P396.735 billion it earned in the same period of last year.

T he total revenue collection was P13.51 billion higher than the bureau’s revenue target of P420.66 billion for the six-month period.

T he bureau’s first-half revenue collection accounts for 48.17 percent of its full-year target of P901.3 billion.

The increase in revenue was achieved despite the challenges in importation volume, which is negative 2.8 percent this year for high-

value commodities,” the BOC said in a press release recently.

“ The depreciation of the peso has helped offset the decline in revenue collection due to the decrease in import volume,” the BOC added.

R izal Commercial Banking Corp.

Chief Economist Michael Ricafort noted that the weakening of the Peso, which started last year, “effectively” increased the import value of goods this year.

The weaker peso exchange rate since 2022 effectively increased the import value equivalent in pesos, as a basis for computing the import taxes to be paid,” Ricafort said.

B angko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed that the de -

preciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar was faster than the drop in import volume during the six-month period, resulting in higher import values.

B SP data indicated that the Philippine Peso weakened by 4.34 percent to P55.8946 in June from the P53.5685 average exchange rate recorded in the same month of last year.

T he BOC said the country’s oil import volume during the reference period rose by nearly 10 percent year-on-year, but revenue from the said commodity declined due to decreasing value of oil in the world market.

T he BOC noted that the price of oil in the world market plunged to $0.63 per liter from $1.1 per liter in June 2022. The bureau did not

disclose the total value and volume of oil imports during the six-month period.

T he BOC said its “unrelenting drive” against smuggling “significantly” contributed to the growth in its revenue collection for the first half. The BOC said that it has seized P23.8 billion worth of illegal shipments so far this year.

“ [Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio] continues to encourage all BOC offices and Collection Districts to maintain the Bureau’s exceptional performance throughout the year by utilizing the BOC’s modernization programs and enhanced reform initiatives aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 8-point Socioeconomic Program,” the BOC said.

T he GSP is a preferential trade arrangement that imposes reduced or zero tariffs on exports to the EU market from developing countries, including the Philippines.

W ith the proposed extension until December 2027, the DTI said the Philippine exporters can continue to benefit from “enhanced market access and reduced trade barriers” when exporting their products to EU member states.

D TI also stressed that the GSP’s extension will provide “stability and predictability” for Philippine businesses, allowing them to plan and invest for the long term.

It also serves as an incentive for European companies to explore partnerships and invest in the Philippine market, fostering economic growth and facilitating employment generation,” the Trade department said in a statement on Wednesday.

Moving forward, the DTI said, in collaboration with other government agencies, it will “actively” engage with Philippine exporters and provide support in maximizing the benefits of the GSP extension.

P ascual also underscored the importance of raising awareness among local businesses about the GSP scheme and its potential advantages.

A ccording to the European Union, the GSP consists of three arrangements: the Standard GSP, GSP+ and the Everything But Arms (EBA).

T he Standard GSP is for low- and lower-middle income countries, providing for a reduction or full removal of customs duties on two thirds of EU tariff lines.

Meanwhile, the GSP+, of which the Philippines is among the beneficiaries, is the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, which reduces tariffs to 0 percent for broadly the same tariff lines as Standard GSP. According to the EU, this arrangement is granted to vulnerable low- and lower-middle income countries that implement 27 international conventions related to human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment, and good governance.

T he third arrangement is the EBA, a special arrangement for least developed countries (LDCs), providing them with duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for all products except arms and ammunition.

Internet access in PHL still Manila-centric–PSA

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

ACCESS to the internet remains Manila-centric in the country, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

B ased on the data, only half or 56.1 percent or 14.79 million households in the Philippines have internet access.

T he National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest proportion of its households with internet access at 74.6 percent.

T his was followed by Region IVA-Calabarzon with 70.2 percent of

households having access to the internet; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 62.8 percent; and Region III-Central Luzon, 62.3 percent.

R egion IX-Zamboanga Peninsula had the lowest proportion of households with internet access at 28.5 percent.

Meanwhile, PSA said homes were the most common areas Filipinos connected to the internet, with 56.3 percent of the households in 2020.

T his was followed by those utilizing the internet when in mobility, via mobile cellular telephone or other handheld devices that are connected to a mobile phone

network, with 23.1 percent; 19.7 percent used the internet in their workplace; and 14.1 percent of the households in their school.

I n terms of share to the total number of households in the country, PSA said Region IV-A posted the highest number of households having internet access with a 19.3-percent share.

T his was followed by the NCR with 17.6-percent share, while Region III came in third, with 12.8 percent.

B angsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), on the other hand, posted the lowest number of households with internet access at 1.7 percent.

T he data also showed that 42.1 percent of the households have internet connection through a mobile broadband network.

“ This is an internet connection via a handset, a card (integrated Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card) or a USB modem,” PSA said. Meanwhile, 15 percent of the households reported having internet connection through fixed (wired) narrowband/broadband network.

I nternet connection through fixed (wireless) broadband network were reported by 4 percent of the households and 2.4 percent through satellite broadband network.

THE Customs bureau’s revenue collections in the first half rose by 9.43 percent year-on-year to over P430 billion, buoyed by a weaker Philippine peso amid a drop in import volume.

UNDER FIRE Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism was greeted with a display of affection by the department’s employees at the DOT office in Makati City on Wednesday. Touched by the outpouring of love and support, the tourism chief was moved to tears as the employees cheered her on, holding handwritten messages that read, “Sending out love to the Best Tourism Secretary,“ “We Love you, Secretary,” and clever notes like “Lavarn lang, Sec!” Frasco has weathered criticism the past week over the DOT’s controversial “Love the Philippines” branding campaign. Story in News, A5. ROY DOMINGO

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

B1

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Megawide to acquire real estate developer for ₧5.2B

By VG Cabuag @villygc

The company said it has acquired all of Ph1 from citicore holdings i nvestments i nc., an affiliate of megawide.

The deal will be up for approval during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting later this month.

“The purchase price was arrived at after a careful deliberation by the company and valuation study of Ph1 World Developers inc. in accordance with the 2022 international Valua-

tion Standards. Based on the fairness opinion report issued by FT i consulting Philippines inc. on the transaction, the purchase price is fair from a financial point of view,” megawide said.

Ph1’s income last year grew by more than eight times to P66.77 million from the previous year’s P7.9 billion.

Revenues, which mostly come from real estate sales, were at

P599.77 million, up by almost double from the previous year’s P311.42 million.

The company is involved in selling residential condominium units under its The hive project located at San isidro Street, Ortigas avenue ex tension in Taytay, Rizal which consists of Towers a , B, c and D. construction of Towers a B and c are completed as of December 31, 2022, while the construction of Tower D is 98 percent completed as of end 2022.

The company also has an ongoing project named my enzo lofts located at Timog ave. in Quezon city, metro manila.

“The acquisition of Ph1 is part of me gawide’s business strategy for forward integration. The acquisition is expected to result in the reduction of me gawide’s production costs and improve the me gawide group’s efficiency. me gawide

ICTSI unveils new initiative to reduce carbon emissions

acknowledges that real estate development is a natural progression for construction companies. Such forward integration to real estate is expected to create more value within the me gawide group.” at a parent level, the acquisition will be considered as an investment in a subsidiary while at a consolidated level, it will be a line-by-line take up.

“Property development is a natural progression for construction companies and the partnership between Ph1 and megawide—beyond a client-contractor relationship—we believe will create better value to both companies and accelerate the enhanced living experience for more Filipino households,” megawide said.

“The deal will be conducted through the sale of shares of citicore holdings investment inc. in Ph1 to megawide, and is expected to be concluded via a cash transaction.”

CIP buys Tierra Ariana for ₧100M

Chemical industries of the Philippines i n c. (c i P) on Wednesday said it is acquiring Tierra a r iana eco l and inc. for P100 million.

The company said the acquisition will gain ciP an indirect control over the BPi Paseo de Roxas condominium corp., the condominium corporation charged with the management of the Filinvest Financial center condominium project and the entity with authority to develop the condominium project.

“The ultimate objective of ciP in the transaction is to acquire indirect ownership over the parcel of land covered by Transfer certificate of Title Number S-89953, registered under the name of the condominium corp., and be able to redevelop the condominium Project through the condominium corp.”

Tierra a r iana is the registered owner of 19 out of the 20 condominium certificates of titles in the condominium project, which has been completely demolished.

“Pursuant to Section 2 of Republic act No. 4726, as well as a r ticle ii, Section 1 of the By-l aws of the con-

dominium corporation, such ownership vests Tierra a r iana with a 95 percent interest and effective control over the condominium corporation.

The registered owner of the first floor of the condominium Project is BPi Family Savings Bank,” it said.

The company said a share purchase agreement was signed last June 21 between ciP president and cOO Janice eunicia c Roxas- chua, and other sellers that include Wessex holdings corp. and Pacific Unity SDN. BhD, Tierra a r iana and Vital Time international ltd.

The transaction also includes the execution of a deed of assignment over Tierra a r iana’s accounts payable by its creditor, Vital Time amounting to P835.35 million to c iP for P546.5 million.

The amount of P546.5 million was the consideration agreed upon by Vital Time for the deed

of assignment of its credit.

ciP will advance some P65 million to Tierra a r iana for the payment of its outstanding liabilities.

Tierra a r iana, meanwhile, will continue its BPi loan amounting to P1.01 billion after ciP has acquired the company.

“The foregoing acquisition is neither related to nor a continuation of the change of control of ciP that occurred sometime in 2019 and there will be no change in ciP ’s board and officers. moreover, the former and the current management, as well as the current controlling shareholder

of ciP are not related to and have no relationship with Tierra a r iana or its directors,” ciP said. including the loans, the transaction price amounts to P1.72 billion.

ciP said it has previously paid P100 million to Tierra a r iana as a reservation deposit, which it applied as payment for the purchase price on the shares.

“Tierra a r iana, while under the control of the sellers, shall remit to the sellers the reservation deposit, which shall constitute as full payment and settlement for the sale of the subject shares.” VG Cabuag

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

INT e R N a T i O N a l c o ntainer

Terminal Services inc. (ic TSi) said on Wednesday it is making “significant progress” in its decarbonization program, announcing the launch of its c l imate change action initiative.

a c cording to ic S T i e x ecutive Vice President christian Gonzales, the initiative will “concretize” a comprehensive roadmap for ic TSi to align its business strategy with the United Nations c l imate change Paris a g reement.

in general, the roadmap will set decarbonization targets for the entire ic TSi Group to include all terminals, covering Scope 1—direct emissions and Scope 2—indirect emissions from generation of purchased electricity.

“Through the launch of our c l imate change action initiative, we are demonstrating our commitment to a sustainable future. By decarbonizing our operations and addressing the challenges of climate change, ic T Si aims to contribute significantly in the global efforts towards a greener and more resilient world,” Gonzales said.

ic TSi will announce a decarbonization target for Scope 1 and 2 by the end of 2023.

The global port operator is working towards accounting for the full greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions footprint of the entire value chain including Scope 3 emissions. a n inventory is expected to be established

by 2025, followed by a review of relevant targets, he said.

“We believe that by embracing innovative solutions and fostering collaboration, we can create a positive impact on both the environment and our industry. Together, we can build a future that is both economically prosperous and environmentally responsible.”

To ensure a credible decarbonization strategy, icTSi has appointed an internal team led by Nathan c l arke, vice president and head of Global engineering— i n frastructure and Project Delivery.

additionally, the services of Jacobs Solutions inc., an international consulting firm, have been engaged to provide an accurate view of emissions across ic TSi terminals and develop a tangible roadmap for emission reductions. The collaboration will establish a GhG emissions baseline, develop plans for reducing GhG emissions, set targets and create a framework to monitor performance. cu rrently, the company is cutting its carbon footprint by implementing processes that maximize energy and resource efficiency, reduce carbon intensity, and lower emissions. a s a responsible global industry leader, ic TSi is taking a holistic approach to combat climate change and proactively mitigate its environmental impact. The c l imate change action initiative serves as a catalyst for transformative action, enabling ic TSi to play a pivotal role in the transition to a low-carbon economy,” Gonzales said.

Di V eR SiFieD engineering conglomerate Dmci holdings inc. won four prestigious titles at the 13th a sian excellence awards, hosted by corporate Governance a sia in hong Kong Special ad ministrative Region of the People’s Republic of china.

Reflecting Dmci holdings’ strong leadership, financial stewardship and commitment to transparency and investor relations, its top executives isidro a consunji and herbert m consunji were recognized as a sia’s Best ceO and a sia’s Best cFO, respectively.

cherubim O. mojica was awarded Best investor Relations

Professional and Dmci holdings was honored as Best investor Relations company.

l aunched in 2011, the a sian excellence awards are designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in management acumen, financial performance, corporate social responsibility, environmental practices and investor relations.

“We are extremely honored to receive these recognitions. They are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and their commitment to delivering excellence in all aspects of our business,” said Dmci holdings chairman and president isidro a consunji.

Megawide Construction Corp. said it is acquiring PH1 world developers inc. from Citicore Holdings investments inc. for P5.2 billion.

‘Negative’ notions drive low trust on credit usage

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

‘YOUR credit is good, but we need cash.” Signs like this posted on establishments abet the low trust levels Filipinos have toward credit products, revealed a private credit information bureau in the Philippines.

In its inaugural Credit Perception Index (CPI), TransUnion Information Solutions Inc. said the Filipinos notion of credit remains “negative” as they associate it with “debt, overspending and irresponsibility.”

The study, which surveyed 1,500 Filipinos nationwide, revealed that respondents believe that people who have credit products tend to overspend and are already in debt.

The study added that respondents also believed that credit borrowers “will eventually acquire unmanageable amounts of debt” and “will go to jail if they do not pay their debts.”

The firm pointed out that these perceptions could be caused by the Filipinos’ sources of credit knowledge and information, which includes social media.

“Filipinos’ long-standing stigmas and perceptions of credit may be due in part to the sources of their credit knowledge,” read the company’s statement released last Wednesday.

The study showed that unbanked Filipinos learn about credit products primarily from their family and friends, followed by Facebook and YouTube.

In contrast, banked Filipinos get their credit knowledge and information from banks and financial institutions, financial advisors, as well as their family and friends.

TransUnion President and CEO Maria Gracia Pia Arellano explained that there is a “strong correlation” between the Filipinos’ knowledge about credit products and their trust toward such.

“The more they know about a certain

product, the more they trust it and are inclined in buying it,” Arellano said during a press briefing.

Nonetheless, she emphasized that it doesn’t mean that the information that unbanked Filipinos get from their goto channel of social media about credit products is unreliable.

Arellano pointed out that the study just shows that social media is a channel that banks should take advantage of in educating Filipinos about various credit products and drive them toward “positive” perception about credit.

“There is an enormous opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to provide more formal and reliable channels for the Filipino public to acquire financial knowledge and thus transform the conversations of credit seen as mere harm into a gateway to improved economic opportunities,” Arellano said.

“It is not simply about understanding personal finances and credit, but more importantly, leveraging the power to access opportunities made possible by more informed financial decisions and responsible lending,” she added.

The TransUnion study revealed that the CPI of the Philippines currently stands at 65 with the unbanked population having a CPI of 53.

Arellano said the study also considered the Filipinos’ current attitudes, knowledge, trust, favorability and future receptivity regarding credit products.

The study showed that the majority of Filipinos (69 percent) have a general understanding of the concept of credit. Likewise, Filipinos expressed trustworthiness in various credit products such as credit card installment payments and personal loans.

“This suggests a likely correlation between knowledge and trust – the more knowledgeable a consumer is about a credit product, the more trustworthy the consumer would find the product,” the credit information business said.

Easing food prices prompt call for review of tax plans

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

duce, the solon added.

“This is also the opposite of what was observed during the initial months of rice tariffication, when farmgate prices declined faster than retail prices did,” Salce said. Hence, he said, “there are signs that the rice cartel is being diminished if not demolished” under Marcos as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

Salceda said that “moving forward, the main focus must be on sustaining agricultural production amid threats of El Niño.”

BIR Makati padlocks restaurant, branches

THE Bureau of of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced recently that the restaurant business operation of Shanzhen Haiwei Food Corp. (Shanzhen), a registered corporation under Revenue District Office 47-East Makati, located at Salcedo One Street, Legaspi Village, Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City, was padlocked along with its four branches.

In a statement issued last Wednesday, the BIR identified these branches as located at: 252 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Pio Del Pilar, Makati City; Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City; Unit L322 3/F One Bonifacio High Street, 28th Street corner 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; and, Trade and Financial Tower 7th Avenue corner 32nd Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The BIR said that results of the Regional Investigation Division’s surveillance conducted in February 2023 showed that the said establishment failed to register one of its branches, failed to issue registered receipts/invoices and understated its sales by more than 30 percent. These, according to the BIR, are in clear violation of Section 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended. Section 115(b) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, as implemented through

Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) 3-2009, authorizes the BIR to suspend or close the business operations of a taxpayer for a period of not less than five days for failure to: (1) register; (2) issue

VAT official receipts or sales invoices; (3) file VAT returns; or, (4) understatement of taxable sales/receipts by 30 percent or more of correct taxable sales or receipts for the taxable quarter.

Procedural due process was duly given to the said taxpayer by BIR Revenue Region (RR) 8A-Makati City, headed by Regional Director Florante R. Aninag, through the issuance of a 48-Hour Notice to explain the violations, and another 5-day VAT Compliance Notice to rectify the tax payment. However, according to the BIR, the said taxpayer failed to comply with the said notices.

The Closure Order was signed by Deputy Commissioner Maridur V. Rosario after the said establishments failed to comply with the requirements specified in the 5-Day VAT Compliance Notice under Section 115 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. The closure was implemented under the supervision of Regional Director Florante R. Aninag of RR 8A-Makati City pursuant to the “Oplan Kandado” Program of the BIR under the current leadership of Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr.

“The healthier alternatives to junk food and drinks are becoming expensive,” according to House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman and Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda.

The lawmaker cited that flour and bread products are at 11-percent inflation while milk, dairy and eggs are at 11.2 percent. Salceda also noted that fruits and nuts are at 11.4-percent inflation while vegetables are at 12.7 percent.

“This is all while sweetened beverage inflation is just at 7 percent,” he added. So I would be very hesitant to impose food taxes in such conditions.”

Salceda further said last Wednesday that “broken down, inflation in key food items convinces me that recent proposals to increase taxes on sweetened beverages and impose new taxes on junk food need further refinement and study.”

Inflation slowed to 5.4 percent in June, slower than the 6.1 percent posted in May 2023 and June 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“I was with the media this morning when I gave out my projection of

5.5 percent inflation for the month of June, so the actual figure being lower, at 5.4 percent, is very much welcome and is well within expectations,” Salceda said.

The lawmaker said he expects “business and consumer confidence to continue to improve as inflation figures are now very much anchored on expectations.”

Underreported achievement ACCORDING to Salceda, rice inflation remains low at 3.6 percent, which is “good news” especially for the bottom 30 percent of households who spend as much as one-fifth of their budget on rice.

He considers the lower rice inflation as also a part of one of the “most underreported achievements” of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Ever since he took over as Agriculture Secretary, farmgate price for palay per kg [kilogram] has increased from P17.24 kg in May 2022 to P19.06 in May 2023: a 10.6-percent increase, even when retail prices increased only by 3.6 percent over the same period,” Salceda explained.

This indicates that farmers are getting a better deal for their pro-

The lawmaker added he has discussed ideas with officials of the National Irrigation Administration on this and that he will continue to work with the agencies “to help them with what they need from Congress.”

Sound policies

MEANWHILE, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez also welcomed the slowdown in headline inflation for the fifth straight month.

Romualdez said last Wednesday the continued drop in inflation can be attributed to the President’s “strong political will and the administration’s sound economic policies.”

According to the lawmaker, from a high of 8.7 percent at the start of the year, inflation had been tamed to 6.1 percent in May and dropped again in June at 5.4 percent.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had earlier projected that headline inflation is projected to slow down again in June. The headline inflation of 5.4 percent in June is the lowest in a span of 13 months.

Romualdez said that the President’s spending plan in the 2023 national budget, investment tours and programs and actions against the high prices of goods “all contributed to this drop in inflation rate.”

He added that the House of Representatives tried to move at the President’s pace.

“And we were also very productive in our mandate to support the 8-point economic agenda of the President and his Agenda for Prosperity, including his priority legislation,” Romualdez added.

Achieved effectively

ROMUALDEZ said that one of Marcos’s visions for the 2023 national budget focused on “strengthening the purchasing power of Filipinos and, so far, it had paid off during the first half of the year.”

“Lowering the inflation rate is a necessary offshoot of boosting our people’s purchasing power. And the Marcos administration has achieved that effectively,” the House leader from Leyte said.

The lawmaker added that in the exercise of its oversight functions, the Lower House “exhaustively investigated the issue of the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products that drove the prices of goods too high.”

Romualdez credited these actions in helping bring down the prices of commodities and ease food inflation.

Last May, Marcos signed Executive Order 28 creating the InterAgency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook, which promotes and enhances the coordination and action of government agencies in managing inflation.

Romualdez said he predicts inflation will continue to slow down “as we reach the end of 2023, as the programs of the national budget have been implemented to their full extent and the policies of the administration continue to benefit the people.”

Awareness on cryptos increasing, study bares

By Roderick Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

FILIPINOS are becoming more aware of cryptocurrencies, according to Capstone-Intel Corp. Chief Data Scientist Guido David.

This is shown in the research and intelligence company’s survey conducted from May 1 to 10, with 1,200 respondents nationwide.

“The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of Filipino individuals’ awareness, perception and investment practices concerning cryptocurrency and NFTs (non-fungible tokens),” David said.

Based on results, Bitcoin was the most widely-recognized listed digital asset of such kind among the participants, with 93 percent expressing awareness of it.

This was followed by Binance USD (53 percent), Ethereum (54 percent), Dogecoin (33 percent), USD coin (32 percent), XRP (28 percent), Tether (26 percent), BNB (22 percent), Solana (19 percent), Cardano (15 percent), Polygon (16 percent) and Polkadot (2 percent).

The data also indicated that the

extent of knowledge of people on the many types of accessible digital currencies vary, as well as their decisions in betting on them.

More than half (51 percent) of those surveyed said that the top reason for them to invest in cryptocurrencies is its potential for higher returns on investment.

Forty-three percent, however, were hesitant because of their lack of information on the initial steps to get started. The research, likewise, revealed the level of awareness in accordance to sex, age and educational background, among other demographic profiles of the respondents from 17 regions in the country.

Per location, participants were from Region 1V A (15 percent), National Capital Region (12 percent) and Region III (12 percent), Region VI (7 percent), Region VII (7 percent), Region V (6 percent), Region XII (5 percent), Region X (5 percent), Region I (5 percent), Region XI (5 percent), Region IX (4 percent), Region VIII (4 percent), Mimaropa (3 percent), Region XIII (3 percent), Region II (3 percent), BARMM (3 percent) and CAR (2 percent).

Gender-wise, both sexes are quite close when it comes to their familiar-

ity of the digital currency, with 50.4 percent of them are women and 49.6 percent are men.

The youngest participants are between 18 to 24 years old (22 percent), with 41 percent of them having less than P1,000 investment in cryptos.

Other age groups with the same appetite were 25 to 34 years old at 28 percent; 35 to 44 years old, 25 percent; and 53 to 54 years old, 25 percent.

The most seniors aged 65 to 75 are the least acquainted with cryptocurrency at 3 percent, the survey showed. Surprisingly, though, investors in this age bracket put between P5,001 and P10,000 into their preferred crypto.

In terms of academic attainment, 58 percent of the respondents were college graduates; 20 percent, college undergraduates; 12 percent, high school completers; and, 5 percent, technical vocational certificate holders.

Meanwhile, those who joined the survey reaching high school level registered the lowest at 2 percent, but post-graduates presumed to have the high level of knowledge and investment appetite were only at 3 percent.

The religious affinity of the surveyed comprised Roman Catholics

(70 percent), Born Again Christians (12 percent), Muslims (4 percent) and Iglesia ni Kristo (4 percent). The remaining 7 percent belong to other religions, as 2 percent have professed no religious affiliation and 2 percent opted not to disclose their religious beliefs.

As regards to economic capacity, the sources of revenue for the participants are salaried employment (53 percent), followed by self-employment (23 percent), business ownership (14 percent) and commission or project-based work (12 percent).

David said Capstone-Intel uses innovative research technologies, tools and methods to turn data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs.

The responses are aggregated, without divulging the personal information of the participants.

“In this survey, respondents’ personal identifiable information was not collected. You might ask why.

This strategic decision effectively mitigated the risk of exposing respondents’ individual values in their responses. Additionally, this approach fosters a perception of trustworthiness and reverence towards the surveyed populace,” David said.

Taxes for nonprofits revert back to original rates

THE Bureau of of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced recently that starting July 1, 2023, persons subject to percentage tax under Section 116 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, will revert to 3 percent of their gross quarterly sales or receipts.

As provided in the said Section 116 of the NIRC, “any person whose sales or receipts are exempt under Section 109(CC) of this Code from the payment of value-added tax and who is not a

VAT-registered person shall pay a tax equivalent to 3 percent of his gross quarterly sales or receipts,” read the statement from the BIR.

It continued citing Section 116: “Provided, that cooperatives shall be exempt from the 3 percent gross receipts tax herein imposed: Provided, further, That effective July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023, the rate shall be one percent (1 percent).”

The provision on the adoption of the 1-percent Percentage Tax rate from

July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 has been promulgated in March 2021 under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) Law, or Republic Act (RA) 11534.

Non-VAT taxpayers are mandated to file the Percentage Tax return (BIR Form 2551Q) and pay the corresponding tax dues within 25 days after the end of each taxable quarter, according to the BIR.

Moreover, from July 1, 2023 onwards, the Minimum Corporate In-

come Tax (MCIT) will return to its previous rate of 2 percent, calculated based on the gross income at the end of the taxable year. The MCIT rate is applicable to domestic corporations or resident foreign corporations when the MCIT exceeds the regular corporate income tax of the company. The MCIT is imposed beginning the fourth taxable year immediately following the year in which said corporation begins its business operations, the BIR said.

WITH a slowdown in prices of food muting inflation, the solon behind tax laws expressed reluctance in supporting Finance officials’ proposals to impose new taxes on junk food and hike levies on sweetened beverages.

BSP CHIEFS Outgoing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla (left) hands over the reins of the central bank to Governor Eli M. Remolona in a ceremony held on July 3 at the BSP head office in Manila. The new BSP chief underscored policy continuity as he cited the sustained easing of inflation, a strong banking system and an increasingly digitalized and efficient payments and settlements system in the country. Remolona is the seventh head of the BSP since the enactment of The New Central Bank Act in 1993. He brings to the table his extensive international policymaking experience, having worked for 14 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and 19 years at the Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland and Hong Kong. PHOTO CREDIT: BangkO SEnTRal ng P lIP naS

Health& Fitness

Metro Pacific HealtH invests in its 21st HosPital

Metro Pacific Health Corporation (MPH) expanded its nationwide group of private hospitals with a 70.4 percent investment in Medical Center Imus (MCI). This marks MPH’s 21st hospital investment to date.

M c I , established by a group of 30 enterprising founders 21 years ago, is a 90-bed l e vel 2 hospital, readily expandable to 120 beds. It caters to the cities of Imus and Bacoor, with a combined population of a million, on the strength of a pool of 97 active specialists and 200 visiting doctors. It sits on more than a hectare of property, inclusive of about 6,000 sq m of vacant land currently

utilized for surface parking.

“This is our first hospital in the much-coveted c av ite Province which, due to industrialization and the influx of OFW families in the past decades, has grown to be the country’s 2nd most populated and 2nd densest province [next to c e bu and r i zal, respectively],” shared MPh President Augie Palisoc Jr.

“We see a lot of potential in this

hospital given that it is in the middle of a highly populated fertile market.

We are excited to apply MP h s group synergies to M c I a nd raise patient experience to new levels never before seen in c av ite, by strengthening management and investing in infrastructure improvements,” added incoming Deputy ce O D ra. Jo e i leen Suzanne r in gler-Pama.

MPh is the Philippines’ largest private hospital group with a nationwide network of now 21 hospitals, including Makati Medical c e nter, c a rdinal Santos Medical c e nter, Asian h o spital, Manila Doctors h o spital, Marikina Valley Medical c e nter, De l o s Santos Medical c e nter, Our l a dy of l o urdes h o spital, c ommonwealth ho spital, and the Jesus Delgado Memorial ho spital in the Ncr

In the provinces, the MP h group includes c e ntral l u zon Doctors h o spital

in Tarlac, Sacred h e art h o spital in Malolos, c a lamba Medical c e nter, l o s Banos Doctors ho spital, r i verside Medical c e nter in Bacolod, r a miro c o mmunity h o spital in Bohol, MJ Santos ho spital in Butuan, Davao Doctors h o spital, St e l izabeth h o spital in General Santos c ity, ho ward hu bbard ho spital in Polomolok, and West Metro Medical c e nter in Zamboanga.

In addition to hospitals, the MP h n etwork also includes 24 outpatient care centers, six provincial cancer radiotherapy centers, two allied healthcare colleges and one central laboratory.

Under the leadership of c h airman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Metro Pacific h e alth’s mission since 2007 has been to invest in transforming health care in the country, with the goal of allowing Filipinos access to quality and affordable treatments.

more Gen Zs putting premium on health, wellness through compounded drugs

By Rory Visco Contributor

The c o vid-19 pandemic not only changed the way people around the world viewed health and wellness, inter-personal relationships, modes of communication, even working environments; it also created fear, insecurity, and anxiety, mainly due to the extended lockdowns that produced a long-term effect on most people.

But a silver lining to this situation is that people had more time to look for better opportunities, new experiences. Many even made their isolation an opportune time to reflect, reassess and rediscover what they actually need and the essentials in life and not just want, to be more considerate, take time to analyze things further, prepare for the unexpected, and be more conscious of their surroundings and of other people, and their perception of health and wellness in relation to medicines and healthcare.

In a survey done in February 2022 by health website druggenius.com, it revealed that one in three millennials took interest in vitamins and supplements since the pandemic started, with immune health and multivitamins as their most preferred supplements.

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

IF there’s one good thing the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about, people have become more conscious of their well-being.

That’s what made leading e-commerce platform Lazada to mount its pioneering running event in the Philippines and the rest of its territories in Southeast Asia.

R unners, whether seasoned or beginners from across all walks of life, trooped to the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City in the wee hours of the morning of July 2, 2023.

They participated in various categories, such as the 21-kilometer (km), 10 km, 5 km and 1 km categories.

“It’s actually 11,000 plus runners [in total, who joined in] all of the races combined,” Lazada Philippines Head of Marketing Kitty Calderon told the B usiness M irror on the sidelines of the event. While the first two segments were catered to serious runners, the top executive noted that the 5 km was intended for the casual runners like a group of friends who usually just want to experience the fun of running with their peers.

“Then, we do have kids run also which is one kilometer. So it’s actually an event not just for runners, not just for friends, but also for families. It’s very inclusive,” she said.

“[That’s] what makes the Lazada Run so special aside from being a run mounted for the first time ever by an e-commerce platform in the country, is it also encourages families and friends to enjoy a morning of camaraderie and community,” added Lazada Philippines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Barrera.

r e latively, the survey also showed that the same number (one in three millennials) amped up their consumption of supplements and vitamins since March 2020. This proves that health and wellness became not only a top priority but also a major factor with regard to lifestyle changes.

e v en Generation Zs (Gen Zs) don’t want to be left behind on the issue of health and wellness as they became more receptive to discussing issues related to physical and mental health and are now more aware about issues on physical fitness. A recent report from management consulting firm Oliver Wyman even showed that Gen Zs are open to supporting health with new technologies.

Gen Zs’ interest in compounded drugs

ASID e from taking charge of their health, the future generation of Filipinos are also showing increasing interest in modern medications like compounded drugs, according to data provided by Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (API), an online compounding pharmacy in the country, in an interview with BusinessMirror.

The data showed that younger Filipinos are already into compounding medicine by the time they reach the age of 20, where the number of those

Health-buff consumers

WITH the launch of its new brand positioning dubbed “Add to Cart, Add to Life,” Lazada continued to find innovative ways to add value to consumers’ lives beyond its products online.

Because of the pandemic, we looked at the top growing topics and trends. We saw that it’s fitness and health,” Calderon bared.

S ince nobody in the e-commerce space has already done it, the company thought that it’s going to be relevant to stage and host an event that is connected to running because that is aligned to the passion of their customers.

“

It’s one way of us reaching out to our consumers who are really passionate about health and fitness, especially in the running community,” she explained. “So once they go out, go back to work or school, they want to look good, feel good and, of course, be the best versions of themselves.”

Rewarding experience

AS the gun shot started the race, attendees were treated to surprises all throughout the event.

The Lazada Run gave participants a one-ofa-kind experience with app-inspired rewards at the race village wherein attendees who ran faster and jumped higher through several boxes in the delivery dash took home some products and items.

During the race proper, there were also Checkout Checkpoints where runners earned vouchers by running through the checkpoints spread across the race route. To motivate them to keep running to the finish line, there were also Running Vouchers—pacers who wore hanging physical vouchers that were up for grabs.

“The vouchers and prizes they are also able to win along the way are an absolute bonus,”

taking this type of medicine grew 375 percent for only one year, or from 2021 to 2022. This year, the number grew further by 45 percent.

In terms of medicine category, weight management products registered high numbers in terms of usage for 2021 and 2022 with 51 percent, and already reached 55 percent until May 2023.

On the other hand, corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory medicines, also showed robust preference among Gen Zs, with usage reaching 88 percent in 2021, and 57 percent usage up to May of this year. Fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone are among the compounded medications offered by AIP under corticosteroids. Fludrocortisone works by helping the body maintain the balance of minerals and water while hydrocortisone calms down the body’s immune response to pain and itching and swelling.

Nutraceuticals is also one category where millennials saw tremendous health benefits. According to AIP’s data, prescriptions for 2023 is now at 65 percent from a low 39 percent in 2021 and continues to observe steady growth among the mid-20s to early 30s age bracket, with those in the 31 to 33-year-old age group as among the most prominent users.

said the CEO.

What’s more, surprise appearances from Lazada ambassadors Anne Curtis, Alden Richards, and Gabbi Garcia added fun and excitement to the participants. They led the morning warm-ups and joined the awarding of top finishers.

T here were also other popular showbiz personalities, social media influencers and beauty queens who graced the event. OPM band Mayonnaise closed out the show to the delight of attendees.

What’s next THE Philippines was the fourth Lazada territory in Southeast Asia to hold a national leg of the race.

“ We started in Vietnam. Then, we went to Indonesia. We just did Thailand last week. After Manila, we’ll go to Malaysia. And the final stop is in Singapore,” shared the head of marketing.

The top 10 km and 21 km finishers will be sent to join the regional finale race at the Marina Barrage, Singapore on July 23.

The 21 km top racers are Christine Hallasgo and Richard Salaño who won the female and male segments, with race times of 1:21:46 and 1:09:30, respectively. For the 10 km, April Rose Diaz and James Darrel Orduna lorded over their categories, with 0:42:00 and 0:31:37 time records, accordingly.

Apart from cash and trophy, they will also get an all-expense paid trip from Lazada to represent the Philippines in the culminating run in the Lion City.

The successful turnout of the event earned praises from luminaries who appeared at the awarding ceremony.

Allow me to congratulate and extend our

Growing awareness of the benefits of adding natural and organic products to daily diets.

With regards to the use of intravenous (IV) products, IV prescription recently gained traction among health enthusiasts. Usage was at a low 8 percent two years ago in 2021 but grew to 23 percent last year. There was a slight dip in IV drips this year but remained a relatively significant product in the 25 to 28 age group, but lower for those 30 years old and above.

As a compounding pharmacy, API offers a variety of compounded solutions by integrating vitamin and mineral supplements in millennials’ and Gen Zs’ diets and make small positive changes that in the long-term impact overall health. Its hu man c h orionic Gonadotropin ( h c G) solution, for example, helps protect beneficial lean muscle mass while burning undesirable fat that is best when it comes to weight management.

As the local pharmaceutical market continues to grow and adopt new innovations and technologies and with young Filipinos leading the charge in putting a premium on their health and wellness, AIP will position itself to be a constant provider of quality and personalized medicines that Filipinos can trust and rely on.

utmost pride and appreciation to the leading e-commerce platform not only in the Philippines, but also in the whole of Southeast Asia, Lazada. Your ingenuity and brilliance are truly highlighted in pioneering this momentous event,” said Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of host city Pasay.

Joining her were Congressman Howard Guintu, Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marge Gutierrez, Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, Department of the Tourism Chief Operating Officer Marga Nograles, Senator Grace Poe’s Chief of Staff Brian Poe Llamanzares, Taytay-Rizal Councilor Boknay Leonardo, and Tuguegarao Councilor Charo Soriano, who were recognized as Inspiring Young Filipinos.

In i ts first staging of one of the biggest fitness events in the country and the rest of the region, Lazada stayed true to its commitment of making the Lazada Run a space for consumers to gain a rewarding real life experience beyond the shopping they do on the Lazada app.

“We’re proud to have given Filipinos a running event that really stands out. These unique rewards and experiences throughout the Lazada Run were especially curated to make it enjoyable for participants to #AddFitnessToLife. As part of our commitment to providing a superior online shopping experience, we are happy to continue creating these events that not only cater to the needs of our customers, but also seamlessly merge shopping with social and entertainment,” Barrera said.

“We’re praying that everything goes well. Because it looks really successful, also for the other markets as well, we hope that we can do it every year,” Calderon added.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

doH to push for mass drug drive against neglected tropical diseases

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Department

The

e alth

of h

(DO h ) h as called on the public to support the mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis and soiltransmitted helminthiasis (ST h ) this July.

“By giving out these medicines to communities that are at risk, we hope to be able to reduce the chances of spreading this disease and reducing its incidence,” said h e alth Secretary Teodoro h e rbosa.

According to the World he alth Organization, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries which affect more than one billion people, costing developing economies billions of dollars every year.

They mainly affect populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock.

In the Philippines, these diseases include leprosy, rabies, schistosomiasis, filariasis, soiltransmitted helminthiasis, and food and water-borne diseases.

Filariasis

F I l A r I ASIS i s a parasitic infection of the lymph vessels. It is more commonly known as “elephantiasis,” which refers to the enlargement of the lower limbs due to the disease.

The DOh said that filariasis is caused by parasitic worms known as filarial nematodes (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori). These worms are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Signs and symptoms

M OST i nfected persons do not develop any symptoms but may still suffer from damage to the lymphatic system and the kidneys, and from an altered immune system.

Those who do get symptoms may experience pain and swelling of the breast, vagina, scrotum, legs, and arms; pain in the affected lymph nodes; fever; chills; cough, difficulty breathing and wheezing, although these rarely occur.

Prevention and control S IN ce f ilariasis is transmitted via mosquitoes, protection from mosquito bites is essential in preventing the disease. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when working in farms or areas where filariasis is endemic. Sleep under a mosquito net or use mosquito repellent.

STH ST h , o n the other hand, is caused by a different type of parasitic worms, the World h e alth Organization said.

They are transmitted by eggs present in human feces, which contaminate the soil in areas where sanitation is poor. Infected children are nutritionally and physically impaired.

For infected girls and women of reproductive age, blood loss exacerbates iron deficiency anemia and increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality and low birth weight.

c o ntrol is based on periodical deworming to eliminate infecting worms, health education to prevent re-infection, and improved sanitation to reduce soil contamination with infective eggs. Safe and effective medicines are available to control infection. Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide with an estimated 1.5 billion infected people or 24 percent of the world’s population.

These infections affect the poorest and most deprived communities with poor access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in tropical and subtropical areas, with the highest prevalence reported from sub-Saharan Africa, c h ina, South America and Asia.

BIR exemPTS 59 dRuGS FoR CanCeR, HyPeRTenSIon, HIGH CHoleSTeRol, dIaBeTeS, menTal IllneSS, TuBeRCuloSIS, KIdney dISeaSe FRom VaT

BU r e AU of Internal r e venue c om missioner r om eo

D. l u magui Jr. recently issued r e venue Memorandum

c i rcular 72-2023 exempting from VAT certain medicines for c a ncer, h y pertension, h i gh c h olesterol, Diabetes, Mental Illness, Tuberculosis and Kidney Disease. This is an update to the list of VAT -

e x empt Products under r e public

Act No. 10963 (T r A IN l a w) and

r e public Act No. 11534 (c reAT e Ac t).

“We have exempted from VAT a total of 59 medicines for c a n -

cer, h y pertension, h i gh c h olesterol, Diabetes, Mental Illness, Tuberculosis and Kidney Disease. This is a welcome addition to the list of VAT - e x empt Products,”c o mmissioner l u magui stated. e x cellent Taxpayers Service is one of the pillars of c o mmissioner l u magui’s administration. This includes the issuance of circulars that would make the lives of Filipinos financially easier. h e aims to make the BI r an agency that is not merely goal-oriented, but also service-oriented.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID COLLECTION AT MINISO

THERE’S no need to dive under the sea as the Princess of Atlantica takes her fun-tastic adventure to the land of Miniso.

The Japanese fashion brand Miniso teams up with Disney with its The Little Mermaid collection for every Little Mermaid fan. First shown in theaters in 1989, The Little Mermaid is an American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. This year, Walt Disney Pictures remakes the animated feature film into a live-action musical film version.

The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea. While visiting the surface, she falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life—and her father’s crown— in jeopardy. Miniso’s The Little Mermaid collection includes stationery like washi tapes, sticky notes, notebooks, coloring books, and art sets. Girls will love stylish accessories like necklace and bracelet kit, cosmetic organizers, pouches and more. There are also unique finds for the home like placemats, bento boxes, tumbler, water bottle, floor mat, and gel air freshener. The Disney’s The Little Mermaid collection is available at Miniso stores nationwide or via shop.minisoph.com.

Maximizing our children’s melting pot

children. Below are some of my positive takeaways from my own experience and from friends around the globe:

so kind as to find time to play basketball with him.

BY BARBARA O�TUTAY

The Associated Press

INSTAGRAM and Facebook’s parent company Meta is adding some new parental supervision tools and privacy features to its platforms as social media companies face increasing scrutiny over their effects on teen mental health.

But many of the features require minors—and their parents—to opt in, raising questions about how effective the measures are.

Instagram will now send a notice to teens after they block someone, encouraging them to let their parents “supervise” their account. The idea is to grab kids’ attention when they might be more open to parental guidance.

If a teen opts in, the system will let parents set time limits, see who their kid follows or is followed by, and allows them to track how much time the minor spends on Instagram. It does not let parents see message content.

Instagram launched parental supervision tools last year to help families navigate the platform, and find resources and guidance. A sticking point in the process is that kids need to sign up if they want parents to supervise their accounts. It’s not clear how many teen users have opted in and Meta has not disclosed any numbers.

IUSUALLY remember July 4 as Fil-American Friendship Day, because this was a school holiday when I was in grade school. At the time, the US was the aspirational culture that enveloped most of the youth’s dreams. From the music of Madonna to the proliferation of American restaurants, our childhoods were definitely formed in some way by American culture. Being at school and with the community, we were exposed to Filipino culture and language. At home, I was always reminded on the importance of Chinese heritage. I was obliged to speak our Fukien dialect at home, and was read Chinese fables by my Grand Aunt before bedtime.

It made me think of today’s children, and how the whole world has become “smaller.” As parents, I am sure a lot of us have been influenced by experiences from foreign friends, relatives overseas, and our travels. This also applies to the parenting resources and information we are exposed to, especially with the many online resources available. I guess you can say it is hard for us to be parenting purely within one cultural influence today. It makes me wonder how we are able to maximize this “melting pot” of influences both as parents as well as positively influencing our

By making the feature optional, Meta said it is trying to “balance teen safety and autonomy” as well as prompt conversations between parents and their children.

When families do opt in, supervision allows parents to see how many friends their child has in common with accounts the child follows or is followed by. If the child is followed by someone none of their friends follow, it could raise a red flag that the teen does not know the person in real life.

This, Meta says, “will help parents understand how well their teen knows these accounts, and help prompt offline conversations about those connections.”

Jim Steyer, the CEO and founder of Common Sense Media, called the news a “smoke screen.”

“None of these new features address the negative impact their business model is having on the well-being of kids, including their mental health. We need national privacy laws to protect kids,” Steyer said in a statement.

Meta is also adding parental supervision tools already available on Instagram and on virtual reality product to Messenger. The opt-in feature lets parents see how much time their child spends on the messaging service and information such as their contact lists and privacy settings—but not who they are chatting with.

■ Exposure to foreign languages early. In my most recent trip with my son, we met people from China, Mexico and Japan. My son saw the value that I could converse fluently in Mandarin, understand and speak basic Spanish, and engage in simple Japanese greetings. I have learned from my good Malaysian-Chinese friend how to effectively expose young children to various languages. My friend recommended having a language point person in the house, where one person speaks to your child only in that language.

■ Encourage early curiosity for different cultures. Through the years, I have tried to accomplish this through books, toys, travel, and a lot of “Did You Know” facts about other countries. There was a period when my reading ritual was this graphic Atlas with countries and facts. Later on, at around six my daughter became geared toward reading Almanacs. I found that a great use of screen time was letting my children watch videos of inventors or great people of different nationalities. There is a series adapted from a book series called Who Was?

■ Engage in meaningful conversations

‘cross-culturally.’ Travel has been a big part of my job. It was hard to be away from my family, but I also discovered how great it was to learn shared parenting tips from other cultures. From my Japanese friends, I learned the value of teaching respect, time consciousness, and consistency. From my Danish friends, I learned the value of respecting our child’s individuality and space. I also try to take the opportunity for my children to converse with different cultures whenever the opportunity presents itself. Recently, my son was able to spend time with my Japanese friends and their children. One was even

Such features can be useful for families in which parents are already involved in their child’s online life and activities.

Experts say that’s not the reality for many people.

Last month, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned that there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for children and teens and called on tech companies to take “immediate action to protect kids now.”

Murthy told The Associated Press that while he recognizes social media companies have taken some steps to make their platforms safer, those actions are not enough. For instance, while kids under 13 are technically banned from social media, many younger children access Instagram, TikTok, and other apps by lying about their age, either with or without their parents’ permission.

Murthy also said it’s unfair to expect parents to manage what their children do with rapidly evolving technology that “fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world—and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage,”

“We’re putting all of that on the shoulders of parents, which is just simply not fair,” Murthy said. His office didn’t respond to a request for comment on Meta’s latest actions.

■ Play globally. For my son, toys are his windows to the world. When we were in Italy, he started to collect all versions of Disney’s Cars Italian driver Francesco Bernouli when he was four. When he was six, it was Marvel Avengers’ Iron Man and Captain America. When he was seven, it was Yokai from Japan. Once my son likes a certain toy, I always use the toy to relate stories about the country’s culture. As a parent, I have also learned a lot from how different cultures learned through play. From my friends from Germany and Netherlands, I see the value of traditional toys and non-guided play.

■ Learning while traveling. It is still summer vacation for many. For two years, travelling ground to a halt because of Covid-19. But the results of the Spring 2023 Bébé Voyage Family Travel Survey are out and there is no doubt that family travel is stronger than ever. Of the 103 respondents, all with at least one child under the age of 18, a few things stood out. More than half have at least one child under the age of five, and are planning on traveling with them in the next 12 months. Although 82.5 percent of the respondents are from the US, I think this thirst for family travel is definitely seen even in the Philippines. Traveling is a great time to showcase that country, whether through culture, economy, or innovation. So amidst all the fun adventures like theme parks and zoos, I would try to inject a trip to either a Natural History or Science Museum. As my children got older, I also try to arrange guided tours about a country’s economy. In New York, we tried a walking tour of Wall Street.

Today, our children enjoy this myriad of cultures that may become both positive or negative influences to our children. I believe it is now part of a parent’s responsibility to guide our children effectively on how to maximize their “melting pot” toward building their own global futures ahead. ■

BRITISH Columbia Post Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS) Minister Selina Robinson visited Far Eastern University (FEU) to strengthen the collaboration between the British Columbia and Philippine educational sectors through promotion of international education and partnership that would benefit students and alumni of both regions.

Incoming FEU president Juan Miguel R. Montinola welcomed the Canadian delegation and expressed enthusiasm over the possible opportunities for FEU students and graduates this visit unlocked. “This opportunity opens doors for even greater faculty and student exchange, fostering development on both sides. We are excited to explore avenues for cooperation and to learn from other Canadian educational institutions about analytics, assessments, and innovative practices,” said Montinola.

Together with Robinson were deputy minister Bobbi Plecas, senior ministerial assistant Eric Peters, executive director for international education Randall Martin, and other representatives from the Embassy of Canada.

Meanwhile, FEU was also represented by senior vice president for academic affairs Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio and vice president for corporate affairs Rowena Capulong-Reyes.

Currently, FEU has two partners from the province of British Columbia, namely, the University of Victoria and Douglas College. FEU has a dual degree program for Business Management offering with the University of Victoria and has concluded a successful field school visit and faculty exchange program with Douglas College. All the partnership activities are with the Institute of Accounts Business and Finance.

Other FEU partner institutions in Canada include Niagara College Canada, Bay River College, Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University, and Algonquin College.

INCOMING FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola exchanges tokens of appreciation with B.C. Post Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson.

MARCUS with my friend Taku-san and his family and another friend Nishii-san playing basketball.

INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK ADDING MORE PARENTAL CONTROLS. CRITICS SAY THEY AREN’T ENOUGH

WALK comfortably in the beach and beyond in style with The Little Mermaid Flipflops.

KEEP your “gadgets and gizmos” in this Little Mermaid Small Cross Body Backpack with Ariel and Shell designs.

Foundever™ forms partnership to help ready youth for employability

Radenta Technologies gives all-out support to Team Subic Bay Multisport at IRONMAN 70.3

AS part of its corporate social responsibility thrust, Radenta Technologies, one of the country’s leading solutions integrators, gave its all-out support to Team Subic Bay Multisport, one of the teams that competed in the recent IRONMAN 70.3 Race held in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Radenta provided all the trisuits for the team’s 25 participants who showed off their skills in the 113.12-kilometer swim, bike, run challenge.

The Subic leg consisted of an ocean swim, biking on hilly slopes and running on rolling grounds with a 33°C average air temperature and 28°C average water temperature.

The 2023 IRONMAN Philippine Event sought to fill up 25 female age group qualifying slots to the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 14 and 50 Male Age Group Qualifying Slots to the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France on September 10.

At the end of the race, Radenta Business Development Officer Ron Christopher Lozano clocked at 6 hours, 33 minutes and 07 seconds placing 22nd out of 42 in the male 30 to 34 years old category; 122nd out of 250 in the male category and an overall 145th   place out of 305. These are impressive showings for a novice who only started his Iron Man journey in 2022.

FOUNDEVER™, a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry, recently joined hands with international non-profit humanitarian organization Children International Incorporated (CII) to equip and empower disadvantaged Philippine youth with necessary skills for employment.

Through the partnership, Foundever will provide language and career readiness training sessions to CII beneficiaries who are of hiring age to help them succeed in today’s rapidly evolving job market. The partnership officially launched last May 11 at CII’s central office in Quezon City. The program will be undertaken by the University and Community Partnership under the Language Academy at Foundever, the BPO giant’s

corporate social responsibility initiative on employability that provides language proficiency programs for learners and candidates enabling them to take the next steps in their professional journey in the BPO industry.

“More than just to give the youth a brighter future, the partnership aims to create a sustainable community by laying the groundwork for the next generation of leaders,” said Rowel Villalobos, Director for Talent Acquisition for Strategic People Programs.

“Our work with CII reflects our academy’s vision of making an impact in the world through employment. By partnering with education, government, and impact-sourcing organizations, we provide access to educational, financial,

and social resources around the globe. We create opportunities for individuals to join the industry and enjoy full-time careers.”

In February 2023, Foundever™ grabbed another opportunity to make education inclusive and accessible to every Filipino by raising 8,400 books via its Big MAX Book Drive for the Library Renewal Partnership, a non-profit organization that aims to provide communities with a safe space where people can come together to learn, find livelihood, and support those in need. The donated books, a mix of fiction and non-fiction covering a wide variety of topics, were set to benefit 100,000 learners in areas that include National Capital Region, Baguio, Naga and Puerto Princesa.

It’s Raining Deals and Discounts at Tivoli Royale Country Club

GET ready for a month of amazing deals and awesome surprises at Tivoli Royale Country Club, a premier club nestled in Quezon City, which presents an array of exciting activities for you to enjoy and make unforgettable memories.

Whether you want to unleash your inner athlete, enjoy some games with your friends, or sip on some delicious drinks, The Tivoli got you covered.

Here are some of the highlights of what’s in store for you:

Love My Honey Sports Package:

Discover Your Passion

DO you have a sporty side that’s waiting to be unleashed? Then you’ll love The Tivoli’s Love My Honey Sports Package, which gives you a chance to get a pack from Love My Honey when you sign up in July. Choose from five free sessions of any sport you like, each lasting for one hour, such as Karate, Taekwondo, Pickleball, Fencing, Volleyball, Golf, Archery, Yoga, Cheerleading, Zumba, Swimming, or Badminton. Just make sure to reserve your slot in advance and confirm with your coach. This offer is open to main members or their dependents, so don’t miss this opportunity to find your passion.

Pay Monthly Dues in Full and Save Big

WHY pay more when you can pay less?

If you pay your monthly dues in full, you’ll get a whopping P5,000 off your yearly fee. That’s a huge saving that will make your membership even more rewarding. Treat yourself to the best club experience ever and save money at the same time.

Game Center Fun: Defy Rainy Day Blues

DON’T let the rain dampen your spirits. Head over to The Tivoli’s Game Center and enjoy a day of laughter and fun with your friends. You can play darts, bowling, archery, billiards, and arcade games, and get 10 free tokens to use.

BACON Butty Sandwich with Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Plus, you’ll get to feast on a delicious cheese or Margherita pizza and four bottles of soda to quench your thirst. This is the ultimate play-and-dine package that will make you forget about the weather. Whether you’re a community member, a member, or a guest, you’re welcome to join the fun.

Campari Duo: Celebrate Life’s Vibrant Moments

NOTHING says celebration like a glass of Campari. That’s why The Tivoli created the Campari Duo, two exquisite cocktails that will make your nights more special. Try the Campari Spritz and Campari Cola, two drinks that balance bittersweet flavors with finesse. Savor the rich and deep taste of Campari that will delight your palate. This is the perfect duo to toast to life’s vibrant moments.

Honey-Lemongrass Tonic: Unwind and Rejuvenate with Nature’s Nectar NEED a break from the hustle and bustle? Then treat yourself to The Tivoli’s Honey-Lemongrass Tonic, a warm drink that will soothe your body and mind. Enjoy the refreshing blend of lemongrass and ginger, sweetened by Love My Honey. This drink is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that will boost your health and wellness. Let this wonderful tea be your go-to drink for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pitter Patter Platter in Partnership with Love My Honey: A Symphony of Flavors NOTHING beats a warm and hearty meal on a rainy day. That’s why The Tivoli created the Pitter Patter Platter, a feast of comfort and coziness that will make you feel good. You’ll get to enjoy three different dishes, each one paired with a delicious soup that has a touch of sweetness from Love My Honey. Sink your teeth into a Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough, and dip it into a Homemade Fresh Tomato Soup. Savor the Egg and Mushroom Toast with a creamy Wild Mushroom Soup. And indulge in the Bacon Butty Sandwich with Roasted Pumpkin Soup, a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This is the ultimate rainyday food special that will make you smile.

Upsize Your Day

IF you’re in the mood for something refreshing and fruity, then you’ll love their green apple fruit tea. For a limited time, you can get a large size for the price of a medium one. For more information and to sign up, visit the website at tivoliroyalecountryclub.com or call 0917 708 1445. Don’t forget to follow The Tivoli Royale Country Club on Facebook and Instagram for updates and promotions.

“I am so happy for the very good showing of Team Subic Multisport,” Lozano commented. “I am immensely proud that two of our members made it into the Ironman 70.3 World Championship 2023 qualifier in Lahti, Finland scheduled in August 26 and 27 this

RADENTA Business Development Officer

Ron Christopher Lozano

year. Congratulations to Benjamin Villagracia who finished 3rd in the 60 to 64 age group and Guz dela Rosa who got 11th place in the 35to 39 age group.”

“Of course, I am most grateful for Radenta for seeing potential talent outside of work. The tech industry employs a lot of young men and women, and it is commendable that Radenta believes that happy employees bring more to the table and that makes our company more productive and in tune with the times.”

To those who want a career in technology and those who want to know more about Radenta, call 0999-227 or email  info@ radenta.com.

“TARA, PASYAL NA.”

A local tourism initiative of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and Department of Tourism, “Tara, Pasyal Na” recently kicked off its second leg at Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill. The follow-up to the successful Eastwood City leg earlier this year ran until July 2, 2023 in the popular Megaworld Lifestyle Mall property which features the picturesque recreation of the Venice Grand Canal. Forty small-medium enterprises (SMEs) were in attendance and featured Laguna’s best delicacies, arts and crafts, and local wear, boasting of the province’s culture and traditions for the entire weekend. The launch was attended by government officials from Laguna, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Laguna, and McKinley Hill executives such as, from left to right, Fatima Eleonor Villaseñor, Provincial Government of Laguna LEDIPO (Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer) Designate; DTI’s OIC Assistant Regional Directors Revelyn Cortez and Marissa Argente; Ana Carolina Sanchez, chief of staff from the DTI Office of the Secretary; Venice Grand Canal mall head Walther Lee; Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, DTI Regional Operations Group; Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut, DTI Regional Operations Group; Assistant Secretary Dominic Tolentino, DTI Regional Operations Group.

After 29 years, Power Mac Center at SM Mall of Asia is now an ‘Apple Premium Partner Store’

have an in-house service team for convenient premium repair services. This aims to give customers the complete Apple experience and empower users with knowledge and skills needed to maximize their full potential.

The Power Mac Center SM MOA Apple Premium Partner store will be offering instore group demos daily at the selling area absolutely free for everyone. Among the themes to cover are:

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ALMOST 29 years since it first opened shop in the country, Power Mac Center (PMC) keeps hitting milestone after milestone in its mission to bridge Apple technology to Filipino fans. PMC opened June 30, 2023 another Apple Premium Partner (APP) store, revamping its branch in the biggest mall in the country—SM Mall of Asia.

This is the first-ever APP store in any SM mall in the country, the start of many other APP stores in SM malls. The newly upgraded branch at the 2/F SM Cyberzone is expected to deliver an extraordinary shopping experience to loyal customers and Apple fans in the metro.

Power Mac Center is the first—and remains to be the only—official Apple Premium Reseller in the Philippines authorized to open APP stores. Over the decades, it has grown to be the go-to store of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the country for everything Apple.

“Apple Premium Partner” is Apple’s newest and highest distinction of reseller retail stores globally. APP stores carry a minimalist, modern, and contemporary design in line with Apple’s premium aesthetic.

Like others with the same distinction, PMC’s APP stores offer a comprehensive line of Apple devices and accessories; host daily group demos on various topics for free; and

How to create a more personalized experience and capture beautiful memories with an iPhone Apple Watch as companion to your iPhone

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Visit the store to be updated on schedules and future topics.

“Close to three decades in this business, and Power Mac Center is still as driven to evolve consumers’ premium shopping experiences with our brand. These back-toback Apple Premium Partner store openings allow us to reciprocate the overwhelming support from customers all these years. We’re looking forward to doing more and giving more for this very passionate community of Filipino Apple fan,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management and Marketing “SM Mall of Asia is the biggest mall in the country, so having an Apple Premium Partner presence in this location is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all that we can. Everything you need for your digital lifestyle and everything we have established until this point, we are proud to offer in this one-stop shop. We’re ready to welcome all you creatives, educators, tech-lovers, and gift-hunters out there,” added Anna Cabanos, PMC Director for Sales

IN the photo are, from left, Children International employment program coordinator Joseph Jerome N. Sibunga, sponsorship relations manager Michelle P. Baldemoro, operations manager James Arthue E. Doctor, agency director Reiza S. Dejito with Foundever director of talent acquisition for strategic people program Rowell Villalobos, Children International program manager Ryan Josef G. Calauor, community center coordinator Rochell M. Cabillo, and Foundever’s university manager of university and community partnership Anthony Fernandez.

Asean, African states assemble in advancing digital economies

By Roderick L. Abad

T he pact’s historic signing at the seminal inclusive Fintech Forum in Kigali, Rwanda also marked the start of an alliance between the two regions in advocacy, payments, lending, start-up development, regulatory exchange and education.

T he partnership brings together member-states through the Global Impact Fintech (GIFT)-Asean, the One Asean Fintech Movement (OAFM) and Digital Pilipinas with those of Pan Africa via the Africa Fintech Network (AFN).

R egulators, group leaders as well as top fintech and technology firms in both areas witnessed the pact’s formalization. For Asean, they were Sopnendu Mohanty of Monetary Authority of Singapore; Prof. David Lee, cofounder and chairm an of Global Fintech Institute (GFI); Ouk Sarat, National Bank of Cambodia’s Payment Service Department head; Remi Pell, chair of

Cambodia Fintech Association; and Amor Maclang of Digital Pilipinas, Philippine Fintech Association and GIFT/OAFM.

A frican observers included Dr. Patrick Saidu Conteh, AFN CEO; Dr. Segun Aina, president of Premier Oiwoh and managing director and CEO of NIBSS/Nigeria; and AFN’s various officers.

Africa and Asean are uniquely placed to leapfrog digital economic development,” Dr. Conteh said of the bright prospects for both. The bloc is expected to grow exponentially by 6 percent annually, reach as high as $1 trillion by 2030 and for the continent, it is projected to top $712 billion by 2050.

According to him, this milestone “is a demonstration of the strong emerging partnership among the major digital finance stakeholders in the spirit of sharing innovative technologies, knowledge and best

practices to support the sustainable development of our countries.”

P rof. Lee noted that, with the launch of the Chartered Fintech Professional (CFtP) qualification program including Digital Pilipinas and AFN, GFI is committed to anchor on their tie-up to empower and rear future generations of fintech talents in Asean and Africa with a global mindset, a rigorous knowledge framework to keep up with industry development and trends, as well as strong ethical standards.

“ This is just a humble beginning… leveraging on the inputs from our partners, we will roll-out even more programs such as ‘CFtP Lite’ and

PHL, India formalize MOU on fintech collaboration

other digital-literacy programs to empower policymakers, practitioners and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Maclang said both regions’ journey in the digital economy are almost aligned: “Our commitment to take this side-by-side with our African fintech leaders ensures that engaging and investing in the combined population of 2 billion as a fintech market will be a primary agenda of many companies, countries and organizations.”

T he collaborative effort paves the way for the first-ever “Africa X Asean Digital Economies and Fintech Month,” which will be slated from October 2 to 6, 2023 in Manila and Nairobi, Kenya.

NZ commits ₧103M to Unicef Phils. for Caraga’s Covid response-Phase 2

NEW ZEALAND has announced its continued partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Phils. through a P103-million (NZ$3-million) grant, further bolstering their commitment to the Caraga Region.

The grant brings Aotearoa New Zealand’s total contribution to P189 million (NZ$5.5 million), and will support Phase Two of the Philippines’s Covid-19 response focusing on scaling-up climate-resilient and sustainable water-infrastructure and nutrition-service delivery. The signing ceremony took place on June 26 at the Unicef Phils. Country Office in Mandaluyong City.

The Phase Two initiative aims to enhance health outcomes for vulnerable communities residing in Caraga’s coastal areas. By improving climate-resilient and sustainable water infrastructure as well as nutrition-service delivery, the project will address critical needs and contribute to the overall well-being

of the region’s population.

The grant will enable Unicef Phils. to achieve the following objectives: Climate-resilient WASH services: The project will provide climateresilient water, sanitation and hy-

giene (WASH) services to 89,051 new beneficiaries for women, men, girls and boys. The focus will be on poor households and indigenous people in Surigao and Dinagat provinces who lack access to toilets due to ex-

isting vulnerabilities. It will also offer flexible options for toilet design, accommodating households outside the equity-based criteria.

Nutrition services: The initiative will deliver nutrition services to 70,000 girls and boys from poor households and indigenous peoples in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. It will also address severe wasting in 420 children annually.

New Zealand and Unicef Phils., according to the former’s embassy, are bound to working as one in addressing hurdles faced by Caraga’s vulnerable communities.

“Addressing climate-resilient and sustainable-water infrastructure, [as well as] nutrition service delivery gaps, are ways that the New Zealand International Development Cooperation is focusing on caring for people,” Kell confirmed. “This funding demonstrates [our country’s commitment in] improving access to life-saving tools, so that children and families can protect themselves.”

USAID official awards ₧65M in renewable-energy grants

ON June 16 United States

Agency for International Development’s (USAID) assistant administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer awarded more than P65 million ($1.16 million) in grants to support energy security and conservation in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela as part of his Philippine visit.

USAID’s Filipino partners TriSky Inc. and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation are the recipient organizations.

Set under USAID’s P1.6 billion ($34 million) “Energy Secure Philippines” program, the grants will support local energy planning and renewable-energy technologies installation such as solar roofing and nano-generators in the province. With greater energy access, Cagayan and Isabela’s remote com-

munities can better prepare for and recover from natural disasters, according to the US Embassy. Areas surrounding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or Edca in Lal-lo and Santa Ana, the embassy said, will also benefit from the grants.

“USAID understands that energy is the foundation for systems such as banking, telecommunica-

tions, digital platforms, health, education and transport, among other services,” Schiffer said. “We look forward to partnering with the Philippines [in providing greater access to sustainable energy in remote communities, thereby] increasing prosperity for families across the country.”

Linking with Mabuwaya Foundation and Agta Indigenous Peoples group at Sitio Golden Valley in Barangay San Mariano, the aid agency also launched the “From Ridge to River” project. Through such, USAID will work with local communities, partners and government officials in conserving forests in northern Sierra Madre.

“This launch is an important step toward preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the region, and we are proud to

THE Philippines and India will soon partner on financial technology (fintech), innovative technologies, digital governance, payment linkages and related areas.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government of India’s Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Department of Finance on Financial Technology, as well as the Department of Finance (DOF), was signed by Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran and Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.

The MOU envisions the constitution of a joint working group (JWG) cochaired at the undersecretary level from both countries’ ministries of Finance, comprising senior representatives from foreign and Internet-technology ministries, central banks, financial sector-regulatory institutions and allied agencies as members.

The JWG would identify concrete measures for partnership in innovative technologies, fintech industry, digital governance, payment linkages, creation of interoperable application programming interfaces or APIs, financial inclusion and similar sectors.

Kumaran noted that during their teleconference last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. identified their countries’ partnership in the digital economy, particularly in the financial sector, as a priority area for bilateral engagement.

The envoy said the MOU would enable building such a collaboration by providing an institutional framework for cooperation on three key areas: digitalization of payments, direct-benefit transfer using national identification (ID), and financial inclusion.

He hoped the MOU will connect India’s thriving financial sector ecosystem, which has recently made impressive strides, with that in the Philippines, where the sector is growing rapidly.

The India experience

IN India, he pointed out, digital payments have witnessed exponential growth, with the flagship Unified

Payment Interface emerging as the primary driver toward a cashless economy. The memorandum, he said, would enable the Philippines to adopt the best practices from India. For his part, Diokno noted that the Marcos Jr. administration has placed a premium on digital transformation. The MOU, he stated, is a milestone that opens boundless opportunities for cooperation, as India is a rising economic powerhouse, with a forte in digital technologies, while the Philippines hosts a young and tech-savvy talent pool that can yield successful intellectual capital in the digital economy.

The secretary explained that intergovernmental engagement under the memorandum will promote cooperation between the fintech industries in India and Philippines. It includes development of fintech solutions across business and financial sectors, creation of interoperable standards for API to strengthen digital governance, promotion of digital signatures across borders, and mainstreaming digital fund-transfer platforms, among others.

One focus area under the MOU, both officials noted, is promoting financial inclusion to address the digital divide.

In this context, the ambassador pointed to the significant progress in India in terms of the “India Stack” Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) based on the foundational Aadhar ID system, then added that the Philippines has based its own national ID on the Indian modular open-source identity platform or MOSIP, which would enable similar initiatives to be successfully implemented by the Philippines.

India, according to its embassy, has signed similar MOUs with Singapore and the United Kingdom on fintech cooperation.

For the Indian Embassy, the MOU signing—following on the February 2023 pact on Indian Quick-Impact Projects—“underlines the rapid scaling up of India-Philippines economic engagement focused on [efforts boosting the developmental partnership between the Indo-Pacific Region’s] two vibrant democracies.”

be part of it,” said Schiffer.

During his time in the Philippines from June 15 to 18, the USAID official also spoke at the Asian Development Bank’s annual Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila, then visited a USAID-supported drug-rehabilitation program in Mandaluyong City.

Additionally, he traveled to Palawan, where he toured the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; visited a waste collection and sorting site; sat with civil society organizations to discuss concerns over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone; and visited the BRP Teresa Magbanua to learn about the Philippine Coast Guard’s protection of marine resources in Philippine waters.

ON June 22 and 23 the Embassy of Japan’s first secretary and agriculture attaché

Jumpei Tachikawa attended the launch of the centralized materials recovery facility and smart waste-management system in Legazpi City, Albay under the “Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative (HOCCI).”

The projects seek to reduce the various problems caused by marine litter that endangers the environment, marine ecosystems, and public health.

According to the embassy, managing marine litter is a global issue also affecting the Philippines. While the country has among the highest trashcollection rates in Southeast Asia, it remains the world’s third-largest source of marine refuse.

Japan has contributed $3 million to United Nations-Habitat Philippines for HOCCI’s implementation which is

piloted in six cities: Cagayan De Oro, Calapan, Davao, Legazpi, Manila and Ormoc.

The initiative, the embassy said, aims to reduce marine plastic litter by strengthening the institutional capacity supporting the operationalization and localization of the Philippines’s “National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter,” as well as the development of an improved data collection and waste-management system.

SOUTHEAST Asian and African nations have agreed to further digital economies focusing on financial technology (fintech), decentralized assets and fundraising.

FINTECH industry leaders and ecosystem enablers from Africa and Southeast Asia discuss opportunities promoting digital economies in both regions.

ASSISTANT Administrator Michael Schiffer meets chieftain Robert Antonio.

SECRETARY Benjamin Diokno (left) and Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran EMBASSY OF INDIA

TACHIKAWA (left) and Legazpi City LGU officials EMBASSY OF JAPAN

UNICEF Phils.’ representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov and Ambassador Peter Kell

B8 Thursday, July 6, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

CRASH Norways’s Torstein Traeen crashes as the pack sprints to the finish during the fourth stage of the Tour de France that started in Dax and finished in Nogaro, France, Tuesday. Belgian Jasper Philipsen the mass sprint for a second straight stage victory, while Adam Yates keeps the race leader’s yellow jersey heading into the Pyrenees mountains. AP

Arcilla, Olivarez on collision course in Marawi netfest

TOP seed Johnny Arcilla and Eric Jed Olivarez racked up three straight victories each to roll into the semifinal round and on course for another title showdown in the Marawi Open Tennis Championships at the Mindanao State University courts in Lanao del Sur on Wednesday.

The many-time Philippine Colombian Association Open champion Arcilla continued to flash top form and incredible strength and stamina as the 43-year-old multi-titled campaigner eased past Keyan Sarip, 6-1, 6-1 in the second round then ripped Francisco Santos, 6-0, 6-1, and Jeleardo Amazona, 6-4, 6-1, to set up a semifinal duel with Dave Mosqueda.

R anked No. 16 in the 64-player field, Mosqueda also drew a first round bye, trounced Vicente Peralta Jr., 6-1, 6-0, stunned fourth-ranked Eric Jay Tangub, 6-0, 6-1, then halted No. 11 Heinz Carbonilla, 6-1, 6-4, to earn a shot at a finals berth in the Group A tournament sponsored by Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Raki-In Adiong, the man at the helm of the host province’s youth development programs.

The second-ranked Olivarez, on the other hand, stepped up his drive for another crack at the crown after yielding to Arcilla, 3-6, 1-6, in the Lanao del Norte Open finals last week. He blasted Shalimar Aba-Conding, 6-1, 6-0; clobbered Rayyan Macaraob, 6-3, 6-0; and shut out Jude Ceniza, 6-0, 6-0. But Olivarez will have his hands full against No. 3 Nilo Ledama in the semis as the latter likewise firmed up his own drive with a 7-5, 6-1 win over top junior Brice Baisa, before bundling out John Sonsona, 6-2, 7-5, and turning back No. 7 John David Velez, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the event also staged as part of Lanao del Sur’s 64th founding anniversary celebrations.

I n junior play, Zamboanga, Sibugay’s Mark Palanas shocked top seed Vince Serna, 6-4, 7-6(7), while the second-ranked Baisa from Puerto Princesa dominated Aljun Tizon, 6-1, 6-0, to cruise into the semis of the 18-and-under side of the 10-day tournament serving as part of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

DUTCHMEN BEAT CANADIANS

THE Netherlands shored up its playoff aspirations by scoring a crucial 2522, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18 win over Canada in Day 2 the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s tournament Week 3 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Save for a third-set stumble, the Dutch were on target in finishing off the Canadians in only one hour and 37 minutes to strengthen their hold of the coveted No. 8 spot with a 5-4 win-loss record.

The win, behind the heroics of skipper Nimir Abdel-Aziz, was a shot in the arm for the Netherlands in a tightrope race with reigning France, which interestingly lags behind at No. 9 with a 4-5 card.

O nly the top eight squads from the 16-team VNL—organized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Volleyball World with Ganten, Gerflor, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh and Stake.com as global

Olympic medalist Sanchez focuses on Hangzhou Asiad—Tolentino

KAYLA SANCHEZ is skipping the world aquatics championships set to open in eight days in Fukuoka to concentrate on her campaign in the Hangzhou 20th Asian Games as a full-fledged Filipino athlete, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Sanchez, 22, owns one Olympic silver and three world championships gold medals while swimming for Canada. She reverted to competing for her native Philippines last year.

Tolentino said on Wednesday that Sanchez, upon the advice of her coach, decided to focus on the Hangzhou Asian Games in September and no longer on the world championships set to start July 14 in Fukuoka, Japan.

I have met with my coach, and we have decided it is best for me not to compete in Fukuoka,” Sanchez told Tolentino.

“This means I can be focused to medal in the Asian Games in September.”

I have a very intense competition schedule after Asian Games with another world championships and the

THE Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) furthered its commitment to uplifting the esports industry in the country by opening its new headquarters at the LaunchPad in Mandaluyong City. Jane Basas, president and CEO of MediaGuest Holdings, raised the curtains on PeSO’s new headquarters at the TV5 Media Center on Tuesday afternoon.

“Opening a state-of-the-art esports office for PeSO marks a significant milestone in the growth and recognition of esports in our country,” said Basas, who is also a board member of the federation. “It signifies our commitment to cultivating and nurturing a thriving esports ecosystem.”

The facility features a “Championship Wall” which pays tribute to Filipino esports athletes who won medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

The headquarters also has a meeting room equipped with state-of-the-art gaming laptops and peripherals. Smart has been the leading supporter of esports in the Philippines and has backed the SIBOL national team since its inception in 2019.

A s the Philippine esports scene continues to gain momentum, Basas believes that the opening of this cuttingedge facility signifies a bright future for the industry.

Olympics,” she added.

Tolentino said he trusts Sanchez and her coach’s decision on competing in Hangzhou. “

Kayla’s a veteran swimmer, even at only 22, and she and her coach know what’s best,” Tolentino said.

Sanchez said she would want to wait for the full confirmation from World Aquatics on her eligibility to compete for the Philippines after having represented Canada earlier in her career, including at the Tokyo Olympics where she was part of Canada’s silver medal-winning 4x100 meters freestyle relay team.

Before I withdraw from the competition I think we should wait until World Aquatics approves my transfer,” she said. “At least then we know that I am 100 percent cleared to race for the Philippines in the Asian Games.”

Sanchez needed to complete a year’s residency in the country to complete her transfer. She thanked Tolentino for facilitating her transfer.

sponsors—march on to the final round from July 19 to 24 in Poland.

It’s really important. We know it’s really close in the battle for the 7th and 8th place so we needed this win to keep our hopes of qualifying to the finals,” said Abdel-Aziz, who sizzled with 24 points on 22 attacks and two aces.

A bdel-Aziz’s outburst included three straight points in the pivotal second set, where the world No. 10 Netherlands after a narrow 25-22 win in the opening set dropped a 4-0 finishing kick to snatch a 25-22 win and post a massive 2-0 lead.

Jorna Gjis added 12 points and Maarten Van Garderen chipped in 11 with Wessel Keemink facilitating the Dutch’s fiery offense behind 18 sets.

C anada, behind Ryan Joseph Sclater, woke up in the third set ignited by a 17-7 start to extend the match only for Abdel-Aziz to bring the Netherlands home in the fourth set. Teaming up with Garderen this time, the 6-foot-7 Abdel-Aziz fired

two straight kills while Garderen took his turn by launching three aces in a row for a hot 5-1 Netherlands start. The Dutch never looked back for a massive win ahead of another important duel against powerhouse Brazil (6-3) on Thursday in the final preliminary leg of the VNL that also has PLDT, Rebisco, Akari and the PSC as major sponsors.

Sclater rifled in 20 points but Canada, world No. 15, still absorbed its seventh loss in nine matches to stay at 14th place in the VNL Philippine leg also backed by support from Fitbar, Instax Fujifilm, Fitness First, Pasay City, Taguig City, Diamond Hotel, Maynilad, Peugeot, SM MOA Arena, The Look and The Moment Group with Cignal, Inquirer Group, RMN, DOOH, One Sports, One Sports+ and Mega Mobile as media partners.

C anada’s next foe on the same day is Italy (6-3), which will ride on a stunning 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 win over Brazil in the opener.

8-man Lithuania bears flaws in Gilas chemistry

By Josef Ramos

LITHUANIA played four-man short but still gave Gilas Pilipinas a 90-80 beating for the national men’s team’s third loss while in training camp on Tuesday in Kaunas.

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee was the top man with 20 points for Gilas Pilipinas, which also lost to Estonia, 80-71, and Finland, 89-85, earlier in the training camp intended to polished the team’s chemistry for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 2023 World Cup the country is lead cohosting in August.

B rownlee also had seven rebounds while forward Jamie Malonzo made 14 points and June Mar Fajardo had 13 points but only pulled down three rebounds.

Offense was not the problem in this game, but our defense,” head coach Chot Reyes said. “And we are going to have a game like this, where we can score well but we cannot stop the opposing team.”

K iefer Ravena added 10 points for Gilas, which posted two victories—84-74 and 70-60—only over Ukraine’s under-20 teams last week.

The team’s other naturalized player, Ange Kouame, caught up with Gilas in Kaunas and had four points. He arrived late for the camp as he had to attend to his graduation at Ateneo where he took up Interdisciplinary Studies.

We have to find that balance where we can score and defend,” Reyes said. “This was all part of the process.”

R eyes said he played five shooters for him to see how Fajardo could defend the ball screen.

Tomas Zdanavicius and Vytautas Bratislava finished with 25 and 19 points, respectively, for Lithuania.

D wight Ramos played for only three minutes and didn’t score while Scottie Thompson sat out the game because of back spasm and big man AJ Edu because of an ankle injury.

The Lithuanians dominated the boards, 46-39.

R eyes said the European sortie is to determine the team’s strength and weaknesses through several friendly games and scrimmages.

T he team returns to Manila on Monday.

The World Cup is set August 25 to September 10 with the Philippines bracketed with the Dominican Republic, Angola and Italy in Pool A.

LANAO DEL NORTE’S Satar

Salem packed up his gear and headed to Bohol armed and ready for another shot at the overall championship in the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon set Sunday at the Bellevue Resort on Panglao Island.

Salem has target on back in Bohol 5150 in Panglao

lifestyle among Filipinos.

The Bohol event also serves as the first of three 5150 races for the next three months organized by The Ironman Group/Sunrise Events Inc.

COSTA Rican Mariano “The Hitman” Jones sent veteran Caloy Baduria into retirement with a convincing 42-second victory via submission on Tuesday in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) 86 at the Palace in Xylo BGC in Taguig City.  Jones, who turns 27 on Friday, was aggressive from the start and parried all

punches thrown by the 43-year-old Baduria. He then took down his retirement-bound opponent and applied the Americana or keylock submission to win right in the first round.

I wish Caloy the best in retirement and I like the guy, but they call me ‘The Hitman’ for a reason,” Jones said. “I have no emotion in the cage. I hope to get a title shot in my next fight.”

The undefeated fighter known for his wrestling and great striking moves improved to 3-0 won-lost. He retired one of the best Filipino strikers, Arvin Chan, in URCC 84 last April also via submission.

U RCC president Alvin Aguilar and co-owner vice president and general manager Aleks Sofronov praised all the fighters and grapplers who participated in the promotion’s 86th edition sponsored by online casino Atlantis.  The card was also supported by Angkas and Lucas Lepri BJJ.  Inquiries about future events are available at www.urcc.online or download the official URCC app https://apps.wix.com/ place-invites/join-lp/b4e05b90-55a0-40a88fac17ccf4a2c074?ref=pre_banner_top.

L ike in last year’s edition which marked the return of the sport in full blast after the pandemic, the TRI SND Barracuda team spearhead braces for another feisty battle with a slew of rivals out to foil his back-toback title bid and eager to fuel their respective drive in the 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run race.

A lthough he missed the podium because of a minor lapse in the bike stage in the Alveo Ironman 70.3 in Davao City last March, Salem helped steer TRI SND Barracuda to the team championship that netted them the Tribu Maisugon title.

But the 27-year-old campaigner is all primed for a repeat in the blue-ribbon race set over an Olympicstyle setup and put up by Sun Life Philippines in its continuing effort to help promote an active, healthy

T he sport will make a homecoming of sorts in the Bicol region after 12 years for the CamSur 5150 on August 6 while Dapitan City is pulling out all the stops to guarantee a successful hosting of a first-ever 5150 in Zamboanga del Norte on September 10.

For the second straight year, the Bohol 5150 is staged as part of the Sandugo Festival celebrations, a project of the Province of Bohol under Governor Aris Aumentado.

Fierce duels are also seen in various age-group categories, from 15-19 to 65-69, both in the men’s and women’s sides.

Held side-by-side with Bohol 5150 is the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, a 750-meter open water swim, 20km bike ride and a 5-km run race for beginners and those making a comeback to the sport or wanting to reach the Ironman level someday.

‘The Hitman’ retires veteran foe with ease

PeSO inaugurates new HQ at TV5’s LaunchPad

MARIANO JONES talks with Caloy Baduria as a gesture of sportsmanship.

THE Netherlands’ Nimir Abdel-Aziz tries to break the Canadian defense of Danny Demyanenko and Luke Herr. ROY DOMINGO

SALEM