BusinessMirror July 13, 2023

KANTAR, a major global data analytics company, said 7 out of 10 Filipinos are more concerned with the rising grocery prices compared with experiencing another pandemic.

“Now, when we asked our respondents what concerns them most, on top of the list and on top of their minds would be rising grocery prices. So if you look at it, it’s actually besting. ey’re even more scared of the rising prices over another pandemic crisis,” Laurice Obana, Consumer and Shopper Insight Director at the Worldpanel Division of Kantar in the Philippines said.

e Shopperscope 2023 report,

which studied the fi nancial state and concerns of 2,000 Filipino households in relation to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) purchases, reported that next to the rising grocery prices, 50 percent of Filipinos are wary of experiencing another pandemic.

Meanwhile, 39 percent of the surveyed households expressed concern over the impact of climate change; potential fuel shortages, 34 percent; physical health of self and others, with 30 percent; future fi nancial security, 30 percent; mental health of self and others, 30 percent; political confl ict with other countries, 28 percent.

In particular, Kantar said in its statement that when choosing where to buy FMCG products, those

who participated in Shopperscope 2023 expressed the “continued importance” of value and convenience during infl ationary times.

Obana stressed that when it comes to value, Filipinos put more emphasis on price and affordability in 2023 compared to last year.

e report illustrated the change in the behavior of Filipino shoppers when it comes to purchasing FMCG products. In 2022, the study noted that Filipinos only give importance to the “overall value for money,” while in 2023, it said Filipino consumers give importance to “not just value but price.”

In particular, the respondents divulged the factors that they consider when buying FMCG products when considering the value of a

RECOGNIZING the government’s efforts to address human rights violations concerns, the European Union (EU) is expected to soon extend the country’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) by another four years.

PASCUAL: “There is pressure for them [when it comes to the extension] since it can leave their partner countries, which are exporting products to them, hanging if they will do nothing.” B A E. S J

“ ey just have very specific concerns that we were able to address and they were happy about it,” DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said during a press briefi ng in Malacañang on Wednesday.

“ ey have seen progress. It’s not as if nothing has happened to address the issues that they are concerned with,” he added.

Some European Union lawmakers expressed deep concern on the casualties of the government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs, which led to the death of at least 6,000 people.

Pascual made the pronouncement after he announced last week that the European Commission is now inclined to extend the validity of the existing GSP Regulation until December 31, 2027.

“Based on our discussion and also confi rmed by their published

INVESTING in lifelong learning and job creation, among others, are necessary to maximize the country’s demographic dividend, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

In a statement on Wednesday, Neda reported that during a high-level meeting on July 11 for this year’s World Population Day (WPD), Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon discussed how stakeholders can contribute to maximizing the Philippines’s demographic dividend.

To align national and local development plans with the ongoing demographic transition, Edillon said the Neda has “outlined

various plans, programs, and policies in the [Philippine Development Plan] PDP that will ensure that all Filipinos have access to social services, opportunities to improve their employability, and social protection.”

Edillon stressed that this framework has been cascaded to the regional level. Neda added it is “crucial” to address various challenges arising from the demographic transition at the municipality and city levels.

Meanwhile, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan in his keynote speech which was read by Edillon, emphasized that the government places “great importance” on eradicating poverty, promoting lifelong learning and transformative education, provid-

ing accessible health care, ensuring gender equality, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

Neda said the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its annual report, the State of the World Population, to highlight the milestone of global population surpassing the 8-billion mark.

In a statement on Wednesday, UNFPA Philippines Country representative Leila Saiji Joudane called on the Philippine government to make the “right investment and policy decisions” in order to reap the benefits of the declining fertility rate in the country.

Joudane said that the Philippines is currently at a “unique crossroads” with its changing de-

product, such as, “it makes me feel I spend my money wisely,” “offers good promotions [Price-off is most important];” “Prices are low,” and “generic brands are offered.”

Meanwhile, the report said that Filipino consumers in 2023 also take into consideration access to products and not just convenience. e respondents defi ned having access as: the store is open for long hours, is near other facilities, location is very accessible, and near other stores.

Based on the report, another important consideration Filipino shoppers look at is “ease in shopping.” Under this factor, the respondents said this means hav-

INSURANCE claims made by Filipinos for Covid-19 shrank by 80 percent as cases declined, according to the Insurance Commission (IC).

In a statement, the IC said Covid-19 claims declined to P1.53 billion in the second half of 2022 from P7.65 billion in the same period in 2021.

Covid-related claim payouts made by life insurance companies amounted to P987 million, while health maintenance organizations (HMOs) paid out P483 million in

Covid-related claims for the second half of 2022.

“Insurance companies and HMOs paid a total of 137,478 claims during the second half of 2022. is is a sharp decline from the number of claims paid during the same period in 2021, which totaled 359,622,” IC said. e number of claims paid during the second half of 2022 matched the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases during the said period.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) indicated that the

EU SEEN TO EXTEND GSP+ RULES ON PHL–PASCUAL

action, there is a joint committee within the EU that proposed the rollover of the existing GSP+ for another four years—that means rollover or under existing conditions, so there will be no additional obligation,” Pascual said.

The GSP+, which imposes zero tariff on most of the product categories entering the European Union, is set to expire by the end of the year. The EU has granted the GSP+ to Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

“There is pressure for them [when it comes to the extension] since it can leave their partner countries, which are exporting products to them, hanging if they will do nothing,” Pascual said.

He said they hope the European Parliament will decide on the matter before they go on their summer break, which runs from July 25 to August 21.

Avid online shoppers account for 45% of e-commerce purchases

By Roderick L. Abad

WHILE online trade continues to surge post-pandemic, only a small yet highly involved and savvy group of e-shoppers will propel the looming e-commerce uptrend, bared a study.

Based on the latest white paper released by Ninja Van Philippines and Geopost, titled “What’s next for the future of e-commerce in Southeast Asia,” avid online trade buyers or the so-called “e-shopaholics” comprise 15 percent of the region’s virtual shopper population, accounting for 45 percent of the total e-commerce purchases.

The study was conducted in six member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)—Indonesia, Malaysia, the

Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam—with more than 9,000 participants.

Majority of e-shopaholics are early adopters of online shopping, making them experts at navigating the e-commerce ecosystem and highly proficient in exploring omnichannel to buy what they want, per the report.

Because online shopping is their second nature, they purchase, more often than not, across multiple product categories and double

their regular counterparts.

“Well-versed in the intricacies of online shopping, e-shopaholics have much higher standards than your average e-shoppers—from the initial browsing to receiving the parcel after the clicks and taps—each stage is essential to ensuring an e-shopaholic’s loyalty,” said Ninja Van Philippines Chief Commercial Officer Sabina LopezVergara.

Among those surveyed from the Philippines, 19 percent are considered e-shopaholics who partake nearly half or 47 percent of total ecommerce sales nationwide.

Four out of five, or 86 percent of Filipino e-shopaholics buy directly from social media—of which, 54 percent directly patronize brands they already follow, as 44 percent are swayed by influencers.

Product segment-wise, the research found out that beauty and health care, fashion, and small furniture and home decor are the top categories of choice for local eshopaholics.

“Through our white paper on eshopaholics, we hope to shed light on this group of avid e-shoppers to prepare SEA e-commerce sellers as we enter the next stage of e-commerce,” Vergara said.

The report, likewise, explores the buying behavior of e-shopaholics.

For online sellers, it recommends solutions to help them engage with customers at key stages of their shopping journey.

Ninja Van Group said it mounted the study to understand the everchanging e-commerce landscape so as to offer cyber merchants with hassle-free delivery solutions that drive the growth of their business.

Lording over the e-commerce logistics field in Asean, the Group keeps on nurturing an ecosystems that provides value-added services and tools to ensure a seamless experience for both shippers and shoppers.

The company generated a revenue of €15.6 billion and delivered 2.1 billion parcels globally in 2022.

Deployed OFWs top 1.2-M mark

WITH demand for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) rising, deployment figures in the first half of 2023 have breached the 1.2-million mark, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

DMW Undersecretary Patricia M. Caunan disclosed this in a media forum, adding it is 123.39 percent higher than the deployment figures from January to June last year.

“At the rate we are going, we might reach 2.4 to 2.5 million,” Caunan said.

The total deployment figure for the entire 2022 was 1.2 million.

DMW Secretary Maria Susan V. Ople attributed the surge in deployment to the “reopening of the Saudi market and other new labor markets.”

Most of the vacancies, she said, are for construction, hotel and restaurants, and Information Technology (IT). “The demand is very huge now because different countries, especially the

Gulf Region, are embarking on economic diversification programs,” Ople said.

“And in Europe, they need hotel and restaurant workers because they are really feeling the revenge of tourism,” she explained.

On another matter, Ople said they have yet to resume talks with the Kuwaiti government for the lifting of the suspension on the issuance of entry visas for OFWs.

“Right now, there is no formal invitation to resume talks,” she added.

Kuwait imposed the suspension in May due to Manila’s alleged violations of its bilateral labor agreement with Kuwaiti authorities— among others, providing shelter for OFWs and searching for runaways without involving state institutions.

Kuwait was one of the top destinations for OFWs together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Qatar. Samuel P. Medenilla

HIGH PRICES, MORE THAN PANDEMIC, SCARE PINOYS

Continued from A1

ing well-organized shelves, “easily find what I need,” “promotions are clearly signaled,” and “paying for products is quick.”

3 groups of shoppers

MEANWHILE , the Shopperscope 2023 report also identified three distinct groups of Filipino shoppers: Struggling or those who find themselves unable to cover their expenses; the Managing, who always find ways to make both ends meet; and the Comfortable who are the “least constrained” when it comes to their budgets and are able to set aside extra money for savings.

According to the report, the Struggling “come from all walks of life but find themselves unable to cover their expenses.” This group has the biggest household, comprising five to six members.

“The Struggling are foremost concerned about rising prices and another pandemic happening,” the report said.

Meanwhile, the report said compared to last year, the Managing group, which finds ways to make ends meet, now see their financial situation as “stable and may have even gotten slightly better.”

It said the Managing shoppers have an average of three to four members.

“The Managing shoppers are concerned about the same things that Struggling shoppers are—Rising prices and another pandemic happening,” the study noted.

Meanwhile, the Comfortable

Continued from A1

mographics.

“As the country is undergoing a demographic transition, the country will need to work towards demographic resilience: the quality or state of being able to adapt and thrive amid demographic changes,” Joudane said.

According to UNFPA, demographic dividend refers to economic growth resulting from changes in a population’s structure and characteristics.

Currently, it explained, the declining fertility rate of the Philippines would result in a window of opportunity where the country has a productive population that is larger than its dependent population.

However, it said the demographic dividend is not automatic. Therefore, “the country will have to make the right investments and policy decisions in order for it to reap its benefits by investing in people throughout their life course.”

Joudane said the demographic dividend could be a “powerful force.”

In order to reap its benefits; however, she said, “We need to ensure the rights of people—especially those most left behind—and provide access to quality education, health care, and employment opportunities. We need to also address gender inequality and other injustices that limit people from reaching their full potential.”

(Full story here: businessmirror.com. ph/2023/07/12/making-the-right-decisions-unfpa-citesbenefits-of-declining-phl-fertility-rate/)

Covid-19 insurance claims dip

80%—IC

group is the “least constrained” with budgets, said the report.

“They have extra for savings and are in stable to improving financial state compared to last year,” the report said.

“While the Struggling and Managing have the same concerns, the Comfortable are not only concerned about the Rising prices of goods. They are concerned about their health as well as their financial security for the future,” the study emphasized.

‘Sari-sari’ stores

ACCORDING to Kantar, sari-sari stores continue to be the “FMCG channel of choice for Filipinos.”

“Buying in sari-sari stores remains uneventful and a regular trip for the majority of Filipinos and they are doing so in increased frequency, totaling 212 trips in 2023, up 5 percent from the year before. Almost all households, 99.7 percent, shop in their neighborhood sari-sari stores, which are usually five to 10 minutes away from their homes,” Kantar said.

Moving forward, Obana said “brands must be able to win Filipinos in that ‘Moment of Truth’ across retail channels by communicating the value that their products offer and why they need to make it into the shopper basket” with various concerns and a fixed FMCG budget.

Kantar said the survey was mounted at the end of February this year and it was finished in April 2023.

The findings were released in June 2023.

Continued from A1 number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in 2022’s second semester is only 287,229.

IC noted this was a sharp decline from the recorded number of Covid-19 cases in the second half of 2021, which was 1.11 million.

The data showed Covid-related claim payouts made by life insurance companies amounted to P987 million, while HMOs paid out P483 million in Covid-related claims for the second half of 2022. IC said mutual benefit associations (MBAs) and non-life insurers paid out a total of P33 million in Covid-related claims for the said period.

A total of 124 respondent companies participated in the Commission’s survey on Covid19-related claims in the second half of 2022.

In particular, 28 out of 32 licensed life insurers, 43 out of 54 non-life insurers, 29 out of 33 MBAs, and 24 out of 29 HMOs, participated in the survey.

The IC said its semestral surveys covered regulated entities regarding their Covid-related claims payouts since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Based on the Commission’s surveys, the insurance industry has paid out P22.36 billion in Covid-related claims from 2020 to 2022.

Based on the Insurance Commission’s surveys, Covid-related claims paid amounted to P3.89 billion in 2020; P12.82 billion in 2021; and P5.65 billion in 2022.

Parañaque RTC orders arrest of Okada, Tony Boy, 11 others for ‘qualified theft’

By VG Cabuag @Villygc

APARANAQUE court has ordered the arrest of Japanese gambling magnate Kazuo Okada and his partners for allegedly siphoning money from Okada Manila during their takeover of the integrated casino resort last year.

Paranaque Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 274 Presiding Judge Regina Paz A. Ramos-Chavez ordered the issuance of the warrants of arrest against Kazuo Okada, Antonio “Tony Boy” O. Cojuangco, Dindo Espeleta and 10 others for “qualified theft.”  Chavez denied their motions to

Carpio on WPS row: This is a battle of world order

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

RETIRED Supreme Court Senior

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio

on Tuesday revisited his proposal to the Marcos administration to bring the maritime case won by the country against China before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), likening it to the case of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which was “condemned” by the world body.

Carpio made the recommendation during the ADR Institute Stratbase forum on Wednesday, which also marked the seventh year of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration’s decision upholding the country’s maritime case against China wherein it denied Beijing’s claims over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its occupation of some of its features.

The retired senior magistrate said the award should be brought to the UN where he expects that the world body would assail China’s presence and activities in the WPS, just like what it did against Russia in the case of Ukraine.

“Ukraine went to the UN. China and Russia have veto powers, but the UN condemned Russia,” Carpio said, noting that both Beijing and Moscow are permanent members of the UN Security Council.

He said China employed intimidation in occupying parts of the WPS while Russia used physical force in Ukraine.

“China is using threat and intimidation in WPS while Russia uses force in Ukraine,” the retired Supreme Court senior justice said.

“We have to stop this. This is not only a battle of the Philippines. This is a battle of world order,” he stressed.

According to Carpio, China has not only occupied the Mischief Reef, which is located within the country’s maritime waters, but has also occupied Sandy Cay by surrounding it during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

He said China’s presence in Sandy Cay, a high tide elevation, could be used by Beijing to justify its occupation of the militarily developed Subi Reef, which is located just 12 nautical miles away from Pagasa Island.

Defend WPS

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines and maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, for his part, said there is a need to defend

the WPS, as it is the maritime gateway to the region and to the whole world.

“In defending the West Philippine Sea, we are essentially defending the world,” he told during the same forum, as he explained the strategic importance of the country and its maritime waters, which is the reason why like-minded states are gravitating towards the country and were hell-bent in keeping the SCS open to international use.

Batongbacal said the country and the WPS are a “key to sea power” and this is also the reason why China is determined to occupy the WPS.

He explained that the country is strategically positioned in the center or at the tip of the three maritime conflicts in Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific, and one of these conflicts comprised the Paracels, Scarborough Shoal and the WPS.

Explaining further, he said two of these maritime waters—Scarborough and WPS—are located within the country.

The maritime law expert said that once a country controls these maritime waters as what China is obviously trying to do, and then it would control the SCS and the Indo-Pacific region.

Ambassadors from countries that included the US, Australia, France, United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and India, who spoke during the forum called for rules-based order in the South China Sea and pushed for cooperation.

The military also issued a statement calling the arbitral decision as a “basis for policies and actions in the WPS.”

“ We are one with our neighbors and allies in enforcing a rules-based order so that peace and order, freedom of navigation, trade and commerce, and the gifts of nature will continue to flourish to be enjoyed by all future generations,” Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, commander of the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesWestern Command (AFP-WESCOM) said.

“The 2016 PCA ruling gave credence and validation to Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. As the frontliner in enforcing this ruling, the AFP Western Command remains the dominant force in protecting every inch of the country’s territory and the riches in our exclusive economic zone,” he added.

suspend or defer the criminal proceedings against all of the accused, explaining that an appeal before the Department of Justice Secretary does not hold in abeyance the proceeding before the trial court pursuant to National Prosecution Service Rule on Appeal.  Kazuo and his partners were accused by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc., the operator of the integrated resort and casino in Entertainment City in Parañaque of qualified theft after allegedly siphoning some P500 million from the casino cage of Okada Manila in 2022.  Kazuo Okada and the other accused filed separate motions to suspend the court proceedings for the

qualified theft cases and to quash the case.

The Parañaque court denied the motions and decided to proceed with the case, explaining that “there is probable cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest against all the accused...The counter-allegations of the accused, being evidentiary in nature, are best threshed-out in a full-blown trial,” the court order read.

The Kazuo group has operated the $3.3 billion integrated resort and casino for months since its takeover in late May, after Tiger Resort seized back the management in early September.

Okada was already arrested but

was subsequently released by local policemen in October in relation to the grave coercion cases lodged against him by the board of Tiger Resort.  “I insisted on coming back to the Philippines despite several warnings from my lawyers that I may be detained by the authorities. I want to show to the Filipino people and the world that I am not afraid. I came back to face this grave coercion charge against me and my associates. I have nothing to fear when I know I am standing on the right side of the law. I will not bow down to intimidation, and I will not back off from this legal battle. This fight isn’t over,” Kazuo said.

administration urged to vigorously assert arbitral ruling on maritime dispute

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

ASENIOR lawmaker on Wednesday urged the Marcos administration to insist on China’s compliance with the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating Beijing’s expansion of territorial claims in the South China Sea, including a big part of Manila’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made the call on the seventh anniversary of the country’s victory at the United Nations-sanctioned arbitral tribunal.

“Our government should mark this day with more vigor and more forceful assertion of the ruling and our victory,” he said in a news statement.

He added China should now abide by the ruling by abandoning areas within the Philippines’ EEZ it has occupied and by ceasing to harass and bully Philippine vessels, including small boats, and Filipino fishermen.

Rodriguez also welcomed and lauded the support extended by the United States, the European Union and 16 European nations for the 2016 arbitral ruling.

“Thanks so much our big ally and treaty and economic partner, the United States of America, and to all our supporters in Europe,” he said.

Rodriguez said the expressions of support of the US, several European nations and other countries “shows that China has become a pariah insofar as the 2016 arbitral ruling and its harassment and bullying activities in the South China Sea [SCS] are concerned.”

The Mindanao lawmaker has been a consistent critic of China’s encroachment and

aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea and the country’s EEZ.

The US State Department, in a statement said, “Today marks the seventh anniversary of an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention firmly rejecting the People’s Republic of China’s [PRC] expansive SCS maritime claims, including any PRC claim to the area determined by the Arbitral Tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as any resources therein. Under the terms of the Convention, this ruling is final and legally binding on the Philippines and the PRC.”

“The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020, policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region,” it added.

Also, US State Department, said “We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law.”

The European Union delegation to Manila and the embassies of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia (non-resident), Finland, and Sweden issued a separate joint statement: “12 July marks the seventh anniversary of

the Award issued by the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the arbitration instituted by the Republic of the Philippines against the People’s Republic of China concerning the South China Sea.

“The EU recalls that the dispute settlement mechanisms provided under UNCLOS contribute to the maintenance and furthering of the international order based upon the rule of law and are essential to settle disputes.

“The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties.

“The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight.

“The EU is committed to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the IndoPacific, in full compliance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, in the interest of all.”

‘Dismayed’

THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang

Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) expressed dismay over the alleged inaction of the Marcos administration in stopping China’s encroachment of disputed territorial waters despite an arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines.

“We have all the legal, political, and historical grounds to assert our national sovereignty. Even the international court has ruled that China is at fault for its plundering of our environment through massive

reclamation and large-scale fishing in our seas,” Fernando Hicap, national chairperson of Pamalakaya, said in a statement.

Pamalakaya issued the statement as members of the group held a coastal protest to assert the country’s sovereign rights over the disputed territory in time for the 7th year of the arbitral ruling on SCS.

“We are frustrated and disappointed by President Marcos’ lack of action in stopping China’s encroachment in our waters,” Hicap said.

Seven years after our historic victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), China’s military facilities remain on the seven artificial islands it built in the Spratlys, Hicap noted.

Additionally, no less than 50 warships and fishing vessels were recently monitored patrolling in our territory, he added.

“This has had a significant impact on Filipino fisherfolk who, if not directly driven away, face intimidation in the mere presence of Chinese authorities on our fishing grounds,” Hicap added.

Hicap said Filipino fishers have suffered a 70 percent loss in income per fishing trip since China intensified its presence in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) in Zambales during the Duterte administration.

As a result, a significant number of fishers have been forced to abandon their livelihoods at sea and seek alternative means of income.

“The Marcos administration should be deeply concerned about the long-term damage this may cause to our local fish production and take immediate steps to support the affected fishers, while also decisively asserting our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Hicap said. With Rene Acosta and Jonathan L. Mayuga

SC orders PAO chief to clarify criticism against new lawyers’ code of conduct

By Joel R. San Juan  @jrsanjuan1573

THE Supreme Court (SC) has denied the plea of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda Acosta to delete Section 22, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) that allows PAO lawyers to represent opposing parties in court cases.

PAO’s request to delete S ection 22, Canon III of the CPRA was docketed as an administrative matter and was decided by the Court en banc during its regular session last July 11, 2023.

During their deliberations, the magistrates also decided to compel Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her unabated public tirades against the said provision. The Court noted Acosta’s social media posts and newspaper publications branding the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional, and an undue interference and intrusion by the SC into PAO’s operations. The SC said Acosta’s tirades tend to directly or indirectly “impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice” and can be considered “as a threat to the independence of the judiciary.”

In defending the assailed provision of the CPRA, the SC reminded the PAO chief of its primordial mandate which is to “[extend] free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.”

To turn away indigent litigants and bar them from availing of the services of all PAO lawyers nationwide due to alleged conflict of interest would be to contravene PAO’s principal duty and leave hundreds of poor litigants unassisted by legal counsel they cannot otherwise afford,” it added.

The SC maintained that CPRA was promulgated in the exercise of its exclusive

rule-making power under the Constitution.

Likewise, the High Tribunal said the CPRA was adopted as part of its authority to supervise the practice of law and to provide free legal assistance to the underprivileged.

The CPRA took effect on May 30, 2023, 15 days after its publication. In her letter to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Acosta sought the indefinite suspension of the implementation of CPRA pending review by the members of the Court.

Acosta told Chief Justice Gesmundo that PAO’s clients would not agree that their opponents be represented by lawyers from the same office.

Rep. Co bares availability of ₧10-B fund in GAA for devt of solar-powered projects

THE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday revealed there exists a P10 billion fund in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the construction of solar-powered water supply systems to address water supply challenges exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon across the country.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party list said the

Congress, under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership, has allocated the fund to provide solar water systems to upland areas, enabling access to essential services that were previously lacking.

“Even prior to the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, the Congress has allocated a significant budget of P10 billion in the 2023 GAA for the construction of solar-powered water supply systems across the country,” Co said.

He noted that the Congress is

committed to provide solar-powered water supply systems to 60 percent or 40 million Filipinos in the upland barangays to have access to potable water.

Co emphasized that access to water is a basic human right, vital for the realization of all other human rights.

“According to the United Nations, clean and safe potable water is not yet fully provided to the public. Recognizing this, Speaker Romualdez and the

Congress remain steadfast in their mission to bridge this gap and ensure that every Filipino has access to clean and safe water,” Co said.

“By prioritizing the allocation of resources, implementing proactive measures, and leaving no one behind, Speaker Romualdez and the Congress are making significant strides in improving the lives of Filipinos through the extension of water access across the nation,” he added.

Co earlier said solar-powered water supply systems could help ascertain reliable access to clean water, especially in impoverished, far-flung, and upland communities.

He noted that solar-powered water supply systems have proven successful in addressing the water needs of areas that require a sustainable and dependable water source.

By promoting responsible water management practices, adopting

innovative technologies, and empowering communities, Co said the country could enhance its resilience and minimize the impact of El Niño to local farmers and their livelihoods.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier declared that El Niño is here in the country and that it may intensify in the coming months through the first quarter of 2024. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

BM COFFEE CLUB HOSTS FORUM ON EPR LAW Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga

PBBM

$88M worth of investments from PBBM’s foreign trips to materialize this year–DTI

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the investments are

related to manufacturing, renewable energy and Information Technology and Business Process Management

(IT-BPM) industries.

Once fully implemented, the said investments are expected to generate 4,500 jobs.

“[These materialized investments] remain small. This only covers up to June this year, and we expect some more to ripen…,” Pascual said.

Currently, Pascual said there are currently $70 billion worth of investment pledges from the President’s trips, which are still in the “pipeline.”

The DTI chief also assured they will remain transparent with the updates on the investment pledges from the President’s overseas trips.

“There might be speculations regarding the investment leads garnered during previous foreign trips.

Let me assure you that the Department of Trade and Industry has mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of investment leads from our previous foreign trips,” Pascual said.

However, he noted not all of the said investment leads will materialize.

“We must sustain our efforts therefore to generate investment

Firm files petroleum exploration nomination bid for Cagayan basin

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

billing demand of the previous years.

leads to achieve our desired level of investments over the long time going forward. Just like in any business, the selling job does not stop. Doing investment promotions, selling the country and that effort does not stop it. It’s not a one-time exercise,” Pascual explained.

DTI said the country is now able to attract more foreign investments due to its business-friendly policies such as Public Service Act and the Foreign Investment Act.

Another factor, the agency pointed out, is the country’s inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

RCEP is a free trade agreement signed by the Asean membercountries, together with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, which cut tariffs on some goods to create common standards for e-commerce, trade, and intellectual property.

“You know, if they are going to cater to the regional market, then the Philippines being part of RCEP will have access to all the member countries of RCEP,” Pascual said.

Kalinga irrigators receive ₧18-M solar-powered irrigation system

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over an P18 million worth of solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) to a group of farmers in Barangay Calaocan, Rizal, in Kalinga province.

The project was received by members of the Rizal Indigent Farmers Irrigators Association.

The SPIS was provided by DAR as part of the initial wave of support services that the agency will be providing to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) of Kalinga.

The project has so far been providing them with an eco-friendly and sustainable source of water for their crops.

“We are taking care of the farmers just like what the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and my grandfather former Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella Sr. did during the previous implementation of the land reform program,” DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella

III said in a news statement.

Estrella said the agency is taking advantage of the opportunities to create projects and adopt appropriate measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change within the agrarian reform areas.

“We need to build and create more projects that will help our farmers combat the negative effects of climate change,” he added.

Adela Damaso, DAR-Kalinga Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said the project can irrigate 60 hectares of agricultural lands primarily benefiting 50 ARB households and other neighboring farmers.

Damaso said that the SPIS is a cost-efficient and climate change adaptive technology that does not require the use of fuel. It is not affected by power interruptions, is easy to operate, environmentally friendly, suitable for remote watersheds and rain-fed areas, and requires minimal maintenance.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has received a bid nomination for petroleum exploration in Cagayan basin.

The nomination of an area for exploration is one of the two ways by which investors can participate in the DOE’s Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCEP). The other option is choosing an area from the 14 Pre-Determined Areas (PDAs) offered by the DOE. Triangle Energy (Global) Ltd. is applying for one petroleum area located in Cagayan basin. The nominated area is subject to counterchallenge by other prospective bidders. Deadline for the submission of documents by counter-proponents is on September 4, or 60 calendar days from date of publication by the nominating party. The challengers must also pay an application fee of P1 million. The bids will be opened on September 4.

Meanwhile, the DOE is urging government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) to tap solar energy in their buildings to help minimize the country’s exposure to fuel price fluctuations in the international markets.

In a resolution promulgated last July 7 by the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC), government entities are given three years from the effectivity of the resolution to install an initial supply of at least 20 percent of their electricity requirements from solar photovoltaic (PV) system or any equivalent renewable energy (RE) technology based on the highest monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh)

T he utilization of solar energy is also part of the compliance with the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which encourages all government entities to reduce their electricity consumption by at least 10 percent.

Under IAEECC Resolution No. 8, a government entity that will install solar PV system or any equivalent RE technology with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW) is allowed to be Qualified End-Users (QEs) and may enter into a net-metering agreement with a distribution utility (DU).

QEs are entities such as a house or office building that generate electric power coming from an eligible RE generating facility that can be connected to the grid for the purpose of entering into a net-metering agreement.

Meanwhile, the net metering program allows customers of DUs, such as house or building, to install an on-grid RE-based system not exceeding 100 kW in capacity so they can generate electricity for their own use. Any electricity generated that is not consumed by the customer is automatically exported to the DU’s distribution system.

The DU then gives a peso credit for the excess electricity received equivalent to the DU’s blended generation cost, excluding other generation adjustments, and deducts the credits earned to the customer’s electric bill.

DOE Secretary and IAEECC chairperson Raphael Lotilla said that the result of the participation of all government entities to this program would pave the way to the reduction of their monthly electricity consumption that the government could re-channel to other services, such as health and education.

DOLE reminds employers on PWD rights in workplace

THE Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) reminded employers to ensure the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD) amid the ongoing commemoration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week.

DOLE reiterated that there are laws, policies and programs that protect the rights of PWD in the workplace.

Employers must “provide equal opportunities” for employment with private corporations reserving at least 1 percent of 100 employees for PWD applicants, DOLE said.

Meanwhile, government agencies should research at least 1 percent of all regular and non-regular positions for PWDs, according to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10524.

Employers are also prohibited from discriminating against a qualified PWD with regards to job application, hiring, training, promotion, or discharge of employees, and other terms.

This aligns with the IRR of Republic Act 10524, Rule IV, which states that “no PWD shall be denied access” for suitable employment.

“A qualified employee with disability shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment and the same compensation, privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives, or allowances as an employed able-bodied person,” the IRR stated.

PWDs are also entitled to have a secure, barrier-free environment and access to express lanes in all establishments, DOLE added. Patrick V. Miguel

SIX more investment commitments with an estimated value of $88 million from the overseas trips of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. are expected to materialize this year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

PHL and France eye financing accord for shipyard devt—BOI

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Philippines and the French government are working on a financing agreement to assist the French shipbuilding firm OCEA’s development of shipyard in the Philippines, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).

In a media briefing on Monday, BOI Managing Head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo illustrated that the France-based shipbuilding firm is eyeing a government procurement deal, for instance, from the Philippine Cost Guard.

In return, pag nakuha nila ’yung ganoong kontrata, in addition to delivering the vessels, they are going to invest also in shipyard here,” Rodolfo said.

“Kasi kailangan may negosyo sila rito na may kita to support. So parang ’yung investment na sinasabi nila would be over and above dun sa idedeliver nilang mga vessels,” the BOI official added.

R odolfo explained that the financing agreement that the two governments are working on are

needed to provide assistance for the procurement of these vessels.

Kasi it will be funded partly.… Parang concessional loan with the French government to finance that,” he added.

BOI officials said the financing agreement is a “government-togovernment” or G-to-G framework. Hence, “there is no amount for it.”

According to local reports, “OCEA renewed its commitment to develop a P1.5-billion shipyard in the Philippines.” Reports noted that this happened after a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Brussels, Belgium last December 2022.

According to its web site, OCEA S.A. is the “French leader in Aluminum Shipbuilding.” It added that it specializes in the design, building and support of aluminum vessels up to 90 meters.

The shipbuilding firm noted that it has delivered over 300 vessels.

Its sales and marketing presence extend across 80 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central America, the OCEA Group website said.

DTI chief bares progress in PHL-EU free trade talks

SCOPING discussions on the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) will begin within the year, according to Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual.

Ang initial discussion is scoping ’yung gusto nila, gusto natin, compare notes kasi nga kung meron meeting of minds. Kung wala, eh hindi tutuloy ’yung negotiation,” Pascual told reporters in a media briefing on Monday.

The trade chief explained that while there is still no formal agreement on the resumption of negotiations for the EU-PH Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA), there are ongoing face-to-face discussions with “key people” in Europe. He explained that the final decision would be done by the appropriate body in the EU.

Wala pang resumption ito, but instead, face-to-face discussions with the key people kasi ’yung final decision, will be done by the appropriate body. Marami sila diba? Mayroong EU Commission, EU Council. EU Parliament,” Pascual added.

For his part, Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG) Ceferino S. Rodolfo explained what usually happens in scoping discussions.

Pag nag -scoping na kayo general principles, ano ’yung mga coverage ng discussion, ano ’yung modalities, so pag-uusapan niyo rin ’yun,” Rodolfo told reporters in the same media briefing.

H aving led a scoping discussion before for the Philippines

Envoy: US defense ties to spur US investments

of the billions of dollars of chips investments that may spread out from China and Taiwan.

T he US views the Philippines as a key part of its strategy to prevent China from pursuing military actions particularly in Taiwan, according to Romualdez. The chances of a dangerous encounter in Taiwan “isn’t that high, but it can happen,” he said.

US companies are particularly looking to tap the Philippines to produce semiconductors, Romualdez said. Manila is seen by American firms as a place that they can “trust” with their operations and expansion, he said, following President Joe Biden’s enactment of a law to boost America’s capacity and rival China in the sector. The US will likely dispatch a highlevel trade and investment mission to the Philippines by yearend, according to Romualdez.

W ith neighbors like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia also seeking investments, the Philippines will have to ease foreign ownership restrictions and provide perks to woo US businesses, the ambassador said.

our relationship between the United States and China.”

At the same time, the Philippines can’t just sit around and look while Chinese vessels intrude into its territories, he said, days after the Philippines reported fresh encounters and “swarming” of Chinese vessels China’s recent actions near an oil and gas-rich area in contested waters may be a prelude to occupation , a Philippine Coast Guard official said over the weekend. Beijing has said its activities were legitimate

A s for Taiwan, the Philippines is “part of that deterrence posture that the US would like to have with China,” Romualdez said. “It’s very important not only for the US but also for all like-minded allies in the Indo-Pacific region that the Philippines plays a role.”

and EU, Rodolfo said after this step, a formal negotiation would start for the FTA. He also noted that scoping includes the terms of reference for FTA negotiation.

Calling it a “substantial” progress, Rodolfo welcomed the anticipated scoping discussion because “so many things have already happened between the last negotiating round and more so during the last scoping.”

According to the website of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the exploratory FTA scoping meetings between Philippines and the EU started in 2013.

Th e trade department said it included discussions on the objectives, key principles, and scope of the FTA negotiations.

The scoping negotiations were concluded during a meeting between Philippines and EU Trade Ministers in Brussels on October 2, 2015.

The launch of the FTA negotiations was subsequently announced by both sides on December 11, 2015.

The first round of FTA negotiations was held on May 23 to 27, 2016 in Brussels, while the second round of negotiations was held last February 13 to 17, 2017 in Cebu.  R odolfo said that with the talks on FTA halted at the second negotiating round, “most likely, maybe there is still no exchange of product requests and offers.”

W ith this, he welcomed the progress on kick starting scoping discussions given the recent global developments.

Andrea E. San Juan

Solon: Enforce drunk driving law tightly

Continued from A18

Under HB 7968,  the LTO is also tasked to regularly conduct random inspections in public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals and do quick random drug tests among PUV drivers.

The measure says that “should a driver be found positive for drug use, appropriate action shall be undertaken and the operator shall likewise be made liable if found to be non-compliant with the guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on drug-free workplaces.”

U nder HB 7988 which Yamsuan filed with Camarines Sur. Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the PNP, MMDA and the local traffic enforcement officers of LGUs must annually submit a list of law enforcement officers that may be deputized to enforce the law against drunk and drugged driving, “without prejudice to the qualifications and guidelines that the LTO may impose.”

Yamsuan recalled that the Department of Transportation had recently expressed concern over the 11,000 deaths recorded annually in the Philippines because of road crashes due to drunk driving, overspeeding, texting while

driving and human error. The DOTr was citing United Nations data.

Data from the PNP Highway Patrol Group, Yamsuan said, showed the number of road accidents caused by drunk drivers rose to 59 incidents or at least 90 percent in November 2022, compared to 31 recorded in the previous month of the same year. This is even higher by 210 percent compared to 19 road crashes attributed to drunk driving in September 2022.

E arlier from January to August 2022, the LTO’s Law Enforcement Service-Anti-

Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit responded to 402 road crash incidents, where 353 of the drivers involved tested positive for alcohol intoxication.

T hese drunk driving-related accidents led  to 15 deaths and 232 cases of physical injuries.

Currently, RA 10586 penalizes drivers found guilty of driving while drunk or drugged with fines from P20,000 up to P500,000,  and with imprisonment if the accident leads to physical injuries or homicide. One’s  license shall also be confiscated and suspended for 12 months  or perpetually revoked if found guilty.

The basis for better economic ties with the US now is our relationship on the defense side,” which Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez described as “clearly balanced” under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. compared to periods in the past when the US may have taken the relationship for granted.

If we are able to get a large portion or even at least a slice of that American pie, that will be significant for us,” Romualdez said in a Zoom interview on Monday,

referring to investments. “I’ve not seen this enthusiasm for the Philippines from US investors. It’s a consequence of our enhanced defense ties,” said the envoy. A t stake for the US’ oldest ally in the Indo-Pacific region is its domestic security and sovereignty amid China’s encroachment over disputed waters and as tensions over neighboring Taiwan rise. The Philippines, one of Asia’s fastestgrowing economies, is also competing with neighbors for a share

T he Philippine envoy lashed out against critics of Marcos’s foreign policy especially against the backdrop of elevated tensions over the South China Sea that has prevented Filipino fishermen from venturing out to the sea.

Some people may have the wrong notion that the President is siding with one side to the detriment of the other,” Romualdez said of Marcos’s foreign policy. “Not true at all. He is trying his best to balance

Marcos’s government earlier this year granted the US expanded access to military sites, including those near Taiwan, as part of efforts to strengthen a longstanding alliance that was strained during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Th e US—which has allocated more than more than $100 million to upgrade military sites—is committed to developing these areas, Romualdez said. It’s also working on maritime patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea hopefully within the year and will also help Manila buy hardware to strengthen its military, he said. The foreign policy that we have right now in my view is the right move,” Romualdez said. “We’re not looking for trouble; we are looking for business. Now, who is the one that’s making trouble?” Bloomberg

Senators split on MTRCB move to allow ‘Barbie’ in PHL; DFA agrees with board

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATORS gave mixed reactions to the decision of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to allow viewing of the live-action movie “Barbie” despite expressions of outrage over its alleged depiction of China’s controversial “ninedash-line” claim in the South China Sea.

Senator Francis Tolentino, who had formally written the MTRCB to ask for the ban, said he was “saddened” by MTRCB’s decision, but added that he respected the agency.

However, Senator Grace Poe, a former MTRCB chairman, fully agreed with MTRCB’s decision and praised its thorough process in vetting the film, including consulting with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

DFA issued a separate statement on Wednesday, hours after the MTRCB revealed its decision to allow “Barbie” exhibition in Philippine cinemas. The DFA said it appreciates the opportunity given by the MTRCB for a joint screening of the movie “to ascertain if the depiction of the imaginary world map is inimical to the national interest, in the context of adherence to the UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

After carefully reviewing the film, the DFA said it is “not convinced that the lines shown depict anything more than a fictitious path, in an imaginary world map.”

Poe satisfied

GUESTING at the Kapihan sa Senado, Poe said she was satisfied with the MTRCB’s explanation of how it reached a decision to reject the clamor to ban, as stated in a letter addressed to Tolentino by MTRCB chief, Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio.

I’m sad it comes as we mark the seventh anniversary of our victory” in the arbitral tribunal where Manila filed, in 2013, a claim against Beijing’s “excessive claims” with the nine-dash-line, Tolentino said, partly in Filipino, in a video statement released to media.

Tolentino noted that “MTRCB said the film, showed an 8-dash line,” referring to a part of Sotto-Antonio’s letter saying a closer examination showed the paper held up by Barbie pertained to her “journey” and it was really a “child’s crayon drawing” that showed eight dots, not nine lines.

However, Tolentino said, regardless of whether it was “seven, or eight, or nine lines” shown, what is clear to him is “China’s continuing efforts to grab our territory.”

Poe had a different view. She thinks the MTRCB was right in concluding there was no intent by Warner Bros., Barbie’s producer, to play into Beijing’s propaganda line. She agrees it was an innocent portrayal of the main character’s (Barbie’s) fantasies about her journeys.

If the MTRCB bans it, that would be “censorship,” said Poe.

In her letter to Tolentino, MTRCB chair

Sotto-Antonio said, “the film underwent two meticulous screenings with the MTRCB. The first screening involved a full review of the film, including discussions and deliberations by the members of the Review Committee.”

After thorough deliberations by the Review Committee, “we immediately requested the film’s distributors, Warner Bros. to blur controversial lines in order to avoid further misinterpretations.”

Still, “due to the controversial nature of the film, we have also consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Solicitor General regarding the matter,” Sotto-Antonio added.

A s such, she said, a second screening was conducted by the Board along with the representatives from the DFA and the OSG in order to fully ascertain and determine if the said lines depict the “nine-dash line.”

Legal expert

THE MTRCB also “sought the opinion of a legal expert on the West Philippine Sea during the deliberations in order to gather as much resources to arrive with a fully informed decision regarding this matter. The controversial scene in the movie shows the controversial scene in the subject film. In it, there are four dash lines on a map drawn in a child-like manner. The dashed lines appear in multiple locations within the map surrounding Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia,” MTRCB explained. She noted that the dash lines attached to

22 countries show solidarity with PHL in SCS arbitral award

Continued from A18

n end interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region.”

A ustralian Ambassador Yu noted China’s continued activities in the South China despite the ruling.

“It’s been seven years and we still continue to see the behaviors that we don’t want to see.” But, she added, this is no reason “to stop cooperating

and stop working for what we believe in. We can’t give up. we have to remain united and work together to create a region that we want to live in.”

She said Australia is not just showing solidarity to the Philippines on asserting its maritime entitlements but also “walking the talk” by giving support such as military exercises and training to Philippine Navy and Coast Guard.

Laure Beaufils, British Ambassador to the Philippines, said they also plan to deploy another aircraft carrier to the South China Sea in 2025.

A sked if sending more troops to the South China Sea would heighten the tension, Ambassador Yu said this is not so. We are doing two-pronged approach— deterrence and diplomacy.What we are doing is form of deterrence we have to show we capability to protect our national interest and if like-minded countries come together to do that, of course the effect of it should be greater,” the Australian diplomat said.

M anila welcomed the statement of

a land mass labeled “Asia” is not U-shaped, and has eight dots/dashes instead of nine. Moreover, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are not visible on the map. This, she explained, “is in stark contrast to the maps found in the banned films “Abominable” (2019) and “Uncharted.”

She also quoted Warner Bros. Film Group as saying in an exclusive interview with Variety that, “The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing.. The doodles depict Barbie’s make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the ‘real.’ They insisted that the lines were “not intended to make any type of statement.”

Nonetheless, Sotto-Antonio assured Tolentino “the MTRCB is firm, as per its mandate under Presidential Decree No. 1986, that when there is clear portrayal of films/television of scenes injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines such as the ‘nine-dash line’ we will not hesitate to ban said materials.”

She added: “Conversely, if the material does not pose such a threat then, in the spirit of fairness and objectivity, we will not impose a ban on such materials. The Board believes that all things considered, it has no basis to ban the film ‘Barbie’ as there is no clear nor outright depiction of the ‘nine-dash line’ in the subject film, in comparison to films such as ‘Abominable’ and ‘Uncharted.’”

T he MTRCB Review Committee gave the film a Parental Guidance (PG) rating, which means that viewers below 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult.

support from countries.

“ We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said. T he Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to make a statement. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing has in the past said the Permanent Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction over the maritime claims and does not recognize the ruling invalidating its claim in the oil-rich South China Sea.

THE Philippines’ stronger defense relations with the United States can help unlock business deals for the Southeast Asian nation as Washington and its allies seek alternatives to China, according to Manila’s envoy to the US.

computer science, or other relevant fields; must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and written, in both English and required language; experience in any of the following; o java (java ee, java se, spring, Nodejs) o JavaScript o sap o net o Cobol o angular; knowledgeable in back-end programming language/framework and willing to work on holidays, weekends, shifting schedules and extended working hours.

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

12.

MIGLIARDI, TAL Packaged App Development Analyst

Brief Job Description: Communicate with the client functional design incharge about the detail of requirement definition and function design; explain development status and issue with team leads of the client; understand the client’s original develop/runtime architecture and develop standards (including deliverable flow, template, description level); and perform knowledge transfer about business requirement/functional design written in required language to team lead and members.

Russia’s threat to pull out of Ukraine grain deal raises fears about global food security

By Courtney Bonnell AP Business Writer

LONDON—Concerns are growing that Russia will not extend a United Nations-brokered deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to parts of the world struggling with hunger, with ships no longer heading to the war-torn country’s Black Sea ports and food exports dwindling.

Turkey and the UN negotiated the breakthrough accord last summer to ease a global food crisis, along with a separate agreement with Russia to facilitate shipments of its food and fertilizer. Moscow insists it’s still facing hurdles, though data shows it has been exporting record amounts of wheat.

Russian officials repeatedly say there are no grounds for extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is up for its fourth renewal Monday. It’s something they have threatened before—then have twice gone on to extend the deal for two months instead of the four months outlined in the agreement.

The UN and others are striving to keep the fragile deal intact, with Ukraine and Russia both major suppliers of wheat, barley, vegetable oil and other food products that countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia rely on. It has allowed Ukraine to ship 32.8 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of grain, more than half of it to developing nations.

The deal has helped lower global prices of food commodities like wheat after they surged to record highs following the invasion last year, but that relief has not reached kitchen tables.

Russia’s exit would cut off a source for World Food Program aid for countries at risk of famine, including Somalia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan, and compound food security problems in vulnerable places struggling with conflict, economic crisis, and drought.

“Russia gets a lot of good public will for continuing this agreement,” said Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute. “There would be a cost to pay in terms of public perception and global goodwill, I think, as far as Russia is concerned” if the deal isn’t extended.

The amount of grain leaving Ukraine already has dropped, with Russia accused of slowing joint inspections of ships by Russian, Ukrainian, UN, and Turkish officials and refusing to allow more

vessels to join the initiative.

Average daily inspections— meant to ensure vessels carry only food and not weapons that could aid either side—have fallen from a peak of 11 in October to just over two in June.

That has led to a decline in grain exports, from a high of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 1.3 million in May, a low for the year-old initiative. They rose to 2 million in June as shipment sizes grew.

If the deal isn’t extended, “the countries that had relied on Ukraine for their imports are going to have to look at other sources for imports, very likely Russia, which is something that I imagine Russia was intending,” said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The UN has been negotiating with Russia to stick with the initiative, with spokesman Stephane

Dujarric saying Monday that top officials are “doing whatever we can to ensure the continuation of all of the agreements.”

Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry said Tuesday on Facebook that the final two ships are loading grain—heading for Egypt—while 29 vessels are waiting in the waters off Turkey because Russia has refused to allow their inspection.

“Ukrainian agricultural products play a significant role in global food security,” Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said. But “for the past few months, the grain corridor has been practically closed.”

Russia insists the agreement hasn’t worked for its own exports, blaming Western sanctions for hindering financing and insurance.

While sanctions don’t affect food and fertilizer, Moscow is seeking carve outs from restrictions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, as well as movement on its ammonia,

a key ingredient in fertilizer, to a Ukrainian Black Sea port. But the ammonia pipeline has been damaged in the war, the UN said.

“There is still time to implement the part of the agreements that pertains to our country. So far, this part has not been fulfilled,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters last week. “And so at the moment, unfortunately, we don’t see any particular grounds for extending this deal.”

Russia, however, has increased its wheat exports to all-time highs following a large harvest. Shipments went from 33 million metric tons in 2021 to 44 million metric tons last year to expectations of 46 million this year, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s shipments have fallen by around 60 percent, from 19 million tons in 2021 to predictions of about 7 or 8 million tons this year—a big hit to its agriculture-dependent economy.

With less from Ukraine and more from Russia, the world’s available wheat stocks are the same as in 2021—and there is enough of it to go around, said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Europe and Argentina are expected to boost wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn, of which Ukraine is also a major supplier. Meyer wouldn’t expect more than a temporary bump to grain prices on world markets if the Black Sea deal isn’t renewed.

“Markets just adapt extremely quickly,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that the global grain markets, they balance each other out.”

Ukraine can send its food by land or river through Europe, so it

wouldn’t be completely cut off from selling grain, but those routes have a lower capacity than sea shipments and have stirred disunity in the European Union.

“We are a cat running out of lives in this situation,” said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. “It only takes one thing to go wrong before we’re into trouble.”

While the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index has fallen below the record highs it hit when Russian troops entered Ukraine, food costs were already high because of Covid-19, conflict, and drought.

Then Russia’s war helped push up the costs to produce food— including energy, fertilizer, and transportation.

In developing nations increasingly relying on imported food, from Kenya to Syria, weakening currencies are keeping local prices high because they are paying in US dollars.

“With approximately 80 percent of East Africa’s grain being exported from Russia and Ukraine, over 50 million people across East Africa are facing hunger, and food prices have shot up by nearly 40 percent this year,” said Shashwat Saraf, the International Rescue Committee’s regional emergency director for East Africa.

“It is vital for the international community to not only forge a longterm deal but also build durable solutions to tackle food insecurity,” he said.

A P reporter Daria Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

Nato chief: No timetable set for Ukraine’s membership; Zelenskyy calls that ‘absurd’

By Chris Megerian, Seung Min Kim & Karl Ritter

The Associated Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania—Nato

leaders said Tuesday that they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met”— a pronouncement that came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organization’s failure to set a timetable for his country as “absurd.”

Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraine’s membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.

“We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of Nato and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.

“This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path,” Stoltenberg said.

Although many Nato members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyy’s forces, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into Nato’s ranks. Zelenskyy pushed back sharply against the decision as he headed to the annual Nato summit in Vilnius.

“It’s unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership,” Zelenskyy tweeted. “While at the same time, vague

wording about ‘conditions’ is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to Nato or to make it a member of the Alliance.”

Nato membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south. Joining Nato would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption—work that would also ease the country’s path into the European Union.

Asked about Zelenskyy’s concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because “unless Ukraine prevails, there is no membership to be discussed at all.”

The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden’s bid to join Nato. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president, who was to meet Wednesday with US President Joe Biden and other Nato leaders, expressed deep frustration in an emotional speech in downtown Vilnius.

“Today I started my journey with faith in solutions, with faith in strong partners, with faith in Nato…in a Nato that does not hesitate, that does not waste time and does not look over their backs at any aggressor,” Zelenskyy said.

“I would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us— every soldier, every citizen, every

mother, every child,” he said. “Is that too much to ask?”

Sharp divisions have emerged within the alliance over Ukraine’s desire to join Nato, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.

In addition, the Baltic states— including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit—have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of Nato, he told CNN, need to “meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues,” a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into Nato would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as deterrence against aggression. Concretely, Nato leaders decided

to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraine’s Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.

On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are set to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a Nato-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.

To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.

Known in Nato parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join Nato. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.

Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed

on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: “We want modern defense and security institutions.”

The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hard-fought agreement to advance Sweden’s membership. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it’s poised to expand the alliance’s strength in Northern Europe.

“Rumors of the death of Nato’s unity were greatly exaggerated,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters triumphantly on Tuesday.

According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkey’s parliament to approve Sweden joining Nato.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step. Hungary’s foreign minister said Tuesday that his country’s ratification of Sweden’s Nato membership was now just a “technical matter.” Erdogan has not yet commented publicly.

The outcome is a victory as well for Biden, who has touted Nato’s expansion as an example of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow.

Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Nato’s expansion is “one of the reasons that led to the current situation.”

“It looks like the Europeans don’t understand their mistake,” Peskov said. He warned against putting Ukraine on a fast track for Nato

membership.

“Potentially it’s very dangerous for the European security. It carries very big risks,” Peskov said.

Erdogan met with Biden on Tuesday evening but remained mum on the deal to advance Sweden’s membership in Nato.

Although Biden made a reference to “the agreement you reached yesterday,” Erdogan said nothing about it. It was a conspicuous omission from Erdogan, who has not commented on the issue publicly during the summit.

However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden. He said previous meetings were “mere warm-ups, but now we are initiating a new process.”

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Sweden’s membership in Nato.

The Biden administration has backed Turkey’s desire to buy 40 new F-16s as well as modernization kits from the US.

Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the Nato summit as its centerpiece.

After the summit ends Wednesday, he will travel to Helsinki. On Thursday, he will celebrate Finland’s recent entry into Nato and meet with Nordic leaders.

The Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller, Lisa Mascaro and Darlene Superville in Washington, Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, and Lorne Cook in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed to this report.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Nato’s summit began Tuesday with fresh momentum after Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. AP/MINDAUGAS KULBIS

HARVESTERS collect wheat in the village of Zghurivka, Ukraine on August 9, 2022. Concerns are growing that Russia will not extend a UN-brokered deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to parts of the world struggling with hunger, with ships no longer heading to the war-torn country’s Black Sea ports and food exports dwindling. AP/EFREM LUKATSKY

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

‘DA, local govt tie ups to boost agri production’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

IF the national government wants to improve agriculture production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) must forge partnerships with local governments nationwide, according to former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito.

In a forum at the University of the Philippines School of Economics on Monday, the former Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said that when agriculture services were devolved, the DA left municipal agriculture officers (MAOs) and Provincial Agriculture Officers “were left to fend for themselves.”

This, he said, prevented them from delivering the much-needed assistance to farmers and fishers nationwide after the devolution through the 1991 Local

Government Code (LGC). This, in turn, led to the lackluster performance of the country’s farm sector for many years.

“When it [agriculture services] was devolved back in 1991, their [DA] attitude should not have been ‘bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo because it’s now devolved to you.’ What they should have done was to deliberately make it their responsibility to capacitate, train the LGUs [local government unit] to handle agriculture,” Habito told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

He said one concrete example

of this is information he obtained from farmers in Zamboanga del Norte. When he asked the barangay chairman, who was also a farmer, what was the one thing he would like to ask from the government, the barangay captain replied “kalabaw” or carabao.

The country’s former chief economist went to the MAO to ask why this request was not relayed to the DA Central Office. The MAO, Habito said, replied that the matter was already brought up with the DA but that the agency was

focused on sending only fertilizer and hybrid seeds, which was its national program.

Habito said this has been addressed only now through the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) introduced by the previous administration. The program is already being expanded to other parts of the country.

“[In effect, this failure of the DA led to the] burdening of farmers. The biggest problem in the Department of Agriculture is

Senate to conduct hearing on bill seeking to develop bamboo industry

THE Senate will conduct a hearing on a proposed measure that aims to spur the development of the Philippine bamboo industry.

Senate Bill (SB) 605, or an “Act

Institutionalizing the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program,” is up for discussion on July 19. It was authored by Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.

Six other bamboo development-related bills will be deliberated in the Senate on July 19. All these bamboo bills, which aim to strengthen the functions of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), are seen to be consolidated

with SB 605.

These measures are SB 615 by Senator Cynthia Villar, SB 1044 by Senator Joel Villanueva, SB 1145 and SB 1552 by Senator Lito Lapid, SB 1118 by Senator Loren Legarda, SB 1145 by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and SB 2172 by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. SB 605 fortifies PBIDC’s policymaking role in creating community-based enterprises that will have sufficient supply of quality materials and produce new products from research and developmentinspired technologies.

Manufacturers are mandated to use bamboo on at least 25 percent of their

raw materials inputs for furniture, lumber, and manufactured products that can use bamboo as an alternative to wood.

Under the proposal, plantations will be accepted as loan collateral in governmentowned and-controlled financial institutions. Plantation developers and bamboo processors will have priority access to credit and guarantee. Bamboo plantations will be exempted from security cutting, harvesting, and transporting permits.

Also, markets will be created through aggressive trade promotion. Supply of trained and skilled labor will be stabilized. There will be a comprehensive

program on bamboo nursery expansion; bamboo propagation, breeding, sitespecific bamboo species development; and sustainable planting, harvesting, soil and water conservation protocols.

Bamboo advocate and former House Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, currently vice chairman of PBIDC, said he hopes SB 605 will be ratified on or before the year ends.

The Philippines has the world’s fifth largest bamboo industry. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the global bamboo market is currently at $17 billion.

Pilmico bags three awards at the Livestock Philippines 2023

PILMICO Animal Nutrition Corp. (Pilmico), part of the agribusiness subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, received recognition for its excellence in feed mill and farm operations at the Livestock Philippines 2023 last July 5 at The World Trade Center in Metro Manila.

Pilmico’s feed mills received the “Excellent Performance in Commercial Feedmill for Swine and Poultry,” while Pilmico’s Farms division accepted the “Environment-Friendly Corporation” award for its sustainable practices. Some of their practices include a wastewater manage -

ment system wherein the farms’ by-products are treated to be recycled, which helps prevent pollution and odors.

The event was organized by Informa Markets and supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA). In attendance were President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Sen. Cynthia Villar. Representatives of the DA led the recognition, including Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa.

“We’re thrilled and grateful to receive three awards from

the Livestock Philippines, which recognizes our contributions to the growth and development of the agricultural industry. This recognition definitely motivates us further to continue fostering excellence in our products, services, and operations,” said Norie Bermudez, Agribusiness Country Director-PH of Pilmico and Gold Coin Group.

In addition to Norie Bermudez, accepting the award on behalf of Pilmico were Farm Operations Technical Director Carlos Gerle, Vice President for Quality, Safety, Health, Environment, and Process (QSHEP) Ma. Cleo

the institution itself. The devolution was not properly done,” Habito said.

Apart from this, he said something has to be done to address the DA’s “very low” absorptive capacity. He said that as far back as the 1990s when he was still Neda Secretary, the DA managed to spend only 60 to 70 percent of its annual budget by November 30.

The remainder, or 30 to 40 percent of the annual budget, Habito said was spent to finance the bonuses and other perks given to DA officials. He said these funds should have been downloaded to the LGUs to help the farmers.

“Everybody’s arguing to death that the DA should get a bigger budget. How can you give a bigger budget to an agency that has not demonstrated to move the money?

The way they can move the money quickly is to download it to the provinces but capacitate them also to use it well. Of course govern it with a tight memorandum of agreement para hindi gamitin sa basketball court ni governor,” he said.

“In short, it has to be a package. And part of the performance indicators of the DA is

to determine if the provinces are better capacitated now to handle agriculture. It was never in their performance indicators, it was never in their KPIs [key performance indicators].”

Habito said these issues could only be solved by someone who does not fear any political backlash. He said at this time, it’s only the President who fits this bill.

It can be recalled that the President won the last election with 31 million votes, one of the highest in the country’s history.

“I am giving him [the President] a chance to recover kasi sabi niya I still want to hold on to it kasi nga supposedly he’s determined to fix it. Privately, my friend Arsi Balisacan [current Neda Secretary Arsenio Balisacan] tells me, yeah talagang ‘yan ang pag-iisip ni President,” Habito said.

“I guess he just gets distracted by so many things. But when he gets around to doing it, hopefully, he listens to Arsi also because Arsi knows the agency very well, he used to be an[undersecretary] there. Sana ma-fix nila. It’s really the institution that’s very dysfunctional.”

DA seizes smuggled frozen farm products worth ₧35M

THE Department of Agriculture-Office of the Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement

(DA-IE) said it seized smuggled frozen agricultural products worth P35 million in Bulacan last Tuesday.

The DA said it will shut down the warehouses where the smuggled frozen food items were found.

“Its owners will also be held accountable for trading smuggled agricultural commodities,” DA Assistant Secretary James Layug said in a statement on Wednesday.

poses danger to public health.

“The seized commodities lack the sanitary and phytosanitary clearance from the appropriate Food Safety Regulatory Agency [FSRA],” Layug said.

“The department will initiate prosecution against those found responsible pursuant to Republic Act [RA] 10611, the Food Safety Act of 2013, and RA 10845, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.”

Flores, and Senior Supervisor for Safety and Environment Christy Gawidan.

“We thank the organization for recognizing our efforts to become a more environmentally friendly and sustainable institution. We know we still have a long way to go, but we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken to reduce our environmental impact, and this award is a confirmation that we are on the right track,” said Gerle.

Pilmico is one of the leading agribusinesses in the Philippines, with operations in manufacturing feeds and managing poultry and swine farms.

Layug said frozen spoiled meat products, including pork feet, lamb and chicken skin, were found inside two makeshift cold storage facilities.

Authorities also discovered banned frozen meat products from Germany and India.

“Evidence of re-boxing of the spoiled meats was discovered. Thorough investigation is underway to probe deeper into the re-boxing operations,” Layug said.

The DA said food safety is one ofits major concerns. Selling smuggled meat and fishery products in the market, it said,

Last March, the DA confiscated a shipment which arrived in Subic. It contained misdeclared agricultural products that were purported to consist of squid rings but instead contained dressed chicken, duck head, and duck neck, worth approximately P40 million.

“The vans were also reportedly lacking the necessary documents including the Phytosanitary Import Clearance,” the DA said in a statement.

The DA conducted the operation in Subic in partnership with the Bureau of Customs, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Bureau of Animal Industry. Raadee S. Sausa

Rice soars to two-year high in Asia on El Niño drought risks

RICE prices in Asia have surged to the highest level in more than two years as importers build up stockpiles on fears that the onset of El Niño will parch plantations and damage crops.

A benchmark grade in the region, Thai white rice 5 percent broken, has climbed about 15 percent in the past four months to $535 a ton, the strongest since early March 2021, according to data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, according to the World Meteorological Organization, threatening to bring drought to Southeast Asia. That comes just as three days of record global temperatures last week increased concerns over the pace of climate change.

While monsoon rains have brought relief to rice fields in parts of India, the

top exporter, dry weather is threatening crops in No. 2 shipper Thailand, with the country facing widespread drought conditions from early 2024. The government has already asked farmers to restrict their planting to just one crop this year.

“With El Niño, we’ll start to clearly see the effects of dry weather later around September and October,” said Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

“This being said, we’ll see stockpiling continue as El Niño looks set to drag on into next year.”

Indonesian purchases

IMPORTERS have started building inventories at aggressive rates. Vietnam expects rice exports this year to climb to the highest in about a decade, with shipments surging to buyers in the Philippines, China and Indonesia.

“The large buying from Indonesia and Philippines has pushed the market

higher,” said Jeremy Zwinger, founder and chief executive officer of research firm The Rice Trader. Still, “weakness will return in the new year or even the fourth quarter, unless politics or weather changes direction.”

Global rice supplies remain exceptionally large, Zwinger said. While the world’s year-ending stockpiles have dropped for two years, they are coming off a record high, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture.

Heat waves are likely to persist in many areas of southern China in the next few days, with temperatures rising as high as 40C in parts of Hunan and Jiangxi, top rice-growing provinces, according to the China Meteorological Administration. There’s a “high risk” that heat will force the premature ripening of some rice in these areas, it said.

India food prices

SPIRALING prices of tomato, onion

and pulses are emerging as new risks for India’s retail inflation, reaffirming expectations of a hawkish hold from the central bank for the rest of the year.

After moderating for four months, consumer price inflation probably accelerated to 4.6 percent in June, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. That compares with a 25-month low reading of 4.25 percent in May. Official data is due 5:30 p.m. local time Wednesday.

The gains are broadly in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s projections, but an impact on supply chains and crops due to an erratic weather may fan the prices further.

That means the central bank will take longer to reach the mid-point of its 2 percent-6 percent target, delaying a pivot to rate cut to support growth. It left the rates unchanged in the last two meetings to see the impact of past hikes on inflation.

High borrowing costs may further dent demand in Asia’s third-largest economy where growth has lost pace tracking a global slowdown. It may also pause the rally in India’s stocks which have touched record highs, according to some market watchers.

Economists are crunching numbers to gauge the impact of the sharp acceleration in food prices on headline inflation in the coming months.

A jump of more than 400 percent in the prices of tomato since the start of the year will likely push up inflation beyond the RBI’s target ceiling in the July reading due next month.

“The weather-related price disruption has also been seen in other vegetables and most notably in onion prices,” said Anubhuti Sahay, an economist with Standard Chartered Bank. She sees the risk of inflation touching 6 percent in July if the increase in food prices is sustained. Bloomberg News

editorial

Halfway to 2030, 17 SDGs in peril

ADopteD by all United Nations member states in 2015, “the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are urgent calls for action by all countries—developed and developing—in a global partnership. they recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

“Leave no one behind” was the defining principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a shared promise by every country to work together to secure the rights and well being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet. But halfway to 2030, that promise is in peril.

A new UN report—The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition— shows we are leaving more than half the world behind. The report said under current trends, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, and only about one third of countries will meet the target to halve national poverty levels.

In education, the impacts of years of underinvestment and learning losses are such that, by 2030, some 84 million children will be out of school and 300 million children or young people attending school will leave unable to read and write. If things don’t change, the report said it will take 286 years to reach equality between men and women.

“Progress on more than 50 percent of SDG targets is weak and insufficient; on 30 percent, it has stalled or gone into reverse. These include key targets on poverty, hunger and climate. Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda could become an epitaph for a world that might have been,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a foreword to the report.

“Developing countries are bearing the brunt of our collective failure to invest in the Sustainable Development Goals. Many face a huge financing gap and are buried under a mountain of debt. One in three countries is at high risk of being unable to service their debt,” Guterres said.

“The 2030 Agenda stated that this generation could be the first to succeed in ending poverty—and the last to have a chance of saving the planet. This higher purpose remains within grasp, but it requires an unprecedented effort by individual governments, a renewed sense of common purpose across the international community, and a global alliance for Sustainable Development Goals-related action across business, civil society, science, young people, local authorities and more. It requires that we come together in September to deliver a rescue plan for people and planet,” the UN report said.

“The SDG Summit taking place in September will be a critical moment for member states to galvanize efforts and renew their commitment to the SDGs. It will also be an opportunity for all of us—citizens, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders—to advocate for urgency, ambition and action to realize the goals,” said Li Junhua, UN Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

“The SDGs are the universally agreed road map to bridge economic and geopolitical divides, restore trust and rebuild solidarity. Failure to make progress means inequalities will continue to deepen, increasing the risk of a fragmented, two-speed world. No country can afford to see the 2030 Agenda fail,” Guterres said, adding that “this report sounds the alarm, calling for a Rescue Plan for People and Planet. I hope the SDG Summit in September will agree to back this Rescue Plan, based on a global alliance for SDG action and acceleration by all stakeholders.”

“We are at a moment of truth and reckoning,” the UN chief said, “but together, we can make this a moment of hope. I urge all member states to make 2023 the moment when we jump-start progress on the SDGs, to create a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.”

BusinessMirror

Stock market confidence builders

of my winning the big prize is one in 13,983,816.

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

YoU go to the department store to buy a shirt. If you are like me, you are a careful shopper looking at all the different factors of a shirt to make a final buying decision.

The fabric is important not only for quality and durability but also for comfort. The tailoring and workmanship determines if the buttons fall off. The shirt must fit properly. Nominal price must fit your shirtbuying budget but also the price should give high possible value.

However, the final determination will be made on what is the ultimate reason for buying a shirt. Do I think that it makes me look good? No matter what the positives of all the other buying influences, the answer to that final question makes the decision. That is also the dynamics for buying a particular stock at a particular price.

Do I believe that the price will go higher, and that I will make a profit?

We hear from analysts that investors make a decision between “Risk-On; Risk-Off.” I do not buy

A

Maybe I should relax. There are experts that will tell me about the weather. The Washington Post: “A skillful forecast lead time of midlatitude instantaneous weather is around 10 days, which serves as the practical predictability limit,” according to a study published in April in the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. Oops.

that argument for what it implies. We all know that there is an inherent daily direct risk and from the “black-swans” and “hidden lions.” Therefore, how can I factor “risk” into my buying decisions if I cannot qualify or quantify “The Risk.” “The onset of El Niño. The resulting drop in rainfall would negatively affect the agricultural sector and could boost inflationary pressure later this year.”

What do I do now? Apparently, in order to make a sensible stock market investing decision, I need to also be a forecasting meteorologist as well as educated agronomist to measure this “maybe-it-will-happen” risk against stock price movement?

Where is the nearest place that sells Lotto tickets? That investment makes more sense. At least in a 6/49 drawing, I absolutely know the odds

Biden plan cuts

student

Investors will have enough confidence to buy stocks including with the mythological risk, based on two things happening. If the price of an issue is going higher and has increased over enough time so that you can see a trend, we/I buy. A PSE issue started at P1.00 earlier this year. Five days later it was trading at P1.10. I bought.

Two weeks later at what I saw as a buying climax (it wasn’t) I sold at P1.34 with a 20 percent profit several days before the high at P1.45. I do not have any idea why the price went up or why it stopped going higher at P1.45 and I do not care. Like the shirt I bought at Rustan’s, the stock made me look younger and wealthier, with less fat around the middle.

You buy the “shares” that are in effect backed by the performance of the company. In a similar manner, you do not buy the Iranian rial, Lebanese pound, Zimbabwean dollar, or Argentine peso because these

are backed by bad governments running bad economies.Therefore, you should follow corporate developments through their official disclosures. The problem is that 90 percent of company leaders do not have a genuine understanding of what investors are looking for. “Earnings up 30 percent over last year” is almost meaningless. Was that from a low base? Is the profit increase only from decreased expenses? How much of that is sustainable? What I want to know is not what you did for me in the past but what are you going to do for me in the future. Yes, tell me how many more stores you opened last quarter/year but more importantly, what are the samestore sales doing? Most importantly, to build my buying confidence, tell me how and why what you are doing today will raise profits in the future. Prices going higher build investor confidence. Companies showing increasingly smart effort for the future also do. And waiting for “The Government” or “The World” to “address the problems” for you to build your investing confidence is a fool’s errand.

loan payments

millions to $0. Will it be the next legal battle?

By Collin Binkley | AP Education Writer

WASHINGtoN the Biden administration calls it a “student loan safety net.” opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.

Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest won’t pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.

It’s known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Biden’s proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.

Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to cancel debt and also shifted attention to the lesser-known initiative, calling it “the most affordable repayment plan ever.” The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said. Republicans have fought against

the plan, saying it oversteps the president’s authority. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called it “deeply unfair” to the 87 percent of Americans who don’t have student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated over the next decade the plan would cost $230 billion, which would be even higher now that the forgiveness plan has been struck down. Estimates from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania put the cost at up to $361 billion.

Emboldened by the Supreme Court’s decision on cancellation, some opponents say it’s a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Here’s what to know about the SAVE Plan:

What is an income-driven repayment plan?

THE US Education Department offers several plans for repaying fed-

for

poverty line—$32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150 percent of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.

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. eral student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of four plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income. If a borrower’s earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

How is Biden’s plan different?

AS part of his debt relief plan announced last year, Biden said his Education Department would create a new income-driven repayment plan that lowers payments even further. It became known as the SAVE Plan, and it’s generally intended to replace existing income-driven plans.

Borrowers will be able to apply later this summer, but some of the changes will be phased in over time.

Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan won’t require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225 percent of the federal

As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won’t increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment— even if it’s $0—any remaining interest will be waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.

Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5 percent of discretionary income, down from 10 percent now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5 percent and 10 percent, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.

Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.

For example, a borrower with an See “Biden,” A17

By Liudas Dapkus | The Associated Press

VILNIUs, Lithuania—A pair of colorful children’s scooters rest against the yellow tracks of a battle tank, parked in the shade of skyscrapers in the Vilnius business district. the area, usually busy with cars, cyclists and pedestrians, is closed to traffic and packed with heavy armored vehicles.

“Never in its history was Lithuania this safe,” says Jonas Braukyla, an IT engineer, who brought his family to see the US-made Abrams tanks, German Leopards and Marders and other military hardware brought out to project Nato power ahead of an alliance summit next week. “They are even bringing Patriot missile defenses over here. Now we must help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and I hope the summit will bring good news for them.”

The two-day summit starting Tuesday with US President Joe Biden and other Nato leaders will be the most high-profile international event that Lithuania has hosted since it joined the alliance in 2004, and some locals hope it will be of historic significance.

Others are less optimistic.

“The Vilnius summit will be important, but not historic. I doubt that the decision on Ukraine’s future will be precise and affirmative,” said Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuania’s former president.

Her skepticism reflects a widely held belief in the Baltic countries that the West, even after Russia launched the biggest war in Europe since World War II, has never truly understood the threat that Moscow poses to the continent.

Grybauskaite earned a reputation as the “Baltic Iron Lady” for her resolute leadership and bluntness, particularly regarding Russia. The European Union’s budget commissioner for five years before serving as Lithuania’s president from 2009 to 2019, she was one of few European leaders who warned of Russian interference in eastern Europe even before Moscow annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Now, she says, many Western leaders are still grossly misled about the Kremlin’s real intentions and lack the political will to respond accordingly.

“After the Crimea occupation, the reaction from the West was very slow, despite Russia demonstrating openly in broad daylight that it could occupy the territories of neighboring countries,” Grybauskaite told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

“We tried to explain to them what that means, but we were criticized, laughed at, and not believed. Today, most of them agree who was right but that is not important anymore. What is more concerning is that even now they hear us, but they don’t listen.”

She said many Europeans still fail to understand the chasm in values between Russia and the West. She dismissed as “delusions” the idea that the two sides could find common ground through negotiations.

continued from A16

original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.

How do I apply?

THE Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.

It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

What are the pros and cons?

SUPPORTERS say Biden’s plan will

“It’s not just the war against Ukraine, it’s the quest against our entire civilization,” said the 67-yearold, who last week received the Manfred Wörner Medal, a prestigious German award for services toward peace and freedom in Europe. “If Ukraine does not achieve a definitive victory on the battlefield, the West will end up in limbo. The aggressive actions against it will last for decades to come.”

Resentment toward Moscow runs deep in Lithuania and in its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Estonia, all of which toiled under Soviet occupation for five decades. Unlike many Western countries, they remained skeptical of peaceful co-existence with Moscow after the Iron Curtain fell.

Lithuania, which borders Russian ally Belarus to the east and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave to the west, is investing heavily in its military, with plans to spend 3 percent of GDP on defense in the near future—well above the Nato target. Its skies are patrolled by Nato jets and Germany has pledged to deploy around 4,000 troops in Lithuania permanently. But critics worry that wouldn’t be enough to protect the country if the war spreads beyond Ukraine.

Vytautas Landsbergis, Lithuania’s first leader after it regained independence in the early 1990s, has mocked suggestions that an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin might be reached over Ukraine.

“As long as there is Russia, there will never be such a thing as ‘after the war.’ You should say it frankly: ‘after Russia.’ Maybe then the world would have a chance,” he told reporters this week.

That mindset makes some Nato partners uneasy. French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year said the war in Ukraine must not turn into a campaign to “crush” the Russian Federation.

“I want Russia to be defeated in Ukraine, and I want Ukraine to be able to defend itself. But I’m certain that in the end this will not be resolved militarily,” Macron told French media at the annual Munich Security Conference in February. “I don’t think, as some do, that Russia must be totally taken apart, attacked on its territory.... That was never France’s position, and it never will be.”

The small Baltic countries are among the top contributors of military aid to Ukraine on a per-capita basis. They’re also among the staunchest advocates of inviting Ukraine to join Nato, another sensitive issue in the alliance. Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report.

simplify repayment options and offer relief to millions of borrowers.

The Biden administration has argued that ballooning student debt puts college out of reach for too many Americans and holds borrowers back financially.

Opponents call it an unfair perk for those who don’t need it, saying it passes a heavy cost onto taxpayers who already repaid student loans or didn’t go to college. Some worry that it will give colleges incentive to raise tuition prices higher since they know many students will get their loans canceled later.

Voices across the political spectrum have said it amounts to a form of free college. Biden campaigned on a promise to make community college free, but it failed to gain support from Congress. Critics say the new plan is an attempt to do something similar without Congress’ approval.

By Emily Birnbaum & Laura Davison

Those visuals in the Republican National Committee’s ad aren’t real, and the scenarios are pretty obviously fictional. But thanks to the handiwork of artificial intelligence, the images look like real life. Within days of the ad appearing online in April, Representative Yvette Clarke, a New York Democrat, introduced legislation to require disclosure of AI-produced content in political advertisements.

“This is going too far,” she said in an interview. Tiny type in the RNC ad reads, “Built entirely with AI imagery.” Clarke’s bill is going nowhere in a legislature controlled by Republicans, but it illustrates the degree to which the rapid advance of artificial intelligence has put Washington on its back foot.

Voters in the US and around the world are already inundated by AIgenerated political content. Click on an e-mail asking for donations, for example, and you may be reading a message drafted by a so-called large language model, political consultants say—the technology behind ChatGPT, the wildly popular chatbot from startup OpenAI. Politicians also increasingly use AI to hasten mundane but critical tasks like analyzing voter rolls, assembling mailing lists and even writing speeches.

As in many industries, AI is poised to increase political workers’ productivity—and probably eliminate more than a few of their jobs. It’s hard to say how many, but the business of politics is full of the sorts of roles that researchers believe are most vulnerable to disruption by generative AI, such as legal professionals and administrative workers.

But even more ominously, AI holds the potential to supercharge the dissemination of misinformation in political campaigns. The technology is capable of quickly creating so-called “deepfakes,” fake pictures and videos that some political operatives predict will soon be indistinguishable from real ones, enabling miscreants to literally put words in their opponents’ mouths.

Deepfakes have plagued politics for years, but with AI, savvy editing skills are no longer required to create them.

Put to its best use, AI could improve political communications.

For instance, upstart campaigns with little cash could use the technology to inexpensively produce campaign materials with fewer staff. Some political consultants that traditionally work only with presidential and Senate campaigns are making plans to work with smaller campaigns using AI to offer more services at a lower price point.

And the tech industry is trying to combat deepfakes. Companies including Microsoft Corp. have pledged to embed digital watermarks in images created using their AI tools in order to distinguish them as fake.

‘Knife fight’

IN June, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign posted an online ad featuring AIgenerated images of President Donald Trump hugging and kissing Anthony Fauci. The former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is a pariah among Republicans because of his public-health recommendations during the pandemic.

A fact-checking note was appended to the DeSantis campaign’s tweet saying that the images, mixed among real pictures and videos of Trump, were AI-created. DeSantis’s campaign didn’t initially identify them as fake.

In Germany, a far-right party recently distributed AI-generated images of angry immigrants without telling viewers that they weren’t actual photographs. That one got flagged on Twitter as well, but the incident shows how quickly the technology is being adopted for political messaging and the inherent risks, said Juri Schnöller, the managing director of Cosmonauts & Kings, a German political communication firm.

“AI can save or destroy democracy. It’s like a knife fight, right? You can kill someone, or you can make the best dinner,” Schnöller said.

Mix in Russian and Chinese disinformation mills and the concerns grow even more acute, misinformation experts say. Trolls and hackers in those nations already churn out propaganda and lies within their own borders and in countries around the world.

Graphika, a misinformationtracking firm based in the US, in Feb-

ruary found a pro-Chinese influence operation spreading AI-generated video footage of fake news anchors promoting the interests of the Chinese Communist Party.

Rob Joyce, director of cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, said both nation-state actors and cybercriminals have begun experimenting with ChatGPT-like text generation to trick people online.

“That Russian-native hacker who doesn’t speak English well is no longer going to craft a crappy e-mail to your employees,” Joyce said earlier this year. “It’s going to be nativelanguage English, it’s going to make sense, it’s going to pass the sniff test.”

In March, an anonymous Twitter user posted an altered video that went viral, purporting to show Biden verbally attacking transgender people. Another one, circulated widely by a right-wing US pundit, appeared to show Biden ordering a nuclear attack on Russia and sending troops to Ukraine.

Falling behind

WA SHINGTON is bad at keeping up with emerging technology, much less regulating it. Despite agreeing broadly that Big Tech is too powerful, the two parties have for years been unable to pass any comprehensive legislation to rein in the industry. Between 2021 and 2022, Congress held more than 150 hearings on tech, with little to show for it.

In June, there was a briefing in the Senate called “What is AI?”

The US doesn’t have a federal privacy law and hasn’t updated antitrust laws to account for growing concentration in the tech industry. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on whether—or how—to regulate online speech.

Last month, the Federal Election Commission deadlocked 3-3 on a request to develop rules for AI-generated political ads. Republicans on the panel—which is evenly divided between the parties and routinely finds itself at impasse on controversial matters— said the agency didn’t have explicit authority for the regulations.

Other countries are racing ahead on regulation, spurred into action by the ChatGPT craze. The European Parliament on June 14 voted to restrict the nascent technology’s most anxiety-inducing uses, such as biometric surveillance—AI that can identify people from their faces or bodies. The law, still up for debate, could also require companies to reveal more information about datasets used to train chatbots.

European officials are separately

pressing companies including Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Meta Platforms Inc. to label content and images generated by artificial intelligence, in order to help combat disinformation from adversaries like Russia.

Chinese regulators are aggressively imposing new rules on technology companies to ensure Communist Party control over AI and related information available in the country. Every AI model must be submitted for government review before introduction into the market, and synthetically generated content must carry “conspicuous labels,” according to a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace paper this week. Cheaper campaigns IN the best case, AI could make US political campaigns “a lot cheaper,” said Martin Kurucz, the chief executive of Sterling Data Company, which works with Democrats.

The technology is already used to help write first drafts of speeches and op-eds, create ads, draw up lobbying campaigns and more, according to lobbyists, campaign and congressional staffers and political consultants. Art generators like Midjourney, an AI program that generates hyper-realistic images based on text prompts, have the potential to increase productivity or even replace the work of creative teams that can cost thousands of dollars.

While the RNC has already made an attack ad using generative AI, the Democratic National Committee is still experimenting with the technology. A spokesperson said the committee has sent out AI-automated fundraising e-mails and is considering how to expand its use of AI in the future.

On Capitol Hill, the House Chief Administrative Officer’s digital services office in April handed out 40 licenses for ChatGPT Plus, which House offices have used to help write e-mails, research briefs, and even draft legislation. Writing full bills is still too complicated a task for generative AI. The House last month created new rules curtailing the use of ChatGPT in Congress, clarifying that staffers cannot put confidential information into the chatbot.

There’s some indication lawmakers are taking the threat of AI more seriously than previous technologies that were poised to upend politics.  After it became clear social media would play a vital role in politics, for example, lawmakers let a decade slide by before they summoned Mark Zuckerberg to testify at a hearing. Bloomberg

EPA sets stricter limits on hydrofluorocarbons used in refrigerators, air conditioners

By Matthew Daly | The Associated Press

WAsHINGtON—the Environmental Protection Agency is enforcing stricter limits on hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners that contribute to global warming.

A rule announced on Tuesday will impose a 40 percent overall reduction in HFCs starting next year, part of a global phaseout designed to slow climate change. The rule aligns with a 2020 law that calls for an 85 percent reduction in production and use of the climate-damaging chemicals by 2036.

Officials said refrigeration and air conditioning systems sold in the United States will emit far fewer HFCs as a result of the rule, the second step in a 15-year phasedown of the chemicals that once dominated refrigeration and cooling equipment.

Here’s a look at HFCs and what the United States and other countries are doing to limit their use.

What are HFCs?

H Y DROFLUOROCARBONS are highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners. HFCs produce greenhouse gases that are thousands of times more powerful than carbon di-

oxide. They often leak through pipes or appliances that use compressed refrigerants and are considered a major driver of global warming.

What is being done to limit HFCs?

MORE than 130 countries, including the United States, have signed a 2016 global agreement to greatly reduce use and production of HFCs by 2036.

The Senate ratified the so-called Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone pollution last year in a rare bipartisan vote. The measure requires participating nations to phase down production and use of HFCs by 85 percent over the next 13 years, as part of a global phase out intended to slow climate change.

Scientists said the agreement, reached in Kigali, Rwanda, could help the world avoid a half-degree Celsius of global warming.

Ratification of the amendment, signed last year by President Joe Biden, follows bipartisan action

Congress took in 2020 to approve the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which phased out domestic HFC manufacturing. The AIM Act has accelerated an industry shift from HFCs to alternative refrigerants that use less harmful chemicals and are widely available throughout the country. The law also averts a previous patchwork of state laws and regulations that govern HFCs.

What does the latest rule do?

THE new rule announced on Tuesday builds on a 10 percent reduction required by the end of this year. It requires a 40 percent overall reduction from 2024 through 2028.

Companies that produce, import, export, destroy, use, process or recycle HFCs are subject to the rule.

EPA officials said the rule would help ensure the US leads the way as countries around the world implement the Kigali Amendment. The HFC phasedown, “bolstered by domestic innovation to develop alternative chemicals and equipment, is paving the way for the United States to tackle climate change and strengthen global competitiveness,” said Joe Goffman, principal deputy assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi said the rule will help develop next-generation technologies for refrigeration, “ensuring that American workers reap the benefits of a growing global market for HFC alternatives.”

What does industry say?

THE Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, which represents air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration manufacturers, called the rule a crucial step to implement the AIM Act.

“Our industry appreciates the work of the EPA and the timely issuance of this rule as we prepare for the next HFC reduction step-down next January,” said AHRI president & CEO Stephen Yurek.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers and users, welcomed the EPA rule.

“ACC has long supported the HFCs phasedown, which can reduce a sizable source of greenhouse gas emissions while creating manufacturing jobs and growing our nation’s share of the global market for air-conditioning and refrigeration products,’’ the group said in a statement. US companies have developed effective alternatives to HFCs, the group added.

It’s a jarring political advertisement: Images of a Chinese attack on taiwan lead into scenes of looted banks and armed soldiers enforcing martial law in san Francisco. A narrator insinuates that it’s all happening under President Joe Biden’s watch.

AI is making politics easier, cheaper and more dangerous

Nato summit host Lithuania is a small country with a loud voice, especially when it comes to Russia

A18 Thursday, July 13, 2023

SOLON: ENFORCE DRUNK DRIVING LAW TIGHTLY

WITH 11,000 deaths recorded annually in the Philippines because of road crashes due to drunk driving, over speeding, texting while driving, and human error, lawmakers are pushing passage of a measure mandating more traffic officers in enforcing the law against driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs, while integrating road safety and drivers’ education into the K-to-12 curriculum.

B icol Saro Partylist Rep.

Brian Raymund Yamsuan said the number of personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) remains insufficient in implementing Republic Act  (RA) 10586 or the AntiDrunk and Drugged Driving Act, which makes the law ineffective in minimizing road crashes and other accidents.

A mending RA 10586 to make it mandatory for the LTO to deputize selected officers of thePhilippine National Police (PNP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government units (LGUs) in enforcing this law’s provisions will help ensure road safety and help educate drivers on the perils of drinking under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Yamsuan said.

T his proposed amendment is provided under House Bill (HB) 7968 filed by Yamsuan, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

T he bill, which has been referred to the Committee on Transportation of the House of Representatives, also aims to integrate road safety and driv -

ers’ education into the K-to-12 curriculum to help instill in the early stages of a child’s development the value of exercising extreme caution on the road and warn against the devastating effects of drunk or drugged driving.

“

One life lost to drunk or drugged driving is one too many.  The number of deaths from drunk or drugged driving-related accidents could have been minimized, if not totally prevented, had we had more officers on the streets to conduct roadside operations especially during the holidays when cases of driving under the influence significantly increase,”  Yamsuan said.   Yamsuan, who is also a member of the House Committee on Transportation, underscored the need for the LTO and its deputized agencies to procure enough sobriety and drug test kits to effectively enforce the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.  He cited reported cases when obviously drunk drivers were let go instead of being charged outright for violating the antidrunk and drugged driving law, simply because the apprehending officers had no testing equipment available.

The law was enacted...to ensure that drunk and drugged drivers do not get to harm others when they take the wheel.  What we need is express action when it comes to apprehending them. Our law enforcers need to have the proper equipment necessary to do their job right and  quickly get these irresponsible drivers off the streets,” Yamsuan said.

Speaker vows sustained support for entrepreneurs

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

islative agenda is geared toward their empowerment and growth, working relentlessly to create a level playing field for all businesses.

Our initiatives—simplified business registration, tax reform, affordable financing, and digital infrastructure investment—reflect this commitment. We are convinced that reducing these barriers will unlock our MSMEs’ full potential, fostering their growth and furthering national progress,” he added.

Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to assist small businesses and “strategic” companies.

For this purpose, the bill seeks to increase DBP’s capitalization from P35 billion to P100 billion, and allocates P7.5 billion to Land Bank and P2.5 billion to DBP for lending to small enterprises.

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

TWENTY-TWO countries have shown solidarity with the Philippines as it marks the seventh year of its legal victory before an international arbitral tribunal invalidating China’s claims over the South China Sea.

A t a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati City, ambassadors from Australia, Japan, European Union Delegation, France, United Kingdom, United States, and India expressed concern over China’s continued militarization of the rocks and reefs in the West Philippine Sea and disregard for the ruling of the arbitration tribunal.

A side from France, 15 of the 27 members of the EU also subscribed to the EU Delegation statement supporting the Philipppines’ call for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. These are Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden.

Canada also issued a statement from Ottawa castigating China’s “continued refusal to accept the tribunal decision, and its coercive behavior in the East and South China Seas.”

“ Today is a really important day not for the Philippines but for the world. Australia has a long-standing, long partnersip with the Philippines to ensure that 2016 arbitration ruling is properly implemented and properly followed,” Australian Ambassador to Manila Hae Kyong

Yu PSM told reporters.

I n Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa stressed that the Arbitral Tribunal’s award is “final and legally binding.”

The claim by China that it will not accept the award is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes . . . and undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community,” Hayashi said in a statement.

I ndian Ambassador to Manila

Shambhu Kumaran said India also lost in an international arbitration ruling on their maritime boundary with Bangladesh at the Bay of Bengal in 2014.

“ The judgment was not entirely in India’s favor but we have recognized and implemented that award,” he said.

He said a “real test of state behavior” rests on countries to implement agreements which have been signed and implement those agreements.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, meanwhile, issued a statement from Washington DC urging Beijing to “comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention.”

Washington also called on Beijing to:

■ “cease its routine harassment” of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones

■ “halt its disruption” of states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources;

R omualdez made a statement after his remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Food Fair (Philippine Cuisine and Ingredients Show), spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Mandaluyong City.

Dear friends, our mission in the House of Representatives is clear: to equip every Filipino entrepreneur with the necessary tools and conducive environment for success,” Romualdez said.

As the Speaker of the House, I pledge my commitment to this mission, confident that our collective efforts, our entrepreneurs’ resilience, and the Filipino people’s support will ensure its realization,” he said.

Let’s celebrate the invaluable contributions of our MSMEs and envisage a future where they stand at the helm of our nation’s prosperity,” he said.

T he Speaker said the House leg -

He pointed out that the House has passed several measures, and is considering the approval of other proposals meant to help small businesses, such as the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act and House Bill No. 1171, or the “One Town, One Product Act.”

T hese, he said, are aligned with the policy of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., noting that the Chief Executive has allocated P1.2 billion in the 2023 national budget to support programs for MSMEs.

T he GUIDE Act, of which Speaker Romualdez is one of the principal authors, obligates government financial institutions like the Land

O n the other hand, Speaker Romualdez said the “One Town, One Product” or OTOP bill aims to “assist MSMEs in developing innovative products, enhancing quality, design, packaging, compliance, marketability, production, and brand development.”

The OTOP program incorporates a broad range of products and skill-based services native to specific localities. It mirrors the rich fabric of our cultural heritage and entrepreneurial vigor,” he said.

He thanked the National Food Fair organizers for inviting him to the event as he also encouraged efforts to kindle the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos.

As we indulge in the diverse offerings of this event, let us acknowledge that it is the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of these enterprises that truly enrich our nation,” Romualdez said.

3 stakeholders offer help on Naia’s services

THREE airport stakeholders operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) closed ranks to pitch to authorities a unique offer to help reduce passengers’ processing time and improve NAIA with minimal cost and revenue loss to government, or increased terminal fees for air travelers.

The three stakeholders are veteran ground handlers Data, Inc. (Philippine subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ Data) and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions, Inc. (PAGSS), together with the Bureau of Immigration’s e-Gate provider Ascent Solutions Philippines, Inc.

T hey volunteered to equip NAIA with automated biometrics and

Common Use Self Service (CUSS) systems and equipment, including self-service check-in and bag drop, additional e-Gates and automated flight boarding.

According to the group, these systems can substantially reduce passenger processing times and, following their proposed implementation schedule, should augment the capacity of Terminal 1 by some 2 million passengers per year within just three months. After a further rollout within six months, the departure capacity of Terminal 1 should increase by 4 million more passengers per year, and Terminal 3 by 8 million.

T hey see no need for so many billions to be used for the NAIA rehabilitation and unnecessary

upgrades, costs that  could inevitably be passed on to passengers. The group wants to demonstrate NAIA’s functionality up until the flagship New Manila International Airport opens in less than five years. The group does not intend to charge the government or the riding public any fee for the use of its equipment.

“Having gained invaluable insight into NAIA from years of experience, we know with certainty that the main pain point of passengers, airlines, and airport users is congestion, long queues resulting in inconvenience. This issue can be satisfactorily addressed through automation,” said PAGSS President Janette Cordero. “ With the right guidance and

the support of airport stakeholders, NAIA can be operated more efficiently, without overspending or over-charging,” Cordero added.

T he group also offered to provide the services of aviation experts in airport operations and optimization of runway capacity to support government’s efforts in developing ways and means to decongest NAIA. Cordero stressed that these services are at no cost or charge to the Government.

C ritics of the planned bidding out of the operations and management of the NAIA  to private groups point to foregone government revenues, the proposed hikes in airport charges, and the alleged futility of spending to expand an already congested single- runway airport.

22 countries show solidarity with PHL in SCS arbitral award

THE House of Representatives remains firmly committed to the effort of helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow to create job and income opportunities for the people, as it recognizes the crucial contribution of small businesses to the economy, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Wednesday.

NEW MMDA HUB The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority inaugurated its new Communication and Command Center in Pasig City on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Billed as the largest, most advanced, and highly effective facility of its kind in the country, it serves as the central hub for managing main thoroughfares of the National Capital Region. It boasts cutting-edge technologies, an operations and data center, situation room, viewing room, media room, and advanced features like closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and the Hytera radio smart dispatch system with built-in GPS, among others. Gracing the inauguration are (from left) MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval. ROY DOMINGO

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, July 13, 2023

NGCP: Transmission grid ops not at risk from foreign entity

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

NGCP is 40-percent owned by the state Grid Corporation of China (sCGCC). There are four Chinese directors who sit on the 10-person board.

a d dressing accusations that the grid is vulnerable as a result of foreign ownership participation in NGCP, the company officials insisted, “There is simply no truth to this accusation. a l l control centers, substations, and command centers are operated by Filipinos.” during a senate hearing, lawmakers wanted to know why the remaining six board members—who are all Filipinos—could not immediately convene the board members for a meeting.

“The 60:40 requirement of the Constitution is for Filipinos to always have control of public utilities because of public interest and na-

tional security, but how can we be in control if we can’t even convene the board right away in the first meeting because of a provision that they cannot unless it’s the third time,” senator sherwin Gatchalian said.

The NGCP’s website identified zhu Guangchao as chairman of the NGCP board. The other board members are henry sy, Jr., robert Coyiuto, Jr., Jose Pardo, Francis Chua, Yao Yousheng, Wang lijin, liu Xinhua, a nthony a lmeda, and Paul sagayo Jr. a statement from the NGCP said that sGCC’s stake cannot and does not amount to control of the company because Filipinos own 60 percent.

“Government has always known about sGCC’s participation in NGCP. state Grid participated in the privatization of Transco as the foreign technical partner of the consortium that

won the concession. The concession was awarded at the fourth round of an open and competitive public bidding initiated by the government. This winning consortium eventually formed NGCP,” it said.

NGCP stressed that the security of the grid is of paramount importance to the grid operator. “In fact, we recently signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the NIC a (National Intelligence Coordinating a gency) to further protect our country’s transmission assets. We continue to find ways to protect the transmission system from all threats,” it said.

To finish interconnection dUr ING the same hearing, NGCP committed to finish the BatangasMindoro Interconnection Project in 2027.

“We received approval in February 2023, but even before approval we have done pre-construction work. We are already moving forward with that project.

a ssuming there are no further delays, it would be 2027. It’s already a very tight timeline,” said NGCP spokesperson Cynthia a l abanza at the hearing.

occidental Mindoro province was recently placed under a state of calamity due to daily 20-hour power outages.

since 2009, NGCP has completed

a total of 56 projects and has invested P300 billion in the transmission system. a total of 3,729 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, 28 new substations, and an additional 31,190 MVa of transformer capacity has been installed in the past 14 years.

despite NGCP’s best efforts, delays in the completion of certain projects could not be avoided due to the disruption that two years of Covid-19 restrictions caused to the global supply chain, right-of-way challenges, and repeated suspensions of work in expropriation courts and local governments for permitting, among others.

“These are the realities. But we accomplished what we were supposed to do. across the globe, rightof-way and government permitting are among the primary challenges facing the construction of transmission lines. In other developed countries, it takes anywhere between 10 to 15 years to build transmission lines,” it said.

This year, NGCP said it energized and will complete the hermosa- san Jose 500kV Transmission line project in just seven years. The CebuNegros-Panay stage 3 Backbone project is likewise energized and set for completion also in just seven years. The Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection project was energized and will be completed in only six years.

Megawide: PH1 deal gets investor nod

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Shareholders of Megawide Construction Corp. on Wednesday approved the acquisition of its affiliate Ph1 World developers Inc. from its parent firm Citicore holdings Investments Inc.

Megawide will acquire Ph1 World developers for P5.2 billion.

Megawide Chairman edgar sa avedra said the acquisition of Ph1 World developers will position the company in the affordable housing market, while enhancing the company’s operation results.

“In comparison to the construction business, if you do a development you get a higher topline, and

higher percentage in the bottomline.” sa avedra also noted the resilience of the housing sector during the pandemic.

“The residential (market) remains to be more resilient, even during pandemics, especially if you look at the affordable segment market,” he said.

Megawide said the purchase price for Ph1 was arrived after a careful deliberation by the company and valuation study of Ph1 in accordance with the 2022 International Valuation standards.

“Based on the fairness opinion report issued by FTI Consulting Philippines Inc. on the transaction, the purchase price is fair from a financial point of view.”

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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

r e venues, which mostly come from real estate sales, reached P599.77 million, up by almost double from the previous year’s P311.42 million.

The company sells residential condominium units under its The hive project located at san Isidro street, or tigas avenue ex tension in Taytay, r i zal which consists of Towers a B, C and d Construction of Towers a , B and C were completed on december 31, 2022, while the construction of Tower d is 98 percent completed as of end-2022.

The company also has an ongoing

project called My enzo l ofts located at Timog ave. in Quezon City.

“The acquisition of Ph1 is part of Megawide’s business strategy for forward integration. The acquisition is expected to result in the reduction of Megawide’s production costs and improvement the Megawide group’s efficiency,” the company said.

“Megawide 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 Megawide 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 takeup.

B1

SPPC obtains permanent injunction from CA

Tesla Inc. is hiring a leader for its new retail electricity business as it looks to expand into the UK energy market.

The company plans to launch a “retail electricity product in the UK” as part of Tesla electric, which currently sells power to consumers in select markets such as Texas. The company plans to register with the UK industry regulator as a household electricity provider, according to a job advertisement on its website.

Tesla’s entrance to the market would follow the collapse of a swathe of suppliers as the energy crisis squeezed the ability of small firms to pass on costs. about 30 UK-based firms went bust after they were unable to manage their trading strategy when prices shot up in summer 2021.

The listing, for a UK head of operations at Tesla electric, seeks applicants that are “comfortable with ambiguity” and have “a healthy skepticism of the status quo.” The role is based in london and Manchester. Bloomberg News

The d e partment of Transportation ( d o Tr) said on Wednesday it has turned over socialized housing units to 50 households affected by the construction of the North- s outh Commuter r a ilway (NsC r ) Project in s a n Fernando City, Pampanga.

Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista assured affected residents and communities that they “stand to benefit from well-made houses as well as job and livelihood opportunities.”

“This is not just a housing project, but it also comes with a livelihood package. You can rest assured that we are here to help you have a good life as you move to your new homes.”

The relocation sites for the displaced families are “highly livable” with availability of basic utilities and low monthly amortizations— starting at only P500 and accessibility to schools, health center,

public market, sports facilities, police station and transport terminal.

“These are well-made houses. They are not low-cost housing. We aim to provide similar houses to those who will be affected by the project,” Bautista said.

The d o Tr and the Philippine National r a ilways (PN r ), in cooperation with the d e partment of human s e ttlements and Urban d e velopment ( dh s U d), National h o using a u thority (N h a ), and City Government of s a n Fernando, facilitated the permanent relocation of the 50 families from the seven affected barangays in s a n Fernando City.

To be relocated in Phase 2 s a n Fernando View r e sidences in Ba-

rangay Calulut, s a n Fernando, Pampanga, the first 50 Project a f fected households (Pa h s) are among 1,138 total beneficiaries in the city.

Included in the first 50 beneficiaries are not just those displaced by the construction of stations and elevated railway but also those who experienced flooding as a result of civil works for the project.

a second relocation site with more than 200 housing units will be opened later this year. a third site, to be opened early 2024, will involve constructing a low-rise building with more than 400 units.

The N s C r e x tension Project forms part of the entire 147-kilometer N s C r sy stem, which is expected to integrate the project’s Malolos-Clark segment and its Calamba leg (s olis-Calamba).

o n ce operational, the N s C r system is expected to serve over 500,000 passengers daily, and reduce travel time from Calamba, l a guna to Clark, Pampanga to two hours.

The Court of a p peals (C a )

m ade permanent an injunction order it issued in favor of s o uth Premiere Power Corp. ( s P PC), but denied s a n Miguel e n ergy Corp.’s (s M e C ) petition for a temporary restraining order (T ro) on its supply of 330-megawatt (MW) capacity to the Manila e lectric Co. (Meralco).

sPPC and sMeC are subsidiaries of sMC Global Power holdings Corp., the power arm of san Miguel Corp. (sMC).

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday, sMC said it received last July 11 a copy of the joint decision issued on June 27 by the 13th division of the appellate court, which granted the consolidated petitions for certiorari of sPPC

AB oI TI z Power Corp. and Upgrade e n ergy Philippines Inc. (UGeP) will work together to serve commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses that are pushing for distributed energy systems, such as solar power, in their facilities.

Under the 50-50 joint venture joint venture agreement, UGeP will take its role as the engineering, procurement, construction ( ePC) contractor, which built the Philippines’s largest captive solar project— a 13.8-MWp rooftop installation for JG summit petrochemicals.

The partnership also aims to unlock the potential for further growth in the renewable energy space by developing and operating distributed solar systems catered to the large C&I market. These solar energy generating facilities will be tailored to meet the specific needs of prospective and current C&I businesses under the a boitizPower retail group portfolio.

“This partnership enables us to strengthen the conversation with businesses towards a more sustainable-oriented, customer-focused and integrated approach. s o lar projects are carefully designed to meet the unique requirements of power consumers.

and sMeC

With the grant of the petitions, sMC said, “the writ of preliminary injunction issued in favor of sPPC is hereby made permanent.”

at the same time, the C a denied sMeC ’s motion for partial reconsideration of the court’s January 13 resolution and its application for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction for being moot and academic.

With the grant of s P PC and sMeC ’s petitions, the C a annulled and set aside the 2022 orders the energy regulatory Commission (erC) “for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.”

Continued on B2

Through our joint venture with UGeP, we aim to leverage their capabilities to deliver on those needs, beyond the sale of retail electricity, encompassing development, construction and long-term operations and maintenance aspects of solar projects,” said a boitizPower First Vice President and head of retail James Byron Yu.

UGeP President and Ceo ruth Yu- owen, meanwhile, acknowledged the pivotal role of decentralized generation in assisting businesses as they explore and venture into more sustainable energy solutions.

“Partnering with a P X allows us to fulfill our goal of promoting widespread adoption of renewable energy in the Philippines. The joint venture enables us to further demonstrate the viability and benefits of solar energy by providing customized solutions that drive business efficiency and environmental stewardship,” she said.

since its establishment in 2015, UGeP has completed 20 MWp on a turnkey ePC basis in addition to 6.3 MWp under fully owned, 15-year lease-to-own contracts. It has also set an ambitious target to complete 200 MWp captive and 500 MWp utilityscale solar projects under long-term contracts by 2028. Lenie Lectura

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Wednesday gave assurances that the country’s power transmission grid is not in danger just because the grid operator is partly owned by a foreign entity.

Govt relocates residents along NSCR project Tesla to hire chief for UK unit

Lender seeks partners to reach OFWs, MSMEs

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

CIMB Bank Philippines Inc.

is looking for more partners to offer embedded banking services to reach more Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The bank said embedded banking aims to integrate banking services seamlessly into platforms and ecosystems. It also empowers non-banking entities to monetize their market base by providing payments, savings, and lending services which stand to benefit digital savvy Filipino consumers.

“(We) will soon be unveiling more embedded banking partners and unique product features in the future. This will help grant easier access to the commonly underserved population such as the overseas Filipino, and the micro and small to medium entrepreneurs, enabling them to live their purpose just as deservedly as everybody else,” CIMB Bank Philippines said.

CIMB Bank Philippines’s Chief Growth Officer Suraj Ramchandani said the bank pioneered the ecosystem play. One example of their partners is GCash operator GXchange Inc.

This partnership is seen through the “CIMB GSave,” a savings product that provides a high savings rate.

Ramchandani added that with GCredit, CIMB manages the portfolio while GCash provides the platform through which the product is served. These, he said, result in Filipinos “being empowered with a digital revolving credit line they can use across various merchants and

payment needs.”

“As more and more services digitize, service providers will need to embed finance and banking capabilities in their ecosystems and platforms. We play the role in bringing the bank to the consumer where they perform their daily activities,” Ramchandani said.

Embedded banking refers to the integration of banking services within non-banking platforms, such as e-commerce websites, social media apps, or super apps.

By embedding financial capabilities into these platforms, customers gain convenient access to a wide range of banking services without the need for multiple applications or interfaces. The bank is embedded on the touchpoints where the customers are.

A good example of this is the GCredit feature in mobile wallet GCash, or the SPayLater facility in ecommerce platform operator Shopee Southeast Asia Ltd.—both of which CIMB underwrites.

One benefit of embedded banking is the potential for enhanced financial inclusion. By collaborating with service providers, banks are able to extend their services to a wider customer base.

This includes previously underserved segments who may historically not have had access to banking products due to multiple know your customer (KYC) requirements from traditional banks.

This approach democratizes access to financial products and services, enabling individuals who previously had limited banking options to benefit from a broader range of offerings.

Man charged with stealing millions of dollars in crypto

US prosecutors charged a New York man with stealing millions of dollars in crypto after exploiting vulnerabilities on a decentralized finance or “DeFi” platform—the latest sign of increased willingness by authorities to wade into this corner of the digital-asset market to thwart alleged wrongdoing.

Shakeeb Ahmed, a 34-year-old senior security engineer for an international technology company, took advantage of a flaw in one of the exchange’s smart contracts to insert fake pricing data, generating about $9 million of inflated and unearned fees that he was able to withdraw in crypto, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in an indictment unsealed last Tuesday. Manhattan prosecutors also accused Ahmed of laundering the stolen funds through a series of complex transactions, including using overseas digital-asset exchanges.

“The Southern District of New York has always been on the cutting edge of catching and prosecuting criminals who use new technologies to commit old-fashioned fraud,”

Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a video statement posted to Twitter. “SDNY is watching and we’re determined to follow the digital fingerprints to bring fraudsters to justice.”

Williams said the charges mark the first criminal case involving an

Govt to forgo ₧200M by cutting fees charged to migrant workers

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

DMW Secretary Maria Susan V. Ople said they decided to remove the fees in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“[The] President made it clear

that the OFW Pass should be free in honor of the huge sacrifices being made and contributions of our modern-day heroes to the needs of their respective families and the Philippine economy as a whole,” Ople

was quoted in a statement the DMW issued last Wednesday.

The DMW chief noted that the expected foregone government income, roughly $3.642 million at current exchange rates, is just a fraction of the annual remittances of OFWs, which reached $32 billion last year.

The OEC is document issued by the government, which certifies the regularity of the recruitment and documentation of an OFW, with a P100 ($1.82) fee. DMW issues an average of 6,700 OECS daily through its offices, including its Migrant Workers Office (MWO).

DMW plans to eventually replace the OEC with OFW Pass, which can be accessed for free via the agency’s mobile application.

“Foregoing the P100-per-OEC

GSIS condonation, restructuring of housing loans extended to ’25

STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has extended its condonation and restructuring program for its housing accounts until December 2025.

Layunin naming ma-update ang housing accounts ng aming borrowers para maging maginhawa ang kanilang pagbabayad, at maging homeowners din sila,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in a statement as saying. “Maaring palawigin hanggang sampung taon pa ang pagbabayad, basta hindi aabot sa 70 years old ang buyer o borrower.”

GSIS said. These will meet member housing needs in these specific areas.

LWOB

THE first set of high-rise condos will be built on GSIS properties in Fairview, Quezon City, beginning this year. These two-bedroom units will be available for purchase through installments over 30 years, with no required down payment.

charge was an easy decision to make given the enormous and consistent contributions of our OFWs to the country’s economic growth and the sustenance of their families,” Ople said.

The DMW chief said she already signed an order for the implementation of the OFW pass with the launching of the DMW Mobile App.

She said they are now just waiting for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the roll out of the DMW mobile app in the Google Play and Apple Store platforms.

“Our hope is it will be launched before the SONA [State of the Nation Address],” Ople said. “Once the OFW Pass is launched, we will also make the OEC free.”

AUB announces exec movements

attack on a smart contract on a decentralized crypto exchange. DeFi platforms allow users to trade, borrow and lend digital assets without having to go through an intermediary. They achieve this through the use of smart contracts—computer programs that automatically execute transactions when predetermined conditions are met.

That’s different from how centralized exchanges like Coinbase Global Inc. or Binance Holdings Ltd. operate and has often led those in the DeFi community to maintain that it shouldn’t be subject to the same rules that apply to traditional finance. But US authorities have increasingly pushed back on that idea, pursuing DeFi projects they allege have broken the law or individuals who use the platforms to commit crimes.

“This case is another reminder that DeFi markets are not a Hobbesian marketplace where no laws exist and any conduct is fair game,”

Ashok Ayyar, counsel at Ashbury Legal, said. “Theft is theft, and code is not law.”

The action against Ahmed has similarities to charges brought against trader Avraham Eisenberg, who is accused of stealing $110 million worth of cryptocurrency from DeFi exchange Mango Markets by manipulating the price of futures contracts. He’s set to face a criminal trial in New York on December 4.

Bloomberg News

GSIS said through the statement that it offers full payment options for applicants, including a waiver of all remaining penalties and surcharges, as well as an additional discount on outstanding interest. According to Veloso, GSIS borrowers have four available payment methods: payroll deductions; monthly cash or manager’s checks; post-dated checks; or, through the “GSIS Housing Online Payment,” or “Ghop.”

The government financial institution (GFI) said the “Ghop” is an online payment portal accessible via a borrower’s account with a private lender. Borrowers must register to utilize the “Ghop,” the GSIS statement read.

The GFI said its housing condonation program is one of three components under the GSIS’s umbrella program named “Pabahay para sa Bagong Bayani na Manggagawa ng Pamahalaan.”

A second initiative under this umbrella program involves constructing and developing mid-to-high rise residential buildings in strategic locations, the

Another initiative is the “lease with option to buy,” or “Lwob,” program, where GSIS leases out available housing units. Priority will be given to current occupants who wish to purchase these units at any point during the lease. Both cash and installment options are available to government employees.

Eligible participants for the Lwob installment sale program include active GSIS members who have paid at least three years’ worth of premiums; have up-to-date premium and loan payments; are not on leave of absence without pay at the time of application; have no pending administrative or criminal cases; and do not have an active housing loan with GSIS.

Details about GSIS properties for sale and lease, along with general guidelines, application forms, checklists of requirements, and FAQs under LWOB, can be found on the GSIS website.

“GSIS continually seeks to enhance our loan products, helping borrowers make responsible payments while maintaining a healthy pension fund,” Veloso was quoted in the statement as saying.

PUBLICLYlisted Asia United Bank (AUB) Corp. recently announced it has elected Jonathan C. Ng as chairman of the Board, taking over from Abraham T. Co who was elected vice-chairman.

Ng was a member of AUB’s board of directors from 1998 to 2016. He is currently the vice chairman of the family-owned Republic Biscuit Corp. (Rebisco).

Ng also holds concurrent executive positions in the Rebisco Group such as president of Suncrest Foods Inc., president of Multirich Foods Corp., chairman and president of RBC Retail Stores Corp., chairman and president of SFI Multimix Corp., chairman of Omnipack Industrial Corp., and director of SPI Corp.

Ng is also a stockholder of RBC Best Baker Food Inc. and Action Republic Corp., as well as a trustee of Rebisco Foundation Inc. He is also an independent director of Pico De Loro resort operator Costa del Hamilo Inc. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University. Ng’s election also coincided with the resignation of retired Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna as director. However, Azcuna will continue to serve as senior adviser to the AUB Board. Cai U. Ordinario

Dollar drops, stocks gain before US inflation data

THE dollar weakened, stocks rose, and Treasury yields dipped on expectations slowing US inflation will erode the case for more rate hikes.

A gauge of the greenback dropped to the lowest since April as traders focus on US consumer price data due later Wednesday, with a Bloomberg survey showing expectations for both core and headline inflation continuing to moderate in the face of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy onslaught.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced for a fourth day, with bank shares outperforming after the UK’s eight largest lenders all passed the Bank of England’s latest stress test.

Virgin Money UK Plc surged more than 5 percent and Lloyds Banking

Group Plc. climbed 2.5 percent. Travel and leisure shares fell, led by Air France-KLM and IAG after Deutsche Bank cut its recommendations on the stocks.

Futures on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 edged higher after Tuesday’s solid gains.

A trend of slowing inflation in the US could be pivotal for policy makers in the months ahead, according to Bloomberg Economics. Officials have warned in recent weeks that higher rates will be needed to ensure price growth slows to the Fed’s 2 percent target, and a 25-basispoint increase is all but penciled for July 26 after the pause in June. The policy path after that remains an open question.

“Both US and European equity

markets have decoupled from the inflation narrative in recent months and this makes sense given the wellbehaved decline in US inflation, which should continue with the June release today,” said Joachim Klement, head of strategy, accounting and sustainability at Liberum Capital. “However, an upside surprise in core inflation could catch investors off guard and lead to more softness in markets.”

Across Asia, shares were a mixed bag, with slides in Japan and increases in Australia and India. Hong Kong stocks rose after data showed a strong credit expansion in the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese tech firms gained for a third day as unusual praise from the nation’s top economic planner and news of a

meeting between officials and key companies stoked optimism over policy support for the sector.

In contrast to the gains in Hong Kong, China’s domestic benchmark CSI 300 index shed 0.4 percent, an indication that local investors would like to see stronger stimulus to salvage an ailing economy.

Also in the spotlight is the yen’s advancement beyond the key 140 level partly on speculation that the Bank of Japan will tweak policy later this month.

Elsewhere, the offshore yuan gained for a fifth day against the greenback, after China’s central bank extended support for the currency via a stronger-than-expected daily reference exchange rate.

China regulator asked banks to respond to bearish Goldman report

CHINA’S financial regulator asked banks to respond to a bearish research report on the sector by analysts at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., underscoring heightened sensitivity in Beijing toward negative market commentary as the economy slows.

The National Administration of Financial Regulation (NAFR) communicated with several of the largest Chinese banks after Goldman

analysts cut ratings on some shares and lowered price targets on others, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named discussing private information. The regulator told banks to respond appropriately, without giving specific guidance, the people said. The NAFR didn’t respond to a Bloomberg request for comment. Neither did representatives of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and Agricultural

Bank of China Ltd., both of which were downgraded by Goldman to sell.

China Merchants Bank Co. addressed the Goldman report in a clarification statement dated Friday, saying it had “misled some investors” and was “illogical.” The bank’s rebuke followed a similar rebuttal in the state-run Securities Times newspaper last week. One of China’s largest macro hedge funds has also criticized the report.

The unusually public backlash to Goldman’s research has put a spotlight on official efforts to counter negative investor sentiment toward markets and the economy. A prominent finance writer and two of his peers were suspended from a social media platform for spreading “negative and harmful information” about stocks in late June, a move that raised fresh questions about access to independent information in the world’s

second-largest economy.

In its report published on July 4, Goldman analysts led by Shuo Yang, a former official at the China banking regulator, highlighted risks of lenders’ exposure to local government debt. Potential losses could weaken earnings growth, hurt capital accumulation and thus affect dividend payout levels, the analysts said.

This isn’t the first time Wall Street research has proved controversial

Bloomberg News

in China. The last high-profile saga involved an “uninvestable” call on Chinese Internet firms by JPMorgan Chase & Co. last year, which eventually cost the brokerage a senior underwriter role in a stock listing. The incident underscored the tricky path global banks have to navigate as they ramped up their businesses in China, while still giving clients access to candid research on the country’s turbulent markets. Bloomberg News

THE government will forgo P200-million worth of revenue by making the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Pass free, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Health& Fitness

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Updated vaccines required for better, stronger protection vs Covid-19 virus A child succumbs to cancer every three hours–DOH

By Rory Visco | Contributor

Priority targets of the vaccination for the bivalent vaccines are health workers or the A1 population and the elderly or the A2 set.

Those eligible should have had their second booster shots at least four to six months prior to getting bivalent vaccine jabs.

As of July 2023, the Philippines remains under a low-risk case classification with roughly 2,000 active Covid-19 cases.

Additional vaccines are in the pipeline since the Philippine government is still negotiating to get more of these “third” boosters from the COVAX (Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access) Facility, the global initiative that aims to ensure equitable and fair access to Covid-19 vaccines in every country.

Global perspective

T h e d e partment of h e alth ( d O h ) has long been advocating the acquisition of the bivalent vaccines that hopes to provide better

and stronger protection for Filipinos against Covid-19. These vaccines are seen to provide protection against the original Covid-19 strain, the SA r S -CoV-2, and the Omicron subvariants such as BA.4 and BA.5.

d r. Franco Felizarta, an infectious disease specialist and a member of the UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA), provided some updates on bivalent vaccines. h e said that in the United States, monovalent vaccines are no longer being used. h o wever, uptake is quite low.

As to the global death curve and overall activity for Covid-19, d r. Felizarta said with regards to the epidemic curves, the n o rmalcy i n dex is seen to be increasing to almost 100 percent. i n 20 20 and 2021, he said there were more than 10 million Covid-19 deaths per year for an estimated total of 25 million.

“ i f y ou look at it now, there are less restrictions, no social distanc -

ing and minimal masking, at least in the US. Globally, despite the increase in activity, the emergence of newer variants and decreasing vaccine uptake, and deaths continue to drop, the world can now be transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic phase, which may be established in another year,” d r. Felizarta pointed out during the latest Stop C.O.V. i d d ea ths webinar entitled “Bivalent Vaccines, n a ndito na: Ano ang l a test?” and organized by the University of the Philippines together with the n a tional Telehealth Center.

Updating Covid-19 vaccines

ACCO r din G to d r n i na Gloriani, a member of the World h e alth Organization Scientific Steering Committee for Solidarity Vaccine Trials and former dean of the UP Manila College of Public h e alth, the original SA r S C oV-2 virus continues to evolve and this requires the updating of Covid-19 vaccines. She said it is important that vaccines keep pace and be updated to match the strains of the virus that are circulating.

She also reported that in the Philippines, the Pfizer bivalent vaccine was awarded with the Certificate of Product r e gistration (CPr ) b y the Philippines’ Food and d r ug Administration, but only as a “booster” dose and not as a primary shot.

d r . Gloriani again reminded that although the Public h e alth e m ergency of i nternational Concern (Ph ei C ) was lifted May of this year, the SA r S C oV-2 continues to

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

circulate, where most cases are due to the Omicron subvariants. She also reiterated the importance of updating vaccines since immunity wanes over time, and the variants that emerge may evade previously generated immunity.

“All persons should stay up to date with recommended Covid-19 vaccinations, including bivalent booster doses for those eligible. We now have to integrate Covid-19 vaccination into the country’s routine immunization program, just like the flu vaccines given in whatever season,” d r. Gloriani said.

Words of encouragement

FO r h e alth Secretary d r. Teodoro h e rbosa, he pointed out in a video message that the government’s tireless efforts to fully vaccinate Filipinos have enabled the country to strengthen its wall of immunity against the virus, which led to the re-opening of the economy and Filipinos’ gradual return and march toward a “better normal.”

“We shall continue to apply our layers of protection, and with the arrival of the bivalent vaccines, the d Oh will continue to make arrangements to secure additional vaccine donations from COVAX, which shall spark the expansion of coverage of bivalent vaccines for the general public.”

he l ikewise encouraged more Filipinos to get vaccinated, whether the bivalent or monovalent ones, and get boosted so there’s no longer any need to face the fears of the past.

Attain demographic dividend, gender equality by investing in people, opportunities–experts

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

in the recent celebration of World Population d ay, the Commission on Population and d e velopment (CP d), the United n a tions Population Fund (U n F PA) and the Philippine l e gislators’ Committee on Population and d e velopment (Pl C Pd) called for the advancement of gender equality and the attainment of the demographic dividend through investing in people and opportunities.

Currently, the Philippines is at a unique crossroads with its changing demographics. As the country is undergoing a demographic transition, the country will need to work towards demographic resilience, the quality or state of being able to adapt and thrive amid demographic changes,” said U n FPA Philippines Country r e presentative d r l e ila

Saiji Joudane in a press statement. d e mographic dividend is defined as economic growth resulting from changes in a population’s structure and characteristics. Moreover, the groups expressed concern that the declining fertility rate of the Philippines will result in a window of opportunity where the country has a

productive population that is larger than its dependent population. h o wever, they warned that the demographic dividend is not automatic. They urged the country to make the right investments and policy decisions in order for it to reap its benefits, by investing in people throughout their life course.

“The demographic dividend can be a powerful force. i n o rder to reap its benefits, we need to ensure the rights of people, especially those most left behind, and provide access to quality education, health care, and employment opportunities. We need to also address gender inequality and other injustices that limit people from reaching their full potential,” Joudane noted.

According to the 2022 n a tional d e mographic and h e alth Survey, the total fertility rate for 15to 49-year-old women has declined from 2.7 children in 2017 to 1.9 children in 2022, which is now below the replacement level of 2.1. i t is important to note the regional disparities in fertility rate across the country. i n M anila, the total fertility rate is 1.2 while Bangsamoro Autonomous r e gion in Muslim

Mindanao’s [BA r M M’s] total fertility rate is at 3.1.

d o wnward trends in fertility rates can be viewed as either an opportunity for a country’s development or a cause of concern. But as stated in the State of the World Population (SWP) r e port 2023, we should be asking the right questions. i t ’s not whether the fertility rate is too high or too low or if there are too many or too few people. What is important is that all individuals, especially women, are equipped to thrive and exercise their basic human right to sexual and reproductive autonomy,” d r. Joudane said.

For World Population d a y 2023, CP d U n F PA and P l C P d held a highlevel meeting at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila to share with government, development partners, private sector and civil society leaders the importance of harnessing the 8-billion strong global population and the unique opportunity that the Philippines faces. U n F PA presented its SWP report during the event, which served as an avenue to discuss the critical issues on the demographic transition, gender equality, human rights, population growth, and opportunities for

sustainable development.

“We are keen on fulfilling the objective of optimizing demographic opportunities, as well as addressing the remaining population issues and challenges, so that we can maximize the Philippines’ socioeconomic dividend and have improved quality of life for Filipinos,” remarked Undersecretary l i sa Grace Bersales, Ph. d CP d e xecutive director.

Bersales noted that there has been a steady decline in the country’s total fertility rate since 1973 from an average of 6.0 children per woman to 1.9 last year. “The steep decline in 2022 however needs further study to determine how much of the decline is the effect of Covid-19,” she added.

“We have had unprecedented success in policymaking on population and human development in the last 10 years. We call on lawmakers and other decision-makers in the government to continue working to close the gaps in laws and policies so that the remaining challenges, including maternal deaths, are addressed and the rights of women and girls are fulfilled,” said r o meo d o ngeto, e xe cutive d i rector of P l C P d

hildren

Care our future. They are our most precious and priceless resource.

h o wever, a cancer diagnosis in a child is a very difficult time for the child and the family.

Childhood cancer is a serious and growing threat to the health and wellbeing of our children. it i s an urgent matter which requires our collaborative and sustained action.

While childhood cancer is curable, the heartbreaking reality is that every three hours another family will lose a child to cancer.

i n a s olidarity statement released recently by the d e partment of h e alth ( d O h ), estimates show that every day, 12 children and adolescents, between zero to 19 years old, will be diagnosed with cancer. That’s more than 4,000 a year.

Underestimated figures

e x perts believe that this is likely an underestimate and there are many more children/adolescents who remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

“We stand in solidarity with all children/adolescents, and families affected by childhood cancer. We recognize that all stakeholders, must act synergistically and quickly, to address this major health issue, increase survivorship and improve the quality of life for childhood cancer patients,” the statement of the representatives of civil society, medical societies, professional associations and sectoral groups/organizations.

They urged the government to take the following initiatives, to ensure that every Filipino child/adolescent with cancer, receives the necessary care and support, throughout their cancer journey:

i ncrease the cancer assistance fund to provide financial assistance for timely diagnosis, specialized treatment, follow up care and rehabilitation for pediatric cancer patients.

e x pand Philippine h e alth i n surance Corporation (Phil h e alth) benefits to add 45 additional days, for children/adolescents with cancer and include retinoblastoma screening in the Konsulta package for eye examinations.

i n stitutionalize palliative and pain management services, along with patient navigation and child life services in cancer centers, to provide psychosocial support, reduce emotional distress and improve the quality of life for children/adolescents with cancer.

e n sure that cancer centers include provisions for state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, medical technologies and equipment for pediatric oncology services.

Maintain a robust pediatric cancer registry (hospital based and population based) to facilitate research, inform public health policy and guide allocation of resources.

e s tablish hospital and community based nutritional build-up programs so that families of children/ adolescents with cancer have access to nutritional education, counseling and supplements, to maintain good nutritional status and boost immune

ACUPUnCtUre restOres tHe nAtUrAl HeAlinG Abilities Of tHe bODy, sAys PrACtitiOner

Are you suffering from common office illnesses? d o n ot fret. Acupuncture has got your back.

When you feel discomfort or pain, do you address the root cause of the disease or do you address the symptoms?

While both e a stern and Western medicine concern themselves with realigning the flow of energy within the body, they vary in terms of where the focal point is placed. The focal point in traditional Chinese medicine is treating the person as a whole in -

stead of the symptoms alone. On the other hand, Western medicine places a high emphasis on the treatment of symptoms through the prescription of a particular drug to address the pain.

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that deals with the insertion of needles in various points in the body in order to stimulate its ability to heal itself.

(TCM and Ayurveda techniques make up e a stern medicine.)

i n some healthcare programs, intervention happens only when damage has been done. Vas Bismark, owner

of Balanced Qi h e alth and Wellness Center, fills this gap by his proactive approach to healthcare. The certified acupuncturist sees his practice as a sustainable pain management program.

“Acupuncture is one of those modalities that specializes in treating and protecting illnesses. For example, in the office setting, common illnesses are rampant but people think they are normal. You have frozen shoulders, back pain, hyperacidity, headaches, migraines – these are things people deal with on a daily basis. They are

symptoms of illnesses they don’t have a direct answer to. Manage pain before it breaks out into something more serious. it i s something i want to put a stop to by providing people with a sustainable pain management program,” Bismark explained.

h o w can people benefit by putting acupuncture ahead of Western medicine to feel better and/or address their pain?

“When a person undergoes acupuncture, they are optimizing the efficiency of the circulation of their systems. Acupuncture helps bring a

system while under treatment. Create responsive survivorship programs that will provide long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors (e.g. free regular check-ups, screening for cancer recurrence and support for managing late effects of cancer treatment, etc).

e nc ourage local government units to facilitate the enrollment of children/adolescents with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer as Persons with d i sabilities to ensure their full inclusion in society and access to essential programs and services.

Protect childhood cancer patients from discrimination in all areas of life, including education and healthcare, and promote a culture of empathy and support to ensure that they are not stigmatized and/or marginalized. i ntensify information sharing and public education on childhood cancer in healthcare facilities. workplaces, and communities, and encourage schools to incorporate cancer awareness initiatives into their calendar of activities, including key health education class messages. Additionally, train d e partment of e d ucation clinic teachers and barangay health workers on the early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. Create an enabling environment in which private/business organizations and civil society organizations can contribute resources to support the implementation of pediatric cancer programs in hospitals and communities.

They also call on all stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, health-care workers, medical professionals, patients, survivors and their families, to join hands in ensuring that every child with cancer receives the best care, protection; and support they deserve.

“Together, we can make a difference and create a future in which no child suffers and dies from a treatable form of cancer. l e t’s stand up for every child’s right to a cancer-free childhood. l e ts fight together against this merciless disease with all our might,” the statement said.

PCMC-CHD

The Philippine Children’s Medical Center-Cancer and h e matology d i vision (PCMC-C h d) w as designated by the d O h as the national end-referral center for children and adolescents with blood diseases and cancer.

The d i vision is committed to provide quality and cost-effective comprehensive care to patients, to train healthcare providers and to extend this to a network of referral centers in the different regions of the country.

They conduct researches on the management and control of Pediatric hematologic and oncologic disorders. l i kewise, the PCMC -C h d have different subspecialty programs such as l e ukemia and ly mphoma, h e mophilia and Bleeding d i sorder, Thalassemia and h e moglobinopathy, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, n euro-Oncology, i n fection Control, Pediatric Palliative Care, Childhood Cancer Survivorship and Transition Program

person’s body function to its normal state—from your sleeping pattern, to your digestive, to your reproductive cycle [for women]. Acupuncture is designed to restore the natural healing abilities of the body,” he said.

i n t his regard, one does not have to be sick or feel discomfort to enjoy the gains from acupuncture. When one is sick, acupuncture could make one feel better. it b rings the body to a place where it could heal.

On the other hand, when one is well, acupuncture helps reinforce the body against illnesses. it h elps opti

mize its functions. i n f act, Bismark has patients who visit him on a regular basis so that they could sleep better. They don’t have anything wrong with them, they just want to feel relaxed.

Aside from having acupuncture, one is also encouraged to sleep on time and to eat meals at scheduled times.

“Sleeping on time and regulating one’s eating time go hand in hand.

i f y ou don’t control your eating time it affects your sleeping time. Walk

6,000 steps a day. Give importance to consistency rather than intensity.

As long as you are doing any form of exercise, be it 15 to 30 minutes a day, it is better than two to three hours of exercise once or twice a week,” he said.

EARLY

last month, an initial batch of 390,000 bivalent vaccine doses arrived in the country, courtesy of the government of Lithuania. It took almost a year for the vaccines to arrive as the country was already negotiating to acquire these vaccines last August 2022.

Take a break for family health checks

MOST children are currently on school break. This gives us and our children time to do our annual check-ups. It was great for my kids and I to catch up physically with my children’s pediatrician last weekend. My children were able to complete any shots or boosters they missed during the pandemic. For us parents, especially mothers, it is also time for us to do our annual check-ups and see how we can better protect ourselves. In the Philippines, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among Filipino women, especially those aged 15 to 44 years old, according to the HPV Center Fact Sheet 2023. 7,897 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer yearly and from that number, 4,052 of them succumb to the disease. What’s more, cervical cancer also puts women at higher risk of miscarriage and infertility.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain strains of the Human Papillomavirus or HPV are the main cause of cervical cancer. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection. Sexually active people, even with just one partner, can get HPV. This can be passed on even when they have no signs or symptoms of the infection.  Cervical cancer starts in the cervix which connects the vagina, the birth canal, to the upper part of the uterus.

Commonly known as the womb, the uterus is where a baby grows during pregnancy. Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer, and the risk grows with age as this occurs most often in people aged over 30. Fortunately, HPV is a vaccine-preventable disease.

“Vaccination provides an extra layer of protection. We are working to help build healthier communities by making vaccination more convenient and ensuring that customers always have access to accurate health information,” says Jared de Guzman, customer director of Watsons.

Unfortunately, cervical cancer may not show signs and symptoms in its early stages. More often than not, it’s already in the advanced stage when there’s bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is abnormal for you, including bleeding after sex. If you start noticing any of these signs, immediately see your doctor. The symptoms may be caused by something else, but the only way to know whether you have cervical cancer not is to see your doctor.

To be preventive, schedule your regular screening tests with your doctor. The Pap test, commonly known as Pap smear, looks for precancerous cells. You can also have a regular HPV test since it looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. But the greatest preventive measure against cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine.

The HPV vaccine not only protects you against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer but also the

If you missed the HPV vaccine in your preteen years, you can still get it until 26 years of age. Although it’s not recommended for anyone older than 26, you can still talk to your doctor about it and get vaccinated until 45 years old.

Cancer is a life-altering disease that everyone wishes to avoid. To ensure that the women in our lives live long and happy lives, we must encourage them to prioritize their health and choose to be protected against all preventable diseases.

You can easily schedule your HPV vaccination through the Watsons Health Hub or visit any of the 1000+ Watsons stores nationwide and ask their pharmacists. On your vaccination day, a free doctor’s assessment is included in their service.

Through Watson’s amazing network, they’re able to provide you with different products and services to ensure that you can look after your overall health and wellness through accessible and affordable means. Ongoing until July 15, the Watsons Hub in SM North Edsa The Grand will offer free teleconsultation

9th branch of superstore launched in Arca South Taguig

ALL roads lead to Arca South Taguig as Landers Superstore, the fastest-growing membership shopping store in the country, recently opened its 9th store in this up-and-coming business and lifestyle district. With its wide selection of world-class brands, exclusive deals and premium perks, Landers Arca South—located at ARCA Boulevard, Western Bicutan, Taguig City—is all set to become the next shopping hot spot in Metro Manila.

The new store is a standalone building situated in the heart of Arca South, a sprawling Ayala-owned estate slated to be the next BGC with its seamless integration of work, play and relaxed living. Key to its appeal is its accessibility thanks to its close proximity to major cities and thoroughfares like Skyway, SLEX and C5.

The façade features a fresh design and color scheme that blends in with surrounding structures—a first for any Landers store. As for the interiors, it sports the same modern yet elegant design seen in recently opened stores, making every visit truly Instagram-worthy. It also has a wide parking space, an expansive retail area, and a cozy dining spot with high, airy ceilings and beautiful accent lights.

The main highlight, however, is the diverse selection of topnotch imported and local goods you’ll find inside the store. From hard-to-find brands and specialty items to grocery staples and locally-sourced but high-quality produce, everything you need for every occasion can be found at Landers Arca South.

of infected mosquitoes. Due to the rainy season, the virus is commonly present in tropical and subtropical countries like ours. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has an average of 185,008 cases of dengue over a five year period of 2012-2016, and an average death count of 732. As of April 29, a total of 39,947 dengue cases were recorded in 2023. Compared to the same period in 2022, this number is 43-percent higher.

The DOH advises that although there is no cure for dengue, the disease can be managed early and there are many ways to prevent getting infected by it. Watsons recommends using products that will keep you and your family safe like taking Vitamin C with Zinc to help strengthen our body’s defense and heal wounds faster by protecting and keeping your cells healthy, while also maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, and bones and cartilage. It is really great that Watsons makes it easier for our families to be preventive and have a good quality of life. n

Feeling gassy most of the time? 5 possible reasons why

PASS gas. Cut the cheese. Rip one. Break wind. No matter how many other ways there are to say “flatulence” or “farting,” there is no way you can say it without a blush and a giggle.

“Farting or the release of intestinal gas to the back passage or anus is a normal biological process of our digestive system.

Farting occurs between 5 to 15 times a day, as the intestine produces anywhere from 500 to 2,000 ml. of gas daily,” notes Carlo M. Cornejo, MD, a gastroenterologist and section chief of gastroenterology of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph). “While some farts can be quiet, it’s usually the loud and smelly ones that are a huge cause for embarrassment—especially if you happen to pass gas in public.”

As relieving as it is to expel air down there, farting, particularly when done in excess, can be a cause for concern. MakatiMed enumerates the possible reasons why you break wind more than you should—and what you can do to keep it to a minimum.

n You swallowed too much air.

“Eating and drinking too fast, talking

a lot, laughing heartily, chewing gum, sleeping especially if you suffer from sleep apnea, and even being anxious all make you swallow more air than usual. This accumulates in the digestive system, which leaves you bloated and triggers flatulence,” says Cornejo. To avoid feeling gassy, it is best to eat and drink slowly, try to consume smaller meals frequently, exercise regularly to help you sleep better and ease your anxiety, and be mindful of seemingly harmless acts like laughing or chewing gum.

n It is because of what you eat or drink. High-fiber foods like beans, nuts, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts); starchy foods like wheat, corn and sweet potatoes; dried fruits like raisins and prunes; carbonated drinks; and if you are lactose-intolerant, cow’s milk and dairy products are all known to leaving you gassy. Cornejo suggests that you limit your intake of these foods and drinks, or find equally nutritious alternatives if you really need to cut the wind.

n You were prescribed medication. Antibiotics, laxatives, decongestants, anti-retrovirals, and medications for

experience some gassiness with an unpleasant smell, MakatiMed points out. “When you find yourself passing gas more than normal while taking these

Delicious food choices also abound, starting with its in-house restaurant Landers Central that serves New York-style pizzas, pastas, fried chicken, hotdogs in buns, French fries and salads. Doppio Café, on the other hand, serves brewed coffee, milk tea, blended drinks, and tasty desserts.

Landers Arca South completes the amazing shopping experience with its host of exclusive perks for members. These include free haircut at Federal Barbers, low-priced medicines and wellness supplies at Capital Care Pharmacy, and discounted fuel and Solane LPG at Landers-Caltex gas station.

For those looking for big savings, there’s no need to go far because Landers Arca South offers easy access to major Landers promos and events, like Super Crazy Sale, Super Fuel Sale, Piso Sale, Wine Festival, Fresh & Produce Sale, and more.

To enjoy access to the store and its extensive list of perks, shoppers need to apply for membership in-store or at www.landers.ph. Membership fees are currently priced at P350 or 50-percent off the regular fee of P700 as a special treat for Landers Arca South’s opening week.

it should be daily without pain and strain.

“Regular bowel movement helps limit a buildup of gas-producing bacteria. Constipation or the inability to excrete waste can increase stomach gas and cause bloating and frequent flatulence,” states Cornejo. Add a moderate serving of fiber-rich foods to your diet, drink plenty of water, seek relief from over-thecounter medication, or sip a hot cup of the stomach-soothing ginger tea to improve bowel movement.

You may have a health issue.

What do diabetes, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cancer and colon cancer all have in common?

Excess gassiness or burping and farting more than 20 times a day is a symptom.

n You are mildly constipated. How often you move your bowel is a case-tocase basis. For some, it’s once every other day; for others, three times daily. Ideally,

“Of course, it takes more than constant flatulence to confirm if you do have any of these or other conditions, so try not to jump the gun,” assures Cornejo. “See your health practitioner if your symptom is accompanied by other troubling signs, like persistent abdominal pain, recurring diarrhea or constipation, a high fever and vomiting, blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss.”

FROM left: Ayala Land Estates SVP and group head Robert Lao, Taguig City Mayor Hon. Lani Cayetano, Sen. Hon. Pia Cayetano, SoutheastAsia Retail Inc. president Gwen Lim and Landers president and CEO Greg Davis.

Honoring Everyday Heroes for National Blood Donors Month

THIS National Blood Donors Month, Cardinal Santos Medical Center joins the global healthcare community under the banner of the World Health Organization’s “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often,” campaign.

For 2023, the hospital focused on educating people and patients on the need for healthcare institutions to have a consistent and sustainable supply of blood donors and blood products.

The hospital also celebrated World Blood Donor Day with a blood drive last June 14, 2023. The drive saw a tremendous turnout of donors from all walks of life. Over 100 local community members, hospital staff and enthusiastic volunteers eagerly offered their support.

According to Fidel H. Tejada, who heads Cardinal Santos’ Blood Bank, even major Metro Manila hospitals are facing a challenge with the growing demand for

blood and blood products. “Most of the big hospitals and medical centers in the country, private and government, including specialized hospitals are saturated. Our blood centers like Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Blood Center have a hard time keeping up with the blood needs of all these hospitals. This is the reason why we are doing our part on helping in blood collection in our institution.”

The event not only celebrated World Blood Donor Day but also served as a reminder that the act of giving blood is an act of love, compassion, and hope.

Dr. Marilou A. Abiera, an ObstetricianGynecologist and the chairman of Cardinal Santos’ Blood Transfusion Committee stressed the importance of gaining the cooperation of communities. “Patients and their families can support the blood supply by encouraging healthy individuals to donate blood and they can spread awareness

Philippine Pastel Artists, Giftbox Return to Gateway Gallery for Kulay Pastel members only exhibition

about the importance of blood donation within their communities, workplaces and social networks.” She also points out that one person can save up to three lives with one pint of donated blood at minimal cost. “It’s safe, it saves lives and it’s free.”

Blood is needed in critical medical settings like accidents or injuries, surgery, treatments for illnesses like cancer, dengue and anemia and even childbirth. But blood donation doesn’t just benefit patients that need a transfusion as there are several advantages to being a donor. Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart attacks. In Cardinal Santos, registered donors are also given priority if they ever need to receive a transfusion themselves as long as there is an adequate supply.

With the collective efforts of organizations like Cardinal Santos Medical Center and the unwavering support of donors, the world can continue to beat, one life-saving pint of blood at a time.

“[People] can help by spreading awareness about the importance of blood donation and encouraging others to donate. Additionally, expressing gratitude to blood donors can go a long way in recognizing their valuable contribution,” said Abiera.

Cardinal Santos’ Blood Bank is open every day for those who wish to donate their blood. Those interested in donating blood may call them at 8727 0001 local 4015. For more information about the other programs and services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos. com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/ CardinalSantos.

After 17 years of working in Singapore, retired OFW embarks on auto repair business with ValuePlus in San Pedro City

VALUEPLUS Auto Services Philippines Inc., a trailblazer in the country’s automotive repair franchise industry, recently welcomed retired Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Frankie Flores as the latest addition to the franchise owners of VPX The Casa Alternative. The contract signing ceremony took place at the ValuePlus headquarters in Quezon City, symbolizing another significant milestone in the company’s ambitious growth plans.

A picture of resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, Flores brings to the VPX family a remarkable tale of determination and aspiration. After a rewarding 17-year work experience in Singapore, Flores harbored the dream of establishing a thriving auto repair shop in his homeland. In preparation, he completed a vocational course for

automotive technicians, thus readying himself for his desired business endeavor.

“Upon researching potential ventures, I was instantly captivated by VPX’s franchise model,” says Flores. “The team’s transparency and supportive approach, especially from General Manager Mark Saberola, have been truly empowering. They guided me thoroughly from our first phone conversation to this agreement’s signing. I’m excited to provide topnotch auto repair services to my hometown of San Pedro City.”

ValuePlus President Normann Chiu expressed his pride in welcoming Flores to the VPX family. “Frankie’s passion for the automotive industry and commitment to realizing his dream perfectly aligns with our core values. His journey is a source

of inspiration for numerous OFWs aspiring to invest in the Philippines. We pledge our full support to Frankie and all the entrepreneurs who aim to make significant contributions to our country’s auto service sector.”

Saberola, who has been instrumental in guiding Flores throughout the franchising process, also commended Flores. “Frankie’s fervor and readiness to adapt have been apparent from the outset. His embodiment of our belief that hard work combined with passion leads to success is truly commendable. We’re delighted to back him on this entrepreneurial journey in San Pedro City.”

ValuePlus’ partnership with Flores reinforces its mission to offer superior, reliable auto services across the Philippines while providing worthwhile entrepreneurial opportunities for Filipinos locally and globally.

THE Philippine Pastel Artists, Inc. (PPA) group, in partnership with Giftbox, Inc., presents the 2nd Kulay Pastel Juried Exhibition at the Gateway Gallery. As a members-only exhibit, the show aims to recognize new, exceptional works done by the group’s regular members, showcasing their current progress and artistic directions and demonstrating their passion and dedication to the fine art of pastels.

Founded in 2015, the PPA continues its vision to be a premier and globally-recognized organization promoting Filipino artists through the use of pastels as a medium for artistic expression and setting the standards of excellence in pastel painting in the Philippines. It is a recognized member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, a non-profit organization representing pastel societies worldwide, uniting in the common cause to demonstrate the validity and quality of pastel fine art.

In providing a platform for its members to showcase their creative abilities and skills in pastel artmaking, PPA forges on with its mission to elevate the pastel medium in the art community at large. Awards for the Best in Show and two Awards of Merit to the three most distinguished pieces will be announced at the exhibition’s opening reception on July 15, 2023. The show ends on July 29, 2023.

Participating artists include Alvin

Montano, Bids Llorin-Luna, Caroline Rosales, Dennis Baquial, Ferdie Magsino, Ferdinand Capistrano, Glenn Perez, Grandier Bella, Iris Babao-Uy, Julius Legaspi, Karlo Domingo, Kathy Sarao-Nazario, Luisa Bayot, Nell Belgado, Reina Lynn “Rei” Antonio, Roberto Martin Sing, Rodel Rosario, Roland Castro, Romeo Cortez, Tessa Punzalan-Brodeth, Wendy Rondaris, Yolanda Batara

For inquiries, please contact: 09758879651 or email: ppa.kulaypastel@gmail.com.

Gateway Gallery is the art museum of Araneta City. It is open daily, from 10 am to 6 pm, as a free admission art museum, located at the 5F Gateway Tower, Araneta City. For inquiries on the exhibit and other programs, email us at gatewaygallery@aranetagroup. com, or call +63 2 825 3012. Connect also with Gateway Gallery’s social media accounts at Facebook (GatewayGalleryPH), Instagram (gateway.gallery), Twitter (gateway_gallery), and YouTube Channel (Gateway Gallery).

FOR Foundever™, a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry, diversity is championed. It’s not just lip service. The company has received a rating of 4.1 out of five stars for diversity and inclusion from the established job platform Glassdoor, a top five percent ranking for work culture by the compensation monitoring platform Comparably. It has been called a leader in diversity by the Financial Times and Statista in 2023.

“Diversity has always been one of the great traits of Foundever,” noted Asia Pacific Chief Operating Officer Ravi Iyengar during his opening remarks at the company’s recent #PrideSummit in the Philippines.

“Our customers come from various cultures, groups, and gender identities. So it’s fitting that our people are equally diverse. This allows us to look at problems from various angles and provide better solutions,”  This was reflected in the company’s recent My Associate Experience (MAX) survey, where 86 percent of Foundever employees said diversity is valued within the organization.

Iyengar added, “To our associates who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, please know that you’re not just accepted at Foundever, you’re celebrated. Here you can always create your best moments. Foundever will always be a safe place where you are free to love and express who you are.”

The Foundever #PrideSummit in the Philippines is part of the company’s many CSR initiatives that aim to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices by supporting their culture and rights. This year, it was focused on the promotion of diversity in the workplace, as well as HIV awareness and allyship within the community.

A strong advocate of HIV awareness and education, Foundever had LoveYourself Inc. founder and executive director Dr. Ronnievin Pagtakhan as a keynote speaker at the Pride Summit. A distinguished medical practitioner who worked in the United States for some time, Dr. Pagtakhan has dedicated his knowledge and expertise to creating a safe space where people with HIV or sexually transmitted infections can get support.

LoveYourself began in 2011 as an outreach program, then opened its first community center a year later with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicines. Today, LoveYourself is the biggest self-sustaining HIV and sexual health treatment facility in the Philippines, with 15 locations nationwide. The center offers combination prevention which includes HIV testing, condoms, and lubricants, use

of pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, and treatment as prevention.

“I had a vision of creating a community center for men in the LGBTQIA+ community that’s more like a safe space. When you go there, it doesn’t feel like a clinic; it feels like a home. It feels like a community away from one’s family,” Dr. Pagtakhan said. “We want to create ripples of positive change, one free HIV test at a time. LoveYourself now has a mental health care service called Flourish. Dr. Pagtakhan included the additional offering with the help of Mental Health PH when a number of community members developed anxiety and depression just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Flourish by LoveYourself also supports those experiencing anxiety while undergoing treatment. Last June 26, Foundever partnered with LoveYourself PH for a company-wide free HIV testing activity.

According to Foundever Chief Marketing Officer Martin Wilkinson-Brown, in his speech, many claim to be an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, but they’re not aware that being one is not easy.

“Being an ally is not just being a cheerleader, although promoting and cheering for the community is absolutely part of it. An ally takes time to see things from a different perspective and provides support to LGBTQIA+ members who may not be as lucky or in the same position as them,” Brown said.

He added that being an ally takes practice, something a person does not do once, and it’s over. It needs to be something ongoing like the commitment Foundever has towards creating a safe workspace, giving associates equal access to equitable opportunities for career growth, and building a culture built on dignity and respect.

“While our three global commitments alone do not create allies, they create a safe space where people can ask questions without being judged and where they can be themselves and freely share their stories,” Wilkinson-Brown said.

“It is from that an ally can really be born.”

The Foundever Pride Summit in the Philippines also held a panel discussion to tackle concerns specific to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the LGBTQIA+ community.

panel

JUVENILE Playthings by Grandier Bella

REGULAR blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart attacks. Donors are also given priority if they ever need to receive transfusion themselves.

The

was composed of Wilkinson-Brown, Dr. Pagtakhan, Pamela Donato, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, independent career coach and DEI consultant Chris Eugenio, and Outright Action International project coordinator for Asia Ging Cristobal. The discussion touched on the importance of celebrating Pride month and the hotly debated SOGIE bill.

Diversity, HIV awareness, allyship take the spotlight at the Foundever™ #Pride Summit in the Philippines

IN the photo are, from left, Foundever™ Senior Director for Leadership Development Taz Biagan, VP for HR - China and Philippines and DEI Executive Sponsor Pam Donato, Foundever Sr. Director for Operations Lawrence Basillio, Outright Action International Project Coordinator for Asia Ging Cristobal, LoveYourself Executive Director Dr. Ronivin Pagtakahan, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, PFIP Board of Trustee Chris Eugenio, Foundever Senior Manager Organizational Development Hiroki Revereza and Pride at Foundever 2nd Chair Leo del Castillo

FROM left to right are ValuePlus Admin Manager Zarah Peralta, new franchise owner Frankie Flores, ValuePlus President Normann Chiu, ValuePlus Operations Manager Remylyn Agustin, and ValuePlus GM Mark Saberola, together during the signing of the franchise agreement in May, marking the start of an exciting entrepreneurial journey for retired OFW, Frankie Flores, in San Pedro City.

PHL, Australia enhance ties in third maritime dialogue

This, as the former hosted the third edition of their maritime dialogue on July 5 in Manila. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office and First Assistant Secretary Dr. Peter Sawczak of the United States and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade led their respective delegations.

Discussions focused on regional maritime threats and challenges, maritime safety and security cooperation, as well as marine-environmental protection, as key Philippine maritime and security agencies par-

ticipated in the dialogue.

Both delegations also tackled defense cooperation, bilateral and regional maritime-cooperation initiatives, other opportunities for close collaboration, plus cooperation in international organizations.

“The [DFA has long had the mandate to expand and deepen bilateral political, economic and people-to-people ties, but we have not always had peers when we have wanted to expand the discourse in the maritime space. Until, that is, we were met with the level of interest and commitment of Australian government], and were able to craft this new generation of maritime dialogues, comple-

DISPATCH

menting the political track,” remarked Ponce, who underscored the centrality of maritime issues in Philippine foreign policy.

Positive outcomes of the platform in 2021, said the DFA official, has “led to the continued partnership, with a third iteration in 2023. [It set the trend toward a fuller realization of the role maritime security and cooperation plays in the bilateral agenda, which is only natural given that both

By Ambassador David Hartman

our countries] are maritime nations.”

A “Track 1.5 Dialogue” preceded the maritime discussion, as both foreign ministries’ partner-institutions took the lead: the University of the Philippines-Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea for the Philippines, and La Trobe Asia for Australia.

Both delegations are expected to meet anew in their fourth maritime dialogue in 2024.

BEIJING,China—WhenPresident

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Beijing in January, it was a cold, bitter winter’s day, and the Covid-19 Omicron variant was on a rampage.

Fast forward to six months, a delegation of Philippine government communications and media practitioners went on a visit to follow-through on the agreement between the Chief Executive and his counterpart President Xi Jinping to boost people-to-people ties. This time Beijing was experiencing its hottest weather at 40-degrees Celsius, while the pandemic is now practically a thing of the past.

I was fortunate to be part of the Philippine media delegation that toured seven cities of China from June 27 to July 7, 2023. I thought it was the usual media familiarization tour offered to journalists like me. My first visit to China in 1999 was also part of the Philippine media and national artists delegation who joined China’s biggest party of the 50th founding anniversary. So, I thought to myself: “China is resuming its public-relations offensive to the Philippine press, huh?”

But the trip was more than just that.

It felt like a high-level visit—almost as if we were members of the administration’s cabinet. So I thought China was being “extra nice,” especially with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary Gerald Baria among the delegation. We didn’t have Chinese “minders,” but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assigned to us three ranking diplomats: a counselor, first secretary and third secretary. We were feted with banquet dinners and luncheons from the MFA Vice Minister Sun Wei-dong, and top ranking officials from the Com-

munist Party of China at the local level. From airports, train stations and even at tourist attractions, we were escorted to VIP lanes. During our two-week visit, we were booked in five-star hotels that even managers said would be hard to pull-off because it was one of the busiest seasons of the year, as children were on school vacation.

Later at the end of the trip, I only realized that we are such a “major” or “big-deal” of the delegation when I saw that state broadcaster CGTN deployed two senior reporters—one is the bureau chief in Washington, DC; and another Beijing-based political reporter to cover our visit, and not just witness what we are supposed to be covering. Then in Shanghai, CGTN’s desk editor for international news, as well as a reporter for digital news and his cameraman, were also deployed. (As a former news editor of GMA News, assigning three reporters and a desk editor would be an “overkill” and waste of resources. So, that’s the only time that the idea of our delegation’s “bigness” sank in.)

I shared this with Baria in one of our chats on the last day of our trip in Shanghai. He confided in me in Filipino that it was a good thing I mentioned such to him; else, it would have rather made him “nervous.” The PCO official happens to be a low-key undersecretary for content production, who joined Marcos Jr. in his trips overseas. I only learned that Baria would be joining our delegation the day before we left for Beijing, and my Google search only mentioned that he used to be the cameraman of BBM Vlog. (In one of our meetings, a Chinese senior official mentioned Baria’s background as a chemical engineer, and went on to share possible cooperation on mineral

resources between the Philippines and China.)

Although we were treated like royalty, we were also herded incessantly to various tourist destinations: the Summer Palace, Great Wall, Everbright City and the museum of terracotta warriors in Xi’an, Zhangjiajie Forest Park to the Bund in Shanghai, just to name a few. Sometimes, I would dub it as the Pinoy “Amazing Race: China edition.” Our hosts were apologetic, of course, as they had to endure the same level of stress and panic so we won’t miss our schedules. The nagger that I am, of course, I complained. But when the hosts flashed their smiles and laughed at our silly jokes, all was well again.

At the end of the trip, I had a better “understanding” of China, because the Communist country that I knew before the end of the last millennium was still struggling. The Chinese vice foreign minister said they have already eradicated extreme poverty, and are on their way to becoming a developed economy. While I had no way of quickly validating such, it seems that from the number of Chinese who literally swarmed tourist

attractions with us, I guess it is true.

In 1999 I saw thousands of motorcycle riders along the avenues of Beijing. Now, they just rent e-bikes and commute in subways, commuter buses and trains. We spoke with pioneers of firms whose buzzwords are “research and development,” artificial intelligence, as well as openness to do business in the Philippines.

Some would probably say that we were “sold” by the Chinese to their good side with their lavish hosting of our trip. I would probably have had the same line of thinking if I were not invited. But we were not required to write anything from our two-week adventure. Despite spending probably millions of pesos for this trip, they were gracious enough to say that they just needed us to “understand” China. I gave them my “two cents” every now and then. I agree, though, that there is no better way than people-to-people exchanges for us to thaw our freezing relationship and to live “in harmony” not just as neighbors, but as “brothers and sisters.”

So to every one who gave us their all during this visit, a big “Xie xie!”

EU to aid Mayon’s displaced families

THE European Union (EU) is allocating €50,000 (approximately P3 million) to provide emergency humanitarian assistance for families affected by the increased activity of Mayon Volcano. The aid, according to the EU

Delegation in the Philippines, will benefit over 7,500 people in the worst-hit areas in Albay Province.

The EU funding will support the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in delivering immediate assistance through the distribution of emer-

gency shelter items, sleeping kits, primary health-care assistance and hygiene kits. The aid will also increase access to clean water supplies and sanitation facilities that will enable communities to maintain their good hygiene practices.

The grant is part of the EU’s

overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Red Cross staff, volunteers and equipment are on standby for any further response support, according to the delegation.

EARLIER

this

month,

on July 1, Canadians gathered from coast-to-coast to celebrate Canada Day. Here in the Philippines, over the past two weeks, I have had the occasion to gather with our Filipino friends and partners to celebrate our National Day, and to reflect on the state of the Canada-Philippines bilateral relationship.

During her first visit to the Philippines in May, Canada’s minister of Foreign Affairs—the Hon. Mélanie Joly—declared that now, more than ever, is the time for ambition in our bilateral relationship. I couldn’t agree more.

In November 2022 Canada launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy: a 10-year commitment to enhanced engagement and presence in this vital and dynamic region, backed by an initial funding of more than CAN$2.3 billion in new resources.

The Philippines, sitting at the heart of the Indo-Pacific, is central to Canada’s strategy. Our countries share many interests and objectives: maintaining a rules-based international order, upholding and protecting democracy, free trade and inclusive economic growth, combating climate change and protecting biodiversity, safeguarding fundamental human rights; improving food and energy security, and building a more sustainable future.

The deep people-to-people ties that bind our societies together reinforce these shared priorities. The Philippines is the third-largest source of new migrants, and the second source of global students to Canada. Today there are more than 1 million persons of Filipino origin in Canada, and that number continues to grow. The CanadianFilipino community is a vibrant part of our multicultural society, contributing tremendous creativity, culture and energy to the Canadian story.

The importance Canada ascribes to this historic, 74-year old relationship is reflected in the pace and level of engagement between our governments. Since August of last year four Canadian cabinet ministers have visited the Philippines, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. twice, on the margins of the Asean and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits. In addition, numerous leaders from our provinces and cities have likewise visited, seeking to enhance cooperation at the subnational level.

The pace of engagement shows no sign of slowing, as leaders on both sides of the Pacific look to seize upon the potential in our bilateral ties. Unlocking that potential is my core mandate. My government’s decision last month to add the Philippines to our Electronic Travel Authorization program will help boost these vital ties by removing barriers to travel, exchange and business for many Filipinos.

This same desire motivated Canada’s most recent decision to select Manila as the host for our new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office. Staffed by experts from Agriculture Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, this office will work with our partners in the Philippines and across Asean to strengthen linkages, expand technical cooperation, increase trade, and improve food security.

More on the horizon

IN the coming months we will be expanding our embassy team to seize upon the opportunities emerging in the bilateral relationship. Indeed, our embassy in Manila is now Canada’s fourthlargest diplomatic mission in the world, and continuing to grow—a clear testament to the importance

my country attributes to its partnership with the Philippines. This will include the arrival of new staff to manage our expanding bilateral cooperation, a growing aid envelope, to hasten visa processing, as well as a resident attaché to manage our rapidly expanding defense ties.

Trade and commerce are also growing. We are working hard to build connections between Canadian and Philippine businesses to seize upon opportunities across a wide range of key sectors from sustainable mining, renewable energy, nuclear cooperation, defense and security, education, and more. Canada and the Philippines are both maritime nations. We have common interests in upholding international law and preserving our maritime environments, while ensuring responsible and sustainable use of maritime resources. Citing this shared interest, Canada is taking steps to share its maritime affairs’ knowledge and capacity with Philippine partners—including new initiatives to enhance Philippine maritime-domain awareness that we hope to bring online before the end of the year.

We also look forward to welcoming additional visits to the Philippines by ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, and other Canadian Armed Forces assets and personnel. These goodwill visits—part of Canada’s commitment to enhance our presence and deepen our defense relationships in the IndoPacific—provide new opportunities for collaboration, exchange of expertise and joint training.

Contending with climate change

OUR two countries rank among the most affected globally by climate change and unfortunately, we both have had to contend with the devastating effects of increasingly frequent natural disasters. Canada is making new investments in disaster-risk reduction, in sound environmental management, and in climate-change adaptation and mitigation. We see great opportunities of working together to protect fragile ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and ensure sustainable economic growth here in the Philippines.

In October Canada will host the next iteration of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation—our bilateral strategic dialogue. Our team is working with our Philippine partners to chart out a suitably ambitious program that will focus on collaboration to address our most pressing shared challenges—including protecting our democratic institutions, combating malign influence, enhancing cyber defense, confronting coercion, and upholding a rules-based international order. With so much possibilities before us, the cause for ambition is clear. The momentum in the Canada-Philippines relationship is considerable, driven by our multiplicity of shared interests and our common readiness to cooperate to tackle shared challenges. The tone and trajectory we have set are auspicious as we look toward 2024, when Canada and the Philippines will celebrate 75 years of official diplomatic ties—a noteworthy milestone in a long-standing, mutually beneficial and storied relationship.

THE Philippines and Australia are aiming for a deeper, more integrated bilateral cooperation and coordination on common interests in maritime affairs.

ASSISTANT Secretary Angela A. Ponce and First Assistant Secretary Dr. Peter Sawczak DFA/CAMILLE BARIZO

China invites PCO, PHL media to 7 cities; says it ‘simply needs to be understood’

THE columnist enjoying the sights of Bund in Shanghai, China

Now is the time for ambition in Canada-Philippines relations

HARTMAN

OLDEST PRO FOOTBALLER

Striker Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest professional soccer player at 56, has decided he’s not old enough to call it quits just yet by signing a new loan deal in Portugal, the second-tier club Oliveirense on Tuesday. He has been on loan from Japanese club Yokohama FC to Oliveirense since February. He has played in Brazil, Italy, Croatia and Australia. The former national team forward scored 55 goals in 89 games for Japan. AP

Vargas: Door’s not closed on Kai

THE ball is on Kai Sotto’s hands if he momentarily shelves his dream to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in favor of suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 2023 World Cup the country is lead co-hosting next month.

Kai is always welcome to join the national team anytime,”

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

(SBP) Vice President Ricky Vargas told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “We are fully behind his dream of being the first Filipino to join the NBA—his dream is our dream, too.”

[Yet] our nation needs Kai in the World Cup,” the former Philippine Olympic Committee president Vargas added.

T he 7-foot-3 Kai has been making the rounds on the global arena in pursuit of his NBA dream.

The Orlando Magic signed the 21-year-old for this year’s Summer League, but was benched in the team’s games against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.

Sotto and Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson remain in the radar of Gilas Pilipinas for the World Cup set August 25 to September 10 in the country, Indonesia and Japan.

Vargas praised Sotto’s persistence to achieve his NBA dream.

I like his persistence—never say die—and he keeps on trying, never gives up,” Vargas said. “It shows that he has that Filipino spirit, it’s a good trait of a Filipino, very patient and hardworking, that’s what we want in our athletes.” Josef Ramos

Commuter group calls on Ayala Land on bicycle lanes

Editor: Jun Lomibao

SVITOLINA: WAR MAKES ME STRONGER

WIMBLEDON, England—The last time Elina Svitolina was Grand Slam semifinalist—twice, actually, in 2019—she was pursuing the usual trappings of success in professional sports: trophies, money, fame, etc.

ow Svitolina plays for more important reasons. For her daughter, Skaï, who was born in October. For her country, Ukraine, where a war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022 continues to this day.

nd Svitolina firmly believes that those quite different factors actually do affect the way she swings a racket and the way she handles important moments on a tennis court. Enough so that she is one of the last four women remaining at Wimbledon after adding to her series of surprising victories over major champions with a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory against No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek on Tuesday.

“ War made me stronger and also made me mentally stronger. Mentally, I don’t take difficult situations as, like, a disaster, you know? There are worse things in life. I’m just more calmer,” said Svitolina, 28, who once was ranked as high No. 3 and now is No. 76 after taking time off to start a family with her husband, tennis player Gael Monfils.

She only returned to the tour three months ago. Also, because I just started to play again, I have different pressures,”

THE Philippine men’s team quietly but strongly pulled off a major accomplishment by leapfrogging 111 notches from No. 167 down in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) world rankings to No. 56 following two victories at the ongoing Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men in Taipei.

“ This is one big, major achievement for our men’s indoor volleyball team,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said on Wednesday.

This is by far the most significant accomplishment by our men’s team and the PNVF just under three years into its establishment as the national federation,” Suzara added.

The Philippines is one of only three of the 222 FIVB member na-

By Lorenz Marasigan

Svitolina said after kneeling down, then covering her face with her hands, when Swiatek missed one last forehand at Centre Court. “Of course, I want to win. I have this motivation, like huge motivation, to come back to the top. But I think having a child—and war— made me a different person. I look at the things a bit differently.”

She received a wild-card entry from the All England Club to get into the field and now will face another unseeded player, 42nd-ranked Marketa Vondrousova, for a berth in Saturday’s final.

Vondrousova, the 2019 French Open runner-up, beat fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, by grabbing the last five games after being a point from trailing 5-1 in the last set at No. 1 Court. Pegula dropped to 0-6 in major quarterfinals.

“

I don’t know what happened,” the left-handed Vondrousova said.

Both women’s matches Tuesday were interrupted when rain arrived and the courts’ roofs were shut so play could continue. Swiatek used the break to animatedly chat with her sports psychologist, who was up in the stands, then headed toward an off-court lounge to huddle with her coach.

None of that helped her figure out what was wrong with her spinheavy forehand, which accounted for 57 total errors—28 unforced, 29 forced—and 22 winners.

Swiatek, who was coming off claiming her fourth Grand Slam title at the French Open last month, felt the change in the way Svitolina

BIG LEAP FOR PHL VOLLEYBALL

tions which made a major stride in the world rankings. Macau jumped from No. 165 to No. 58 and Mongolia from No 164 to No. 59 with both countries also competing in Taiwan.

The national men’s team currently vying in Taipei is composed of Vincent Raphael Mangulabanan, Noel Michael Kampton, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo, Ryan Andrew Banez, Kim Malabunga, Jayvee Sumagaysay, Steve Charles Rotter, Adrian Villados, John Vic de Guzman, Joshua Umandal, Edward Camposano, Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Rex Emmanuel Intal, Madzlan Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, Cyrus de Guzman, Manual Sumanguid III and Chumason

Celestine Njigha. The team is led by PNVF director Rod Roque and handled by Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso

and deputy coaches Odjie Mamon and Rommel Abella with team manager Jerome Guhit, strength and conditioning coach Melchidedek Samonte and statistician Mark Gil Alfafara.

The PNVF also sent FIVB referee Janus Dumaran to Taiwan.

The nationals beat Macau, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, last Sunday and Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, on Monday to reach the final 12 of the AVc Challenge Cup for Men at the University of Taipei Hall.

The Filipinos went on to give powerhouse Bahrain a scare before yielding, 25-20, 25-17, 25-23, at the resumption of play on Wednesday morning.

A lso competing in Taiwan are the host country, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

Asian BMX championships set this weekend in Tagaytay City

TAGAYTAY City rolls out the red carpet for athletes and officials from eight countries who are seeing action in the 2023 Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) BMX Racing and Freestyle Championships set this Saturday and Sunday at the Tagaytay City BMX Park and the newly-refurbished and multi-purpose Tagaytay City Combat Center.

Our warmest welcome to the athletes, coaches and officials for the ACC BMX Championships,” said Tagaytay City Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president

Pro wrestling, anyone?

IT’S been called the soap opera for men, a great must-watch that totally engages spectators and draws them into the action. Never mind that the whole thing is a scripted act with timed blows, falls, deadly kicks and punches. It’s got “action, drama, humor, infidelity, love stories, betrayal, overcoming adversity, facing tough obstacles, pain—

Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who also heads the host national federation PhilCycling. R iders from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hongkong, Thailand and Malaysia poise a challenge to Filipino riders led by London Olympian Daniel Caluag, the lone Filipino gold medalist in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, and former Asian Juniors champion Patrick Coo. The freestyle competitions in flatland and park will be staged Saturday with national coach and athlete Renz Viaje leading the campaign in the

both mental and physical, joy, happiness, and family issues,” says sports writer “Doc” Chris Mueller. It can make grown men pay serious attention, if it doesn’t make them cry.

We’re talking about the oldest sport in the world here— wrestling, turned pro—and therefore staged, geared to be more entertainment than sport. It is dramatic, spectacular, and a gripping experience. It has both violence and pageantry, exaggeration, unbridled bullying and “over-thetopness.” But it’s the classic heroes vs. villains story that gets audiences every time.

I f you’ve been sucked into a K-Drama, or an 80’s or 90s TV soap opera sometime in your life, you know what pro wrestling fans go through. There are riveting storylines that hook you and make you follow every episode to find out what’s next. There are also psychological rewards that make you feel good afterwards, like catharsis or revenge.

Unlike some boxing matches that can disappoint if the fighters merely dance around each other and just go for points, pro-wrestling guarantees excitement at every turn.

True that more men than women are pro-wrestling fans, but market study shows more than 40% WWE fans are female. And then too, female pro wrestlers have their own fandoms that can rival the men’s.

championships primarily supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, POC, City Government of Tagaytay and Council, First District of Cavite, Province of Cavite and with support from Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, Vans and partner hotels Summit Ridge, Tagaytay Quest Hotel and Tagaytay Hotel Dominique.

The Asian championships are the second major international competition that Tolentino is hosting in Tagaytay City after the Philippine 30th Southeast Asian Games in December 2019.

The event—calendared by the

MAKE It Safer Movement, a branch of commuter group Move As One Coalition, alleged that the Ayala Group is “ignoring” the safety of commuters and cyclists, as it supposedly rejected the proposed safety interventions for active transport infrastructure.  C ristina Batalla, a representative of Make It Safer Movement, said Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) “did not honor their written commitment to study a full protected bike lane.”  “ALI ignored the data and testimonies. ALI opposed transparency and the participation of key stakeholders. The bike lanes are narrower, traffic enforcers remain hostile to cyclists and pedestrians, and more and more people are getting injured,” she said.

Batalla explained that a technical working group (TWG) was formed, after the Make It Safer Movement protested against the planned conversion of Ayala Avenue bike lanes to sharrows—a mixeduse road for bicycles and motor vehicles.  The group then developed a “comprehensive proposal for effective, low-cost, and scalable interventions addressing conflict areas on Ayala Avenue, including loading zones and intersections.”

These, Batalla said, are “needed because the plastic bollards alone e group proposed to test different scenarios, including a 3-meter width lane, but claimed that ALI “resisted it” initially.

We did eventually conduct studies to asses the impact of the current configuration—a 1.5-meter lane. A commuter survey, bike lane count, and modal share study. The results all substantiate the need to make changes as soon as possible,” she said.

She claimed that ALI “agreed to maintain the protected bike lanes and to implement street design solutions through a technical “ Despite all these data, supported by photos and testimonies about the safety concerns, Ayala remains hesitant to any changes to the bike lane configurations,” Batalla said.

Thus, Make It Safer Movement will hold a protest at the Ayala Triangle on Thursday.

Sought for comment, Ayala Corp. Brand and Reputation Management Head Cathy Bengzon said the group is actively working on improving the bike lanes to make them more suitable for cyclists.

The protected bike lanes along the main thoroughfares of the Makati Central Business District have been preserved and strengthened with enhanced safety infrastructure based on inputs from the biking community. Installation of additional bollards and signage along the route are scheduled in the coming week,” she said.

Furthermore, Bengzon said, the Makati Parking Authority is actively enforcing regulations and issuing citations to motor vehicles that infringe upon the bike lanes.

International Cycling Union and the ACC—will be held at the UCIstandard racing facility, the only BMX park in Asia that has a roof.

The motos for the BMX racing events are set Saturday and early Sunday with the finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon, according to PhilCycling secretary-general Atty. Billy Sumagui. A total of 38 athletes are entered in freestyle—14 men and seven women in park and 10 men and seven women in flatland. For racing, 53 riders are entered in the championships and 35 in the challenge event.

W hat makes people watch pro wrestling? Dennis DiPaolo, son of the late star wrestler Ilio DiPaolo of the 50s and 60s says “the matches have a story arc,” for one, and wrestlers are masters of drawing out performances that make audiences get involved in the story, even if they know it’s staged.   A ctually, the stories can hook you week after week because heroes can get back at villains in the next episode, and how! And you want to be there when it happens.

Sure you know it’s fake and the outcome is predetermined, so why watch? Pro wrestling fans will think that’s a really stupid question. Why on earth do you read novels, or watch a movie? They’ll say “it’s the same thing.” And this one is backed up by pure, bombastic theater. And boy, do we love being entertained.

I n the Philippines, pro wrestling fans are still considered to be very niche, but Manila Wrestling Federation, the main Pinoy wrestling promotion is working hard to bring the hype and drama to a larger fanbase. The main dream, says my former student and MWF stalwart Romeo “Pepi” Moran, is to make it a feasible livelihood for everyone, not just something we do on the side of our day jobs.

Well, there may be brighter days ahead for pro wrestling

Recognizing the changing needs of the community, we are currently conducting a thorough study to rationalize our roads. This study aims to determine the most effective strategies to serve all stakeholders within our estates, considering the diverse needs of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and other users and the limited road space available. By undertaking this analysis, we strive to create a well-balanced road network that optimizes safety, accessibility, and convenience for everyone in the Makati Central Business District,” she said.

in the Philippines. In 2020, just before the Pandemic caused a major lockdown and three years of isolation, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer Rikishi and kinsman Reno “Black Pearl” Anoa’I of the wrestling world’s famed Samoan Dynasty were ready to plant big seeds of professional wrestling in this part of the world.

K nokX Pro, the Samoan Dynasty’s group partnered with RED Boxing International to form WWA (World Wrestling Asia) which aims to grow professional wrestling in the Philippines and spread it to Asia. Long-term, KnokX Pro and RED Boxing International hope to identify, develop and foster local talent, reinvent the professional wrestling landscape in Asia and find Filipino talents to grace the international pro wrestling stage.

The Samoan Dynasty is the most storied lineage in the history of professional wrestling and still reign over the WWE. Originating with “High Chief” Peter Maivia and The Wild Samoans—Afa and Sika Anoa’i—it has continuously churned out some of the world’s greatest professional wrestlers like The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, the Usos, The Wild Samoans, and The Headshrinkers. All of them belong to the Samoan Dynasty.

E xpect some real action in the pro wrestling scene soon.

SUZARA

ELINA SVITOLINA has the Ukraine war and her baby in mind as she beats Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon. AP