BusinessMirror July 20, 2023

THE Department of Energy (DOE) fully supports the proposed gas aggregation strategy of Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and Lopezled First Gen Corp. as this will result in lower electricity prices for consumers amid the UkraineRussia war that has already led to a spike in international gas prices.

“ at’s what we are trying to prevent from happening in terms of spikes in the price of imported LNG, and the plan is to blend the lower price of Malampaya natural gas with the imported LNG so that we can soften the impact or the volatilities of imported LNG.

By 2026 or 2025, if we are lucky, there will be more LNG supply coming on stream globally and therefore the expectation is that prices of LNG will soften as well,”

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said during an online interview with One News. Prime Infra and First Gen have confi rmed that they are already in discussions to develop a gas aggregation framework meant to make it possible to blend currently declining volumes of indigenous Malampaya gas with imported LNG.

It said the framework would provide least-cost solution for consumers, enhanced energy security and competitive market for power generation. It would also complement ongoing commercial develop-

ment of “new indigenous natural gas fields.”

Prime Infra had stressed that the proposed framework would also tap the Malampaya consortium’s expertise in the natural gas market and would lead to reliable and lowest cost supply of clean gas to the country’s power plants.

e gas aggregator framework

“establishes a resilient and efficient natural gas supply chain,” Prime Infra president and CEO Guillaume Lucci earlier said, adding that the proposal “would ensure a stable and sustainable baseload power supply.”

First Gen, for its part, is developing an integrated LNG and regasification terminal in its energy complex in Batangas City.

Prime Infra, through its subsidiary Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., is a member of the Malampaya consortium. It holds a 45-percent operating stake in the Malampaya gas-to-power project. Other members of the consortium are UC38 LLC (45 percent) and PNOC Exploration Corp. (10 percent). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended the consortium’s service contract for 15 years or until February 22, 2039, ensuring the continued production of the Malampaya gas field, which delivers around 20 percent of the country’s electricity requirements. Under the terms of the extend-

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved on Wednesday three new infrastructure projects, including the proposed rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

BALISACAN: “We are in a hurry to improve the—to address the issues there in the terminal because as you have noted, tourism is one of the main drivers of the Philippine economy in the coming years and want to ensure that tourists come here and have a good experience.”

In a press briefi ng in Malacañang after their 7th meeting, Neda Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan announced the board gave the go-ahead for the solicited proposal to rehabilitate, operate, expand and transfer the NAIA. He noted they expect the winning bidder for the P170-billion public-private partnership to be announced within the year.

e P170-billion figure is way below the unsolicited proposal of a consortium of business tycoons

SEES BAN ON NCR ECOZONES LIFTED WITHIN ’23 Deadline set for idle

B A E. S J

THE temporary ban on ecozones within Metro Manila should be lifted within the year to pave the way for the development of new Information Technology (IT) centers in the region, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

“Ecozones in Manila are mostly IT. We met with the PMS, [Office of the President] OP...so they’re inclined to support our position that the moratorium AO 18 is effectively superseded by the [Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises] CREATE law,” Peza

Director General Tereso O. Panga told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of Executive Order No. 18 recently.

e Peza chief hopes the moratorium on ecozones within Metro Manila will be lifted within the year as the CREATE law should prevail over the AO 18. Panga said Peza has already endorsed around 10 or 20 projects to the Office of the President for Metro Manila locations. He added that the OP has been receptive to Peza, as the investment promotion agency “lacks spaces” to offer to new entrants in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Business.

Section 2 of Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, ordered Peza to “no longer accept, process or evaluate applications for the establishments of ecozones in Metro Manila immediately upon the effectivity of this Order and until such moratorium is lifted.” is specific provision in the Order was imposed to complement strategies and policies on rural development.

Countryside devt

MEANWHILE , Panga said once the

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has set the deadline for the completion of the inventory of idle lands which will be covered by the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).

Marcos said the list should be submitted to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) within 60 days from the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 34.

The President issued EO 34 on July 17, 2023 through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin.

“The inventory of lands shall include government-owned idle lands or lands that have not been used for the purposes for which they have been originally reserved or set aside for at least 10 years, and on which no improvements

have been made by the owner as certi ed by the concerned LGU, pursuant to Section 8, Paragraph 2 of Republic Act No. 7279 [Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992], as amended, and Sections 5.II [d] and 24 of RA No. 11201 [the law that created the DHSUD],” Marcos said in the new EO.

The new order covers concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units (LGU).

“The Land Registration Authority [LRA] shall assist these agencies in the preparation of their respective inventories by providing a list of

ed contract, the consortium is required to explore for additional supply around the reservoir.

“One of the things that the President did was to extend the service contract of the Malampaya consortium for another 15 years and that’s because the present production from Malampaya has been on the decline as anticipated because it is fi nite or limited resource,” Lotilla said. He commented that it was necessary to extend the service contract so that the consortium would be encouraged to drill for new wells near the Malampaya gas field.

“Towards 2024, we are going to see the actual drilling in the near fields. e next step to that, since the drilling facilities will already be here, is it will actually be cheaper for drilling and other exploratory activities to be conducted in nearby areas of the country as well,” said Lotilla, referring to the Sulu Sea and certain areas in the West Philippine Sea.

“So, the coming in of LNG complements this because the gestation period for the full development of all the other alternative gas fields will take some time. e importation of LNG will therefore secure the gas supply for the Ilijan and the First Gas plants in the meantime that we don’t have sufficient natural gas supply from Malampaya,” explained the energy chief.

DOE gets proposals for BNPP feasibility studies

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has received proposals for the conduct of feasibility studies on the mothballedBataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

e 620-megawatt (MW) BNPP is the country’s fi rst and only attempt at nuclear power development. It was supposed to be the fi rst of two nuclear plants to be built in the northern province of Bataan.

It was also the fi rst nuclear power plant in Southeast Asia, and was identified as a solution to the 1973 oil crisis that had adversely affect-

ed the global economy, including the Philippines.

e project, however, was mothballed in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

According to DOE Energy Policy

and Planning Bureau Director Michael Sinocruz, the government has not yet dismissed the possibility of reviving the nuclear plant.

“We are not yet abandoning the possible rehabilitation of the BNPP, but we need to do a feasibility study whether we can rehab the BNPP at a reasonable cost, whether rehabilitation of BNPP is cost effective to us.

“We need to commission. So, there are several proposals that we received for the conduct of the feasibility study for the BNPP,” said Sinocruz at the Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Earlier, state-owned power generation fi rm Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) had undertaken the fi rst prefeasibility study on the rehabilitation of BNPP in partnership with the National Power Corp. (Napocor).

e Duterte administration earlier issued Executive Order (EO) No. 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and for other Purposes.”

e EO states that nuclear power shall be tapped as a viable alternative to baseload power source along with alternative resources, to address the projected decline

of coal-fi red power plants, which come under increasing environmental opposition. e DOE has already banned new coal power projects in the country.

e DOE has since been pushing to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) in island provinces with limited grid access. Given their size and relative transportability ability to provide non-intermittent power supply with low carbon and predictable supply cost, SMRs could go a long way in developing island provinces.

e DOE earlier said provinces such as Palawan, Cagayan and Sulu have expressed their openness to the development of SMR utilizing nuclear technology in their areas.

During the meeting, the agency said it was studying the possibility of incorporating 8 x 150megawatts (MW) of SMRs by 2032 and 1,200MW of nuclear generation capacity in Luzon by 2035 in the energy mix under the “High RE + Nuclear” scenario.

“We will have a fi rm capacity to be included in the mix in the succeeding Philippine energy plan once we have a law establishing an independent atomic energy regulatory commission, which is still pending in the Congress now,” said Sinocruz.

PEZA SEES BAN ON NCR ECOZONES LIFTED WITHIN ’23

moratorium is lifted, this would still be consistent with the goal of the administration to develop the countryside.

“ at’s being consistent because [for] the IT locators—especially they are new entrants—the preferred location is actually Metro Manila. So that’s where they will set up their initial operations, and then later on they move to provinces for expansion projects,” the Peza chief explained.

According to Panga, Peza is waiting for the proclamation by

for the airport rehabilitation, a long-term plan for which they put a price tag of P267 billion.

e Neda Board-approved plan will cover all facilities of NAIA including its runways and four terminals.

“ e goal of the project is to address long-standing issues at NAIA such as the inadequate capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement,” Balisacan said.

Once completed, the project is expected to almost double the passenger capacity of NAIA from 35 million to at least 62 million. e other projects approved by the NEDA Board were the P7.48billion Samar Pacific Coastal Road II Project and the P12.75-billion unsolicited Laguindingan Airport PPP Project located in Misamis Oriental.

Tourism boost BALISACAN said the current administration is prioritizing the rehabilitation of the country’s existing airports to boost the country’s tourist arrivals.

“We are in a hurry to improve the—to address the issues there in the terminal because as you have noted, tourism is one of the main drivers of the Philippine economy in the coming years and want to ensure that tourists come here and have a good experience,” Balisacan explained.

During its meeting, Balisacan said the NEDA Board also approved changes to the scope, cost, design and/or loan validity of four ongoing projects, particularly in disaster risk reduction and climate change, irrigation and transportation. It also confi rmed the proposed adoption of a national policy on infrastructure sector master plans.

“ e policy aims to harmonize and rationalize the formulation of master plans for the infrastructure sector across the government,” Balisacan said.

“ is is to ensure that the master plans are coordinated, synergistic, responsive to emerging issues and consistent with the sector’s priority development challenges or strategies,” he added.

Miac plan unknown—for now WITHOUT providing any concrete plans with the approval of the proposal as of writing time, Miac said the consortium received notifi cation of the approval of the project.

It indicated, however, that it stands by the more comprehensive offer (for P267 billion) that it submitted last month.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of an IT center located in Metro Manila. is, he said, “will now trigger, pave the way for the others to be proclaimed as well...IT Centers in Manila.”

e moratorium has been in place within the region since 2019.

Panga also explained that the CREATE law “supersedes” the AO, saying that there is a provision in the CREATE identifying Metro Manila as part of Tier I and ICTeligible activities for Metro Manila locations.

e CREATE law became effective in 2021.

Deadline set for idle land inventory for 4PH

titles and the corresponding certi ed true copies thereof that are registered in the name of said agencies,” Marcos said.

EO 34 also mandated DHSUD to recommend to the President, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the issuance of proclamations declaring public lands as alienable and disposable, for housing and human settlement purposes.

DHSUD and its Key Shelter Agencies were also given the power to expropriate lands when

necessary subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

In November, the Presidential Communications O ce (PCO) announced Marcos will come out with a new EO for the inventory of the estimated 16,000 hectares of “idle state lands suitable for housing and rural development.”

Through EO 34, Marcos also declared the 4PH of DHSUD as a agship program of his administration.

Under the program, the government is targeting to construct 6.8 million new housing units by 2028. Samuel P. Medenilla

“Regardless of the route, we fi rmly believe that Naia’s modernization requires a long-term and comprehensive solution delivered by a credible and capable party at the quickest possible time. ese criteria—regardless of the approach—would best benefit Naia and the Filipino people,” Miac said in a statement. e BM sought for a more categorical answer from the consortium members on their plans, but they have yet to reply to the paper’s queries as of press time.

Meanwhile, Infrawatch said the approval of the Naia rehab proposal is “an acceptable middle ground between Miac’s unsolicited proposal and the original DOTr proposal amount of P141 billion.”

“ is balances the government interest to expedite the rehabilitation of the country’s fl agship airport through private sector capital and the public interest to ensure reasonable airport fees during the concession period,” Infrawatch Convener Terry Ridon said.

He noted that the approved cost has a “very significant cost difference” from the P267-billion price tag that Miac offered in June.

“Miac may opt to participate in the solicited bid, if it continues to believe that it can provide the project’s best vision, service and pricing at Neda’s approved project cost,” he said.

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

THE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday assured that necessary funding and resources are allocated under the annual General Appropriations Act to support “legacy specialty hospitals,” such as the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), Philippine Children Medical Center (PCMC), and West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSU), as well as the establishment of new “legacy project” the proposed Philippine Cancer Center.

H ouse Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co said the lower chamber is determined to contribute to these specialty hospitals and realization of this new legacy project, which aims to revolutionize the health-care system in the Philippines.

“

The legacy projects initiated by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. have remained stagnant for far too long, with minimal development over the years,” said Co.

“At present, those who lack financial resources are denied equal opportunities to receive quality health care, as only the privileged can afford to seek treatment at private health institutions,” he said.

T hrough the efforts of the House of Representatives, Co said substantial budget allocations have been appropriated to facilitate the much-needed improvements for the existing legacy projects.

To achieve this goal, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Co said an initial appropriation of P500 million for each specialty hospital has been secured through the collaborative efforts of Congress.

T hese funds will be dedicated to the development of legacy specialty hospitals, such as NKTI, PCMC, and WVSU, as well as the establishment of the new legacy project initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Cancer Center.

“President Marcos Jr. envisions emulating the approach taken by President Marcos Sr. in Metro Manila and replicating it across the entire Philippines, ensuring that government hospitals in every region provide equal access to medical care. Regardless of one’s economic status, every Filipino will witness their taxes working for their well-being,” said Co.

“It is our dut y to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their location, have access to the same level of health care as their counterparts in private institutions. This will help bridge the health-care gap and provide equal opportunities for all,” he added.

The lawmaker said the lower chamber would continue to work to ensure that the necessary funding and resources are secured to support Marcos’ vision of providing equitable access to high-quality medical services for every Filipino.

‘Breastie bestie’

MEANWHILE , staunch women’s health advocate Rep. Aniela Bianca D. Tolentino of Tagaytay City is calling for a broader information dissemination campaign on breast cancer prevention as deaths from the dreaded disease among women continue to soar in the country.

The youngest female member of the House of Representatives, Tolentino aired the appeal during the recent launch of the “Breastie Bestie” health caravan, a principal component of a breast cancer awareness program.

Aniela said that the Breastie Bestie program seeks to ensure public awareness about breast cancer where family members are also enjoined to learn more about the disease for better prevention effort.

“B ased on medical resources, the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer is key to saving the lives of women from this disease. Through the Breastie Bestie program, we want our Filipino women to be aware that while advances in medical science have made treatment readily available, early discovery of breast cancer remains the key prescription to saving more lives,” said Tolentino, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Breast cancer ranks second among the leading causes of cancer deaths among female Filipinos, current statistics reveal.

The Philippine Statistics Office and the Department of Health revealed that three in every 100 Filipinas would develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Aniela lamented that early detection of breast cancer is stymied by the fear among many women about the huge expenses, pain and other medical procedures they have to endure once they are diagnosed positive for the disease.

She stressed that through the Breastie Bestie program, women will be taught to fight off such fear and embrace the fact that early detection will save their lives.

With the help of the Asian Breast Center, the Breastie Bestie program provides free breast cancer screening through the use of modern diagnostics technology. State-of-theart machines that ensure touch-free, pain-free and radiation free detection were also made available to the initial batch of examinees from the 8th District of Cavite.

Pope appoints Pinoy priest to Vatican post

By Patrick V. Miguel

POPE Francis appointed Msgr. Jose Balagapo of the Archdiocese of Palo as one of the two new officials of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Vatican’s missionary arm announced on Tuesday.

Msgr. Balagapo will serve as the head of the Department of the Dicastery of Evangelization, alongside Korean Msgr. Han Hyun-taek.

Both priests will serve their posts for five years, but were already working in the dicastery prior to promotion.

Msgr. Balagapo has been working for the dicastery since 2015 after finishing studies in Rome.

The dicastery of Evangelization was established in 2022 by Pope Francis to

South Koreans ‘loving’ PHL help boost tourist arrivals to 3 million

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

OVER 3 million international travelers visited the Philippines from January to July 19, 2023, with South Korea topping the list of source markets.

In a news statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) also announced inbound tourism receipts in the first half of the year hit some P212.5 billion. This year’s spending by tourists was 13.3 percent less than the P245 billion recorded in the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. Inbound receipts are usually computed in US dollars then converted by the DOT to the local currency; the average foreign exchange rate in 2019 was P51.77 to a dollar, while this year’s average is P55.21.

Due to the change in data gathering by the Bureau of Immigration prompted by the pandemic, there was no exact reference period to compare visitor arrivals 2019.

But this year’s arrivals was about 73 percent of the 4.13 million who visited from January to June 2019, a possible indication that the gains in the tourism sector are picking up.

China still lags as source market

OF the total arrivals as of July 19, some 91.4 percent or 2.74 million were foreign tourists, while 8.64 percent or 259,277 were overseas Filipinos, defined as Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad.

DOT data also showed South Koreans accounted for 24.72 percent of total visitor arrivals at 741,658. They were followed by tourists from the United States at 550,569 (or 18.35 percent of total); Australia at 146,062 (4.87 percent); Japan at 143,227 (4.77 percent); and Canada at 132,018 (4.4 percent).

China continued to lag as a source market with only 129,077 tourists, and accounting for just 4.3 percent of total arrivals as of July 19. It was followed by Taiwan with 104,211 (or 3.47 percent of total); United Kingdom at

85,847 (2.86 percent); Singapore at 81,656 (2.72 percent); and Malaysia with 54,411 (1.81 percent).

Although China just reopened its borders for outbound travel just in January, the DOT has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to speed up the processing of visas for Chinese tourists. (See, “DOT presses DFA on ways to lure Chinese tourists,” in the BusinessMirror, July 12, 2023.)

‘Grateful for renewed interest’

FRASCO , meanwhile, continues to be steeped in the mess created by her agency’s “Love the Philippines” tourism slogan, where it was found that the video introducing the slogan contained images from foreign countries. The “Love” video was first shown in a tourism meeting in Cambodia, then to the public with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in attendance. (See, “‘Love the Philippines’ debuted in Cambodia, not in the Philippines–Indonesian minister,” in the BusinessMirror, July 6, 2023.)

Criticized for the DOT’s responsibility in the video mess, Frasco is now receiving backlash from netizens and opinion columnists for “loving Norway,” where her family jetted off for their vacation, instead of “loving the Philippines” as her agency urged international tourists and domestic travelers to do. Her husband, Rep. Duke Frasco inadvertently gave away their location after he posted photos having coffee in a room balcony and going to a gym in their hotel. The photos, which have since been deleted, were reported by several news sites.

Ironically, Frasco said in the news statement on the latest tourist arrivals, “We are grateful for the renewed interest worldwide in the Philippines which offers a multitude of reasons to love travel across our islands. We thank as well our fellow Filipinos who continue to travel domestically, supporting our local communities and families who are all part of the tourism value chain.” The DOT chief is expected to complete her official leave on July 21, 2023.

Mayor says Pola, OccMin oil spill ‘nightmare’ is still far from over

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Occidental Mindoro oil spill continues to haunt the town of Pola, one of the hardest hit by the disaster, following the sinking of MT Princess Empress on February 28.

At a hybrid news conference dubbed “State of the Oil Spill,” Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz said oil and oil residues are still visible in coastal areas of Pola and rejected insinuations that the worst is over for the coastal communities.

Speaking mostly in Filipino, the mayor said she declined to sign a document when sought by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), stating that the town is 100 percent cleared of oil and oil residues.

“The real situation in Pola, according Coast Guard, 100 percent clear, but we don’t see it that way. It’s not 100 percent. Just three days ago, with the visit of Senator JV

Ejercito, the oil residues were visible. T hat’s not 100 percent,” said Cruz. She added that as long as oil and oil residues are visible in the coastal barangays of Pola, she would not sign any document stating that the town is already cleared of oil. According to Cruz, based on their own assessment, the town is only about 50 percent cleared of oil and oil residue.

“I am not the expert, from what we are seeing, we are not clear. We cannot even fish. Our fishermen are not allowed to go out,” Cruz said.

The mayor said the Municipal Government of Pola is cash strapped and what remains of their budget for recovery program is a measly P200,000. She said the threat of oil spill hitting Pola is daunting with such limited budget.

“That’s why our budget of P200,000 for recovery. We can’t just release [the entire amount] because another oil spill might happen,” Cruz said.

The mayor called on the Provincial Government for help and support for Pola.

“If the governor [Eduardo Gadiano] is listening, I am appealing for help. Perhaps you can provide financial aid to us,” she said.

According to the mayor, 4,800 fisherfolk are affected by the fishing ban, which still persist in Pola. T he last time help from the government came through the Office of the Civil Defense, she said, but the trickle of support is not enough for the fisherfolk to survive.

“Other fishermen are forced to find jobs—some work as carpenters—others are into planting crops now, but it will take time for them to harvest and hopefully earn,” said the mayor.

She said they are also hoping for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue the cashfor-work and pay the people for the number of days they have already rendered to help them cope with the situation.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Convenor of Protect VIP, lamented that the government has no clear plan or even budget for the rehabilitation of affected areas in Occidental Mindoro, particularly Pola.

We are hoping that in his state of the nation address, President Marcos will bare plans how to rehabilitate Occidental Mindoro,” he said.

He added the people affected by the oil spill are yet to receive just compensation from the owner of the close to 1 million liters of oil that ravaged coastal areas in Mindoro and nearby areas.

“Right now, its enrolment time and many school children may not be able to enroll because there’s no alternative source of income,” he said.

According to Gariguez, while there’s indeed a mobile caravan listing names of affected people, it is not clear when and how much they are to receive.

“It is not really over,” he said.

Senators share diverse views on ICC drug war investigation

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

“serve the work of evangelization, so that Christ, the light of the nations, may be known and witnessed to by word and deed, and the Church, his mystical Body, may be built up.”

According to the Praedicate Evangelicum n. 53, the dicastery “is responsible for the fundamental questions of evangelization in the world and for the establishment, accompaniment and support of the new particular Churches, without prejudice to the competence of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.”

The dicastery addresses the fundamental questions of evangelization in the world, and is dedicated to the “first evangelization and the new particular Churches in the territories within its competence.”

Msgr. Balagapo was ordained priest in July 1996.

SENATORS gave mixed reactions to reports of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to proceed with its prosecutor’s investigation of the Duterte-era bloody war on drugs.

The chairman of the Senate’s Justice and Human Rights panel, Sen. Francisco Tolentino, said the decision, announced in The Hague on Tuesday afternoon (Manila time), does not change the fact that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, a democracy with fully functioning courts.

However, the Senate’s Deputy Minority Leader, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, described the ICC ruling as a “step in achieving justice” for the victims of what human rights groups have described as a bloody campaign that killed thousands, including innocent people.

Earlier, Senate President Miguel Zubiri, replying to reporters’ queries, said that the Senate will protect one of its members, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, in case the ICC seeks to summon or arrest him. Unless, Zubiri said, the warrant is issued by a Philippine court.

In his statement Wednesday on the ICC’s decision to proceed with the Philippines’ drug war probe, Tolentino said, “Once again, the denial of the appeal does not grant the ICC the jurisdiction which it lacks from the very beginning.”

“Any misguided claims suggesting otherwise would only highlight ICC’s persistent disregard for Philippine sovereignty,”Tolentino said, stressing, “It is important to note that a foreign entity has no authority to investigate the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.”

Hontiveros, for her part, said, “This is an important first step in achieving justice for

House to implement SONA lockdown beginning today

THE Batasang Pambansa Complex will be placed on a lockdown starting today, Thursday, July 20, in preparation for the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 24.

H ouse Secretary-General Reginald Velasco has assured that the House of Representatives is ready for the SONA.

“There is perfect unity and coordination, and we’re happy together.

All areas were discussed. There were no debates, we are really united. I don’t know about the previous SONA, but I think this is the first SONA where all agencies are

united,” he added.

Mean while, House Deputy Secretary General (DSG) for Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department (IPAD) Atty. Grace Andres said health protocols for this year’s SONA will be relaxed.

But Andres said those who will register a temperature of 37.2 in the morning and 37.8 in the afternoon need to undergo antigen testing.

“If they test negative, then they will be allowed entry,” she said.

Andr es said that the SONA and the joint session of Congress shall also be streamed online. For those who will attend via Zoom,

they will find in the advisory what they need to do, he added.

She also enc ouraged those who will physically attend the SONA to carry a small purse only to ease inspection procedures to be implemented by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) detailed at the entry doors.

Marcos will deliver his second SONA on Monday, July 24 at Batasang Pambansa Complex during a joint session before the House of Representatives and the Senate.

F or his part, House Medical and Dental Service Director Dr. Luis Jose Bautista said that almost everyone has submitted his or her vaccination card already.

H e said there are no other protocols to be implemented aside from temperature check.

B autista also assured that they would have medical teams inside and outside the Plenary Hall, as well as within the vicinity of and outside the perimeter of Congress.

Traffic rerouting

HOUSE Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas shared that a zipper lane at the southbound lane along Commonwealth Avenue beginning at the Philcoa area nears the Quezon Memorial Circle will be opened. Cars with SONA VIP passes going to the

the victims, the widows, and the orphans of the War on Drugs. My hope is that the President and the agencies of the Executive will cooperate with the investigation of the ICC so that true justice is obtained.”

She added: “The people are watching if he will put the country or his political alliance first. Sana ang Bagong Pilipinas nila ay Pilipinasnamakatarungansalahat.”

‘ICC non-cooperation may impact PHL’

IN a separate development, an infrastructureoriented think tank warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the Philippine government’s non-cooperation in ICC proceedings against former President Duterte may severely impact the President’s ongoing campaign to raise the country’s international prestige.

“By continuing to block attempts by the ICC to hold Mr. Duterte accountable

Batasan Complex may take advantage of this zipper lane to get to the SONA venue faster.

Vehicles using this lane shall exit to the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue past Don Antonio Village before turning right at the U-turn slot and proceed to the IBP Road towards the Batasan Complex.

Taas also said that SONA visitors from the Fairview area may also use the southbound lane and take the same U-turn slot to get to the SONA venue.

T o facilitate vehicular traffic on SONA day along Commonwealth Avenue, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 1,300 personnel on SONA day.

MMDA Special Events Operations Head Emmanuel Miro said that there are alternate routes that motorists may use going to

for his regime’s drug war, it may signal to the international community that the Philippines is unserious and insincere about universal principles, such as respect for human rights and dignity and the rule of law. These are principles that guide various bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with various countries and institutions, and these are values that may be considered in investment decisions of various foreign firms. The best next step for the Philippine government is to simply allow the proceedings to reach its conclusion without getting in the way of the path to justice,” said Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor, in a statement issued on Wednesday. Ridon said the President’s international charm offensive would be wasted if investments to the Philippines are rejected or deferred on the mere basis of its non-cooperation with an international adjudication body.

and from Fairview and avoid any travel inconvenience.

Miro advised those who need to go to the Fairview area from EDSA may take Mindanao Avenue from North Avenue, take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway and exit past the Batasan area to Commonwealth Avenue. He said that people traveling from Fairview to Quezon City should also use the same route.

T he MMDA also shared the rerouting plan that light vehicles may use. The plan involves northbound vehicles traversing roads along Marikina City, which will eventually lead to Payatas Road then Commonwealth Avenue.

Trucks coming from Katipunan Avenue or C-5 Road are advised to take Congressional Avenue to their destination.

Rep. Co assures funding for upkeep of FM era ‘legacy specialty hospitals’

Thursday, July 20, 2023

IEMOP: Lower demand pulls down WESM prices

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

BARRING unforeseen circumstances, the downward trend in electricity spot market prices may prevail towards the end of the year.

According to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market Prices (WESM), there was a decline in electricity spot prices in the Luzon and Visayas grids from June to the first half of July due to decreased power demand as a result of the rainy season and tropical depression “Dodong.”

D espite intermittent hot weather caused by El Niño weather conditions, overall demand for electricity went down, leading to an 8.9 percent decrease in spot prices or P6.07 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the Luzon and Visayas markets compared to the

LGUs

previous month’s P6.67 per kWh.

A s the energy sector adapts to the cooler weather, market data for July reveals a decrease of 155 megawatt (MW) in average electricity demand for Luzon and Visayas, dropping from 11,641 MW in June to 11,486 MW.

D espite the decrease in demand, however, a new peak demand record of 12,522 MW was set in Luzon on July 6, 2023, at 2:15 p.m., which was 3.5 percent higher than the previous year’s peak recorded on May 12.

IEMOP Corporation Strategy and Communications Department Head Isidro Cacho Jr. said during an online news briefing on Wednesday that June WESM prices was a good indication of stable power supply. “Hopefully, that will continue then possibly we can further see lowering of prices. There are improvements in terms of the outages and plant performance,” Castro said.

Supply margins for Luzon-Visayas stood at 2,935 MW, while Mindanao averaged 1,261 MW. The generation supply mix in Luzon and Visayas for June 2023 was also boosted with increased contribution from the natural gas plants at 17.1 percent.

Mor e notably, Castro said the driver of lower WESM prices was the decline in demand. “In the supply side, we did not see any event for the past three months since summer. Our supply level is good and there wasn’t much forced outage incidents, which could mean possible improvement in terms of plant maintenance and plant operation,” he said.

“If we will not experience any unforeseen outages, I think we will see further downtrend especially towards the end of this year since we have a cold weather, unless El Niño will be more intense toward the end of this year and until first quarter of next year,” added Castro.

D uring the briefing, IEMOP provided an update on the ongoing trial operations program (TOP) for the Reserve Market.

The Reserve Market TOP is scheduled to run for three months, ensuring the preparedness of market participants, the System Operator, as well as the Market Operator.

IEMOP said the remaining tasks for the Reserve Market include the approval of the price determination methodology and necessary software certification audits. These tasks are expected to be accomplished in the coming months resulting in the anticipated commercial operations of the Reserve Market towards the end of this year.

The Reserve Market is expected to enhance the reliability and security of delivering power from generators to consumers through its optimal and responsive mechanism for scheduling regulating, contingency and dispatchable reserves.

told to establish own investment ‘green lanes’

ASENIOR lawmaker has called on local government unit (LGU) executives to put up their own “green lanes” meant to streamline and expedite the processing of business permits in their respective localities.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte issued the statement as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took another step to level up the ease of doing business (EODB) nationwide, and eventually turn the Philippines into a premier investment hub in the region.

T he President launched a project establishing business-friendly “green lanes for strategic investments” in national government (NG) offices and LGUs to simplify and speed up the processing of strategic investment inflows across the country.

“ The President’s July 13 launch of green lanes to clear the way to fast-tr ack processing of strategic investments couldn’t have come at a better time, as he has just signed the law establishing the MIF

[Maharlika Investment Fund or Republic Act 11954] as an alternative stream for investment funds amid government expectations of at least $88 million or almost P5 billion in investment inflows for the rest of this year, representing our initial windfall from the President’s 12 official trips abroad since he took office last year,” said Villafuerte.

Villafuerte noted that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expects, from the President’s foreign trips, an initial $88 million worth of investment leads this year in the manufacturing, renewable energy (RE) and information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industries that would create 17,800 jobs combined.

This amount is part of the DTI-listed pipeline of an estimated $70 billion in investment pledges from the US, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Europe and other countries that are the fruits of the government’s pro-business agenda and “the President’s relentless economic-

diplomacy drive to sell the Philippines as a robust economy that has reopened fully after the pandemic and continues to reform its regulatory environment to make it a more conducive destination in our region for strategic investments,” Villafuerte said.

“Hence, our LGUs need to set up at the soonest their respective green lanes for investments not only to support Malacañang Palace’s agenda to level up our EODB image, but also for them to seize upon this splendid opportunity for their localities to cash in on this projected pipeline of $70 billion worth of FDI inflows resulting from our country’s postCovid status as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies on the Marcos watch,” he said.

V illafuerte said that in CamSur, for example, investors are most welcome to partner with local entrepreneurs in the processing and export of high-value coconut products.

During a recent presidential visit to the province, he recalled that Marcos visited CamSur’s P230-million Sustainable

Deliver MIF’s promise, Recto reminds economic managers

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

NOW that their pet Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) is a law, a leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday said economic managers should prove their critics wrong, and deliver the earnings they confidently promised during the congressional debates on the measure.

Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto issued the statement following the recent signing of the law, which other lawmakers said, would be an additional vehicle for financing big-ticket infrastructure projects.

“

The next order of the day is to shut down the critics. And because they have stuck out their necks for this, their professional reputation is also on the line. This is not just business, but personal,” Recto said.

As in the case of new things, which were initially doubted, Recto said “brickbats can incentivize performance and a powerful motivation to prove the naysayers wrong.”

it from political interference.

“President Marcos’ demand for MIF investment decisions and management to be predicated solely on sound financial and business practices manifests his resolve to ensure the fund is adequately safeguarded and would grow to achieve its purpose,” said Romualdez, who is one of the principal authors of the House version of the bill creating the MIF.

“It is a prudent move on the part of the President that would bolster its potential to achieve its purpose of mobilizing additional funds without the need for additional borrowings or taxes to accelerate the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects meant to sustain the country’s robust growth,” he added. Under R A 11954 or the Act Establishing the MIF, which the President signed into law Tuesday, the Secretary of Finance is merely ex officio chairperson and will not run the Fund. It will be governed by the nine-member Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) chaired by an Independent Director.

Agriculture and Fishery Enterprises (SAFE) Innovation Hub for the processing and marketing of value-added coconut products for export.

The green lanes initiative and the MIF are among the Marcos administration’s complementary measures to the reform laws on sharpening the country’s global competitiveness that were passed in the previous Congress, several of which Villafuerte had co-authored, such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE), and the amendatory laws to the Public Service Act (PSA), Foreign Investments Act (FIA) and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA).

Villafuerte said the setting up of green lanes for strategic investments puts flesh into Executive Order (EO) 18, which the President issued last February 23, in line with his administration’s commitment to simplify and automate procedures and trim bureaucratic layers to improve the EODB for investors in the country.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Gatchalian presses probe into POGO links to crimes

SENATE probers, acting on a resolution filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, are on track to mount an inquiry into the “rising involvement” of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in various crimes, as well as accredited service providers linked to human trafficking and kidnap-for-ransom.

Despite efforts by authorities to arrest such incidents, Gatchalian said the upcoming inquiry is meant to ferret out further means for decisively stamping out the crimes and violence associated with rogue POGO operators.

“The increase in POGO-related crimes necessitates a close review of the country’s POGO policies and assess whether the

economic benefits still outweigh the social costs related to the incidents involving POGO companies and their accredited service providers,” Gatchalian said, as he filed Senate Resolution No. 679.

The enabling resolution noted, “The chief of the Philippine National Police even commented that there is a possibility that there may be some more foreign fugitives employed in POGO-related operations with practice or modus operandi of hiding in POGO hubs,” the Gatchalian Resolution added.

A s provided in the resolution, Gatchalian noted that the entanglement of POGOs in crimes has remained unabated and there is a need to review the power of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming

Corp. (PAGCOR) to regulate the industry as well as the capability of other law enforcement agencies to abate the commission of POGO-related crimes in the country.

According to Gatchalian, there is a dire need to take immediate action against the criminal incidents associated with POGOs.

He conveyed concerns that “failing to address these issues would not only greatly harm the people, but also constitute a neglect of duty” towards international treaties and conventions that the Philippines has signed or joined.

Gatchalian was referring to the raid conducted on June 26 on the premises of Xinchuang Network Technology Inc.

in Las Piñas City, which led to the rescue of 2,724 alleged victims of human trafficking, 1,524 of them are Filipinos. Gatchalian noted that Xinchuang has already been involved in December 2021 in a serious illegal detention case in Tambo, Parañaque City. He cited another police raid that was also conducted at a POGO hub in Clark Sun Valley in Pampanga in early May, resulting in the rescue of 1,090 human trafficking victims. Additionally, on June 27, an entrapment operation led to the arrest of three Chinese nationals, some of who were former POGO employees, for their involvement in torture, kidnap-for-ransom, and illegal possession of firearms. Butch Fernandez

Rec to said the newly signed law “was written largely faithful to the specs of the proponents.”

W hat Congress added “were safety features against abuse and misuse of funds, and higher qualifications for those on the driver’s seat.”

He urged “appointing authorities” to get “the best and the brightest” in running what is “the republic’s sovereign fund” that will be used to finance projects “we need today while it earns so that it can fund future ones.”

For his part, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to insulate MIF from politics.

Marcos bared that he rejected proposals for him or the Secretary of Finance to chair the MIF, saying that it must be run by competent and independent financial managers to insulate

“With competent managers of proven track record and unquestioned integrity running the MIF, I am confident that it would eventually provide significant contributions to widen our fiscal space and finance projects that would create jobs and uplift the lives of our people,” Romualdez said.

Following the signing of RA 11954, Malacañang said the stage is now set for the preparation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the creation of the MIC, which will be the sole vehicle for mobilizing and utilizing the MIF for investments.

As envisioned in the law, the fund will be invested in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixedincome instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and highimpact infrastructure projects, and projects related to sustainable development.

DTI inks small business registration pact with QC

THE Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) has inked an agreement with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU) to integrate DTI’s Business Name Registration System (BNRS) with QC LGU’s business permit application system to lessen documentary burden for those intending to start a business.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo

E. Pascual and Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DTI and the Quezon City government to integrate DTI’s BNRS with Quezon City LGU’s Online Unified Business Permit Application System (OUBPAS).

DTI proposed the integration, which it said aims to further streamline the procedures and requirements of LGUs through the automatic verification of the BNRS.

With this, the trade department said the submission of the Business Name Registration (BNR) certificate to the LGU would no longer be required, which consequently lessens documentary burden for those intending to start a business.

Pascual said the Quezon City government is the first LGU that agreed to the DTI’s proposal to integrate the two systems. However, Pascual said more cities are lined up for the integration.

“With this, we thank Mayor Joy Belmonte for partnering with us in making doing business in Quezon City easier. We reached out to several cities to propose this system integration initiatives and we are happy that more are scheduled in the pipeline,” the DTI chief said.

According to DTI, the MOA covers data sharing and system integration technical provisions between the DTI and Quezon City

government. The agency also noted that the “simplified” process and automatic verification is aligned with the objectives of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law.

Under the MOA, the DTI said it is committed to provide all data and information not otherwise privileged or confidential, as enumerated in the existing Application Programming Interface (API) Document relative to business name registration. The trade department also has to work closely with the LGU regarding the customization of its technical specification and requirements and crosscheck the veracity of data and information relating to business name registration appearing in its system with that of the LGU.

Moreover, DTI has to report to the LGU the business establishments whose business name registration has expired as appearing in DTI’s system for appropriate action.

W ith this, the trade chief assured the public that the DTI and the Quezon City government shall make sure that all sensitive personal information maintained by the government, its agencies, and instrumentalities “shall be secured through the use of the most appropriate standards recognized by the information and communications technology industry.”

A t the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Summit last Tuesday in Manila, Pascual emphasized that to register businesses, “they don’t have to come to any office of the DTI. They can do it online. We have the Business Name Registration System. It takes only 8 minutes to register a business name if you are a single proprietorship.”

Andrea E. San Juan

SC upholds Sandigan junking of ₧1-B Case vs Marcoses, Pals

C ontinued from A16

It noted that only 11 exhibits and four testimonies were admitted as evidence.

H owever, after evaluation by the antigraft court of the remaining admissible evidence, it concluded that such pieces of evidence were either insufficient to prove the allegations of the expanded complaint, or were unrelated to the facts sought to be proved by the PCGG.

Aside fr om failing to prove the allegation that the Tantocos were dummies of the Marcoses, the Court said the PCGG failed to prove that 5 percent of the franchise tax paid by the Duty Free Shops were to Mrs. Marcos.

T he PCGG filed the forfeiture case in

1987 to recover assets and properties from the Marcos family and their alleged cronies, composed of P609.27 million in shares of stocks and P443.05 million in real properties.

T he expanded complaint also alleged that the Tantocos acted as dummies of the Marcoses in acquiring franchises to operate tourist duty-free shops at international airports, hotels and commercial centers.

H owever, the SC declared: “Clearly, these documents are insufficient to prove that respondents concealed illegally obtained assets, or amassed ill-gotten wealth.”

“Accordingly, the Sandiganbayan was correct in dismissing the Expanded Complaint for Reconveyance, Accounting, Restitution and Damages against all the respondents,” it added. Joel R. San Juan

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Border inspection facility to rise in Bulacan

the country’s food safety and public health from unsafe and untested agricultural imports that crippled and continue to devastate the agriculture sector, like the African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza, among others.

“ASF alone has ravaged the livestock industry and allied sectors by at least P70 billion for the past four years.”

and those involved in illicit trade and their cohorts in government “will make every effort to hamper the construction of Cefa.”

“Imagine, 4 years nang may pondo ang Cefa subalit hindi ito maimplement. Ganoon kalakas ang mga puwersa na ayaw ipatayo ang Cefa. Alam din natin na up until today, they continue to lobby against its construction.”

The Department of Agriculture and the private sector are expected to sign on July 20 a memorandum of understanding on the facility’s construction. A groundbreaking ceremony will also be conducted in Angat, where the facility will be built.

Nongovernment organization

Samahang Industriya ng Agriculture (Sinag) thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is

also the chief of the agriculture department, for giving his blessing to the facility’s construction.

“The [facility] is a gamechanger and is a dream come true for the local agriculture industry,” Sinag Chairman Rosendo said in a statement. “A week after his assumption to the presidency, PBBM [President Bongbong Marcos] gave the directive to us in the private sector and the DA

to work together in establishing the Cefa.”

“The Pacific Road Link Incorporated, after consultation with Sinag, offered 10 hectares of its Angat property as our first Cefa that will provide shipment inspection services in Customs facilities outside our Philippine ports, at no cost to the government. Maraming salamat kay PBBM. We also applaud the relentless efforts of Senator

Cynthia Villar [dahil] sampung taon natin siyang kasama sa pagtulak ng first border inspection facilities.”

Lawmakers have repeatedly raised the importance of Cold/ Commodity Examination Facilities for Agriculture (Cefa) or the 100 percent first border inspection of agricultural imports to combat smuggling during public hearings.

Aside from preventing smuggling, Sinag said Cefa will assure

Sinag said the Angat property will house government employees from the Bureau of Customs, the DA, and any other affiliated government agencies necessary to accomplish the ultimate purpose of focused, but expeditious inspection of agricultural shipments without sacrificing strict adherence to regulatory guidelines and customs tariff and quarantine protocols.

The group said only smugglers

DA, Jollibee aim to expand access of local farmers, fishers to markets

By Raadee S. Sausa @raadeeboy

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that aims to “enhance” the access of farmers and fishers to markets, which will give them opportunities to increase their income.

Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said the government’s MOA with Jollibee is consistent with the administration’s goal of achieving

“inclusive agricultural productivity” in the country.

“As you may know, clustering and consolidation is a top priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Under his leadership, the DA is leveling up and pushing for strategies to achieve key milestones toward food sufficiency and security,” Panganiban said in a statement.

He added that one key measures in attaining these goals is the mainstreaming of Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program in the DA Banner Programs

and Operating Units, particularly the institutionalization of the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA) Course in the department through the Philippine Rural Development Program Scale-Up.

“We hope that through this strategy, we are contributing to the national goal of increasing the incomes of our farmers and ensuring that food is always available at the tables of every Filipino family.”

As a complement to the efforts of DA, Ma. Gisela Tiongson, president and executive director

of JGF, affirmed their commitment in advancing the interest and condition of small scale Filipino farmers and fisherfolk through various agro-enterprise capacity building activities in line with the F2C2 program.

“Through this new partnership, we look forward to sustaining our efforts over the next three years, in co-creating and implementing an agro-enterprise training program that build on each other’s strengths and experiences, and complement the efforts of DA personnel, in helping farmer cooperatives and as -

sociations become profitable and successful.”

The DA said the signing signifies the renewal of collaboration between the agency and JGF in “empowering” farming and fishing communities to produce enough, accessible, and affordable food for Filipinos since its inception in January 2022.

It added that AECA is one of the banner activities that was born from the partnership, which seeks to guide cooperative associations in the country in clustering and collective marketing of their agrifishery products.

Misamis Oriental coco planters get shared processing facilities under CFIDP

THE province of Misamis Oriental has been granted shared processing facilities (SPFs) for coconut worth P76.9 million under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) will spearhead the establishment of SPFs for qualified farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs). Two barangays will receive the facilities-the Odiongan Multi-Purpose Cooperative

A

Sinag noted that agricultural smuggling has deprived government of much needed revenues, hovering between P15 billion to P25 billion annually. Local producers continue to suffer from unfair competition as smuggled goods directly compete with local production.

“Worse, unsuspecting consumers have no idea of what they are buying, putting at risk public health and safety concerns.”

Palawan govt joins nationwide launch of ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’

(MPC) based in Barangay Odiongan in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental will get a white copra processing facility worth P30.1 million.

Meanwhile, the Alayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) based in Barangay Bonifacio Aquino in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental will receive a white copra and coconut oil processing facility worth P46.8 million.

PHilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia congratulated the beneficiaries and assured them that the attached agency of the

Department of Agriculture will continue to show its support through projects under the CFIDP.

The two cooperatives will operate and manage the facilities that will benefit more than 2,000 coconut farmers in the area alone.

The two SPFs are also expected to cater to coconut farmers from other municipalities/cities and provinces in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao).

Andres Tuates Jr., head of Coconut

Trust Fund Facility Management and Field Operations Division of PHilMech is spearheading the agency’s projects under the CFIDP.

Earlier, PHilMech said it has shortlisted 27 coconut FCAs as recipients of SPFs that will be funded by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) as stipulated by Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. Alvindia said the agency has also started the process of enabling FCAs to manage,

operate and maintain the SPFs with trainings conducted since early this year. He added that more coconut FCAs will be added to the shortlist.

“PHilMech is stepping up the distribution at no cost of SPFs to qualified coconut-based FCAs to be funded under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund or CFITF, and identifying the cooperatives and associations to be part of the shortlist of SPF recipients is one crucial step for that.”

Raadee S. Sausa

jump in tomato prices gives windfall to India farmers

AN eightfold surge in tomato prices is making some Indian farmers rich, although their windfall gains may be short-lived due to a likely rise in supplies in the coming weeks.

Retail prices of tomatoes were at 178 rupees ($2.20) a kilogram in Delhi on Sunday, a jump of more than 700 percent from January 1, according to data compiled by the food ministry. The national average was almost 120 rupees that day.

The hike, caused by heavy rains disrupting supplies, has hit consumer nerves, with many households temporarily forgoing tomatoes— an essential element of mainstay Indian dishes. But growers are elated.

Ishwar Gaykar said he and his wife Sonali, who grow tomatoes on 12 acres (4.9 hectares) of land near Junnar in the western state of Maharashtra, have made a profit of about 24 million rupees so far in the current season, compared with 1.5 million a year earlier.

The couple, who employ 60 to 70 daily workers to manage the fields, have emerged as one of the biggest suppliers of tomatoes in the region. Ishwar has gained celebrity status as local media outlets are lining up for interviews.

“About one and a half months ago, tomatoes were fetching barely 2.5 rupees a kilogram,” said Ishwar, who suffered a loss of about 2 million rupees in the same season of 2021. “Supply is thin, while demand remains strong.”

The couple have supplied about 350 tons in recent weeks, and expect to sell

another 150 tons soon, provided the weather condition doesn’t deteriorate. They reap three harvests every year, with the current crop being 120 to 140 days old.

Supplies have been hit by transport disruptions following heavy monsoon rains and floods in some regions, and inflation is set to increase as other vegetables have also become more expensive. The issue has become front-page news, and is being hotly debated on social media, with consumers blaming the rain god and the authorities alike for the situation.

The government has started selling tomatoes at subsidized rates at many locations, deploying mobile vans. It’s showing some impact, but prices are still very high for consumers in a country of 1.4 billion people. Tomatoes generally cost more in the rainy months of July and August, but the spike has been unusual this year.

While prices are expected to fall in the coming weeks with an improvement in truck movements, growers are rejoicing in their current good fortunes.

“I have never seen my produce getting this high a rate,” said Mahendra Nikam, whose tomatoes fetched as much as 130 rupees per kilogram in Surat, a city in the state of Gujarat.

“Less than two months ago, farmers were literally forced to throw away tomatoes or feed the fruit-bearing plants to the cattle.”

Deepak Chavan, a Pune-based independent analyst, said that nurseries were witnessing a big demand for tomato plants because of the recent surge in prices. “No doubt this is a

short-lived fortune, but I won’t be surprised if we witness a glut-like situation in September,” he said.

Britain’s food inflation

FOOD inflation in Britain appears to be past its worst after producers and grocers cut prices and raw material costs stabilize or come down.

In the first sign that the country’s lengthy cost-of-living crisis could be easing, grocery price inflation dropped 1.6 percentage points to 14.9 percent in the four weeks to July 9, according to market research firm Kantar. That’s down from a high of 17.5 percent in March.

Food and drink manufacturers cut their prices in June for the first time in three years, according to Lloyds Banking Group.

The reduction will come as a relief for households struggling with their budgets, although there could still be a time lag before a positive effect is seen as rising interest rates continue to bump up mortgage costs and inflation remains more than four times its target at 8.7 percent.

Britain is “definitely over the worst” of food price inflation, according to Tim Steiner, CEO of online grocer Ocado Group Plc. Still, he warned Tuesday that until interest rates steady, there will be pressure on home loans

and wage demands.

“We need to see interest rates ideally stabilize and come down before I think we can start to see this inflation actually start to go back down,” said the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker.

Steiner said grocers haven’t been profiteering from inflation, an allegation made by some Members of Parliament.

“When there’s excess demand for toilet paper or water, the grocers ration it,” he said. “As opposed to when there’s more demand for taxis or theater tickets or airline tickets, they just put the price up and take the profit.”

Ocado has been reducing prices on more than 100 products from branded goods such as Lurpak garlic butter to salmon fillets and avocados. All the big grocers have been doing the same and frozen food specialist Iceland Foods announced price cuts Tuesday on 500 essential household products. Deals include £2 for 15-piece packs of fish fingers and £3.60 chicken-breast fillets.

The Kantar survey showed that more than a quarter of sales in the four-week period were made through promotions as shoppers try to save money. Retailers are shifting efforts from everyday low pricing, including on store-brand products, to loyalty programs such as Tesco Plc’s Clubcard or J Sainsbury Plc’s Nectar card.

The search for cheaper prices means discount grocer Aldi was again the fastestexpanding retailer, with sales up by 24 percent, while Lidl recorded a 22-percent annual jump in sales. Bloomberg News

PALAWAN Governor Victorino Dennis M. Socrates led the launching of KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) 2023 in the province wherein local agricultural products such as fresh and nutritious vegetables, fruits, poultry, nuts and dried products, rice, and groceries were made available at affordable prices. The launching held at the Centennial Pavilion of the Provincial Capitol, Puerto Princesa City last July 17, 2023 was spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), in partnership with the Palawan Tarabidan Multipurpose Cooperative as the official “Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Kita” or KADIWA partner in Palawan, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Palawan, National Food Authority (NFA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and NCCC Mall Palawan. In his message, Socrates expressed his appreciation for the project which aims to help local producers earn higher income by eliminating intermediaries and, at the same time, allow consumers to buy agricultural products and other goods at a lower price.

“Thank you for this project sapagkat alam natin na maraming makikinabang dito, matutulungan ang ating mga producers at ganun din ang ating mga consumers sa pamamagitan ng mabibiling pangangailangang pagkain at basic necessities sa murang halaga,” he said in a statement.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Romeo Cabungcal, aside from having these basic commodities accessible and affordable to the poor, the project also provide farmers, fisherfolks and micro-enterprises a rent-free venue to sell their products and increase their income.

The activity also coincides with the nutrition month celebration this July with the theme “Healthy diet, gawing affordable for all!” In her message, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Rachel Paladan conveyed the significance of the project in addressing the problem of malnutrition in the province.

“Ito pong KADIWA ay sagot po sa ating problema sa malnutrisyon suportahan po natin ang mga local produce ng ating mga farmers kasi nakikita po natin na masustansiya at sariwa tapos dito lang po natin mabibili na affordable po sa lahat.”

Meanwhile, the nationwide launching of KNP was held at San Fernando City, Pampanga and participated simultaneously by all provinces in the country.

THE Philippines’s campaign against smuggling is set to reach an important milestone with the construction of the first border inspection facility for agricultural imports in Bulacan.

700%

THIS BusinessMirror file photo shows imported meat products from the United States.

Russia targets Ukraine’s port of Odesa; calls it payback for a hit on key bridge

By Felipe Dana The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine said its forces shot down Russian drones and cruise missiles targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa before dawn Tuesday in what Moscow called “retribution” for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge to the Crimean Peninsula.

The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraine’s air defenses by firing 25 exploding drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, the Ukrainian military’s Southern Command said.

All six missiles and the drones were shot down by air defenses in the Odesa region and other areas in the south, officials said, though their debris and shock waves damaged some port facilities and a few residential buildings and injured an elderly man at his home.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its “strike of retribution” was carried out with sea- launched precision weapons on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv, a coastal city about 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the northeast.

It destroyed facilities preparing

“terror attacks” against Russia involving maritime drones, including a facility at a shipyard that was producing them, the ministry said. It added that it also struck Ukrainian fuel depots near the two cities.

It was not possible to verify the conflicting claims by both countries.

President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine on Monday for striking the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with Crimea and was attacked in October 2022 and needed months of repairs.

The bridge is a key supply route for the peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Ukrainian officials stopped short of directly taking responsibility, as they have done in similar strikes before, but Ukraine’s top security agency appeared tacitly to admit to a role.

Satellite images taken Monday by Maxar Technologies showed serious damage to both eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge across the Kerch Strait on the part nearest to the Russian mainland, with at least one section collapsed. The railroad bridge that runs parallel to the highway appeared undamaged.

The Russian military has sporadically hit Odesa and the neighboring region throughout the war, but Tuesday’s barrage was one of the biggest attacks on the area.

Ukrainian forces have been targeting Crimea with drones and other attacks. Kyiv has vowed to reclaim it from Russian control, arguing that

the peninsula plays a key role in sustaining the Russian invasion and is a legitimate target.

The onslaught also came a day after Russia broke off a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship vital grain supplies from Odesa during the war. Moscow said the decision was in the works long before the bridge attack.

Even so, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged, without offering evidence, that the specific shipping lanes and routes used for the grain transport under the deal were abused by Ukraine.

“Our military has repeatedly said that Ukraine has used these grain corridors for military purposes,”

Tourists, residents warned to stay inside as deadly heat wave hits Europe during peak travel season

By Colleen Barry & Jamey Keaten

The Associated Press

MILAN—Officials warned residents and tourists packing Mediterranean destinations on Tuesday to stay indoors during the hottest hours as the second heat wave in as many weeks hits the region and Greece, Spain and Switzerland battled wildfires.

In Italy, civil protection workers monitored crowds for people in distress from the heat in central Rome, while Red Cross teams in Portugal took to social media to warn people not to leave pets or children in parked cars. In Greece, volunteers handed out drinking water, and in Spain they reminded people to protect themselves from breathing in smoke from fires.

“Heat waves are really an invisible killer,” Panu Saaristo, the emergency health team leader for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said during a Geneva briefing. “We are experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer here in Europe.”

The new heat wave in several parts of southern Europe is expected to persist for days. The UN weather agency said that temperatures in Europe, amplified by climate change, could break the 48.8-degree Celsius (119.8-degree Fahrenheit) record set in Sicily two years ago.

As concerns grew the extreme heat would cause a spike in deaths, civil protection volunteers distributed reusable water bottles at 28 popular spots in Rome. Authorities also encouraged visitors and residents to take advantage of the Italian capital’s distinctive public drinking fountains, hundreds of which are located in the city’s historic center alone.

Fausto Alberetto, who was visiting Rome from northern Italy’s Piedmont

region on Tuesday, asked some volunteers how to use an app to find the closest “nasone.” Reading about the heat wave before his trip did little to prepare him for the reality of Rome’s 40 ° C (104° F) temperatures, he said.

“We got information and we were prepared. But it is one thing to hear it or read it, it is another thing to feel it,” Alberetto said as he walked near Piazza Venezia in the heart of Rome. “Here, it is really dreadful.”

Civil protection volunteers identified four people deemed to be suffering from the heat, but none of them was in serious condition, according to Giuseppe Napolitano, Rome’s civil protection director.

In Cyprus, health authorities confirmed that a 90-year-old man died over the weekend and six other older adults were hospitalized after all seven suffered heatstroke at home last week as temperatures surpassed 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit).

Heat records are being shattered all over the world, and scientists say there is a good chance that 2023 will go down as the hottest year on record, with measurements going back to the middle of the 19th century.

Preliminary figures suggest the global average temperature last month set a new June record, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The World Meteorological Organization predicted that a number of heat records were set to fall this summer. The UN weather agency said unprecedented sea surface temperatures and low Arctic sea-ice levels were largely to blame.

Human-caused climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is making the world hotter and is being amplified by the naturally occurring El Niño weather phenomenon.

But the current El Niño only started a few months ago and is still weak to moderate and isn’t expected to peak until winter.

Temperatures above 40 C (104°F) were forecast to persist not only in the Mediterranean, but also across North America, Asia and North Africa.

“These are not your normal weather systems of the past. They have arrived as a consequence of climate change,” John Nairn, senior extreme heat adviser for World Meteorological Organization, said. “It is global warming, and it’s going to continue for some time.”

Nairn noted a sixfold increase in simultaneous heat waves since the 1980s, “and the trend line isn’t changing.”

A relentless summer last year saw Europe sweat through heat wave after heat wave, resulting in 61,000 heat-related deaths, scientists estimate. In 2019, as the world experienced its hottest July on record, the continent also sweltered, with even towns in the Arctic Circle reaching new scorching highs.

Spain and Portugal had their temperature records shattered in 2018 when a mass of hot air moved up from Africa, igniting forest fires in the Iberian Peninsula.

The idea that hot weather could be a killer, not just an inconvenience, was impressed on much of Europe by a deadly 2003 heat wave.

France, the most-affected country, had around 15,000 heat-related deaths, many of them of older people left in city apartments and retirement homes without air conditioning. The deaths prompted the country to introduce a warning system and reassess how it dealt with extreme temperatures.

Other countries are taking steps to protect the public’s help during the sweltering summer of 2023,

In Greece, authorities last week introduced changes in working hours and ordered afternoon closures of the Acropolis and other ancient sites to allow workers to cope with the high heat.

A second heat wave is expected to hit Thursday, and temperatures as high as 44 C (111 F) were expected in parts of

Peskov told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will continue implementing the grain deal. Peskov warned that such action was risky because the region lies next to an area where there is fighting.

“If they try to do something without Russia, these risks must be taken into account,” Peskov told reporters.

Zelenskyy said grain exports by sea and port security topped his meeting Tuesday with senior military commanders and government officials, adding that he received reports on logistics and protection of the coastal regions.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said Russia is endangering the lives of millions around the world who need Ukrainian grain exports. Hunger is a growing threat in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

“The world must realize that the goal of the Russian Federation is hunger and killing people,” Yermak said. “They need waves of refugees. They want to weaken the West with this.”

The United Nations and Ukraine’s Western allies slammed Moscow for halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

At the UN, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said “very active discussions” continue with the world body and other countries and entities on how to keep grain flowing, but a key issue is what would occur if Russia attacked a Ukrainian grain shipment.

Asked whether there was any talk of an international force or deployment to protect shipments, he told reporters that, “Everyone is looking for the way out, and every option is on the table.”

Earlier, he urged countries at a General Assembly meeting to demand that Russia return to the deal “and stop its hunger games.”

USAID is giving Ukraine a further $250 million to support its agricultural sector as its chief, Samantha Power, visited Odesa and chided Moscow for its stance.

“Russia’s disruption of maritime commerce since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, including blockading ports, delaying ship inspections, and, most recently, withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, has severely choked the amount of grain Ukraine is able to provide to the world amid a global food crisis,” a USAID statement said.

The Kremlin said the agreement would be suspended until Moscow’s demands to lift restrictions on exports of Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met. Peskov reaffirmed an earlier Kremlin pledge to provide especially poor countries in Africa with grain for free, adding that the issue will be discussed at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg next week.

The Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed.

Singapore opposition lawmaker quits as political scandals mount

By Philip J. Heijmans

central and southern Greece by the end of the week.

Three large wildfires burned outside Athens for a second day. Thousands of people evacuated from coastal areas south of the capital returned to their homes Tuesday when a fire finally receded after they spent the night on beaches, hotels and public facilities.

Most of Spain is under alert for high to extreme heat with forecasts calling for peak temperatures of 43 °C (109 F) in areas along the Ebro River in the northeast and on the island of Mallorca. Spain is also dealing with a prolonged drought that has increased concerns about the risk of wildfires.

Some 400 firefighters assisted by nine water-dumping aircraft labored to extinguish a wildfire that burned for a fourth consecutive day on La Palma in Spain’s Canary Islands. Authorities said a perimeter was established around the blaze but it remained active.

In Switzerland, some 150 firefighters, police, troops and other emergency teams backed by helicopters fanned out Tuesday to fight a wildfire that engulfed a mountainside in the southwestern Wallis region, evacuating residents of four villages and hamlets in the area.

In a report Monday, the World Meteorological Organization said a committee of experts has verified the accuracy of Europe’s all-time heat record: the 48.8-degree Celsius (119 °8F) temperature reached on August 11, 2021, in Sicily. A full report has not yet been published.

The previous verified record of 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees Fahrenheit) was set in Athens on July 10, 1977.

Keaten reported from Geneva. Associated Press writers Dana Beltaji in London; Derek Gatopoulos in Athens; Joseph Wilson in Barcelona; Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus; Trisha Thomas and Frances D’Emilio in Rome contributed.

SINGAPORE’S main opposition party announced that lawmaker Leon Perera resigned following an affair with a colleague just days after two ruling party members of parliament stepped down over a similar inappropriate relationship.

Perera sent a letter to parliament today tendering his resignation, Pritam Singh, the opposition leader and Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party, told reporters on Wednesday. WP member Nicole Seah also quit, Singh added.

“Leon’s conduct in not being truthful when asked by the party leadership about the allegations fell short of the standards expected of Workers’ Party MPs,” Singh said. “This is unacceptable.”

The relationship came to light in local media reports just hours before Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced on Monday that parliament speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and a ruling party lawmaker resigned from their posts after having an inappropriate relationship of their own.

The resignations are the latest in a series of scandals to send shockwaves through Singapore, including a graft probe involving a cabinet minister.

The ruling People’s Action Party has been in power since Singapore’s independence in 1965 and has long touted its corruption-free image, even as neighboring countries frequently battle the graft that undercuts their appeal to foreign investors. The city-state will hold a presidential election in the next few months, and a general vote is due by 2025. Bloomberg News

Panama ex-President Martinelli sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering

By Kathia Martínez The Associated Press

PANAMA CITY—Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was sentenced Tuesday to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering.

Martinelli, 71, had been trying to mount a political comeback in next year’s general elections, but a judge sentenced him to 128 months in prison in a case that revolved around the purchase of a media company.

Martinelli’s lawyers said they would appeal, arguing again that the media company was purchased with the president’s own legally obtained funds. Martinelli is the first former president convicted of a crime in Panama.

The supermarket magnate who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014 was elected by his party last month as its presidential candidate for the May 5 election.

Since the verdict and sentence can be appealed, for the time being Martinelli can continue his campaign for the presidency.

But once the conviction is upheld, his bid for a comeback would be over.

The case, known locally as “New Business,”

dates back to 2017 and concerns the 2010 purchase of a publishing company that owns national newspapers.

Prosecutors said companies that had won lucrative government contracts during Martinelli’s presidency funneled money to a front company that was then used to purchase the publisher. The transactions involved a complex series of foreign money transfers totally $43 million. The front company collecting the money was called “New Business.” In closing statements at trial in June, prosecutor Emeldo Márquez had requested the maximum sentence for Martinelli, which would have been 12 years. The judge also fined Martinelli $19 million.

Four others were also convicted alongside Martinelli and sentenced from 60 to 96 months in prison. Ten others were acquitted. Martinelli had denied wrongdoing and maintained that he was the victim of a political persecution.

Martinelli was a populist who oversaw a period of massive infrastructure projects in the country, including construction of the capital’s first metro line.

UKRAINIAN Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, center, attends a news conference at the Port of Odesa, joined by US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power, right, and US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, second right, in Odesa, Ukraine on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. AP/LIBKOS

Phoenix scorches at 110 for 19th straight day; breaks big US city records in global heat wave

By Seth Borenstein & Anita Snow The Associated Press

PHOENIX—A dangerous 19th straight day of scorching

Phoenix

The city’s record streak of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) or more stood out even amid sweltering temperatures across the globe. It reached 117 degrees (47.2 Celsius) by 3 p.m.

Human-caused climate change and a newly formed El Niño are combining to shatter heat records worldwide, scientists say.

No other major city—defined as the 25 most populous in the United States—has had any stretch of 110-degree (43.3-degree) days or 90-degree (32.2-degree) nights longer than Phoenix, said weather historian Christopher Burt of the Weather Company.

“When you have several million people subjected to that sort of thermal abuse, there are impacts,” said NOAA Climate Analysis Group Director Russell Vose, who chairs a committee on national records.

For Phoenix, it’s not only the brutal daytime highs that are

deadly. The lack of a nighttime cooldown can rob people without access to air-conditioning of the break their bodies need to function properly.

With Tuesday’s low of 94°F (34.4°C), the city has had nine straight days of temperatures that didn’t go below 90°F (32.2°C) at night, breaking another record there, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Salerno, who called it “pretty miserable when you don’t have any recovery overnight.”

On Monday, the city also set a record for the hottest overnight low temperature: 95°F (35°C). During the day, the heat built up so early that the city hit the 110 mark a couple minutes before noon.

Dog parks emptied out by the mid-morning and evening concerts and other outdoor events were cancelled to protect performers and attendees. The city’s Desert Botanical Garden, a vast outdoor

Michigan charges 16 fake electors for Donald Trump with election law and forgery felonies

By Joey Cappelletti

The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich.—Michigan’s attorney general filed felony charges Tuesday against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates that confirmed they were legitimate electors despite Joe Biden’s victory in the state.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that all 16 people would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery.

The top charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The group includes the head of the Republican National Committee’s chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock, and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

In seven battleground states, including Michigan, supporters of Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he won their states, not Biden. The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

“The false electors’ actions undermined the public’s faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan,” Nessel said in a statement.

The 16 individuals are set to appear for arraignment in Ingham County at a date provided to each by the court, according to Nessel’s office.

Phone and e-mail messages seeking comment Tuesday from several of the people charged were not immediately returned.

One of those charged, John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix, told The Detroit News on Tuesday that he didn’t believe he did anything wrong.

“Did I do anything illegal? No,”Haggard said.

GOP state Sen. Ed McBroom, who chaired a GOP-led Senate panel to investigate Michigan’s 2020 presidential election that found no wrongdoing, said he previously spoke with

one of the fake electors. It was clear, McBroom said, that the effort was organized by “people who put themselves in a position of authority and posing themselves as the ones who knew what they were doing.”

“They were wrong,” McBroom told The Associated Press. “And other people followed them when they shouldn’t have.”

Berden and Mayra Rodriguez, a Michigan lawyer who was also charged Tuesday, were both questioned by congressional investigators as part of the US House panel’s investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection.

In January of last year, Nessel asked federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into the 16 Republicans.

“Obviously this is part of a much bigger conspiracy,” she said at the time.

Electors are people appointed to represent voters in presidential elections. The winner of the popular vote in each state determines which party’s electors are sent to the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election to certify the outcome.

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Investigations are underway in some other states that submitted fake electors, but not all.

A Georgia prosecutor investigating possible illegal meddling in the 2020 election has agreed to immunity deals with at least eight fake electors. And Arizona’s Democratic attorney general is in the very early stages of a probe. Nevada’s attorney general, also a Democrat, has said he won’t bring charges, while Wisconsin has no active investigation and the attorney general has deferred to the US Justice Department.

There is no apparent investigation in Pennsylvania and former Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is now governor, said he didn’t believe there was evidence the actions of the fake electors met the legal standards for forgery.

A group of other Trump allies in Michigan, including former GOP attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno, are facing potential criminal charges related to attempts to gain access to voting machines after the 2020 election.

collection of cactus and other desert plants, over the weekend began shutting down at 2 p.m. before the hottest part of the day.

In the hours before the new record was set, rivers of sweat streamed down the sunburned face of Lori Miccichi, 38, as she pushed a shopping cart filled with her belongings through downtown Phoenix, looking for a place to get out of the heat.

“I’ve been out here a long time and homeless for about three years,” said Miccichi. “When it’s like this, you just have to get into the shade. This last week has been the hottest I ever remember.”

Some 200 cooling and hydration centers have been set up across the metro area, but most shut down between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. due to staffing and funding issues.

The entire globe has simmered to record heat both in June and July. Nearly every day of this

month, the global average temperature has been warmer than the unofficial hottest day recorded before 2023, according to University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer. US weather stations have broken more than 860 heat records in the past seven days, according to NOAA.

Rome reached an all-time high of 109 (42.9 degrees Celsius), with record heat reported throughout Italy, France, Spain and parts of China. Catalonia smashed records reaching 113 (45 Celsius), according to global weather record keeper Maximiliano Herrera.

And if that’s not enough, smoke from wildfires, floods and droughts have caused problems globally.

In addition to Phoenix, Vose and others found less populous places such as Death Valley and Needles, California; and Casa Grande, Arizona, with longer hot

streaks, but none in locations where many people live. Death Valley has had an 84-day streak of 110-degree temperatures.

The last time Phoenix didn’t reach 110°F (43.3°C) was June 29, when it hit 108 (42.2°C). The record of 18 days above 110 that was tied Monday was first set in 1974.

“This will likely be one of the most notable periods in our health record in terms of deaths and illness,” said David Hondula, chief heat officer for the city. “Our goal is for that not to be the case.”

Phoenix City Parks and Recreation workers Joseph Garcia, 48, and Roy Galindo, 28, tried to stay cool as they trimmed shrubs. They work from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to avoid the hottest time of the day.

“It gets super hot out here and sometimes we have to take care of the public,” said Galindo, adding he sometimes find people passed out on the grass. “A lot of these people aren’t drinking water.”

Retired Phoenix firefighter Mark Bracy, who has lived in the city most of his 68 years, went on a two-hour morning climb Tuesday, up and down Piestewa Peak, which is 2,610 feet (796 meters) high.

“I’ve been going up there regularly since I was in the Cub Scouts, but it was never this hot back then,” said Bracy. “We’ve had hot spells before, but never anything like this.”

Dr. Erik Mattison, director of the emergency department at Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center in metro Phoenix,

recalled a hiker in his 60s who was brought in last week with a core body temperature of 110 degrees (43.3C).

“Heat makes people sick. Heat makes people die,” Mattison said.

“And it’s not just older people,” he added. “We’ve seen professional athletes fall ill in the heat during training camp.”

Phoenix’s heat wave has both long and short-term causes, said Arizona State University’s Randy Cerveny, who coordinates weather record verification for the World Meteorological Organization.

Long-term high temperatures over recent decades are due to human activity, he said, while the short-term cause is high pressure over the western United States.

That high pressure, also known as a heat dome, has been around the Southwest cooking it for weeks. When it moved, it moved to be even more centered on Phoenix, said National Weather Service meteorologist Isaac Smith.

The Southwest high pressure not only brings the heat, it prevents cooling rain and clouds from bringing relief, Smith said. Normally, the Southwest’s monsoon season kicks in around June 15 with rain and clouds. But Phoenix has not had measurable rain since mid-March.

“This heat wave is intense and unrelenting,” said Katharine Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona. “Unfortunately, it is a harbinger of things to come.”

N. Korea fires 2 short-range missiles into sea as US docks nuclear submarine in South Korea

By Kim Tong-Hyung & Hyung-Jin Kim

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The launches came as the US-led United Nations Command tries to secure the release of a US soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges. Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border, US officials say.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30 to 3:46 a.m. North Korea fired two shortrange ballistic missiles from an area near capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers (341 miles) before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

Those flight details were similar to the assessment of the Japanese military, which said the missiles landed outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone and that there were no immediate reports of damage from ships or aircraft in affected areas.

The flight distance of the North Korean missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of

Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a US nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missiles traveled on a low trajectory, with their maximum altitude reaching about 50 kilometers (31 miles), and possibly demonstrated “irregular maneuver” in flight.

Japan has previously used similar language to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as “major provocation” that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and US militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesday’s launches marked the North’s first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the US mainland. That launch was supervised by the country’s authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his country’s nuclear fighting capabilities in the face of expanding US-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace

of both North Korean weapons tests and US-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of US strategic assets like long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by US nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Korea’s expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Korea’s growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

US Forces Korea said in a statement that the Kentucky’s arrival in Busan reflects the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to “extended deterrence,” referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can

be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), according to South Korea’s military.

“From this submarine, the US can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world,” said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea. “But there will likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because it’s like the world’s most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps.”

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station US nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is “actually a stronger deterrent in many ways,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washington’s Center for a New American Security.

“Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist,” said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the “sweet spot” when it comes to the visibility of America’s extended deterrent.

“Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment,” Kim said.

heat in

set a record for US cities Tuesday, confined many residents to air-conditioned safety and turned the usually vibrant metropolis into a ghost town.

A DIGITAL billboard displays an unofficial temperature in Monday, July 17, 2023, in downtown Phoenix. AP/MATT YORK

A P writers Mari Yamaguchi and video journalist Haruka Nuga contributed from Tokyo.

editorial

Protecting the people from extreme heat

DeaDly heat waves are broiling many countries with recordbreaking temperatures. as global weather becomes exceedingly hot, the frequency, severity, and relative length of heat waves increase. Scientists say these developments align with their expectations for climate change, and warn that more brutally hot temperatures are coming.

From Bloomberg, July 18, 2023: “Temperatures in central Tokyo have soared to nearly 9C [16F] above the seasonal average, as the extreme heat blanketing the world continues to smash historical norms. Over the weekend, Japan’s government issued a fresh round of heatstroke warnings, encouraging people to avoid going outside and to check on at-risk neighbors.”

Bloomberg said Japan is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat because it has one of the oldest populations in the world, with almost 30 percent of its citizens over the age of 65. Japan’s all-time record is 41.1C, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that “a relentless streak of temperatures hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit [43.3C] or more in Phoenix is poised to smash a record for major US cities, showing that Earth’s ongoing summer swelter is as persistent as it is hot. The stretch of dangerous heat tied the record on Monday and is set to reach 19 days on Tuesday.”

The AP said the temperature in Death Valley, California, the hottest place on Earth, reached 128 degrees Fahrenheit (53.33 degrees Celsius) on Sunday.

“Italian health officials intensified heat warnings Monday as southern Europe began a brutally hot week with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius—or 104 degrees Fahrenheit—on a continent already sizzling under the sun and overburdened by tourists. Countries with borders on the Mediterranean Sea weren’t alone in suffering. Authorities in North Macedonia extended a heat alert for the next 10 days with predicted temperatures topping 43C [109F], while Kosovo also issued heat warnings,” according to the Associated Press.

From CNN, July 12, 2023: “Very high temperatures in central and southern Italy are predicted for Friday, when the capital could see record-breaking temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius [104 to 113 Fahrenheit]. Italy’s Health ministry has issued a red alert [meaning ‘risk of death’] in 27 cities this week, including Rome, Florence and Bologna. The warning comes on the heels of a report published in Nature on Monday, which found that last year’s heat wave killed 61,672 people in Europe. Italy had the highest fatality rate with around 18,000 deaths attributed to heat last year, according to the report.”

Emergency room doctors consider extreme heat as a public health emergency. Heat stroke is the greatest health risk from extreme heat, with a mortality rate of anywhere from 10 percent to 65 percent, depending on factors such as length of exposure to heat, the level of internal body temperature when emergency care begins, and a person’s underlying health condition.

Older individuals are more at risk, often because their cardiovascular systems are less resilient to the strain caused by excess heat, according to a 2014 article in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. But in extreme enough temperatures, even young, physically fit people can quickly succumb to hyperthermia, which is an abnormally high body temperature.

Weather experts warn that the recent heat waves sweeping the planet are ominous signs ahead of the emergence of El Niño, a climate pattern characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, which can have significant effects on weather patterns worldwide.

Michelle L’Heureux, a climate scientist at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, explained in June that El Niño can “lead to new records for temperatures, particularly in areas that already experience above-average temperatures during El Niño.”

In the Philippines, El Niño will likely develop as early as July or as late as September this year, and may persist until 2024. This would mean warmer, drier weather conditions and would likely fuel furnace-like temperatures. Massive heat waves are deadly, which is why there’s an urgent need to prepare and assess the foreseeable impact of extreme heat, especially for the most at-risk populations. The government can protect the people from foreseeable harms of extreme heat by preparing effective plans to mitigate the expected effects of a heat wave.

Asean: A potential Ukraine?

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

IN medieval times, “Ruthenian” was used as a term for the people of the Kievan Rus’ that ceased to exist in 1240 from Mongol invasions. archaeological information puts the founding of the city of Kyiv around the sixth or seventh centuries.

Who we now call Ukrainians, despite numerous attempts at forming a formal national identity, were always a people in search of a legitimately recognized country until the establishment of the “Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic” by the USSR in 1917. The Ukrainian parliament proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991.

Until then, with Kyiv as the jewel of conquest, the area we now call Ukraine was passed back and forth between numerous regional kingdoms while “Ukraine” served as the battlefield for these kingdoms.

With the Russian invasion of territory recognized as legitimately part of Ukraine, its role as the chessboard of the region has not changed. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed as a defensive alliance against the USSR after World War

The Malaysian prime minister warned that the Aukus nuclear submarine project could heighten military tensions in Asia.

“Indonesian political and military officials see the Australian nuclear submarine capability as meant for war and the Aukus pact as a smaller Nato.” The Philippines “welcomed the signing of the trilateral security pact.”

2, but since 1992 has not had that purpose. However, Nato was always a captive buyers’ club for US-made weapons with American armament manufacturers selling billions of dollars of equipment for decades until the Europeans started making some on their own.

Total sales of military weapons by the US to foreign governments went up to nearly $52 billion in fiscal 2022. Future weapons delivery for Europe has Poland ordering $6 billion of General Dynamics-made M1 Abrams tanks and Germany in July ordering $8.4 billion worth of Lockheed Martin-made F-35 aircraft. Others in the “500+ Million-Dollar Buyers Club” include Norway, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Collective security treaties are not free, and the bill becomes even great-

er if you are losing. The New York Times says, “Around 20 percent of Ukraine’s weaponry newly supplied by the West were lost in first weeks of counteroffensive.” “Ka-ching” go the cash registers at the US weapons merchants.

Further, bombs and missiles have a “Best Before” expiration date. Between 1964 and 1973, the US dropped more than 2.5 million tons of bombs on Laos during 580,000 bombing sorties, equal to a planeload of bombs every eight minutes for nine years. What was the geopolitical rationale? Nobody can even remember if there ever was one. But those bombs were about to expire and needed to be used up and reordered to keep the money flowing.

But money aside, once a nation joins these alliances, it is like being in the Mafia. Once you get in, you can’t get out. In addition, what use

is a “defensive alliance” if there is no one to defend against?

The Vilnius Summit Communiqué from the meeting of the North Atlantic Council (Nato) this July said the following: “The People’s Republic of China’s stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security, and values. The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power.”

But Nato also says, “We fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements and its inherent right to self-defense.” Ukraine Yes; China No?

More from Nato: “China uses its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.” In 2022, China’s global trade surplus increased by 31 percent Y-o-Y to $877 billion and was the largest seller of goods to the EU—20.8 percent of total EU imports. Maybe the West should stop buying so much Chinese products to reduce China’s “economic leverage.” All nonsense.

In September 2021 a trilateral security pact (Aukus) between Australia, the UK, and the US was announced to provide a “lot of deterrence” in the Indo-Pacific region. The US and the UK will assist Australia in acquiring conventionally armed See “Mangun” A15

Exec tells first UN council meeting that big tech can’t be trusted to guarantee AI safety

By Edith M. Lederer | The Associated Press

UNITeD NaTIONS—The handful of big tech companies leading the race to commercialize aI can’t be trusted to guarantee the safety of systems we don’t yet understand and that are prone to “chaotic or unpredictable behavior,” an artificial intelligence company executive told the first UN Security Council meeting on aI’s threats to global peace on Tuesday.

Jack Clark, co-founder of the AI company Anthropic, said that’s why the world must come together to prevent the technology’s misuse.

Clark, who says his company bends over backwards to train its AI chatbot to emphasize safety and caution, said the most useful things that can be done now “are to work on developing ways to test for capabilities, misuses and potential safety flaws of these systems.” Clark left OpenAI, creator of the best-known ChatGPT chatbot, to form Anthropic, whose competing AI product is called Claude.

He traced the growth of AI over the past decade to 2023 where new AI systems can beat military pilots in air fighting simulations, stabilize the plasma in nuclear fusion reactors, design components for next genera-

While AI will bring huge benefits, its understanding of biology, for example, may also use an AI system that can produce biological weapons, he said.

In a video briefing to the UN’s most powerful body, Clark also expressed hope that global action will succeed.

tion semiconductors, and inspect goods on production lines.

But while AI will bring huge benefits, its understanding of biology, for example, may also use an AI system that can produce biological weapons, he said.

Clark also warned of “potential threats to international peace, security and global stability” from two essential qualities of AI systems— their potential for misuse and their unpredictability “as well as the inherent fragility of them being developed by such a narrow set of actors.”

Clark stressed that across the world it’s the tech companies that have the sophisticated computers, large pools of data and capital to build AI systems and therefore they seem likely to continue to define their development.

He said he’s encouraged to see many countries emphasize the importance of safety testing and evaluation in their AI proposals, including the European Union, China and the United States.

Right now, however, there are no standards or even best practices on “how to test these frontier systems for things like discrimination, misuse or safety,” which makes it hard for governments to create policies and lets the private sector enjoy an information advantage, he said.

“Any sensible approach to regulation will start with having the ability to evaluate an AI system for a given capability or flaw,” Clark said. “And any failed approach will start with grand policy ideas that are not supported by effective measurements

and evaluations.”

With robust and reliable evaluation of AI systems, he said, “governments can keep companies accountable, and companies can earn the trust of the world that they want to deploy their AI systems into.” But if there is no robust evaluation, he said, “we run the risk of regulatory capture compromising global security and handing over the future to a narrow set of private sector actors.”

Other AI executives such as OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, have also called for regulation. But skeptics say regulation could be a boon for deep-pocketed first-movers led by OpenAI, Google and Microsoft as smaller players are elbowed out by the high cost of making their large language models adhere to regulatory strictures.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations is “the ideal place” to adopt global standards to maximize AI’s benefits and mitigate its risks.

He warned the council that the advent of generative AI could have very serious consequences for international peace and security, pointSee “Exec,” A15

Ambassador

By Krutika Pathi | The Associated Press

NEW DELHI—A meeting of finance chiefs and central bank governors of the Group of 20 leading economies ended on Tuesday in India without a consensus because of differences between countries over the war in Ukraine.

Following two days of talks, there was no final communiqué. Instead, India, as the host nation, was forced to issue the G20 Chair’s summary and an outcome document.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting concluded in Gandhinagar, a city in the western state of Gujarat, India’s finance minister said the reason for the chair statement was “because we still don’t have a common language on the RussiaUkraine war.”

Nirmala Sitharaman said that the language describing the war had been drawn directly from last year’s G20 leaders summit declaration in Indonesia. “We don’t have the mandate to change that,” she said, adding that this was something the leaders would have to decide when they gather in the capital, New Delhi, for the main summit in September.

According to the chair summary, China and Russia objected to paragraphs referring to the war that said it was causing “immense human suffering” and “exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy.” The wording was taken from the previous declaration in Indonesia, where leaders had strongly condemned the war.

Similarly in February and March, when India hosted G20 finance chiefs and foreign ministers, objections from Russia and China meant that India had to issue a chair’s summary.

Food security was a key priority, Sitharaman said. Members raised Russia’s move Monday to halt the deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine via the Black Sea to parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia where high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

“It is in that context today that several members condemned it, saying it shouldn’t have happened. Food passing through the Black Sea shouldn’t have been stopped or suspended,” she told reporters.

During its presidency of the G20 this year, India has consistently appealed for all members of the fractured grouping to reach consensus on issues of particular concern to poorer countries, like debt distress, inflation and the threat of climate change,

Exec . . .

continued from A14

ing to its potential use by terrorists, criminals and governments causing “horrific levels of death and destruction, widespread trauma, and deep psychological damage on an unimaginable scale.”

As a first step to bringing nations together, Guterres said he is appointing a high-level Advisory Board for Artificial Intelligence that will report back on options for global AI governance by the end of the year.

The UN chief also said he welcomed calls from some countries for the creation of a new United Nations body to support global efforts to govern AI, “inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”

Professor zeng Yi, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Braininspired Cognitive Intelligence Lab, told the council “the United Nations must play a central role to set up a framework on AI for development and governance to ensure global peace and security.” z eng, who also co-directs the

During its presidency of the G20 this year, India has consistently appealed for all members of the fractured grouping to reach consensus on issues of particular concern to poorer countries, like debt distress, inflation and the threat of climate change, even if the broader East-West split over Ukraine can’t be resolved.

even if the broader East-West split over Ukraine can’t be resolved.

Sitharaman said that members held wide discussions on the overall global economic outlook, paying specific attention to food and energy issues, climate financing and how to improve assistance to debtdistressed countries.

As host, India has used its presidency to promote itself as a rising superpower and as the voice of the Global South. Still, the divide over Russia’s war in Ukraine has cast a shadow over much of the proceedings, with India unable to produce a communiqué after any of the major meetings since it took over the G20 presidency.

India’s longstanding ties to Russia have also loomed as the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine continues despite US and allied countries’ efforts to sanction and economically bludgeon Russia’s economy. India has not taken part in the efforts to punish Russia and maintains its energy ties despite a Group of Seven agreed-upon price cap on Russian oil, which has seen some success in slowing Russia’s economy.

Meanwhile, Western officials have continued to speak out against Moscow in international groupings.

Over the weekend, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is in India to attend the G20 talks, told reporters that ending the war in Ukraine “is first and foremost a moral imperative. But it’s also the single best thing we can do for the global economy.”

She added the US would continue to cut off Russia’s access to the military equipment and technologies that it needs to wage war against Ukraine.

China-UK Research Center for AI

Ethics and Governance, suggested that the Security Council consider establishing a working group to consider near-term and long-term challenges AI poses to international peace and security.

In his video briefing, z e ng stressed that recent generative AI systems “are all information processing tools that seem to be intelligent” but don’t have real understanding, and therefore “are not truly intelligent.”

And he warned that “AI should never, ever pretend to be human,” insisting that real humans must maintain control especially of all weapons systems.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who chaired the meeting as the UK holds the council presidency this month, said this autumn the United Kingdom will bring world leaders together for the first major global summit on AI safety.

“No country will be untouched by AI, so we must involve and engage the widest coalition of international actors from all sectors,” he said. “Our shared goal will be to consider the risks of AI and decide how they can be reduced through coordinated action.” AP Technology Writer Frank Bajak contributed to this report from Boston

Lawmakers approve bill allowing French police to locate suspects by tapping their devices

By Youcef Bounab | The Associated Press

PARIS—French lawmakers on Tuesday adopted a sweeping justice reform bill that includes a provision to allow law enforcement agents to remotely tap into the cameras, microphones and

location services of phones and other Internet-connected devices of some suspected criminals.

The measure plainly stipulates that the procedure can be executed “without the knowledge or consent of its owner or possessor” but is limited to suspects involved in terrorism, organized crime and other illegal activities punishable by five or more years in prison.

The language authorizing eavesdropping was contained in a broader reform bill aimed at “modernizing” penal procedures. Reflecting what polls indicate is a public demand for more law and order, the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament, adopted two ambitious bills Tuesday that are aimed at bolstering the country’s creaky judicial system.

The Senate, controlled by the right, adopted both bills in May.

“The goal of this law is clear: a faster, clearer, modern justice,” French Justice Minister Eric DupondMoretti said when he presented the reform legislation in the spring.

The package includes a budget increase that would boost spending on the judicial system by nearly 11 billion euros by 2027. Before taking going into law, the bills must go to special commission to iron out any differences between the two chambers of Parliament.

Still, President Emmanuel Macron stands to gain from their passage amid a crisis that has gnawed at the fabric of French society.

The National Assembly passed the bill presented as the justice

minister’s “action plan” on a 388111 vote, with 45 abstentions. Lawmakers on the left and digital rights activists criticized the eavesdropping provision as an invasion of privacy.

“This arrangement is scary,” Socialist lawmaker Cecile Untermaier said ahead of the vote, describing the type of surveillance authorized as “liberticide.” Some Socialists planned to abstain for that reason.

The measure divided lawmakers on the right and left down the middle of the aisle.

“If we truly want to fight against organized crime, we need the means to do so and to give investigators the same means used by criminal groups,” Pascale Bordes, a lawmaker from the far-right National Rally party, said.

The justice minister proposed the high-tech hunt for suspects as an alternative to long-standing police surveillance practices, such as wiretapping a suspect’s vehicle and house, which he deemed no longer viable and increasingly dangerous for investigators.

“The technique today is faulty,” Dupond-Moretti told National Assembly lawmakers this month. “Why would we deprive ourselves of new technologies?” When some parliamentarians expressed concerns over privacy rights, the minister replied, “By crying wolf, you are no longer credible.”

Besides limiting use of high-

Besides limiting use of high-tech spying on suspects to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison, the legislation contains other controls. The goal of tapping a connected device must be locating someone in real time, and the investigating judge in a case must give the green light. In addition to activating location services, the measure would also allow investigators to activate a suspect’s phone camera and microphone.

tech spying on suspects to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison, the legislation contains other controls. The goal of tapping a connected device must be locating someone in real time, and the investigating judge in a case must give the green light. In addition to activating location services, the measure would also allow investigators to activate a suspect’s phone camera and microphone.

Critics claim the provision still would inevitably lead to abuses of power by French police, who in the past have faced allegations of misusing their authority, brutality and racism.

“We already see that there’s a lot of abuse in France today,” said Bastien Le Querrec, a lawyer with French digital rights group La Quadrature du Net. “In reality, who decides on the seriousness of an event in an investigation? It’s the police, the prosecutors, the investigating judge. Nothing in this bill will prevent abuse.”

In April, French lawmakers passed a law to allow the use of artificial intelligence and drones in mass

A look at how the desert city of Phoenix copes with summer heat

By Alina Hartounian | The Associated Press

PHOENIX—This summer’s punishing heat wave has baked much of the US in sweat-soaked misery. Records are falling as temperatures soar, and millions of people are left clamoring for relief.

The country’s preeminent desert city has long sweltered through such brutal heat. And there are lessons to be learned from people who live in a city so hot it’s named after the mythical bird that was born from flames.

Here are some of the ways residents in metropolitan Phoenix have learned to adapt to unruly heat.

Air conditioning—a hot commodity

PHOENI x backyards are a symphony of humming and whirring beginning in the spring as monster A/C units rattle to life.

Air conditioning is so vital in the desert that cities such as Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale have adopted cooling ordinances, which require landlords to keep temperatures in rental homes below a certain threshold.

Units usually are installed on rooftops with the help of cranes.

“My air conditioner right now is running almost all the time,” said longtime Scottsdale resident Naomi Evelan. “And I’m worried because when I have it set on 80, for example, it actually doesn’t get beyond 82...It’s working really hard.”

Burning hot

IF the sidewalk is hot enough to fry an egg, it’s certainly hot enough to

Mangun . .

video surveillance during the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

Terrorist attacks in France over the past decade and recent riots triggered by the police killing of 17-yearold Nahel Merzouk in a Paris suburb last month have made security a government focus as the country prepares to host athletes and visitors from around the world next year.

Violence also erupted this year during numerous demonstrations protesting Macron’s decision to raise the French retirement age from 62 to 64. But rights advocates fear the government is capitalizing on safety concerns that many people see as reasonable to pursue draconian measures.

“The use of surveillance technologies cannot be the systematic response to security issues,” Katia Roux, an advocacy officer at Amnesty International France, said in an interview. “The impact on human rights of these technologies must be taken into account before any normalization of their use. Under the guise of legitimate objectives that are linked to security, these technologies also promote violations of human rights, the rights to privacy and freedom of expression.”

Police surveillance via a suspect’s phone and other connected devices could last for up to six months at a time, according to the bill. Certain professionals, including journalists, lawyers, and members of the parliament, would be exempt.

“Sadly, yet again, France is a leader in a security strategy where we approach security by surveilling everybody,” “lawyer Le Querrec said. “It raises questions on the state of democracy and the state of French institutions.” Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed.

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continued from A14

nuclear-powered submarines. As a result, Australia cancelled a deal with France for a $63 billion French–Aus-

burn human feet. Last year, the Arizona Burn Center recorded 85 admissions from heat-related burns in the summer months.

Someone can faint from the heat or suffer any other medical emergency and burn themselves on hot asphalt, according to Dr. Geoff Comp, an attending emergency medicine physician.

The damage, including blistering and skin sloughing off, can happen within minutes, Comp says.

How do people avoid the ER? By wearing protective layers of clothing and understanding their own limits outside.

Foam handles protect vulnerable hands from hot metal knobs on exterior doors. Pet owners outfit their furry friends in booties to keep their paws from getting singed.

Getting shady

A R I z ONA sizzles through more than 300 sunny days annually. Beyond slathering on sunscreen, desert dwellers have other ways to keep the UV at bay.

Some install shade screens on their windows at home—solar shades block ultraviolet light and are a booming business around Phoenix. Car windows are tinted, shade structures tower over grocery store parking spaces, and it’s rare to see

tralian submarine program. Australia now joins the nuclear submarine club.

The Malaysian prime minister warned that the Aukus nuclear submarine project could heighten military tensions in Asia. “Indonesian

One of the best ways to avoid the sun is to get up before it rises. Dog parks fill before dawn with panting pets. Runners pound the pavement as cyclists sweep by on the trails in the early morning hours. Golf balls clank off clubs before most people’s alarms buzz them awake.

a playground without a sunshade stretching over it.

There’s also natural shade, better known as trees. Electric utility Salt River Project offers its customers free shade trees for their property if they sit through a zoom course.

Mesquites, palo verdes and the desert willow are among the species that offer quick-growing, sunthwarting canopies.

Phoenix and Tempe have tree and shade master plans with designs to cover a quarter of their cities in shade.

Some diehard sun avoiders will wear gloves while driving, with the added benefit of protection from a potentially scalding steering wheel.

Early birds

O N E of the best ways to avoid the sun is to get up before it rises.

Dog parks fill before dawn with panting pets. Runners pound the pavement as cyclists sweep by on the trails in the early morning hours. Golf balls clank off clubs before most people’s alarms buzz them awake.

“We rearrange our schedule,” said Heather Moos, who has lived in the

political and military officials see the Australian nuclear submarine capability as meant for war and the Aukus pact as a smaller Nato.” The Philippines “welcomed the signing of the trilateral security pact.”

The question then becomes, do

area for 22 summers, and was heading home from the dog park before 7 a.m. Tuesday. “We’re up before the sun comes up. Basically we get to the dog park about 5:00 in the morning.”

On the other side of things, some desert hot spots stay open in the dark. The Desert Botanical Garden hosts flashlight nights, when guests can wander the gardens under the stars. Nighthawks soar overhead while scorpions fluoresce under ultraviolet lights.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum has similar events that also feature Arizona’s nocturnal critters.

“I guess we have to be vampires in this kind of weather,” Moos said. Finding an oasis

POOLS are as much a part of the Phoenix landscape as the saguaro cactus. But in scalding temps, they can turn to bathwater.

Companies can install cooling systems to chill the waters, but there are simpler methods. Aerators spray water above the pool to keep them cool.

Misters that spritz water to cool diners are a common sight outside restaurants as well.

Longtime resident Sandy Fam wears a wet towel around her neck to keep cool.

“I’ve been doing that for years,” she said.

But while Fam lives in relative comfort, she worries about those who don’t.

“You know, I feel for people who struggle with” paying for air conditioning. They’re the ones really suffering, she said.

we need or want a Nato-style, and US dominated military alliance in Southeast Asia that does not include any Asean member states? Responding to some worries about the Philippines, it might not be China that leads the region to be another Ukraine.

G20 finance chiefs end their meeting in India without consensus on the war in Ukraine

PBBM handled WPS rows well, say maritime experts SC UPHOLDS SANDIGAN JUNKING OF P1-B CASE VS MARCOSES, PALS

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

P rof. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea of the University of the Philippines Law Center,  echoed Amador’s assessment. “ I would rate it very highly at this point. So far, the signals have been good so I hope that this is sustained over the longer period,” Batongbacal said.

I n a press conference via Zoom, the two maritime experts called on President Marcos to declare the proposed Maritime Zone Law as a priority bill in his upcoming State of Nation Address (SONA) to enable the country to implement the arbitral award and transition the Philippines to the blue economy.

tatives approved on third and final reading the Maritime Zone bill. This provides for the harmonization of domestic and international laws and regulations, identifying the maritime zones such as internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf.

A mador said they need the support of the Senate to push the legislation forward.

B atongbacal said the enactment of the Maritime Zone law would “cement” the legacy of Marcos Jr.’s father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

for reconsideration of the PCGG.

THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the dismissal by the Sandiganbayan of the P1.050-billion civil forfeiture case filed against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., former First Lady Imelda Marcos and several associates who allegedly acted as their dummies in acquiring expensive artworks, clothes, jewelry, and properties here and abroad, including franchises to operate tourist duty-free shops.

However, the challenge to the administration is how to enforce the 2016 international arbitral tribunal award, which invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China, Sea, and affirmed the Philippine claim over the islands and reefs as part of its exclusive economic zone.

Julio Amador III, founder and CEO of Amador Research Services, said he would give a seven “7” rating to Marcos’s performance on the

West Philippine Sea dispute. “ First, there’s consistency in the way that the administration has been going about in terms of the South China Sea. It has allowed the appropriate agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs to regularly make a statement on the South China Sea arbitration ruling. There are no conflicting messages in terms of our victory in the arbitral tribunal which I think is quite good,” Amador said.

What we need are concrete measures to actually move the process forward, make sure that we are implementing the arbitration award because it is binding on us,” Amador said.

A lthough the Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world, with a 36,000-km coastline, most of the legislation are geared towards an economy anchored on land-based industries.

I n May, the House of Represen -

It was during the first Marcos administration when the Philippines fought for the maritime rights of archipelagic states in the international community. The enactment of a maritime zone law would actually cement the legacy of his father to the nation and really conclude in a sense the effort of the Philippines -- the government and the nation as a whole—to try to establish for itself the maximum extent of what we now know as the Philippine archipelago,” Batongbacal said.

I n a 25-page decision made public on July 19, the SC First Division dismissed for lack of merit the petition for review filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), seeking the reversal of the Sandiganbayan’s decision of September 25, 2019, dismissing the expanded complaint against the Marcoses and the Tantoco family , namely Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Jr., Dominador R. Santiago, Bienvenido R. Tantoco, Sr., Gliceria R. Tantoco, and Maria Lourdes Tantoco- Pineda, for insufficiency of evidence.

T he SC also affirmed the Sandiganbayan’s November 20, 2019 resolution which denied the motion

In order to consider petitioner’s evidence as sufficient to prove the allegations of its expanded complaint, the Court has to perform many leaps of logic, engage in presumptions, and create inferences based on other inferences in order to bridge the gaps in the evidence adduced. In the face of such gaps; petitioner’s allegations in its expanded complaint are reduced to mere speculations, insinuations· and conjectures,” the SC said in a decision penned by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario.

Thus, while it is truly disappointing that nothing has come of this case despite the lapse of 36 years spent in litigation, the Court agrees with the Sandiganbayan that petitioner’s evidence is insufficient to support the allegations of its Expanded Complaint by a preponderance of evidence,” it added.

T he SC noted that while the PCGG submitted numerous pieces of evidence, many were excluded because they were not disclosed during the discovery process and others were excluded for violating the “Best Evidence Rule.”

Continued on A4

ON his first year in office, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has performed well in managing the West Philippine Sea dispute with China, experts in maritime law and civil maritime security said.

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, July 20, 2023

‘Slim chance of more IPOs for 2023’

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Daniel D. Camacho, FMiC ’s executive vice president and group head for investment banking, said the company is “looking forward to the comeback of iPos next year.”

“For the rest of 2023, i think the chances are slim. it ’s July already; Christmas is close. So you only have until November [to do the iPo],” Camacho said during the investment bank’s mid-year economic briefing.

So far, only two i P o s were launched this year—the P1.6-billion offering of Alternergy Holdings

Corp. and the P1.7-billion offering of Upson international Corp., the owner of several computer stores in the country.

Securities and Exchange Commission Director Vicente Graciano P. Felizmenio Jr. said, however, that the agency is expecting at least four iPos for the rest of the year. He also said most of these firms had decided to postpone their listing plans due to “choppy market conditions.”

t hese include affordable housing developer o v ialand i nc. and

Enrique K. Razon Jr.’s Prime infrastructure inc.

“We expect that during the second half they will push through with their iPo plans. t hey are just preparing for the proper timing,” Felizmenio said.

Meanwhile, Cristina Ulang, FMiC ’s head of research, said the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) may close between 7,300 to 7,500 points by yearend, and record an earnings-pershare growth of 13 to 15 percent and a forward price to earnings (PE) ratio of 13.5 times to 14 times.

Ulang said these were almost the same targets they set for the PSEi at the start of the year, but they introduced a lower band of 7,300 points.

“because this is really a transition period very difficult to forecast a lot of moving parts, a lot of ifs a lot of whens,” she said. “So there’s there seems to be an insinuation on our part that we may not be able to return to the level of the long term

PE the historical average, which is 15 or 16 times.”

FMiC said, however, that there is “a promising landscape” in 2024 with the return of iPos and real estate investment trust, offering potential investment opportunities.

“ t he second half of the year presents a favorable buying opportunity and accumulating assets in preparation for a significant recovery towards yearend and the first quarter of the following year,” it said. in terms of investing strategy, FMiC said it is advisable to prioritize companies with low leverage, demonstrating strong balance sheets, ample liquidity, and minimal debt.

Additionally, focusing on low volatility stocks that exhibit dividend growth, affordable valuation providing a margin of safety, and cyclical industries with high profitability, excellent return on equity, pricing power, and dominant market share would be beneficial, the bank said.

Aboitiz unit, Nexif Ratch seal power supply pact

Aboitiz Power Corp. has inked a power supply agreement (PSA) with Nexif Ratch Energy investments Pte. Ltd. (Nexif Ratch) for the supply of solar power. t he electricity supply will be

sourced from the 74 megawatt peak (MWp) solar project of Nexif Ratch in Calabanga, Camarines Sur once it is completed by the second quarter of 2024. t his will further grow AboitizPower’s retail electricity arm

Adventenergy inc. (ADVEN t ) and AP Renewables inc.’s (APR i) portfolio of customers from the commercial and industrial market. “As an energy retailer, we need to address the needs of our customers, one of which

is their interest in knowing where their power comes from, given how more consumers want to take part in the energy transition,” said AboitizPower First Vice President-Head of Retail James Yu. Lenie Lectura

B1

PLDT gets nod of NTC for cable landing sites

PLDt inc. said on Wednesday it has secured the provisional authority from the National te lecommunications Commission (N tC) for the construction of two new cable landing stations in the country.

t he stations will host the Apricot Cable System, the newest intra-Asia submarine cable strategically facing the Pacific side of the Philippines. t hey will be located in ba ler, Aurora and Digos, Davao.

“ t he Apricot Cable System’s route ensures a significantly higher degree of resilience. When our ba ler and Davao cable landing stations are completed, PLDt will have alternate sites facing the Pacific, making it easier to hook up to data offices in the United States,” said PLDt and Smart President and CEo Alfredo S. Panlilio.

Apricot will provide telco carriers new a lternate routes which do not traverse the usual West Philippine Sea waters. Likewise, the cable landing stations, slated for completion by early 2025, aims to fortify PLD t s international cable network to deliver higher speeds, lower latency connectivity in and out of the Philippines, and add resiliency to its existing landing stations in batangas, La Union, and Daet.

With this development, PLD t will have a total international capacity of more than 140t bps once fully

equipped. t he 12,000-kilometerlong cable system will connect the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, indonesia, ta iwan, and Guam.

“As we help position the Philippines as the new hyperscaler destination and major transit hub in Asia, we continue to upgrade and build on the foundations of PLDt s global network infrastructure. t hese investments enable us to provide superior digital services to our consumer and enterprise customers, deliver newer technologies with our 4G, & 5G capabilities, and add value for attracting hyperscalers and investors to expand their cloud in the country,” Panlilio added.

t he company’s total fiber footprint has reached 1.1 million kilometers as of March 2023, covering 231,000 kilometers of international fiber and over 874,000 kilometers of domestic fiber. in March, the telco giant reported that it saw its profits plunge by 60 percent to P10.49 billion in 2022 from P26.37 billion the year prior, due to the “accelerated depreciation” that it booked last year, referring to the capital expenditures issue. its telco core income, meanwhile, was 10 percent higher to P33.12 billion from P30.23 billion the year prior, as the company recorded a 6-percent rise in total revenues to P205.25 billion from P193.26 billion.

Lorenz S. Marasigan

Investment bank First metro Investment Corp. (FmIC) said the chances are slim that more companies will pursue their initial public offering (IPO) plan for the rest of the year.

Bookkeeping app operator to tap CIC’s credit scoring

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

FINANCIAl management app

operator lista Bookkeeping

App Inc. has partnered with CIBI Information Inc. (CIBI) to gain access to the credit data of Credit Information Corp. (CIC) as a “nonaccessing entity,” or NAE.

By being authorized as an NAE, lista bolsters its credibility and allows its clients to access comprehensive and up-to-date credit scores, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.

l i sta said that through this partnership, their users can obtain their credit scores and gain access to a range of credit services, paving the way for enhanced financial opportunities. This service is available to lista users as a premium feature worth P199.

“At CIBI, our work is dedicated to creating innovative digital solutions that help individuals and businesses make better lending decisions. We are excited to partner with lista to promote good credit-building habits and advance our shared goal of greater financial inclusion across the country,” CIBI President and CEO Yolanda U. Zubieta said.

Credit scores play a crucial role in assessing an individual’s creditworthiness and the likelihood of repaying loans and credit card debts.

According to a recent financial inclusion survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), it was discovered that a significant proportion of adults, approximately 70 percent, lack access to vital financial services, including savings accounts, and credit facilities.

The study also revealed that an alarming 57 percent of Filipinos rely on informal sources for borrowing, with 44 percent resorting to seeking

financial assistance from their own family and friends.

Data, technology

lISTA advocates for expanding access to credit scoring as a means to empower Filipinos and break free from reliance on informal lenders, the firm said. Moreover, this initiative has the potential to create a financial environment that benefits a greater number of individuals by offering safer and more readily available financial services.

“lista was created to help Filipinos easily create and maintain good personal financial habits. By making it easier for anyone to request a credit score through the lista app, our partnership with CIBI empowers more Filipinos to become financially visible and use the power of credit to achieve significant life goals such as buying a home, financing an education, or starting a business,” lista Co-Founder Aaron M. Villegas said.

By subscribing to the credit score service on the lista app, a few clicks are all it takes for users to request their credit scores, discover the contributing factors that helped determine their values, and learn tips on improving them.

Through this premium feature, users also gain access to their personal Credit Score Trend which shows how their credit scores have performed in the span of six months.

“The addition of the credit score feature to lista is the next step in our goal to equip Filipinos with the right tools to simplify financial management,” said Khriztina lim, lista co-founder. “Through data and technology, lista makes it possible for anyone to take control of their finances and enable them to use the best possible financial services to unlock a better quality of life.”

Bank exec named digital leader in PhilSec Awards

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—The founding chairman of anti-cyber scam Fintech Alliance.Ph was named the “Digital leader of the Year” at last week’s “PhilSec Awards 2023” held in Manila.

Angelito M. Villanueva is also the executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), where he spearheaded the adaption of several electronic financial applications.

The PhilSec Award on July 6, attended by 600 corporations and financial establishments, cited Villanueva for leading Fintech Alliance.Ph’s consumer education campaign.

It was an industry-led nationwide campaign “to promote education and awareness amongst Filipinos on how to protect themselves against scams and digital threats and to bolster cyber resilience and consumer protection.”

“This recognition is a manifestation of the commitment and resilience that every industry player has invested to ensure that every Filipino consumer is enabled, engaged and empowered to fight against cybercrime, cyber fraud

Marcos eyes credit scoring as basis for loans to MSMEs

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now eyeing to establish a credit-scoring system as basis for providing loans to micro-sized, small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (MSME).

In his speech for a conference of MSMEs delivered by Executive Secretary lucas P. Bersamin last Tuesday, Marcos said this was among proposed initiatives to support MSMEs.

“We will help in expanding access to financing for MSMEs, including the expansion of loan programs, credit guarantee schemes and the establishment of a credit scoring sys-

tem to facilitate lending decisions,” Marcos said.

The World Bank defines credit scoring as a “form of statistical analysis that provides an estimate of the probability that a loan applicant, existing borrower or counterparty will default or become delinquent.”

In its 2019 credit-scoring approaches guidelines, the Washing-

ton-based lender said that credit scoring is a valuable tool to provide MSMEs with credit access.

Aside from credit access, Marcos said the government will also provide MSMEs with digital-literacy training and support for diverse e-commerce platforms.

Marcos stressed the importance of boosting the global competitiveness of the MSMEs to “transform the Philippine economy and society,” since they make up 99 percent of all registered businesses nationwide and employ 5.4 million workers.

The president said he considers the “National MSME Summit 2023” as a venue where stakeholders can collaborate to come out with initiatives for MSME development.

The conference’s “discussions on building a robust tech startup ecosystem, integrating MSMEs into domestic and global value chains, strengthening the regional innovation and entrepreneurship landscape

and honing the capabilities of our workforce are indeed most welcome,” Marcos said.

Providing support to MSMEs is embodied in Republic Act 9501, or the “Magna Carta for Small Enterprises.”

The law said “the State shall recognize the specific needs of the MSMEs and shall undertake to promote entrepreneurship, support entrepreneurs, encourage the establishment of MSMEs and ensure their continuing viability and growth and thereby attain countryside industrialization by…” “instituting safeguards for the protection and stability of the credit delivery system,” among others.

Section 6 of the law also mandates the approval by the President of a 6-year MSME development plan prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Such plan shall include a component on a micro credit financing scheme,” the law states.

BIR raids shops, extends date for acquiring NIRIs

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Commissioner Romeo D. lumagui Jr. led the whole BIR in a series of raids last July 13 to 14, 2023.

All Revenue Regions and the l arge Taxpayers Service participated in this two-day national enforcement activity, the BIR said through a statement.

“Comply with our regulations on excisable products. Cigarettes, vape, alcohol products, sweetened beverages, petroleum products, mineral products, automobiles and other excisable articles are being closely monitored,” lumagui was quoted in a statement as saying. “Pay your excise taxes. We will raid non-compliant businesses. We will close their operations.”

A total of 747 stores, warehouses, and different establishments were raided by the full force of the BIR. The total tax liability of these non-compliant businesses is still unclear since the BIR is still in the process of making an inventory of all the goods that were confiscated.

and any form of cyber attack that compromises their wealth, safety and privacy,” Villanueva said.

He added that the award was proof “that our relentless commitment to safeguarding the digital well-being of every Filipino is not only visible but deeply felt by those we aim to protect.”

A statement said that the award cited Villanueva for having played “a pivotal role in accelerating RCBC’s digital transformation by scaling life-enabling inclusive digital financial services especially for financiallyexcluded areas.”

The statement said improving cyber protection in the Philippines was acknowledged by the private sector as pressing. It said 43 percent of all organizations have increased their fund allocation for cybersecurity solutions.

“It comes as no surprise that in 2021, Philippines’s cybersecurity market generated mammoth revenues of close to $205.2 million,” it added.

The event was also attended by cybersecurity experts including the heads of information security, risk, compliance, forensics, and cyber law from the leading public and private enterprises across the country.

“What is clear is that lumagui commits to the filing of criminal cases against the traders and owners of the raided stores and the destruction of the confiscated goods,” the BIR said.

The first time the BIR conducted a nationwide raid was also led by l u magui last January 2023. Thereafter, he also led the nationwide filing of criminal cases against all the illicit

traders discovered during the January raid last May 2023.

NIRI

MEANWHIlE, on July 19, lumagui issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 75-2023 extending the deadline for securing the new Notice to Issue Receipts/Invoices (NIRI) on or before September 30, 2023.

The NIRI is required to be conspicuously dis-

played at the taxpayer’s business establishment, replacing the old “Ask for Receipt” Notice. It is a reminder to owners of establishments to always issue receipts/invoices for all sale of services/goods, whether the buyer asked for it or not.

To obtain the NIRI, taxpayers are required to fill out S1905-Registration Update Sheet wherein they will indicate or update their designated official email address. The email address will be used by the BIR as additional option in serving official orders, notices, letters, communications, and other processes to the taxpayers.

Business taxpayers are strongly encouraged to comply with the renewal requirement and to complete the necessary registration update on or before September 30, 2023. Failure to do so will result to the imposition of penalty of not more than P1,000 pursuant to Section 275 of the Tax Code, as amended.

“We urge all business taxpayers to take immediate action to fulfill their tax obligations and to ensure compliance with the updated requirements,” lumagui was quoted in the statement as saying.

“We also encourage the taxpaying public to report business establishments that have failed to prominently display the NIRI in their business premises.”

Non-compliance with the posting of NIRI can be reported through the eComplaint platform or through its chatbot that can be accessed in the BIR’s web site.

Local online lender bought by UAE-based tech company

By Roderick Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

ASTRA Tech l lC (Astra), a consumer technology holding group based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has entered the financial service market in the Philippines following its acquisition of majority equity in a local online lender.

Signifying its aggressive expansion in the global financial industry, Astra signed on July 18 a share purchase agreement (SPA) to acquire at an undisclosed amount, a 90-percent stake in Filipino-owned financing firm Y Finance Inc.

“Astra Tech acquired Y Finance to enable more seamless transactions on [the] Botim [app],” Abdallah Abu Sheikh, founder of Astra Tech and

CEO of Botim operator Payby Technology Projects llC ., told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday.

Botim is a leading communications platform in the Middle East and North Africa region that was acquired by Astra in 2022—the same year of its inception.

It also made strategic acquisitions of UAE Central Bank-licensed fintech channel PayBy and on-demand home services portal Rizek during the time.

After acquiring several firms, Astra created an app that offers users home, e-commerce, and fintech services that the firm claims “outperforms competitors by three times in terms of speed.”

In its first foray here, Astra will be partnering also with angel investor Y Investments Philippines Inc., who will be a minor shareholder in

Y Finance.

The latter was founded and registered with the Philippines’s Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018. It operates online lending platform “l oanChamp.”

The substantial equity purchase in Y Finance solidified Astra’s commitment to develop cross-border finance products designed to improve the financial well-being of Filipinos residing in the UAE.

These captive markets are considered one of the largest expat communities there, accounting for 6.1 percent of the oil-rich country’s total population.

Sheikh expressed their excitement to embark on this significant milestone in the company’s growth journey.

“The acquisition of Y Finance

aligns perfectly with our vision to bring innovative financial services to a broader audience and cater to Filipino expats in the UAE and the Philippines,” he added.

“We believe that by combining our expertise with the extensive market knowledge of Y Finance, we can create even greater value for our customers and simplify their everyday lives,” he added.

For Y Finance Founder Roger Yang, their partnership “opens up a world of possibilities” for their company.

“We are excited to join forces with Astra Tech, a renowned leader in the consumer technology space. Together, we will revolutionize financial services and empower individuals in the Philippines and beyond,” he said.

After QR code installation, Bench taps Unionbank again for digital payroll system

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

the manufacturer of the iconic Bench brand to disburse pay in a more efficient and secure way to the 8,000 plus employees throughout the Bench group network via the Unionbank Online app together with its other innovative and superior digital banking capabilities.

and I hope that they will experience the benefits of our new approach to doing payroll,” Duarte said.

He added there are initiatives that are also “teching-up.”

company,” Duarte said.

Transaction Banking

Center Head Ramon G. Duarte said the lender will streamline Suyen’s payroll disbursement. Duarte added

“I think we have a very unique proposition for our cash management services, particularly for payroll. It’s something quite innovative

These enable Filipinos and Filipino companies with the latest approaches to access cash management and banking services in general, “and us both being Filipino companies, we are happy to be able to share some of these ideas with a fellow Filipino

“When we first considered our payroll partner, we looked at who is capable of providing us with the most convenience, and we felt that the Unionbank system would be the easiest way for our HR team to work with so that’s why we chose to work with Unionbank,” said Suyen Vice President for Business Development Bryan C. lim. “The partnership will also allow us to take advantage of the

features and capabilities of Unionbank’s online app.” Suyen also tapped Unionbank last December to enable payments through QR codes in more than 800 Bench stores.

Meanwhile, Unionbank recently held the fifth iteration of its data privacy and cybersecurity campaign.

l ed by experts from the public and private sectors, the lender held an event to raise awareness and promote privacy-enabled secure ecosystems

for Filipinos. This year’s event “is all about empowering ordinary Filipinos with knowledge that will help them safeguard their data and privacy, which is invaluable in a world where threat actors are becoming more innovative in their methods of causing harm in the digital space,” said Unionbank Data Privacy Office Head and Deputy Data Protection Officer Jesse Pauline Solis.

THE Ben Chan-led Suyen Corp. recently tapped Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank) to digitize the retailer’s payroll system.

Unionbank

This July 14, 2023, photo shows Bureau of internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. checking documents at one of 747 establishments raided by BiR personnel.

PHOTO by bureau Of InTernal revenue

Health& Fitness BusinessMirror

Right meds, increased awareness keys to treating Hepa B, other liver ailments

By Rory Visco Contributor

HEPATITIS

It is a chronic viral infection of the liver that can result in disastrous consequences such as liver failure, cirrhosis, even liver cancer.

a c cording to the Hepatitis B Foundation, there are about two billion people (about one out of three) infected around the world, with an estimated 1.5 million newly infected annually, and about 300 million suffering from chronic infection. t h e foundation noted that approximately 820,000 perish each year from the virus and related complications such as liver cancer, or an estimated two people dying every minute a c cording to the World Health Organization (WHO), many in the Philippines may have been infected by the virus but may not be aware of it. t h ere are about one in 10 people that have chronic Hepatitis B in the Philippines, and six in 1,000 have chronic hepatitis C, according to the global health agency. Hepatitis

is a huge public health concern in the Philippines, it said, “but due to lack of awareness, many of those who have this viral disease may not even know they have it until it’s too late.”

A silent killer

t H e WHO said that Hepatitis, which is caused by a virus that has no symptoms, is a silent killer. It quietly damages the liver for decades before ending in liver cancer and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver that reduces its ability to detoxify blood), says the agency. Deaths due to hepatitis have increased over the past two decades, with 1.4 million lives lost every year. But many leaders and members of the public are still not well-informed about the disease.

Dr. Jose s o llano, Jr., a Professor of Medicine at the University of s t o. to mas (U s t ) F aculty of Medicine and s u rgery and Hepatology s e ction Chief at the U s t Hospital, said that

at present, the treatment modality for both hepatitis B and C are in the oral kind. He said there has been success in the cure of hepatitis C which, unfortunately, is not available for Hepatitis B yet.

He suggests that for people over 60 years of age and experiencing bone disease due to heavy use of steroids, and those with kidney issues, their medication for hepatitis B treatment be shifted to t D F or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or entecavir ( e t V ).

“Most of these drugs today are very inexpensive we hope today’s patients can be convinced to shift to these safer medications,” explains Dr. s o llano during the Philippines College of Physicians Health Forum held recently.

He said the Philippines is in the midst of a high density of people infected with hepatitis, yet the uptake on anti-viral therapy is quite low. “We need to increase awareness that people should seek treatment and consult with physicians so that they can identify patients who need treatment.”

Antiviral resistance

D r s o llano noted that one of the biggest issues with regard to hepatitis treatment is antiviral resistance, which became an issue in the 2020s and beyond globally despite the wide availability of et V a nd t DF. He noted that there were earlier treatments like lamivudine, telbivudine and ad -

efovir, which were all implicated in antiviral resistance and its use were all discouraged.

“What we found disturbing is that there are still family medicine physicians who are still treating their patients with lamivudine. We reiterate the continuity of the campaign among physicians on the proper use of the correct medication for patients with hepatitis B because the lack of awareness in the use of lowbarrier antiviral drugs contribute to our very bad success rates in the control of hepatitis B in the region,” he continued.

t he message here, Dr. s o llano said, is to switch to high barrier resistance drugs, which he said is the best way moving forward.

Diabetes and Obesity

FO r patients who are obese and suffering from Diabetes Mellitus (DM), DM alone, even if they don’t have hepatitis B, is already an independent risk factor for the development of liver cancer.

“What I’m emphasizing is that for patients with hepatitis B and metabolic syndrome, there is really a need to institute a good strategy to avoid further harm on the patient. t h ere’s a need to control diabetes, obesity, make sure they are not drinking alcohol or taking any drugs that will negatively impact further on their liver. Harm reduction is the key,” he concluded.

Parents call on gov’t to go after online shops that sell vape products

By Claudeth Mocon Ciriaco

tH e n ew scientific statement

from the a m erican Heart

a s sociation ( a H a ) s aid that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vaping products may pose dangerous risks for a person’s heart and lungs due to its components which include nicotine and flavoring agents.

t h e a H a said that e-cigarettes deliver numerous substances into the body that are potentially harmful, including chemicals and other compounds that are either not known or understood by the user.

t h e new scientific statement published on July 17, 2023 titled “Cardiopulmonary Impact of e l ectronic

Cigarettes and Vaping Products,” details the latest usage data and trends, identifies current health impacts, highlights existing basic and clinical scientific evidence surrounding ecigarettes and recommends research priorities to further understand the short- and long-term health effects of e-cigarette use.

r e search increasingly revealed that health risks of e-cigarette use, and more studies are needed about the long-term impact e-cigarettes

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and a similar trend is observed in the Philippines.

a c cording to the Philippine Cancer s o ciety (PC s ), about 70 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage and only 30 percent in its early stages. For treatment to be highly effective, it is important to detect the disease at an early stage. to p rovide a platform for discussion on breast cancer, the sw iss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (s w issCham Philippines) organized a roundtable series called “Inspiring Conversations on Breast Cancer in the Philippines.” t h e initiative was led by the PC s and ICan s e rve Foundation and supported by Novartis Healthcare Philippines. t h e first of the roundtable series was held on July 12, 2023 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

t h e speakers included Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary r o sario Vergeire; PC s President Dr. Corazon Ngelangel; Dr. a n n Meredith Garcia-tr inidad, head, s e ction of Medical Oncology, Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital; Dr. Maria Cecilia Pagdanganan, head, Breast Center, s t . Luke’s Medical Center (s L MC), Quezon City; Dr. Maria Belle Francia, head, Cancer Institute, s L MC- BGC; a d ora Perez, Vice President, Corridor of Hope, and Joel Chong, Country President, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

Patient journey

may have on the heart and lungs, according to a new scientific statement in the a s sociation’s flagship journal Circulation.

Go after e-commerce platforms

W I t H t his, the Parents a g ainst Vape (PaV ) urged the Department of tr ade and Industry (D t I ) to not only go after physical stores but ecommerce platforms that selling units of non-compliant vaporized nicotine and non-vaporized nicotine products that appeal to teens and young adults. e - cigarette shops saw an opportunity to push their product using all digital platforms including social media marketplaces,” PaV said as they reiterated that mandatory compliance with Joint a d ministrative Order 22-01 applies not only to physical stores but online stores. a l though PaV l auded the efforts of the joint forces of the D t I a nd Bureau of Internal r e venue (BI r ) t hat led to the closure of vape stores and confiscation of units of non-compliant vaporized nicotine and nonnicotine products in Manila on June 19, 2023, they stressed that r e public a c t ( r a ) N o. 11900, also known as the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-

Nicotine Products r egulation a ct,” should be strictly implemented on e-platforms as well.

Take necessary action

e ar L I e r, the Philippine Medical a ss ociation (PM a ) s ent a letter to the s e nate and other relevant government agencies, appealing to them to take the necessary action against the proliferation of illicit vapor products and tobacco products on Lazada, s h opee and other online platforms.

“We are bedazzled why these noncompliant, unregistered and possible non-tax paid tobacco and vapor products are allowed to be openly advertised, sold and distributed in the local market, especially online,” PM a said. t h e PM a , h owever, said that they were unable to verify whether these products have been registered and the correct taxes paid due to a lack of required internal tax stamps, packaging or labeling requirements.

Unsafe

aCCO r D ING t o the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is highly addictive and

can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.

e - cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine and that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.

Vaping products, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated systems that heat a liquid solution, or e-liquid, to create aerosol that is inhaled into the lungs.

Most e-liquid formulations deliver nicotine, which has been established as having negative health effects as well as strong addictive properties.

t h e products may also contain other substances, most commonly tetrahydrocannabinol ( t H C), the psychoactive element of cannabis, as well as methamphetamine, methadone or vitamins.

t h e liquids also include humectants (hygroscopic carriers such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol) that act as solvents and create a water aerosol or vapor, flavoring agents, cooling agents such as menthol and sweeteners, in addition to metals from the heating coil and other chemicals.

SkinSTATiOn LAUncheS eLiTe, An UPScALe, memberS excLUSive Skin-cAre hAven

sk IN s tat I ON , o ne of the nation’s leading skin clinics with a network of 102 clinics nationwide, celebrates the thriving launch of s k in s t ation e l ite. Located at the 2nd Floor, High s t reet s o uth Corporate Plaza to wer 1, 26th s t . corner 9th av e., BGC, ta guig City, this upscale extension offers a heightened skincare experience, thanks to the advanced facilities and treatments in a luxurious members-exclusive setting.

Fred C. r e yes, Founder and Chairman of s k in s t ation, highlights the family’s role in business longevity.

“Our commitment to s k in s t ation is family driven. Working with my sons, we aim to offer exceptional skin-care solutions and an exclusive skin-care journey for our members at s k in s t a -

tion e l ite,” said r e yes. t h e new facility revolutionizes skin care by merging high-end treatments with advanced aesthetic technology. It features treatments like Pico Laser for pigmentation correction and r a dio Frequency Fractional Machine for skin rejuvenation. r e yes

further explained the importance of the s k in a n alyzer, stating, “It enables us to take a data-driven approach to skin care, tailoring treatments to each client’s unique needs.”

s k in s t ation e l ite is not just about treatments; it’s about crafting an exclusive, comforting environment.

Members can relax in the lounge while e njoying complimentary snacks and drinks and receive treatments in private rooms.

Gerard r e yes, C e O o f s k in s t ation, emphasized rewarding their loyal customers. “With s k in s t ation e l ite, we provide an exclusive sanctuary filled with premium skincare treatments to our faithful clients,” he said.

e c hoing this commitment to integrity and customers’ genuine needs, Francis r eyes, Managing Director, stated, “We ensure our practices align with our core values.”

t h e success of s k in s t ation and its industry-leading Painless Diode Laser Hair r e moval, combined with its extensive customer base, has paved the way for this luxurious expansion.

Dr. a l mira k a ye Cuadra r e yes, Medical Director, stressed the ongoing training of their team. “Our staff stay updated with cutting-edge skincare

technologies to offer elevated services while ensuring comfort and privacy.”

s k in s t ation e l ite takes the existing membership program a step further. Offering heightened exclusivity and priority access to its state-of-theart facilities and treatments, members can experience this elevated skin-care journey for just P1,000.

s k in s t ation combines nature and science for unparalleled skin and body solutions. It offers the latest in cutting-edge technology, allowing clientele to enjoy innovative skincare procedures. For more information, visit www.skinstation.ph.

health promotion and early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive breast cancer management.

t h e speakers were each asked this question: If resources were not an issue, what is the one barrier or gap that we can address together, and that will help strengthen the healthcare system and achieve the GBCI targets?

For Dr. Ngelangel, it is an organized breast cancer screening program.

“If we don’t do this we will keep on getting 70 percent advanced stages of breast cancer and only 30 percent early stage diagnosis. e c onomic wise, expenditure for late-stage breast cancer is very, very high,” said Dr. Ngelangel.

s h e explained that if we are able to reverse this which means getting 30 percent advanced breast cancer diagnosis and 70 percent early-stage diagnosis, the government can reduce its expenses. e a rly diagnosis means that it is easier to treat and there is a better chance of a cure.

Organized screening

Dr . Francia echoed this adding that having an organized screening is one way to diagnose breast cancer early.

“With early-stage breast cancer the chance of cure is higher and the patient can go back to the community and become productive again. When we say organized screening, if the patient comes in and we find something that should be evaluated, we must follow through. If we are able to go through screening up to diagnosis to cure, that would be very ideal,” added Dr. Francia.

Dr. Ngelangel tackled the breast cancer patient journey, specifically the stages they go through that correspond to the different medical processes. t h ese are diagnosis/ unmasking stage, surgery/cleaning out the cancer, chemotherapy/loss of identity, radiotherapy/transition to normality, follow-up care/the “new” day-to-day, relapse/starting over, and metastatic/time-limited chronic breast cancer.

Dr. tr inidad shared patient stories on their survivorship journey while Dr. Pagdanganan and Dr. Francia discussed “Breast cancer journey in s L MC from a surgeon’s perspective” and “Patient journey and pain points in advanced breast cancer care” respectively.

t h e discussion likewise touched on the targets of the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI). e s tablished in 2021, the GBCI brings together stakeholders from around the world and across sectors “with the shared goal of reducing breast cancer by 2.5 percent per year, which over a 20-year period would save 2.5 million lives.”

Three key strategies

tH e G BCI employs three key strategies to achieve these objectives namely

On the other hand, Vergeire, Drs. tr inidad and Pagdangan said health literacy is something critical especially when it comes to addressing misinformation about health issues.

“I believe that health literacy is one important component of seeking care. We know that there is a scarcity of correct information out there and there is so much misinformation that our patients get confused with. It would be good to include health literacy into the school curricula as well as for all healthcare professionals to educate patients, give them the correct information, or lead them to the correct resources and teach them how to identify and address misinformation,” said Dr. tr inidad. t h e roundtable discussion highlighted the need for a coordinated effort to address breast cancer among Filipinos. “ t h is is something we need to do, and we need to do it together. I will always tell people that the national government alone cannot overcome or address all of these gaps in our healthcare system. But during the time that the pandemic was happening, we saw the Filipino spirit. We saw that every sector worked together. Now, I hope that all of our voices are heard as one, and we unify all of our efforts so that we can give more hope to our breast cancer patients,” said Vergeire.

B, as a medical condition, continues to be a health threat in the Philippines and around the world and requires undivided medical and detailed attention.

Early breast cancer diagnosis is key to reducing gov’t expenses—expert

Discover colorful, creative world of new LEGO Certified Store at the Shang

BUILD new memories brick by brick at the newly opened LEGO Certified Store (LCS) at Shangri-La Plaza, which aims to present the future of play to loyal collectors and enthusiasts, and to a new generation of creators.

The latest store opening signifies a new milestone for LEGO, as the Shang store is designed to be a modern and futuristic paradise that showcases several new collections and inventive in-store attractions. The 166.20-square-meter “retailtainment” space promises interactive fun and play for all ages and geekdoms with sought-after collections such as BTS Dynamite, Disney, Super Mario, Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, and Star Wars.

This LEGO store at Shang is also expected to offer one-ofa-kind experiences that encourage anyone to explore, touch, and interact with the iconic toy bricks. Check out the curated stall to play with opened LEGO sets, or the disruptor bay with an oversized moveable magnifying glass to appreciate the intricate details of meticulously crafted LEGO sets and marvel at the artistry of the designs.

Looking for something more personal? Stop by the Build A Mini-Figure area to customize LEGO mini-figures that can match a person’s hair color, facial features, and clothes. There’s more: bring builds to life by simply scanning them using the AI-powered Digibox that instantly displays and animates sets right inside the Shang store.

“This is the first new retail platform LEGO Certified Store in the Philippines, which has a whole new modern and futuristic look and feel to the store’s interior, designed with unique features not found in other stores,” says Justin Bautista, sales and marketing head of LEGO Certified Stores at Ban Kee Trading, Inc.

The opening of the new LEGO store expands Shang’s dynamic amusement offerings that already include indoor playgrounds Kidzoona and Heroes Headquarters for kids, and the escape room Breakout Philippines for adults.

“We’re so excited to welcome one of the most iconic and beloved brands in the world here at Shangri-La Plaza,” shares Joy R. Polloso, EVP for retail and commercial at Shang Properties. “The opening of the new LEGO Certified Store is an essential part of the Shang’s mission to build for the better, and to bring exciting offerings to our valued mall guests. It is surely going to become a fun destination that has something for everyone, a Shang spot that fans of all ages will surely love for years.”

Do we need to care about climate change?

WE now hear the term “climate change” more than we did a decade ago. But do we really know what it means? According to the United Nations, “Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.

But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car, or using coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions.

Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.” The UN report also says that climate scientists have proven that humans are responsible for global heating over the last 200 years, which has caused the average temperature of the Earth’s surface to now be 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s.

Today, global tech company HP Inc. announced new global research revealing the serious actions many parents are taking due to climate change, from everyday decisions to long-term family planning.

The global study found 91 percent of parents are concerned about the climate crisis, leading to changes that reshape their lives and purchasing habits. More than half (53 percent) say it has impacted their perspective on having more children. The research also found many parents favor companies that are taking action to address climate change and expect businesses to lead on the issue. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of parents prefer products that are sustainably sourced and 60 percent say sustainable company practices play a large part in their purchasing habits.

This willingness to seek out sustainable products and decisions comes despite the fact that the vast majority of respondents (84 percent) acknowledge the cost of living is rising and more than half (57 percent) believe engaging in environmentally friendly practices takes up a lot of time.

“We are seeing how climate change has transformed family life,” notes Christian Reyes, managing director, Philippines, HP Inc. “Parents now have a higher awareness of how decisions made

within the home can impact their communities. HP wants to help Filipino families by creating opportunities that enable them to make more sustainable choices.”

While parents are taking personal action, most also believe key players in the corporate world must act too. Most parents surveyed globally (51 percent) believe that companies have “a lot” of responsibility in holding themselves accountable on climate action, as opposed to customers (36 percent).

The findings come as HP released its 22nd annual Sustainable Impact report, detailing the company’s progress toward comprehensive and bold environmental and social goals.

n HP has reduced its absolute carbon footprint by 18 percent since 2019. This brings the company closer to its goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040—end to end.

n Reduced single-use plastic packaging by 55 percent compared to 2018.

n Counteracted deforestation for 41 percent of all paper used in HP products and services toward the goal of 100 percent.

n Accelerated digital equity for more than 21 million people in path to 150 million by 2030.

In the Philippines, where access to learning opportunities continues to be a challenge for many young learners, HP works with organizations like Atayde Foundation and Teach for the Philippines

(TFP) to help bridge the divide.

With the help of Atayde Foundation, HP provided 150 learning kits for kindergarten and Grade 1 learners in some of the most remote communities in the Philippines: Isabela City, Basilan; Northern Sagada, Mountain Province, and Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. In addition, HP supported 68 new and tenured teachers who have been deployed and are undergoing continuous professional development through TFP’s leadership development programs. HP also supports TFP’s Batang Bayani Life Skills Development Program (BBP), which aims to support parents in helping their children learn at home, and to equip students with life skills that help them transition to hybrid ways of learning in the new normal.

The tech giant aspires to be the most sustainable and just technology company. In 2021, HP set aggressive Sustainable Impact goals in three areas where the company believes it can make the most difference: Climate Action, Human Rights and Digital Equity.

The 2022 report details progress toward all three focus areas including a net zero carbon value chain, giving back more to forests than we take, creating a more circular economy, building a culture of equality and empowerment, and accelerating digital equity around the world to enable traditionally excluded communities to thrive in a digital economy. n

Tips for new and seasoned pet owners on how to keep happy, healthy pets

Filipinos adore having pets. With 79 percent of Filipinos being pet owners, it’s no surprise that they find joy in taking care of animals, whether they’re of the feathered, furred, or even scaled kind. But beyond the joy of companionship and protection, pets offer a multitude of health benefits, including increasing opportunities to exercise and socialize, even alleviating feelings of loneliness, allowing pet owners to live healthier, happier lives. Pets offer unconditional love to their families and as such, it is every pet parent’s responsibility to ensure that their pets are also living their best and healthiest lives. So, if you’re planning to be a first-time pet parent or a pet parent looking for tips on how to care for your pets better, here are some tips to take into consideration.

n Ensure that your pet can thrive in the environment you’re in: Yes, pets are cute and are a joy to have around, but the first step for any prospective pet owner is to gauge if the pet you want to take care of can thrive in the environment you’re living in. In the Philippines, that means looking for pets that can live in tropical

climates. For furry animals like cats and dogs, this means looking for breeds that have the right kind of coats and body structures. Otherwise, pet parents should invest in creating the right environment for their pets, including proper temperature regulation and ventilation.

n Feed your pets food that’s proper and healthy for them: A responsible pet parent should always do research on what to feed their pets. Like humans, pets can have intolerances, allergies, and even food that are poisonous for them. It’s important to learn about what a proper,

balanced diet is like for your pet, and this can be done through research and consultations with your veterinarian.

n Exercise your pets: Pets need exercise, as this not only helps them burn their energy but also keeps them limber plus mentally and physically healthy, as in the case of dogs. Just make sure that the type of exercise you give your pets is appropriate for them, as different pets and breeds require different kinds of exercise.

n Keep up with their checkups and vaccinations: Taking care of pets is very much like taking care of ourselves—they need proper nutrition, exercise, and regular medical checkups. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all pets should receive a physical medical examination at least once a year. These visits include regular vaccinations and treatments to ensure that they are healthy, as unlike humans, pets may not be able to communicate or show outward signs of disease or injury, things a trained veterinarian can spot and provide treatment and guidance on.

n Invest in pet insurance: Routine vet visits and even unexpected medical

emergencies can put strain on a pet owner’s finances, which is why it’s important to consider getting a pet insurance product like Pet Insure.

Pet Insure is a customized non-life product specifically designed to protect the health of dogs no matter their breed, allowing dog parents to fully address the needs of their fur babies, including emergencies and accidents.

Regional insurtech Igloo, together with Malayan Insurance and GCash, created Pet Insure to afford owners convenience and security as it offers three-in-one coverage that includes medical reimbursement for veterinary care up to a maximum of P100,000; owner’s liability coverage of up to a maximum of P250,000; and a personal accident cover for dog owners worth P50,000 for as low as P650 for a onemonth coverage on the GCash GInsure marketplace.

Having pets is a huge responsibility, and every pet owner must recognize the importance of ensuring that their pets are healthy, thriving, and happy.

More information is available at tinyurl. com/265y2vr8.

SM INVESTMENTS BAGS 3 AWARDS, IS ASIA’S BEST

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), one of the leading conglomerates in the Philippines recently received three major wins at the 13th Asian Excellence Award of Corporate Governance Asia.

The Hong Kong-based magazine conferred SM Investments with multiple awards including Asia’s Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Best Corporate Communication, and Best Investor Relations Company.

“This recognition is truly an honor for us,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments. “We firmly believe that by upholding the highest standards of governance, we can consistently deliver on our mission of better serving our communities.”

This year’s awards add to SM’s longstanding history of winning in the categories of Asia’s Best Corporate Social Responsibility, Best Corporate Communications, and

Best Investor Relations Company. With these wins, SM notched its sixth, seventh, and twelfth times coming on top in these categories, respectively.

The award-giving body said the awards

Cebu-based social enterprise celebrates 15th anniversary, launches foundation

SPRING Rain Global, a Cebu-grown social enterprise that helps capacitate and empower development-oriented and social purpose organizations, celebrates its 15th anniversary, with the launch of the SRG Foundation.

The goal of the SRG Foundation is to help social development organizations raise funds not just for their programs and advocacies, but for their capacity building needs, needs that are often overlooked by other grantmaking organizations, but are necessary for development organizations’ continued growth, greater impact and future sustainability.

This will be announced during a press conference which will be held on July 17, 2023 at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites in Cebu City. It will also be streamed live on the Facebook page of Spring Rain Global.

Philanthropy in Sports, an inter-clergy basketball tournament that helps participating teams raise funds and awareness for their different advocacies

n Spring Rain Global’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, July 23

n The 7th iteration of the SRG Asian Philanthropic Development Conference, July 24 to 26, which will be held for the first time in the Philippines and also in-person for the first time since the pandemic, opening up more opportunities for networking and linkages.

Opportunities for dialogue are available for:

were in recognition of SM’s continuing commitment to the development of corporate governance in investor relations, CSR, business ethics, environmental responsibility, and Financial Performance in the region.

BSB Junrose adds Brembo to its portfolio of best automotive brands

THROUGHOUT its 55-year history, BSB Junrose Corporation has never settled for less. That is why the automotive parts distributor has proudly welcomed Brembo, a renowned Italian brake systems manufacturer, into its roster of global auto-parts brands distributed in the Philippines.

“When it comes to ensuring safety on the road, especially with something as critical as braking, hindi p’wede ang ‘p’wede na,’ ” said BSB Junrose President Benjamin Bangayan Jr.

“Brembo aligns perfectly with our mantra that ‘good enough isn’t good enough,’ and it’s the reason we are able to confidently offer Brembo to our partner stores and esteemed dealers across the Philippines.”

Brembo was among the global brands showcased as BSB Junrose kicked off its series of roadshows to be mounted in key cities nationwide, marking the company’s 55th year in the industry.

Since its inception in 1961, Brembo has committed itself to the design and production of the best braking systems for both road and track applications; working with not only with the top car manufacturers in the world but also the top racing teams in the most elite racing circuits such as Formula 1, MotoGP, and the IndyCar Series. Leveraging their extensive experience and expertise, Brembo has distilled their invaluable knowledge to provide you with accessible, custom-tailored solutions to overcome varying challenges

out on the road.

To be the best, Brembo prioritizes innovation and technology which has translated into an extensive focus on research and development. Worldwide, one in every ten Brembo associates is dedicated to R&D, with more than 5 percent of revenues being invested back into fostering innovation, fueling the continuous evolution of their braking system designs and prototypes throughout the manufacturing process.

Brembo has developed many innovative technical solutions over the years like directional brake pads which mark the correct assembly side on the brake plate; brake pad masses, a Brembo patent that minimizes noise and vibration (though when a vehicle requires it, Brembo brake pads are equipped with an acoustic or electric wear indicator, signaling when a replacement is needed). Brembo has also developed an anti-noise shim, which is a multi-layer film of metal and rubber; this ensures superior damping properties, which reduces noise in the braking system and improves comfort in the vehicle.

To ensure that quality is built in every step of the way until brakes reach your hands, Brembo oversees every stage of production and has absolute control over all of its phases, something considered unconventional in an increasingly outsourced world.

Through its steadfast focus on innovation and unwavering commitment to quality,

Brembo has emerged as an undisputed global leader in the production of brake discs, calipers, and comprehensive braking systems. Collaborating closely with esteemed car manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Brembo has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner in the industry. The indisputable testament to their excellence is also evident in their impressive track record of winning over 300 world racing championships. Brembo’s braking systems not only boast “lab-tested quality,” but they also excel in “road-tested quality” and, most notably, “track-tested quality,” instilling utmost confidence in their performance.

“Brembo’s goal is performance, comfort, and durability; going above and beyond to deliver the best braking system for the track and the road. You don’t need to be a racecar driver to use Brembo—Brembo has passenger cars well and truly covered. Whether you’re on the way to work, driving the kids to school, or off on a weekend road trip with your loved ones—everyone deserves safety, reliability, and peace of mind out on the road. That is why I tell everyone: Every car deserves Brembo,” Bangayan asserted. Visit any of BSB Junrose’s locations or their dealers nationwide to inquire and purchase Brembo products. You may also check out BSB Junrose’s FB page https:// www.facebook.com/BSBJunrose or text/call 0917 165 8111.

Villar kicks off 16th Ms. Waterlily Festival after 2-year hiatus

TWO years after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar kicked off the now 16th Ms. Waterlily Pre-pageant and presented the candidates for the search who came from the 20 barangays in Las Piñas City.

“The Waterlily Festival in 2020 and 2021 were temporarily halted due to the Covid pandemic, but we were given the chance to resume and revitalize it in 2022 last year. So, for 2023, we are here again for a happy celebration of our 16th Ms. Waterlily Pageant,” said Villar.

The senator is elated that just like the previous years, all the city’s 20 barangays participated in the Ms. Waterlily 2023 Pageant.

In the pre-pageant, the Ms. Waterlily candidates, who were donning costumes made from water lily, were introduced for the first time.

She noted that the Waterlily Festival is a great way to show Las Piñeros’ capacity for friendship and camaraderie with the other barangays in Las Piñas,

“Looking back, it was in 2005 when we started our Waterlily Festival. Our goal was to raise awareness on an environmental challenge we were experiencing—the clogging of two rivers in Las Piñas—Zapote River and Las Piñas River—due to the overgrowth of waterlilies and other trash thrown

in the river and esteros,” related Villar.

Together with the Villar SIPAG, the senator said they exerted efforts to remove the waterlilies that clogged the two rivers.

They then used the dried stalks of the waterlilies for making baskets, slippers, mats and other handicraft-weaved products.

“This was the beginning of our livelihood project—the water hyacinth handicraft weaving enterprise wherein Las Piñas residents learned how to make handicraft, now a source of livelihood and income,” Villar said.

At present, she said there are no more waterlilies which impeded the flow of water in these two rivers.

While the Las Piñas waterlily livelihood project still continues, they get waterlilies from Muntinlupa, Taguig and other parts of Metro Manila.

“It all started with waterlilies. But through the years and with the help of Villar SIPAG, we were able to establish different barangay-based livelihood enterprises which became models of proper waste management,” she further stated.

This press conference will also highlight the events that SRG is organizing to redefine philanthropy and help its partner organizations learn the latest trends in development and philanthropy, network and create linkages with possible funders and impact investors, and raise awareness and funds for their important advocacies.

These events include:

n Missions Cup, July 17 to 20—Redefining

n Dr. Glenda Miro-Antonio, Spring Rain Global’s founder, president, and chief executive officer n Fr. Victor Gonzaga , Spring Rain Global’s Chairman of the Advisory Board

n Ramon Fernandez, Philippine basketball legend and current commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, serves as the ambassador for the Missions Cup.

n BK Han, one of the speakers at the 7th Asian Philanthropic Development Conference

For more information, visit the Facebook page of Spring Rain Global.

Goodday Cultured Milk Drinks helps boost students’ immunity as school initiatives start

UNIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) and Asahi Beverages Philippines (ABP) distributed over 130,000 free Goodday cultured milk drinks to some 150 schools as part of an initiative to offer a healthier beverage alternative to students in the country.

Goodday is URC’s foray into the P6.5 billion cultured milk category, in partnership with Asahi Beverages Philippines.

The free drinks were given to schools in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, Marikina, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasig and Taguig in Metro Manila; Bocaue, Meycauyan and Marilao in Bulacan; Santa Rosa, San Pedro and Binan in Laguna; and Kawit, Bacoor and Silang in Cavite.

Vice President Sara Duterte, the concurrent education secretary, congratulated ABP on the successful launch of Goodday Culutred Milk Drink. She added that the URC-Asahi school initiative “will only serve as the beginning of our shared endeavor towards the highest welfare of the most vulnerable children and their families in need of nutrition, education and support.”

“Let us work together to secure the present gains of our ongoing pursuit of overall growth and development among Filipino children and youth,” she said.

URC president and CEO Irwin Lee said there are plans to bring the program nationwide, to make more students “YUMImmunity-Ready” for the upcoming school year.

Goodday offers more benefits acrossthe-board than current brands.

It contains heat-treated Lactobacillus Paracasei MCC1849 to help strengthen immunity with proper diet and exercise. This paraprobiotic strain is also known to help prevent the common cold, promote the production of antibodies and enhance the effects of certain vaccines.

Goodday comes in two packaging sizes, 350ml and 80ml, in three delicious flavors: original, strawberry, and mango.

“Consumers have made health and wellness a priority over the past few years, and URC’s joint ventures and product innovations in beverages are ready to address their needs,” said Lee.

ABP chief executive Hemalatha Ragavan said she is confident Goodday will soon be in every Filipino household, as the demand for immunity-boosting health beverages continue to rise. “We also plan to increase our reach to more students across the whole of Philippines”, Ragavan added.

Based on the Nielsen Audit Report of March 2023 covering most readyto-drink beverages, cultured milk is a fast-growing ready-to-drink beverage category in the Philippines, even outpacing milk.

URC and Asahi Beverages Philippines introduced Goodday cultured milk drink as Filipinos—having gone through adversities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic—now have a stronger appreciation for their health.

“Filipinos now have a sharper, more personal take on the maxim ‘Health is wealth’, and we are here to respond to that with products like Goodday,” Lee said.

SEN . Cynthia A. Villar speaking at the 16th Ms. Waterlily Pre-pageant in Las Piñas City

SOME 130,000 students from 150 schools around Metro Manila and Laguna received Goodday Cultured Milk, as part of an initiative by URC and Asahi to spread healthier beverage alternatives across the country.

Japan marks 69 years of self-defense forces

On July 7, Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa hosted a reception for the 69th anniversary of the Japan SelfDefense Forces (JSDF) in his residence, where officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), government officials, and the diplomatic corps graced the celebration.

A grateful Koshikawa expressed his optimism on the close and dynamic relations currently being experienced by Japan and the Philippines, as he looked back on their numerous milestones in defense engagements.

As he cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Japan in February, Koshikawa said the “Terms of Reference on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief activities of the JSDF in the Philippines” signing will “broaden existing opportunities

Embassy in the Hague sets Jose Rizal bust monument

to strengthen future Japan-Philippines defense cooperation.”

The ambassador also emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation among like-minded nations in preserving stability and peace in the world. Referencing the 2023 G7 Summit in Hiroshima chaired by Japan, he urged world leaders to take necessary steps in leading the international community toward greater cooperation, while deterring unwarranted division and confrontation.

According to Koshikawa, Japan has reinforced its commitments to regional peace and stability in achieving a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

After emphasizing the importance of close cooperation among like-minded countries bonded by universal values and principles, he reaffirmed the shared commitments of Japan,

Philippines, and the United States in bolstering their maritime cooperation, as demonstrated by their coast guards’ first joint trilateral exercise.

The envoy also noted that the first-ever Japan-Australia-Philippines-US Defense Ministerial Meeting is a welcome development in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.

When he touched upon the overall bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines, Koshikawa mentioned Senate President Miguel

Zubiri and his delegation’s visit to the former country, then reaffirmed their relations with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida under their senatorial capacity, the convening of the second Japan-Philippines “2+2” meeting, and the future conclusion of their Reciprocal Access Agreement.

Further, the ambassador underscored the very close ties between Japan and the Philippines in a wide range of fields such as diplomacy, economy and culture, then noted that his country has delivered all of its promised projects to the latter.

THE bust monument in the Netherlands of Philippine hero Dr. Jose Rizal was unveiled at the Philippine Embassy grounds in The Hague on July 4 during a ceremony, with Knights of Rizal’s supreme commander Sir Gerardo V. Calderon (Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR)) as guest of honor.

Calderon commended the embassy for its noteworthy initiative in honoring Rizal through its monument project, in cooperation with the Knight of Rizal (KOR)-The Hague Chapter. “This bust will serve as a lasting reminder of Rizal’s works, teachings and sacrifices that will hopefully influence and inspire Filipinos and our Dutch friends in this part of Europe, he said”

Ambassador to the Netherlands

The Rizal bust was donated by the KOR-The Hague Chapter which is led by its chapter commander Sir Anton Lutter (Knight Commander of Rizal or KCR), who said that it is a “simple way of giving thanks to the Philippine Embassy for providing them collaborative opportunities in pursuit of the Order’s mission.” He made the arrangements for the sculpting of the bust by an artist in Angeles, Pampanga and for its transport to the Netherlands with Sir Steef Klarenbeek KCR.

Sir Felino Paras KGCR (Europe Regional Commander), Manila-based Supreme Council members, as well as various KOR chapters in Belgium and the Netherlands, including those in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, also graced the occasion.

By Ambassador Michelle Boccoz of France

IT’S a pleasure for me to be with you today to celebrate the values of the French Republic here in the Philippines.

This [year’s] celebration also marks the end of my tenure in Manila. I will be leaving in three weeks' time, with the feeling that I have accomplished the mission that [President Emmanuel Macron] entrusted to me when he appointed me here two-and-a-half years ago.

President Marcos Jr. reminded me [on July 12] that I arrived in the midst of the “Covid” crisis and restrictions.

As soon as it was over, thanks to my team, we relaunched the bilateral relationship full steam ahead.

I believe deeply in this relationship. As you know, France is an Indo-Pacific nation with 2 million inhabitants in this zone, so close to the Philippines geographically and in terms of values. We believe deeply in democracy, a rules-based international order, and diplomacy.

We have just celebrated the seventh anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitration award in favor of the Philippines, based on [the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or Unclos]. Join me, dear friends, in paying tribute to Ambassador Albert del Rosario, who successfully led this legal battle.

Both our countries also believe in protecting our planet and ecosystems, especially our oceans. Here, in the Philippines, climate change can be witnessed constantly; there is no “Plan B,” or “Planet B.”

THE trial one-year visa-free entry measure for nationals of the Philippines, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam has been extended from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024, according to a statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco).

This was after the said countries’ ministries of foreign affairs (MOFA) held a comprehensive review on April 25 of existing visa and entry measures that focused on the trial visa-free entry

This is why our French president is so committed to this issue. One of our joint bilateral priorities, as exemplified by the Shark Fin Bay project led by Frédéric Tardieu in Palawan on biodiversity and coral reefs restoration.

‘Key players’ DEAR Franco-Philippine friends, you are key players in building this mutual linkage!

Allow me to congratulate Philippine Airlines. Captain Stanley Ng is with us this evening on the acquisition of nine A350s, and on the project to open a direct route between Manila and Paris.

The interest of French companies keeps growing in all areas, with the number of projects and investments also growing, which is a true testament to the success of our partnership. This dynamism affects all areas of economic life.

Energy, of course, with, for example, TotalEnergies’ excellent solar-farm project in the province of Isabela, the prospects opened up by

program for their nationals: the “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries,” and the conditional visa-free entry through online applications of Taiwan’s “Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC)” scheme for the Southeast Asian states.

After evaluating the effectiveness of the abovementioned convenience measures over the past years, then considering the need to revive mutual bilateral

Hydrogène de France in Mindanao, as well as the potential of civil nuclear power.

I think of the infrastructure sector, with the successes of Alstom and Colas Rail, as well as the Matière Group; or the maritime sector, both strategic, with Naval Group's bid to jointly build a submarine with the Philippine Navy and civil, with OCEA’s long-standing cooperation with the coast guards.

‘Partnership of hearts’

THIS political and economic partnership could not exist without a third, most important partnership: The partnership of hearts.

Filipinos and French people share many passions: gastronomy, cinema, singing and music, sports—especially basketball, and many others—all celebrated during the 75th anniversary of our relations! But we now need to go even further.

Romain Gary, the great French diplomat and one of our literary [greats], wrote about the power of imagination: “You must always know the limits of what is possible. Not to stop, but to attempt the impossible under the best possible conditions.”

Tonight, my friends, let us follow Gary’s word. I invite you, [and all of] us, to be more imaginative, more ambitious in bringing the FrancoPhilippine ties to the next step.

This will be focused on young people, on student mobility, where we can do more and better, like doubling the number of Filipino students in France by 2025. We count on the new generation to breathe more life in all these areas with ambition and imagination.

Franco-Philippine ties: A partnership of hearts Taiwan extends visa-free privilege starting August

exchanges and tourism in the postpandemic era, the ministries have agreed to promote Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” seen to further improve visa measures for nationals of partner-countries traveling to Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries” will continue for a further year through December 31, 2024. Announcements on the TAC will be made

The secretary of State for Development, who will be arriving in Manila in three weeks' time, will be working with the Philippine authorities to do just that.

Let me also mention the Paris Olympic games next year, where we hope to host a large Philippine delegation and your gold medallist, Hidilyn Diaz.

Let me now extend my sincerest thanks to the representatives of the 30 Filipino and French companies who provided significant support for the organization of this national celebration. May this 14th of July celebration be above all yours, with your guests, with whom you have been keen to share this moment.

Dear friends: Just a few days before I leave you, I don't want to say farewell, as I may well be coming back to the Philippines to see you again. I'm leaving so many friends in this magnificent country, and will treasure exceptional memories.

Let me seize the opportunity to thank my amazing team at the embassy and at the [ambassador’s residence who have] performed so remarkably, and to pay tribute to them this evening. Nothing could have been achieved without their dedication.

This country has given me so much, and you have all given me so much over the last two-and-a-half years. This is a magnificent country, but it is the Filipinos who give it this unique character, this human warmth, humor, and generosity that I have never seen anywhere else.

With you, I'm taking a piece of the Philippines with me. Thank you so much!

via https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov. tw/nia_southeast.

For its part, Taiwan’s MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthen bilateral exchanges and attract more visitors while ensuring border and public security. It will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals while making their overseas travel more convenient, according to Teco.

J. Eduardo Malaya and Mme. Rena Cristina K. Malaya MD joined the unveiling rite. He underscored the occasion’s significance in helping spread the heroic identity and proud heritage of the Philippine people and cited the connections of Rizal with the Netherlands.

“It is fitting that Rizal [found a home here], as there are special connections between him and our host country,” Malaya explained.

“Though he did not set foot in Dutch soil during his many travels across Europe, Rizal had an affinity and admiration for the renowned Dutch writer Edward Douwes Dekker, who went by the pen-name ‘Multatuli’ and whose novel Max Havelaar made a deep impression on [for the writing of] “El Filibusterismo.”

The diplomat furthered that both authors had similar views on the harsh realities of colonialism and wanted to expose them: Dekker on the Dutch in the East Indies (now Indonesia), and Rizal on the Spaniards in the Philippines.

Supreme Commander Calderon was accompanied by Sir Virgilio R. Esguerra KGCR (Council of Elders), Sir Remigio Esguerra KCR (Taytay, Rizal Chapter commander), Sir Atty. Joel Tuplano KGOR (executive assistant to the supreme commander), Sir Flavio Caringal KCR (chapter commander), Sir Jose Gardose Jr. KCR, Sir Joseph Gardoce, and other Ladies of Rizal from Manila. The recently constituted “Ladies of Rizal-The Netherlands” led by Lady Irene Esquibil were also present.

The Philippine delegation was in Europe for the KOR’s eighth European Regional Assembly, and its 72nd Charter Day celebration held in Rome, Italy.

In the embassy’s statement, the Order of the Knights of Rizal is a civic and patriotic organization established by Republic Act 646 as an instrumentality by which Rizal’s teachings may be propagated among Filipinos as well as other nationals who may believe in his teachings, and emulate his examples.

I. Cervantes screens Spanish LGBTI+ shorts

FOR July, Instituto Cervantes’ Vimeo channel is currently hosting the short-film series “Zinegoak” which features eight animation stories on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus (LGBTQ+) themes by various Basque filmmakers.

The film cycle presents personal stories, reflections, and testimonies that deal with gender identity, homosexual love, and transsexuality, focusing on an underrepresented genre in cinema.

Ezohikoak (2022, Alejandra Bueno) is a film about the roles of women in Basque culture, which on July 22 and 23 will be shown through https://vimeo. com/824069976.

For the last week of the film cycle, on July 26 and 27, catch Garelako (2015, Usue

Egia), which is a call for freedom to all to define themselves, and feel as each and everyone wants. It will be accessible via https://vimeo.com/828266180.

Lastly, the animated documentary Makun (2015, Emilio Martí), which depicts the harsh reality of detention centers for foreigners who left their countries to be themselves, will conclude the film cycle on July 29 and 30, and will be available at https://vimeo.com/827930587.

The movies, presented by Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with Zinegoak Film festival, will be in Spanish or Basque with English subtitles. Admission is free. For further information and updates on the film series, check out Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook page or the event page: https://www.facebook.com/ events/222136474040685.

THE envoy of Japan acknowledged the “tremendously flourishing” cooperation between his country and the Philippines in the areas of defense and security.

KNIGHTS of Rizal and officials of the Philippine Embassy Chancery in The Hague at the Rizal Courtyard THE HAGUE PE

UNDERSECRETARY Angelito de Leon (from left), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa EMBASSY OF JAPAN

PHL READY TO HOST FIBA WORLD CUP Sports BusinessMirror

By Josef Ramos

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been invited to open the country’s lead co-hosting of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup with the local organizing committee (LOC) declaring that the country is 98 percent on track toward its goal of successfully organizing the global event.

At the same time, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Dicky Bachmann said he will request Malacañang to declare opening day on August 25 as a “special holiday.”

“

The PSC is writing Malacañang to declare August 25 as a national holiday to lessen the traffic so hopefully they will approve it,” Bachmann told Thursday’s PSChosted inter-agency meeting at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. “We invited the President to attend the opening ceremony.”

A ngola and Italy kick off the Philippine leg of the World Cup at 4 p.m. on August 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Gilas Pilipinas, the country’s national team, playing the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on the same day.

Games in co-hosts Okinawa and Jakarta will also commence for the World Cup where the playoffs and final will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 10. Matches in the Philippines will also be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

B achmann also declared that government support to the World Cup has gone full throttle. The funding of the government is 100 percent is already [with] the local

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| Thursday, July 20, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

organizing committee,” he said. Government support to the World Cup is pegged at P1 billion which will be channeled to the LOC through the PSC.

R amon “Tats” Suzara, chief implementor and master planner of the LOC, announced in the same meeting that only the finishing touches to the country’s hosting are left to be completed.

We are 98 percent on track in the overall preparation and hosting of the World Cup—all venues and traffic management plans,” said Suzara, currently the national volleyball federation head and was the president and CEO of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, the LOC that successfully handled the 2019 SEA Games.

The remaining 2 percent are only just for the finishing touches,” said Suzara, whose volleyball federation has hosted three successful weeks of the Volleyball Nations League in July last year and early this month. “It’s like putting chairs and tables, furniture in your newly-built house, it’s near completion.”

P reparations for the FIBA Congress also on August 25 at the Sofitel Hotel where federation leaders from the 212 member countries will gather, are also in harness, according to Suzara.

M alacañang Senior Deputy Executive Director Atty. Hubert Guevara, on the other hand, said that President Marcos is fully behind the World Cup hosting.

“ With the support of our President, let’s get our acts together and get things done two weeks before the August 25 opening,” said Guevara, who was joined by  Deputy Event Director Erika Dy and Joint Management Committee head John Lucas in the crucial inter-agency meeting.

Forty-one government agencies represented in the meeting to reaffirm their commitment to ensure the success of the World Cup.

“

This assembly marks a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to ensure the success and excellence of the upcoming FIBA World Cup,” Bachmann said. “With only 37 days before the games, let us seize this opportunity to collaborate, exchange ideas, iron things out, and pave the way for an unforgettable hosting.”

B esides financial support, the PSC handles clearances and permits needed for sports and media equipment brought into the country.

PSC facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City has also been spruced up for the event.

“ We are creating a Multi-Agency Command Center [MACC] inside the RMSC for real-time monitoring of key roads, all venue surroundings, coordinated traffic management, and delegate transportation movement,” said Suzara, who thanked the PSC for lending its facilities.

Vingegaard closer to Tour victory after sensational time trial ride

COMBLOUX, France—

Defending champion

Jonas Vingegaard may have time-trialed his way to a second straight Tour de France victory.

A sensational time trial from Vingegaard on Tuesday saw the overall leader extend his advantage over two-time winner Tadej Pogačar to nearly two minutes with just five stages remaining— including Sunday’s largely ceremonial, final procession to Paris. “No, there’s still a lot of hard stages to come so we have to keep fighting the next days,” Vingegaard said when asked if the race had already been decided. “And yeah, we’re looking forward to it.

“I’m really, really happy with the victory today and really proud of it. It’s my first time trial victory in the Tour de France. So, yeah, I’m really proud.”

Vingegaard, who rides for the Jumbo-Visma team, started the day only 10 seconds ahead of Pogačar after little could separate the duo in a fascinating duel over the last two weeks.

However, when it came down to a direct head-to-head battle, Vingegaard was in a class of his own.

The Danish cyclist finished the 22.4-kilometer hilly route from Passy to Combloux one minute and 38 seconds ahead of Pogačar. Wout van Aert was third at the end of the 16th stage, 2:51 behind Vingegaard.

The 26-year-old Vingegaard now leads Pogačar by 1:48 overall and it will take something equally sensational from the Slovenian cyclist to wrest the yellow jersey from his rival. A dam Yates moved into third

Top local, foreign bets in Sharks 9-ball open

KAI SOTTO was expected to be in the country Thursday and national team coach Chot Reyes hopes the 7-foot-3 center shows up for Gilas Pilipinas practice.

“ The last we heard from Kai [Sotto] is he’ll be here on Thursday morning, but like I said, unless he’s here, he will be here when he’s here,” Reyes said during team training on Tuesday at the Meralco Gym in Mandaluyong City.

Sotto is part of Gilas’s 20-member pool for the International Basketball Federation World Cup that starts on August 18. He missed several of Gilas’s training sessions, including the European training camp, in favor of his stint with the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association Summer League where he played twice in the team’s five matches in Las Vegas last week.

The 21-year-old Sotto had six points, four rebounds, three blocks and one assist in a 71-88 loss to the Portland Trailblazers and two rebounds, one assist and one block before injuring his back in a 77-94 defeat to the Boston Celtics.

Chot on Kai: He’s here if he’s here

overall, almost nine minutes behind Vingegaard.

R iders face a mammoth mountain stage, the hardest of the race, on Wednesday. The last of four climbs of the 17th stage is a 28.4-kilometer slog up Col de la Loze, before sweeping downhill to the Courchevel ski station which hosts World Cup slalom races.

Tuesday’s time trial had been seen as a potential tiebreaker but few could have imagined such a large gap. “ I think today I even surprised myself with the time trial I did. I didn’t expect to do so well,” Vingegaard said.

Pogačar himself put in an impressive performance and flew through the first time check 26 seconds up on the rest of the field.

However, Vingegaard—who had rolled down the ramp last—was 16 seconds faster than Pogačar at that point, after just 7.1 kilometers, and had extended that to 30 seconds after 12 kilometers of racing.

Pogačar opted to change from his time-trial bike to a lightweight road bike at the foot of the secondcategory climb, with 5.3 kilometers remaining, and that helped him on the ascent. But he was unable to match an extraordinary ride from Vingegaard, who could almost see his rival on the approach to the finish line, such was his time gain. Van Aert took his cap off to his teammate and smiled at the camera.

It’s hard to understand what happened because it was extraordinary,” Van Aert said. “But we’ve seen it throughout the whole Tour—those two are just so much stronger than the rest. In the end, I’m happy to make it into the top three.

“ It’s a positive step forwards to secure yellow. We’re looking really good.... The stages in the next few

Rise of the sportsbook

MY work team these days in my day job is chock full of boys.

Sometimes I feel like I’m Snow White surrounded by fullsized, taller-than-me “dwarves.”

L ike me they’re all sports enthusiasts and athletes in their own right. They even created a fun sports podcast among themselves and called it MataBasketball. Yes, some of them overeat, sometimes.

A nyway, I’ve observed lately that they’re always happy,

pool.

excited, in game mode and sporadically squealing with delight, especially during game days of local or foreign basketball leagues. But they’re like that too for other sports like volleyball, football, tennis and esports.

My suspicions were right. They weren’t just cheering on their favorite teams and feeling happy when they win. Watching games and following their favorite players had taken on a new layer of meaning for them. They were betting on which team would win and how many points a chosen player would score, most times.

There were other variations, I’ve been told. Handicap score, over and under score, Team 1 score, Team 2 score. Even points scored per quarter gives the experience a different twist. And more.

I would observe them with wonder. While playing with their phones they’d sometimes jump up in the air. Obviously winning, their faces would glow as if they were radioactive. When they lose though, they pout. And just like brothers, they console each other.   The fun activity doesn’t prevent them from doing serious work though. Win or lose, it gives them a high and greater enthusiasm to attack their tasks. But maybe they’re just natural larks.

W hat these guys are having fun with is the sportsbook. It’s

THE stage is set for the Sharks International 9-Ball Open set July 24 to 29 at the Sharks Arena along Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

B ut the bigger picture is that the organizers led by Hadley Mariano are hoping that the $100,000 tournament will reopen the doors for bigger events to be hosted by the country.

“ This is our first international tournament after so many years,” said Mariano during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. And this is not a one-time deal, we are eyeing international tournaments. We’re looking at the Presidential Cup which is in the planning stage,” he added.

A total of 128 players, including 64 foreigners, will take part in the event that will use the Matchroom format of double-round eliminations leading to the 64-player knockout stage and final.

The winner gets $30,000, runner-up P15,000 all the way

down to the top 32 of the event that has the backing of the Quezon City government under Mayor Joy Belmonte as well as the Games and Amusements Board and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

L eading the Philippine charge are the best of the best, including the veterans led by Django Bustamante, Carlo Biado, Dennis Orcollo and newly-crowned World Cup of Pool champions Johann Chua and James Aranas.

C hua, a Southeast Asian Games champion, and Aranas, who is hoping to make it to the national team, joined Mariano in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Philippine Olympic Committee and Pagcor.

M ariano said they expect the best Asian players to vie in the event with perhaps less than a dozen coming from Europe.

C hua and Aranas, both 31 years old, are confident that Filipino players will end on top of the Sharks International.

a sports betting platform that is a website, an app or another platform that can be accessed via internet or mobile—a communication technology that makes it easy for sports bettors to bet on teams or players, just by using their phones.

You can call a sportsbook an online bookie. Instead of paying a living, breathing person actual money by going to a certain location and doing the transaction there, the sportsbook technology allows players to do all operations online and pay with their e-wallets wherever they are. Plus, unlike the bookie who may run away with your money, a sportsbook is traceable and accountable.

Just like everywhere else though, there are legal and non-legal sportsbooks. Of course the legit, governmentapproved sportsbooks are the safest and the most responsible to use. In the US, more than 20 states have already legalized sportsbooks.

I n the Philippines, there is one that is upping the experience of watching sports events by letting players get involved in sports betting, but responsibly. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.-licensed and carefully making sure those who play are of legal age, ArenaPlus, the newest entertainment brand of DigiPlus Interactive Coirporation, is currently the official sportsbook of the Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Volleyball

DEDICATED

Ukraine’s Anna Lysenko shadow boxes at a botanical garden in Kyiv. Lysenko dedicates long hours preparing for next year’s Paris Olympics despite the unsettling sounds of explosions booming outside. She nearly won an Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021 but her training routine this time has been disrupted by the war. AP

League and the coming FIBA World Cup. It lets sports enthusiasts get into the action right from their current location. All they need is a phone and an internet connection.

ArenaPlus is a reputable online bookmaker that ensures your information and transactions are safe and secure. We use the latest technology to ensure your resources can’t be touched by hackers or malicious people,” assures Andy Tsui, DigiPlus president.

“

The exciting part about betting is winning,” says one of my glad-happy male colleagues. “In sports betting, it’s nice because you’re not just watching your favorite sport. There’s an added factor of you being more personally involved because you have a bet at stake and there’s a chance that you will win! Of course you remind yourself that it’s just a game and you have to know your limits. But you double the excitement by betting, every time.”

For Pinoys, who are fatalistic by nature, and who love to leave things to chance, games of chance really seem to serve a purpose. According to a study, although gambling has been considered a platform for deviant behavior and even criminality, “gambling has also evolved into a social activity since its legalization.”

Yup, the boys in my corner would heartily agree.

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann (third from left) leads an inter-agency meeting with (from left) joint management committee head John Lucas, chief implementor and master planner Ramon “Tats” Suzara and deputy event director Erika Dy.

Josef Ramos

KAI SOTTO is part of head coach Chot Reyes’s 20-member