BusinessMirror June 20, 2024

IBy Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

NFLATION may have already peaked and consumers can heave a sigh of relief as prices trend downward in the coming months, according to international economists.

HSBC Asean economist Aris Dacanay and Oxford Economics Lead Economist Adam Slater both expect infl ation to ease, giving room for monetary authorities to adjust policy rates.

Dacanay said while they do not expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut its rate ahead of the US Federal Reserve, they recognized that the Monetary Board “is becoming more independent from the Fed.” “We cannot sleep on the fact that the Philippines’s monetary policy is becoming more independent from the Fed,” Dacanay said. “If these fundamentals continue to improve and we see the Fed dot plot delaying its fi rst rate cut, perhaps, to next year, the BSP might not necessarily need to follow suit.” Dacanay said, nonetheless, that there are signs that the BSP may be able to cut rates ahead of the Federal Reserve. These include the faster-than-expected recovery of the current account deficit.

He added that the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outlook is “showing promise” and that the country remained the only Asean economy whose real policy rate differentials exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

“By keeping its ‘less hawkish’ stance, we expect the BSP to stand in contrast to the Fed’s hawkish pause, suggesting that the BSP won’t necessarily need to wait for the Fed,” Dacanay said.

“It will be a bold move by the central bank, but we think the BSP fi nds confidence in something market players may have been sleeping on—the economy’s fundamentals,” he added.

Meanwhile, Oxford Economics in a recent brief noted that global infl ation is expected to continue slowing in the coming months. Slater said in the brief that the UKbased think tank expects infl ation rates in the G7 to keep falling to 2 percent or lower in 2024-2025.

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @Claudethmc3

WITHOUT giving a reason, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on Wednesday tendered her “irrevocable” resignation as Secretary of Education and co-chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Confl ict (NTF-Elcac). She bade farewell to her DepEd constituents in a lengthy press conference that she held after leaving the Palace. Duterte personally went to Malacañang around 2:21 p.m. to tender her resignation, effective

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

FINANCE Secretary Ralph G. Recto spearheaded the Philippine delegation during the Philippine Economic Briefi ng held in Japan on June 19, encouraging Japanese companies to broaden their business presence in the country.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said on Wednesday the delegates met with top executives of Japanese companies, such as the Sojitz Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mura-

ta Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation.

“The Philippines aims to leverage the technological expertise of these top-notch companies to spur industry development and economic growth,” the DOF said. Sojitz Corporation operates diverse businesses, from commodities trading to several investment projects in agriculture, food, telecommunication, infrastructure, property development, automotive and mining in the Philippines. Glob-

NTF-ELCAC, SOLONS REACT TO VP SARA’S RESIGNATION

HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas welcomed the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as DepEd Secretary and as Co-Vice Chairperson of the NTF-Elcac, saying it was long overdue.

Castro said an earlier resignation would have allowed for the appointment of a secretary truly from the education sector who understood the necessary actions. The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) said it respects Duterte’s decision to resign from DepEd and the anticommunist body effective July 19.

“Her leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of NTF-Elcac have been instrumental in advancing our collective goal of achieving lasting peace and development in the Philippines,” NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Errnesto Torres Jr. said. He added that Duterte’s tenure as co-vice chairperson of NTF-ELCAC had been marked by significant progress in efforts to address the root causes of insurgency and promote sustainable peace in conflict-affected areas.

“Her dedication to the task force has resulted in numerous successful initiatives and operations that have strengthened the resolve and capacity of our communities to stand against insurgency. Her leadership has also emphasized the importance of education as a vital component in combating insurgency,” Torres said.

“As Secretary of DepEd, she spearheaded various programs aimed at improving the quality of education and making it more accessible, thereby addressing one of the key factors contributing to local conflicts,” he added. Rex Anthony Naval

DMW eyes ban on all Pinoy sailors on ships in hot zones

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now considering banning all Filipino seafarers from boarding ships which will pass through “dangerous” waterways.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said they are studying the option since about half of the ships with Filipino sailors and passing through the Red Sea have not complied with their appeal to “divert” their route to a safer option.

“We will focus [on] those, which did not divert and insisted that their ship pass [through the Red Sea],” Cacdac said in Filipino.

DMW is currently reviewing its policies in allowing Filipino seafarers to be on board ships, which will pass through waterways classified as high-risk or warlike zones by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) like the Gulf of Aden or the Red Sea.

Cacdac said they will decide on the matter after they conduct consultations with shipowners and sailors.

Last April, DMW already banned Filipino seafarers from boarding passenger or cruise ships bound for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Search operations

DMW initiated the review after Houthi rebels attacked Liberianfl agged bulk carrier MV Tutor with its 22 Filipino crew members, while passing through the Red Sea last week.

Twenty-one of the Filipino sailors were rescued and were already repatriated.

The remaining unaccounted for Filipino crew of MV Tutor was reported to be dead by the White House. His coworkers had said he was trapped near the engine room at the height of the Houthi attacks, and they tried to rescue him, but the rapid pace in which sea water fi lled the badly damaged boat pre-

vented this.

Despite the White House report listing the missing sailor as dead, DMW clarified that search operations for the seafarer will still be conducted.

“From our point of view, we need to fi nd him before we can conclude on what happened to him,” Cacdac said. He noted one of the locations where the search will be conducted is in the engine room of the MV Tutor, where the missing sailor was assigned before the Houthi attack happened. The engine room of MV Tutor is currently fi lled with water and oil.

“We are coordinating of course with the shipowners, shipowners agents and the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs]. Our focus will be the search operations that will unfold in the coming days,” Cacdac said.

The think tank said the infl ation experience between 2021 and 2023 resembled wartime-style infl ation characterized by fiscal and monetary policies combined with pandemic-related product and labor market distoritions. But these distoritions were “stopped quickly” once central bank tightened monetary policy. These efforts along with narrowing budget deficits have helped cool down infl ation.

Infl ation, especially among G7 countries, is expected to continue slowing well into 2025 and 2026. Headline infl ation in these countries is expected to slow to 2.5 percent later this year and at 2 percent in 2025 and 2026.

“The good news from our historical analysis is that a look back at wartime infl ationary episodes shows that once policy was tightened, infl ationary pressures quickly subsided. Indeed, infl ation in the G7 has dropped significantly from its peaks this time too since monetary tightening began,” Oxford Economics said.

Sumitomo Corporation has made investments in the Philippines such as the First Philippine Industrial Park located in Batangas, which houses approximately 150 manufacturing industries.

ally, Sojitz is involved in manufacturing, selling, importing and exporting different products. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Corporation exports and imports various products in the Philippines and engages in consumer market activities and infrastructure and renewable energy development. Mitsubishi is a global integrated business enterprise involved in project development, production, and manufacturing. Ceramic-based electronic manufacturer Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd operates its largest production facility in the Philippines in Batangas, specializing in multilayer ceramic capacitors. Murata also conducts research and development and sales of electronics.

Aside from its business activities, including product and service sales, import and export and both domestic and international investments, Sumitomo has also supported major railway projects in the Philippines, such as the MRT-3, LRT-1, Metro Manila Subway, and the North-South Commuter Rail.

Cabinet secretaries are part of the Philippine delegation in Japan: Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (Osapiea) Secretary Freder-

ick D. Go, Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

Also with the delegation are Energy Undersecretary Felix Fuentebella, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila Jr., Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano.

The DOF said the meetings were organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) field office in Tokyo and were held on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefi ng in Japan.

However, not all countries are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve’s moves in monetary policy.

Oxford Economics expects Japan to tighten further even if US and Europe will move toward a more lose monetary policy.

Earlier, economists said higher interest rates in the Philippines will likely be maintained in the next meeting of the Monetary Board following the decision of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to maintain key policy rates in the United States.

The FOMC said in a statement the decision was made on the basis that it would like “to achieve maximum employment and infl ation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run.”

The Monetary Board, the highest policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) which sets key policy rates in the country, will meet on June 27.

VP Sara says goodbye to constituents at DepEd

President and tendered my resignation as the Secretary of Education effective July 19, 2024. I have given my 30-day notice to ensure the proper and orderly transition for the benefit of the next Secretary,” Duterte read her statement in a press conference held at Bulwagan ng KarununganDepEd Central Office in Pasig City, shortly after she went to Malacañang.

She continued: “Mga Kababayan, ang aking pagbitiw ay hindi lulan ng kahinaan ng loob, kundi dala ng tunay na malasakit para sa ating mga guro at sa kabataang Pilipino [My countrymen, my resignation is not borne out of a weak spirit, but is impelled by my concern for our teachers and the Filipino youth.”

Even though she will no longer serve as DepEd Secretary, Duterte assured the public that she would continue to support the quality of education that Filipinos deserve.

Hindi man ako ang tumatayong Kalihim ng Edukasyon, mananatili akong isang Ina. Isang inang magmamatiyag at titindig para sa kapakanan ng bawat guro at bawat mag-aaral sa Pilipinas. Para sa isang MATATAG na Pilipinas. Lahat para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino,” Duterte concluded MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa, was launched under Duterte’s watch to set the new direction of the agency and stakeholders in resolving basic education challenges.

Pressed by the media for the reason for Duterte’s resignation, DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa appealed for patience.

“We understand that most are curious as to the reason behind such decision, but what is of greater and pressing importance is that a proper transition be made for the next Secretary,” Poa said in a Viber message.

He said that they “will no longer be taking interviews on the matter during the transition period.” See related story in A5 Nation

Her first day at DepEd DUTERTE, who assumed office on June 30, 2022, also recalled the two years since she accepted the gargantuan task of heading the basic education sector.

Tandang-tanda ko pa nung ako’y unang manungkulan bilang Kalihim ng Edukasyon. Sa gitna ng pangkaraniwang kaalaaman nating lahat ukol sa sitwasyon ng Basic Education sa ating bansa, gumugol din ako ng oras upang marinig mismo mula sa bibig ng mga guro, ng mga mag-aaral at ng mga magulang kung ano nga ba ang iba’t ibang pagsubok na pinagdadaanan nila sa araw-araw. Ang mga narinig ko ay sari-saring kwento ng katatagan, pagmamahal sa napiling bokasyon, at pagsisikap upang makamit ang mga munting pangarap,” Duterte recalled.

[I recall my fi rst day as Secretary of Education. Amid the common knowledge we all have about the situation of Basic Education in the country, I spent time to listen straight to the teachers, students and parents, on what are the challenges they face daily. What I heard are varied stories of fortitude, love for vocation, and a determination to fulfi ll small dreams].

However, she claimed, they have taken big steps toward

institutional reforms through the improvement of DepEd curriculum, the acceleration of basic education infrastructure and facilities, the promotion of learners’ safety and well-being, and the provision of much needed support for teacher quality and welfare, among others. In the last 24 months, she said, DepEd has launched a new curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 10.

“As we open our schools on July 29, we highly anticipate its nationwide implementation. A curriculum, however, is a mere scrap of paper without the necessary resources for its effective delivery. In order to provide resources such as textbooks, supplemental reading materials, as well as learning tools and equipment, we took strides to improve the procurement process within the Department. By the fi rst half of the year, we are on track to complete our textbook procurement, as well as the purchase of E-Learning Carts,” she added. The fact of fi scal restrictions and inadequate resources is known to all, she said, and DepEd had to innovate in the provision of basic education facilities.

Alongside building new classrooms, DepEd tapped into Digital Infrastructure in order to address congestion and avoid learning disruptions during times of calamity, she noted.

“Today, an additional 2,000 last mile schools have been given internet connection through satellites, while 305 schools have been connected through fiber internet. By the end of 2025, we aim for all schools to be connected,” she shared.

DBM

clears ₧387-M

fund

for DOH to buy vehicles

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

disbursed P387 million to the Department of Health (DOH) for the purchase of motor vehicles to enhance the country’s healthcare system response capabilities.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the issuance of Authority to Purchase Motor Vehicles (APMV) to procure 141 units of motor vehicles, such as land and sea ambulances and passenger vans for patient transport.

According to the DBM on Wednesday, the acquisition of medical vehicles is part of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), which aims to address gaps in healthcare delivery and making facilities and services more accessible in the country.

“Improving the responsiveness of our healthcare system is crucial to ensuring timely and effective medical care for everyone, particularly in underserved and geographically isolated areas,” Pangandaman was quoted in a statement as saying.

Pangandaman added the HFEP is aligned with the current administration’s commitment to provide health services to all Filipinos.

The DBM said the Special Provision No. 6 of the DOH budget for 2024 earmarks the funds from HFEP. These funds are designated for the construction, renovation or expansion of government health facilities as well as the procurement of essential hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles aimed at enhancing healthcare services nationwide.

Meanwhile, the DBM also cleared that the issuance of an APMV from the budget department is required when there are funds allocated for the procurement of motor vehicles without prior approval as new items under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or for Local Government Units (LGUs).

According to the circular, an APMV is also necessary if there are changes to the original approval details related to vehicle purchases. These modifications include changes in type, quantity, intended use, user, or specifications of the motor vehicles in question.

The DBM said Pangandaman approved the APMV on June 11, 2024, charged against the HFEP of the DOH under the FY 2024 GAA.

About 88 percent, or a total of P5.114 trillion, of the P5.767trillion national budget for fiscal year 2024 has been released by the DBM as of end-May to accelerate the implementation of the state’s programs and projects.

Based on DBM’s latest data, a total of P969 billion, or 16.8 percent, of the national budget remains undistributed.

Sara resigns from Marcos Cabinet

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

VICE President Sara Duterte has resigned her positions as education secretary and vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

In a press statement, Secretary Cheloy V. Garafil of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed that President Marcos has accepted the resignation of

Duterte, which will take effect on July 19, 2024.

“She declined to give a reason why. She will continue to serve as Vice President. We thank her for her service,” Garafil said.

In a news conference, Duterte explained that she gave a 30-day notice to the President of her upcoming departure from his Cabinet to “ensure the proper and orderly transition for the benefit of the next Education secretary.”

She said her resignation is not due

to “weakness,” but to her concern for the welfare of teachers and young Filipinos. She did not elaborate.

“While I no longer continue to manage the Department [of Education], I will continue to push for the [enhancement of the] quality of education, which Filipinos deserve. I may not be the Secretary of Education [but] I will continue to be a mother. A mother who will continue to observe and stand by the welfare of every teacher and student in the Philippines,”

Tulfo eyes investigation on MRT-3’s ₧3.7-B ‘incompatible’ Dalian trains

SEN. Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday said he would schedule an investigation after the sine-die adjournment into the 48 unutilized Dalian trains of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 owing to unresolved incompatibility issues with the railway system.

Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services said those responsible for the mess should be held accountable.

The trains were purchased by the then Department of Transportation and Communication during the term of the late former President Benigno Aquino the III and his Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya. Tulfo made the statement after he inspected the controversial trains delivered in 2017 and gathering dust at the MRT-3 Depot in

North Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday.

“ Nakatiwangwang lang at nababalot na ng alikabok ang 48 Dalian trains na gawa ng China na nagkakahalaga ng P3.7 billion simula noong ito ay ma -deliver noong 2017

[The 48 Chinese-made Dalian trains costing P3.7 billion have been left unused and covered in dust since they were delivered in 2017],” Tulfo noted.

He also found out that the Aquino administration was aware from the beginning that the specifications of Dalian’s wagons were incompatible and non-compliant with the country’s MRT system, but still insisted on continuing the contract and accepting its delivery.

While some individuals were charged before the Ombudsman over the controversy, Tulfo pointed

out that the cases were dismissed.

At kung sakali mang piliting gamitin at patakbuhin ng ating gobyerno ang mga Dalian trains, kailangang sumuka muli ang pamahalaan ng panibagong limpak-limpak na pera na magkakahalaga sa dalawang bilyong piso kada taon para lang sa maintenance. [If the government pursues using the Dalian trains, it needed to cough up P2 billion yearly just for maintenance alone],” he pointed out.

Instead of “spending huge amounts” for the maintenance of defective trains, he suggested that the Department of Transportation re-negotiate the contract so that the trains can be returned and the amount of money spent be refunded.

Congress will resume sessions on July 22. PNA

New Covid-19 strains reach Davao City

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

DAVAO CITY—The City Health Office recently urged residents to observe minimum health protocols anew in the wake of a spike in the incidence of Covid-19 cases apparently due to the entry of new strains of the virus that originated from China.

Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, officer-in-charge of the CHO said active cases recorded at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has reached 135. The number of cases however is a lot fewer than that recorded during the height of the pandemic three years ago.

Ababon said the Department of Health’s guidelines on observance of the minimum public health standards were retained as the measure to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. He advised the public to observe minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, observance of social distancing, and regular hand washing and hand sanitizing.

“If you are feeling sick, stay home, wear a properly fitted mask and avoid crowded places,” Ababon said, adding that wearing of masks, although not mandatory, is strongly advised for the elderly and those with comorbidities.

Of the total number of cases, 50 are asymptomatic, 69 are mild, 15 are moderate, and one is considered critical.

Ababon said that for this year, an increase of Covid-19 data was observed. There were 297 cases in January, 49 in February, 16 in March, 19 in April, 74 in May, and 111 cases in June.

The data was culled from the record at the SPMC, the designated receiving and treatment center for Covid-19.

He said most Covid-19 cases involved individuals who went to a hospital or health facility.

“Most of the swabbing are done for those who were admitted. Most of them are the unvaccinated and those who have comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, those who have respiratory illnesses, the old and the very young,

they are the vulnerable group, those who go to a health facility when they feel unwell,” Ababon said.

The CHO has not received any report confirming that the recorded cases were of the Covid-19 Flirt variant which, according to health authorities, has mild symptoms that can be managed if a healthy or a vaccinated adult gets the virus.

Regardless of the variant, Ababon said surveillance was continuing.

He said isolation, contracttracing and vaccination were no longer practiced by the CHO for a year now.

But if the number of cases continue to increase, the CHO would establish temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.

He also disclosed that there are no more vaccines available for Covid-19, following the presidential proclamation terminating all activities involving Covid.

Bivalent vaccines were the last batch of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines in this city.

Group pushes for strict implementation of toy safety labeling law

AMID the proliferation of cheap toys, the toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics is pushing for strict regulation, including monitoring and implementation of the toy safety label law.

Zeroing in on the popular plastic chicken toys that make a loud sound when squeezed, the group said these “highly suspicious toys” are still available in bargain shops in Manila, selling for P50 each and are now available in various colors. These toys have been found to contain undisclosed additives that may expose children to hazardous chemicals.

The group reiterated its call to remove from the shelves the “shrilling chicken” and all squeaky toys that have either been

banned or are unnotified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thony Dizon, campaigner of BAN Toxics, said the FDA had already ruled in 2020 against purchasing and using the unnotified product “due to the presence of phthalates—a known endocrine-disrupting chemical.”

The “shrilling chicken” was found to contain 8.4 percent di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 0.5 percent diisononyl phthalate (DINP), exceeding the safety limit stipulated in DOH Administrative Order 2009005-A s. 2011.

This order states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the country any children’s toy

that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of di-[2-ethylhexyl] phthalate [DEHP], dibutyl phthalate [DBP], or benzyl butyl phthalate [BBP].”

Phthalates are plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which belong to the so-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These types of chemicals mimic, block, or interfere with hormones in the body’s endocrine system and have been associated with a diverse array of health issues including reproductive development effects.

The group likewise observed in its regular monitoring efforts that most of the toys still lack the mandatory toy safety labeling requirements under Republic Act 10620.

The Toy and Game Safety Labeling Law

Duterte said in Filipino.

Duterte left the Cabinet ahead of the 2025 Elections

LAST month, Marcos said the Partido ng Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), which he chairs, is eyeing to reform the Uniteam Alliance, which propelled him and Duterte to victory in the 2022 elections.

The UniTeam members include Duterte’s regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago as well as the Lakas-Christian Muslim

Democrats, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

In April, First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos disclosed that she had a falling out with Duterte after the vice president laughed, when her father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, said Marcos was “high” on drugs. The First Lady said she was hurt by the incident and that she will only forgive Sara, if she apologizes for the incident.

Disability rights week to be observed in July

TO provide better public awareness on the rights of the disabled, President Marcos issued Proclamation 597 declaring a week-long National Disability Rights (NDR) every year.

In his two-page issuance, the Chief Executive said the NDR will be held from 17 to 23 July.

He tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of NDR through programs, activities, and projects.

All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges are directed to observe the celebration.

Meanwhile, local governments, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector are encouraged to observe the same.

Proclamation 597 aims to enhance the National Disability Prevention and

Rehabilitation Week, which is held every third week of July in line with Proclamation 1870 (s. 1979) so it will be consistent with the provision of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The country has ratified the UNCRPD which aims to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal employment of all human rights and fundamental freedom of persons with disabilities.

Marcos issued Proclamation 597 through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on 13 June 2024. In another development, the President issued proclamation 599 last Wednesday declaring June 24, 2024 as a special nonworking holiday in the City of Manila. The city marks its 453rd Founding Anniversary on that day. The President said the proclamation will allow people in Manila to participate in the celebration of the said occasion. Samuel P. Medenilla

SC eases reporting of complaints vs judges

THE Supreme Court has issued a memorandum order creating a specific channel, through integrity@judiciary. gov.ph, where the public can report abuses committed by Justices, judges, and court personnel.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo stressed that the creation of this latest channel is part of the SC’s efforts to cleanse the courts of all forms of corruption.

In Memorandum Order 72-2024, the Court said among the violations that the public may report include extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel of any party in exchange for any result; extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel for the service of any process including warrants, summons, writs of execution; extortion of money, gift or favor from any litigant or counsel for any activity of judges, Justices, or court personnel; extortion of money, gift or favor to gain inside information on the progress of any case, including the name of the ponente in any appellate court,

THE camp of former Davao City chief information officer Jeffrey Tupas has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to junk the petition filed by former lawmaker and activist Walden Bello seeking to decriminalize libel and enjoined his prosecution for the cyberlibel case filed by the former.

In a 10-page comment on Bello’s petition, Tupas though his counsel denied Bello’s claim of political persecution noting Tupas’admission that hecurrently heads the public affairs team of the Office of the Vice President.

requires manufacturers to comply with labeling information, such as the license to operate (LTO) number, age grading, cautionary statements/warnings, instructional literature, manufacturer’s marking, and item, model, stock-keeping unit (SKU) number.

“We are saddened that banned toys are still being peddled in bargain toy shops, deceiving the public into purchasing cheap toys notwithstanding the danger of toxic exposure,” Dizon added.

“BAN Toxics calls the attention of the regulatory agencies to immediately conduct post-surveillance and confiscation efforts to eliminate the illegal selling of unsafe toys in the market,” the group stated.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

“This case, no matter how the petitioner may imagine it to be, is not a case of political persecution. Neither is it a case where there was any suppression of dissent or attempt to do so,” Tupas stressed.

Bello, in his petition filed last December 2023, asked the SC to declare unconstitutional Articles 353 to 355 of the Revised Penal Code as well as Section 4 ( c ) of Republic Act No. 10175 on Cyberlibel for being violative of Section 4, Article III of the Bill of Right and permanently stopped the Regional Trial Court of Davao City from proceeding with the trial of the two counts of cyberlibel case filed by Tupas.

Tupas was the city information officer of then Davao City mayor, now Vice President Sara Duterte. The charges stemmed from Bello’s

including the Supreme Court; and names and activities of any influence peddler who claims influence in any court. The Court reminded the public that reported information may be used as basis for entrapment operations, thus, premature posting on social media may undermine efforts to investigate and prosecute violators.

Information reported through the channel will be accessible to the Court’s Ethics Committee, chaired by Gesmundo, with Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as working vice chairman. Thus, the Court also warned that lawyers who participate, advise, or tolerate any form of corruption shall be dealt with severely. Aside from the new channel, the Court informed the public that they may also submit confidential complaints directly to the Chief Justice, the Senior Associate Justice, or any Justice of the Supreme Court. It also assured whistleblowers with credible information will be provided protection by the Court. Joel R. San Juan

Facebook post during the 2022 campaign castigating Duterte for snubbing the debates, and mentioning there that Tupas was “snorting P1.5 million worth of drugs on November 6, 2021.” Tupas was reportedly at a beach party in Davao de Oro that was raided and caught with P1.5 million worth of drugs but claimed that he had already left the party when it was raided.

“The petitioner has repeatedly painted himself to be the victim in this case. He draws the image of himself as a David to Sara Duterte’s Goliath in order to claim persecution,” Tupas noted.

“This is, however, pure innuendo drawn merely from the fact that the respondent presently works for Vice-President Sara Duterte, the petitioner’s political opponent during the campaign. But, the fact of the matter is that she has absolutely nothing to do with this case,” he added.

On Bello’s call to strike down Articles 353 to 355 of the Revised Penal

Resume review of RP-Japan trade pact–Romualdez

By Jovee Marie dela Cruz @joveemarie

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G.

Romualdez has called for the resumption of the general review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (Pjepa) to eliminate or reduce tariffs on key Philippine agricultural products.

Romualdez made this appeal during a meeting with Japanese lawmakers from the PhilippinesJapan Parliamentarians’ Friendship Society (PJPFS), led by Chairman Hiroshi Moriyama, a member of the House of Councilors, National Diet, at Japan’s parliamentary building late Tuesday.

“We believe that a review of the [Pjepa], especially after the recent trilateral agreements, would show support and solidarity. This request aligns with our past efforts and aims to foster a better and more conducive relationship between our countries,” Romualdez told PJPFS officials.

Romualdez expressed hope that

the review will result in improved terms for Philippine agricultural products, particularly bananas. He noted the decline in the Philippines’ market share of bananas in Japan, from a robust 90 percent down to 78 percent. The Philippines aims to secure a larger share of Japan’s lucrative agriculture market for Filipino farmers and fishermen, as Japan is one of the largest importers of agricultural products in the world. The goal is to expand Philippine export opportunities for various fish and tropical fruits such as pineapples, avocados, mangoes, durian, mangosteen, and okra.

Also, Romualdez cited the importance of Japan as a trade partner, noting that it is not only a top provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) but also the second-largest trading partner of the Philippines.

However, he pointed out that trade between the two countries has decreased by 12 percent since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This decline is not necessarily due to specific circumstances but rather the pandemic and current regional conditions,” Romualdez said.

For his part, Moriyama, a former agriculture minister, acknowledged the request to resume the Pjepa review and expressed his willingness to consider it.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, who was also present during the meeting, shared concerns about the significant drop in banana exports to Japan over the last few years.

“The majority of our banana exports come from our region. We are very concerned with the decline in banana exports to Japan,” she said.

“We hope that with the general review of Pjepa, we can address the differences in tariffs imposed on

Yulo-Loyzaga bares strategic plan for

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ENVIRONMENT

Secretary

Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga called on the mining industry “to rethink, invent, and innovate” the ways it exploits the country’s natural resources, and challenged mining companies to evolve and align with the principles of sustainability, stewardship, and resilience in doing business in the face of climate change.

Speaking during a mining forum in Makati City, Yulo-Loyzaga bared some of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s initiatives to make the green transition in mining happen, make mining safe and sustainable and companies more responsible.

“Our nation is at a pivotal juncture where the need to balance economic growth with environmental

protection has never been more pressing. And while climate change has increased the complexity of risk across different scales and sectors, it also now represents opportunities for reform in this particular sector and industry,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

With the theme “Pioneering the Green Transition: Advancing Sustainable Mining,” the forum was organized by the Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden, with the Chamber of Mines in the Philippines as co-organizer.

Dignitaries who attended the forum included Sweden’s Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg, Business Sweden Vice President Emil Akander, Swedish Ambassador for Sustainable Business Cecilia Ekholm, and Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Public Affairs Director Michael Toledo.

bananas, aiming to level the playing field with other countries like Vietnam, which enjoys a zero percent tariff,” she added.

Moriyama further noted that persevering through this challenge could make Philippine bananas more competitive in the Japanese market

The issue of improved terms for Philippine agricultural products falls under the purview of the PJEPA, which remains the best bilateral track to pursue mutually beneficial commitments.

Despite both the Philippines and Japan being parties to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Pjepa is seen as a more effective platform for addressing this specific trade issue.

Romualdez’s call for a swift Pjepa review during his Tokyo visit underscores the ongoing efforts to support the Philippine agricultural industry and promote equitable trade relations with Japan.

The House chief looks forward to a favorable response from the Japanese government, considering that Philippine-Japan bilateral relations are at an all-time high following the historic trilateral summit among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States in Washington, DC last April.

‘green transition’ in mining

Sweden acknowledged that the Philippines is endowed with rich mineral resources with a combined value of between $.4 to $1 trillion.

Critical minerals that are vital to the manufacture of chip-driven gadgets and electric vehicle batteries such as gold, copper and nickel are among the Philippines’ leading mineral exports providing the country with a unique opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable mining.

The Philippines, Yulo-Loyzaga said, must leverage its natural wealth responsibly and equitably while ensuring that the socio-economic benefits of mining extend to all Filipinos, especially to the communities that host mining operations and those beyond.

Yulo-Loyzaga highlighted that biodiversity protection, low carbon development, and the implementation of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (Pencas) are critical areas for the green transition of the mining industry.

To protect biodiversity, DENR Administrative Order 2022-04 mandates comprehensive guidelines to protect and conserve biodiversity in mining operations by emphasizing the integration of biodiversity management plans into mining practices to ensure conservation.

The order reflects the DENR’s commitment to ensuring that this is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental component of mining operations.

To transition to a low carbon future, the DENR is directing its

policies towards the adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices and nature-based solutions in mining operations. Beyond enhancing energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy, this will include a more strategic mining forest program to address climate risks in the country.

As of May 2024, over 55 million seedlings have been planted by mining companies in over 50,000 mined-out areas with a survival rate of close to 90 percent. These trees can decrease the vulnerability of host and nearby communities.

Additionally, the Pencas Law mandates measuring the true value of the country’s natural resources and ecosystems, including minerals, to socio-economic development, and includes addressing the impacts on ecosystems by adopting the mitigation hierarchy in mining operations which follows the steps of avoidance, minimization, restoration, and offsetting compensation for affected communities.

“In this regard, we have a very keen interest in learning from Sweden’s long history and experience in promoting scientific advancement, transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the mining sector,” said Secretary Loyzaga, adding that the Philippines’ partnership with Sweden “will pave the way towards achieving the greatest net positive impact today and in the future, so that we may, in fact, win this race to resilience, this race to a low carbon, and possibly net zero environment and the race to have our earth still be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Cement industry welcomes swift passage of Tatak Pinoy Act implementing rules

THE Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) lauded the swift passage of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy Law that was signed just months after the law was signed by President Marcos in February this year.

The law aims to bolster innovation among local industries to be more competitive in the global market and emphasizes the need for the preference and priority of high-quality, locally produced materials in government projects in order to help local enterprises and contribute to national economic development.

“Through the passage of the IRR, we are confident that this will stimulate progress with bigger investments, more jobs in our communities, more taxes paid to the government and the development of more sustainable products,” said CeMAP President Reinier Dizon. The IRR was signed on May 22.

Local cement manufacturers, with integrated cement plants that produce the actual cement finished goods in the Philippines, praised the speedy passage of the rules as it signifies true political will and commitment towards Philippine economic progress through support for local industries and Filipino workers, Dizon said.

“There is more than enough domestic capacity,” added Dizon.

“With domestic capacity close to 50 million tons, there is in fact a significant surplus to meet the

COMP

Tcurrent needs of the market, ensuring stable and reliable cement supply for all government projects as well as the needs of the private sector.”

Local integrated manufacturing companies include Eagle Cement Corp and Northern Cement of San Miguel Group, Republic Cement & Building Materials, Holcim Philippines Inc., Cemex Holdings Philippines through its Solid Cement & Apo Cement, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Goodfound Cement Corporation and Century Peak Cement. This year, total domestic capacity is seen to increase by five million tons—three million tons from Taiheiyo and two million tons from Cemex’s Rizal cement plant. The raw materials of these companies are sourced locally and converted into finished goods.

CeMAP underscores that despite this overcapacity situation, the Philippines is plagued by cement imports from Vietnam. In 2023, total cement imports reached almost seven million metric tons despite anti-dumping duty imposed on a number of Vietnamese manufacturers and traders. Vietnam has also a significant over capacity of 70 million tons and largely sees the Philippines as a target export market.

“With the passing of the Tatak Pinoy Law and its implementing rules, the Philippine cement industry looks forward to a more stable and robust local cement market that prioritizes bonafide products from Philippine manufacturers,” said Dizon.

welcomes Sweden’s help

HE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) has welcomed the partnership initiative of the government of Sweden to promote safe and sustainable mining in the Philippines.

“As one of the EU’s leading ore and metal producers, Sweden— with its rich history of mining that stretches back more than a thousand years—could prove to be a wellspring of experience and best mining practices that we can learn from,” COMP chairman Mike Toledo said in his brief talk during a mining forum hosted by the Swedish Embassy in the Philippines and co-organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and COMP.

“We understand, too, that many Swedish engineering companies trace their roots to the mining industry in your country—companies that are now leaders in mining equipment and mining technology the world over,” says Toledo.

“With open arms, we welcome your gesture of friendship with your hosting of this forum, aptly called “Pioneering the Green Transition: Advancing Sustainable Mining.”

According to Toledo, the growing

attention Philippine mining has been getting from leading minerals development countries led by Canada and Australia, as well as export markets such as Japan, the EU, and the US are “delightful.”

“Their ambassadors and representatives have been quite helpful in providing both encouragement and support not only for the advancement of mining in the Philippines but also for the attainment of our sustainability aspirations,” he said. As such, the addition of Sweden will be a welcome development as the industry strives to make mines safer and mining sustainable.

The forum, “Pioneering the Green Transition: Advancing Sustainable Mining” highlights the growing demand for green metals mining as the world transitions from fossil to renewable energy.

“As the world’s energy transition intensifies, so too does the need for mining and its relationship with sustainability. We in the industry see mining as a solution in terms of supplying the materials needed for the shift from

fossil fuel to renewable energy technologies,” Toledo said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

STANDING, from left: DA Asec. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, DILG Asec. Josephine F. Cabrido-Leysa, DOLE Usec. Carmela I. Torres, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, NEDA Sec. Arsenio M. Balisacan, DOF Dir. Karla Espinosa, DOST Dir. Romelen Tresvalles and DICT Dir. Ma. Christina V. Abalos-Naig; seated, from left: DTI-CIG Usec. Rafaelita “Fita” M. Aldaba, DTI Sec. Alfredo E. Pascual and DTI-CIG Asec. Leonila T. Baluyut. PHOTO COURTESY OF DTI

Constant yet modest growth seen for PHL

By Roderick L. Abad

THE Philippine economy is seen to continuously grow, but still at a modest pace, as interest rates pinch private consumption and investment.

Dr. Andrew Staples, Asia-Pacific head of thought leadership and public policy at Economist Impact, the advisory arm of the Economist Group, said on Wednesday at the Management Association of the Philippines’ General Membership Meeting in Taguig City that they expect real gross domestic product (GDP) in the country to grow by 5.4 percent in 2024. This is lower than 2023’s record of 5.6 percent and the government’s target of 6.0 percent to 7.0 percent for this year. Nevertheless, it will likely accelerate in 2025 to 6.4 percent and, then again, slow down a bit to 5.6 percent in 2026, and 5.9 percent for both 2027 and 2028, he noted.

Such projections are based on inflation going down from 6 percent last year to much more manageable levels of 3.7 percent for this year to 2.9 percent in 2028, Staples said. For him, inflation concerns will delay monetary easing in the Philippines. He said, “Higher interest rates constrict domestic demand. So that’s one of the reasons why we’re a little bit more bearish on the economy.”

As inflation rates start to come down, it means that the Central Bank can reduce its overnight lending rate as well. But that’s really dependent on the US Federal Reserve, he pointed out.

“With the Fed now suggesting that there’s going to be one cut this year, and that’s sort of a forecast as well, that means a little bit longer, [or] higher for longer. So I guess that’s one of the reasons why we would be a bit more modest on the growth [forecast for the Philippines],” Staples said.

Since the Fed is “so big and powerful that everybody sort of follows it,” he thinks that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will wait for it to cut interest rates before it does so.

“That has been one of the key indicators now that they’re looking at, definitely, as many of the economies around the world are doing it as well,” he said.

While positive in their economic outlook for the Philippines, Staples warned of major risk scenarios to their forecast.

One of these is the high probability that the BSP maintains policy tightening well into 2024 amid persistent inflationary pressure.

“As America pushes back its own reduction of interest rates, we think the probability is high. The impact of that is going to be very high as well,” he said.

On the issue of military conflict erupting with China, he said that “there’s a moderate probability of that happening and the impact would be very high.”

To help improve the country’s economic growth, he suggested that the government make the Philippines “more attractive to foreign direct investment.”

“I know that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recently been traveling around trying to get more interest in investing in the Philippines. For that to happen, you need to look at the business environment, policies, infrastructure, availability of labor, and so on.”

Staples underscored the need to consider the type of investment the nation requires and how it will benefit the economy. For him, automobile and electronics are some of potential industries that could drive economic growth for the country.

With globalization on the rise, he said signing up to international free trade agreements will also be helpful. Changing the domestic market with the reduction of trade barriers, likewise, will strengthen the nation’s appeal to foreign investments, he added.

“Ultimately, that’s going to lift the economy. It means that the government and policymakers have to look at where the bottlenecks are in terms of policy in the short and medium terms,” Staples stressed.

Comelec to let voters view bets’ info online from COC

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

VOTERS may soon be able to see the personal information of aspiring candidates online after they file their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).

This after the Commission on Elections announced it is studying the possible posting of the said public documents in its website in its bid to make its operations more transparent.

Comelec Chairman George M. Garcia said the Comelec en banc has approved in principle the said proposal.

“The Law Department and ITD (Information Technology Department) have been tasked to create policy on how this will be implemented without violating the privacy of candidates,” the poll chief said. Among the information contained in the COC is the name, gender, address, birth date and place, civil status, occupation of the aspiring candidate.

Garcia the measure aims to empower

voters in vetting the personal information of aspiring candidates to check if they are qualified to run.

“If they think [the aspiring candidate] is not qualified, they question it [before Comelec]. They (voters) can only do that if they know the background of those who are running,” he said.

Comelec came out with the new policy proposal amid the controversy surrounding Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Despite questions on her citizenship, Guo was able to run and get elected in the 2022 polls since no one questioned her qualifications, when she registered as a voter in Bamban and filed her COC.

Guo is accused of being a Chinese national, and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros believe the “delayed” filing of her birth certificate is a cover for the fact that both her parents are Chinese.

Garcia earlier explained that Comelec cannot independently verify the content of the COC unless such is questioned by another party through the filing of a disqualification or cancellation of candidacy.

DFA condemns China’s boarding of PHL Navy boat

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

THE Department of Foreign

Affairs has condemned the latest maritime scuffle between China Coast Guard and Philippine Navy forces in the West Philippine Sea that resulted in the injury of one Filipino soldier and damage to one of the Philippine vessels last June 17.

It expressed “grave concern” that the Chinese continued to block the Philippine government from sending provisions to Filipino soldiers in the Ayungin Shoal.

“The DFA denounces the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese authorities that resulted in personnel injury and vessel damage,” it said in a statement.

It did not say though if it summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian or lodged a protest note to officially convey this sentiment.

The DFA said that as part of its commitment for peace, it has

PHL posts its worst record in energy transition index

Continued from A16

T hey are fo ll owed by F in l and, Switzerland, and France.

These countries, WEF said, benefit from high political commitment, strong investments in research and deve opment, expanded clean energy adoption—accelerated by the regiona geopo itica situation, energy-efficiency policies and carbon pricing.

W EF a l so said France is a new entrant in the top five, with recent energyefficiency measures reducing energy intensity in the past year.

Among G20 economies, Germany, Brazi l the United Kingdom, China and the United States joined France in the ETI top 20, a l ong with new entrants Latvia and Chi l e, buoyed by increases in renewab l e energy capacity.

Global average ETI scores reached a record high. However, the s owdown in the pace of the global energy transition, first identified in 2022, has intensified in the past year.

The 2024 report shows that the threeyear improvement in g l oba l ETI scores between 2021-2024 is almost four times ess than the upswing over the 2018-2021 period.

Further, the report indicates that 83 percent of countries achieved lower scores than last year on at least one of the primary performance dimensions of the energy transition—sustainability, equity and security.

DOT revises rules for hotels, resorts ratings

Continued from A16

been “exerting efforts to rebuild a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation with China on the South China Sea.

“However, it seems that achieving an atmosphere of trust to go back to negotiating table is far-fetched with these new developments.

“This cannot be achieved if China’s words do not match their actions on the waters. We expect China to act sincerely and responsibly, and refrain from behavior that puts to risk the safety of personnel and vessels,” it said.

The DFA reiterated its call for

China to “adhere to international law” including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Manila also urged Beijing to “respect the Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in our own waters.”

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman accused the Philippines of “ignoring warnings and deliberately intruding” the waters of Ayungin Shoal.

“China Coast Guard then took professional, lawful and restrained action to stop Philippine vessels without any direct measure against Philippine personnel,” Jin Lian said in an X post.

Beijing accused the Philippines of lying, saying that the humanitarian mission is actually a “secret” mission to ship construction materials and “even weapons and munitions” to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

China believes the Philippine military is seeking for a “long-term occupation” of the Ayungin Shoal.

“PH should stop the provocations and infringement activities at sea. China is determined to uphold its sovereignty,” he added.

Global Times, a newspaper owned by the China Communist Party, published photos of the

incident and quoted reports from China Coast Guard.

CCG claimed the Philippine military has changed its tack, i.e., instead of deploying a civilian supply boat, it dispatched military vessels equipped with machine guns.

“In the face of the legal warnings and regulations of the Chinese Coast Guard ships, the Philippine replenishment ships showed no signs of slowing down and turning around, but continued to accelerate and stubbornly resist. During the confrontation, the Philippine replenishment ships also made dangerous navigation moves many times, trying to cross the bow of the Chinese fishing boats operating normally at Ren’ai Reef from the port side, and dangerously approached and deliberately collided with the Chinese Coast Guard ships from the port side of the Chinese Coast Guard ships,” the Global Times reported. CCG law enforcers boarded the Philippine boats and conducted inspections. They found “bulletproof vests and other items on the boats.” According to Global Times, the CCG insisted that their warnings “such as warning and blocking, boarding and inspection, and forced expulsion against the Philippine boats [were] in accordance with the law.”

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Netanyahu accuses Biden of withholding weapons amid Gaza offensive; US says heavy bombs paused

By Julia Frankel & Drew Callister The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—Israeli

Prime

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday claimed the United States is withholding weapons and implied this was slowing Israel’s offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where fighting has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation for Palestinians.

President Joe Biden has delayed delivering certain heavy bombs since May over concerns about Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza.

Yet the administration has gone to lengths to avoid any suggestion that Israeli forces have crossed a red line in the deepening Rafah invasion, which would trigger a more sweeping ban on arms transfers.

Netanyahu, in a short video, spoke directly to the camera in English as he lobbed sharp criticisms at Biden over “bottlenecks”

in arms transfers.

“It’s inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel,” Netanyahu said, adding, “Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job a lot faster.”

Netanyahu also claimed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a recent visit to Israel, said he was working around the clock to end the delays.

However, Blinken said Tuesday

the only pause was related to those heavy bombs from May.

“We, as you know, are continuing to review one shipment that President Biden has talked about with regard to 2,000-pound bombs because of our concerns about their use in a densely populated area like Rafah,” Blinken said during a State Department news conference. “That remains under review. But everything else is moving as it normally would.”

Netanyahu didn’t elaborate on what weapons were being held back, and the Israeli military declined to respond to a request for comment. Ophir Falk, a foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu, deferred questions on details to the US government.

Responding to Netanyahu’s claim Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine JeanPierre said, “We generally do not know what he’s talking about. We just don’t.”

She added that the US is having “constructive discussions” with Israel about the paused shipment of heavy bombs and that it’s the only transfer being delayed.

Two top Democrats in Congress cleared the way this week for a $15 billion US sale of F-15s to Israel to move forward, after a delay while one lawmaker sought answers from the Biden administration on Israel’s current use of US weapons in the war in Gaza.

With Israel’s war against Hamas

Half a million immigrants

now in its ninth month, international criticism is growing over US military and diplomatic support for the Israel’s campaign of systematic destruction in Gaza, at a huge cost in civilian lives.

The top United Nations court has concluded there is a “plausible risk of genocide “ in Gaza— a charge Israel strongly denies. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas, saying militants operate among the population.

Both Netanyahu and Biden are balancing their own domestic political problems against the explosive Mideast situation, and the embattled Israeli leader has grown increasingly resistant to Biden’s public charm offensives and private pleading.

Experts say Netanyahu’s message—delivered only in English— is likely meant to shore up US arms support and doesn’t appear to indicate on-the-ground shortages.

“I’m not worried,” said Itamar Yaar, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council who leads a group of former senior security officials. He thinks Netanyahu wants “to make it difficult for the Biden administration to delay arms supply in the future.”

Aviv Bushinsky, a former Netanyahu adviser, suggested the prime minister’s office is working to set the agenda for Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s meetings in the US next week while allowing Netanyahu—rather than Gallant—to claim credit for releasing the shipment of bombs. The video also sets up a speech Netanyahu is set to deliver to Congress in about a week, he said.

“It’s a very belligerent style of diplomacy, but he’s in a win-win situation,” Bushinsky said. “He has

could eventually get US citizenship under a sweeping new plan from Biden

By Seung Min Kim & Stephen Groves The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden ordered expansive election-year action Tuesday to offer potential citizenship to hundreds of thousands of immigrants without legal status in the US, aiming to balance his recent aggressive crackdown on the southern border that enraged advocates and many Democratic lawmakers.

The president announced that his administration will, in the coming months, allow certain US citizens’ spouses without legal status to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship without having to first depart the country.

The action by Biden, a Democrat, could affect upwards of half a million immigrants, according to senior administration officials.

“The Statue of Liberty is not some relic of American history. It still stands for who we are,” Biden said from a crowded East Room at the White House, filled with advocates, congressional Democrats and immigrants who would be eligible for the program.

“But I also refuse to believe that for us to continue to be America that embraces immigration, we have to give up securing our border. They’re false choices.”

Biden’s action, which amounts to the most expansive federal protection for immigrants in over a decade, sets up a significant political contrast with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, whose hardline stance on immigration includes a push for mass deportations and rhetoric casting migrants as dangerous criminals “poisoning the blood” of America.

OnTuesday, Biden accused“my predecessor” of preying on fears about immigrants as he chastised Trump administration moves, such as a zero-tolerance policy at the southern

border that led to the separation of families.

But Trump has leaned into his own policies as Biden has faced disapproval of his handling of immigration throughout his presidency.

At a rally in Racine, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, Trump proclaimed, “When I’m reelected, Joe Biden’s illegal amnesty plan will be ripped up and thrown out on the very first day that we’re back in office.”

Because the shadow of a second Trump administration looms over Biden’s new policy, Tuesday’s actions will set off a months-long sprint by Latino organizations to get as many people to apply for the program as possible before next January.

To qualify for Biden’s actions, an immigrant must have lived in the United States for 10 years and be married to a US citizen, both as of Monday. If a qualifying immigrant’s application is approved, he or she would have three years to apply for a green card and receive a temporary work permit and be shielded from deportation in the meantime.

About 50,000 noncitizen children with parents who are married to US citizen could also potentially qualify for the process, according to senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. There is no requirement on how long the couple must have been married, but no one becomes eligible after Monday. That means immigrants who reach that 10-year mark after Monday will not qualify for the program, according to the officials.

Senior administration officials said they anticipate the process will be open for applications by the end of the summer.

Fees to apply have yet to be determined.

Biden formally unveiled his plans at a Tuesday event at the White House, which also marked the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a popular Obama-era directive that offered deportation protections and temporary work permits for young immigrants who lack legal status.

nothing to lose at the moment— this serves him in all dimensions, internally, publicly.”

Netanyahu disbanded his war Cabinet on Monday, a move that consolidates his influence over the war and likely diminishes the odds of a cease-fire anytime soon. Critics accuse him of delaying an end to the war because it would mean an investigation into the government’s failures on October 7 and raise the likelihood of new elections when the prime minister’s popularity is low. Netanyahu denies the allegations and says he is committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities—no matter how long that may take.

Months of cease-fire talks have failed to find common ground between Hamas and Israeli leaders. Both Israel and Hamas have been reluctant to fully endorse a USbacked plan that would return hostages, clear the way for an end to the war, and begin rebuilding the decimated territory.

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 37,100 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians who are facing widespread hunger.

Israel launched the war after Hamas’ October 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people— mostly civilians—and abducted about 250.

Callister reported from New York. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed from Washington.

The announcement was welcome news to families with mixed immigration status, such as Antonio and Brenda Valle in Los Angeles. They have been married for nearly 12 years and have two sons who are US citizens, but they have lived with the worry every two years that Brenda Valle’s status as a DACA recipient will not be renewed.

“We can start planning more long-term, for the future, instead of what we can do for the next two years,” she said.

Foday Turay was among those invited to the White House Tuesday for the announcement. He came to the US when he was 10 years old from Sierra Leone, and is now a father to a young son and married to a third-generation US citizen. Although he’s enrolled in DACA and working as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, his status doesn’t provide relief from the constant worry of deportation.

“My wife is tremendously impacted by this,” Turay said Tuesday before the ceremony. “You know, every day she talks to me about what’s going to happen. What if I get deported? You know, how are we going to raise our son? What country are we going to raise him?”

Republicans were making their own sharp contrasts with Biden’s plan. In a likely preview of GOP campaign ads, Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of House Republicans’ campaign arm, called the Biden policy a “mass amnesty plan.” Other Republicans, such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, anticipated that this latest directive would be struck down by the courts.

Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who is under consideration to be Trump’s pick for vice president, forcefully advocated for legislation in 2012 that would have offered legal status to young immigrants, but on Tuesday he said “the world is different” now because immigration numbers have risen.

The Associated Press writers Christine Fernando in Racine, Wis., Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, and Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony at the Nahalat Yitshak Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The ceremony marked the annual memorial for people killed in Israel’s Altalena affair—a violent clash between rival Jewish forces that nearly pushed the newly independent Israel into civil war in 1948. SHAUL GOLAN/POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Putin and Kim forge new partnership deal, pledging mutual aid amid western tensions

By Kim Tong-Hyung The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—Russian

President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a new partnership deal that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked, as both face escalating standoffs with the west.

It was not clear what kind of assistance the deal, described as a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” would call for.

Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years comes amid growing concerns over an arms arrangement in which the country provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.

Putin added that Russia would not rule out developing militarytechnical cooperation with North Korea, according Russian state news agencies.

Kim said that the agreement was of a peaceful and defensive nature, according to Ria Novosti.

“I have no doubt it will become a driving force accelerating the creation of a new multipolar world,”

Kim was quoted as saying.

Russia and North Korea also signed agreements on cooperation in the fields of healthcare, medical education, and science, Russian state media reported, citing the Kremlin’s website.

Putin’s visit comes amid growing concerns over an arms arrangement in which North Korea provides Russia with badly needed munitions for Moscow’s war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.

Russian state media said Putin and Kim spoke face-to-face for about two hours in a meeting that was originally planned for one hour.

Speaking before the summit, Putin thanked Kim for North Korea’s support in Ukraine and said the two countries would sign an agreement to boost their partnership as both “fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the US and its satellites against the Russian Federation.”

North Korea is under heavy UN Security Council sanctions over its weapons program, while Russia also faces sanctions by the United States and its Western partners over its aggression in Ukraine.

Russian media said earlier that Kim will host a reception, and Putin is expected to leave Wednesday

US lawmakers meet with Dalai Lama in India, drawing rebuke from China

By Ashwini Bhatia & Krutika Pathi

The Associated Press

DHARAMSHALA, India—A bipartisan United States congressional delegation met with the Dalai Lama Wednesday at his residence in India’s Dharamshala, sparking anger from China which views the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism as a dangerous separatist.

This comes as Washington and Beijing have recently restarted talks after several years of turmoil that began after the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods under the Trump administration. Relations deteriorated even more following the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising military tensions in the South China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait.

The high-level delegation, led by Republican Rep. Michael McCaul and including Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arrived Tuesday at the hillside town, which the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has made his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. There, they met with officials from the Tibetan government-in-exile, which wants more autonomy for Tibet. Beijing doesn’t recognize the exiled administration and hasn’t held any dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010.

After meeting the spiritual leader on Wednesday, the seven US lawmakers addressed hundreds who had gathered at a monastery just outside the 88-year-old Dalai Lama’s residence, waving American and Tibetan flags.

They told the crowd that a key focus of their visit was to underscore the Resolve Tibet Act, passed by the US Congress last week, and aims to encourage dialogue

between the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials with the hopes of finding a peaceful resolution between Tibet and Beijing. The bill should now be sent to the White House to be signed into law by President Joe Biden.

The bill is “a message to the Chinese government that we have clarity in our thinking and our understanding of this issue of the freedom of Tibet,” Pelosi said, eliciting applause.

McCaul, the Republican representative, said the bill reaffirms American support for the Tibetan right to self-determination.

“Just this week our delegation received a letter from the Chinese Communist Party, warning us not to come here... but we did not let the CCP intimidate us for we are here today,” he said as people cheered. However, the visit and newly passed bill have triggered swift backlash from Beijing.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, urged Washington on Tuesday not to support Tibetan independence and said the White House “must not sign the bill into law,” or China will take “resolute measures,” without elaborating on what these measures may be.

“It’s known by all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion,” Lin added, urging the US side to “have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world.”

The Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and says he only advocates substantial autonomy and protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture.

The Associated Press writer Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report. Pathi reported from New Delhi.

evening for Vietnam.

Before the summit, Putin hailed ties that date to the Soviet army fighting the Japanese military on the Korean Peninsula in the closing moments of World War II, and Moscow’s support for Pyongyang during the Korean War.

Kim said relations between Moscow and Pyongyang are now even closer than during Soviet times and called Putin’s visit an opportunity to solidify their “fiery friendship.”

Kim vowed his country’s “full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.” It wasn’t immediately clear what that support might look like.

Kim has used similar language in the past, consistently saying North Korea supports what he describes as a just action to protect Russia’s interests and blaming the crisis on the US-led West’s

“hegemonic policy.”

He also hailed Russia’s “important role and mission in preserving the strategic stability and balance in the world.”

Before the talks, Kim welcomed Putin with a lavish ceremony in the city’s main square, where he introduced key members of the North Korean leadership including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui; top aide and ruling party secretary Jo Yong Won; and the leader’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.

Huge crowds lined up on the streets to greet Putin’s motorcade, chanting “Welcome Putin” and waving flowers and North Korean and Russian flags.

Putin was accompanied by several top officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantrurov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to his foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov.

US and South Korean officials accuse the North of providing Russia with artillery, missiles and

other military equipment for use in Ukraine, possibly in return for key military technologies and aid.

Both Pyongyang and Moscow deny accusations about North Korean weapons transfers, which would violate multiple UN Security Council sanctions that Russia previously endorsed.

Along with China, Russia has provided political cover for Kim’s continuing efforts to advance his nuclear arsenal, repeatedly blocking US-led efforts to impose fresh UN sanctions on the North over its weapons tests.

In March, a Russian veto at the United Nations ended monitoring of UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program, prompting Western accusations that Moscow is seeking to avoid scrutiny as it buys weapons from Pyongyang for use in Ukraine. US and South Korean officials have said they are discussing options for a new mechanism for monitoring the North.

South Korean analysts say that Kim will likely seek stronger economic benefits and more advanced military technologies from Russia, although his more sensitive discussions with Putin aren’t likely to be made public.

While Kim’s military nuclear program now includes developmental intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the US mainland, he may need outside technology help to meaningfully advance his program further. There are already possible signs that Russia is assisting North Korea with technologies related to space rockets and military reconnaissance satellites, which Kim has described as crucial for monitoring South Korea and enhancing the threat

of his nuclear-capable missiles. The North may also seek to increase labor exports to Russia and other illicit activities to gain foreign currency in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions, according to a recent report by the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank run by South Korea’s main spy agency. There will likely be talks about expanding cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and mining and further promoting Russian tourism to North Korea, the institute said.

In Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Putin’s visit to North Korea illustrates how Russia tries, “in desperation, to develop and to strengthen relations with countries that can provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression that it started against Ukraine.”

“North Korea is providing significant munitions to Russia ... and other weapons for use in Ukraine. Iran has been providing weaponry, including drones, that have been used against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Blinken told reporters following a meeting with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, with the pace of both Kim’s weapons tests and combined military exercises involving the United States, South Korea and Japan intensifying in a tit-fortat cycle. The Koreas also have engaged in Cold War-style psychological warfare that involved North Korea dropping tons of trash on the South with balloons, and the South broadcasting antiNorth Korean propaganda with its loudspeakers.

Extreme heat and humidity leaves millions sweltering across the US

By John Seewer & Patrick Orsagos The Associated Press

TOLEDO, Ohio—A blast of heat and humidity in the Midwest and Northeast days before the official start of summer put a wet blanket on outdoor activities from festivals to sports camps as officials urged people to take precautions.

Cities that opened cooling centers this week advised that Wednesday’s Juneteenth holiday means some public libraries, senior centers and pools where residents could beat the heat will be closed.

The dangerous temperatures were expected to peak in the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday and Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Heat index readings were expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees (37.7 C to 40.5 C) in many locations.

People and even zoo animals were forced to find ways to thwart the muggy weather.

An organization that provides produce to areas with limited access to fresh food in Columbus, Ohio, prepared frozen towels and packed cold water for their workers.

“Hydration is the key,” said Monique McCoy, market manager for the Local Matters Veggie Van.

In Toledo, Ohio, the city canceled a weekly fitness event and a neighboring suburb called off a street fair as temperatures reached the mid-90s (about 35 C). A food

bank in upstate New York canceled deliveries for Wednesday out of concern for staff and volunteers.

Schools in New York canceled field trips Tuesday to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, where workers turned on water misters for visitors and the animals. Elephants and other animals were getting chunks of ice in their pools, said Ted Fox, the zoo’s executive director.

“Even the tigers love to lick the ice and put their heads on them when it’s this warm,” Fox said.

The blast of extreme temperatures came a little too early for many.

“This is hot for just moving in to summer, so I’m hoping that we’re going to see the downward trend in the temperature here soon because this is a warm one,” said Krista Voltolini, who was selling produce at a farmer’s market in

Columbus.

A recent study found that climate change is making heat waves move more slowly and affect more people for a longer time. Last year, the US saw the most heat waves— abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days—since 1936.

Chicago broke a 1957 temperature record Monday with a high of 97 degrees (36.1 C). Wednesday will be another hot day, but a cold front will bring relief to areas near Lake Michigan on Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service in Chicago said.

That relief won’t come in time for the closure of all but one cooling center in Chicago on the Juneteenth holiday.

“It’s extremely alarming that we are shrinking our cooling centers in the middle of a heat wave,” state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe told The Chicago Sun-Times. LaPointe rep-

resents Chicago’s Northwest Side and advocates for people who do not have permanent shelter and other vulnerable populations.

Officials have urged people to limit outdoor activities when possible and to check in with family members and neighbors who may be vulnerable to the heat.

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul activated the National Guard to assist in any heat emergencies that develop over the next several days. She also said admission and parking fees at state parks, pools and beaches would be waived on Wednesday and Thursday.

“This is a time of significant risk, and we’re doing our best to make sure that all lives are protected,” Hochul said Tuesday.

In California, wildfires erupted east of San Francisco in the state’s historic Gold Country region and in the mountains of northern Los Angeles County after what had been a quiet start to fire season. Wildfires in southern New Mexico damaged 500 buildings Tuesday in a mountain village of 7,000 people that had been evacuated with little time to spare.

Meanwhile, a fresh batch of tropical moisture was bringing an increasing threat of heavy rain and flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast. Hurricane season this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory.

A housing revolution: Can the 4PH program deliver on its promise?

PRESIDENT Marcos’ recent directive to sustain efforts in addressing the housing gap through the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program is a commendable move that holds the potential to create a “terrific” impact on the national economy. The President’s commitment to this ambitious housing program during a sectoral meeting with officials from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) reflects a visionary approach towards tackling the country’s housing challenges.

T he DHSUD’s repor t on t he latest updates of t he gover nment housing prog ram, coupled w it h t he Neda’s assessment of t he subject matter includ ing issues and recommendat ions, prov ides a comprehensive understand ing of t he prog ram’s prog ress. T his collaborat ive effor t between agencies demonstrates a coord inated approac h to add ress t he housing crisis and ensures t hat t he prog ram’s implementat ion rema ins effect ive and eff icient.

To ensure t he success of t he 4PH Prog ram, President Marcos has d irected housing aut horit ies to conduct a st udy on a proposed f und ing g uarantee. T his d irect ive al igns w it h t he proposal of DHSUD off icials, who bel ieve t hat a f und ing g u arantee w i ll secure t he repayment of gover nment debts related to housing projects. (Read the BusinessMirror report: “DHSUD execs want sovereig n guarantee for housing debts,” June 18, 2024).

T his move showcases a proact ive stance toward accelerat ing t he implementat ion of t he nat ional housing prog ram and ensuring t he t imely and successf u l completion of t he intended goals. By add ressing housing-related gover nment debts t hrough a f und ing g uarantee, t he prog ram a ims to inst i ll conf idence in gover nment f inancial inst it ut ions and private banks to par t icipate in t he 4PH Prog ram. T his measure w i ll unlock add it ional resources and faci l itate t he construct ion of more housing units, t hus contribut ing to t he overall success of t he init iat ive.

T he President’s insistence on a t horough st udy of t he risks associated w it h t he proposed sovereign g uarantee demonstrates his commitment to mak ing infor med decisions. By exam ining real-world costs, market cond it ions, and historical experiences in t he housing industr y, t he President ensures t hat t he g uarantee is based on sol id foundat ions. T his prudent approac h w i ll help mit igate potential risks and promote susta inable g rowt h in t he housing sector Fur t her more, t he DHSUD’s request for t he inclusion of t he 4PH bi ll in t he upcoming State of t he Nat ion Add ress (SONA) is a testament to t he prog ram’s signif icance and its potential impact on t he l ives of Fi l ipinos. By inst it ut ionali zing t he 4PH prog ram t hrough leg islat ion, t he gover nment demonstrates its ded icat ion to long-ter m solut ions for t he housing crisis. Add it ionally, t he assured budget allocat ion for suppor t faci l it ies l i ke basketball cour ts and parks high l ights t he hol ist ic nat ure of t he prog ram, emphasi zing t he impor tance of creat ing v ibrant communit ies t hat go beyond housing inf rastruct ure. T he gover nment’s target to construct 6.8 mi ll ion new housing units by 2028 t hrough t he 4PH Prog ram is an ambit ious yet necessar y goal. T he launc h of t he prog ram in September 2022, w it h t he a im of bui ld ing one mi ll ion housing units annually, represents a strong commitment to add ressing t he countr y’s housing backlog. T his comprehensive plan not only prov ides shelter for mi ll ions of Fi l ipinos but also generates employment oppor t unit ies, st imu lates economic act iv ity, and fosters social cohesion.

The 4PH Program represents a bold vision for a better future for Filipino families. However, its success depends on meticulous planning, robust financial management, and a commitment to transparency and accountability. The President’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making and a cautious approach to the proposed funding guarantee are encouraging signs. If implemented effectively, the 4PH Program has the potential to be a transformative initiative, but the road ahead will require careful navigation and unwavering dedication to its goals.

‘Adapt or die’ I

OUTSIDE

John Mangun

THE BOX

F I was a Civilian rather than a “Want-to-be-Warrior” in the realm of economics and the financial markets, I would probably concentrate on getting my “financial literacy” from the “New & Popular” section of Netflix instead of the Main Stream Media and its illegitimate child Social Media.

Since the days of the Great Depression and on t hrough to t he Great Recession, gover nment and its exper ts have been promising t hat t he economy can be controlled. T hat has never worked but there is always “T his time it w i ll work! From t he earl iest days of intercity trade t hrough global ECommerce, t he interconnect ion of economies has always t hrown a large w rench in the best laid schemes of ind iv idual gover nments. Add in a war on t he ot her side of t he plant and a nat ural d isaster or two, and t hings go astray quickly. For an ind iv idual economy, we must remember t han it is t he ind iv idual effor t—success and fa i lure— of mi ll ions of people t hat deter mine econom ic outcomes. It i s almost impossible to see even a shor t way down t he pat h to t he f ut ure. Our local economic exper ts tr y ing to pred ict t he two most w idely exam ined economic conditions—inflation and g rowt h have a success rat io about t he same as an orang utan a iming at a dar tboa rd. T hey are not to be fau lted

Jin any way. It is an impossible task. T here a re two preva i l i ng att it udes, shaping behav ior t hat mark the 20th and 21st centuries. T he f irst is t hat t he trend w i ll cont inue. We love stra ight l ines, especially t imel ines. Along w it h t hat mindset is an idea t hat is almost counterint uit ive to T he Trend. T hat is t hat t he world is relatively static, not chang ing. “We have not had a global war since 1946. We are mostly happy w it h t he way t hings are and t hat probably won’t c hange.”

Ever yt hing t hat you touc h today f rom your food to how you make a l iv ing is dependent on t he effor ts of basically two gentlemen. Regardless of all of t he momentous c hanges in t he span of rough ly 5,000 years of recorded histor y, Ni kola Tesla and T homas Edison upended those 5,000 years w it h feasible, scalable, and affordable w idespread use of generated electricity.

T he f irst large-scale generat ing plant in t he world, bui lt in 1895, was t he Niagara Power Stat ion No. 1 and

By Erica Yokoyama

APAN’S exports grew at the fastest clip since late 2022 as the weak yen boosted their value, a positive development for the nation’s manufacturing sector.

bi lls are also more inflated, it is d iff icu lt to f ind muc h of a posit ive, as Japan needs to pay more to foreign countries, whic h w i ll increase costs for companies.” T he beleag uered c urrency h as prov ided a ta i lw ind

In 1964, a Louisiana State University business professor named Leon Megginson published an article in which he wrote the following: “It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able to adapt to and to adjust best to the changing environment in which it finds itself.”

electricity was sent 25 mi les to t he booming industrial city of Buffalo, New York. Imag ine doing a f ive-year economic g rowt h in 1894 for t hat area. T hings c hange. But because we have been on a relat ively steady economic track for some 50 years, humans have lost a g reat deal of t he abi l ity to adapt to c hange. No, buy ing t he newest iPhone ever y year is not adapting to c hange.

As we u s he red i n 2019, I told my fam i ly t h at we h ad only one ob ject i ve for t he com i ng yea r : “Make as muc h money as poss i ble and acc umu late

893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com Printed by BROWN MADONNA Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway,

ters,” sa id Ryotaro Tsuc hiya, economist at Mi zuho Securit ies Co. “On t he ot her hand, g iven t hat impor t

Exports increased 13.5 percent from a year ago in May, marking a sixth month of gains, the Finance Ministry reported Wednesday. The gain outpaced economists’ consensus estimate of a 12.7 percent increase, and it was the largest since November of 2022.

Nvidia’s 591,078% rally to most valuable stock came in waves

By Jeran Wittenstein & Carmen Reinicke

THE year was 1999. Steve Jobs had recently returned to lead Apple. Intel was the dominant force in semiconductors. And a little-known chipmaker named Nvidia made its debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

On Tuesday, that run culminated in Nvidia unseating Microsoft Corp. as the world’s most valuable company with a market capitalization of $3.34 trillion. More than $2 trillion of that value has been added this year.

t ur ning t hings around. Meanwhi le, an ag reement between Nv id ia and Intel t hat allowed t he companies to use eac h ot her’s capabi l it ies went sour, forcing Nv id ia out of one of its biggest markets. T he two settled in 2011, w it h Intel ag reeing to pay Nv id ia $1.5 bi ll ion.

t he world’s most valu able company w it h a market capital i zat ion of $3 34 tri ll ion. More t han $2 tri ll ion of t hat value has been added t his year

T he company’s rise was by no means assured—and neit her is its stay ing power at t he top of t he S&P 500. Long-t ime investors in Nv id ia have had to stomach t hree annual collapses of 50 percent or more in t he stock. Susta ining t he current rally w i ll require customers to keep spend ing bi ll ions of dollars a qu ar ter on AI equipment, whose ret ur ns on investment are so far relat ively small.

W hat u lt imately paved t he way for Nv id ia to cl imb to t he top, t hough, was t he company’s big bet on g raphics c hips and t he v ision of co-founder and Chief Execut ive Off icer Jensen Huang t hat t he industr y wou ld shift to what he calls “accelerated comput ing,” somet hing his c hips are inherently better at t han t he compet it ion.

“You have to g ive t he management team, I t hink, an enor mous amount of cred it,” sa id Brian Mu lberr y, cl ient por tfol io manager at Zacks Investment Management.

“T hey have caught eac h wave of innovat ion in hardware per fectly well.” Here’s a look at Nv id ia f rom its IPO to now.

Early years

NVIDIA got off to a hot star t. Between its debut and t he t ime it entered t he S&P 500, t he stock ga ined more t han 1,600 percent, g iv ing it a market value of about $8 bi ll ion. T hat rise came as many ot her tec hnology stocks were cratering in t he after mat h of t he dot-com bubble, whic h peaked in Marc h 2000.

T he company’s key to early success: gett ing its tec hnology in v ideo-game consoles l i ke Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStat ion. Nv id ia’s GeForce g raphics processing units, or GPUs, became objects of desire among gamers because t hey consistently offered t he most real ist ic experience.

“Jensen was always a g reat communicator, told a good stor y, and clearly GPUs were becoming more impor tant,” sa id R hys Wi ll iams, c hief strateg ist at Wayve Capital Management, who was a buyer in t he IPO. “Eac h successive generat ion of hardware gave a lot better per for mance, a lot more real ist ic pict ure and t hen PC gaming really came into being.”

Litigation and competition

THE next si x years weren’t k ind to Nv id ia. T he stock plunged in 2008

as t he f inancial crisis weakened demand and long-struggl ing rival Advanced Micro Dev ices Inc. star ted

US surgeon general calls for warning labels on social media platforms citing mental health risks for youth

By Michelle Chapman | AP

Ton young people’s lives, similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes.

end i ng ma rket i ng to c hi ld ren, sa id i n a statement.

r n i ng label on soc i al med i a platfor ms, stat i ng t h at soc i al med i a i s assoc i ated w it h sign i f icant mental healt h h a r ms for adolescents. A surgeon general’s

T he follow ing year, Nv id ia unvei led g raphics c hips for ser vers inside data centers. T hey cou ld help sophist icated comput ing work suc h as oi l and gas explorat ion and weat her pred ict ion, g iv ing Nv id ia a foot hold in what wou ld become a lucrat ive market. However, t hose c hips d id not immed iately fly off t he shelf. It wou ld take nearly nine years for Nv id ia shares to sur pass t heir 2007 high Crypto and Covid NVIDIA shares took off aga in in 2015. During t hat period, t he company’s c hips were becoming t he foundat ion of emerg ing tec hnolog ies, f rom advanced g raphics interfaces to autonomous vehicles to a new wave of AI products.

T hat’s when Shana Sissel, c hief execut ive off icer at Banrion Capital Management, f irst really took note of t he company. She described a 2017 conference where Nv id ia was more l i ke a pageant w inner t han an investment idea.

“Ever y single speaker talked about Nv id ia being t he most impor tant company,” Sissel sa id. “At t hat point, it was really on my radar screen.”

Even after demand f rom cr yptocurrency miners d ried up, datacenter sales cont inued to g row. T he Cov id-19 pandemic boosted t hat business, as companies needed to purc hase add it ional comput ing power to suppor t remote work. Nv id ia’s data-center revenue rose by a mu lt iple of eight f rom f iscal 2017 to f iscal 2021. AI sales explode

NVIDIA’S shares slumped in 2022 along w it h t he rest of t he tec hnology sector, whic h was reel ing f rom soaring interest rates and fall ing demand after t he Cov id-era boom.

OpenAI’s release of ChatGP T in late-2022 made an instant splash but it took t ime for investors to real i ze how Nv id ia might benef it. Event ually, interest in ChatGP T and ot her generat ive AI products exploded, triggering a f rant ic surge in orders for Nv id ia’s c hips. W hen t he company repor ted f irst- qu a r ter 2023 ea r n i ngs, t he scale of t he ju mp i n its bu si ness shocked nea rly ever yone on Wall St reet. Nv id i a gave a forecast for qu a r terly sales t h at was more t h an 50 percent above t he average project ion.

Nv id ia’s data-center sales ecl ipsed its gaming revenue for t he f irst t ime in f iscal 2023 In Nv id ia’s current f iscal year analysts expect t hose sales to top $100 bi ll ion. “T hey have a ver y defensible place in t he industr y,” sa id Wi ll iams, t he strateg ist at Wayve Capital Management. “T hey’re not gonna be 95 percent of market share forever obv iously, but it wou ld be almost impossible for anybody to replace t hem.” With assistance from Ian King /Bloomberg

Mur t hy sa id. “Ev idence f rom tobacco st ud ies show t h at wa r n i ng labels can i nc rease awa reness and c h ange beh av ior.” Mur t hy sa id t h at t he u se of ju st a wa r n i ng label wou ldn’t make soc i al med i a safe for you ng people, but wou ld be a pa r t of t he steps needed.

Soc i al med i a u se i s prevalent among you ng people, w it h up to 95 percent of yout h ages 13 to 17 say ing t h at t hey u se a soc i al med i a platfor m, and more t h an a t hird say i ng t h at t hey u se soc i al med i a “almost constantly,” accord i ng to 2022 data f rom t he Pew Resea rc h Center “Soc i al med i a today i s l i ke tobacco decades ago: It’s a product whose bu si ness model depends on add icti ng k ids. And as w it h c iga rettes, a surgeon general’s wa r n i ng label i s a c rit ical step towa rd m it igat i ng t he t hreat to c hi ld ren,” Josh Gol i n, exec ut ive d irector at Fa ir play, an organ i zat ion t h at i s ded icated to

Act u ally gett i ng t he labels on soc i al med i a platfor ms wou ld take cong ressional act ion—and it’s not clea r how quickly t h at m ig ht h appen, even w it h appa rent bipa r t i san u n ity a rou nd c hi ld safety onl i ne. Lawmakers h ave held mu lt iple cong ressional hea ri ngs on c hi ld onl i ne safety and t here’s leg i slat ion i n t he works. St i ll, t he last federal law a i med at protect i ng c hi ld ren onl i ne was enacted i n 1998, si x yea rs before Facebook’s fou nd i ng.“I am hopi ng t h at wou ld be combi ned w it h a lot of ot her work t h at Cong ress h as been t r y i ng to do to i mprove t he safety and design and privacy of soc i al med i a products,” sa id D r Jenny Radesky, a developmental beh av ioral ped i at ric i an at t he Un iversity of M ic higan and leader at t he American Academy of Ped i atrics. “T hose two t hi ngs wou ld h ave to go h and i n h and, becau se t here’s so muc h t h at Cong ress can do to follow t he steps of t he Un ited K ingdom and t he European Un ion i n passi ng laws t h at take i nto accou nt wh at k ids need when t hey’re i nteract i ng w it h d ig ital products.”

Even w i t h Cong r ess i onal approval, wa r n i ng labels wou ld l i kely be c h allenged i n t he cour ts by tec h compan ies.

“ Putt i ng a wa r n i ng label on onl i ne speec h i sn’t ju st sc ient i f ically u nsou nd, it’s at odds w it h t he const it ut ional right to f ree speec h,” sa id

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Adam Kovacev ic h, CEO of t he tec h i ndu st r y pol icy g roup C h amber of Prog ress. “It’s sur pri si ng to see t he US Surgeon General attack i ng soc i al med i a when teens t hemselves say it prov ides an i mpor tant outlet for soc i al connect ion.”

Last yea r, Mur t hy wa r ned t h at t here wasn’t enou g h ev idence to show t h at soc i al med i a i s safe for c hi ld ren and teens. He sa id at t he t i me t h at pol icymakers needed to add ress t he h a r ms of soc i al med i a t he same way t hey reg u late t hi ngs l i ke ca r seats, baby for mu la, med icat ion and ot her products c hi ld ren u se. To

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h and w it hout t heir pa rents’ consent. Ot her measures soc i al platfor ms h ave taken to add r ess conce r ns

c hi ld ren’s mental healt h can also be easi ly c irc u mvented. For i nstance, Ti kTok i nt roduced a defau lt 60-m i nute t i me l i m it for u sers u nder 18. But once t he l i m it i s reac hed, m i nors can si mply enter a passcode to keep watc hi ng. M ur t h y bel i eves t h e i mpact of soc i al med i a on you ng people shou ld be

Influx of new CEOs in Japan brings shift in generational mindset

By Hideyuki Sano

ANEW crop of leaders that rose through the ranks of corporate Japan in the aftermath of its economic bubble looks set to advance governance reforms that are key to further gains in the stock market.

Almost half of Topi x 500 Index companies—f rom depar tment store g roup Isetan Mitsu koshi Hold ings Ltd. to human resources tec hnology f ir m Rec ruit Hold i ngs Co.—h ave installed new c hief execut ives since 2021, accord ing to data compi led by Bloomberg. W hi le t heir average age of 62 has held steady over t he past decade, it’s close to peers in t he US, and a world away f rom t he image of an ag ing Japanese business elite that is too set in its ways to c hange. T he shift is par t icu larly important now, w ith investors tra ining the spotl ight on cor porate gover nance refor ms as t hey weigh t he susta inabi l ity of Japan’s stock market rally, which has sputtered since t he Ni kkei 225 Stock Average hit a record high earl ier t his year It also matters as Japan emerges f rom decades of stagnat ion to be a genuine compet itor w it h China and Ind ia for new global investment flows into Asia. Current leaders have “less aff inity to and dependence on some of t he cozy t hings t hat held up trad it ional cor porate cu lt ure,” sa id market veteran Mic hael Jacobs, an investment analyst at T. Rowe Price Japan Inc.

“Tr y ing to max imi ze t he market value of your company is not as t hreatening and d isorient ing as it was for a prev ious generat ion.”

Unl i ke t he CEOs who came of age at a t ime when cor porate Japan was seen as a role model, many of t he new crop were in junior roles as t he nat ion’s econom ic m iracle u n raveled. T hey’re now seek ing out new ways of doing t hings, includ ing embracing investor-f riendly ideas t hat increase ret ur ns. T he sh a re price of f ir ms w it h newer and younger c hiefs increased

41 percent on average since t he star t of last year, when t he Tokyo Stock Exc hange ramped up cor porate governance reforms. T his compares w ith 38 percent for t he rema inder of t he Topi x 500 companies, data compi led by Bloomberg show.

T here are many examples of t he new cohor t pu shi ng for wa rd i n it iat ives suc h as better d isclosures, board d iversity and adopt ion of new tec hnolog ies. T his car ves out opport unit ies for f und managers to bet on t he f ir ms t hat move at a faster pace to improve, and to shun or ag itate for c hange in t he ot hers t hat resist.

T he shift in t he mindset of CEOs is par t of a broader and increasingly posit ive reflationar y picture for Japanese markets, and a recognition that “a v ibrant and dynamic stock market is act ually good for t he nat ional interest,” Jacobs at T. Rowe Price sa id.

T he 45 percent t ur nover in Japanese CEOs since early 2021 compares w it h 36 percent in t he US, and 42 percent in Europe, accord ing to data compi led by Bloomberg.

Annu al gene r al meet i ngs t hi s mont h bring cor porate gover nance refor ms into even shar per focus for management teams concer ned about approval rates, sa id Bruce K irk, c hief Japan equity strateg ist at Goldman Sac hs Group Inc.

T he Isetan M its u koshi g roup, whose f irst store opened in 1673 during the samurai era, w ill hold its AGM on June 24. T he company has seen strong prof it g rowt h since Toshiy u k i Hosoya, 59, took t he helm in Apri l 2021, and its market value has increased almost four fold since t hen.

T he latest ear nings resu lts f rom many companies have “conf ir med cor porate refor ms are accelerat ing,

and we see t his as point ing to an upward trend in Japanese equit ies over the longer ter m,” R ie Nishihara, chief Japan equity strateg ist at JPMorgan Securities Japan Co. said in a research note late last mont h JPMorgan sa id it’s foc using in particular on commitments to reduce net cash at Recruit Hold ings, whic h has been run by Hisay u k i Idekoba since Apri l 2021, who at 49 is one of t he younger Topi x CEOs. Isetan Mitsu koshi also stands out for its prof it g rowt h upg rades, JPMorgan sa id. Nishihara also noted prog ress at Toyota Motor Cor p. Since Koji Sato, 54, became CEO in Apri l last year, t he world’s largest automaker announced its biggest share buyback on record, whi le some major Japanese f inancial g roups are star t ing to d ivest strateg ic hold ings. In Japan, whic h has trad it ionally placed a high value on seniority, cor porate leaders st i ll tend to be sl ightly older t han peers. But t he gap has narrowed w it h t he average age rema ining fa irly steady over t he past decade, whi le in t he US and Europe it’s risen by two years, to 59 and 56, respect ively, data compi led by Bloomberg show.

Even so, about 13 percent of Topi x 500 CEOs are 70 or older, compared w it h 4 percent for S&P 500 companies and just 2 percent for Stoxx Europe 600 f ir ms.

Of course age is far f rom being t he only factor in leadership d iversity as well. Japan is hugely lagg ing ot her major markets when it comes to female CEOs.

“You need to have healt hy clashes of different perspectives,” to improve a company’s gover nance, sa id Katsuhiro Sato, a professor at Waseda B u s i ness Sc hool i n Tokyo and a for mer par tner at McK insey & Co.

“T hat’s st i ll missing.”

Some companies have questioned t he benef it of t he refor ms. A business lobby of f ir ms in t he key economic reg ion of Kansa i includ ing Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Daik in Industries Ltd. and Panasonic Hold ings Cor p., has called on t he gover nment to ease the g uidelines on outside d irectors, say ing t here aren’t many suitable cand idates, par tly due to Japan’s rig id labor market. T he boards of companies run by a younger cohor t of CEOs tend to have sl ightly

ENVOY PRAISES PINOY INTERN WHO SAVED JAPANESE BOY

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

AFILIPINO intern saved a drowning boy in Fukuoka, Japan, drawing praises from the Japanese Ambassador to Manila.

“Heroism knows no boundaries. A story of a true #BayaningFilipino in Fukuoka who selflessly saved a young boy from the sea,” Ambassador Endo Kazuya tweeted.

Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported that a 26year-old Filipino man was fishing near the Hakozaki Wharf in Fukuoka when he saw a boy in the middle of the open sea.

The Filipino intern jumped into the water and rescued the boy, who was not wearing any life jacket.

The six-year old boy was with his parents and siblings at the wharf to fish. But he accidentally slipped and fell into the water. His family members did not immediately notice that he was missing.

Around past 5 pm on June 16, the Fukuoka Fire Department called the Fukuoka Coast Guard Office for help.

People who saw the Filipino holding the boy used ropes to pull them up to the dock.

The boy was brought to the hospital, and was suspected to have suffered from hypothermia. “His condition was not considered life-threatening,” Asahi Shimbunreported.

The boy’s parents asked for his name because “they wanted to do something to thank him.”

However, the man replied, “What I did is not worth giving my name” and went home, according to the Fukuoka Coast Guard official.

“If the man didn’t help the boy immediately, the situation could have become more serious because the boy wasn’t wearing a life jacket,” the Coast Guard official told Asahi Shimbun.

The Filipino, though, gave the Coast Guard investigators his name. He is enrolled in the Japanese foreign intern training program and lives inFukuoka’s Higashi Ward. Ambassador Endo said the Filipino intern’s “selflessness and bravery inspire us all.”

PHL posts its worst record in energy transition index

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Philippines recorded its worst performance in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Energy Transition Index (ETI) in 2024.

DOT revises rules for hotels, resorts ratings

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM

APOSTLE ARSENIO T. FERRIOL

Ma rc h 18, 2024, and reflect developments i n t he i ndu st r y ove r t he yea r s. T he NAS was f ir st i

sm Standa rds and Reg u lat ions V irg i l io M. Mag uigad sa id, “T he updat i ng of t he NAS was sta r ted duri ng t he ter m of Sec reta r y [Ber nadette Romu lo] Puyat and f i n i shed t hi s yea r All t he rev i s ions a re i ndu st r ycons u lted i n t he t hree yea r s it took for t he 2024 NAS to be approved. New i nd icators were i nt roduced for Fi l ipi n i zat ion and D i g ital i zat ion / Tec h nology.”

: A VISI

APOSTLE Arsenio T. Ferriol, founder of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), left an indelible mark on the spiritual landscape with his profound faith and dynamic leadership. Born in 1936 in Barrio Anahao, Odiongan, Romblon, he felt a divine calling early in life that would eventually lead him to establish a global religious movement. His journey was not without its challenges; however, his unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel and nurturing spiritual growth among believers propelled him forward. Under his leadership, the church expanded from modest beginnings into a worldwide ministry with over 1000 congregations in 70 countries around the world. Apostle Ferriol's approach was rooted in deep theological understanding and an emphasis on personal holiness, evangelism, and community

service. He pioneered various programs aimed at fostering spiritual enlightenment and societal betterment, reflecting his belief that faith should inspire positive change both within individuals and communities.

Apostle Ferriol’s legacy continues to thrive through the lives he touched and the institutions he built, embodying a timeless vision of faith in action.

In an interview with the Chief Executive Minister of the PMCC (4th Watch), Bishop Jonathan Ferriol, “Remembering the Apostle’s ministry legacy is akin to tracing the indelible footprints of a devoted steward who tirelessly shepherded his flock. Over decades, Apostle Ferriol’s unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel became a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless believers. His ministry was marked by an unyielding dedication to spiritual growth, commu-

nity building, and profound theological insight.”

“Through his sermons, writings, and personal interactions, Apostle Ferriol emphasized the importance of living a life rooted in faith in God and service. His teachings were not mere words; they were calls to action that resonated deeply with individuals from all walks of life. He established numerous churches in different continents and nurtured leaders who continue to propagate his vision of a spiritually enriched community.”

Apostle Ferriol's legacy is also reflected in his compassionate outreach programs that addressed both spiritual and material needs. His life's work stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith when guided by love, humility, and unwavering devotion

“His life was a testament to selfless service, as he tirelessly worked to uplift and support those

He sa id, i n t he course of publ ic consu ltat ions w it h hotel owners and operators, for i nstance, “bat ht ubs h ave al ready been removed as a m i n i mu m requirement becau se t he newer hotels don’t h ave bat ht ubs anymore, and pa r tly

ONARY LEADER OF A GLOBAL CHURCH

His teachings serve as a beacon for those seeking guidance and purpose amidst life's challenges. By embodying the principles he preached, Apostle Arsenio Ferriol left an indelible mark on the hearts of many, Reflecting on the pioneering spirit of Apostle Ferriol invites us to delve into the essence of a man whose life was a testament to unwavering faith and visionary leadership. Apostle Ferriol's journey was marked by an unrelenting commitment to his spiritual mission, characterized by an innovative approach that transcended traditional boundaries. His ability to fuse timeless religious teachings with contemporary relevance allowed him to connect deeply with diverse congregations, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

“My father’s pioneering spirit was evident in his relentless efforts to establish a global presence for his ministry, emphasizing the importance of outreach and evangelism. He harnessed modern technology and media, ensuring that his message resonated across different demographics and geographies. This forward-thinking mindset not only expanded his ministry's reach but also inspired countless followers to adopt a proactive stance in their spiritual journey,” shared Bishop Jonathan. In honoring Apostle Ferriol, we celebrate not just a spiritual leader but a true pioneer whose legacy continues to inspire innovation in faith-based initiatives worldwide. Remembered as more than just an apostle, he remains a luminous

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

‘Japan’s Sojitz plans to hike cell tower infra investments’

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

SOJITZ Corp., a Japanese general trading company, is keen on expanding its investments in cell tower construction in the Philippines and to undertake initiatives that aim to increase the country’s food production, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI said its field office in Japan, through Commercial Counselor Dita Angara-Mathay, reported that Sojitz “envisions more investments in cell tower construction and colocation.”

“The company is also eager to contribute to the country’s food security and farmers’ welfare programs through its science-based farming project utilizing, among others, its high-quality NPK fertilizer,” the agency said in a statement.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, along with the Philippine Economic Team and representatives from Philippine government agencies met with Sojitz CEO, President, and COO Kosuke Uemura in Tokyo, Japan on June 19. “The DTI extends a warm invitation to Japanese businesses to explore the vast opportunities within the Philippine market. With a strong economic foundation, a commitment to a transparent and investor-

friendly environment, and a shared vision for a sustainable future, the Philippines stands ready to solidify its position as a strategic partner for Japan.”

DTI said the meeting with Sojitz “leveraged” the company’s established presence in the Philippines, with various investments in fertilizers, mining, food production, and automotive dealerships.

Sojitz is present in over 70 countries. DTI said the company is engaged in various businesses, including manufacturing, sales, import/export, and investments across various sectors such as automobiles, aerospace, energy and consumer goods.

Meanwhile, Pascual also told Japanese businesses that the government is “actively” working to create a “conducive business climate” in the Philippines through amendments to key legislation, such as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, Public Services Act, and Renewable Energy Act.

“These policy reforms have captured foreign participation in previously restricted sectors, increased

foreign direct investments, and accelerated economic growth.”

Moreover, Pascual said the establishment of green lanes for strategic investments has streamlined the investment process.

As of May 31, the DTI said it approved green lane endorsements for 68 projects, attracting $35 billion in investments across various sectors, including manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and food security.

Meanwhile, the DTI acknowledged the concerns raised by foreign investors regarding value-added tax (VAT) incentives.

“Notably, the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises [CREATE] Act’s implementing rules and regulations have been amended to address VAT-related issues experienced by registered business enterprises.”

The DTI said it continues to work with the Department of Finance to establish a “simpler and more efficient” VAT regime through the CREATE MORE bill, which gained second-reading approval in the House of Representatives.

Filinvest unit tops off Baguio hotel

FILINVEST Hospitality Corp., a unit of listed Filinvest Development Corp., on Wednesday said it topped off its latest hotel development, the P2.7-billion Grafik Hotel Collection in Baguio.

This marks the official launch of Grafik Hotel Collection, a new line of hotels aiming to deliver guest experiences that will inspire stories about Filipino culture and heritage, the company said. The project is in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and John Hay Management Corp.

The said hotel in Camp John Hay will offer 256 upscale accommodations, five food and beverage outlets, a grand ballroom, meeting spaces and a spa. Filinvest said it aims to open the hotel in the first quarter of 2025.

“The Grafik Hotel Collection is poised to make a significant impact on the local economy. By creating numerous employment opportunities, we aim to engage and uplift the community,” Francis Gotianun, first senior vice president of Filinvest Hospitality said.

“Our project will not only boost tourism but also foster a sense of pride and involvement among the resi-

dents of Baguio. We are committed to contributing to the city’s growth and prosperity.”

“This is an excellent addition to the world-class hotels lining up Camp John Hay, and we hope this entices more tourists to choose John Hay as their next destination,” BCDA president and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said.

Catering to both domestic and international travelers, the new hotel will support local businesses and contribute to the overall economic growth of Baguio City. The project has generated approximately 3,000 jobs during its construction phase and will hire

around 250 to 300 employees when it becomes operational.

“The Grafik Hotel is set to significantly boost the revenue for the John Hay Special Economic Zone by attracting a larger number of tourists. I am confident that through our collective efforts, we can transform Camp John Hay into a model of sustainable tourism and community development, setting a precedent for others to follow,” said John Hay President and CEO Marlo Ignacio V. Quadra.

The Grafik Hotel Collection in Baguio is the eighth hotel property of the Filinvest Group. VG Cabuag

Wellness: The way of life at Sandari Calatagan

THERE’S nothing quite like life by the sea. The gentle sound of waves washing over the sand. The hypnotic ebb and flow of the water. The refreshing scent of salt in the air. The cool ocean breeze caressing your body. All these create a profound sense of tranquility that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s a powerful feeling that captivates us, always finding ourselves coming back for more. This connection with the calming essence of the ocean is a constant affirmation of life’s bountiful pleasures. This unparalleled sense of peace and relaxation defines Sandari Calatagan. Nestled in the heart of the municipality of Calatagan, Batangas, Sandari Calatagan is a luxury beachfront development by Citystate Properties and Management Corp. (CPMC) dedicated to promoting holistic wellness for its residents in every aspect. Sandari’s definition of wellness is embodied in its three core principles: Eat, Move, and Sleep. These principles are woven into every feature of Sandari, from its design philosophy and landscaping to its amenities and events. At Sandari, wellness is more than a state of being—it’s a way of life.

Eat THE development will feature edible landscaping, an organic farm, and a picnic area. Edible landscaping replaces conventional ornamental plants with edible ones like fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and flowers, fostering community engagement and encouraging residents to bond with each other over green living. This approach promotes a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle, connecting residents to the food they eat. The organic farm was first implemented at CPMC’s previous development, Sandari Batulao, demonstrating CPMC’s commitment to sustainability and wellness. Sandari’s concrete actions and initiatives like the organic farm reflect its dedication to holistic living. The communal organic farm grows nutritious, organic produce for everyone, offering gardening

activities known for their therapeutic benefits, enhancing residents’ mental, emotional, and

physical wellness.

Continued on B

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

CUSTOMERS of More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) will see a reduction in their electricity bill this month after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered all distribution utilities to stagger the collection of charges covering purchases in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

In an advisory issued Tuesday night, MORE Power’s average electricity rate this month is P8.7749 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The distribution utility (DU) firm in Iloilo City was supposed to implement an overall rate of P11.8967 per kWh for June from May’s P11.3263 per kWh.

The decrease comes after the ERC approved the staggered payment of WESM purchases by DUs for four months starting this June until September. This is meant to mitigate the impact of higher generation rates that would be

collected from consumers. The company said this move will cushion the impact of high generation rates particularly for consumers of DUs with high WESM exposure amid the recent heat waves in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and a series of red and yellow alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids.

“This lower rate, effective for bills received from June 18, 2024, to July 12, 2024, aims to ease the impact of high electricity bills due to increased WESM generation charges,” MORE Power said.

Due to this deferment, a portion of the WESM generation cost will be added to the July, August, and September bills. As a result, customers can expect a slight rate increase, or an additional P0.7804 per kWh, in those billing months.

MORE Power said the adjustment in June power rates will be reflected automatically and the remaining deferred generation charges will apply automatically to the next three succeeding months.

Banking&Finance

Property valuation law improves investment climate of PHL–group

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) said the passage of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) will improve the country’s investment climate.

FEF said the new law will help spur economic growth as well as encourage transparency and accountability in real estate valuation and promote efficient public services.

The economists said the RPVARA will standardize valuation methods and eliminate discrepancies. This will pave the way for a “fair, uniform system” that will benefit the national government and property owners.

“We also encourage further complementary reforms that will enhance the overall investment climate in the country, ensuring that the Philippines remains competitive within the Asean region and globally,” FEF said in a statement.

The group also encouraged the “swift and effective implementation of the RPVARA to realize its full benefits.” FEF said it is ready to support subsequent initiatives to the law to help promote economic growth and transparency.

“We envision a future where a

modernized property valuation system contributes to a more prosperous and equitable Philippines,” it added. The law grants a real property tax amnesty, which can only be availed within a period of two years after the effectivity of the law, will cover penalties, surcharges, and interests from all unpaid real property taxes, including Special Education Fund, idle land tax, and other special levy taxes, prior to the effectivity of Republic Act 12001.

RPVARA, a priority tax reform of the DOF, addresses overregulation, overlapping policies and jurisdiction that leads to inconsistent valuations.

It also professionalizes assessors and keeps the technical aspect of the valuation process distinct from the political side of taxation.

Currently, at least 20 government agencies are engaged in their respective valuation processes for various purposes, the DOF noted.

The Philippine Valuation Standards, which are based on the International Valuation Standards-an international standard based on principles that encourage transparency and consistency and uphold a high degree of public trust in the valuation practice—are used by the RPVARA to standardize property valuation.

SSS starts sending payment notifications to loan borrowers

THE Social Security System began notifying SSS members via text messages of late payments or past due on their short-term member loans, such as salary or calamity loans, starting last month so they could eventually renew their SSS loans after paying them off.

SSS Senior Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Group Pedro T. Baoy emphasized the significance of the new SMS notifications, saying, “SSS will now regularly issue these messages to its loan borrowers, ensuring they are promptly reminded whenever they miss their loan payments or have loans that have remained unsettled after its maturity.”

Baoy encouraged SSS members to log in to their My.SSS account to check if their previous approved loans have been fully settled to avoid penalties. However, Baoy clarified that SSS member-borrowers who are consistently updated on their monthly loan amortizations will not receive these payment notices. He said SSS started sending payment notifications last month to remind members-borrowers of the due dates for their monthly loan payments.

“We send loan billing statements to our member-borrowers through their registered email address. However, unlike reading text messages, most members do not open their email inboxes. Most of them carry their mobile phones wherever they go, so we saw text alerts as a great way to remind them,” Baoy said.

He said SSS sends these payment notices to help member-borrowers avoid accumulating penalties for late payments and regain their good standing with the SSS so they can reapply for loans.

“If they miss their loan payments, they will be charged a one-percent monthly penalty on unpaid principal and interest until fully paid. If their loan remains unsettled for over five years, the incurred penalties will exceed the outstanding principal amount and interest. We do not want that to happen to our member-borrow-

BIR clarifies rules on DST payments via new circular

By Reine Juvierre Alberto

WITH the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11976 or the “Ease of Paying Taxes Act,” documentary stamp tax (DST) must be filed within five days after the close of the month, instead of 10 days, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 67-2024 last June 18 to clarify the deadline of payment and filing of DST return.

“[The] DST return shall be filed within FIVE (5) DAYS after the close

ers, so we are helping them avoid reaching that situation,” Baoy said.

He advised members to be vigilant and regularly check their SSS loan records by accessing their My.SSS account. “If they do not have a My.SSS account, we suggest seeking assistance from our e-centers located in our branch offices.”

He also reminded them that whenever they transfer to a new employer, they must inform their new employer about their existing loan obligations with the SSS and allow them to deduct loan payments from their salary, including any interest or penalty incurred due to late remittance.

Baoy also encouraged SSS members with unpaid short-term member loans to take advantage of the Consolidation of Past Due Short-Term Member Loans with Condonation of Penalty (Conso Loan), which allows them to consolidate their loan obligations, making it easier to manage their payments and avoid penalties.

Baoy said SSS will combine the principal and interest of a member’s past-due short-term member loans into one consolidated loan.

“At the same time, all unpaid penalties shall be consolidated and condoned or waived upon full payment of the consolidated loan.”

He said members with outstanding loan obligations in their salary, calamity, emergency, and restructured loans, including the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), may submit their application for the condonation program using their My.SSS account.

Under the program, he said they can pay their consolidated obligations loan through a onetime payment or an installment plan.

“For the installment scheme, they must pay a down payment equivalent to at least 10 percent of the consolidated loan and pay the remaining balance for up to 60 months, wherein the length of the installment term depends on the amount of the unpaid loan,” he said.

of the month when the taxable document was made, signed, accepted or transferred, and the tax thereon shall be paid at the same time the DST return is filed,” the circular read.

The circular states that the current rule under Revenue Regulation

(RR) 6-2001 will be followed in the deadline of payment and filing of the DST instead of Section 200 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 or the Tax Code.

Under RR 6-2001, the time for filing of returns and payment of DST was changed to within five days after the close of the month when the taxable document was made, signed, accepted or transferred, instead of within 10 days stated in the Tax Code.

Finance Secretary Jose Isidro N. Camacho and Internal Revenue Commissioner Rene G. Banez were able to amend Section 200 (B) of the Tax Code at that time as the provision stated the deadline could be “as provided by rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner.”

“Since the EOPT Law did not introduce any amendment to the deadline for filing of DST return and payment of DST, the current rule under RR No. 6-2001 applies,” Lumagui said. The EOPT Law, effective since January 22, aims to simplify tax compliance procedures, such as the filing and payment of taxes, to discourage tax evasion. Meanwhile, DST is a tax imposed on documents, instruments, loan agreements and papers evidencing the acceptance, assignment, sale or transfer of an obligation, right or property incident thereto. The documents include bonds, stock dividend, bills of exchange, life insurance policies, pre-need plans, certificates of damage, lotto tickets, powers of attorney, deed of sale, among others. The DST is paid by the person making, signing, issuing, accepting or transferring certain documents, instruments, loan agreements, sales and conveyances of the obligation, right or property, according to the BIR.

Govt falls short of goal to sell ₧30-B

Treasury bonds

THE national government borrowed P24.003 billion from the domestic market through the sale of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) as a result of higher average auction yields.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) made a partial award of the reissued 20-year T-bonds on Wednesday’s auction as it fell short of its P30-billion programmed borrowing.

Maturing in 14 years and seven months, the long-term debt papers were awarded with the average rate settling at 6.781 percent, according to the BTr.

The average auction yield is lower than the comparable 20-year PHP BVAL yield at 6.814 percent as of June 19, 2024, but higher than the 6.624 percent yield recorded in the previous auction for the same securities in June 4, 2024.

The Treasury said the auction was 1.5 times oversubscribed, with total tenders reaching P46.3 billion.

“With its decision, the Committee raised P24.0 billion out of the P30.0

billion offering, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P139.3 billion,” the Treasury said.

The higher average auction yield was pinned to the elevated global crude oil prices and the weak peso performance, which could lead to increase in prices and overall infla-

Officials of Federal Reserve urge patience on

ACHORUS of Federal Reserve officials on Tuesday emphasized the need for more evidence of cooling inflation before lowering interest rates, with a couple policymakers offering insight into the potential timing of such a move.

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said it will likely be appropriate for the central bank to cut rates “sometime later this year” if economic conditions unfold as she anticipates. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem said in his first major policy speech that it could take “quarters” for the data to support a cut.

Both New York’s John Williams and Richmond’s Thomas Barkin demurred from offering a specific time frame for the timing of a rate reduction, but all officials underscored the important role of economic data in the path of policy moving forward.

Policymakers have held borrowing costs at a two-decade high for nearly a year now, and they appear in no rush to lower them. Just last week Fed officials penciled in just one rate reduction for 2024, down from the three projected in March, according to the median forecast.

Inflation snapped back in the first quarter of this year, surprising Fed officials after a rapid cooling in price pressures in the second half of 2023. While recent price data has been encouraging, policymakers remain cautious. Boston Fed President

rate cuts

Susan Collins reiterated that point Tuesday, saying it’s important not to “overreact to a month or two of promising news.”

When asked during a Yahoo Finance interview later in the day whether she is looking at one or two rate cuts this year given where things are now, Collins said, “I could imagine scenarios that would be consistent with both.”

She added, “as I look forward, my view of how much easing might be appropriate this year has been reduced as I look at the data.”

Policymakers’ cautious approach was particularly clear in the quarterly projections released last week, where four officials forecast no cuts in 2024.

“I will need to observe a period of favorable inflation, moderating demand and expanding supply before becoming confident that a reduction in the target range for the federal funds rate is appropriate,” Musalem said. “These conditions could take months, and more likely quarters to play out.”

A string of recent economic reports have shown mixed news for the economy, with consumers tempering spending despite strong employment growth, and inflation cooling after a surprising acceleration in the first quarter. US retail sales barely rose in May and prior months were revised lower, according to data published Tuesday, while payrolls surged 272,000 in the month. Bloomberg News

tion, according to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort. Ricafort also noted the dovish signals from local monetary authorities, specifically Finance Secretary and Monetary Board member Ralph G. Recto, who signaled a 150-basis

point local policy rate cut within two years, adding that a rate cut in the third quarter of the year is “very much possible” following the United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) easing.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona also signaled that the central bank has space to cut rates twice this year to boost economic growth.

“Fed Fund Futures recently priced in 2 Fed rate cuts for 2024, higher/ better vs. the dot plot estimate of 1 Fed rate cut for 2024,” Ricafort added. For the month of June, the Treasury will hold an auction every Tuesday to borrow a total of P180 billion in T-bonds from the domestic debt market and every Monday to raise P60 billion through the sale of Treasury bills.

The government’s borrowings from January to April this year reached P1.163 trillion, with domestic and foreign borrowings amounting to P1.038 trillion and P124.099 billion. Reine Juvierre Alberto

Blue-collar workers boost earnings of local rural bank

INANCIAL inclusion efforts and the use of digital tools have paid off for the Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Inc., following its recent acquisition by Salmon Group, an Artificial Intelligence enabled fintech. Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa’s Chairman and Salmon’s Co-Founder Raffy Montemayor told reporters on Wednesday that its revenues reached P12 million last year. Its year-to-date revenues have already breached the 2023 figure at P66 million.

The bank also saw its total deposits soar by 439 percent, reaching P440 million in May, up from P82 million in the same period last year.

“We are off to a strong start in building a robust financial institution by improving the bank’s products and services and enhancing our customer experience across both offline and online channels,” Montemayor said.

During the briefing, Montemayor said the bank has trained its focus on blue-collar workers who have no prior access to credit or have been given financing opportunities by financial institutions.

Montemayor said this market is composed of security guards, bicycle drivers, nurses, teachers, call center agents, farmers, agricultural workers, welders, and those who have lowincomes have been a “neglected” segment for many years.

He said they used AI-enabled tools to perform credit checks on their prospective blue collar clients. These involved, among others, checking social

media activity to verify identities as well as telecommunication use.

Many of these clients seek financing for business use, such as the purchase of Karaoke machines that are rented and profited from as well as self-improvement initiatives such as education.Montemayor also said they have helped their clients make purchases in various retail establishments such as national and regional malls both online and onsite.

“They’re the blue-collar workers and they’re the heart of the Philippine economy. So those are the people we extend loans to. We’re able to do it in a profitable way, but in a way also that gives them access to credit. And that’s our mission,” Montemayor said.

Salmon operates the Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa, wich was founded in 1963, with the ambition of building the best credit-led and modern bank in Southeast Asia. Salmon and the Bank are supported by world-class shareholders including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Northstar Group, a Singapore-headquartered private equity and venture capital fund manager, ADQ, the sovereign wealth fund of Abu Dhabi, and other international and Filipino investors. Founded in July 2022, Salmon leverages AI-enabled technology and a proprietary credit engine to offer market-disruptive consumer loans, such as Salmon Credit, Salmon Installment, and Salmon Cash Loans. Cai U. Ordinario

Health& Fitness

Strengthening nutrition integration in health system enhances patient care–medical experts

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor

VARIOUS health experts recently agreed on the urgent need to prevent and treat hospital malnutrition, pointing out that good nutrition helps a lot in improving the quality of patient care, improves clinical outcomes, and reduces admission time and overall hospitalization costs.

Dr. Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong, DOH Undersecretary for Health Regulation and Facility Development, stressed that the Nutrition and Dietetics Law mandate the provision of medical nutrition therapy to patients through the Nutrition Care Process (NCP).

Protocols for the NCP are outlined in DOH Administrative Order 2019-0033. According to the order, patients should undergo nutrition screening by registered nurses upon admission. Patients identified as requiring medical nutrition therapy are then referred by the physician to the registered nutritionist-dietitian (RND) for assessment.

“The effective implementation of NCP is a crucial component of comprehensive patient care, signifying a commitment to the ongoing quality devel-

opment within Philippine healthcare facilities,” Perez-Chiong said in a video message. This was the consensus reached as experts gathered in a recent roundtable discussion co-organized by international think tank Stratbase Institute and advocacy group Universal Health Care Watch. They discussed the importance of strengthening nutrition integration in the health system, starting with the evaluation of the Nutrition Care Process in the Philippines.

Crucial role

MEANWHILE, Virgith Buena, Chairperson of the PRC’s Board of Nutrition and Dietetics, stressed the crucial role of RNDs in assessing patients’ nutritional requirements and creating personalized food plans.

“RNDs have a broader concept of wellness, plus the prevention and treatment of conditions by using food as medicine,” Buena said.

However, RNDs from both public and private hospitals shared challenges faced in implementing the NCP. These include insufficient management support, resource and staffing constraints, inadequate training, communication gaps, and duplication of roles with other healthcare professionals, among others.

“We need to take a differentiated approach, said Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr. of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions. ”Reducing malnutrition requires genuine partnerships across all healthcare professionals and institutions to make the Implementation of the NCP successful. By working together with doctors, physicians, nurses,  nutritionists-dieticians, can gain a true understanding of what’s needed to improve patient care, innovation to bring forward new ideas that can deliver collective impact and sustainable solutions.”

Sustainable implementation FOR nutrition consultant Dr. Aguedo  Gepte IV, moving forward requires not just resolving the current obstacles, but also establishing a foundation for sustainable NCP implementation through legislative actions.

“The aim for a potential law to guide NCP implementation in hospi-

tals is to develop a more comprehensive strategy that would prioritize policy implementation review, interdisciplinary cooperation, and educational programs,” Gepte said.

He is the author of a policy paper commissioned by the Stratbase Institute evaluating the integration of NCP within the Philippine healthcare framework.

Dr. Ricardo Adriano, who represents both the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines and Philippine College of Hospital Administrators, admitted that the dietary department is often overlooked as hospital administrations tend to prioritize revenue-generating services and departments. “Legislation can really help,” Adriano said.

Dr. Gabrielle Ann Dela Paz-Tolang, Chief of the Policy, Planning, and Program Development Division at the DOH Health Facility Development Bureau, explained that the NCP should be considered an investment rather than added expense as it has the potential to decrease patients’ admission time and hospitalization costs, thereby alleviating congestion in hospitals.

Participants included officials from the Department of Health (DOH), the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), healthcare professionals, academics, civil society organizations, and patient advocates.

UP Manila develops potent herbal solution for fungal skin infections

THE University of the Philippines Manila’s National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) has created an herbal antifungal lotion using the Indigenous Akapulco plant (Senna Alata).

Skin fungal infections are among the most common complaints in dermatology and primary care clinics, affecting over a billion people globally. Highly contagious, these infections are particularly prevalent among Filipinos due to environmental factors like heat and humidity, as well as socioeconomic conditions such as overcrowding, poverty, and poor hygiene. Azole antifungals effectively treat these infections but are often expensive and require prolonged application.

“One solution to this problem is the use of Senna alata, more commonly known as Akapulco,” said Dr. Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte, Director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine - National Institutes of Health (IHM-NIH). Also known as Candlestick Bush, Akapulco is a perennial shrub widely distributed throughout the Philip-

By Roderick L. Abad| Contributor

THE journey to the best life begins with embracing a healthy and active lifestyle. Southstar Drug and Maxicare provided a starting point for this through Run for Wellness, an annual event with the end goal of empowering Filipinos to develop healthier habits through running.

Held last June 16, 2024, at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Q uezon City, this year’s edition was done differently in honor of the national athletes by supporting their journey to win gold in upcoming competitions, especially the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Also, the 2024 Run for Wellness sought to share the stories of their passion and dedication to bringing pride to the Philippines. In so doing, the event encouraged participants to become champions and support others in also becoming champions.

pines. It typically reaches one to two meters in height and features dense branches and leaves composed of eight to 20 oblong-elliptical leaflets. The plant is notable for its erect stalks that bear candle-like yellow flowers at their tips from where it derived its name. Apart from being valued for its distinctive appearance and ornamental qualities, the Candlestick Bush is also highly regarded for its potential natural remedies for specific ailments.

“Traditional healers and those of other cultures have used this to treat skin diseases. The antifungal activity of Akapulco has been welldocumented in various studies,” Dr. Lazarte explained. Studies revealed that Akapulco

Health and well-being

BEARING the country’s flag in an international sports competition is no easy task. It requires many years of labor, patience and dedication to reach the summit of success.

For Levi Jung-Ruivivar, putting health and well-being on top of her priorities is a big factor in becoming a champion she is today.

“As an elite gymnast, I try to do everything possible to get a competitive edge over other athletes. To do that, I spent a lot of time going to physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, and taking care of my nutrition and mental health,” she said. “I really make sure to take care of my body and do lots of recovery, focus on my sleep, and get the right foods in my system. These help me perform to the absolute best that I can.”

According to weightlifter Vanessa Sarno, staying healthy is very important, especially for young athletes like them. She said: “As we vie for a spot in the Olympics and med-

contains several phytochemicals, including chrysophanic acid and anthraquinones. These plant-based compounds exhibit strong antifungal activity against Epidermophyton, Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Penicillium.

Randomized controlled trials

DR. Lazarte stated that the effectiveness of Philippine akapulco preparations had been measured by the results of seven randomized controlled trials involving 726 patients. Four trials were performed using the NIRPROMP-IHM formulation, which enrolled 461 patients. These trials showed that preparations containing Akapulco are as efficacious as synthetic antifungal treatments containing 25 percent sodium thiosulfate, ketoconazole, or terbinafine cream.

NIRPROMP co-founder and Mother of Philippine Herbal Medicine, Dr. Nelia Maramba led the trials.

Researchers noted minimal adverse effects from Akapulco lotion compared to conventional treatments.

“Randomized controlled trials are crucial to establish the efficacy

als in international games, we put so much importance on our health, so we can be at our very best each time we compete.”

The making of a champion LIKE in any field, sports life also has its fair share of ups and downs. But enduring all the hardships and obstacles towards achieving the goal of winning makes one truly a champion.

For Joanie Delgaco, the first Filipina rower to qualify for the Olympics, the first step to becoming a champion is showcasing what you’re good at.

“Don’t be afraid to show people what you can do. This doesn’t only apply to athletes. You can do this even at your workplace. And, of course, always practice self-discipline,” she noted.

Jung-Ruivivar underscored the significance of setting goals for yourself and loving what you do, saying that “non-athletes can

DOH calls for clearing of stagnant water as dengue cases seen to rise

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

THE Department of Health (DOH) warned that dengue cases could increase if “mosquito water” or stagnant water in any areas or containers that may breed dengue mosquitoes will not be destroyed.

The DOH is also closely monitoring the number of new dengue cases per week as the previously declining trend is now starting to plateau.

“More water means more mosquito breeding grounds. Kill mosquitoes to keep dengue down. Search and destroy stagnant water. Also, don’t let these pests bite you,” said Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa.

Nationwide data as of June 1, 2024 shows that the number of Dengue cases in the recent three to four weeks (5,368) are almost the same as those reported two weeks earlier (5,305). The number of cases from the most recent one to two weeks (3,793) may be lower, but the DOH said, they are very cautious in interpreting this.

Seven regions showed case increases in the recent three to four weeks: Cordillera, Ilocos, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, MiMaRoPa, and Northern Mindanao.

All hospitals and clinics were also reminded to submit reports as soon as possible to ensure accurate case counts and help guide public health decision making.

From the start of the year up to June 1, 2024, 70,498 dengue cases have already been recorded, with 197 deaths.

Dengue is caused by a virus that mosquitoes spread to people. It is common in tropical climates like what the Philippines has.

Most who get dengue will not experience symptoms, but should there be, the most common are high fever (40 C), severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and rashes. There may also be pain behind the eyes, vomiting, and swollen glands. Symptoms start four to 10 days after exposure from a mosquito bite and can last for two to seven days. Most will get better in one to two weeks.

The DOH also advises the use of self-protection measures like long sleeves and pants that cover the skin, or mosquito repellent lotions and sprays.

“Seek early consultation for any symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and rashes. Say yes to fogging where needed,” the DOH said.

HIV, AIDS, STI take center stage as QC gov’t opens ‘Klinika Eastwood’

By Rory Visco Contributor

AST month, the Department of Health

Land safety of treatments,” noted Dr. Lazarte. “Our findings indicate that Akapulco lotion offers a cost-effective alternative to imported antifungal medications.”

Dr. Lazarte said potential investors could capitalize on the global antifungal drug market, valued at $15.8 billion in 2023 and expected to expand further.

“By licensing our herbal medicine, pharmaceutical companies can tap into this expanding market,” she emphasized.

Aside from economic benefits, the development of Akapulco lotion also bolsters local agriculture and champions Filipino self-reliance. “Our goal is to diminish dependence on imported drugs, bolster Filipino farmers, and offer an accessible treatment solution for fungal infections,” she remarked.

NIRPROMP/ IHM actively seeks partners to manufacture, distribute, and market Akapulco lotion as an antifungal remedy. NIRPROMP/ IHM previously developed the wellregarded herbal medicines Lagundi and Sambong, which are now enjoying commercial success nationwide.

unlock their inner champion by establishing goals for themselves and setting aside schedules to help facilitate reaching those goals. You should be doing things you love and enjoy, even when difficult. It’s also good to have a support system that motivates and pushes you to do your best.”

Taking on the challenge of embracing their wellness and rising as champions were the 6,624 runners who participated in the just-concluded 13th Run for Wellness, which featured 3KM, 5KM, and 10KM distances.

Experienced and novice runners, who are well on their path towards unlocking their best life, also joined in this event. They were the executives from Southstar Drug, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Maxicare, select VIPs, media, content creators, and celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez. The next Run for Wellness event will be held in Naga City, Bicol on September 15.

(DOH) reported that there were 3,410 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases recorded from January to March 2024.

Unfortunately, there were 82 reported deaths for the same three-month period. Just in March 2024 alone, there were 12 deaths reported among the 1,224 new cases, with ages ranging from less than one to 55, with 28 years as the median age. About 46 percent of the new cases for March 2024 were in the 25 to 34 age bracket, and 31 percent for the 15 to 24 age range.

Among the new infections, 89 percent were in the Males Having Sex with Males (MSM) category, while 47 percent of the new infections were from the younger set ages 15 to 24, while 74 percent of the total cases happened in major areas with high population concentration such as the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

Overall, the HIV and AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (ART) Registry of the Philippines (HARP) showed that for a 40-year period, there were already 129,772 cumulative diagnosed HIV cases in the country, an alarming situation that the DOH is already studying the possibility of providing HIV services at primary healthcare facilities in the country.

“Seeking help at general primary care facilities linked to and coordinating with HIV treatment hubs can make a significant difference in managing the disease and improving the quality of life for people living with and affected by HIV,” DOH chief Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a recent statement.

Scary scenario

WHAT’S scary is that according to the AIDS Epidemic Model (AEM), a thorough and detailed process that involves collating and synthesizing data that is then submitted to Spectrum, which was combined with the Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) for easier use and ensure consistent data and assumptions and then used to estimate key HIV indicators based on HIV surveillance and surveys in several countries, with the current trend that’s happening right now, new HIV infections may reach a frightening 36,700 by the year 2030.

As for Filipinos living with HIV, a serious increase in numbers is seen by 2030, about 401,700 from 2024 estimates of about 215,400. This alarming situation is perceived due to the lack of improvements in terms of HIV/AIDS prevention services and support for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Quezon City takes proactive step LIVING up to its tag as one of the most dynamic, progressive, and forward-looking cities in the country, the local government of Q uezon City is totally aware of this alarming situation about HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases in the country. This pushed the local government to open “Klinika Eastwood’ to give comprehensive HIV and STI testing, counseling, and treatment services, among others, to its population, collectively called as “ Q Citizens.”

And the opening of the healthcare facility was very timely as it coincided with the city’s “Pride Month” celebration.

Q uezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte waxed ecstatic during the inauguration of this landmark project, which is touted as the first Private-Public Partnership (PPP) in the country to put up a facility of its kind, an endeavor established to gether with officials of Megaworld Corp., Philippine National AIDS Council and the DOH.

“It’s important that the city is able to add an HIV primary care clinic/treatment hub that Q Citizens may have better access to, particularly those who go to malls, residents of Eastwood, and of course the nearby barangays,” Belmonte remarked. At present, Q uezon City has an HIV primary care clinic in five of its six districts and is now working on establishing one in District 6.

The city’s chief executive also emphasized the need for establishing HIV primary care clinics, saying they will help meet the diverse healthcare needs of its population.

“These clinics are important, especially in light of the fact that HIV cases and other STIs continue to rise in the country. We see these clinics will be able to meet the big challenges in terms of medical needs.”

The establishment of HIV primary clinics, Belmonte said, is also aimed at meeting the global target of 95-95-95 by 2030, in which 95 percent of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95 percent of diagnosed PLHIV are on antiretroviral therapy, and 95 percent of PLHIV is virally suppressed.

She also said that the setting up of clinics was decreed under SP 3126, Series of 2021 or the Comprehensive Q uezon City STI, HIV, and AIDS Prevention and Control Ordinance of 2021. This is also part of the city’s campaign of “Zero at 2030: Bahagi ka ng Solusyon,” which encourages community involvement in addressing HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS.

”I would also like to acknowledge and express gratitude to Megaworld for joining our advocacy to promote an inclusive environment that will promote the wellness of every individual, without them experiencing stigma and discrimination,” Belmonte pointed out.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

POP-UP ALERT: BRINGING DELECTABLE TREATS, FUN ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

YOU deserve to unwind after a long week. Jack ‘n Jill Cream-O, from Universal Robina Corp. (URC), maker of well-loved Pinoy brands, is giving you a fun and “chocohappy” space to spend your free time at the Cream-O Me Time Cafe pop-up booth at Greenfield Central Park - Weekend Market from June 22 to 23, from 4 pm onwards.

A haven for chocolate lovers, Cream-O Me Time Cafe will offer a mouthwatering range of classic and new Cream-O products that you can enjoy. Sink your teeth into Cream-O’s delectable range of cookies, cakes and drinks while getting your much-needed me time. You can even buy and bring home some of these goodies for your snack stash at home. De-stress even more at booths inspired by “me time” activities, like reading e-books from the Cream-O Library, listening to tunes from the Cream-Oholics Playlist, taking photos and making social media content via the Pose with Cream-O booth, sharing your thoughts in the Cream-O Freedom Wall, and enjoying board games at the Chocolatey Battle station. Get a chance to take home free packs of Cream-O by posting about your Cream-O Me Time Cafe experience on social media. If you’re looking for a relaxing yet fun weekend activity, don’t miss out on the Cream-O Me Time Cafe pop-up at Greenfield Central Park-Weekend Market. Bring your family and friends along to relax with delicious Cream-O cookies, cakes, and drinks. More information is available at Cream-O’s official Facebook page.

TIPS TO HELP MANAGE ‘ADULTING’ IN SENIOR HIGH AND COLLEGE

EACH milestone in a person’s life marks the beginning of a new phase, a chance to grow and be more. Entering senior high or college, for example, is like a gateway to adulthood. It gives students a taste of freedom and independence, plus a sense of added responsibility—a trial for the real world, some may even say. While academic growth is the main focus, these years also pose an opportunity for students to become future-ready by learning important life skills for their personal lives and careers. Adulting, on top of juggling schoolwork and social life, can be overwhelming after all, but here are some tips that you can follow to make the most out of it!

MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL. Make it a habit to list down your to-dos in order of priority whether it’s just in a notebook or using a digital app and review it every day. Be efficient in doing your tasks so you’ll still have time for activities outside your academic requirements.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. In a time where social media makes it seem like sleepless nights and caffeine overconsumption are a badge of honor among students, don’t forget to always prioritize your physical and mental health. Remember that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Rest well, eat a balanced diet, and stay active to ensure that you are functioning at your best in your classes and in your extracurricular activities.

BE PROACTIVE. It’s the best time to hone your social and communication skills, which are two crucial things you’ll need to be successful in any career. You can do this by joining clubs and/or student organizations that fit your interests, participating in school events, and being active in your classes.

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. Joining student organizations is one thing, but it’s another when you bet on yourself and engage in healthy competitions and activities. STI College offers various extracurricular and cocurricular activities including academic and non-academic competitions like Tagisan ng Talino and Tagisan ng Sining, STI Talent Search, STI Sports Cup, and the National Youth Convention. It is the largest educational caravan that travels nationwide with seasoned speakers and experts from diverse fields, each bringing their expertise and insights to guide thousands of STI students on a journey of personal growth and selfdiscovery.

UTILIZE OPPORTUNITIES. Of course, one should not forget the essence of having quality education after all. Aside from the fun recreational activities, it’s primarily a place to learn and grow, too. Through partnerships with industry leaders like Carnival Cruise Line, Globe, Huawei, SGV & Co., and Unilab, among others, students get a grasp of what to expect once they leave the blue and yellow walls of the school and an edge to the real world.

Social issues to teach: Gender equality

ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY IS DECLINING

WOMEN ARE FACING BARRIERS TO MAKING WORK ‘WORK FOR THEM’

WOMEN NEED SAFE SPACES TO THRIVE

Restricting smartphone usage in schools

PHOTO

FILINVEST LAND WINS DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR AT PROPERTY AWARDS

FILINVEST Land, Inc. (FLI) garnered multiple awards at the FIABCI Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards, including one of the highest honors of the night, the Developer of the Year award. This demonstrates its commitment to excellence and innovation in the real estate sector and further anchors its position as one of the leading developers in the Philippines.

FLI’s projects excelled, with Alta Vida in Bulacan receiving the silver award in the Residential Low-Rise category, Panglao Oasis in Taguig clinching the gold award in the Residential Mid-Rise NCR category, and One Oasis Cagayan de Oro (CDO) taking home the gold award in the Residential Mid-Rise Mindanao category.

These recognitions highlight FLI’s commitment to delivering outstanding projects that offer

Eye Mo Moist is

exceptional living experiences and make a positive impact on the environment and local communities.

The award-winning projects were evaluated on stringent criteria, including environmental sustainability, community benefits, and innovative design.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, FLI President and CEO Tristan Las Marias was likewise honored with the Fellow in Real Estate Award. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to real estate management, highlighting Las Marias’ leadership and vision, which have been instrumental in driving FLI’s growth and success.

This marks the second consecutive year that Filinvest Land and its leaders have been recognized

a must-have item during

Silent Outbreak of

DRY eyes disease (DED) is currently emerging as a rapidly spreading but unnoticed epidemic. It is concerning to learn that one out of every five people in the Philippines is affected by this condition, which is further aggravated by our excessive screen time. According to experts, this issue has been steadily gaining attention and causing worry.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Jennifer Joy Santos-Rayos said, “Our country has a high number of cases of dry eye disease. It causes discomfort, which can have an influence on our daily lives. Dry eye condition should never be underestimated. If left untreated,dry eye disease can even result in serious consequences.”

Dry Eyes Disease (DED) is a condition when moisture in the eyes is not sufficient, or there are tears but are of poor quality and lack the composition for proper lubrication, which can lead to inflammation or damage to the eyes’ surface. The majority of dry eye diseases stem from extended use of electronic devices. Dry eye disease can also be caused by prolonged exposure to the dry air found in air-conditioned environments. This leads to millions experiencing the three primary symptoms of dry eye disease such

Dry Eye Disease

as sandy eyes (Magaspang na Mata), burning eyes (Mahapding Mata), and tired eyes (Pagod na Mata).

Eye Mo, a trusted global brand and a household of eye drop brand in the Philippines for more than 50 years, has a complete life up of products for Filipinos when they experience eye irritation: Eye Mo Red Eyes to relieve red eyes irritation, Eye Mo Moist to relieve dry and tired eyes, and Eye Mo Daily Care to clean eyes and relieve itchiness. Eye Mo Moist contain Hypromellose which is the first line of treatment for dry eyes, according to World Health Organization (WHO).

“Eye Mo as the household eye drop brand in the Philippines takes the responsibility to educate Filipinos how to take care their eyes when it comes to dry eyes condition with the launch of Eye Mo new campaign title “Wag Tiisin ang Dry Eyes #MoistUrEyes.”

More than just a campaign, it is a call to action. We aim to raise awareness about the prevalence of dry eyes disease and the importance of proper eye care. Through this campaign, we will disseminate educational materials, engage with communities, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to spread our message far and wide. Furthermore, our impact extends beyond the products we offer. Eye Mo has been

Galderma Aesthetics, One Nadela Medical Group Partner to Promote Healthy Glowing Skin

WHAT makes Filipino skin glow, and how do we achieve hydrated and radiant skin from within? Galderma, the world leader in dermatology and skincare, is seeking to answer this question by pushing forward on their ongoing advancements in aesthetics through scientific research and innovation for this year’s Skin Awareness Month.

As this global campaign plays out, Galderma Injectable Aesthetics, plays a vital role in this initiative, focusing on activating skin health through their acclaimed portfolio of injectable aesthetics brands, like Restylane Skinboosters, and partnerships with the best skin clinics in the country.

Michelle De Jesus, Business Unit Head of Galderma Injectables and Aesthetics, said, “Creating partnerships is grounded in a shared vision of enhancing skin health through scientific innovation and personalized care. We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on our patients, so they can glow through life.”

In an exciting collaboration, Galderma Injectable Aesthetics is partnering with One Nadela Medical Group, one of the forefronts in aesthetic dermatology, lasers, and cosmetic surgery in Visayas and Mindanao, for Skin Awareness Month. Both organizations share the core belief of optimizing Filipino skin health by providing preventative measures, and aesthetic options tailored to patients’ specific skin concerns. This partnership aims to empower patients to make informed decisions about their health and beauty, fostering an environment where patients and doctors can openly communicate.

“By joining forces with Galderma Aesthetics, we are bringing cutting-edge treatments like Restylane Skinboosters to our patients. This innovative treatment hydrates, smooths, and rejuvenates the skin from within, offering a unique approach to skincare that delivers deep hydration and improves skin quality with long-lasting results up to 15 months,” said Dr. Viniza Niña Nadela-Kong, Founder of One Nadela Medical Group.

at the FIABCI Awards, with Josephine Gotianun Yap, Filinvest Land’s former CEO and current Vice Chairman, being named Property Woman of the Year in 2023.

“We are deeply honored by these recognitions, which affirm our commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused developments,” said FLI President and CEO Tristan Las Marias. “These awards motivate us to continue pursuing our mission of building the Filipino dream, one home at a time.”

These awards highlight FLI’s diverse and inclusive approach to real estate, showcasing a wide range of products and offerings that cater to all market segments and evolving consumer needs. From affordable housing to more upscale residences, FLI’s portfolio is designed to accommodate various lifestyles and preferences, ensuring that every Filipino can find a home that suits their needs.

Alta Vida stands out for its integration of community-centric spaces, creating a living environment with a thriving community atmosphere.

Panglao Oasis is celebrated for its modern amenities and strategic metro location, offering a luxurious yet accessible urban lifestyle and is on track to achieve its Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) pre-certification. One Oasis Cagayan de Oro exemplifies FLI’s geographical diversity, extending its high-quality residential options in Mindanao. Both Panglao Oasis and One Oasis CDO are also praised for their sustainability features, including the Venti-lite concept, which incorporates sky gardens and air-wells to enhance natural light and ventilation throughout the buildings.

As Filinvest Land continues to thrive with a steadfast commitment to quality and sustainability, the future looks promising for the company. FLI’s consistent recognition at industry awards highlights its role as a trailblazer in Philippine real estate.

a staunch advocate for accessible and affordable eye care for all Filipinos.” says Weitarsa Hendarto, Director International Operations, PT Combiphar.

“We Filipinos are known to be matiisin (long suffering), we like to endure pain even if there is a solution available. We use our eyes for so many things, whether at work or at play, and protecting them should always be the primary concern. Eye Mo is definitely the brand of eye care formula that can provide that protection. This is why we launch the Wag tiisin ang dry eyes #MoistUrEyes Campaign (Don’t endure dry eyes #MoistUrEyes)”. To make it more relevant, Eye Mo also engaged with Ken Chan, the multi-awarded actor in the Philippines says Earl Jayona, Sr Marketing Manager Eye Mo.

Meanwhile, Ken Chan, Celebrity Brand Ambassador for Eye Mo Philippines, also underscored the need to have fresh eyes. “Aside from using my eyes to read movie script, it is also important to protect my eyes because as an actor, I often work the whole day and most of the time, it extends up to the next day, which makes my eyes prone to symptoms of dry eyes. I need an eye care solution to keep my eyes moisturized and protected, and that is none other than Eye Mo Moist.”

Aside from Eye Mo Moisturizing Formula, you can count on the “Eye Mo Daily Care Formula” to cleans eyes and relieve itchiness from daily irritants brought by pollution and contact lens wearer, and “Eye Mo Red Eyes Formula,” to clear eye redness. ‘Wag tiisin ang Dry Eyes! #MoistUrEyes.

Christine Yap-Legaspi, Marketing and Customer Education Training Manager of Galderma Injectables and Aesthetics, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “Our collaboration with One Nadela Medical Group allows us to expand our reach and provide advanced dermatological solutions to a broader audience, especially in the Visayas area, ensuring that more people can experience radiant and glowing skin through Restylane Skinboosters.”

To further celebrate this launch, One Nadela Medical Group is introducing a 2+1 Glow Referral Program exclusively available until June 30, 2024. Patients who refer two new clients who will try the treatment at One Nadela Medical Group clinic will receive complimentary Restylane Skinboosters treatment, making these innovative skincare solutions even more accessible.

Patients who have tried Restylane Skinboosters can’t help but rave about its fresh approach to skin rejuvenation. “I used to struggle with uneven skin tone and dull skin, but after a week of my Restylane Skinboosters treatment, the first thing I noticed was how hydrated my skin has become. I now have a very natural glow,” says Jen Barangan. “It has allowed me to stop wearing foundation.”

SM Scholarship: A fighting chance to start anew

FOR those who have been in the shadows of hardships, a chance, a single spark, could be enough to illuminate the path to a brighter future.

For thousands of deserving students from vulnerable communities, like Fritz Mendez, the SM Foundation Scholarship Program is exactly that: a spark that ignited his will to live for a better tomorrow.

Fritz’s journey to where he is today is anything but straightforward. Living in a vulnerable community, survival was the only thing he could think of.

His mother was forced to leave her job as a domestic helper due to the war in Lebanon. This and several other familial problems forced him to stop attending school, feeling that escaping poverty was an impossible dream.

“When you live in our community, it seems expected of you not to go to college or have a degree because poverty is very rampant. I, however, had a dream inside me to show to my community and family that can have a college degree,” he said. “Having an opportunity to fulfill that dream through the SM Scholarship is indeed a blessing I prayed for. I took all the courage to apply and the SM Foundation gave me a shot.”

Starting college at the age of 19 and being older than his peers didn’t stop Fritz from developing his skills and making the most of the opportunity given to him.

The supportive environment of the scholarship program and his involvement in church activities helped him turn his negative experiences into positive actions. He discovered his passion for writing and performing, his outgoing nature, and his leadership skills, which were honed through various church and school activities.

Fritz also developed practical skills like budgeting and time management, crucial for his survival and success in college and future career.

These experiences boosted his confidence and expanded his horizons.

“The scholarship unleashed a new side of me.

From merely thinking about survival, I developed a sense of responsibility, discipline, and an appreciation for the value of labor and money.

This growth was particularly evident during my participation in the SM Scholarship’s summer job program, where I learned to budget my earnings effectively. I was able to provide for our household needs while still saving enough for my allowance in the upcoming semester.”

AS a symbol of the Italian lifestyle, Vespa is leading the way and encouraging modern world shapers to live their life in style. The Vespa “small body” has always represented the youngest and most urban spirit of Vespa, and it has now been revamped in style and technical features, cementing its status as the representative of Italian style and elegance in the world.

The new Vespa Primavera and Vespa Sprint keep their current winning concept, dimensions, and engines, but boost their perception of exclusivity and premium feel by improving range differentiation and providing different aesthetic elements to satisfy the taste of world-changing innovators.

The New Vespa Sprint and Primavera 2024 are a harmonious combination of timeless, state-of-the-art design and the latest technological equipment, pleased to gratify each unique personality. So, whatever you choose, there is a Vespa for you.

Vespa Primavera is the original elegance of Vespa: essential and sophisticated. The simplest Vespa for the ones who require the pure, authentic, and straightforward Vespa vibe. In the Philippines, the new Vespa Primavera is available in White Innocenza, Green Relax, Orange Tramonto, Grey Materia, and Blue Deep.

With a contemporary, fresh look that gives a touch of extra style and lightness, the Vespa Primavera S, a monument of enduring beauty and refined taste, has been updated to be even more fashionable, but remains “faithful” to the Vespa heritage, with aesthetical features that make the usage more comfortable.

Vespa Primavera S’ brand-new look features dedicated finishes and graphics that add exclusive playfulness to pure functionality, built for people who are looking for both a modern and modest look with a hint of style and refined taste.

The trendiest version of the Primavera S range is available in four outstanding colors: Beige Sabbia, Blue Capri, Yellow Mimosa and Green Kiwi.

The most modern interpretation of the sports version of Vespa, the Vespa Sprint is an heir to a tradition of vitality and youth. This design addresses the young and young-at-heart, emphasizing the sporty styles evoked by its name, representing dynamism and boldness.

After earning his Accounting Technology degree in 2014, he landed his first and only job at BDO Unibank.

Climbing the corporate ladder, he is now a senior teller while also serving as the Regional Director of the BDO Employees Association for the Visayas region. While managing key accounts in his area, he uplifts his colleagues, leads effectively, and proposes innovative welfare policies for his fellow employees.

“The SM Group has taught me that family is everything. As an SM scholar, their encouragement and support showed me the true meaning of family. Now, working at BDO Unibank, I get to experience and demonstrate how to nurture my family,” he said. Today, Fritz is able to provide for his family’s essential needs and healthy living environment, especially for his mother who supported his dream of a better life.

“Beyond this, the SM Scholarship gave hope to me, a high school student who could have accepted his fate. The SM Scholarship not only made me the only degree holder in a broken family but also provided an opportunity for me to envision a brighter, more promising future. It highlighted the potential for students like me to begin anew and forge our own paths toward success.”

With an intriguing appearance and a powerful sporty spirit, the Vespa Sprint S 2024 brings a new energy, renewed with a striking red and black sticker for those who have a powerful and energetic temper.

In the Philippines, Vespa Sprint S is available in five colors: Black Convinto, Orange Tramonto, White Innocenza, Green Ambizioso, and Blue Eclettico. Each shade is paired with dedicated graphics and bold black details, with either a matte finish, in the case of the traditional steering cover for example, or a polished look, like the wheels.

To celebrate Vespa’s 78th year and to officially launch the newest colors of Vespa this 2024, Vespa Philippines gathered the country’s Vespa riders and enthusiasts for VESPA DAY 2024: a day of camaraderie, fun activities, good food and drinks, and great music at The Tent at Villar City, Las Piñas.

From displays of vintage Vespa units and 2024’s new colors, a Vespa community ride with rider groups and Vespa executives, exciting test rides and game booths, to food and beverage trucks, Vespa Day fostered a strengthened sense of community and camaraderie among the iconic Italian brand’s most passionate fans. The Itchyworms, one of the country’s most iconic OPM brands, headlined the day’s entertainment.

“Vespa is more than just a vehicle; it’s a lifestyle choice that resonates with the values of our vibrant community. As we gather at Vespa Day, we’re not just sharing the road; we’re sharing experiences, stories, and a passion that connects us all,” shares Nicola Capello, Marketing Head of Piaggio Asia Pacific. “Today, we celebrate not just a scooter, but a symbol of style, freedom, and a rich heritage that has stood the test of time.”

“Join us as we ride into 2024 with the new Vespa products. Every moment is a chance to live life in its most beautiful form. Thank you for being part of our journey together,” says Willy Q. Tee Ten, Vespa Philippines (Motoitalia Philippines Inc.) and Autohub Group President. Visit the nearest Vespa dealership near you to check out the available Vespa Sprint and Primavera

The Vespa Sprint embodies a modern, unique, and stylish spirit of sport. Vespa Philippines will carry the Green Tenace, Grey Materia, and Yellow Mimosa variants.

IN the photo are, from left, Budiarsa Sastrawinata (FIABCI World President), Ar. Nestor Mangio (FIABCI Philippines President), Tristan Las Marias (FLI President and CEO), Florentino Dulalia Jr. (FIABCI Philippines Chairman Emeritus and FIABCI Past World President) Jexter Dulalia Jr.

PHL paid more for imported rice in Jan-April

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

RICE imported by the Philippines in the first four months of the year was more expensive compared to last year, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data obtained by the BusinessMirror showed the average unit value of imported rice, based on freight on board (FOB) costs, in the past four months averaged 0.52 US cents per kilo, 23.81 percent higher than the 2023 average of 0.42 US cents per kilo. FOB, according to Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow Roehlano Briones, does not include tariff and insurance costs.

This year, the highest unit cost of rice imported by the country was recorded in March, when it reached 0.53 US cents per kilo. The country’s import bill, in FOB terms, amounted to $189.45 million for 355,524.161 metric tons (MT).

The lowest was in January and

February, when the unit cost averaged 0.51 US cents per kilo. In terms of total cost and gross kilos imported, the country’s import bill for rice, in FOB terms, was higher in January than in February.

In January, the FOB value of imports reached $239.135 million for 470,876.255 MT of rice.

As the country imported more rice in April, the FOB value of shipments amounted to $264.45 million for 506,352.722 MT of rice.

Meanwhile, in the past 32 years or between 1991 and 2023, the highest average cost of rice imports per unit value was recorded in 2008 when it hit 0.73 US cents per kilo.

The Philippines was one of the countries that grappled with the global food price crisis in 2008,

Govt aims to raise coffee output to meet growing demand

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) wants to increase coffee output to meet the demand of processors.

“We have to make sure that those farms that were given planting materials before are assisted in terms of increasing their productivity,” Agriculture

Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero told reporters during a media briefing on Tuesday.

“We want to see where are these farms so they can be assisted in terms of producing the beans.”

She said the production of quality beans would require the right postharvest facilities that would enable farmers to observe the correct drying and fermentation process.

“The space of coffee is one big exciting industry to look forward to.”

According to Caballero, the department provides assistance to boost the productivity of farmers.

“The DA through High Value Crops Development Program provides production inputs including quality planting materials and fertilizers to increase productivity in support to our coffee farmers,” Caballero told the BusinessMirror via SMS.

“We also continue to

when rice prices hit record levels.

The staple was cheap in the early years of the new millennium, based on PSA data. Average rice prices in 2001, 2002 and 2003 were below 0.20 US cents per kilo.

The lowest cost was recorded in 2001 and 2003 at 0.17 US cents per kilo. The average price of imports

establish post-harvest facilities such as coffee drying, beans storage, and processing and packaging equipment and capacitate farmers to adopt Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices to produce quality coffee.”

Caballero also called for support for Liberica coffee beans, which she said was one of the best varieties of coffee in the world and that the Philippines is “lucky” to produce them.

“We would like to position ang ating kape sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng [our coffee though the use of the] Competitiveness Enhancement Measures Fund (CEMF) para mailatag yung suporta sa [so we can roll out the support for] Liberica,” she said.

State budget documents for 2024 showed that the DA receives a competitiveness enhancement measures fund under Republic Act 8800.

For this year, the DA has a P250-million budget, which the documents stipulated, must be used by the department in implementing programs that would “promote the competitiveness of agrifishery industries affected by increased imports.”

Ada Pelonia

in 2002 reached 0.18 US cents.

In terms of total import cost, the highest paid by the Philippines was in 2008, when it had to shell out $1.778 billion for the staple. That year, PSA data showed that the country imported 2.44 million metric tons (MMT) of rice at a unit cost of 0.73 US cents per kilo.

In terms of the total import volume, the highest was recorded in 2022 at 3.85 MMT. The FOB cost of rice imports reached $1.54 billion at a unit cost of 0.3 US cents per kilo.

Earlier, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said the average prices

of Vietnamese and Thai rice went up in the January-to-May period. Figures from the UN agency indicated that Vietnamese 25 percent brokens, the variant usually imported by the Philippines, surged by more than 28 percent during the 5-month period. As of last month, its average price was at $560.20 per metric ton (MT), more than $100 higher than last year’s $436.40 per MT. Vietnam’s 5 percent brokens, another variety that the Philippines buys from its Southeast Asian neighbor, was more expensive by more than $100 per MT this year. In January to May, it averaged $588.60 per MT, compared to the $456.10 per MT recorded in 2023. Thailand’s quotation for its 25 percent brokens was slightly higher than that of Vietnam at $592.80 per MT. The average price of the variety during the 5-month period was higher than last year’s $488.30 per MT. Thailand’s quotation for its 25 percent brokens was slightly higher than that of Vietnam at $592.80 per MT. The average price of the variety during the 5-month period was higher than last year’s $488.30 per MT. ( See : htt p s : // bu

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DA keen on importing staple for govt food program

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to import rice for a government program that aims to sell rice to the poor through Kadiwa centers at P29 per kilogram (kg).

The DA is keen on purchasing 363,697 metric tons (MT) of imported rice to augment the government's stockpile which it plans to sell under the Bigas 29 program.

According to the agency, the program will benefit persons with disabilities, solo parents, senior citizens, and, later, indigenous peoples (IP), who collectively comprise 6.9 million households or over 34 million Filipinos.

Each beneficiary household is

entitled to purchase 10 kilos per month, requiring a monthly rice supply of 69,000 metric tons (MT).

“This program primarily aims to provide rice at an affordable price of P29 per kilo for the vulnerable sectors of society,” Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement, adding that it would address the minimum basic needs of individuals below the poverty threshold.

Despite the NFA selling price being higher than the previous P25 per kilo, the DA said it is a “very deep discount” to the prevailing market price to ensure that poverty-stricken Filipinos have access to their main food staple.

It added that the NFA selling price was raised to moderate government subsidy for the program.

“A dry run of the cheaper rice program is already underway in select Kadiwa centers and has been well-received by potential beneficiaries,” the food agency said.

The agency said Bigas 29 dovetails with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a foodsecure Philippines, where basic commodities are affordable and easily accessible, especially to poor Filipinos.

Laurel told the NFA Council that the program’s implementation, given the monthly target volume, procurement cost, and selling price, would incur a social cost between P1.39 billion and P1.53 billion per month.

Meanwhile, the NFA is set to procure 559,535 (MT) of palay from local farmers—a volume

equivalent to the amount of rice to be imported by DA. The estimated cost of securing rice buffer stocks to cover 19 days of national consumption is at least P28.39 billion. The government plans to roll out the Bigas 29 program nationwide in early July.

Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law states that “in the event of any imminent or forecasted shortage, or such other situation requiring government intervention, the President is empowered for a limited period and /or a specified volume, to allow the importation at a lower applied tariff rate to address the situation. Such order shall take effect immediately and can only be issued when Congress is not in session.”

BPI: New lab to improve seed production in E. Visayas

THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) opened a new laboratory that aims to bolster the seed testing capabilities of Eastern Visayas.

The attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said its new Satellite Seed Testing Laboratory in Catarman, Northern Samar would ensure the availability of quality planting materials and improve seed production in the region.

According to Ruel Gesmundo,

BPI Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and concurrent Chief of the National Seed Quality Control Services Division (NSQCS), this is “critical” in ensuring the provision of quality seeds particularly inbred rice seeds to Northern Samar.

Ronaldo Calamba, OIC-Chief of NSQCS-8 Catarman, is hopeful that the facility will help increase the number of accredited seed growers and plant nursery operators that will supply quality

planting materials in the region.

Loida Ultra, Chief of NSQCS-8, shared the “pitiful” situation the lab and its personnel experienced, especially during the monsoon season.

For his part, BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban encouraged the NSQCS-8 Catarman to harness the laboratory’s potential to serve the stakeholders more efficiently.

Based at Zone 3, University of Eastern Samar, Catarman,

the facility is a result of the collaboration between the local government units of the Province of Northern Samar, University of Eastern Philippines, DA-RFO8, and the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Catarman.

Funded by the DA’s National Rice Program, the BPI said the facility will cater seed testing and certification programs that will “contribute to the prosperity of the region’s farming community.”

Ada Pelonia

China’s copper exports hit a record as deflation bites at home

CHINESE copper exports hit a record last month, as poor demand at home forced traders to seek markets overseas for their surplus.

Exports of unwrought copper and products in May doubled from the previous year to nearly 150,000 tons, just topping the previous high reached in 2012, according to the latest customs data. It’s a dynamic that has played out across commodities markets where China is the dominant supplier, from aluminum to animal feed. Producers have been locked in deflation for much of the past

two years due to a tepid economy, opening up opportunities abroad where prices are higher, but also provoking trade tensions for items like steel.

Chinese factories were balking at paying up for copper when the global market climbed to an alltime high last month. Although prices have since receded, both spot and import premiums in China have remained negative, indicating that consumption is still sluggish.

The pullback in international prices since mid-May will likely take the edge off exports going

forward, said Ji Xianfei, an analyst with Guotai Junan Futures Co. “Overseas shipments should have come off a bit recently given shrinking export profits,” he said.

Unusually, the spike in exports also coincided with firmer-thanexpected imports, which could show some traders stockpiling the metal in anticipation of demand rising later in the year.

China’s smelters are at least starting to pare their production of refined copper from the record levels seen in recent months, according to the latest output figures for May, although the decline

is more likely linked to a global shortfall in raw materials rather than a response to weak demand.

On the wire

CHILE’S securities regulator ruled that a landmark deal to share ownership of one of the world’s biggest lithium operations can proceed without seeking approval from shareholders.

The world’s renewable fuelmakers are about to face a crunch in one of the most basic building blocks they need to be profitable: sufficient supply of waste oil. Bloomberg News

A CUP of coffee beans sits on a table. BLOOMBERG NEWS

WORKERS carry sacks of rice inside a mill in Kalasin province, Thailand on, November 20, 2023 LUKE DUGGLEBY/BLOOMBERG

PBBM sends off Team PHL to Paris

Sports

PB8

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

NTHURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024

Editor: Jun Lomibao

O less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will send off members of the Paris Olympicsbound Team Philippines on Friday (June 21) night at the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros.

Sports have been close to President Marcos’s heart as he conveys his passion and enthusiasm for the Filipino athletes’ participation in the most important global sporting event that will happen during his administration.

Expected to join President Marcos in the ceremony managed by official Philippine Olympics broadcaster Cignal TV are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and members of the POC board, qualified Filipino athletes to the Paris Games and members of the Philippine Sports Commission Board led by chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann and national sports association officials. Philippine Olympian Association head Gillian Akiko Thomson-Guevara will also grace the ceremony which is

staged on the eve of the departure of several members of Team Philippines to their pre-Olympics training facility in Metz, France, where they will conduct their final preparations for the July 26 to August 11 Games Paris is hosting for the second time in a century.

A Holy Mass will usher in the ceremony which will be highlighted by the turnover of the country’s colors from the PSC to President Marcos and to Tolentino that will also be witnessed by Cignal TV and MediaQuest president and CEO Jane Basas and Cignal TV First Vice President and Head Channel Management and Programming Sienna Olaso. Tolentino will also present to President Marcos the official training and competition apparel from Peak and adidas, while Team Philippines sponsors Cignal TV, Smart, adidas, Peak, celebrated designer Francis Libiran, Samsung, Aice, Delsey, Les Arenes Metz and Olympic Solidarity will be acknowledged.

RESIDENTIAL son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos exuded pride and confidence as he led the ceremonial launch of the country’s firsttime and solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 on Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. “We’re proud and confident of hosting the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” said the 27-year-old youngest son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the ceremony held during the break between the opening-day matches of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week 3 at the Pasay City arena. Marcos chairs the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the world championship set September 12 to 28 both at the MOA Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor formally turned over the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 ceremonial ball to Marcos and to LOC co-chairs Senators Allan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann. Philippine National Volleyball

Germans stun French side in VNL

By Aldrin Quinto

GERMANY came up with a huge 25-23, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23 victory over France in a battle of Olympic-bound teams on Wednesday in Volleyball Nations League Week 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.  Gyorgi Grozer scored 21 points on 18 hits, two aces and a block as the Germans boosted their final-round hopes, highlighting the match with a 6-2 finish to stun the world No. 7 and reigning Olympic champions.  Four other German players scored in double figures as they notched their fourth win in nine matches, improving their chances to land a spot in the eight-team finale in Poland next week.  Germany, one of seven teams already qualified for the Paris Olympics, matched eighthrunning Cuba with 12 points.

Moritz Reichert and Lukas Maase had 12 points each, while Tobias Krick and Tobias Brand had 10 points apiece.

“We really had an amazing week in Japan that led to this performance and our main players are coming back,” Germany coach Michal Winiarski said, referring to a 2-1 result in the previous leg in Fukuoka.

“We’ve been playing without them. I can see that our game is going up,” he added.

France got 20 points from Jean Patry, 16 from Trevor Clevenot and 10 from Yacine Louati, but those weren’t enough to prevent them from absorbing a third loss in nine outings and falling to No. 5. Japan has a 6-3 record, while Canada is at 5-4.

Germany returns to action on Thursday, facing Canada at 11 a.m., while France takes a break before playing Friday against Iran.

Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, as LOC president and CEO, mastered the ceremony which was also graced by Asian Volleyball Confederation president Rita Sibowo and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Witnessing the event were top officials of Volleyball World and VNL and FIVB who are overseeing the country’s third-time hosting of the VNL.

“The ball is now very much in play for the country’s hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” Suzara said. “Dozens of activities are lined up ahead of the hosting of the world’s most prestigious and important volleyball tournament.”

“We will be a sports tourism powerhouse,” said Cayetano, also PNVF’s chairman emeritus.

NBA Finals in Dallas, the Celtics flipped the switch—almost as if they had dissociative identity disorder—in Game 5, in the loving cocoon of their Boston faithful at the Garden. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Celtics did not let the Mavericks lead. When it was all over, Jayson Tatum, the anointed prince of the franchise since his drafting seven years ago, spoke these thoughtful words.

“You know what it feels like to be on the other side of this and be in the locker room and hearing the other team celebrate on your home floor. That was devastating.… This is the top of the mountain. To be able to say we did it, that we came together and we won a championship…we’re going to be engraved in history.”

And thus they are. That they snagged elusive Banner 18 after a 16-year drought is accomplishment enough. But the team also made history in other ways with the win.

According to nba.com, Tatum’s 31 points in the 106-88 win gave him 2,711 career points in the playoffs—the most made by any player aged 26 or younger, making him pass Kobe Bryant (2,694) for the record.

He is the only Celtic ever to post 30+ points and over ten assists in a title-clinching game, letting him join the elite company of Steph Curry (2017), Michael Jordan (1991), James Worthy (1988), Walt Frazier

Cignal TV will also present Team Philippines Paris Olympics song “Isang Daang Taong Laban Para Sa Bayan,” which is themed around the

(1970) and Jerry West (1969).

By Josef Ramos

AMAHANG Basketbol ng

(SBP)

Head coach Tim Cone, Panlilio said, is working with a compact pool of players.

“Coach Tim Cone is honing the team’s chemistry and working more on familiarity that’s why he only has 12 to 14 players in the roster, and that’s very effective so far,” Panlilio told BusinessMirror on Wednesday after the Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board meeting in a Makati City restaurant.

“It’s no longer the 30-man pool or 24,” he said.

Justin Brownlee, who led the country to the gold medal in the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games last year, leads the team along with seven-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Japeth Aguilar, Mason Amos, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao.

“If we can play the very best in

ALEXIE ISABELLA GABI and Inno Miguel Flores overcame early struggles and late-round pressure to rule the 13-15 categories of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Iloilo Visayas Series Wednesday in Iloilo. Both players showcased remarkable resilience and skill at the demanding par-70 Iloilo Golf Club course, with Gabi carding a 91 and Flores firing a 76 to match eight-stroke romps. Gabi maintained her composure and capitalized on Tiffany Bernardino’s mistakes to clinch the title in the girls’ division with a total score of 253 over 54 holes. The 12-year-old Gen. Santos City recovered from a double-bogeyriddled frontside 51, finishing strong with a back-nine 40. Bernardino, struggling in wet conditions, ended with an 83 for a 261, while Rane Chiu placed third at 269 after an 85.

Jaylen Brown, his partner, made numbers as well. He is only the sixth Celtic to win Finals MVP since 1969—the team of Sam Jones, John Havlicek and Bill Russell. He is the first player since Andre Igoudala in 2015 to win Finals MVP without making it to an All-NBA Team. With a Playoffs average of 23.9 points, 51.6 percent shooting and a +6.2 net rating, JB achieved all Playoff career highs. And sealed the deal with the Bill Russell Trophy.

“We’ve been through a lot, the losses, the expectations. The media have said all different types of things: We can’t play together, we are never going to win. We heard it all. But we just blocked it out, and we just kept going. I trusted him [Tatum]. He trusted me. And we did it together,” said Brown.

The Dynamic Duo may have finally silenced their critics. The re are more uncanny factoids from this championship. Joe Mazzula, 35, is the youngest head coach to win an NBA title since Bill Russell. Al Horford is the first Dominicanborn player and Kristaps Porzingis the first Latvian to win an NBA title. Jrue Holiday is the first NBA player to get a ring in his first season with two different teams. And that unbelievable heave by Payton Pritchard from beyond center court to end the half (51 feet) is the longest Finals shot ever

this OQT, I will be more than very happy whatever the outcome will be,” Panlilio said.

World No. 37 Philippines opens Pool A action against No. 6 Latvia on July 4 and No. 23 Georgia on July 5 in the Latvian capital Riga.

The top performer in Latvia will join Spain, Greece and Puerto Rico and seven other qualified nations and host France in the Olympics.

“We will be playing against countries that are above our rankings,” Panlilio said. “We have to win at least once in the group phase, where we’ll be playing two teams before advancing to the semifinal and final where both games are knockout matches.” If the Philippines survives the group phase, next up will be either Brazil, Cameroon or Montenegro in the next rounds.

Gilas Pilipinas begins its official training on Friday at the Inspire Gym in Calamba before flying to Istanbul on June 25 for two friendlies and Katowice in Poland for more tuneup games on June 27 and 29.

oilo

“My first nine holes were tough, but I managed to catch up on the back nine,” Gabi, a student at Quantum Academy, said.

It was a huge boost ahead of her stint in the next two legs in Bacolod.

“I just told myself to focus on my game instead of getting annoyed and distracted,” Gabi added. Flores, who started the final round four strokes ahead, faced strong competition from Luciano Copok, Ty Ritchie Go and Dannuo Zhu. His 35 in n the last nine holes helped him secure a commanding victory with a total of 236.

“I focused on playing consistently,” said Flores, a 13-year-old from Negros Occidental.

Buoyed by this victory, he looks forward to the upcoming series, starting with Binitin in Bacolod next week and culminating at his home course, the Marapara layout in Negros Occidental the following week in the ICTSI-sponsored circuit.

made since 1998, the start of the play-by-play era. The Celtics have been tallying rare numbers all season long,

fashion. And if those numbers aren’t fascinating enough, let’s throw in some mystical mumbo jumbo that you may already have heard to the mix. This championship was won on June 17 (6/17), 2024, 16 days to the day of their 17th championship that was clinched on 6/17/2008. Boston’s primary area code is 617. The jersey numbers of two legendary Celtics, Bill Russell and John Havlicek, are 6 and 17, respectively. Want more? The point difference between Boston and Dallas in Game 5 is 18 points. Banner 18 is the number of the banner that these Celtics have been chasing around for 16 years. It proves that when the basketball gods speak, they do so emphatically. In numbers.

Envoys&Expats

Covid-19 upends businessman’s plans, ends up relishing a diplomat’s work

By Troi Santos in Monaco & Trixzy Leigh Bonotan in Manila

PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO—

There are relatively few Filipinos in this tiny sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, associated with royalty and breathtaking views of the sea.

That is, when one compares their numbers against big European countries, where tens of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) make up a hefty chunk of their migrant work force.

Quite recently, those “Pinoys” relished a once-in-a-lifetime treat: a free pass to a concert—at the Opera of Monaco, no less—by world-renowned pianist Raul Sunico.

The treat came courtesy of the Philippines’s consul general in Monaco, businessman-philanthropist David Zuellig. Yes, of the famous clan behind the multi-country pharmaceutical distributor.

we have this free concert by David Zuellig.’”

Dr. Hazel Zuellig volunteered the information: “Many of them have not been inside, [some living here for 20 years, because the concerts are] expensive. And he rented it.”

Zuellig noted: “We had more than 500 attendees, and more than half— quite a bit more than half—were Filipinos.”

From Sunico’s successful concert, Zuellig is looking to jump-start other events.

the United Kingdom.

“First of all, these are professions that are protected,” Zuellig pointed out. “But they’re protected not just in Monaco or France; they’re protected worldwide. So, it’s difficult, which is unfortunate.”

and of course,” the connections that establish one’s deep roots in the place could help.

Zuellig was asked: “From your point of view, what kind of work do you think can be supplied? What do they actually need?”

families or celebrities are bound by strict privacy agreements. Those of the Prince’s children are Filipinas or Filipinos, for one.

“Well, it’s something that really the government has to answer.”

He concedes that often when he goes around, he finds himself saying Filipinos can do this or that job.

Even though he spent quite a fortune of his personal money to sponsor the concert (he rented the Opera), Zuellig obviously was supercharged by it: Enough to see it as the kind of starter for a series of events that would project the Philippines better in Monaco, while binding the Filipinos there even more.

“But really, what I’d like to achieve in a way is to get to work on the image of the Philippine community, and as you know we’ve had this concert with Raul Sunico recently, and we were actually very pleased with the way it went,” Zuellig told BusinessMirror over dinner.

Quite pleased, the businessman noted that “[Sunico] received a standing ovation.”

He blushed when told that Filipinos interviewed afterwards said “they were so happy that it was free. And they loved you. Like, ‘Oh my God,

In a recent interview with BusinessMirror in Monaco, Zuellig and his wife Dr. Hazel Paragua-Zuellig, who is a neurologist and epilepsy expert, gushed over the experience of hosting Sunico and absorbing the thrill felt by Filipinos who came to the concert. Many of them have never stepped foot at the Opera—by the Casino—despite living or working in Monaco for years. So, the experience was doubly exciting, according to the couple.

“Well for one, tourism of course. Another is, [that] we were at one point thinking of hosting one of the designers of piña…to showcase Philippine craftsmanship.” (Writer’s note: When Zuellig tied the knot in 2015, he wore two barongs, both by Paul Cabral: One was a piña silk barong Tagalog for their civil wedding in Singapore, and another for a reception back in Manila.)

He thinks indigenous materials being used for fashion could be a good bet.

He was asked if fashion is big in Monaco.

“Well, yes. I mean the people travel, so they’re very exposed. Of course, in Monaco itself…you will find some of the well-known brands.”

Asked about the chances of Filipino physicians landing jobs in Monaco, Zuellig said it would be a harder route for those in highly specialized occupations like physicians, lawyers and even nurses, which are in great demand in the United States and parts of Europe like Germany and

He recalled a recent visit to the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace (CHPG)—the biggest hospital in the city-state. (The only public hospital in Monaco, named after the late Princess Grace, who is the former American actress, Grace Kelly - Ed.) Zuellig recalled that there is only one Filipino working there, who immigrated decades ago.

“Well, the requirement is the same as in other countries, I guess. The medical staff has to speak French. You have that in Germany, you have that in Japan,” he commented.

Asked if he thought Filipinos can adapt to that, Zuellig replied: “Sure [they] can. Absolutely.” Still, he sounded tentative when asked about job options in, say, the hospitality industry, such as in hotels and cruise ships or luxury resorts: “Well…Monaco is interesting and somewhat unusual in that…the Palace is supportive of its citizens. So, citizens are highly subsidized. Which means they also get jobs.”

Of the more than 30,000 residents in Monaco, only about 8,000 are citizens. Most workers cross regularly from France or Italy.

Only 112 Filipinos actually live in Monaco.

One can also apply for citizenship, he added, but, “it takes many years

“Absolutely. Very often, actually,” Zuellig asserted. One such recent moment was when he visited CHPG, and wondered how things would be if more Filipino health professionals worked there.

Asked how things were there during the pandemic, Zuellig said: “That explains partly why we’re here,” meaning, they “got stuck” in Monaco when Covid-19 ran berserk around the globe. With their shared experience and commitment to health care, they became more involved in helping people through the pandemic.

Only a few elderly fatalities were reported there during the pandemic though, Zuellig added. “Well, you really cannot say whether it was Covid.”

Nonetheless, he stressed: ”They were very good in keeping the hospitals relatively free from [the contagion].”

Nannies for royalty

MEANWHILE, a scenario that is not so surprising, Filipino nannies are also a big deal in Monaco—though most of those working for famous

People presume that’s the reason the prince of Monaco speaks Tagalog, so much so that when he met former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on one of his two visits to the Philippines, he spoke in Filipino. Does he meet the royals a lot? Mostly, he said, in “bigger events” like the National Day. Once, sometime in June 2022, they were on a cruise with Prince Albert II to the North Pole.

Do they speak like normal people? Or are they very proper?

“I suppose it depends where [they are]. But…generally speaking, he’s very approachable. More so apparently when he’s abroad; when he travels.”

The couple describes the prince as “very capable, very personable— friendly,” but Zuellig says the monarch bears quite a burden: “Apparently on average, he has 15 appointments a day. So that really doesn’t leave you a lot of time for yourself.” As for him: How does he define contentment in life and happiness?

BusinessMirror inquired.

“Well, I thought it was retirement,” quipped the man who doesn’t look a bit tired of serving his countrymen on top of keeping the post of managing director of the family’s corporate group.

“He never retired,” volunteered “Doctora” Hazel.

June 20, 2024

Italian envoy honors enduring friendships

Story & photos by Vicente J. Carlos

THE Embassy of Italy recently celebrated its country’s 78th Republic Day (“Festa della Repubblica”) with a glittering cocktail reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taguig City.

In his message, Ambassador Marco Clemente informed guests that unlike previous celebrations, the festival would last for a week. It was to be his last “Festa…,” as he will retire from diplomatic service after almost 40 years of a career that took him to all five continents. According to him, the diplomat wanted to make this year’s Italian Day celebration exceptionally memorable to mark the special attachment that he and his family will always be feeling for the Philippines. There, he expressed his special fondness of the “country’s real wealth: Its people.”

“[I find the Filipinos] amazing, hospitable, warm, and happy people,” said Clemente. “[If I have to find one secret to these traits], there is one word: ‘bayanihan:’ a sense of community which is something you must treasure.”

Undersecretary Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs delivered the response on behalf of the national government. He mentioned that Italy ranks as the fourth-largest trading partner of the Philippines in the European Union, with more than 500 companies in the Philippines with Italian equity, as well as a growing number of Filipino-owned companies in Italy.

This was followed by two renditions of Italian and Filipino compositions performed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Unlike most countries who mark their national days after winning a war or a revolution, the Republic of Italy was established after an institutional referendum with which the Italians decided on the second day of June 1946. It enabled the creation of a republic instead of a monarchy. Clemente said the referendum celebrated “the very symbol of democracy.”

The European archipelagic country is home to more than 200,000 Filipinos.

Continued from C

The company is present in 15 countries in Asia, but Zuellig acknowledges that his generation must constantly keep pace with the changing ways things are done better and smarter. “Innovations, yes, as you well know. We live in a world that has changed a lot.” Asked what they are best known for, it’s “pharmaceutical distribution. We do some manufacturing, but [beyond that, it’s distribution and] marketing of pharmaceutical products. And that is pretty much exclusively in Southeast Asia, including South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.”

Opera for the people CLEMENTE admitted that bringing an opera performance to the deprived community in Tondo in Manila was not an easy task.

Part of the “Festa…” line up, the embassy collaborated with the Manila Symphony Orchestra and talented Filipino theater artists to bring the one-act opera “Gianni Schicci” by Puccini in Tondo last March. The opera show was also highlighted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death.

With a makeshift stage, the opera performance was held at the multipurpose court of San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo, Manila, with more than 600 members of the community, including children from CanossaTondo Children’s Foundation Inc. led by Italian priest Fr. Giovanni Gentilin FdCC.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and his wife Pamela joined the ambassador and his wife Maria, along with the members of the diplomatic community and religious representatives at the well-received opera performance.

“Bringing opera [in Tondo] was not an easy task; it’s a strange form of art—it needs preparation,” said Clemente following the opera performance. “We did not have a stage, so there was a need to devise, and [the performers] had to stop five times to tell the story in Filipino.”

During the event, Manalo said the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Italy are robust, covering areas of cooperation in the fields of trade, defense and technology. But the opera performance in Tondo “exemplifies the strength of cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges” between the two countries.

“Culture is a great unifier of people. Opera [performances] should not be kept cloistered within the fine halls of theater and exhibition spaces, but brought to the heart of society and all the people,” said Manalo before

With so much on his plate, does he ever sleep? Hobbies? He plays golf, and watches tennis. And yes, he says he still sleeps. Origins of the diplomatic post HOW did Zuellig come upon this post? Did he ever have reservations, given his extremely busy schedule as a business leader of a major pharmaceutical group? “Oh, this post here? That’s relatively easy. We came here and I was under the illusion that I could retire and we visited. And obviously, it all happened so fast.”

He continued: “We visited the embassy and [Philippine ambassador to France Ma. Theresa] Lazaro. We got to talk, and one

the performance.

He added that: “It is therefore heartwarming to see that the embassy has arranged for this performance for the community of Tondo this very unique treasure of Italian opera now being shared to our children.”

The secretary said while the two countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations, the country’s ties with Italy date back for many centuries based on the journals of Antonio Pigafetta: the Venetian scholar and explorer.

The presence of more than 200,000 Filipinos in Italy, which comprise sixth-largest migrant community, continues to strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations, he said. Clemente, for his part, made his mark as the first envoy who brought opera performance in a basketball court in Tondo—a town known for being the face of poverty since it hosted the Smokey Mountain, a massive dumpsite.

“Children enjoyed it immensely, and I felt vindicated for offering this

thing led to another.”

At that time, the Department of Foreign Affairs under Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. was reportedly looking for a replacement of Zuellig’s father Stephen, who once upon a time brought the Madrigal Singers and the Bayanihan Dance Troupe to Monaco. Dr. Stephen Zuellig was the Philippine honorary consul general in Monaco in the late 1970s, having been appointed by thenforeign affairs secretary Carlos P. Romulo, according to a column by Roberto Romulo. The younger Zuellig accepted the challenge to be honorary consul-general, though unplanned, because, “it’s a good thing that we have representation. It

event,” the ambassador remarked.

The full performance of “Gianni Schicchi: A live opera in Tondo,” was shown for free in the upscale cinema of Greenbelt 3 in Makati last June 7. The performance was also well received by the Makati audience.

Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” is the story of the Donati family, whose heirs tried to change the will of their deceased aristocrat relative Buoso to inherit his fortune. They enlist a peasant, Gianni Schicchi, to impersonate Buoso so they can dictate a new will.

On June 9, the embassy capped the National Day celebration by hosting the performance of another Puccini’s masterpiece “Messa di Gloria” at the historic San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.

The evening performance was in collaboration with St. Scholastica’s College Manila led by Sr. Agnella Capili OSB, the SSC School of Music, and the Sr. Baptista Battig Music Foundation Inc.

In his opening address, Clemente said the event not only represents

doesn’t have to be me or such, but I think it’s a good idea to have representation.”

Nonetheless, he shuns suggestions that he has the charm needed for a diplomat to promote people: “I don’t have the charm; my wife has [it], that’s for sure.”

As consul general of the Philippines to Monaco, Zuellig certainly finds ample opportunities to wield his diplomatic skills and pursue even more his philanthropic pursuits, having been active in this circle since the early 2000s.

He is particularly proud of the publichealth projects they support through the Zuellig Memorial Public Health Foundation, especially one in the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines,

a landmark performance in modern Philippine history since Puccini’s era, but also holds potential distinction as a pioneering event in Asia: “Particularly notable is its faithful adherence to the tradition of incorporating the Holy Mass, reminiscent of the esteemed composer’s historic era.”

Conductor Maria Lourdes Hermo led the performance that displayed talents of the SSC Community Orchestra and choirs: Battig Chamber Singers and Kammerchor Manila. Renowned soloists Tenor Ervin Lumauag and baritone Raymond Leslie Diaz also performed adding to the evening’s splendor.

Enduring friendships

IN the context of the “Italian Republic Day 2024 Celebrations” and in collaboration with the Servants of Charity in Quezon City, a special “Street Food Fiesta” was organized on June 8 to express and celebrate the Italian Embassy’s gratitude, while acknowledging its enduring

where his physician-wife graduated. An eponymous park, perhaps? ZUELLIG rues the scarcity of good public parks in the Philippines: “I was going to say, when we were talking about the golf courses, I suspect one of the reasons they’re so expensive as well—maybe not Manila Golf—is that they offer green spaces. You’re absolutely correct.” He continued: “Why is Singapore so popular? You can actually walk very long distances having greenery around. Very well-planned. Manila has become so big, it takes you forever to get out.” How does he want to be remembered? BusinessMirror suggested: “Would you

friendship and generous support for the said community that for decades. The latter has been assisting and welcoming children and young adults with disabilities, while fostering their creativity and abilities. Additionally, the event served as Clemente’s farewell event, as he starts his journey toward retirement. He took the opportunity to highlight the value of friendship that binds the embassy with the community “which will endure even across distances.” This event, dubbed as “Friends are Forever,” unfolded in Pinkian Road, Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora in Quezon City. There, children from the community showcased their abilities through a talent show, where they delighted all those who attended through their songs and dances. The event also featured a band performance, community lunch, and a gift exchange, which fostered a sense of camaraderie and appreciation among attendees.

With reports from Star Torres and Mike Policarpio

build a park in the Philippines? Imagine if you would build one park in the Philippines under your name—which is free for the poor people.” Then he remembered the late Washington SyCip: “They built a…park, and named after him.” It actually provides a shaded asylum for weary city workers and residents in Salcedo Village, Makati City. Yes, the idea of having a simple park named after him seems to light up his eyes. In the meantime, the businessman who thought he could retire and ended up doing double work is just enjoying the moment—thinking, along with his spouse, of ever better ways to make

&Expats

Filled

with pride and patriotism,

Filipinos overseas mark 126th Independence Day

FILIPINOS all over the globe brimmed with nationalistic pride as they commemorated the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence and nationhood.

The colorful celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day took to the streets of New York City on June 2, with more than 100 Filipino-American organizations.

The parade, a grand display of Filipino culture and heritage, was led by Grand Marshal Charina Amunategui, Philippine Independence Day Council president Arman David, and notable dignitaries that included Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Assemblymember Steven Raga, who is the first Filipino elected to the State Assembly in New York, plus other local government officials from “the Big Apple” and nearby states.

The Filipino community in Albany, upstate New York, continued the festivities on June 4, with an event organized by the office of Raga and the Philippine ConsulateGeneral. Filipinos from the area and neighboring towns, including a large contingent from New York City, gathered at the New York State Capitol for the second annual commemoration.

countries. Highlights of the event included a medley of Philippine dances performed by Thailand-based Filipino teachers and a Filipino quintet that delivered a moving a cappella rendition of “Lupang Hinirang,” then serenaded guests with Filipino songs throughout the evening.

bonds of friendship and cooperation that have been nurtured over the past 75 years between the Philippines and Thailand. [It] extends its heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and partners for making the celebration a resounding success.”

Pinoys in Milan drive home point

Mayor Eric G. Canosa of Gingoog City brought the Kuyamis Festival Group who performed in the streets of New York City, which added color to the dynamic festivities. Entertainment was provided by iconic Filipino crooner Nonoy Zuniga, 4th Impact (known for their performance on 12th season of “The X Factor-UK”), Mig Ayesa, Jenn Cuneta, Angel Ram, and other local entertainers.

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York publicly praised the Filipinos in the state: “I love this community, from the time in 1989 when I passed legislation to allow the nurses who did such good work to stay in New York. You personify great American values: hard work, love of family, safe streets, education…the Filipino people are some of the nicest people on Earth. Mabuhay!”

In a show of solidarity, ConsulGeneral Senen Mangalile extended invitations to the Asean Consulates General in New York. The parade along Madison Avenue included Consul-General Amir Farid Abu Hassan of Malaysia, Consul General Somchai Taphaopong of Thailand, Consul Chew Ee Lin of Singapore, Consul Nadia Marlene Eunike of Indonesia, and Consul Bui Dang Quan of Vietnam. Their participation highlighted shared values and common heritage that enhanced the spirit of the event.

This year’s merrymaking have once again underscored the Filipino community’s rich cultural heritage and its key contributions to the varied cultural blend of New York.

PHL night in Bangkok

MEANWHILE, the Embassy of the Philippines in Thailand dovetailed the celebrations with the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on June 12 at the Chadra Ballroom of Siam Kempinski-Bangkok Hotel.

The grand event was attended by high-ranking officials and members of the diplomatic corps, the Filipino community, and the embassy’s esteemed friends. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra represented Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa as the event’s guest of honor.

The program was rich with cultural showcases and artistic presentations that reflected the vibrant heritage and strong ties of both

A video montage created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the enduring friendship and shared history between the Philippines and Thailand. Additionally, four winners of the logo-design contest, which began in January, were recognized for their creative contributions. The program also featured demonstrations of arnis and Muay Thai—the martial arts forms from both countries—plus emphasized cultural exchanges and mutual respect.

An art exhibit highlighted works from ArtShow Philippines, Bangkokbased artist Parker Bolanio and internationally-awarded intuitive visual artist Hanna Supetran, which underscored the rich artistic talents of Filipinos.

Main feature was a special collection by renowned fashion designer Oliver Tolentino which showcased his exceptional designs and use of Philippine and Thai fabric in modern renditions of haute cout ure Filipiniana pieces.

According to the embassy, the event was a “testament to the strong

TO mark Independence Day, Filipinos in Italy protest Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea outside the Philippine Consulate in Milan.

They also issued a statement, which read: “We, the leaders of the Bayanihan Council representing the Filipino community in Northern Italy, express our collective outrage over the illegal occupation by China in the West Philippines Sea and the bullying tactics it has been employing against the Philippines and the Filipino people. We condemn the dangerous and aggressive actions of China in recent weeks that include the firing of water cannons and other forms of harassment against Philippine Coast Guard and civilian vessels and personnel carrying out resupply missions, medical evacuations, and research work and against our fishermen who are fishing within our exclusive economic zone in the [WPS].”

Their declaration continued:

“The Philippines is a peaceful

country, and we Filipinos are a peace-loving people who are being subjected to hostile acts by a country that has violated our sovereign rights by illegally occupying portions of the [WPS] that we are entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea [or UNCLOS]. On the occasion of the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence, we urge Italy and the rest of the European Union to support the Philippines and other nations in their call for China to desist from its unlawful activities in the [WPS], and be the responsible member of the international community that it should be by respecting international law.”

Locsin leads UK festivities OVER in the United Kingdom, Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. participated in the various Filipino religious and non-sectoral community organizations in their celebration of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence at Our Lady of Victories Church in Kensington, which was organized by the Filipino Chaplaincy of London. In remarks posted in his X account, Locsin said such

tions of Philippine Independence

“[are] a

and

and

of

of

Japan propagates digital birth registration for Bangsamoro Region’s at-risk population

AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo recently signed and exchanged notes for “The Project for Promoting Digital Birth Registration of Populations at-risk of Statelessness in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao [BARMM].”

Endo formalized the project on June 11 with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Philippines’ head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo. While the national birth registration rate in the Philippines is at 96.6 percent, BARMM’s still posts the lowest score at 77 percent. The UNHCR has been working to support the Bangsamoro government, through the BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), in expanding birth-registration coverage for marginalized groups, including the itinerant seafaring Sama Bajaus, unregistered children displaced by armed conflict, plus decommissioned combatants and their families in the region. The Japanese government will contribute ¥858,000,000 (approximately $5.5 million) to significantly

enhance the project and expand its coverage to decommissioned combatants and their families, which is in-line with efforts to contribute to the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Within a 30-month program period, this project will work on the conduct of the following: (1) Capacity-building for local government and local civil registrars; (2) Provision of information technology equipment for digitization of the process and equipment for mobile birth-registration caravans; (3) Birth registration of 30,000 individuals; (4) Awarenessraising activities in target communities; and (5) Development assistance for communities in the form of a quick impact project.

By establishing necessary mechanisms and systems, the project will

contribute to the overall improvement of the region’s birth registration by reaching 92 percent of the estimated 1 million unregistered individuals, with 130,000 benefitting in the next 30 months, and 800,000 more indirectly in the next 10 years. In his speech, Endo expressed his hopes that the continued collaboration between the UNHCR and Japan in BARMM through the project would cultivate “an environment conducive for prosperity and sound growth,” where the region’s residents “can continue to enjoy the dividends of peace.” He was also grateful to the UNHCR for proposing the project,

as he described it as an embodiment of the Humanitarian-DevelopmentPeace Nexus concept upheld by the UNHCR and Japan.

Also in attendance were Minister Raissa Herradura Jajurie of the MSSD; Senior Undersecretary Isidro Purisima of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity: UN’s resident coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González, Philippine Representative Oyun Dendevnorov of the UN Children’s Fund or UNICEF; as well as officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, and Philippine Statistics Authority.

France, PHL partner for the oceans thru ‘Blue Nations’

Phil. Survivor Network gets grant from Austria

THE Embassy of Austria and the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN) recently formalized the grant agreement for “Project BRACE” (Building Resilience and Agency through Crafts and Expressive Arts).

Said agreement covers the Austrian Embassy’s commitment to provide a series of therapeutic workshops that will help PSN members explore their emotions and express themselves creatively. PSN members, who are survivors of online sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation, will engage in three distinct workshops focusing on pottery, photography, and painting—each tailored to enhance their coping skills and promote emotional resiliency.

The project aims to harness the transformative power of art to help survivors reclaim their voices and rewrite their narratives, according to the embassy.

The PSN is an all-inclusive network for survivors of child sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation, and children’s online sexual exploitation who desire and pursue safe communities via justice systems that protect the most vulnerable.

A survivor of human trafficking, “Charito” (not her real name) serves as the PSN’s chairperson. According to her, “this is a historic moment for [us], as this is the first grant we are receiving directly as a network. I am

honored to receive it on behalf of the PSN, especially because it is a project that I and my fellow survivor leaders really need today.”

She confirmed: “[The grant] will help us continue healing from our trauma triggers, which would help us advocate for further protection from, and prevention of, online sexual exploitation of children, and other forms of human trafficking.”

With the guidance of experts from the International Justice Mission, PSN will also be able to exercise and enhance their project and grant management skills as they implement Project BRACE.

The Austrian Embassy is the PSN’s first grant-funding partner since the network was launched in February 2023.

“Through this project, we express Austria’s commitment to amplifying survivor voices, [their] inherent patronage of the arts, and how it’s possible to combine those passions to powerfully impact public understanding of online sexual exploitation and the larger issue of human trafficking,” remarked Ambassador Johann Brieger. “We look forward not only to the art that would come out of this, but also to the positive impact this will have for survivor leaders from the PSN.” Art

AMBASSADOR Brieger and PSN’s “Charito”

AMBASSADOR Endo (right) and Commissioner Valdeavilla-Gallardo