BusinessMirror June 22, 2024

ON 20-MO LOW CLOSING, PESO MAY DIP FURTHER

By Cai U. Ordinario

THE Philippine peso could depreciate further against the US dollar level as the upcoming Monetary Policy meeting happens on Thursday next week, according to economists.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) showed the peso closed at P58.8 to the US dollar on Friday. This marked a 20-month low since since October 24, 2022, when it closed at P58.87 to the greenback.

Unionbank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion told the BusinessMirror that they expect the peso to trade between P58.5 and P59 against the US dollar next week.

“This is largely based on the clarity of the timing and pace of the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] rate easing cycle, which we will know next week,” Asuncion said. “Remarks of the BSP Governor will be key.” Bank of the Philippine Islands Chief Economist Emilio S. Neri Jr. also told this newspaper that there is room for further peso depreciation in the short term.

KEY POINTS: PHP’S 20-MONTH LOW AND FORECASTED TRENDS

Philippine peso hits 20-month low against USD on June 20, 2024.

Forecasted trading range: P58.5 to P59 next week.

Depreciation factors: BSP rate easing, economic trends, interest differentials.

Aligned with Asian and EM currencies.

BSP predicts BOP surplus despite peso depreciation.

Experts foresee further weakening, possibly exceeding P60.

BSP views depreciation as temporary, expects more forex supply. Peso’s performance tied to global and domestic economic factors.

By Butch Fernandez

This, Neri said, is especially the case if the country’s inflation rate continues to trend downward while US GDP growth and inflation trends slow.

“Since these divergent trends will translate to a narrowing interest differentials, PHP will likely join other Asian and EM [emerging market] currencies in this depreciation trend,” Neri told BusinessMirror

However, Neri said, the strengthening of the US dollar could change in the second semester of 2024 as the US Federal Reserve begins its policy easing cycle.

“EM currencies including the USD/PHP is weakening against the greenback as Fed keeps higher rates for longer. USD/PHP weakness still better compared to peers. It could still weaken further,” Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co., told the BusinessMirror.

Continued on A2

WOOING JAPAN’S FACTORIES

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto led the Philippine delegation to Japan in wooing Japanese manufacturing giants on Friday, June 21, 2024, to expand their operations in the country, pitching it as Asia’s most strategic hub for cutting-edge production and innovation. The companies included MinebeaMitsumi Inc., the Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. and Taiheiyo Cement Corporation. MinebeaMitsumi Inc. is a Japanese multinational manufacturer of mechanical components and electronic devices with three factories in the Philippines. Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. manufactures and sells high-quality tires and industrial products. Taiheiyo Cement Corporation is involved in cement, mineral resources, environmental and construction materials globally. Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI), headquartered in Cebu, is known for its commitment to investing capital, advanced technologies, and materials supporting infrastructure, mass housing, and commercial development projects in line with the Build, Better, More infrastructure program. The meetings were held on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing in Japan. Related story on the PEB in A3 News. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

nisms,

country or China if

we can do it here, which is cheaper?” Poe stressed.

“We all want modernization here, but not if thousands will lose their livelihood or transportation. What is the point of jeepney running fast if those who need to be boarded are left behind?” she added.

In her opening remarks at the hearing, Poe recalled that lawmakers had started inquiring into the PUV program seven years ago. Throughout that time, “this committee has never stopped asking the Department of Transportation to revisit the program while we begged for cooperation from the drivers-operators and commuters.”

When they scrutinized the budget of the Department of Transportation the last time, Poe recalled hearing another promise that the DOTr will revise the program.

PBBM declares monthlong holiday for Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PCity, the chief executive said he supports the proposal of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for the 30-day suspension of the collection of toll fees for the expressway.

“We welcome this call and thank the PRA for its initiative to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs to our motorists,” Marcos said. The toll holiday will cover all types of vehicles passing through the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway in Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Kawit.

“This will introduce our new roads, expressways to those who are in need of that transport system,” Marcos said.

“I now count on our Toll Regulatory Board to ensure the immediate implementation, for the benefit of the riding and the public transport,” he added.

The President led the inauguration of the Cavitex C5 Link Sucat Interchange and the groundbreaking of the Cavitex-Calax Link and the Cavitex C5 Link Segment 3B. He lauded the said projects, which, he said, will help ease traffic flow in the greater Metro Manila area.

He said the new interchange will allow the travel from the Cavitex R1 to Sucat, Parañaque City, within just five minutes and benefit around 23,000 vehicles per day.

Meanwhile, the Cavitex-Calax Link, originating from Kawit, Cavite, is a 1.2-kilometer connection, which is expected to improve the road network connectivity from Kawit to the greater Calabarzon region. As for the Cavitex C5 Link Expressway Segment 3B, it is a twokilometer road coming from Sucat Interchange going to E. Rodriguez in C5 Road, Taguig City.

“Upon completion, we expect that the travel time from Cavitex R1 Expressway Section to SLEX/C5 Road will greatly be reduced from what is now 40 minutes to 10 minutes,” Marcos said.

PRESIDENTIAL SENDOFF President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sends off the members of Team Philippines on Friday night at the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros. Joining President Marcos are Senators Pia Cayetano and Francis Tolentino, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, members of the paralympic team, coaches, officials and stakeholders. The Paris Games are set July 26 to August 12. NONIE REYES

Vietnam says it’s ready to hold talks with PHL on overlapping continental shelf claims

HANOI—Vietnam is ready to hold talks with the Philippines to settle their overlapping claims to the undersea continental shelf in the South China Sea, official Vietnamese media said Friday, in a diplomatic approach that contrasts with China’s increasingly assertive actions to fortify its claims in the contested waters.

The Philippine government said over the weekend that it has asked a United Nations body to formally recognize its right to the undersea continental seabed extending from its western coast outward to the South China Sea, a region that covers the hotly contested Spratly group of islands, islets and reefs. If granted, that would give Manila the exclusive right to exploit undersea resources there.

The undersea continental shelf claimed by the Philippines could overlap with those claimed by other coastal states such as Vietnam, which lies across the strategic seaway. Philippine officials expressed their readiness to hold talks to resolve such issues based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international treaty that provides legal guidelines to define coastal states’

territorial waters.

Under the convention, a coastal state has the exclusive right to exploit resources in its continental shelf, a stretch of seabed that can extend up to 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers), including the right to authorize and regulate any kind of drilling.

Vietnam “stays ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries,” Vietnam Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said in Hanoi on Thursday, according to the official Vietnam News Agency.

She said coastal states have the right to have their continental shelf boundaries recognized under the UN convention, but need to respect the legal and legitimate rights and interests of other nations.

The Philippine government submitted information to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the extent of its undersea shelf in the South China Sea, off its western Palawan province, after more than a decade

and a half of scientific research, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said.

The Philippines’ permanent representative to the UN, Antonio Lagdameo, said the move “can reinvigorate efforts of states to dem-

onstrate their readiness to pursue Unclos processes in the determination of maritime entitlements and promote a rules-based international order.”

The positions taken by the Philippines and Vietnam reject

China’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea based on historical grounds. Aside from the three, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims to the waters, a key global trade route.

Indonesia has also confronted Chinese coast guard and fishing fleets in the gas-rich Natuna waters on the fringes of the South China Sea. Indonesia in the past has opened fire and blown up Chinese fishing boats in its custody and arrested Chinese fishermen to assert its sovereign rights, sparking protests from Beijing. Hostilities and tensions in the disputed waters have escalated alarmingly, particularly between China and the Philippines, at two disputed shoals since last year. Chinese coast guard ships and suspected militia vessels have used powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine coast guard ships and navy boats, injuring Filipino navy personnel, damaging supply boats and straining diplomatic relations. After a tense standoff between Philippine and Chinese ships near a shoal in 2012, the Philippines brought its disputes with China to international arbitration. The arbitration panel invalidated China’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea in a 2016 ruling. Beijing refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected the decision and continues to defy it. AP

PESO MAY DIP FURTHER…

Continued from A1

He noted that the peso could weaken to “P60 and beyond.” Earlier, the BSP said the depreciation of the Philippine peso may only be temporary and will not have a significant impact on the country’s balance of payments (BOP).

In a recent briefing, BSP estimated that the Philippine peso in the first quarter of 2024 depreciated by 2 percent compared to last year, but appreciated 0.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. BSP Monetary Policy Sub-Sector Senior Assistant Governor Iluminada T. Sicat said the Central Bank still expects the BOP to post a surplus of $1.6 billion this year despite the depreciation of the peso. Sicat explained that the depreciation of the peso means it will require more of the local currency to purchase imports and could lead to more dollar outflow. Nonetheless, she said, more foreign exchange supplies are expected in 2025.

PUV MODERNIZATION…

Continued from A1

The first issue that to her needs resolving are 36,217 PUVs that did not consolidate. “This represents thousands of drivers and operators that are prevented from engaging in their primary source of livelihood.”

Even after seven years of implementation of the PUVMP, “there seems to be no solid plan” by DOTr for them, Poe said.

“Second, during our last committee hearing, DOTr promised to approve 50 percent of Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRPs) by June 30, 2024,” recalling that she said: “However, as of last May, only 11 percent or 174 LPTRPs have been approved. Only 19 were added to the rationalized route plans, or a mere 1.5-percent increase from the 9.5 percent or 155 approved LPTRPs in 2023. What kind of a road transport modernization does not have a completed route plan?” she wanted to know.

Third, she flagged anew the DOTr’s “poor budget utilization rate which it has failed to address time and time again.” The program’s total budget utilization rate is only at 53 percent of its P7.5-billion budget from 2018 to 2024, Poe said, citing data. “This is such a disservice to the drivers and operators who have been pounding on our doors to ask for assistance because they could not afford the cost of modernization.” Not a single cent has been disbursed of the P200 million allocated for the Tsuper Iskolar and EnTSUPERneur in 2023.

Seven years, six hearings, and six extensions, and one pandemic have lapsed since PUVMP, and yet implementation remains spotty,

Poe rued.

She stressed that they are not against modernization but the problem is that drivers take home a meager pay daily, so it’s hard to understand why the state subsidy is so small.

Three things are in order, said Poe: First, the DOTr should prioritize the completion of the route plans before reducing the PUV units.

Second, she said, government should provide proper management, accounting, and human resources training, including effective grievance mechanisms, for transport entities. “There’s a need to ensure that the cooperatives and corporations used after consolidation are run well.”

Third, Poe cited the need to make modernization affordable.

Finally, Poe said, “DOTr should come up with a humane and feasible timeline for the PUVMP with due consultation with the stakeholders.”

Tulfo, JV, Robin weigh in FOR his part, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, the new chair, wants to find alternative solutions on how the modernization program should be enforced without hurting the lives of PUJ drivers and operators. “We must offer good alternatives. Here [committee hearing], we can explain how this modernization program should be done without hurting our drivers,” Tulfo pointed out in his opening statement during the public hearing Friday.

Tulfo said the huge price of modern jeepneys, at P2.4 million per unit, would be an additional burden to the lives of ordinary drivers who earn P600 to P700 a

day. He also wanted to restore the old design of the jeepney that has been the trademark of Philippine local transport.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, former vice chair of the committee, said he wanted to find out from the government agencies whether the modernization of jeepneys is coordinated with the modernization of the transit system. “[The modernization of PUVs or jeepneys] should be a feeder... they should be included in the master plan of our modernization [program]. Unlike for the past decades, the routes were messed up, the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] wantonly issued franchises,” the senator said in Filipino.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, meanwhile, expressed his support for the PUV modernization program but stressed the government must support local manufacturers over foreign companies. “We are not opposing modernization. No one from government opposes modernization. But we must support our local manufacturers before foreign ones. In the end, we must not forget our goal to protect the small jeepney drivers,” Padilla said in Filipino.

Padilla stressed that jeepney drivers continue to play a major role in public transport, with a big chunk of students and workers not being able to get to school or work without riding jeepneys. Communities would be paralyzed when PUV drivers hold jeepney strikes, he said.

Recto tells Japan investors: Exporters VAT-exempt

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

TO woo more Japanese investors to the Philippines, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto assured them that potential exporters will be exempted from value-added tax (VAT).

During the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) held in Tokyo on June 21, 2024, Recto presented economic and investment updates to around 500 Japanese business leaders, investors and government officials.

“The policy exempts export-oriented enterprises from paying valueadded tax. VAT refund will no longer be an issue for you,” Recto said.

incentives,” Recto said.

Recto added the current amendments to the country’s fiscal incentives regime under Create More should entice more Japanese investors to establish roots and expand the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The bill also provides a more attractive incentive package for registered projects or activities with an investment capital exceeding about JPY 40 billion.

streamlining processes to “clear the way” for their participation in highpriority sectors, including clean energy, mining, critical minerals, retail, digital technologies and more.

Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, Japanese investors’ participation in the 185 flagship infrastructure projects will be an ease as this is seen to offer “stable, predictable and competitive” environment.

the transformative changes underway in the Philippines to make us stand out as the most hospitable economy for Japanese enterprises. We are committed to working non-stop until good becomes better and better becomes the best for business,” Recto said in his keynote speech.

Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs

Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang. Key Filipino conglomerates were also represented at the briefing—San Miguel Corporation’s Vice Chairman and President Ramon S. Ang, Double Dragon Properties Chairman Edgar Injap Sia, Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar Consing,

Create More will also address investors’ concerns regarding the unreliability of the VAT system, as existing and potential investors are assured of maximum enjoyment of VAT zero-rating incentives granted under the Tax Code, as amended by the Create Act.

“With an enhanced VAT refund mechanism that aligns with our new Ease of Paying Taxes Law, existing and potential Japanese investors can expect to fully enjoy VAT zero-rating

Through House Bill 9794 or the Create More bill passed on third reading in the Congress, exporters are exempted from the burden and complexity that comes with paying VAT and claiming their VAT refunds in the country.

Farmers

dismayed as Palace issues EO reducing tariff on rice to 15%

By Samuel P. Medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Pfinally issued late Thursday the Executive Order which will reduce the tariff on rice to 15 percent.

Dated 20 June 2024, EO No. 62 contained the modified nomenclature and rates of import duties of various products, including rice.

“The implementation of an updated comprehensive tariff schedule aims to augment supply, manage prices, and temper inflationary pressure of various commodities consistent with the Philippine national interest: the objective of safeguarding the purchasing power of Filipinos,” Marcos said in the three-page issuance.

EO 62 was based on modified tariff rates endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board on 3 June 2024.

The broad agriculture sector coalition Sinag, however, called EO 62 :a setback for the local agriculture sector and “a complete reversal of our aspiration for food self-sufficiency.”

It is “a catastrophe for our rice farmers, corn growers, livestock and poultry raisers, will impede local agriculture development,will not guarantee a significant reduction in rice

prices, andwill only benefit a few privileged importers,” Sinag added. Under the new issuance, the tariff for local food staple will be reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent 15 days after EO 26 is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The new tariff rate for rice will continue to take effect until 2028.

Starting 1 January 2029, the most favored nation (MFN) tariff schedule rates of duty for in-quota and out-quota subheadings will revert to 40 percent and 50 percent ad valorem, respectively.

The other tariff rates for other products including corn will take effect 30 days after EO 26 is published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

EO 62 will maintain the existing tariff for corn to 5 percent (in-quota) and 15 percent (out-quota) until 2028.

But starting January 2029, its MFN rates will revert to 35 percent (in-quota) and 50 percent (out-quota) ad valorem.

The new comprehensive and/or specific MFN tariff rates listed under the Annex A of EO 26 will be subjected to a Neda review every four months from the effectivity of the new order.

Groups want e-commerce MOU revised to include bid for fair, safe online space

SBy Andrea E. San Juan

EVERAL companies and industry groups that are members of the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—facilitated by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)—are pushing to amend the terms of the MOU to factor in the broader objectives of the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) for a fairer and safer online space.

IPOPHL said the call was made at the 4th Annual Review and Assessment of the E-Commerce MOU held on May 31, 2024 and attended by over 14 members.

The E-Commerce MOU aims to develop “efficient takedown mechanisms” by strengthening coordination between brandowners and e-commerce platform-members Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop and Zalora.

At present, members are looking at two ways to expand the MOU.

“One approach is by putting in place measures that strictly observe existing policy prohibiting prescription drugs from being made available for purchase online,” IPOPHL said in a statement on Friday.

Another approach is enabling “deeper”collaboration with more law enforcement agencies by putting the 15-member National Committee on IP Rights officially on-board the E-Commerce MOU.

According to IPOPHL, some members at the meeting also hope to finetune the ECommerce MOU to “standardize” their methods and metrics in searching counterfeit items.

“Brand owners also raised concerns on repeat infringers and increasingly creative circumvention tactics which allow counterfeiters to dodge detection from platforms’ keyword search operations,” said the intellectual property rights body.

IPOPHL said the agency will help the group explore how to best operationalize the E-Commerce MOU, taking into account the comments to be formally submitted by the members once the ITA’s IRR takes effect.

Representatives of TikTok Shop, Shopee and Lazada, who participated in the review, committed to maintain the collaboration and explore new ways to continue creating a safe space for brands and consumers online.

The decision on the new terms will be made on the basis of a consensus among all members,IPOPHL noted.

For his part, Deputy Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said, “the commitment everyone has shown to explore new terms shows the positive outcomes members have gained from the MOU and the stronger desire to make more strides in tightening collaboration and coordination between platforms and brand owners.”

“We envision Create More to give birth to more thriving economic corridors in every corner of the Philippine archipelago, with Japan taking a leading role,” Recto added.

Recto said the Luzon Economic Corridor, the first of its kind in the Indo-Pacific region and was established during the inaugural Trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines Leaders Meeting last April, is a perfect hub for Japanese investors involved in cuttingedge manufacturing, semiconductor supply chains and agribusiness.

The Finance chief also assured Japanese investors that the Philippine government is addressing bottlenecks and

Recto also presented other probusiness and economic liberalization policies in place to welcome businesses and encourage foreign partnerships, such as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA), which lowers the minimum paid-up capital requirement for foreign retail corporations.

Also discussed were the changes to the Public Service Act (PSA) that allow full foreign ownership of public services, such as telecommunications, airports and shipping, and the amendments to the Foreign Investments Act that promote foreign direct investments and ease restrictions on professions.

“These reforms are just a fraction of

Secretary Frederick D. Go opened the briefing, followed by a panel discussion on shaping a macroeconomic landscape conducive for investments. The discussions was led by the economic team:

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Socioeconomic and Planning

Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan as well as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr.,  Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities

Managing Director and Principal Global Economist Chiwoong Lee.

A panel discussion on navigating the Philippines’s investment landscape was also led by Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, Energy Undersecretary Felix B. Fuentebella  and Bases

DBM allocation release, NCA utilization by state agencies up

THE government’s release of cash allocation and the state agencies’ utilization of their budget both increased as of end-May, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Data on the 2024 Status of Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) Utilization showed cash allocation to state agencies increased by 10.51 percent from January to May 2024 from the P1.712 trillion recorded in the same period in 2023.

For May alone, the DBM allocated P494.149 billion to line departments, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs). This is 12.66 percent higher than the P438.617 billion released in May 2023.

The budget utilization of state agencies and state-run corporations also improved from January to May this year, posting a utilization rate of 94 percent, higher by 3 percent than the 91 percent recorded in the same period in 2023.

Of the total amount of NCAs already issued by the DBM as of endMay, P115.546 billion remained unused by various agencies and corporations.

NCA refers to the cash authority issued by the DBM to central, regional and provincial offices and operating units to cover the cash requirements of the agencies.

Broken down, line departments posted a 92-percent utilization rate, utilizing P1.295 trillion of the P1.407trillion allocation, with a remaining P111.570 billion unused NCAs as of end-May this year.

Meanwhile, Allotment to Local Government Units (ALGUs) worth P424.921 billion of NCAs released was utilized, at 99 percent or P422.336 billion. A total of P2.584 billion of NCAs are still unused.

For Budgetary Support to staterun corporations, a total of P59.166 billion worth of NCAs were used out of the P60.558 billion, with a utilization rate of 98 percent and remaining P1.391 billion to be utilized.

A higher NCA utilization rate shows the capacity of line agencies to disburse their allocated funds in a timely manner and implement their programs and projects.

Earlier, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said that DBM is aiming to have its budget reforms passed this year to ensure no risk of government underspending.

These reforms include the Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms, including the Cash Budgeting System (CBS) and the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP), which Pangandaman said

will be passed this year.

About 88 percent, or a total of P5.114 trillion, of the P5.767-trillion 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.

A total of P969 billion, or 16.8 percent, of

PAOCC files human trafficking raps vs Mayor Guo, 13 others

TBy Joel R. San Juan

HE Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission

(PAOCC) on Friday led the formal filing of criminal charges for alleged qualified human trafficking against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and 13 others in connection with the illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in her town.

Also named respondents in the complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) were former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, Guo’s business partner Huang Zhiyang and corporate officers of Zun Yuan Technology Center, a Pogo operator. The respondents were specifically charged with violation of Sections 4

and 6 of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364, as further amended by RA 11862, which is a non-bailable offense.

The PAOCC is joined by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNPCIDG) as complainant in the case.

“The filing of this case should serve as a warning to all who engage in illegal Pogo activities that victimize hapless individuals whose only intent was to get decent employment,” the DOJ said in a statement.

The case stemmed from the implementation of search warrants against Zun Yuan Technology last March 13, which resulted in the arrest of several foreign nationals found within the premises.

The foreign nationals have already been charged with trafficking

House panel cites trader Willie Ong in contempt for snubbing drug probe

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

FIVE Chinese realty traders, including suspected drug lord Willie Ong, face arrest for repeatedly ignoring summons from the ongoing House anti-drugs panel investigation.

The House inquiry aims to uncover their involvement in the shipment of 530 kilos of shabu worth P3.6 billion found in Ong’s warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga, in September.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, emphasized that the panel has shown considerable patience with the invited resource persons and witnesses in the probe against Ong and his associates.

“This committee has been very patient with you but we have certain limitations. Those who were issued subpoenas yet still failed to attend are now being cited in contempt. The necessary warrants will be issued for their arrests in accordance with the Rules of the House,” he said.

“Others not yet cited in contempt are given this last warning. If in the next hearing you will still be absent, we have no choice but to cite you in contempt,” he added.

Barbers explained that under the Philippine Constitution, Congress has the power to investigate in aid of legislation. To exercise this power, Congress inherently possesses the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and resource persons.

“This power carries with it the power of citing any of these persons in contempt should they fail to honor the invitations,” he said.

Ong, with a Chinese name of Cai Qimeng, is co-owner of Empire 999 Realty Corporation. His associates, who are also facing arrest, were identified as Aedy T. Yang, Elaine Chua, Michelle S. Sy and Jack T. Yang.

Based on official records submitted to the House anti-drugs panel by the Land Registration Authority (LRA), the Empire 999, under Ong’s stewardship, has managed to obtain, over the years, at least 320 titled prime lots worth several billions of pesos in Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and other parts of the country.

The Office of the Solicitor General and the LRA are now working in collaboration with other concerned government agencies to

have Ong’s irregular or anomalous land acquisitions forfeited in favor of the government.

The lawmaker from Mindanao said earlier probes conducted by the House anti-drugs panel, including those carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, among others, indicate that Ong and his associates posed as Filipinos in dealing with various local and national government agencies.

“The Chinese incorporators of Empire 999 were able to secure fake documents like birth certificates and passports, which they used to illegally buy 320 titled prime lands in various parts of Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga, Metro Manila, and other parts of the country,” Barbers said.

“They were also found to have close ties with certain local government officials who facilitated the transactions and granted the permits they needed to construct buildings, warehouses, and other facilities on their illegally acquired lands,” he added.

From what seemed to be a limited but serious illegal drug shipment, Barbers said the country is now faced with “Chinese personalities posing as Filipinos, bribing their way towards controlling our economy, grabbing our lands, committing various crimes such as money laundering and drug trafficking, controlling our politicians, and sowing disunity among the populace.”

“I would like to make it clear that I’m not espousing Sinophobia here. But to say that this [creeping Chinese invasion] has become a national security concern is an understatement,” he said.

Ong, who carries both bogus Filipino and legitimate Chinese passports, was found by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to have forged his “late registration” scheme to obtain a birth certificate and used it in furtherance of his criminal activities.

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs is currently facilitating the cancellation of Ong’s Filipino passport for “misdeclaration, false statements, and lying under oath” to obtain said travel document.

in persons and facing trial before the Regional Trial Court of Tarlac, Branch 66.

Earlier this month, the Ombudsman placed Guo, Bamban’s Business Permit and Licensing Officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua, Municipal under preventive suspension in connection with the graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Ombudsman said it found sufficient grounds to preventively suspend the respondents, given the “strong evidence showing their guilt” which may warrant their removal from the service.

Their suspension also stemmed from the raid conducted by PAOCC on the said Pogo site.

One of the documents seized during the raid was a Tarlac Electric Cooperative Inc. Statement of Ac-

count dated March 8, 2024 under the name of Guo.

Cunanan, the former TRC head, had been convicted in 2023 by the Sandiganbayan of graft charges for his involvement in the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros showed documents where Cunanan had introduced himself as the “authorized representative” for the Hong Sheng Pogo in Bamban and the Lucky South Pogo in Porac.

Guo is currently being investigated by the Senate on the possibility that she is a Chinese “asset” trained to infiltrate the Philippine government.

No role in illegal Pogo—Guo

lawyer

MEANWHILE, Guo’s camp insisted that the mayor has no involvement

in the illegal Pogo operations in her town.

Guo through her lawyer Nicole Jamila stressed that “mere connections to companies or individuals do not suffice as grounds for labeling someone a conspirator.”

Such claims, Guo said, need to be backed by substantial evidence.

“Having connections to companies or individuals, especially when vague, is not enough to link someone to a case, particularly one involving human trafficking,” Guo stated.

Guo maintained her statement that she has no involvement or participation with Zun Yuan Technology, Inc. or any other Pogo in the country.

“Despite not having received a copy of the formal complaint yet, Mayor Guo remains confident that there is insufficient evidence to implicate her in the allegations,” her lawyer said.

Guo claimed that the allegations against her have been prematurely publicized before any concrete evidence was presented.

“Since the day of the raid on March 13 until now, there has been a concerted effort to unjustly link me to the case,” she said.

“If concrete evidence existed, charges would have been filed against me much earlier,” she added. Guo appealed for a thorough investigation of cases before any public statements are made, upholding the legal principle that guilt must be established with clear evidence.

“The principle of ‹innocent until proven guilty› should prevail, and it is crucial to respect human rights and justice in all aspects of any case,” Guo stressed.

Guo said she is ready to face all the allegations and cases filed against her.

Latest Ayungin scuffle not an armed attack–Palace

THE recent attack by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) on a rotation and resupply mission (RORE) to the Ayungin Shoal, which left Philippine Navy personnel injured, is not considered an “armed attack” by the Marcos administration, but a “misunderstanding.”

In a press conference in Malacañang on Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin cannot be considered an “armed attack” since they only found a bolo--a curved blade used for cutting grass and an ax from the spot of the attack.

“You know this was probably a misunderstanding or an accident. We’re not yet ready to classify this as an armed attack,” he said.

Last Monday, a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) on a RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal was boarded by Chinese personnel, resulting in a melee.

One Filipino soldier had his finger cut off and the RHIB they were riding was punctured.

AFP decried the incident as a “coercive, aggressive and barbaric action from the CCG.

Bersamin said the government not considering elevating the matter to a higher international body because it thinks the matter  “can easily be resolved very soon” through dialogues with Beijing.

High morale

IN the aftermath of the attack, the AFP Chief of Staff Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. visited the troops in the western command.

“He was able to talk with those who were sent to conduct the mission, while the mission did not go as planned. However, we saw the morale of our troops are high and we even made sure that those of our soldiers

were recognized and acknowledged for their actions, behavior in handling the incident that happened last Monday,” Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Andres P. Centino said.

Centino, however, said the government still viewed the latest incident in the Ayungin Shoal with concern.

“This is the reason why the National Maritime Council (NMC) convened this afternoon,” the retired Philippine Army general said.

Bersamin led the second meeting of the NMC at the Palace last Friday. The council decided to recommend to the President publicizing the schedule of the RORE activities, “which shall remain routinary and will be scheduled regularly.”

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it took 12 hours to retrieve the injured soldiers in the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal due to

“dangerous maneuvers and harassment” from Chinese ships.  PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela told Palace reporters the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) continued to hinder their retrieval operations despite their attempt to coordinate with it.

“We were also coordinating with CCG informing them that there are injured  AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel onboard BFP Sierra Madre, and that we intend to carry out a medical evacuation, but despite that advisory and radio call on the part of Philippine Coast Guard vessels, we were still subjected to harassment from the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy and Chinese Coast Guard,” he said.

“We had a hard time to out maneuver them and to convince them to allow the PH Coast Guard RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) to retrieve the injured AFP personnel.  Samuel P. Medenilla

AFP aware of 4 Chinese ships’ passage off Palawan

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said that it is well aware of the presence of the four People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels that passed through Balabac Strait, Palawan last June 19.

“On June 19, four PLA Navy vessels were monitored transiting within 12 nautical miles of Palawan. At 1:49

p.m., two of these vessels were identified as the PLAN destroyer  Luyang III [DDG-168] and the frigate  Jiangkai II [FFG-570], moving at a speed of 13 knots, both heading southwest. The other two vessels, the destroyer  Renhai [CG-105] and the replenishment oiler Fuchi [AOR-907], were monitored at 3:56 p.m. moving at a speed of 15

knots, both also heading southwest,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said. He added that PLAN ships, as part of the AFP’s standard operating procedure, were challenged and responded accordingly.

Trinidad also said the area is commonly used by international vessels passing through Philippine waters.

“Our capability to monitor and respond to such activities is a testament to our commitment to maritime domain awareness and the protection of our territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights. Rest assured, the AFP remains vigilant in safeguarding our maritime interests,” he noted. Rex Anthony Naval

Bagong Pilipinas fair gives out ₧600-M aid in Caraga

BISLIG CITY—Ensuring that the provinces in Mindanao are not left behind in receiving government services, the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) returned to the Caraga Region, delivering P600 million worth of government services, programs, and financial aid to 90,000 beneficiaries in Surigao del Sur during a two-day event in the city.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, representing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the event on June 21 at the De La Salle John Bosco College Open Field.

Over 10 government agencies participated in the ceremonial turnover of 14 programs, underscoring the administration’s commitment to bring services directly to the people.

“We are delighted to engage with the people of Surigao del Sur through the BPSF,

Bong Go bats for fiscal discipline in Phalga event

SENATOR Christopher “Bong”

Go advocated fiscal discipline and integrity in local governance as he addressed the 16th Mindanao Geographical Conference of the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants (Phalga) in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

demonstrating that President Marcos› government is here to serve and provide various programs and assistance to those in need,” Romualdez said.

House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias P. Gabonada Jr. noted that this was the 20th BPSF nationwide, the second in Caraga after Agusan del Norte, and the ninth in Mindanao.

With contributions from 46 national government agencies, over 217 services were offered, including P244 million in cash assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated payouts to 64,000 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, amounting to P216 million. Additionally, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

offered scholarship programs, while livelihood assistance was provided to various eligible clients.

Also, Romualdez led the distribution of 95,000 kilograms of rice to qualified beneficiaries. “Rice distribution is a staple of our BPSF events because we believe rice is life. The government is doing everything to lower its price for Filipino families,” he stated.

A concert held at the Bislig City Baywalk attracted 10,000 attendees, adding a festive atmosphere to the service fair.

Besides the the primary BPSF activities, Romualdez spearheaded the distribution of aid under several specialized programs: the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program, the Start-up, Incentives, Business Opportunity, and Livelihood (SIBOL) Program to provide financial assistance to struggling small entrepreneurs, and the Integrated

Scholarship and Incentives for the Youth (ISIP for the Youth) Program. In separate ceremonies, 2,000 beneficiaries each received P2,000 and 10 kilograms of rice through the AICS program. The SIBOL program provided P5,000 and 5 kilograms of rice to small entrepreneurs, while the ISIP for the Youth program granted P2,000 every six months, with students also enrolling in CHED’s Tulong Dunong Program and receiving priority slots for the Government Internship Program after graduation. Support for BPSF is growing among lawmakers, with over 70 House members attending the Surigao del Sur event.

“We will continue to bring the BPSF to all 82 provinces, ensuring that every citizen in need receives direct government services, as promised by President Marcos Jr.,” he added. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

“Ang inyong trabaho

komunidad  [Your work as stewards of

As guest of honor and speaker at the conference attended by local accounting clerks, as well as barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials mostly from regions in Mindanao, Go commended the delegates for their dedication to managing the nation’s coffers.

our nation’s coffers is important to the growth of our community],” he stated, stressing the impact of their work on the nation’s future. Reflecting on his past experiences working with former President Rodrigo Duterte, Go shared, “ palagi kong naaalala ang bilin niya sa akin  [I always recall what he told me], ‘Do what is right.’”

“In every decision, this has served me well. It continues to inspire me, especially in facing the challenge of public service,” he shared further.

The senator also encouraged the youth, particularly Sangguniang Kabataan officials and treasurers, to continue serving with integrity.

Go then discussed his legislative efforts, including Senate Bill No. 197, the Magna Carta for Barangays, aimed at providing salaries and benefits to barangay officials

comparable to the other government officials. He cited SBN 427, or the Barangay Health Workers Act, which proposes a monthly honorarium and benefits for Barangay Health Workers.

Highlighting further support for government employees, he referred to the enactment of Republic Act 11466, or Salary Standardization 5, which he authored and co-sponsored, and his advocacy for the subsequent Salary Standardization Law 6 to aid govern-

ment workers amid current economic challenges.

The senator also discussed his newly filed SBN 2538, the Magna Carta of Government Accountants, and SBN 2536, which aims to establish the Government Accountancy Office (GAO) under the Department of Budget and Management. These initiatives are designed to enhance the efficiency and accountability of financial management in government.

Education

Tesda to assess skills of OFWs in UAE, Singapore

By Roderick L. Abad

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will roll out its Overseas Assessment Program (OAP)—this time, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore.

This will take place from June 22 to 26, and on July 27 and 28, respectively, following its recent successful conduct in Saudi Arabia. Assessment venues will be at the Power Technical Training Center in Dubai; and in CARE Academy, Bayan Academy, and Home Academy in the city-state.

According to Secretary Suharto T. Mangudadatu, who serves as

Tesda director general, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are among their priorities when it comes to providing free skills training and assessment.

“We are bringing our free assessment to our OFWs in different countries, so that they won’t need to go back to the Philippines just to be assessed and certified,” Mangudadatu confirmed, as he

cited that OFWs must be certified for job retention, promotion, or as they explore other job opportunities.

He added that through the program, Filipino laborers abroad can validate and certify their competencies acquired from prior training or work experience.

A total of 1,500 OFWs, including those from the just-concluded activity in Saudi Arabia, will be assessed in different qualifications such as Caregiving-National Certificate Il, Massage TherapyNC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance-NC II and III, Photovoltaic or PV Systems InstallationNC II, Automotive Servicing (Engine Repair)-NC II, Automotive Servicing (Electrical Repair)-NC II, Events Management ServicesNC III, and Trainers Methodology-Level I.

The OAP will be implemented

in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers through its Migrant Workers Office.

According to Tesda, the OAP is being implemented for the OFWs to acquire the Philippine competency certification via assessment of their current knowledge and skills in related or alternative qualifications or jobs. It is, likewise, aimed at upgrading their skills for better job opportunities abroad.

Based on data, a total of 5,976 overseas-based workers have so far been assessed since the program was first implemented in 2014. Of these, 5,036 were certified and awarded with Tesda NCs.

“Our OFWs can expect to receive the Tesda services even in their country of employment. We are expanding our reach to help [them] all over the world,” said the secretary.

FEU adopts English language test ‘Envoy’

LEADING Philippine higher education institution Far Eastern University (FEU) recently announced a new partnership with English language proficiency test “Envoy” to support its globally competitive graduates.

The adaptive test from IDP Education, Envoy will assess and accelerate the English skills of FEU students across its seven institutes, including health sciences and nursing, arts, education, architecture and fine arts, tourism and hotel management, and law starting September 2024.

Backed by IDP’s insights from students and test-takers worldwide, Envoy is a next-generation English test that combines linguists’ expertise with advanced artificial intelligence or AI technology. It uses open-ended questions to assess English language and communication skills in reallife settings, with results available in just 2 hours.

FEU’s Center for Learning Enrichment and Research for Students director Marko Antonio O. Da Silva said more than 86 percent of the university’s students are looking to work overseas, so it is essential they graduate with

Scientists,

leading education and exceptional English skills for competitive edge: “Envoy will be used to test the English abilities of [our students when they commence their studies, and also upon their] graduation.”

Da Silva shared that “one of our challenges in gauging and improving our students’ language abilities is the lack of assessments that capture the nuances of their English language skills. Since Envoy adapts to the level of each individual test-taker and can be taken across any or all of the four skills areas, we will see a more accurate and personalized assessment result for all students.”

In addition, he disclosed that

“we will use Envoy’s detailed test results to inform faculty of their students’ baseline skills, enabling them to tailor their teaching across both our domestic and international cohorts.”

For her part, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio of FEU said that, “As FEU approaches its centennial year, the university remains committed to producing globally competitive graduates who possess industry-responsive skills and exceptional English language abilities. It is our hope that through the new partnership with Envoy, FEU students will be able to stand out from the crowd and

researchers uphold Filipino language at Santo Tomas U’s 30th ‘Panayam Pang-Agham’

SCIENCE and language experts reaffirmed the impact of Filipino in learning and communication at the 30th “ Panayam Pang-Agham ” held at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino inside the University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Benavides Building on March 20 and 21. Organized by the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) and the university’s Departamento ng Filipino, in cooperation with its College of Science, Faculty of Engineering, and Graduate School, the international conference underscored inclusivity in communicating science using the country’s national language.

Student-journalists

in natl campus convention

NONPROFIT organization

exhibit our core values of ‘Fortitude and Excellence.’”

Meanwhile, Head of Business Development for Envoy Ella Soper said Envoy and FEU share a commitment to helping students and test takers reach their full potential: “We are delighted that FEU will be using Envoy to tailor teaching and accelerate the English proficiency skills of its graduates. As a flexible, cost-effective English test with detailed reporting, Envoy empowers teachers to adapt lessons to students’ needs as they pursue their global ambitions.”

Envoy’s development was formed by IDP’s decades of experience in English language teaching and proficiency testing. An online, business-to-business English-language test designed for use in educational settings, it is likewise adaptive, which makes for a more enjoyable testing experience for students.

It also asks open-ended questions, and assesses listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills to provide a true indication of a student’s ability to use English in real-life settings. Results are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or CEFR.

Transforming Advocates and Champions (TRAC), which provides holistic development training to foster transformational and purpose-driven leaders, recently invited studentjournalists nationwide for the second “National Convention on Campus Journalism” at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Manila. Held in partnership with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the three-day conference provided an avenue for 338 delegates from 63 Philippine colleges and universities to highlight their skills in various types of writing: from news and editorial, business and lifestyle, to features and sports. Their mastery in photography, cartooning, and vlogging skills were also honed.

The program featured a series of plenary talks and workshops that delved into the diverse fields of journalism. Sessions were facilitated by industry experts bannered by Philippine Basketball Association veteran sports anchor Sev Sarmenta, esteemed TV presenter Boy Abunda, Filipina civic leader and environment and peace advocate Samira Gutoc, as well as

radio announcer and television host DJ JhaiHo.

The tilt showcased their specialties in their respective areas. Recognitions were bestowed on noteworthy outputs. Among the honorees were De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) students Jorel Magistrado and Miguel Bugarin, who won first place in “Editorial Writing” and second place in “Photojournalism,” respectively. Both are members of the Benildean Press Corps: the official studentjournalists’ organization of the college.

Meanwhile, Max Soliman, who is part of Ad Astra —he sole student organization tasked to produce the higher educational institution’s official yearbook— secured third spot in “Editorial Writing,” while Adrian Ray Amon of Iloilo Science and Technology University placed second. In “Photojournalism,” Mark Deo Aboboto from the Divine Word College of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and Ma. Isabel Azana from the University of Nueva Caceres in Camarines Sur bagged the first and third places, respectively.

NBDB sets norms on tax-, duty-free sourcing of paper for textbooks, teacher’s manuals

THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) has issued guidelines regarding the Tax- and Duty-Free Importation (TADFI) of paper—an important raw material for book publishing.

2017 Guidelines: “[Associations] shall have the authority to import raw materials for and on behalf of its members, provided that the members to be included are bona fide importers.”

The NBDB issued the guidelines, in anticipation of the expected volume of applications coming from printers of educational publishers for the paper to be used for new sets of textbooks (TXs) and teachers’ manuals (TMs) that the Department of Education (DepEd) will begin procuring for public-school learners.

In his keynote lecture, Professor Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD attested that “students understand concepts in Chemistry faster and more effectively when these are explained in Filipino.” The academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology also related his observation that Science is being taught in the native languages of developed countries.

entific knowledge and experience.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, who is the executive director of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), delivered the plenary lecture. Educators from international institutions gave lectures on ways their respective national languages were used in imparting scientific knowledge to their own people. Prof. Nakao Nomura of the University of Tsukuba in Japan lectured via Zoom; while Dr. Monika Widyastuti Surtikanti M.Pd. from Universitas Katolik Santo Agustinus Hippo in Indonesia and Prof. Yann-Wen Lan from National Taiwan Normal University joined the participants in UST. Experts from various sectors in the country also imparted their sci-

Academician Victor B. Amoroso, director of Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in MindanaoCentral Mindanao University shared the role of collective action in taking care of biodiversity. Dr. John Enrico Torralba, who heads the Sangay ng Salin of Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, explained the government agency’s mandate in promoting the intellectualization of Filipino through translating scientific texts.

Academician Caesar A. Saloma, who is the P hilippine Journal of Science ’s editor in chief, discussed the importance of a scientific journal.

Prof. Jayson D. Petras PhD, who is the director of the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Sentro ng W ikang Filipino and national president of Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, drew attention to Sikolohiyang Maka-Filipino ” by producing a “Glosaryong Sikolohikal ” on the concept of “ kapwa ” or “fellows.” RCNAS fellows also shared their research works, who included Asst. Prof. Nikki Heherson Dagamac PhD and Prof. Pia Marie SP. Albano PhD, who are both from the Department of Biological Sciences; Prof. Ross D. Vasquez PhD from the Department of Pharmacy; and Assoc. Prof. Dharmatov Rahula B. Albano, PhD from the Department of Chemistry.

The first batch of procurement is projected to happen in the first half of this year, and will be allocated for Grades 1, 4, and 7 publications, as well as those for senior-high school students.

Said guidelines are part of the “Interim Guidelines for Book Industry Associations on the Taxand Duty-Free Importation of Paper for Textbooks and Teacher’s Manuals,” or the “2017 Guidelines,” which was promulgated by the NBDB Governing Board on August 17, 2017. These will apply for the TADFI of paper to be used exclusively for the printing and publishing of TXs and TMs.

The objective of the guidelines is to encourage more applications from book industry associations duly registered with the NBDB, with at least three members who are bona fide importers in the book supply chain like publishers, printers, and booksellers. Under Section 3, Rule II of the

It said that the paper to be imported by the associations should weigh at least 24 metric tons, or one full container load. Also, members of associations “with pending transactions for liquidating their TADFI account[s] with the NBDB, which have yet to be initiated after thirty [30] days from the completion of the relevant transaction, shall not be eligible for coursing new TADFI applications.” The NBDB assures book industry associations and the public that the guidelines were formulated based on established laws and policies, particularly the Philippine Constitution, Republic Act 8047 or the “Book Publishing Industry Development Act,” and Republic Act 9184 or the “Government Procurement Reform Act,” among others. Book industry associations who wish to apply for TADFI should submit documentary requirements such as NBDB-prescribed forms and other supporting documents electronically to the NBDB’s “Online Application Form for Book Industry Associations” via Google Forms, accessible via https://bit.ly/TADFIApplicationBIA.

For questions and inquiries about TADFI application and other procedures, visit the NBDB web site - https://books.gov.ph.

A6 Editor: Mike Policarpio

FEU’S senior vice president Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio (from left) and president Juan Miguel R. Montinola, with IDP Education Phils.’ country director Jose Miguel Habana and country marketing manager Lara Jane Mendoza

MAX SOLIMAN of AdAstra (from left), Jorel Magistrado and Miguel Bugarin of The Benildean Press Corps, and Student Publications Unit Head Dayanara Cudal

PROFESSOR EMERITUS Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD

Tourism

Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

FOOD, FUN, AND TRADITION REASONS TO VISIT PAMPANGA IN 2024

By George Ordoña

by NLEX Lakbay Norte, Joseph Bautista, Mike Diputado

AS a child, I always wondered why, within an hour or two from our house in Quezon City, a different language was spoken. Here is a province which has much to offer from adventurous sights, culinary delights, and heritage sites.

Arayat and Pinatubo

DRIVING through NLEX, Mt. Arayat welcomes you to Pampanga. This inactive volcano can be climbed in 3 to 4 hours. It is also a bird watching site. More popular and exhilarating is a Pinatubo trek. After an hour of bumpy, dusty 4x4 ride, tourists prepare for a trek that would last from 1.5 to 2 hours amid a lunar landscape. It is also possible to descend to the crater though swimming is no longer allowed.  The Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 literally changed the landscape of Pampanga and its neighboring provinces. It hastened the closure of Clark Air Base. After the closure, the Clark Freeport and Economic Zone was created. Numerous attractions have surfaced.

Attractions AS in any destination, a museum is always a good first choice. The Clark Museum features artifacts, replicas, dioramas, old photographs and interactive displays. For nostalgia lovers, visit the Air Force City where you will find vintage planes on display. If you’re seeking for more adventure, try Puning Hot Springs. This is another 4×4 ride passing through gorges and canyons. Upon arrival, you can choose the level of temperature of the hotspring, after which, you can have a sand spa and mud spa. Another adventure awaits you at El Kabayo where you can do horseback riding at a leisurely pace. For animal lovers, hop on to Clark Safari and Adventure Park and Zoocobia for a unique camel ride. Gazebo View Park is perfect for camping and

picnics. Kids will be delighted with animatronix dinosaurs at Dinosaur Island. To beat the summer heat, don’t miss the exhilarating water slides of Aqua Planet.

Extreme Sports

PAMPANGA is also home to extreme sports. Since 1993, Angeles City Flying Club has been offering Ultralight Flying Discovery Program. An ultralight is a 1 or 2-seater fixed wing aircraft. The passenger will have to wear a seatbelt and a headphone. Ultralights can only be flown from sunrise to sunset (8am to 4pm).

Another extreme sport is wakeboarding. Wakeboarding is a water sport in which the rider standing on a wakeboard is towed by a cable system. There are cottages, hostels, swimming pool, lockers and cafe. Both attractions can be reached in 1.5 to 2 hours from NLEX Balintawak.

About an hour drive from Clark is Tutulari Avatar Gorge where you can ride a 4x4 and do some trekking and spelunking. Along the way is Inararo View Deck where you can get a view of Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Arayat.

Culinary Delights AFTER all the adrenaline rush has subsided, it is time to indulge in culinary delights. Probably the most popular Kapampangan dish is sisig. It is made from pig’s cheeks, ears, pork belly and chicken liver and seasoned with calamansi, onions and chili. It has become a staple dish in many restaurants and has many versions but the original by Lucia (Aling Lucing)

Cunanan is considered the best. We ate at Aling Lucing Sisig and found it a no-frills eatery with efficient service and fast turnover.

Another popular restaurant which has been around since the 1960s is Everybody’s Cafe in San Fernando. It’s an air-conditioned carinderiatype restaurant which features Kapampangan cuisine including the exotic ones like Betute Tagak (stuffed frog), adobong kamaru (mole cricket), and tapang damulag (carabeef tapa). They also serve itik (duck), lengua (ox tongue), hito (catfish), and okoy (crispy fritters with shrimp). Don’t go home without pasalubong. Turrones de casuy is a nougat confection made of honey, sugar, egg white with nuts. Tibok-tibok is the Kapampangan version of maja blanca. If you are in Mexico, Pampanga, bring home Sanikulas or Panecillos de San Nicolas by Lilian

Mhamid and the Sahara

Wperpetuated the notion that the desert of Merzouga is already part of the Sahara. This, sadly, is misleading. While Erg Chebbi, the most popular dune in that area, is a desert, it lies far outside of the Great Desert. In fact, there were no structures and permanent settlement at all in Merzouga prior to the 1960s.

The Overshadowed Real Deal BACK when present-day national borders have not yet been established and when nomads and merchants alike could still cross territories without any problem, Mhamid was Morocco’s bustling trading center at the edge of the Sahara. It was the starting point of the extensive and arduous desert caravan along the ancient trans-Saharan trade route connecting the celebrated commercial centers of Fes and Timbuktu in Mali.

Mhamid lies 450 kilometers south of Marrakesh. The drive goes through the oases of southern Morocco, a series of impressive cultural landscapes standing as testaments to the ingenuity of the people in transforming arid lands into verdant and fertile sanctuaries. In the oasis town of Zagora before reaching Mhamid, there is a famous road sign mentioning that it would still take 52 days to reach Timbuktu on foot from there. In Mhamid, there was an earlier settlement in the palm grove right across the River Draa, the kingdom’s longest river. Inhabitants had to abandon the earlier rammedearth village because of the encroaching desert. Visiting the ruins lying among date palms, most of which half buried in sand, provides insights into the detrimental effects of the expanding Sahara not only to homes but more importantly to their already

(Atching Lilian)  Borromeo.There are several restaurants all over Pampanga. Catering to high-end diners are 25 Seeds Cafe Fleur by Sau del Rosario and Bale Dutung  by Claude Tayag. For an outdoor ambience, KYND in Sapang Bato is worth the drive. Cap your night at Sky Garden.

Heritage PAMPANGA is also known for artists and artisans. Vicente Manansala is National Artist for Visual Arts. National Living Treasure Eduardo Mutuc practises “pinukpuk” metal work. It is also home to one of the best woodcarvers in the country. A perfect example of Kapampangan craftmanship is Betis Church which was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum. Its retablo is ornate with carved designs. The main attraction of this earthquake baroque

church are the religious frescoes in the ceilings and murals on the walls with intricate sculptures and paintings. Another interesting church is the San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor which was half buried after the Pinatubo eruption. If you have little time, Holy Rosary Church, Pamintuan Mansion and Museo ning Angeles are found in one area in  Angeles. Other heritage sites are San Fernando Train Station, Fort Stotsenberg in Clark and Guagua Mansion.

Music

IN the music scene, Apl de.ap, Lea Salonga and Pepe Smith are icons in their own right. Emerging in the Pampanga music scene is Shane Lumanog. Her songs were described as “pulosa” which is a type of music genre where the people tell a story in a form of a song. Together with

fragile agriculture. Even when they drill 60 meters deep into the ground, oftentimes they are only able to fetch salty water.

Modern Mhamid still comprises rows of mud brick buildings flanking a main avenue. The townscape blends seamlessly with the desert surrounding, yet this charming feature is often overlooked. Although it is a tourism town, it is definitely more subdued than Merzouga. The town exudes an authentic Berber atmosp here that is quieter and more serene, as well as ideal for those seeking solitude and a deeper connection with nature. In Mhamid, encounters with locals are not just staged for tourists; they are a genuine part of daily life. This interaction offers a profound understanding of desert life that goes beyond surface-level tourism. Into the Great Desert As the gateway to the Sahara, there are several excursions that visitors can avail in Mhamid, ranging from a two-day to a week trek and riding on either a 4x4 or a camel. The desert bivouac is a truly magical experience. As one goes deeper into the desert, the

her sister and bandmates, their efforts in promoting Kapampangan are so timely and relevant considering that the use of the Kapampangan language is declining. Pampanga is more than just PX goods, Hot Air Balloon and Giant Lanterns. Pampanga is a land of people who are proud of their language, cuisine, art, and heritage. Their place in Filipino culture is well entrenched.

Special thanks to NLEX Lakbay Norte for the transportation and assistance.

J P Ordoña (Manilakad) leads Manilakad Walks in Intramuros Binondo Quiapo and more. Let him guide you to several walking destinations in Manila. Manilakad (Jing Ordoña) can be reached on Facebook Messenger or through text at 0916-3597888 and Viber (George Ordoña) at 0960-6975930.

more silent and still the place becomes. My friend and I took the two-day guided camel tour, and it took us around three hours to reach our camp. While the temperature can be searing, one hardly sweats because the air is not humid. Merzouga’s popularity can mean crowded desert camps during peak seasons, but Mhamid provides a more intimate experience under the night sky. Campsites are often smaller and more secluded, so much so that we were the only ones at ours during our stay.

This delivers a quieter and more personalized evening of stargazing in the company of only two locals amidst the desert’s vastness and silence. The guide and camp overseer prepare a romantic dinner served in front of a bonfire. Keeping with Moroccan hospitality, the memorable day ends with a warm serving of traditional mint tea. Surprisingly, while it is warm during the day, it can be very chilly at night.

Waking up for sunset is equally rewarding. The rising sun dramatically changes the color of the Sahara and this is even made

more beautiful with the movements of the dunes’ shadows. The largest dune on this part of the desert is Erg Chigaga, which can only be reached by another day of trekking. However, the dunes around the campsite do not disappoint. The opportunity to have them all to onesel is already more than oneone can wish for. It is also in the morning when the more adventurous caravans can be spotted, leaving one to wonder as to how different the scene can change and what surprises can unfold as they go deeper into the Great desert.

Mhamid does not fail to resonate with those seeking genuine cultural immersion and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Whether you are drawn to the tranquility of the desert, the allure of nomadic life, or the chance to explore untouched landscapes, Mhamid promises an unforgettable Sahara experience that is both enriching and enlightening. It is a place where the sands whisper tales of fabled caravans and the

of

Photos

Story & photos by Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero

spirit

the Sahara beckons you to discover Morocco’s hidden treasures.

A TYPICAL street scene in Mhamid RUINS of the older settlement in Mhamid

CAMELS were the only means of transporation across the Sahara in the older days

BACOLOR Church WAKEBOARDING TUTULARI Gorge

BETIS Church KYND Dining Restaurant SAN Fernando Train Station

PAMINTUAN Mansion

FORT Stotsenburg

ARCADES of the market of Mhamid

Filipino Flicks now in Philippine Airlines’

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Back-to-school budget combo: realme C65 and Buds T110

AI could help spread false and misleading information on Holocaust, Unesco report warns

WASHINGTON—A United Nations agency is warning that developments in artificial intelligence could spawn a new surge in Holocaust denial.

A report published on Tuesday by Unesco concludes that AI could result in false and misleading claims about the Holocaust spreading online, either because of flaws in the programs or because hate groups and Holocaust deniers will intentionally use AI programs to generate content that falsely calls into question the murder of Jews and other groups by the Nazis.

One of the biggest concerns is that AI could be used to create so-called deepfakes of the Holocaust—realistic images or videos that could be used to suggest the Holocaust didn’t happen or was exaggerated. That could lead to greater antisemitism and a lack of understanding of a key moment in 20th-century history. The report noted that some AI-assisted programs allow users to interact with simulated historical figures, including prominent Nazis like Adolf Hitler.

“If we allow the horrific facts of the Holocaust to be diluted, distorted or falsified through the irresponsible use of AI, we risk the explosive spread of antisemitism and the gradual diminution of our understanding about the causes and consequences of these atrocities,” Audrey Azoulay said in a statement accompanying the report.

Widespread use of AI for assistance in education, research and writing are increasing the likelihood that unreliable data and artificial intelligence “hallucinations” could increase public misunderstandings about the Holocaust, even inadvertent ones. AI programs whose understanding of the world is based on relatively narrow sources can also return incomplete or misleading responses when asked about the Holocaust.

Unesco’s report called on tech companies to establish ethical rules for the development and use of AI, to reduce the chances of unreliable information, and to prevent bad actors from harnessing their programs in order to encourage violence and to spread lies about the Holocaust. The report was published in partnership with the World Jewish Congress.

Pinoy athletes get medical, wellness service from Allianz PNB

RECOGNIZING the Filipino athletes’ tough road to the Paris Olympics, Allianz PNB Life provides crucial support them to focus on the task while training and competing.

As insurance partner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Allianz PNB Life offers vital insurance coverage for the country’s elite athletes while spearheading initiatives to rally public support for their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

To ensure that they have the confidence to be at their best in their Olympic events, Allianz PNB Life will provide Allianz Well! insurance to the Philippine athletes.

Through Allianz Well! they have 24/7 access to Expert Medical Advice through teleconsultation, Wellness Services like gym memberships, nutrition counseling, health screenings, and dental services, and Early Detection of health risks through health screening.

The Allianz Well! Plan also offers the flexibility to choose a doctor or hospital, regardless of the cost, an online Easy Claims Process accomplished within 7 days, Medical Evacuation during emergency situations, and exclusive freebies and discounts from health and wellness partners nationwide through AZPNBL Healthbox. By providing tangible support and inspiration, Allianz PNB Life aims to boost athletes’ confidence as they represent the Philippines on the global stage.

“Inspired by the Olympic pole vaulter and Allianz ambassador EJ Obiena, we at AZPNBL believe in taking action, pushing beyond our limits, and striving for greatness,” AZPNBL President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Gross said.

“We believe that success isn’t just about talent, it’s also about direction. That’s why we’re committed to securing your future and helping you leap towards your financial goals. Whether you are an athlete, an entrepreneur, or a dedicated professional with big dreams, AZPNBL is behind you with the inspiration and financial guidance you need to make it happen.”

Sports

Bianca four strokes off,

By Aldrin Quinto

PRESSURE is on for those on the bubble in the chase for Olympic berths even as eyes are on the big guns as the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship got underway Thursday in Sammamish, Washington.

Bianca Pagdanganan had a rollercoaster start, carding a 72 with four birdies against four bogeys on opening day of the third ladies major championship of the season, standing four strokes off the pace set by Lexi Thompson.

It’s also the final week of competition before the final cut for the women’s golf tournament in the Paris Olympics.

Pagdanganan, well in the top 60 in the International Golf Federation’s list for the Paris Games, was in a big group in joint 22nd, which includes major champions Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Koreans Jeongeun Lee6 and Jin Young Ko.

Dottie Ardina, the other player representing the Philippines in the Ladies

Professional Golf Association (LPGA), had a tough outing and carded a 75.

That put her in a tie for 70th with major winners Lydia Ko, Cristie Kerr, Lilia Vu and Angela Stanford, among others.

An Epson Tour regular who also has status in the LPGA, Ardina is running 55th in the 60-player list for the Olympics golf tournament, to be held from August 7 to 10 at Le Gof National in Guyancourt, France.

Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso, who won the US Open three weeks ago, made four straight bogeys on the back nine and finished at 2-over 74 for a share of 53rd spot.

After competing under the Philippine flag in the Tokyo Games, Saso is set to compete in the Paris Olympics as a Japanese citizen.

Saso is No. 6 in the world rankings and the top Japanese player in the Olympic list.

Thompson sets pace THOMPSON made six birdies on her way to a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda and Patty Tavatanakit.

Teeing off in the afternoon as temperatures climbed into the 80s

and dried out Sahalee Country Club, Thompson started hot with three straight birdies to open her round and built on last week when she lost in a playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Thompson, who announced her plans to retire full-time from the LPGA Tour after the season, shot a bogey-free 32 on the front nine, capped with a 6-foot birdie on the par-3 ninth. After a bogey at No. 10, Thompson rebounded with birdies at Nos. 12 and 14 before another bogey at the 16th. She won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June 2019. The 68 is her lowest round in a major since a 67 in the second round of the Women’s PGA two years ago at Congressional.

and Paralympics from July to September, Senator Pia S. Cayetano has expressed her support for the Filipino athletes and para-athletes poised to compete on the world stage.  Among those representing the Philippines in the Olympics are pole vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam; rower Joanie Delgaco;

Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando; and fencer Samantha Catantan. Meanwhile, five Filipino athletes qualified for the Paralympics— swimmers Ernie Galiwan and Angel Otom; archer Agustina Bantiloc; thrower Cendy Asusano; and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan.

“I want our Olympians and Paralympians to know that we are proud of them. The fact that they have reached this far, we are already very proud of them,” Cayetano said, adding that it is crucial to provide support, including adequate funding, to ensure the success of Filipino athletes.

WORLD No. 2 Ernest John “EJ” Obiena regained his fiery form with newly-acquired poles, winning the gold medal in the 2024 Ireny Szewinskiej Memorial Athletics Championships on Friday at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

After finishing seventh in Ostrava, Czech last May 28 and silver in the Oslo Bislett Diamond Games last May 31 where his poles got broken, Asia’s top pole vaulter cleared 5.97 meters at the gold continental tournament in his first attempt before missing all three tries in 6.02m.

“A huge win,” Obiena’s longtime adviser Jim Lafferty told BusinessMirror via online chat.

“He was clearing all heights right up to 6.02. If you watch the footage, he had the height just some small technical tweaks. He is just peaking at just the right time.”

Obiena’s new poles were bought

“On our part, in terms of legislation, we provide funding for the athletes because we want them to reach that level. It’s part of our job to support our athletes. They bring so much pride and joy to the country. We must give them commensurate financial support so they can perform well.” A former student-athlete and national volleyball team player herself, Senator Cayetano has been at the forefront of advocating for Filipino athletes’ welfare, consistently providing assistance to numerous student-athletes and national athletes, including EJ Obiena and Carlos Yulo.  As Senior Vice Chairperson of the Senate’s Finance Committee, the

mirror_sports@yaho

A10 Saturday, June 22, 2024 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

RED-HOT Canada made short work of Brazil, 26-24, 25-19, 26-24, to stay perfect in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week 3 Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Canadians needed only 76 minutes to dispatch the former VNL and world champions for their third win in as many matches that shored up their drive for a spot in the Final 8.  Canada, the world No. 10, hiked its mark to 7-4 with 21 points to snatch fourth place from France, this year’s Olympics host and the reigning gold medalist.  France, coming off a loss to Germany, halted Iran’s surprise run in Week 3 with an easy 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 for a 7-3 slate but with only 20 points entering the homestretch of the 16-team VNL race, with only eight going to the final round in Poland next week.  Slovenia (9-1), Italy (8-2) and reigning champion Poland (7-2) pace the race.  Ace spiker Eric Loeppky had 21 points built on 18 attacks, three aces, while Stephen Timothy Maar added 12 points. Loeppky pushed Canada to set points in the first and third sets, with Maar sealing the deal on both occasions.

Korda shot 69 in the morning, and Tavatanakit matched it in the afternoon with a bogey-free round.

The top-ranked Korda missed the cuts in the US Women’s Open and the Meijer LPGA Classic in her last two starts after winning six of seven events, a run that started with a record-tying five straight victories.

Korda started on the back nine and made four birdies on her first five holes.

But parts of the morning were a scramble for Korda as the Douglass fir, red cedar and hemlock trees of Sahalee played their role in making it a challenge. A double bogey on the par-4 fourth hole dropped her back to 2 under.

“If you try and be aggressive when you’ve hit it off line, it just bites you in the butt,” Korda said. “Overall, I think I played pretty well. I took my chances where I could and I played safe the majority of the round.”

Korda made a 15-foot putt on the par-3 ninth hole—her final hole—to take an early one-shot lead.

There was another group of players at 2 under, including Allisen Corpuz, Celine Boutier, Charley Hull and Leona Maguire. With AP

Arthur Szwarc had 11 points for the Canadians, who are looking for their place in the finals after placing 12th  last year.

“It’s a huge win and a lot of emotions. We’re super pumped about this game. We felt that it’s a team win. We won together and we just have to focus on the next game and try to book our ticket in the Final 8,” said Loeppky.

Darlan Ferreira Souza was the only twin-digit scorer with 10 points for world No. 6 Brazil, which absorbed its second loss in three matches here in Manila after also bowing to USA on Thursday, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, 9-15 to fall at 6-5. Canada shoots for a Manila leg sweep against the Netherlands at 3 p.m. on Saturday while Brazil, still clinging at No. 6, goes for a strong finish against France at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Obiena wins gold with new poles in Poland Gonzales sets lofty goals as JPGT goes to Bacolod

by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) headed by President Terry Capistrano and Secretary-General Jasper Tanhueco.

Despite falling short of 6.02m, Obiena looks very capable of making it even before the Paris Olympics set July 26 to August 11, according to physiotherapist Antonio Guglietta.

“It’s a shame because we’re always a little short of getting over 6.02 metres, but I think that with his coach Vitaly Petrov they already know how to do it at the right time of the season,” Guglietta said. “But everything went well.”

Obiena’s next tournament is on Sunday, a silver continental tour, in Poznan, Poland.

“I am hoping EJ will repeat it on Sunday in Poznan to find continuity and stability. EJ did a longer warm up to try everything as best he could after the unfortunate events of the last two races, so he arrived at 6:02

Senator pushed for funding for the athletic programs of various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), as well as the construction of an athletes’ dormitory within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, with the support of former Finance Chairperson Senator Sonny Angara. She also funds different grassroots sports programs like Spike & Serve, Tuloy Foundation Football, and Payatas Football Club.

In the Senate, Senator Cayetano championed key legislation to advance the same cause, including the StudentAthletes Protection Act, the National Academy of Sports Act, and the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, among others.  She continues to promote the

a little tired. But everything’s fine,” he added.

Greek Emmanouil Karis moved to the top early by clearing 5.92m but Obiena’s made 5.97m in his first attempt. Both pole vaulters failed to hit 6.02m in the competition that drew 11 participants.

Poles Piotr Lisek was third with a 5.75m vault.

Obiena’s previous gold medal was in the Los Angeles Grand Prix last May 18 after clearing 5.80m.

The Paris bound Filipino pole vaulter—the only Asian to qualify for pole vault competition in the Paris games by reaching the Olympic standard 5.81m last July 2, 2023—is expected to fly to the French capital before the opening of the games next month. Josef T. Ramos

growth of sports in the country through her advocacy arm, Pinay In Action (PIA), which has been conducting numerous sports clinics and tournaments for almost two decades now. Asked about her message for our Parisbound athletes, Senator Cayetano said, “We are proud of you. One athlete can change the lives of so many young people. Hanga ang mga kabataan sa kanila.” “I encourage all Filipinos to cheer for our Olympians and Paralympians, send them messages of encouragement and gratitude. Dala nila ang bandila natin,” Cayetano said.

CAILEY CHANELLE GONZALES has made a significant impact in the Junior PGT Iloilo Visayas Series, showcasing her talent and potential to become a future golfing star.

Dominating the girls’ 10-12 age division in the kickoff leg of the regional series, Gonzales’ performance is a clear indication of her promise.

“My immediate dream is to win an international competition,” said Gonzales, an incoming Grade 6 student at De La Salle-Zobel. Ultimately, she aspires to study in the US and compete with the world’s best golfers. At the par-70 Iloilo Golf Club, Gonzales posted impressive scores of 74 and 75, securing an emphatic 17-stroke victory. Encouraged by her remarkable performance,

PAGDANGANAN ARDINA

Editor: Angel R. Calso

South Korea summons Russian ambassador over defense pact with N. Korea as border tensions rise

By Kim Tong-Hyung The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the country’s new defense pact with North Korea on Friday, as border tensions continued to rise with vague threats and brief, seemingly accidental incursions by North Korean troops.

Earlier Friday, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a vague threat of retaliation after South Korean activists flew balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border, and South Korea’s military said it had fired warning shots the previous day to repel North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the rivals’ land border for the third time this month.

That came two days after Moscow and Pyongyang reached a pact vowing mutual defense assistance if either is attacked, and a day after Seoul responded by saying it would consider providing arms to Ukraine to fight Russia’s invasion.

South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun summoned Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev to protest the deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and called for Moscow to immediately halt its alleged military cooperation with Pyongyang.

Kim, the South Korean diplomat, stressed that any cooperation that directly or indirectly helps the North build up its military capabilities would violate UN Security Council resolu-

tions and pose a threat to the South’s security, and warned of consequences for Seoul’s relations with Moscow.

Zinoviev replied that he would convey Seoul’s concerns to his superiors in Moscow, the ministry said.

Leafletting campaigns by South Korean civilian activists in recent weeks have prompted a resumption of Cold War-style psychological warfare along the inter-Korean border.

The South Korean civilian activists, led by North Korean defector Park Sang-hak, said it sent 20 balloons carrying 300,000 propaganda leaflets, 5,000 USB sticks with South Korean pop songs and TV dramas, and 3,000 US dollar bills from the South Korean border town of Paju on Thursday night.

Pyongyang resents such material and fears it could demoralize frontline troops and residents and eventually weaken Kim Jong Un’s grip on power, analysts say.

In a statement carried by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yo Jong, one of her brother’s top foreign policy officials, called the activists “defector scum” and issued what appeared to be a threat of retaliation.

“When you do something you were clearly warned not to do, it’s only natural that you will find yourself dealing with something you didn’t have to,” she said, without specifying what the North would do.

After previous leafletting by South Korean activists, North Korea launched more than 1,000 balloons that dropped tons of trash in South Korea, smashing roof tiles and windows and causing other property damage.

Kim Yo Jong previously hinted that balloons could become the North’s standard response to leafletting, saying that the North would respond by “scattering dozens of times more rubbish than is being scattered on us.”

In response, South Korea resumed anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts with military loudspeakers installed at the border for the first time in years, to which Kim Yo Jong, in another state media statement, warned that Seoul was “creating a prelude to a very dangerous situation.”

Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest in years as Kim Jong Un accelerates his nuclear weapons and missile development and attempts to strengthen his regional footing by aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a standoff against the US-led West.

South Korea, a growing arms exporter with a well-equipped military backed by the United States, says it is considering upping support for Ukraine in response. Seoul has already provided humanitarian aid and other support while joining US-led economic sanctions against Moscow. But it has not directly provided arms, citing a long-standing policy of not supplying weapons to countries actively engaged in conflict.

Putin told reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday that supplying weapons to Ukraine would be “a very big mistake,” and said South Korea “shouldn’t worry” about the agreement if it isn’t planning aggression

against Pyongyang.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Minister Cho Tae-yul on Friday held separate phone calls with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to discuss the new pact. The diplomats agreed that the agreement poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and vowed to strengthen trilateral coordination to deal with the challenges posed by the alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang, Cho’s ministry said in a statement.

North Korea is extremely sensitive to criticism of Kim’s authoritarian rule and efforts to reach its people with foreign news and other media.

In 2015, when South Korea restarted loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in 11 years, North Korea fired artillery rounds across the border, prompting South Korea to return fire, according to South Korean officials. No casualties were reported.

South Korea’s military said there are signs that North Korea was installing its own speakers at the border, although they weren’t yet working.

In the latest border incident, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said several North Korean soldiers engaged in unspecified construction work briefly crossed the military demarcation line that divides the two countries at around 11 a.m. Thursday.

The South Korean military broadcast a warning and fired warning shots, after which the North Korean soldiers retreated. The joint chiefs didn’t immediately release more details, including why it was releasing the information a day late.

South Korea’s military says believes recent border intrusions were not intentional, as the North Korean soldiers have not returned fire and retreated after the warning shots.

The South’s military has observed the North deploying large numbers of soldiers in frontline areas to build suspected anti-tank barriers, reinforce

UN chief warns of perils of ‘weaponizing digital technologies’, malicious activity in cyberspace

By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—The United Nations chief warned Thursday that “the perils of weaponizing digital technologies are growing by the year” and malicious activity in cyberspace is on the rise by governments, non-government actors and criminals. At the same time, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “the misuse of digital technology is becoming more sophisticated and stealthy, malware, wipers and trojans are proliferating” and cyber operations enabled by artificial intelligence are multiplying the threat.

In addition, he warned the UN Security Council that “quantum computing could break down entire systems with its ability to breach encryption.”

On the positive side, Guterres said digital advances “are revolutionizing economies and societies,” not only bringing people together but delivering news, information and education and enabling citizens to access government services and institutions. But instant connectivity that powers enormous benefits is also leaving people, institutions and governments vulnerable, he said.

Guterres said cybersecurity incidents have become “disturbingly common”from disruptions to health, banking and telecommunications services to “relentless illicit activity” including by criminal organizations and so-called “cyber-mercenaries.”

The secretary-general also pointed to “a legion of hate merchants littering the information superhighway with fear and division” and the increasing use of cyberspace as a weapon in conflicts. “And the growing integration of digital tools with weapon systems, including autonomous systems, presents new vulnerabilities,” he said.

Guterres said software vulnerabilities are being exploited and ways to achieve this are even being sold on the Internet.

“Ransomware is one grievous example—a huge threat to public and private institutions and the critical infrastructure people depend on,” he said. “According to some estimates, total ransomware payments reached $1.1 billion in 2023.”

But the UN chief said beyond these costs such intrusions impact peace, security and stability within and among countries.

“Malicious activity that undermines public institutions, electoral processes and online integrity erodes trust, fuels tensions, and even sows the seeds of violence and conflict,” he said.

Guterres has been calling for global efforts to ensure that cyberspace and AI are regulated to ensure they are oriented to promoting responsible behavior of these technologies.

He has invited leaders of the 193 UN member nations to a Summit

of the Future during their annual gathering at the General Assembly in late September, and he told the council it

“represents a pivotal chance to support the maintenance of international peace and security in cyberspace.”

He also welcomed the General Assembly’s consideration of “the applicability of international law to state activities in this domain,” and its efforts to reach consensus on a new cybercrime treaty in the coming months “which should

deepen cooperation while protecting human rights online.” South Korea chose the topic of cybersecurity as the signature event during its presidency of the Security Council this month. Its Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul read a statement on behalf of 63 countries before the meeting recognizing the challenge of the malicious use of cyberspace and welcoming the council’s focus on the issue for only the second time.

Israel’s ‘tactical pause’ fails to bring relief to Gaza, aid distribution remains paralyzed

By Julia Frankel The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—The Israeli military said Sunday that it was establishing a new safe corridor to deliver aid into southern Gaza. But days later, this self-declared “tactical pause” has brought little relief to desperate Palestinians.

The United Nations and international aid organizations say a breakdown in law and order has made the aid route unusable.

With thousands of truckloads of aid piled up, groups of armed men are regularly blocking convoys, holding drivers at gunpoint and rifling through their cargo, according to a UN official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media on the issue.

The lawlessness is a major obstacle to aid distribution to southern and central Gaza—where an estimated 1.3 million Palestinians displaced from Rafah, or more than half of Gaza’s entire population, are now sheltering in tent camps and cramped apartments without adequate food, water, or medical supplies.

Here is a closer look at the security challenges facing the UN and aid organizations.

Israel’s ‘tactical pause’ stymied ISRAEL said Sunday it would observe daily pauses in combat along a route stretching from Kerem Shalom—the strip’s only operational aid crossing in the south—to the nearby city of Khan Younis. Before the pause, aid organizations had reported that the need to coordinate trucks’ movement with the Israelis in an active combat zone was slowing aid distribution.

The head of the UN’s World Food Program said Thursday that the pause has made “no difference at all” in aid distribution efforts. “We haven’t been able to get in,” said Cindy McCain in an interview with Al-Monitor. “We’ve had to reroute some of our trucks. They’ve been looted. As you know, we’ve been shot at and we’ve been rocketed.”

The UN official familiar with the aid effort said that there has been no sign of Israeli activity along the route. The UN tried to send a convoy of 60 trucks down the road Tuesday to pick up aid at Kerem Shalom. But 35 of the trucks were intercepted by armed men, the official said.

In recent days, the groups have moved closer to the crossing and set up roadblocks to halt trucks loaded with supplies, the UN official said. They have searched the pallets for smuggled cigarettes, a rare luxury in a territory where a single smoke can go for $25.

The surge in lawlessness is a result of growing desperation in Gaza and the power vacuum left by Hamas’s waning power over the territory, said Mkhaimar Abusada, an associate professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza who is now in Cairo.

With the enclave’s police force targeted by Israel, he said, crime has reemerged as an untreated issue in Gaza.

“After Hamas came to power, one of the things that they brought under their control was the lawlessness of the so-called big clans,” said Abusada. “Now, that’s left for the Palestinians on their own to deal with it. So once again, we are seeing shootings between families, there are thefts, all the bad things are happening.”

UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, used to deploy local Palestinian police to escort aid con-

voys, but many refused to continue serving after airstrikes killed at least eight police officers in Rafah, the agency said.

Israel says the police are legitimate targets because they are controlled by Hamas.

Is any aid still getting into Gaza?

THE situation has largely paralyzed aid distribution to the south—particularly since Gaza’s nearby Rafah crossing with Egypt was closed when Israel invaded the city early last month.

The UN official said that 25 trucks of flour used the route Tuesday. Some private commercial trucks also got through—many of which used armed security to deter groups seeking to seize their cargo. An AP reporter stationed along the road Monday saw at least eight trucks pass by, armed security guards riding on top.

Before Israel’s offensive into the city of Rafah, hundreds of fuel trucks routinely entered the area.

The UN has now begun rerouting some fuel trucks through northern Gaza. Farhan Haq, a UN spokesman, said five fuel trucks entered Gaza Wednesday. The UN humanitarian office reported that these were the

first fuel deliveries since early June and supplies remain scarce.

Aid groups say only a ceasefire and a reopening of the Rafah crossing could significantly increase aid flow to the area.

The military body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid efforts, COGAT, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Security concerns also afflict aid from US pier project

THE US installed a pier off Gaza’s coast last month, aiming to provide an additional route for aid to enter Gaza. But the ambitious project has suffered repeated logistical and security setbacks.

Cyprus and US officials said the pier was up and running again Thursday after being detached for a second time last week because of rough seas.

COGAT said Thursday there were “hundreds of aid pallets awaiting collection and distribution by the UN aid agencies.”

But there, too, security concerns are hindering distribution of aid.

The UN suspended its cooperation with the pier on June 9—a day after rumors swirled that the Israeli

military had used the area in a hostage rescue operation that left over 270 Palestinians dead. Photos of the operation showed an Israeli military helicopter in what appeared to be the vicinity of the pier.

Both Israel and the US deny the pier was used in the operation. But the perception that the pier was used for military purposes could endanger humanitarian workers, and threaten humanitarian groups’ principles of neutrality, the UN says.

Aid workers said they are working with the Israelis to find a solution, but that the security burden falls squarely on Israel’s shoulders.

Officials from the UN and other humanitarian organizations, including Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development, met with Israel’s military chief and COGAT officials this week to seek solutions.

USAID said afterward that the meeting ended with promises of specific actions, but gave no details.

A P correspondents Ellen K nickmeyer in W ashington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report

Navigating through darkness: Ukraine’s emergency blackouts return after Russia pounds infrastructure

been inflicted.

KBy Illia Novikov The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—During daytime, entire districts of Ukraine’s capital are disconnected from the power grid to save energy. Traffic lights stop, choking traffic, accompanied by the constant rumble of generators installed outside cafes and shops. Ukraine, including Kyiv, is struggling to cope with a new wave of rolling blackouts after relentless Russian attacks took out half the country’s power generation capacity. Residents and businesses of Kyiv are adapting to the absence of electricity using generators, power banks, and flashlights and even recalculating their bathroom visits. Heavy damage inflicted to the country’s power system has left millions feeling uncertain about Ukraine’s ability to meet the national electricity demand after the warm weather months are over and the weather turns cold.

“I light my apartment as our grandparents used to—with candles and small flashlights,” said Rudoy, a 40-year-old insurance agent from Israel who relocated from Tel Aviv to Kyiv in 2023 after Russia launched its full-scale inva-

sion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

He said that he wanted a new life despite the war—to live side-by-side with old friends and reside in a milder climate—but he hadn’t foreseen the inconveniences of living without power. Rudoy bought an apartment on the seventh floor of a newly built 25-story high rise with no gas system or water supply that’s wholly dependent on electricity.

“I have to adjust my life to the blackout schedules, otherwise it is impossible to live normally—not even to use a toilet at times,” Rudoy told The Associated Press.

A friend in a nearby district typically has power when he doesn’t, which makes his life easier. Work often gets done at a cafe that has a generator, but there’s a catch.

“Even if you find a free table at a cafe nearby, working generators are very noisy and spread diesel fumes,” he said. “That’s why not many cafes that operate during blackouts are actually good to work in.”

Ukraine is struggling to meet electricity demand as systematic attacks on its power infrastructure have intensified since March, forcing utilities to ration household supplies over the last three months. The country’s top officials repeatedly called on allied countries to provide more air defense systems to protect its power plants from Russian missiles and drones, but tangible damage had already

The blackouts in Kyiv are the worse since the early months of the war when Russian strikes on the country’s power grid led to major wintertime blackouts that led to authorities setting up communal heating areas and hundreds of emergency points where residents could drink tea, recharge their phones and get help.

“As of today, due to missile and drone attacks, we have lost 9.2 gigawatt of electricity (generating capabilities),”Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in early June. Despite having the capacity to import 2.2 gigawatts of electricity from European countries, Ukraine is importing 1.7 gigawatts, Shmyhal said.

Apart from direct imports, Ukraine is working to attract foreign investment to its private energy sector. At a summit in Berlin this month, Ukraine presented investment projects that could enable additional capacity of 1 gigawatt, said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of power utility Ukrenergo.

16. CHAN KAH LEONG Marketing Personnel

Brief Job Description: To guide clients through all procedures required and responsible for furnishing clients with relevant information.

17. NGUYEN THI HIEN Marketing Personnel

Brief Job Description: To guide clients through all procedures required and responsible for furnishing clients with relevant information.

Brief

49. ZHOU, JIE Technical Manager

ZHU, CHUNGUANG Technical Manager

Brief

50.

environment. Exceptional communication and reporting skills. Solid working knowledge in all required software and programming languages.

CRONYX INC. 5-12, 15-19/f Royal Peak Tower A, 485 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

51. LE THI DIEU LINH Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team. Basic Qualification: Have

52. LI, HUIJUN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team.

53. LY, VAN TAC Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget.

DIC PHILIPPINES, INC. #26 1st Ave., Sta. Maria Industrial Estate, Bagumbayan, City Of Taguig

54. SAKAMOTO, NAOSHIGE

Chief Operating Officer

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with CEO in setting and driving organizational vision, operations strategy, and hiring levels.

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC.

Basic Qualification: 5 to 10 years of experience in managing a complex enterprise’s human resources, finances, operations, and strategies.

5 To 10/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque 5/f, 6/f, 7/f, 8/f Aseana 3 Building D., Macapagal Boulevard Corner Asean Ave., Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

55. DUONG THI PHUONG ANH Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team.

56. HU, YUANHAO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team.

57. TA, VAN TRUONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team.

58. ZHANG, HUIYAN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

94. FITRA Chinese

Brief

95. JI, HE Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Communicate

a team of programmers. Create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team. Basic

and

96. KOH CUN HUI

Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers. Create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

97. LIN, HU

Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers. Create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

98. MAUNG MAUNG THET Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers. Create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

99. TRAN VAN TRUC Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Document all aspects of software, for ongoing maintenance and revisions.

100. WANG, WEI Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Brief Job Description: Communicate overall design and approach to a team of programmers. Create flowcharts, diagrams, other models, and programming instructions to guide programming team.

101.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas. Basic Qualification: Able to contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies. Able to help detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

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

102. FENG, YING Marketing And Sales Agent

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

103. GUO, QIUDONG Marketing And Sales Agent

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas. Basic Qualification: Able to

Brief

104.

135.

136.

Brief

137. KE, TSUNG-YU Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief

138. LE THI HUYEN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting

139. LUO, YONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing. Basic Qualification:

140. NGO, XUAN HUNG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

141. NGUYEN BA LUONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

142. WAT, KAI-SING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

143. YUAN, HUIDONG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Correcting errors and organizing the information in a manner that will optimize swift and accurate capturing.

144. LI, CHIA-LING Chinese Speaking Dealer

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing excellent customer service and facilitating customer interactions in a professional manner.

145. QUACH THI BICH DAO Chinese Speaking Dealer

Brief Job Description: Manage and facilitate customer interactions according to established company policies.

146. CHEN, YEN-PU Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and budget. Basic

147. DING, KE Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Brief Job Description: Liaising with clients to determine their requirements, timescale and

178.

BusinessMirror

179.

180.

Brief

LIN, YI-CHEN Customer Service Representative (Mandarin Speaking)

181.

182.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customer through Mandarin to English language translation.

GUAN, HONG-YI Mandarin Speaking Advance Account Security Specialist

Brief Job Description: Responsible for keeping data and electronic records protected through Mandarin language translation.

183. TSAI, CHANG-YU Mandarin Speaking Advance Digital Customer Relation Specialist

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

Bachelor’s degree in a similar field. Able to speak and write in Vietnamese and ChineseMandarin languages.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling digital campaigns, handles service supports calls and chats related to inquiry from clients. Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters.

LIU, YU-CHIN Mandarin Speaking Data Transcription Specialist

Brief Job Description: Listen to recordings and transcribe to text files through Mandarin language translation.

YANG, HUI-WEN Mandarin Speaking Data Transcription Specialist

Brief Job Description: Listen to recordings and transcribe to text files through Mandarin language translation.

CHEN, WEI-RONG Mandarin Speaking Trend Risk Analyst

Brief Job Description: Analyzing past data to uncover patterns and trends that may indicate future risk.

CHOU, WEI-CHENG Mandarin Transcriber Business Development Strategist

Brief Job Description: Leading progressive business strategic plans through mandarin translation.

LIU, CHIEH-YI Mandarin Transcriber Business Development Strategist

Brief Job Description: Leading progressive business strategic plans through Mandarin language translation.

Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters.

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

Basic Qualification: Through, and extensive fluency in Mandarin language and characters.

Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

189. LIU, QINGSHOU Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing overall administrative support to the team and he/ she will be assigned to the Chinese team.

190. XU, XIAOCHUN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Brief Job Description: Identify and maintain new business opportunities and existing partners.

191. ZHANG, JIE Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer

Brief Job Description: Gathering invoices, statements, reports, personal details, documents and information from employees, other departments and clients.

Basic Qualification: Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and able to organize their work using tools.

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

224.

Brief

Brief

226. NGUYEN, HONG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service

227. NGUYEN, THI HA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief

228. NGUYEN, THI HONG NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service

Brief

229. NGUYEN, THI MY Vietnamese

230. NGUYEN, THI NGOC LANH Vietnamese Customer Service

231. NGUYEN, VAN KHOA Vietnamese Customer Service

259. FARHAN HAMZAH Indonesian

Brief

260. MUHAMAD ARIP Indonesian Sales Specialist

Brief

261. OKKI GUSMARA Indonesian Sales Specialist

Brief Job Description: Establish and maintain effective customer relationships with customers and assist in day-today operational responsibility. Basic

262. MBILAM, BONGDZEEM OPHILIA Translator (French)

Brief Job Description: Translate written documents, audio recordings, or spoken conversations accurately and efficiently from one language to another.

Basic Qualification: With excellent verbal communication skills specifically French and English languages.

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

S&P CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT CO., INC.

12/f Times Plaza Building, United Nation Avenue Corner Taft Avenue, Barangay 670, Ermita, City Of Manila

263. HAN, XIAOKUN Chinese Construction Technician

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow all state and safety requirements to implement good safety conditions at work site.

LI, GUANG Chinese Construction Technician

264.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin language is an advantage. Able to explain problems simply and clearly. Proficient in MS Office. Able to follow health and

Basic

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow

Basic

265.

LIU, DONGJUE Chinese Construction Technician

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow all state and safety requirements to implement good safety conditions at work site.

Brief

TELEPHILIPPINES INCORPORATED G, 3, 4&5/f Peoplesupport Center, Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

289. AKO,

Customer Service Representative

290. CHONGWAN ABOUBAKAR, SIDIKI BOBO ATIKOU

Brief

291. GRANADOS BUCIO, PAULO Customer Service Representative

Brief

292. ANTEH, ALAIN TYRESE ABANGI ABANG Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Provide product/service information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems.

Customer Service Representative

293. GUEU, KWIKANNEY ROMARIC-FOURRIER

Brief Job Description: Highly proficient in verbal and written English language. Capable of communicating effectively with internal and external customers.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of a university degree, experience in handling French accounts or French related duties and responsibilities is preferred.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php

THE JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 22/f Trident Tower, 312 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

294. YADA, HISATOSHI Secretary-General

Brief Job Description: To act and serve as the administrative officer and manager of the chamber.

VEHICLE MASTER SERVICE CORP. #27, T. Santiago St., Canumay West, City Of Valenzuela 295.