BusinessMirror March 08, 2023

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said inflation reached 8.6 percent in February 2023. Inflation was at 8.7 percent in January and at 3 percent in February 2023. (Full story here: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/03/07/inflation-slows-down-to-8-6-infebruary-psa/)

University of the Philippines School of Economics head of research Renato E. Reside Jr. told BusinessMirror that core inflation is the indicator to watch as it reached 7.8 percent in February.

The PSA said this is the highest since March 1999 when it was at 8.1 percent.

“If it’s the highest since 1999, it probably means we’re still in for a rough ride in the next few months as price pressures

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

WOMEN workers con -

tinue to bear the brunt of the pressures caused by high inflation and workplace abuses, according to the coalition of the country’s largest labor groups and a new report from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

In a joint statement, members of the Nagkaisa labor coalition said female employees, who usually end up in precarious and underpaid jobs, are also left to deal with family affairs and finances.

“While inflation hurts ev -

THE President has approved the creation of a new Interagency committee (IAC) on Inflation and Market Outlook (IMO) to be cochaired by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the Department of Finance (DOF).

The Department of Budget and Management will be the vice chairperson of the IAC. The committee will also be composed of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Energy, Department of Science and

Technology, and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The Philippine Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Philippine Competition Commission will serve as the Committee’s resource institutions.

“This newly formed committee shall serve as an advisory body to the President and the Cabinet on measures to mitigate inflation and ensure food and energy security while balancing the interests of local food producers, consumers, and the overall economy,” the Neda

said in a statement on Tuesday. DOF Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said as a high-level IAC on IMO, the committee will help craft measures to mitigate inflation and ensure food and energy security.

“We will carefully balance the interests of producers, consumers, and the economy. This will allow us to have greater flexibility and more timely recommendations on the timing and amount of imports,” Diokno said.

The advisory body, Neda said, will lead the close monitoring of

inflation (particularly on food and energy and their main drivers and causes), facilitate regular and efficient data-sharing among concerned agencies.

It will help assess the supplydemand situation for energy and essential food commodities, provide forward estimates given various scenarios, and provide timely recommendations to the President and relevant agencies on measures to curb possible price spikes and See “IAC,” A2

continue to reverberate through our economy. This is why the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) is sounding increasingly hawkish,” Reside said. Reside said core inflation measures inflation for commodities that are not volatile and excludes certain food and energy items. The movements also lag those in prices of energy and food.

“So core inflation movements measure how quickly price pressures and expectations travel through the rest of the economy after the initial shock from food and energy,” Reside said.

Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. agreed and told BusinessMirror that inflation remains

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Finance department is pushing for further easing of various non-tariff measures (NTMs), such as fewer import permits, to facilitate easier entry of food supplies to temper the country’s accelerated inflation rate.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno on Tuesday disclosed that he presented to President Marcos Jr. the various short-term and long-term measures that are necessary in addressing the increasing the country’s inflation rate.

Part of these measures were the removal of the certificate of necessity to import (CNI) for fish and digitizing and centralizing of See “Anti-inflation,” A2 See “High prices,” A2

eryone, it hurts women more,” Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) Chief of Staff Jillian Roque said. “As inflation continues to erode purchasing power, women are forced to make sacrifices for their families by starving themselves and skipping on meals, or cutting back on essential items and services including health care,” she added.

The latest Gender Statistics on Labor and Employment of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that of the 25 million wage and salary workers in 2017, most or 16 million are male, while the remaining 9 million are female.

A similar trend was also observed for the self-employed: 6.8 million of the 11.1 million workers in the sector are men.

In contrast, women make up more of the unpaid family workers in the said period with 1.4 million, while the remaining million are male.

New ILO report

THIS was also shown in a new ILO report, which made use of its “gender gap” indicator.

The study showed 15 percent of working-age women worldwide want to work, but are unable to do so. Males in similar conditions were much lower at only 10.5 percent.

“The jobs gap is particularly severe in developing countries where the proportion of women unable to find a job reaches 24.9 percent in low-income countries. The corresponding rate for men in the same category is 16.6 percent, a worryingly high level but significantly lower than that for women,” ILO said in a statement.

Partido Manggagawa Secretary General Judy Miranda said many women employees are also hired under a contractual arrangement, which left them earning less and being more vulnerable in workplaces than their male counterparts.

See “ILO,” A2

HIGH commodity prices may continue despite the slowdown in inflation in February 2023, according to local economists.

Continued from A1

“Pregnant women and nursing mothers in contractual employment for example are not able to assert their rights at work because employers can simply refuse to renew their contracts,” Miranda said.

ILO also came up with the same conclusion, noting the vulnerability of women in workplaces, together with their lower employment rates, “takes a toll” on their earnings.

“Globally, for each dollar of labor income men earn, women earn only 51 cents,” ILO said.

Workplace violence

NAGKAISA noted the abuses suffered by female workers can extend beyond employment benefits and even be physical in nature.

It cited the cases of migrant domestic workers in Kuwait including Myla Balbag, who was left paralyzed after jumping from the third floor in order to escape an abusive employer; as well as Jullebee Ranara whose body was burnt and left in a desert.

Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) deputy secretary general Joanna Bernice Coronacion said the NAGKAISA Women’s Committee is seeking justice for all victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and other forms of violence. She also urged government to finally ratify ILO’s Convention 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.

“The ratification of the ILO C190 is essential for setting-up the policies and environment that will protect women and help us in the assertion of our rights,” Coronacion said.

“While C190 on its own is obviously not the solution, it is a step in the right direction that will benefit all workers, especially women wherever we are—be it at home, at work, or in public,” she added.

Labor groups are set to hold a dialogue and protest in front of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) main office on Wednesday for the celebration of International Women’s Day.

Comelec en banc junks DQ case vs Cagayan gov Mamba

Thus, applying Section 5, Rule 2 of the Comelec Rules, it “yields no other conclusion but that the petition was filed belatedly after (Mamba’s) proclamation.  The petition (against Mamba), filed on 10 May 2022, at 18:21:41 GMT+8, is considered as filed at 8:00 a.m. of the next working day, i.e., 11 May 2022, 8:00 A.M., which is after the proclamation of (Mamba) on 11 May 2022 at 1:39:54 a.m., the Comelec added.

In dismissing Lara’s petition, the Comelec en banc also ruled that since the petition was filed after the May 9, 2022 election, any petition for disqualification after the election and proclamation of the winner “shall be dismissed as a disqualification case, but the complaint shall be referred for preliminary investigation to the Law Department of the Comelec,” the Comelec said, citing various cases with similar issue decided by the Supreme Court.

High prices. . .

Continued from A1

equal to last month’s figure. Given this, the economy may already be slowing and aggregate demand is declining.

On Tuesday, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said a 0.1 percentage point difference is not considered statistically significant.

Lanzona also said this balancing act between inflation and growth could continue given the lack of a plan to cool inflation apart from prompting BSP to tighten monetary policy.

He said this plan should include policies such as encouraging more competition in the economy.

“Any attempt to pump prime the economy will then create inflationary pressures. On the real side of the economy, the GDP growth and employment rates are going to decrease,” Lanzona added.

De La Salle University Economist Maria Ella Oplas told this newspaper that inflation could also continue because of the upcoming Lenten break when Filipinos are expected “to go out and spend.”

Another concern, Oplas said, is the outcome of the transport strike. If there will be an increase in fares, this could be inflationary.

She expects inflation to peak in June 2023 given the developments and still to be foreseen events that could lead to an increase in prices.

However, ADMU Department of Economics Chairperson Alvin P. Ang told Business Mirror that inflation reaching its peak is something that is now very difficult to pin down.

What is more important right now, Ang said, is to monitor the supply of basic necessities. This is key given that any adjustments done to increase the supply of certain commodities usually takes time.

“Structure and productivity is the problem in the food sector. (Unfortunately) this has spilled over (to affect the economy),” Ang told this newspaper.

Within expectations

In a resolution dated and released on Monday, March 6, 2023, the Comelec en banc, in a unanimous resolution, found that the petition filed by Ma. Zarah Rose Lara was filed “after Mamba’s proclamation, hence, the Comelec has no authority or jurisdiction to hear and resolve the petition for disqualification.”

The Comelec en banc found that on May 10, 2022, Lara electronically filed her petition at around 6:21 p.m.  Under Section 3, Rule 25 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure, a petition for disqualification “shall be filed any day after the last day of filing of the certificates of candidacy, but not later than the date of proclamation.”

Mamba was proclaimed by the board

of canvassers of Cagayan as the winning governor “on May 11, 2022 at 1:39:54 a.m. (and) this proclamation effectively divested the Commission of any authority to hear and decide disqualification cases filed after the same.  Thus, the Commission has no jurisdiction to take cognizance of the subject petition as it was filed after (Mamba’s) proclamation,” the poll body said.

Since Lara’s petition was filed electronically or by e-mail, the Comelec said that it is governed by Section 5, Rule 2 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure that states, “emails received beyond 5:00 p.m. shall be considered filed at 8:00 a.m. of the next working day.”

The Comelec explained that “the Commission’s authority to continue with cases involving petitions to disqualify candidates applies only to cases timely filed within the period set by law and before the proclamation of the winning candidate as provided under Section 6 of R. A. No. 6646. The clear intent of the law is to limit the authority of the Commission to hear disqualification cases filed before the proclamation of the candidate.”

Mamba was represented in the Comelec En Banc by election lawyers Romulo Macalintal, as lead counsel, and Antonio Carlos Bautista, Donnah Camitan, and Emilio Maranon III.

Anti-inflation. . .

Continued from A1

the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for imported food items, Diokno said.

The national government earlier loosened its import rules on onions after the Department of Agriculture scrapped the CNI requirement for the commodity allowing easier entry of the commodity. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/03/01/da-scraps-ntm-for-onion-easingimports/)

SPSICs is an import document that certifies that a shipment is compliant with the country’s food safety and plant quarantine rules.

“A digital and centralized SPSIC system will make the applications for and issuance of import clearances faster and more efficient,” he said.

“And then there are requirements that are delaying the release of [imported] products. For example, when you import before you can release it from Customs, you will need a lot of requirements,” Diokno added.

Diokno also proposed to Marcos the implementation of Article 4 of the World Trade Organization SPS Agreement or the equivalence principle.

Diokno argued that the equivalence principle would curtail unnecessary accreditation or tests on imported goods that are already recognized compliant with the exporting or another country’s food safety or quarantine standards, which are at par or even better than those of the Philippines.

“What does it mean? It is like what happened to the Covid-19 vaccines. The US FDA said that this certain type of vaccine is already okay with them but when it arrives in our country we still examine it again and undergo our own FDA,” he said.

“So what we are saying regarding equivalence, [is that] if the imported goods are already okay with other countries and the approval is reliable, then we should not redo the approval here so we can fast-track the release,” he added.

He also recommended the removal of the required authority to release imported goods or ATRIG (authority to release imported goods) on fertilizers and feed ingredients. Diokno explained that the Bureau of Internal Revenue will issue a memorandum circular that will remove the requirement of the issuance of ATRIG on fertilizers and feed ingredients to lessen the processing time of imports.

Diokno together with other Cabinet officials had a sectoral meeting with Marcos on the same day that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s inflation in February was estimated at 8.6 percent. The February inflation print was slower than the 8.7 percent posted in January but remained faster on an annual basis compared to the 3 percent in February of last year, according to the PSA.

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the 8.6-percent inflation is within its 8.5 to 9.3 percent month-ahead inflation forecast.

BSP noted that inflation continues to be driven by supply-side factors on the back of elevated global and domestic commodity prices which have broadened.

“Inflation is projected to remain above the target until early fourth quarter 2023 before decelerating close to the low end of the target range by January 2024 due mainly to negative base effects and the likely decline in global oil and non-oil prices,” BSP said in a statement.

Risks to the country’s inflation outlook remain tilted to the upside for 2023 and 2024. There could be an increase in domestic food prices due to uncertainties in the global food market.

Other factors include transport fare hikes on the back of higher oil prices and “higher-than-expected wage adjustments in 2023.”

Monetary Board review

THE BSP said the Monetar y Board will review its assessment of the inflation outlook in its monetary policy meeting on March 23.

“The BSP remains prepared to adjust its monetary policy settings as necessary to prevent inflation expectations from becoming disanchored and safeguard the inflation target over the policy horizon,” the central bank said in a statement.

“( We continue) to call for the timely and effective implementation of non-monetary government measures to mitigate the impact of persistent supply-side pressures on inflation,” BSP added.

For its part, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) stressed the need to recalibrate government strategies to alleviate the impact of higher commodity prices.

Neda said energy and food inflation remained the top contributors to inflation, accounting for 1.0 and 0.9 percentage points (ppt), respectively.

This was followed by restaurant services contributing 0.8 ppt and house rentals with 0.7 ppt. Meanwhile, public transport contributed 0.6 ppt.

“We must rethink our strategies to combat rising food prices. The country’s current high inflation is largely driven by domestic, supply-side constraints. Agricultural imports were ill-timed and food supplies have been inadequate. The solution is to get to the root of the problem, including fixing the bottlenecks along all segments of the agricultural value chain,” said Neda Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“We recommend the urgent creation of a high-level interagency committee to advise the President and the Cabinet on measures to keep food prices stable and ensure food security for all Filipinos, especially the poor whose expenditures are largely constituted by food. We must immediately address this issue if we are to remain on track to meeting our poverty reduction targets for the medium term,” he added. The country’s chief economist also underscored the importance of targeted social protection programs in helping the nation’s poorest families and vulnerable sectors cope with the impact of inflation.

Balisacan said the government continues to implement calibrated and swift measures to arrest inflation and its impact.

This includes efforts to address supply issues in food products, provide targeted cash transfers and social protection programs to the most vulnerable, and ensure access to affordable and reliable energy sources.

Balisacan said these short-term assistance programs will be complemented by productivity- and efficiency-enhancing measures in the medium term, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Continued from A1

promote food and energy security.

F urther, the committee shall continuously monitor global and regional developments and issues that may affect commodity prices and submit a quarterly report to the President on the food and energy supply-demand situation and outlook for the country.

The President also approved the creation of the Economic Development Group which Neda and DOF will also cochair. The group will assist the Executive Department in harmonizing, coordinating, complementing, and synergizing the efforts that will ensure the country’s rapid, inclusive, and sustained growth.

Among its members are the heads of the Presidential Management Staff, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Energy.

The list of members will also include the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Labor and Employment.

Neda said the Philippine government continues to implement monetary and non-monetary measures to ease price pressures. With the creation of the Interagency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook and the Economic Development Group.

“In addition, the Group may also request the participation of the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as well as of other officials of relevant government agencies, as is deemed necessary,” Neda said.

The Marcos Administration’s Economic Team is committed to directly addressing the root causes of high food prices to ensure food security, protect the purchasing power of Filipinos—especially that of the poor and vulnerable sectors—in the short term and is committed to ensure that our country remains on track to meet our poverty reduction targets for the medium term,” it also said. Cai U. Ordinario

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has dismissed the disqualification case filed against incumbent Governor Manuel Mamba of the Province of Cagayan that, in effect, reversed an earlier resolution of Comelec (Second Division) last December 2022 that ordered his disqualification over alleged election spending in connection with the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

The Nation

Swift action to limit catastrophic Mindoro oil spill damage pressed

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie & Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

CONCERNED government agencies were pressed anew by Sen. Francis Tolentino to step up efforts to effectively contain the potentially catastrophic Mindoro oil spill that may have placed diverse marine ecosystem and people’s lives in jeopardy.

Taking the floor at the Senate session early this week, Tolentino raised the alarm over the recent maritime incident threatening the local ecosystem caused by the MT Princess Empress that sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last February 28 amid inclement weather and an overheated engine while carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.

E xpected to spread to over 24 square kilometers, the senator did not rule out that the spill might likely even reach the worldrenowned Boracay Island, noting reports that it has already affected more than 10,000 families.

He cited the current oil spill trajectory model by marine experts, who projected that approximately 20,000 hectares of coral reefs, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, 6,000 hectares of seagrass, “may be affected and the oil spill may also potentially reach as far as the shores of Palawan.”

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Bureau of Immigration

(BI) defended on Tuesday its existing policy barring travelers from taking photos and videos of immigration personnel while at the immigration areas of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco finally addressed a viral Twitter post showing signages at the Naia reminding travelers that “the use of cellular phones or video recording devices, sharing of photos/ videos of any immigration personnel is strictly prohibited.”

F urthermore, the signages warned travelers that “any form of slander against the immigration personnel is prohibited under the Cyberbullying law” and that “posting of

In his privilege speech, Tolentino also reminded that the Maritime Industry Authority is mandated to undertake the safety regulatory functions pertaining to vessel operations, while the Philippine Coast Guard is mandated to enforce all maritime laws.

House probe

THE chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources has filed a resolution urging his fellow lawmakers to look into the sinking of MT Princess Empress.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. filed House Resolution 829 on Monday so the committee can investigate, in aid of legislation, the oil spill, which has so far affected 10 municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.

O n February 28, as it sailed into rough seas off Naujan, Mindoro, the Princess Empress sank with its fuel cargo.

…The oil spill might affect 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, and 6,000 hectares of seagrass and could possibly coat the marine habitats and animals…which can clog the gills of fish and marine invertebrates… damage the feathers of bird and fur of marine mammals,” the resolution read.

Subsidy grant

THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), meanwhile, has added its voice for immediate government

photos/videos without the consent of the immigration personnel is a direct violation of the Data Privacy Act.”

Tansingco said such policy is also being observed in other countries.

“ The policy of disallowing photos and videos in the immigration area is not new, and similar signages have been posted in the past,” Tansingco said.

However, the BI chief ordered the signages to be removed and its wordings be improved in order to reflect the hospitality of the Filipino people.

“While the policy remains, I have instructed the BI airport management to temporarily remove the signages for them to be improved,” he stated.

T his developed as Tansingco assured travelers that there would be a sufficient number of immigration personnel to facilitate

action in connection with the oil spill. In a statement, Pamalakaya called for the grant of subsidy and livelihood support to affected fishing families caused by the sinking.

B ased on the partial data reported by Pamalakaya-Panay, the oil spill, which already reached the province of Antique, has affected around 1,200 fisherfolk and coastal residents in at least three coastal villages in the Semirara Island in the town of Caluya.

For a week now, the livelihood of fishermen in the area was affected by the oil spill. This includes the island of Semirara. The people there need immediate support for their day-to-day needs. We call on concerned government agencies for immediate action, to clean the oil spill and provide support to the affected fishermen and their families,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chairperson said.

‘Stop further damage’

THE House resolution said the oil spill, which has already caused severe damage in Oriental Mindoro, could also reach other coastal islands including Palawan, Antique and Romblon.

T he vessel MT Princess Empress is an oil products tanker, which is only a year old, it was revealed.

Oceana, an international environment group, earlier called on the government “to immediately implement mechanisms and actions to stop further damage on the marine

their travel documents during the summer season.

Tansingco said Philippine-bound travelers are expected to reach 30,000 a day during this season and 34,000 daily departures.

Apart from no leaves for port personnel during the peak season,

I have instructed the BI airport terminal heads to personally make sure that all counters are fully manned to service all inbound and outbound passengers,” Tansingco said.

He also disclosed that airport authorities have agreed to expand the areas allotted for BI personnel at Naia Terminal 3 soon to allow the agency to deploy more officers.

Likewise, the BI is expecting a new batch of 38 immigration officers to graduate from the BI’s academy in Clark, followed by a batch of 147 additional immigration officers.

environment, fisheries resources and livelihood in the affected Verde Island Passage which is the center of marine biodiversity in the world.”

It also asked the government to “start the investigation and testing on the extent of contamination… immediate assistance of the local fisherfolk dependent on the affected body of water.”

T he Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already announced last Monday that it has found the possible site of the capsized vessel, which is about 1,200 feet below the sea a few days after the DENR deployed the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) BRP Hydrographer Ventura within the area of the oil spill site.

T he DENR said the ill-fated vessel is located about northeast of Pola, Oriental Mindoro but it is “believed to have moved southeast from its last known position where it completely submerged.”

T he environment department however said it still needs to verify the location by deploying a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) “which will allow us complete visualization should the currents and weather permit.”

“ We are now preparing to access an ROV in order to fully determine where the vessel actually is and to completely model the way the oil will be spilling from the vessel,” the DENR said in a statement.

Supplemental budget

EARLIER , House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda expressed confidence that his colleagues will support a proposal for a supplemental budget for immediate action and recovery efforts as fears of widespread spillage from the sunken vessel may further spread.

We are prepared to propose and enact a supplemental budget if it comes to that. If the President requests it, we will grant it. This is an event that could has devastating consequences to fish supply and tourism, and it will definitely affect hundreds of thousands of families if it gets out of hand,” Salceda said.

S alceda was principal author and chairman of the House appropriations committee during the enactment of House Bill No. 9358, which, among other things, granted at least P5.4 billion in supplemental appropriations to sectors affected by the Guimaras oil spill in 2006.

“ I don’t think it will face significant resistance in either chamber,” Salceda added. “What I think should happen is, the President assesses the resources within his disposal, and asks Congress for more if he doesn’t have enough in the budget to deal with an event like this.”

“

In this particular instance, a supplemental budget would be

perfectly understandable, given that no one can really anticipate an oil spill,” the lawmaker added.

Salceda said that among the sectors that will most likely be affected are the tourism sectors of Batangas, Marinduque, and Mindoro.  Salceda said he is also “deeply concerned for the biodiversity and fisheries impacts of the oil spill.”

This is a crisis waiting to unfold if we don’t get to contain it this early. That area is very close to the Verde Island Passage, which has been declared as the Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity. It is extremely critical for national and global fisheries,” Salceda said.

The area is even a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it’s alarming that there are already signs of a large-scale spill,” Salceda added, pointing to accounts of a strong smell coming from the seas, as well as photos from the Philippine Coast Guard indicating some oil in the water’s surface.

Salceda said that a potential aid package might involve assistance to affected fisherfolk, more funds for cleanup, restoration of marine biodiversity, and rehabilitation of affected tourism sites. We’ll see what PBBM asks for, if he does. But for now, better treat it as a potential national emergency. If it proves to be not as bad as we fear, that’s good news.”

THE House Committee on Agriculture and Food on Tuesday cited for contempt the officials and a lawyer of a cold storage facility for their refusal to turn over the service contracts of their clients due to a supposed confidentiality clause of their agreement.

Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, the panel chairman, ordered the contempt against Argo President and General Manager Efren Zoleta, Argo operations manager Patrick John Sevilla and legal counsel John Ryan Cruz.

“Forty-nine members are present, the two-thirds required is 33. Having 35 votes Mr. Efren Zoleta Jr., Mr. John Sevilla, John Ryan Cruz are cited in contempt,” Enverga said.

“ We have a facility here. We will apply the full force of the rule—10 days in Congress,” Enverga said.

According to Enverga, Sevilla and his colleagues have been given enough time to submit the list of their clients.

C iting lawyers of Argo cold storage that is based in Nueva Ecija, Sevilla said they couldn’t provide the information of their clients, who stored red onions in their facility at the peak of agricultural hoarding reports last year.

“According to our lawyers we can’t

discuss, we can’t provide that specific information but we are able to provide stock movement,” said Sevilla.

Sevilla, who attended the hearing, was immediately detained. Zoleta and Cruz did not show up. The committee ordered the House Sergeantat-Arms to locate Zoleta and Cruz.

But Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said the documents provided by Argo have no confidentiality clause.

Even assuming that the word confidential is in any page, it does not affect the entire service contract that confidentiality refers to 3rd parties,” said Marcoleta.

A lso, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said Argo’s documents are “binding already.”

“Refusal to produce any proof, papers document or records that are relevant to the inquiry and relevant to the person concerned. This is very specific in our rules. You cannot use the excuse that you cannot bring documents because of the confidential agreement,” he said.

“Let me read to you and tell your lawyer, under Section 11 of rules of procedures governing inquiry, in aid of legislation, the committee might punish any person for contempt by votes of 2/3 of all the members present,” Barzaga added.

S evilla, however, said a soft copy of the service agreement bears a watermark stating the confidentiality clause.

For her part, Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo said these records are very important for them to secure the daily inventory records of all cold storage facilities.

I just want to note that the inventory records are of paramount importance in this investigation amid hoarding issues that affect the onion industry,” Quimbo added.

Meanwhile, the committee has summoned “Sibuyas Queen” Lilia Cruz to its next hearing.

Enverga ordered the issuance of subpoenas against Cruz and Ernesto Francisco of YOM Trading for their next hearing on Tuesday.

Barzaga said Cruz and Francisco must be cited in contempt “if in the next scheduled hearing, they would not be again able to attend.”

Full support

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday backed the decision of the House Committee on Agriculture to cite in contempt three persons in the panel’s investigation into reports of price manipulation and hoarding of onions.

BI chief stands by ‘no photo’ policy at Naia terminals

Crying time again: Three cited for contempt as House resumes probe on onion hoarding

Easing of sugar import rules to bring down inflation sought

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas  @jearcalas

THE Department of Finance (DOF) is pushing for the relaxation of import rules on imported sugar to ease the entry of imports to pull down elevated prices of the commodity.

A t a news briefing on Tuesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno disclosed that one of the short-term measures to address the country’s accelerating inflation is by removing the quantitative restriction (QR) on sugar.

Diokno said the removal of the QR could be done through an executive order (EO).

A QR is a non-tariff measure (NTM) that limits or restricts the volume of a given commodity or goods that can enter the country.

The relaxation of quantitative import restrictions on sugar will ease supply pressures and make sugar more affordable for Filipino consumers,” Di-

okno said in his speech delivered during the sectoral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday. “ This will also secure the continuous operations and competitiveness of the food and beverages manufacturing subsectors, whose key raw materials include sugar. It is important to note that these subsectors account for an average of 52 percent of the total gross valueadded of the sector from 2010 to 2021,” Diokno added. Industry experts told the BusinessMirror that the use of the EO could be aimed at amending the charter of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), which was created through EO 18 series of 1984.

T he present charter of the SRA empowers it to totally regulate the entry and movement of both local and imported stocks in the country. Furthermore, the SRA’s power to control the importation of sugar was strengthened by the Sugar Industry Development Act of 2015.

In the past years, the importation of sugar was only allowed upon the issuance of a sugar order (SO) by the SRA board that would authorize an import program. The absence of such approval would mean that imported sugar that will enter the country is smuggled or illegal.

Citing estimates by the agriculture department, Diokno said the country is set to suffer a shortfall of 73,546 metric tons in refined sugar supply by August 31 or the end of the sugar crop year 2022-2023.

T he shortage, Diokno pointed out, would continue to “exert pressure on retail prices of refined sugar” that has remained above P100 per kilogram today due to domestic supply woes.

“ With persistently high sugar inflation, which increased by 38.8 percent in January 2023, there  is an urgent need to improve sugar supply,” he said.

T his was not the first time that the DOF pushed for easing of import controls on sugar or even de -

No monkey business in PHL coconuts; animal rights group gives endorsement

THE People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has called on consumers and companies to support countries that don’t use monkey labor, including the Philippines, and shun countries that tolerate such animal abuse.

PETA, decrying the “forced labor” of monkeys as coconut pick-

ers in Thailand, issued the statement as two international companies—British grocery retailer ASDA and meal service company HelloFresh—confirmed that they will stop obtaining coconut milk from Thailand following a PETA investigation, revealing that monkeys are chained, whipped, beaten,

and forced to spend long hours picking coconuts from trees.

According to a statement issued by PETA, ASDA’s own new range of coconut milk will be obtained from the Philippines.

PETA Asia’s third exposé implicates Thai coconut pickers, brokers, farms, and monkey-training operations in nine provinces, including top-producing ones.

One trainer was caught on camera dangling a screaming monkey by the neck and striking him with a tether.

O ne monkey used for breeding was kept chained alone in the sun without access to water, while other young monkeys languished in cramped cages. Coconut pickers said that the monkeys sometimes incur broken bones from falling out of—or being yanked down from—the trees, and a worker confirmed that most monkeys are kidnapped from their families in nature, even though the species exploited by the coconut trade are threatened or endangered.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

Trade dept to intensify price monitoring drive on BNPCs

By Andrea E. San Juan

TRADE Secretary Alfredo E.

regulating or liberalizing the whole industry altogether.

T he agency was previously keen on liberalizing the sugar industry akin to what the rice sector experienced in 2019 to improve market competition that could result in more competitive pricing of the commodity in the retail market.

T he BusinessMirror earlier reported that the spike in the retail prices of refined sugar last year revived talks among pundits and industry stakeholders to finally open up the domestic sugar market to foreign competition. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2022/08/04/skyrocketingsugar-prices-stoke-industry-liberalization-stakes/

In 2019, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) commissioned Brain Trust Inc. to conduct an assessment on the country’s sugar industry. The study showed that SRA’s “tight control” over the sugar industry impeded its growth.

Pascual said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would intensify its price monitoring drive to mitigate the effects of rising inflation to consumers.

P ascual said the country needs to adopt a “whole-of-government” approach in managing inflation, while pursuing food security and a “more stable” market prices for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

“ From our end, we will also intensify our price monitoring efforts, ensuring that Filipino consumers will not fall victims of unfair and unjust business practices,” the trade chief assured.

Pascual also noted that the DTI will continue meeting various organizations across sectors and industries to discuss the possibility of lowering the prices of products in the market.

“Nais naming siguraduhin na may sapat na pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said.

Based on the recent data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s inflation rate slowed to 8.6 percent in February.

In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said transport costs slowed to 9 percent in February from 11.1 percent in January 2023.

However, Mapa noted that out of the 13 commodity groups, nine commodity groups have continued to post increases.

We at DTI will continue to work on improving the country’s agri value chain and expanding access to affordable agri products in local markets,” Pascual noted.

He also emphasized that the agency must address challenges to the supply of food products in the country that drive market prices up.  L ast month, Pascual said the Philippines would be able to beat inflation with programs on logistics in place and investments secured for the energy sector.

T he DTI chief said in a televised interview in February that the logistics programs underway is one solution to beat inflation, “because if we can cut down the cost of logistics from the current 27 to 30 percent of cost of produce...that will be a big drop in the cost to consumers of agricultural products, for example.”

A mong the programs earlier cited by Pascual is the Logistics Efficiency and Transport Seamlessness to Enhance Agribusiness Trade (LETS EAT Program), that is “highly focused” on improving road infrastructure along truck routes, which are used to transport food and agribusiness products to markets, manufacturing centers, ports and airports, and logistics facilities, such as warehouses and cold chain storages.

A nother program is the Logistics Efficiency and Transport Seamlessness for Growth Outcomes (LETS GO), a “convergence” program with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

continued from a20

T hese Centers can also be used for recreation, and for attending to the cultural, religious, communication, and legal needs of seafarers.

I would also like to thank the President for including the Magna Carta as one of the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council [LEDAC],” Salo said. “I am confident that the Senate will also pass the same measure soon,” he added. For his part, Marino Rep. Sandro Gonzalez said the Magna Carta of Seafarers is a stepping stone towards fully implementing policies against discrimination, lack of proper work environment, deficient maritime education system, weak promotion of seafarers’ basic rights and other relevant issues that must be addressed in the seafaring industry.

T he trade chief also stressed, “We must intensify our campaign to lower the prices of BNPCs, especially agricultural products.” In line with this, Pascual called on Local Price Coordinating Councils to work with DTI in price and supply monitoring and stabilization.”

In a statement issued in December 2022, the trade department said this program will identify logisticsrelated infrastructure such as ports, airports and rail that DOTr will prioritize and implement to help increase trade, reduce logistics costs, and improve efficiency.

Murder raps filed vs Rep. Teves Jr., 5 others

continued from a20

T he witnesses said political rivalry was the main reason for the killings. One of the witnesses, according to Baligod, even worked for Teves for 12 years.

T he witnesses have yet to enter the Witness Protection Program of the DOJ but are now in the safekeeping of authorities.

A sked why the complaint was filed only now, Baligod said the witnesses actually surfaced three weeks ago and have been under investigation by the PNP-CIDG.

Baligod denied that the filing has anything to do with ongoing efforts to unmask the mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and other civilians last Saturday.

Teves has denied any involvement in the killing of Degamo, but said

he  would not be surprised  if he and his brother Pryde Henry Teves would be implicated in the crime.  The Teveses are known political rivals of Degamo.   Pryde Teves lost his petition in the Supreme Court, where he tried to reverse the September 1, 2022 ruling of the Commission on Elections. The Comelec declared a certain Grego Ruel Degamo a nuisance candidate in the gubernatorial race in Negros Oriental in the May 2022 elections.

A s a result, the poll body ordered that the 49,953 votes obtained by Grego be credited in favor of Degamo, bringing the latter’s total votes to 331, 727.

Subsequently, the Comelec annulled Teves’s proclamation as provincial governor since his total votes of 301,000 was  lower than Degamo’s votes. Joel R. San Juan

Poor Pinoys had it worse: Feb inflation at 9.7% for them

Based on the CPI for the Bottom 30 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages account for 54.93 percent of the CPI while food alone accounts for 51.38 percent of the CPI for the poorest households.

In February, food and non-alcoholic beverages posted an inflation rate of 10.3 percent, representing 58.6 percent of the increase in inflation for the Bottom 30 percent of households.

Food inflation in the Philippines for this income group inched up to 10.5 percent in February 2023, from 10.4 percent in January 2023. In February 2022, the inflation for food was recorded at 2.9 percent.

T he PSA traced the increase in food inflation mainly to the higher annual increment in the index of fish and other seafood at 11.1 percent during the month, from 7.1 percent the pre -

continued from a20

vious month.

In addition, milk, other dairy products and eggs index recorded a yearon-year increase of 12.3 percent, also jacking up food inflation.

Higher annual upticks were noted in the indices of flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 10.9 percent; fruits and nuts at 8.5 percent; and ready-made food and other food products not elsewhere classified at 8.2 percent.

Inflation for the bottom 30-percent income households in Metro Manila, likewise, remained at 9.7 percent in February 2023. In the same month of 2022, inflation in the area was at 1.5 percent.

Inflation for this particular group of consumers in Areas Outside NCR also stayed at 9.7 percent. Inflation in February 2022 for this group was registered at 3.6 percent. Cai U. Ordinario

House-OKd Magna Carta gives sailors full protection

Magnitude 5.9 quake rocks mountainous Davao de Oro

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—A 19-year-

old woman with special needs was slightly hurt after a firewall collapsed and hit a makeshift house in Magugpo West, Tagum City, while some students in some schools in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro were reported to have fainted when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocked Davao de Oro on Tuesday afternoon.

T he Tagum City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the woman pulled out alive from the debris with only minor injuries.

A strong earthquake rocked mountainous Davao de Oro province on Tuesday afternoon, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it was expecting damage.

T he quake was earlier reported at magnitude 6.2 that occurred at 2:02 p.m. Tuesday in Maragusan town,

PHL Covid cases ‘manageable’ at 133 per day, DOH reports

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said there is no significant increase in new Covid-19 cases in the country, and that the situation remains “manageable.”

As of now we can say that everything is manageable. Our hospitals are being able to manage our cases...wala na masyadong mga kaso na naiitatala na mula sa iba’t-ibang lugar dito sa Metro Manila,” Vergeire said in a news briefing.

T he DOH said that nationally, cases and ICU admissions have been plateauing, while the decline in severe/critical admissions had started to slow down.

Meanwhile, Mindanao show incremental case increases, while remaining areas remain to show plateauing trend.

She stressed that they are monitoring the bed utilization rate in Malabon where there are only 3 ICU beds.

So ‘pag nagkaroon lang ng isa na laman, tumataas na po ang ating percentage kaya ating binabantayan at tinitignan kung magtutuloy-tuloy [So if there would be one admission the percentage will increase that is why we are really monitoring that if it would continue],” Vergeire said.

Nationally, the average daily cases are at 133. Vergeire said that the number is slightly higher as compared to average cases in the past weeks.

Vaccination

AS of March 6, 2023, almost 73.9 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated.

More than 6.9 million senior citizens are already inoculated while 10 million adolescents are fully vaccinated and almost 1.2 million are already boosted.

Also, almost 5.5 million children are fully vaccinated and almost 21.6 million individuals have received their first booster dose and almost 4 million have received their second booster shots.

Apart from vaccines, our layers of protection—such as wearing of masks, isolating when sick, and ensuring good airflow—remain to be effective against the Covid-19 virus,” the DOH said.

Davao de Oro. It has a depth of 32 kilometers. Later the Phivolcs corrected its report to magnitude 5.9 and it occurred in New Bataan.

It was felt at Intensity 5 in the provincial capital town of Nabunturan, and in the towns of Maco, Maragusan, New Bataan and Pantukan, all in Davao de Oro. It was felt at Intensity 4 in Monkayo, Davao de Oro; City of Tagum, Davao del Norte; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

It was at a milder Intensity 3 in Davao City and Davao Del Sur, Malungon in Sarangani and Tupi in South Cotabato.

T here were 16 aftershocks, including another stronger quake at magnitude 5.6 at 4:47 pm in the same epicenter and same depth as the first incident.

On February 1, the province was also hit by a magnitude 6 quake in Compostela town and created damage to its buildings, including the district hospital in Montevista, forcing it to evacuate its patients to a gymnasium.

Four respondents, 8 witnesses express readiness to help solve Degamo slay case

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken custody of the four respondents in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight civilians after expressing their willingness to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.

I n a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the four respondents identified as Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Joric Labrador and Osmundo Rivero were transported to   Metro Manila from Dumaguete City Tuesday morning.

T hey were escorted by the Special Action Forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the airport to Camp Crame, where National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents as well as officers of the Witness

Protection Program (WPP) were waiting for them.

DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano earlier said two of the respondents are being considered to be placed under WPP.

However, early this afternoon, the remaining two respondents likewise express their intention to cooperate. Thus, the PNP and NBI have agreed to the turnover of the remaining two respondents,” the DOJ said.

T he DOJ said the statements executed by the respondents are still in the verification process.

The specific motive of the murder has yet to be confirmed as the DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] and the DOJ will exert every effort to see all the factors at play in this incident,” the DOJ said.

Meanwhile, the DOJ reported

that an information for three counts of murder and frustrated murder have been filed before the Regional Trial Court of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental against Labrador, Javier, Rodriguez and Rivero and 12 other “John Does.”

A nother set of information for three counts for violation of laws on the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives against three of the respondents were also filed before the Regional Trial Court of Bayawan City.

The DOJ is also in coordination with the PNP for any future cases that may be filed in relation to the incident. This includes inquest from any arrests that may arise from continuing hot pursuit operations as well as any complaints for preliminary investigation,” the statement read.

T he DOJ earlier offered a P5 million reward for anyone who can pro -

vide information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the suspects.

Prior to his killing, the Supreme Court issued last month a ruling that affirmed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declaring Degamo as the duly elected provincial governor of Negros Oriental during the May 2022 elections.

T he SC junked the petition filed by former Negros Oriental congressman Pryde Henry Teves seeking the reversal of the resolution issued by the Comelec on September 1, 2022, which declared a certain Grego Ruel Degamo as a nuisance candidate.

T he Comelec then ordered that the 49,953 votes obtained by Grego be credited in favor of Degamo, bringing the latter’s total votes to 331,727.

A s a result, the Comelec annulled Teves’ proclamation as provincial governor since his total votes of 301,000 was lower that Degamo’s votes.

Senators vow to legislate ‘tougher’ anti-hazing law

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

LAWMAKERS lamenting the latest hazing casualty are keen to pass a tougher version of the prevailing Anti-Hazing law enacted in 2018.

C onveying collective dismay over the recent death of hazing victim Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig, senators are firming up a majority consensus to enact much stiffer penalties in a bid to deter a repeat of fraternity hazing fatalities.

T he lawmakers deplored that the latest hazing casualty happened even as the current AntiHazing Act passed in 2018 was “much tougher than the old one,” prompting senators to work on an even stricter version of the law in hopes such will “finally deter further deaths of youth in the hands of fraternity brothers.”

P residing at the Committee on Justice and Human Rights’ investigation Tuesday on the death of chemical engineering student Salilig in the hands of his Tau Gam -

ma Phi fraternity brothers, Senator Francis Tolentino noted a law was passed five years ago against any forms of hazing.

Embodied in Republic Act 11053, the Anti- Hazing Act of 2018 was enacted after a Senate inquiry into the death of University of Santo Tomas College of Law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III in 2018 in the hands of Aegis Juris fraternity members.

The current law that we have is stricter than the old anti-hazing law. It prohibited all forms of hazing. It made everyone present at initiation rites punishable by reclusion perpetua, whether actually taking part in hazing or not,” Tolentino said. And yet, the hazing of Salilig happened, the senator said, “all in the name of acceptance to the brotherhood.”

T he senator then suggested the need to fine-tune Republic Act 11053 to give more teeth to the law, stressing that “words cannot express how much the families are grieving now, and we are well aware that the outcome of this hearing will no longer bring back the life already lost. So, to give justice not only to the death of Mat-mat Salilig but the other victims

of senseless death due to hazing, the goal of this committee is to craft a policy and come up with a legislation that will ensure that no more senseless death like this will ever happen again in the future,” Tolentino said.

For his part, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, public order committee chairman that jointly conducted the hearing with Tolentino, noted “lapses in the implementation and observance” of Republic Act 11053 are behind the continued conduct of fraternity hazing.

Dela Rosa pointed out that the anti-hazing law has been amended a number of times since it was enacted in 1995, and as long as the law is not implemented and observed properly, “hazing will continue.”

“ But if we will amend the law again, I believe stiffer penalties should be imposed on schools that will fail to implement it, as well as on fraternities, sororities and other organizations that will continue with hazing practices,” Dela Rosa stressed.

Sen. Raffy T. Tulfo also wants the venue owner indicted, together with all the personalities involved in facili-

tating the fraternity initiation rites and to be penalized with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment in order to stop the unfortunate deaths caused by hazing.

Unfortunately, Tulfo added, “the anti-hazing law is not enough. We have to provide it with more teeth to make the fraternities, sororities, and organizations involved in hazing liable and more responsible.”

He added: “Another provision that could be amended is to make the owner of the place where hazing is being conducted liable as an accomplice, if he or she has actual knowledge of the initiation ritual but has failed to take any action to prevent the same from occurring.”

T he senator stressed, “It is about time to punish all personalities, including the venue owner, involved in hazing that caused the death of Matthew Salilig, whether present or absent during the ritual.”

Tulfo also noted that records would show that from 1950 to present, there were 65 deaths caused by fraternity hazing, 11 of which happened after the passage of the AntiHazing law in 2018.

For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, expressed dismay over what he noted as indecisiveness and inaction of Adamson University (AdU) officials in locating students involved in the brutal initiation rites that led to the death of Salilig.

A t the public hearing, Estrada asked officials of AdU why it took them some time before lifting a finger. “You are aware of the initial investigation of the police about the death of the victim and you did not even exert effort to locate the perpetrators of this crime,” Estrada said.

At the same time, Sen. Robinhood Padilla expressed regret for the individuals arrested for the fatal hazing. Padilla added he is saddened over the possibility that the suspects—who are young adults and students— would spend the prime of their lives in jail for their role in the crime.

T he senator added that in turn, he then got a commitment from Adamson University officials to extend help to the suspects even as he reminded them of their role as second parents to all the school’s students.

International Women’s Day

A BusinessMirror Special Feature

Asean women seek skills upgrade to compete with men in digital economy—s tudy

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

Singapore-based She Loves Data (SLD), a global nonprofit organization focused on creating equal opportunity pools for women in the growing data economy, partnered with Milieu Insight to conduct a regional consumer survey that gathered views on learning pathways of the labor market.

Based on its results, 87 percent, or over eight in 10 females in the region, are interested in taking courses to hone their professional skills.

Academic-wise, information technology/computing/programming emerged as one of their top three preferred professional programs of study, as 33 percent of

them showed interest in this field.

The main motivators for the female populace in the region to enroll in a professional course this year are the desire to improve their job performance (59 percent), increase job prospects/employability (44 percent), and make the most of their free time (39 percent).

This highlights the importance placed on personal and professional development,” said Dr. Antarika Sen, senior researcher at Milieu Insight.

The report, on the other hand, indicated that nearly eight in 10 of the female workers in the region prefer that career programs are

taught virtually.

It’s interesting to also find out that 79 percent prefer online professional courses, which shows that it's vital for organizations to provide accessible and supportive ecosystems to help women upskill and advance in their careers,” she bared.

Meanwhile, the employment transition trend continues as 44 percent of employees in Southeast Asia still want to make a shift in their professions within the next five years.

"We’re currently facing a dynamic job market, reflected in our study where 25 percent and 17 percent of women in the region have changed occupations or industries respectively in the past year,” she noted.

Country specs

THE research findings vary per country, depending on the current labor situation and available skills set of the workers.

In Singapore, for instance, data and digital analytics are among the most sought after courses by the women population (38 percent).

The survey, however, showed that women-employees in the city-

state lagged behind their neighbors in terms of average familiarity with digital marketing (five percent versus 16 percent indicated “very familiar”).

Additionally, over five in 10 women in Singapore find industryrecognized qualifications as a key deciding factor, further emphasizing the need for organizations to provide viable pathways for women's professional growth,’’ Sen said.

For whatever reasons, more than half (57 percent) of Indonesian workers considered taking different jobs from now on until 2028.

The entrepreneurial spirit was high among women aged 35 years and above in Thailand (48 percent) and the Philippines (43 percent), where almost half desired to upgrade their skills to pursue their forays in the business world by putting up their own entity.

Pushing for gender equality

THE goal of achieving parity between men and women by 2030 is not possible, per the latest data of the United Nations (UN).

Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting women empowerment as

a vital development objective, SLD aims to address the gender gap by creating fair chances for Eve’s tribe members in their career growth.

As businesses across all industries embrace digital transformation, corporations and employers struggle to fill roles across all digital skills domains,” SLD Cofounder and Volunteering Chief Executive Officer Jana Marle-Zizkova said.

We hope to narrow the digital competence gap with the new SLDxDigital training so women get their fair share of digital economy opportunities,” she added.

Beginning this month, this certification training program provides reskilling pathways to women with transferable skills in areas of digital innovation, digital analytics and data-driven digital marketing.

SLDxDigital is spread over three modules, each lasting for four weeks. The curriculum is prepared and taught by experienced industry professionals.

Training materials are reviewed by the Advisory Board with Georges Mao from Meta as board chairman, David Dubois from INSEAD, and together with SLD’s Ziz-

kova and Dr. Priyanka Dwivedi.

C lasses are held on the web every Saturday to ensure participation of career women. Upon successful completion of every module, participants will receive a digital certificate.

Dwivedi, who is also program advisor for SLDxDigital and research fellow affiliated to Anglia Ruskin University, pointed out that SLD creates a secure space for women to learn and networking.

Peer learning is recognized as one of the most potent means of impactful learning. Networking builds social capital that may translate into mentorship, referrals, and sponsorship opportunities in the future,” she explained.

“In doing so, these communities hold great promise to facilitate the corporates' diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives by increasing the representation of women in tech roles and building a talent pool of skilled women for promotions to senior roles,” she added.

SLD long-term objective is to give a supportive professional network to establish a solid pipeline of women leaders who are prepared to enter the C-suites and board rooms, said Zizkova.

In response to the global talent shortage crisis and under-representation of women in many industries, we hope both the private and public sector can take an active role in supporting communities like She Loves Data as we seek to future-proof the workforce by training tech, digital and analytics skills,” she stressed.

MORE and more Southeast Asian women today are keen on strengthening further their digital competency, revealed a new study.

International Women’s Day

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts names new women leaders

MEGAWORLD Hotels and Resorts (MHR), the Philippines’ largest hospitality management chain in the country with six brands, 12 properties, and 4,500 room keys nationwide, celebrates three smart-working ladies in their organization who have managed to rise above copious challenges through different mindsets and rightfully taking a seat in the table as they take on new leadership positions in the organization.

Keep going and learn to stand tallRowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel

ON YOUR next visit to Twin Lakes Hotel, one of the most visited hilltop resorts in the south of Luzon near Tagaytay, make sure to say hello to GM Samonte. Owen stepped up from being the property’s Director of Sales and Marketing to now being the first lady General Manager of a 122-room hotel at the center of a 1,200 hectare Twin Lakes estate of Megaworld.

Contrary to the title, she shares that as the world continues to evolve, “I am positive that change will come naturally. In the future, she adds, “I would like to be defined and seen as a leader alone, and not a woman leader.” As society comes to better terms with inclusivity, she sees it as a privilege and a responsibility to partake in the effort of eliminating prejudiced biases with gender and preference as a primary basis.

The first-time general manager has surely done much with almost three decades of humble service in the industry under her belt. She has expanded her craft from operations to sales until reaching an executive leadership rank. During her early days, she remembers

starting her career as an outlet cashier moving her way up to Assistant Director of Events and Management in Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. She also dabbled with other international brands like Mandarin Oriental, Intercontinental Hotel and other local brands like B Hotel in Quezon City and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts before joining the largest homegrown hotel chain in the Philippines, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts starting the year 2020 until the present. When asked about the best advice she can give to the younger generation about becoming a better version of themselves, she said “Keep going despite the times when the world fails to be kind. We must learn to stand tall and take care of ourselves.” She also emphasized that “there is no point in beating yourself up over things that you cannot change. Ultimately, fall in love with the process, not the goal. Don’t be afraid to be too much and enjoy as you watch everything fall into place.”

Believe in the good in everyone - Maia

Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay SWEET and loving. Promoted from resort manager to now the general manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay in just a span of a year, Maia Israel, has always been well loved for her nurturing approach to leadership. She believes that “mentorship is a tool I personally have benefited from the most and is my privilege and responsibility to pass it forward.”

Remembering the days when she started her career in the hospitality industry way back as part of the reservations team in Shangri-la Mactan in the 90’s up to her stint in Maldives, Indonesia, Fiji, and Cambodia with brands like

Marriott International and Banyan Tree and everything else in between, she admits having been blessed with leaders who took the ways of the heart to motivate outcome and positives results.

Were there tough days? She quips, “you bet, and quite a lot! But if there’s one observed universal fact across cultures that ties us all in, is that you will never go wrong when you believe in the good in everyone.” With most of her experience growing in the revenue, rooms operations and F&B of numerous beach resorts all over the world, she said “you can never tell how your day is going to end.” As a certified Island girl, she said “you take things like how the shores welcome the waves of the

sea. You can never control it, but you can always make the most out of it”.

As one of the two MHR properties in Boracay Newcoast, one being Savoy Hotel Boracay, she appreciates how unique one is from the other. She said Belmont takes a straightforward and tranquil approach as opposed to the usual parties the island is generally known for. The hotel is most fitting for small to large family reunions, people vacationing with a hint of business, and senescent guests who prefer peace and quiet while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea of Boracay. With 442 rooms, 2 F&B outlets, a pool, spa, and a dedicated beach front perfect to greet the golden sunrise, she dares to ask, “What more from life can you ask for?”

Bring the good forward! - Claire del

Rosario Bernabe, Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

IT’S ALL about the experience. “More than the destination, picturesque scenery, and complete facilities is really the collection of memorable moments that builds connections and spark joy,” shares Claire Bernabe, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ newest addition to the brand management team.

Exactly 30 years in the hospitality industry with local and international experience, Bernabe admits that “a memorable authentic Filipino customer experience is constantly evolving and adequately adapts to the needs

of the customer.”

Waving the flagship of the largest homegrown hospitality management brand, she confidently attests that “We Filipinos are known to be hospitable and are a happy people. We are enablers, and we do so with warmth and a smile that doesn’t need to be taught or practiced.”

Nothing is ever perfect. No brand will ever have it all but there is always opportunity for its enablers to learn and discover. With her new role as MHR Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures, she is excited about the projects in the pipeline. The only rule of thumb she sees is “it is important to aim to constantly improve the overall experience of each investor or customer has with the brand.”

Luckily with MHR, Bernabe celebrates that the organization is anchored on faith, its investors, and its people. She delights that “MHR has a transformational leader in the person of its very own Managing Director, Cleofe Albiso, who empowers key executives.” As someone who hails from celebrated brands, Bernabe affirms that “MHR’s structural pillars are in place and steps are being taken to further improve and strengthen the organization to support further growth.”

In her line of experience, Bernabe has served leadership roles with brands like Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Century International Hotels, Marco Polo Davao, Novotel Garden Plaza Saigon, Movenpick Saigon, Discovery Shores and so much more.

W hen asked if there’s one thing all women should look forward to each day, she said, “Have the chance to greet another day with a smile, be able to make a difference in the lives of others as much as you inspire them to bring the good forward.”

Claire del Rosario Bernabe, Director of Customer Experience and New Ventures of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

Maia Israel, General Manager of Belmont Hotel Boracay

Rowena Samonte, General Manager of Twin Lakes Hotel

Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for

17 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

LIU, GUOXIANG

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer Brief

XIONG,

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

19 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

CHEN, ZHENZHOU Mandarin Customer Service

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

Basic Qualification:

Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary

BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite DING,

40 CONTINENTAL TEMIC ELECTRONICS (PHILS.),

The World

• Editor: Angel R. Calso

Asian shares rise as investors watch Fed moves and inflation

By Yuri Kageyama AP Business Writer

TOKYO—Asian shares were mostly higher in muted trading Tuesday, as investors tried to digest a slew of economic data and awaited moves by the US Federal Reserve.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.4 percent to 28,336.98. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 7,366.90. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.3 percent to 2,471.02. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.2 percent to 20,850.18, while the Shang -

hai Composite edged up 0.2 percent to 3,327.35/

The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to raise its key rate, cash rate target, 0.25 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent. It said that although global inflation remains high, inflation in Australia is starting to subside. The hike was expected.

“Asian equities were flat on Tuesday as traders weighed the impact of economic data and awaited key events that could impact equity markets in the coming days,” said Anderson Alves at ActivTrades.

Stocks finished mixed on Wall

Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.1 percent to 4,048.42 after coming off its first winning week in the last four. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.1 percent to 33,431.44, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1 percent to 11,675.74.

The stock market has found some footing over the last week after a roller-coaster start to the year where a swift rise gave way to a sharp tumble.

At the center of it all has been high inflation and expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do about it.

Early in the year, stocks rallied and bond yields eased as hopes rose that

cooling inflation would get the Fed to take it easier on its hikes to interest rates. Then, stronger-than-expected reports on the economy raised worries that inflation is not cooling as smoothly as hoped.

While that calmed worries that a recession is looming, it also forced Wall Street to raise its forecasts for how high the Fed will take interest rates. Higher rates can drive down inflation, but they also hurt prices for stocks and other investments and can create a recession in the future.

On Wall Street, technology stocks were some of the market’s strongest. They tend to be some of the biggest beneficiaries of lower interest rates, which can boost demand by investors for high-growth companies.

Apple rose 1.9 percent, and Microsoft ticked up 0.6 percent to be the two biggest forces lifting the S&P 500.

On the losing end was Tesla, which fell 2 percent. Over the weekend, it cut the prices of two of its most expensive vehicles.

Bigger action may be ahead later

this week, with several potentially market-moving events on the calendar.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell will testify before Congress for two days, beginning on Tuesday. Other Fed officials’ comments recently have led to big swings in markets, as traders try to get ahead of the next moves by the Fed.

On Friday, the government will release its latest monthly jobs report. If the reading it stronger than expected, particularly if it shows a big gain in wages, it could shake Wall Street and force it to raise rate expectations even higher.

The Fed has been trying to cool growth in wages to remove pressure on inflation, which remains far above its 2 percent target, and blowout figures could cause it to get more aggressive about rates.

The Fed’s next move on rates will arrive later this month. Besides Friday’s jobs report, upcoming releases on inflation across the economy will likely also carry a lot of weight on the decision.

The Fed has pulled its key overnight rate to a range of 4.50 percent to 4.75 percent, up from virtually zero at the start of last year, in its fastest set of hikes in decades. Last month, it dialed down the size of its increases and highlighted progress being made in the battle to get inflation lower. But that was before last month’s string of hotter-than-expected data on inflation and other measures of the economy. Wall Street now is bracing for at least three more hikes and the possibility the Fed could also ratchet the size of the increases back up.

In energy trading, benchmark US crude added 22 cents to $80.68 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 22 cents to $86.40 a barrel.

In currency trading, the US dollar inched up to 136.03 Japanese yen from 135.93 yen. The euro cost $1.0691, up from $1.0685.

AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed

Indonesia landslides kill 10, rescuers search for 42 missing

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Rescuers were searching for 42 people still missing Tuesday after two landslides triggered by torrential rains hit villages on an island in Indonesia’s remote Natuna regency, disaster officials said.

Dozens of soldiers, police and volunteers joined the search in the Genting and Pangkalan villages on a remote island surrounded by choppy waters and high waves in the Natuna group at the edge of the South China Sea. There were reports of 42 people trapped in 27 houses that were buried under tons of mud from surrounding hills.

Natuna’s disaster agency lowered the death toll Tuesday morning to 10 from 11 despite fears it could rise. It said on its

website that rescuers pulled 8 injured people from the landslides, 4 of whom were in critical condition and have been rushed to a hospital in Pontianak city on Borneo island, about 285 kilometers (180 miles) away.

The landslides displaced more than 1,200 people who were taken to evacuation centers and other shelters.

National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said authorities were still collecting information about the full scale of casualties and damage in the affected areas. He said two helicopters and several vessels carrying rescuers and relief supplies, including tents, blankets, food and medical teams, have departed from Jakarta and nearby islands.

China exports extend decline, adding pressure to economy

CHINA’S exports and imports continued to decline in the first two months of the year, clouding the outlook for the economy as it gradually begins recovering from Covid restrictions and infection waves.

Exports fell 6.8 percent in January and February from the same period last year, official data showed Tuesday, improving from December’s drop of 9.9 percent and a better outcome than the 9 percent drop predicted by economists.

Imports contracted 10.2 percent in the first two months of 2023 from a year earlier, far higher than the 7.5 percent decline in December and economists’ forecasts of a 5.5 percent drop. The trade surplus for the two months of this year was $117 billion.

E conomists said the sharp decline in imports was largely a result of weaker commodity prices and a stronger dollar, rather than a sign of muted domestic demand. Trade data for the first two months of the year is typically combined to avoid distortions from the Lunar New Year holiday.

China’s trade figures for the first two months of 2023 were mixed while the general trend remains weak,” said Zhou Hao, chief economist for Guotai Junan International Holdings.

Chinese st ocks extended declines Tuesday afternoon when trading resumed following the release of the the customs data. The benchmark CSI 300 Index fell 1.1 percent as of 2:13 p.m. local time led by Foxconn Industrial Internet Co.—a Shanghai-listed arm of iPhone maker Foxconn Technology Group. Global demand for Chinese goods started falling in late 2022 as soaring inflation in the rest of the world and higher interest rates took a toll on consumer spending. Exports had been a key pillar of China’s economic growth over the last two years, helping to offset a slump in domestic spending as Covid restrictions curbed business and consumer confidence.

That trend has now switched. Consumer spending is rebounding after the government abruptly dropped Covid restrictions in December and a post-reopening infection wave eased early this year. A government official said Monday the rebound in consumption has been rapid and the sector will play a bigger role in

driving economic growth this year.

“The decline in China’s exports in the first two months of 2023 is consistent with our view that external demand will drag on the economy’s recovery after propelling growth over the previous two years. This means domestic drivers will now have to do the heavy lifting. What’s needed are steps to fire up consumer spending, which remains constrained by weak confidence and impaired incomes,”said Bloomberg China economist David Qu. The outlook for global trade this year remains weak. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said last week many companies have reported declining orders, while the value of orders is shrinking and long-term contracts are getting shorter.

The biggest drags in Tuesday’s export data were the equipment used for data processing, along with LCD displays and integrated circuits. Car and chassis, along with refined oil exports were strong, though, up 65.2 percent and 101.8 percent by value, respectively.

China’s purchases of edible oil, coal and rare earths jumped the most by volume among all goods bought in the first two months of the year, while those of semiconductor parts and steel products saw the biggest declines, customs data showed. Imports of crude oil and natural gas fell 1.3 percent and 9.4 percent on year, respectively.

Export demand from Southeast Asian countries increased in the first two months of the year, while trade with the European Union, US and Japan fell, the customs authority said. Shipments of mechanical and electrical products accounted for 58 percent of the value of exports in yuan terms in the period.

“China’s exports will face rather big downside pressure this year as global trade is expected to fall with likely slowing growth in major developed economies,” said Bruce Pang, chief economist for Greater China at Jones Lang Lasalle Inc.

China is targeting gross domestic product growth of around 5 percent for this year, a modest ambition after last year’s goal was missed by a wide margin. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect growth to reach 5.3 percent this year. With assistance from Yujing Liu/Bloomberg

“Distribution of relief supplies has been difficult because the injured and displaced are spread out and hard to reach,” Muhari said, and the search and rescue operation has been hampered by rainy weather around the disaster site, downed communications lines and lack of heavy equipment.

Seasonal rains and high tides in recent days have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains close to rivers. In November 2022, a landslide triggered by 5.6 magnitude earthquake killed at least 335 people in West Java’s Cianjur city, about a third of them children.

Fifth body found in Malaysia floods; over 40,000

displaced

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian police have found the body of a young woman trapped in a car that was swept away by rushing waters, the fifth death of seasonal floods that have also forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes.

Police said in a statement Monday that a 23-year-old woman reported missing was believed to be driving to work earlier in the day on a flooded road in southern Johor state when her car was washed away. Rescuers retrieved the car hours later and found her body.

A man driving to work in a palm oil plantation in Johor was similarly found dead recently after rescuers retrieved his car from floodwaters. Three older people also drowned.

Johor, the country’s second-largest state bordering Singapore with four million people, is the worst affected with over 40,000 evacuated to schools and community centers. The number of evacuees has dropped from over 50,000 a few days ago.

Several other states including remote areas on Borneo Island were also hit.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited flood victims Sunday in Johor and vowed to speed up flood mitigation projects in the state. “This matter cannot be delayed and should be dealt with more seriously so that (flooding) does not happen again,” he tweeted.

The Meteorological Department has said the country was experiencing its sixth episode of continuous heavy rain from the annual monsoon season that started in November. In December, tens of thousands of people were also evacuated due to flooding. Images posted by police in Johor showed roads and homes disappearing under muddy waters, with only rooftops visible. Further rain and storms are predicted Tuesday in parts of Johor and eastern Malaysian states on Borneo, which could cause more flash floods. Authorities also warned waters in over a dozen rivers nationwide have reached dangerous levels.

Myanmar army kill 17 people in 2 villages, residents report

By Grant Peck The Associated Press

BANGKOK—Soldiers in Myanmar rampaged through several villages, raping, beheading and killing at least 17 people, residents said, in the latest of what critics of the ruling military say are a series of war crimes since the army seized power two years ago.

The bodies of 17 people were recovered last week in the villages of Nyaung Yin and Tar Taing—also called Tatai—in Sagaing region in central Myanmar, according to members of the anti-government resistance and a resident who lost his wife. They said the victims had been detained by the military and in some cases appeared to have been tortured before being killed.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military’s February 2021 seizure of power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi prompted nationwide peaceful protests that security forces suppressed with deadly force. The violence triggered widespread armed resistance, which has since turned into what some U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war.

The army has been conducting major offensives in the countryside, including burning villages and driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. It has faced some of its toughest resistance in Sagaing, in Myanmar’s historic heartland.

The soldiers involved in last week’s attacks were in a group of more than 90 who were brought to the area by five helicopters on February 23, said local leaders of the pro-democracy People’s Defense Forces and independent Myanmar media.

They said the bodies of 14 people, including three women, were found Thursday on a small island in a river in Nyaung Yin. Three more male victims were found in Tar Taing, including two members of the local resistance. One of the two was dismembered, with his head cut off, they said.

The neighboring villages are

Zelenskyy vows not to retreat from Ukrainian city of Bakhmut

By Mstyslav Chernov The Associated Press

CHASIV YAR, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed Monday not to retreat from Bakhmut as Russian forces encroached on the devastated eastern city they have sought to capture for six months at the cost of thousands of lives.

Less than a week ago, an adviser to Zelenskyy said the defenders might give up on Bakhmut and fall back to nearby positions.

But Zelenskyy on Monday chaired a meeting in which top military brass “spoke in favor of continuing the defense operation and further strengthening our positions in Bakhmut.” Later in his nightly video address, the president reported that his advisers unanimously agreed to press on with the fight, “not to retreat” and to bolster Ukrainian defenses.

about 45 kilometers (28 miles) west of the major city of Mandalay.

Tar Taing resident Moe Kyaw, 42, survived the attack but said his 39-year-old wife, Pan Thwal, and 18-year-old nephew were among those killed. Contacted by phone, he said Friday they were among 70 villagers detained in the middle of the night last Wednesday by soldiers who shot into the air as they herded their captives from their homes to the local Buddhist monastery.

Moe Kyaw said the soldiers stole beer and other items from his aunt’s small shop, and as they beat her, he fled for his life, escaping two soldiers who shot at him.

He said his wife and other villagers were tortured at the monastery and then taken away from the village, apparently as hostages against any attack. He said his wife and two other women were beaten, raped and shot dead on Thursday by the soldiers, who also took his spouse’s earrings, His two sons, 9 and 11 years old, were released when the soldiers departed, he said.

Moe Kyaw did not explain how he knew the details about his wife’s treatment.

Myanmar’s underground National Unity Government—the main organization opposed to military rule that describes itself as the country’s legitimate government—said in an online news conference on Monday that the soldiers were from the 99th Light Infantry Division based in Mandalay Region.

A leader of a Sagaing resistance group called the Demon King Defense Force said his group attacked the better-armed government

troops on Wednesday in a failed effort to rescue the detained villagers.

When they went Thursday morning to the small island where the soldiers had taken about 20 villagers they found 14 bodies in three spots, said the resistance leader, who asked not to be identified because of fear of reprisals by the military.

Acknowledging that he had not seen the killings, he said he also believed the women had been raped.

In an earlier incident apparently involving the same army unit, two boys aged 12 and 13 assisting the People’s Defense Force were captured by government troops on February 26 and beheaded after being forced to show the locations of their camps, according to independent Myanmar media. Photos said to be of their bodies, found at Kan Daw village, about 12 kilometers (7 miles) northwest of Tar Taing, were circulated on social media.

A separate group, the Sadaung Lighting People’s Defense Force, has said that two of its older teenage members were also killed and beheaded in fighting at Kan Daw on the same day.

The military government has

not responded to the allegations. In the past, it has denied documented abuses and said that casualties occurred in the course of fighting against armed antigovernment guerrillas. Online media supportive of the military government have made the same claim about the recent incidents in Sagaing or suggested that they were the result of factional fighting within the resistance.

Myanmar’s military has long been accused of serious human rights violations, most notably in the western state of Rakhine. International courts are considering whether it committed genocide there in a brutal 2017 counterinsurgency campaign that caused more than 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to flee to neighboring Bangladesh for safety.

Last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk accused the ruling generals of carrying out “a scorched earth policy in an attempt to stamp out opposition.”

His agency said credible sources have verified the deaths of at least 2,940 civilians and 17,572 arrests by the military and its allies since the 2021 takeover.

Kim’s sister warns North Korea ready to act against US, South

By Hyung-Jin Kim

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—The influential sister of North Korea’s leader warned Tuesday that her country is ready to take “quick, overwhelming action” against the United States and South Korea—one day after a nuclearcapable B-52 flew over the peninsula.

The United States flew the bomber to the Korean Peninsula for a joint drill with South Korean warplanes, and the allies’ militaries are also preparing to revive their largest field exercises later this month.

Kim Yo Jong didn’t elaborate on any planned actions in her statement, but North Korea has often test-launched missiles in response to US-South Korean military drills because it views them as an invasion rehearsal.

“We keep our eye on the restless military moves by the US forces and the South Korean puppet military and are always on standby to take appropriate, quick and overwhelming action at any time according to our judgment,” Kim Yo Jong said in the statement carried by state media.

“The demonstrative military moves and all sorts of rhetoric by the US and South Korea, which go so extremely frantic as not

to be overlooked, undoubtedly provide (North Korea) with conditions for being forced to do something to cope with them,” she said.

Monday’s flyover of the B-52 bomber was the latest in a series of US-South Korean aerial exercises involving powerful US aircraft. The US deployed a long-range US B-1B bomber or multiple B-1Bs to the peninsula a few times earlier this year. South Korea said those drills demonstrated the allies’ability to make a decisive response to potential North Korean aggressions.

Last Friday, the South Korean and US militaries announced they would conduct computer-simulated command post training from March 13-23 and restore their largest springtime field exercises that were last held in 2018.

The allies had canceled or scaled back some of their regular drills since 2018 to support now-dormant diplomacy with North Korea and guard against the Covid-19 pandemic. But they’ve been restoring their exercises after North Korea last year conducted a record number of missile tests and openly threatened to use its nuclear weapons in potential conflicts with its rivals.

In a separate statement Tuesday, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry called the flyover of

the US B-52 bomber a reckless provocation that pushes the situation on the peninsula “deeper into the bottomless quagmire.” The statement, attributed to the unnamed head of the ministry’s foreign news office, said “there is no guarantee that there will be no violent physical conflict” if US-South Korean military provocations continue.

North Korea often unleashes fiery rhetoric in times of heightened animosities with the United States and South Korea. Possible steps North Korea could take include a nuclear test or the launch of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile targeting the mainland US, observers say.

Last month, Kim Yo Jong threatened to turn the Pacific into the North’s firing range. In her statement Tuesday, she said North Korea would consider a possible US attempt to intercept a North Korean ICBM a declaration of war. She cited a South Korean media report saying the US military plans to shoot down a North Korean ICBM if it’s test-launched toward the Pacific.

All known North Korean ICBM tests have been made at steep angles to avoid neighboring countries, and the weapons landed in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

of a symbolic value than...strategic and operational value.”

Moscow, he added, continues “to pour in a lot of ill-trained and ill-equipped troops” into Bakhmut, while Ukraine patiently builds “combat power” elsewhere with Western military support ahead of a possible spring offensive.

Even so, some analysts question the wisdom of ordering Ukrainian defenders to hold out much longer. Others suggest that a tactical withdrawal may already be underway.

Michael Kofman, the director of Russia studies at the CAN think tank in Arlington, Virginia, said Ukraine’s defense of Bakhmut has been effective because it has drained the Russian war effort, but that Kyiv should now look ahead.

His top adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut have been grinding down enemy forces, reinforcing their positions and training tens of thousands of Ukrainian military personnel for a possible counteroffensive.

Intense Russian shelling targeted the city in the Donetsk region and nearby villages as Moscow waged a three-sided assault to try to finish off Bakhmut’s resistance.

The nearby towns of Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka came under heavy shelling, damaging cars and homes and sparking a fire. No casualties were immediately reported.

Police and volunteers evacuated people from Chasiv Yar and other front-line towns in an operation made difficult by the loss of bridges and constant artillery fire that has left barely a house standing.

Russian forces have been unable to deliver a knockout blow that would allow them to seize Bakhmut. Analysts say the city does not hold major strategic value and that its capture would be unlikely to serve as a turning point in the conflict.

The Russian push for Bakhmut reflects the Kremlin’s broader struggle to achieve battlefield momentum. Moscow’s fullscale invasion on February 24, 2022, soon stalled, and Ukraine launched a largely successful counteroffensive. Over the bitterly cold winter months, the fighting has largely been deadlocked.

The city’s importance has become mostly symbolic. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, prevailing there would finally deliver some good news from the front. For Kyiv, the display of grit and defiance underscores the message that Ukraine is holding on after a year of brutal attacks, justifying continued support from its Western allies.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin endorsed that view Monday, saying during a visit to Jordan that Bakhmut has “more

“The tenacious defense of Bakhmut achieved a great deal, expending Russian manpower and ammunition,” Kofman tweeted late Sunday. “But strategies can reach points of diminishing returns, and given Ukraine is trying to husband resources for an offensive, it could impede the success of a more important operation.”

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Kyiv’s smartest option now may be to withdraw to positions that are easier to defend.

“Ukrainian forces are unlikely to withdraw from Bakhmut all at once and may pursue a gradual fighting withdrawal to exhaust Russian forces through continued urban warfare,”the ISW said in an assessment published late Sunday.

The Bakhmut battle has exposed Russian military shortcomings and bitter divisions.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of the Wagner Group military company that has spearheaded the Bakhmut offensive, has been at loggerheads with the Russian Defense Ministry and repeatedly accused it of failing to provide his forces with ammunition.

On Monday, Prigozhin warned in a Russian social media post that the situation in Bakhmut “will turn out to be a ‘pie’: The filling is the parts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrounded by us (in the case, of course, if there is a complete encirclement of Bakhmut), and the shell is, in fact, the Wagner” Group.

Bakhmut has taken on almost mythic importance. It has become like Mariupol— the port city in the same province that Russia captured last year after an 82-day siege that eventually came down to a mammoth steel mill where determined Ukrainian fighters held out along with civilians.

Moscow looked to cement its rule in Mariupol. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu toured some of the city’s rebuilt infrastructure—a newly built hospital, a rescue center and residential buildings— the Defense Ministry said.

Taiwan’s Tsai convinces House Speaker McCarthy to meet in the US, FT reports

TAIWANESE President Tsai Ing-wen persuaded House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to meet in the US due to security worries, the Financial Times said, a move that appeared aimed at avoiding another crisis with China.

Tsai’s government shared intelligence with McCarthy about threats posed by Beijing, the newspaper reported, citing a senior Taiwanese official, who added that risks could be limited if Washington and Taipei worked to control them. McCarthy has said he wanted to visit Taipei at some point.

A separate official from Taiwan said McCarthy viewed the concerns as reasonable, the Financial Times said, and that Tsai’s representatives suggested a meeting in the US while the president stopped over on a trip to Central America.

Taiwan’s representative office in the US declined to comment on the report. The Foreign Min -

istry in Taipei said in a statement it didn’t have any information to offer on Tsai’s trip, adding it would brief the public when the details are confirmed.

China responded to thenHouse speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in August by holding unprecedented military exercises in areas all around Taiwan, which appeared to show it could enforce a blockade of the island that Beijing views as its territory. The People’s Liberation Army also fired missiles over Taiwan.

The US said that China overreacted to the trip, the first by a sitting House speaker in 25 years.

China has eased up its military pressure on Taiwan of late. The island holds a presidential election next year that Beijing’s preferred negotiating partner, the opposition Kuomintang, has a chance to win.

Tsai will leave office after serving the maximum two, fouryear terms. With assistance from Nick Wadhams and Cindy Wang/Bloomberg

BODIES are piled on a cart after being discovered then collected in Nyaung Yin village, Myinmu township in the Sagaing region, central Myanmar on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Soldiers in Myanmar rampaged through several villages, raping, beheading and killing at least 17 people, residents said, in the latest of what critics of the ruling military say are a series of war crimes since the army seized power two years ago. UGC VIA AP

The World

In 1st news conference, Chinese foreign minister lashes out at US

BEIJING—In his first news conference since taking office, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang lashed out Tuesday at the United States over deteriorating bilateral relations and Washington’s support for Taiwan. He also insinuated that America was undermining efforts for peace in Ukraine in order to extend the conflict for its own benefit.

Washington’s China policy has “entirely deviated from the rational and sound track,” Qin told journalists on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s rubber-stamp legislature, in his only formal scheduled news conference for the year, although he is also prone to taking questions during foreign visits.

Washington “means to contain and suppress China in all respects and get the two countries locked in a zero-sum game,” he said.

“It’s so-called establishing guardrails and not seeking conflict simply means that China should not respond in words or action when slandered or attacked,” Qin said. “That is just impossible.”

“If the United States does not hit the brake, but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing and there surely will be conflict and confrontation,” he said.

“Such competition is a reckless gamble, with the stakes being the fundamental interests of the two peoples and even the future of humanity.”

Qin’s harsh and borderline apocalyptic language appeared to defy predictions that China was abandoning its aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy in favor of a more moderate presentation as bilateral relations have hit a historical low over trade and technology, Taiwan, human rights and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

After serving briefly as ambassador to Washington, Qin was appointed foreign minister at the end of December, in which role he is junior to the Communist Party’s senior foreign policy official, Wang Yi.

Qin repeated criticisms of Washington’s recent shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the US east coast, saying that was entirely an unexpected accident caused by force majeure.

“However, in violation of the spirit of international law, international customary

practices, the United States acted with the presumption of guilt,” Qin said. “It overreacted, abused force and dramatized the accident, creating a diplomatic crisis that could have been avoided.”

“In this case the United States’ perception and views of China are seriously distorted. It regards China as its primary rival and the most consequential geopolitical challenge,” Qin said. “This is like the first button in a shirt being put wrong and the result is that the US-China policy has entirely deviated from the rational and sound track.”

Turning to Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy China claims as its own territory, Qin called the issue the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.

“The US has unshakable responsibility for causing the Taiwan question,” he said, accusing the US of “disrespecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” by offering the island political backing and furnishing it with defensive weapons in response to Beijing’s threat to use force to bring it under Chinese control.

“Why does the US ask China not to provide weapons to Russia, while it keeps selling arms to Taiwan?” Qin said. “Mishandling of the Taiwan question will shake the very foundation of China-US relations.”

Beijing says it has a neutral stance in the war that began one year ago, but has also said it has a “no-limits friendship” with Russia and has refused to criticize Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, or even refer to it as an invasion.

It has accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames” by providing Ukraine with weaponry to fend of the Russian invasion.

A Chinese peace proposal for Ukraine that has drawn praise from Russia but dismissals from the West has done nothing to lessen tensions as US officials have repeatedly accused China of considering the provision of weapons to Russia for use in the war.

“Efforts for peace talks have been repeatedly undermined. There seems to be an invisible hand pushing for the protraction and escalation of the conflict and using the Ukraine crisis to serve a certain geopolitical agenda,” Qin said. AP

Trudeau orders review of China’s alleged meddling in Canada’s polls

By Brian Platt

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau yielded to pressure over allegations China interfered in Canada’s elections, appointing a special investigator to study the matter.

“Upholding confidence in our democratic process in our elections, in our institutions, is of utmost importance,” the prime minister told reporters Monday evening in Ottawa.

“I will be appointing an independent special rapporteur, who will have a wide mandate and make expert recommendations on combating interference and strengthening our democracy,” he added.

The issue will also be studied by a group of lawmakers cleared to see top-secret intelligence, Trudeau said.

A series of media reports in recent weeks said Trudeau received intelligence briefings alleging that China meddled in both the 2019 and 2021 votes that returned the prime minister to power. The reports included claims that Beijing spread misinformation to hurt certain candidates, and funneled money and volunteers toward people it wanted to see elected.

The most serious allegation came in a February 17 Globe and Mail report, citing intelligence that China preferred to see Trudeau’s Liberals re-elected over the alternative of a Conservative government.

Last week, a non-partisan group of government officials published a report that found there were attempts at foreign interference in the 2021 vote, “but not enough to have met the threshold of impacting electoral integrity.”

Recent polling has found that two thirds of Canadians believe

Californians still digging out from severe snowfall

H ere’s a closer look at the situation:

Survival FREE food distribution centers have been set up at five locations, including the community of Crestline, which sits at an elevation of about 4,600 feet (1,400 meters).

A line of people waited there Monday to pick up food and necessities, such as toilet paper stacked in a parking lot.

“Imagine not having any food in your house after being trapped for 13 days,” resident Michelle Calkins told KTLA-TV.

Pablo Tello, another Crestline resident, picked up a replacement for a broken shovel so he could get back to helping dig snow away from homes, with special attention to buried gas lines that have been linked to several fires.

Tello said his snowshoes used to be placed over his fireplace as a decoration, but now he’s using them to help his neighbors and seniors not able to leave their homes.

China tried to interfere, and more than half see it as a serious threat to Canada’s democracy and want Trudeau to do more in response.

Opposition politicians and independent experts have urged the prime minister to call a judicial inquiry, but he instead opted to name a special investigator and refer the matter to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. The investigator may recommend a full judicial review, Trudeau said, and “we will abide by their recommendation.”

The cross-partisan group of lawmakers is cleared to review classified intelligence, but is also sworn to secrecy about it. The committee’s reports are published in parliament with significant redactions to any secret intelligence.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Trudeau’s chief rival, said earlier Monday that any situation in which opposition politicians are bound by secrecy is unacceptable to him.

“We’re not going to have a situation where Conservatives are told that they have to be quiet about this scandal because they’re sworn to secrecy,” Poilievre said. “What we need is a public inquiry that is truly independent to get to the bottom of it.”

While Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping have clashed in public, the Liberals are seen as more open to doing business with the Asian superpower than the Conservatives, who take a hard line on human rights issues and national security concerns.

China maintains it doesn’t interfere with Canada’s internal affairs and has warned that the northern nation should stop “smearing” Beijing’s government with what it calls unfounded allegations. Bloomberg News

The blizzard RARE blizzard warnings went into effect in late February in the mountain ranges of Southern California as an arctic air mass plunged down the West Coast, plastering California’s coast ranges and the Sierra Nevada.

In an extremely unusual event, staggering amounts of snow fell east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains and the adjacent San Gabriel Mountains, where thousands of people live or visit communities at high elevations

reached by windy, steep highways. Both mountain ranges routinely have winter snowfalls, but what looked like the foundation for epic downhill ski days instead became a nightmare.

Big Bear City received 80 inches (203 centimeters) of snow over a seven-day period, the most since these records have been tracked, according to meteorologist Alex Tardy, with the National Weather Service in San Diego. Until now, the most snow recorded in a seven-day period there was 58 inches (147 centimeters) in 1979.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared emergencies in 13 of California’s 58 counties beginning March 1. Snowed in RESIDENTS found themselves unable to leave their homes or vacation rentals, much less free their vehicles.

San Bernardino County authorities said the snowfall was so great it exceeded the capability of plows to clear roads, requiring earthmoving equipment and dump trucks to pick up and move snow. A shortage of tire chains further hampered the response.

Highways were closed to all but emergency vehicles, frustrating residents who had been away when the storm hit and were forbidden to head back up to their homes.

Sections of key mountain roads in the Big Bear area were finally reopened Monday afternoon to residents only. The California Highway Patrol warned people returning home that they may encounter enormous snow drifts,

downed power lines and potential gas leaks.

Roof collapses due to the weight of snow were reported, including a grocery store in the community of Crestline.

Recovery

AUTHORITIES began bringing in more snow removal equipment, organized convoys of grocery trucks, set up distribution centers and requested donations of nonperishable foods, water and general supplies.

Andrew Braggins told The Associated Press that he’s one of the lucky ones. His street in Crestline is plowed and he was able to dig out his driveway. Most of his neighbors’ properties are still buried.

Braggins and his wife have been packing their Jeep with boxes of food from the distribution center and delivering them to neighbors. But it’s not as simple as just dropping the boxes at the front doors, he said.

“We have to climb over 10-foot (3-meter) snow berms and carry them through deep snow down 60-foot (18-meter) driveways. It is exhausting,” Braggins said.

A National Guard unit that normally fight wildfires was called in to use its shovels to help clear snow.

Clearing of state routes has been done by California Department of Transportation equipment.

Highways have intermittently been open to residents as conditions permit, but authorities warn than anyone who goes down may not be allowed back up.

As of Sunday, San Bernardino County estimated that it had made nearly 80 percent of county-maintained roads in the area passable, meaning that at least one lane was open. But the county noted that state and county plows are not allowed onto private property and residents will have to call in contractors to do those jobs.

Forecast

SOUTHERN California has largely seen a respite since the blizzard, but heavy snow has continue to pile up in the north, including the Sierra, where totals so far this season are being measured in the dozens of feet.

The stormy weather calmed down Monday, but accumulations were forecast to continue through midweek.

The National Weather Service said the next Pacific storm is expected to arrive in California late in the week, and will be associated with a moderately strong atmospheric river, a long plume of moisture stretching back over the ocean.

Heavy rainfall and a mild air mass could cause rapid snowmelt in some areas that have received several feet of snow recently, the service said. AP

23 charged with terrorism in Atlanta ‘Cop City’ protest

By Jeff Martin & Jeff Amy

The Associated Press

ATLANTA—More than 20 people from around the country faced domestic terrorism charges Monday after dozens in black masks attacked the site of a police training center under construction in a wooded area outside Atlanta where one protester was killed in January.

The site has become the flashpoint of ongoing conflict between authorities and left-leaning protesters who have been drawn together, joining forces to protest a variety of causes. Among them: People against the militarization of police; others who aim to protect the environment; and some who oppose corporations who they see as helping to fund the project through donations to a police foundation.

Flaming bottles and rocks were thrown at officers during a protest Sunday at “Cop City,” where 26-year-old environmental activist Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, or “Tortuguita,” was shot to death by officers during a raid at a protest camp in January. Police have said that Tortuguita attacked them, a version that other activists have questioned.

Almost all of the 23 people arrested are from states across the US, while one is from Canada and another from France, police said Monday.

Like many protesters, Tortuguita was dedicated to preserving the environment, friends and family said, ideals that clashed with Atlanta’s hopes of building a $90 million Atlanta Public Safety Training Center meant to boost preparedness and morale after George Floyd’s death in 2020.

Now, authorities and young people are embroiled in a clash that appears to have little to do with other high-profile conflicts.

Protesters who oppose what detractors call “Cop City” run the gamut from more traditional environmentalists to young, self-styled anarchists seeking clashes with what they see as an unjust society.

Defend the Atlanta Forest, a social media site used by members of the movement, said Monday on Twitter that those arrested were not violent agitators “but peaceful concert-goers who were nowhere near the demonstration.” A representative of a publicrelations firm involved in the group’s events said that it could not immediately comment.

After “Tortuguita” was killed, demonstrations spread to downtown Atlanta. A police cruiser was set ablaze, rocks were thrown and fireworks were launched at a skyscraper that houses the Atlanta Police Foundation. Windows were shattered. The governor declared a state of emergency.

On Sunday, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a midnight

news conference, pieces of construction equipment were set on fire in what he called “a coordinated attack” at the site for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in DeKalb County.

Surveillance video released by police shows a piece of heavy equipment in flames. It was among several destroyed pieces of construction gear, police said.

Protesters also threw rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police, officials said. In addition, demonstrators tried to blind officers by shining green lasers into their eyes, and used tires and debris to block a road, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said Monday.

Officers used nonlethal enforcement methods to disperse the crowd and make arrests, Schierbaum said, causing “some minor discomfort.”

Along with classrooms and administrative buildings, the training center would include a shooting range, a driving course to practice chases and a “burn building” for firefighters to work on putting out fires. A “mock village” featuring a fake home, convenience store and nightclub would also be built for rehearsing raids.

Opponents have said that the site would be to practice “urban warfare,” and the 85-acre (34-hectare) training center would require cutting so many trees that it would

be environmentally damaging.

Many activists also oppose spending millions on a police facility that would be surrounded by poor neighborhoods in a city with one of the nation’s highest degrees of inequality.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has said that the site was cleared decades ago for a former state prison farm. He has said that it is filled with rubble and overgrown with invasive species, not hardwood trees. The mayor also has said that while the facility would be built on 85 acres, about 300 others would be preserved as public green space.

Many of those already accused of violence in connection with the training site protests are being charged with domestic terrorism, a felony that carries up to 35 years in prison. Those charges have prompted criticism from some that the state is being heavy-handed.

Lawmakers are considering classifying domestic terrorism as a serious violent felony. That means anyone convicted must serve their entire sentence, can’t be sentenced to probation as a first offender and can’t be paroled unless they have served at least 30 years in prison.

Meanwhile, more protests are planned in coming days, police said Monday.

MartinreportedfromWoodstock,Georgia

LOS ANGELES—Residents of Southern California mountain towns have continued to struggle to dig out and get necessities in the aftermath of a record-setting blizzard last month that dumped so much snow that roads became impassable and roofs collapsed.

Angel R. Calso

Giving women equal rights to resources

Women play critical roles in food systems as food producers, processors, traders, consumers, scientists and policymakers, according to a gender and development specialist from the manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB). Despite this, rural women remain unable to gain access to resources that would allow them to increase their participation in economically productive endeavors, particularly in the agriculture sector. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that more men are employed in the country’s agriculture sector than women.

Zonibel Woods, senior social development specialist at the ADB, said in a blog that female farmers in Asia and the Pacific do not receive the same economic benefits as men, either through wages of employment. She said female farmers also lack access to agricultural extension services that target their specific needs and provide them with increased knowledge, skills, and information.

In the Philippines, PSA data showed that males outnumbered females in terms of employment in agriculture. In 2016, there were 8.31 million males employed in the sector, nearly triple the 2.76 million females hired that year. Female agricultural workers also received lower pay than their male counterparts. In 2016, the daily nominal wage rate of male agricultural workers reached P278.23 or P17.45 higher than was paid to female agricultural workers at P260.78.

That more males are employed in the agriculture sector is probably due to the fact that women, especially in rural areas, are in charge of taking care of the household and are regarded as nurturers. A paper published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in July 2018 noted that women shoulder a disproportionate burden of the care economy in the form of housework and taking care of children, the sick, and the elderly. The extent of time women devote to the care economy results in time poverty, which hampers their ability to pursue economically productive and welfare-enhancing endeavors.

The Covid-19 pandemic increased the multiple burdens of women, according to the Philippine Commission on Women. Citing data from United Nations Women, PCW noted that Filipino women increased their time allocation for activities related to unpaid care work and unpaid domestic work. Longer hours devoted to unpaid care and domestic works reduced the rural women’s time to participate in alternative productive activities for their economic development.

The number of hungry people worldwide could be reduced by 150 million people if rural women were given equal access to resources as men, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This includes access to laborsaving technologies and even the most basic farm tools that many female workers lack.

Woods said access to credit will also improve women’s uptake of climatesmart agriculture practices, which can significantly reduce the labor burden for women in the sector.

It would do well for policymakers to heed the recommendations of the PIDS paper and to address issues related to women’s limited command over labor, inputs, and the social norms that discourage women’s use of certain machinery. As climate change aggravates the disproportionate burden of care economy on women, they should be allowed to participate in the crafting and implementation of adaptation and mitigation projects.

There’s an urgent need for government to invest in rural infrastructure that would reduce the time spent on care economy, such as the provision of childcare services, and the construction of pumps to improve access to water. This will help solve rural women’s low labor force participation, which represents a missed opportunity for economic growth.

Since

One final withholding tax rate

fulvio D. Dawilan

Tax Law for Business

FoR various reasons, the Supreme Court, in G.R. no. 213860, invalidated Revenue Regulations no. 1-2014, Revenue memorandum Circular no. 5-14 and SeC memorandum Circular no. 10-2014. Compared to the previous rules, these issuances required the submission of more information in the alphabetical list (alphalist). Among others, the issuances discontinued the practice of submitting alphalist where the income payments and the taxes withheld are lumped into one single amount, such as “Various Payees”, “PCD nominees”, “others”, etc. Instead, they required the reporting of more detailed information about the payees/investors and the income paid to them and the corresponding taxes withheld.

Apparently, under our present tax system, there are numerous tax rates applicable even on similar transactions. And the tax rates become more complicated when applied to different situations.

The tax on income, for example, depends on so many factors and conditions—including the nature

Apparently, under our present tax system, there are numerous tax rates applicable even on similar transactions. And the tax rates become more complicated when applied to different situations.

The tax on income, for example, depends on so many factors and conditions—including the nature of investment, the term of the instrument, the issuer, the currency involved, whether the investor is an individual or juridical person, residency of the investors and many other considerations.

the 25 percent final withholding tax. For non-resident foreign corporations (Nr FCs), the final withholding tax rate is 20 percent of the amount of interest earned.

Dividend from equity securities

of investment, the term of the instrument, the issuer, the currency involved, whether the investor is an individual or juridical person, residency of the investors and many other considerations.

The applicable final withholding tax rate on income payments earned from investment in securi-

ties by non-resident is not an exception to this complicated structure. Let me just briefly go over the applicable final withholding taxes on interests and dividends.

Interest on debt instruments

INTereST income derived by foreign individuals, who are non-residents and not engaged in trade or business within the Philippines, is subject to

D I v I D e N DS earned by foreign individuals not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines on their investments in shares of domestic companies are subject to the 25 percent final withholding tax rate. For N r FCs, the final withholding tax rate on dividends used to be 30 percent. However, the amendments in the Tax Code, which took effect in 2021, reduced the corporate income tax rate to 25 percent, the final withholding tax on dividends was correspondingly reduced to 25 percent. Our tax law also contains a tax sparing credit provision, which applies to Nr FCs. Under this rule, the 25 percent tax rate can be reduced to 15 percent, on the condition that the country in which the non-resident foreign corporation is domiciled allows a credit against the tax due from

See “Tax Law,” A19

US sees China propaganda efforts becoming more like Russia’s

By Nomaan Merchant & Matthew Lee | The Associated Press

Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder

WASHInGTon China has long been seen by the US as a prolific source of anti-American propaganda but less aggressive in its influence operations than Russia, which has used cyberattacks and covert operations to disrupt US elections and denigrate rivals.

But many in Washington now think China is increasingly adopting tactics associated with russia — and there’s growing concern the US isn’t doing enough to respond.

US officials and outside experts cite recent examples of China-linked actors generating false news reports with artificial intelligence and posting large volumes of denigrating social media posts. While many of the discovered efforts are amateurish, experts think they signal an apparent willingness from Beijing to try more influence campaigns as part of a broader embrace of covert operations, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence.

“To us, the attempt is what stands out,” one US intelligence official said.

An increasingly pessimistic mood in Washington about Beijing’s expansive political and economic goals and the possibility of war over Taiwan is driving calls for the US to make a stronger effort to counter Chinese influence abroad.

Lawmakers and officials are particularly concerned about countries

that comprise the “Global South” in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where both the US and China have huge economic and political interests. Many of those countries have populations that support both sides —what an official called “swing states” in the narrative battle.

“This should be a whole of government effort,” said rep. r aja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, who is the top Democrat on a newly formed House committee focusing on the Chinese Communist Party.

“The CCP is going around the world bad-mouthing the US, badmouthing our institutions, badmouthing our form of government,” Krishnamoorthi said in an interview. “We have to counter this because ultimately it’s not in the best interests of the United States.”

China’s embassy in Washington said in a statement that Beijing “opposes the fabrication and dissemination of false information” and blamed the US in turn for making social media “into its tool to manipulate international public opinion and its weapon to stigmatize and demonize other countries.”

“On this issue, it is for the US side to reflect on itself and stop shouting ‘catch a thief,’” said embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu.

Chinese state media and affiliated channels, as well as social media influencers with vast followings, routinely spread ideas the US labels exaggerated, false or misleading. In recent weeks, China’s foreign ministry has called attention to the train derailment that released toxic chemicals in Ohio as well as allegations the US may have sabotaged pipelines used to transport russian gas.

The Biden administration has strongly rejected the allegations about the Nord Stream pipelines and defended its response in Ohio.

China has long been seen as less willing than russia to take provocative steps that could be exposed and more concerned about being publicly blamed. US intelligence judged that russia tried to support Donald Trump in the last two presidential elections, while China in 2020 considered but did not try to influence the election.

But some US officials believe China is now undertaking or considering operations it would not have in the past, according to the two people familiar with the matter. That’s partly due to fears in Beijing that they are losing a battle of narratives in many countries, one of the people said.

Officials noted public examples identified in recent weeks by groups that track disinformation and influence.

The research firm Graphika recently identified AI-generated videos that it linked to a pro-Chinese influence operation. One video attacked the US approach to stopping gun violence; another “stressed the importance of China-US cooperation for the recovery of the global economy,” according to Graphika. And threat analysts at Google said they disrupted more than 50,000 instances of posts and other activity last year linked to a pro-China influence operation known as “Dragonbridge.”

The AI-generated videos are clearly fictitious and Graphika said none of them had more than 300 views. Most Dragonbridge posts, Google said, also reached a tiny audience.

The US intelligence official said Chinese tradecraft on social media was “uneven” and less sophisticated than what’s normally associated with the Kremlin. But that tradecraft — both in terms of social media operations and efforts to hide any linkage to Beijing—can be expected to improve over time and with practice, the official said.

And there are longstanding concerns in Washington about TikTok, the viral video-sharing app whose US operations are currently undergoing a national security review. There’s no public evidence that Beijing has used its sweeping powers over businesses in China to direct content on the app or launch government-sanctioned influence operations, but there’s a See “US,” A19

International Women’s Day is a call to action

By António Guterres | UN Secretary-General

on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of women and girls across all walks of life, in all corners of the world.

But we also recognize the enormous obstacles they face—from structural injustices, marginalization, and violence, to cascading crises that affect them first and worst, to the denial of their personal autonomy and rights over their bodies and lives.

Gender-based discrimination harms everyone—women, girls, men, and boys.

International Women’s Day is a call to action.

Action to stand with women who are demanding their fundamental rights at great personal cost.

Action to strengthen protection against sexual exploitation and abuse.

And action to accelerate women’s full participation and leadership.

This year’s theme stresses the need for technology and innovation to advance gender equality.

Technology can expand pathways to education and opportunities for women and girls.

But it can also be used to amplify abuse and hatred.

Today, women make up under a third of the workforce in science,

Tax Law . . .

continued from A18

the non-resident foreign corporation taxes deemed to have been paid in the Philippines equivalent to 10 percent. This 15 percent reduced rate may also apply if the country of residence of the corporate stockholder exempts from tax the dividends derived from the Philippines. But there are administrative requirements needed for the taxpayer to be able to enjoy this reduced rate.

Availment of the provisions of tax treaties

SHOULD there be an existing tax treaty between the Philippines and the country of residence of the investor, the preferential tax rates or exemption provided in the respective treaty may be availed. However, there are a number of requirements to be accomplished for the taxpayer to fully enjoy the tax treaty benefits. And this covers all types of income entitled to preferential tax rates or exemption, including dividends and interests.

The availment of tax treaty benefits previously required a mere submission of a proof of residence of the income recipient. However, a 2021 issuance by the tax authority returned the requirement for an application for tax treaty relief, to be filed with the tax office. This has to be done by the recipient of the income or through its representative. Alternatively, the tax rate provided in the treaty may be used by the investee as the withholding tax rate. However, it has to file a subsequent application for confirmation of the propriety of the withholding tax rate applied.

With all these complications, detailed information is indeed necessary in order for the correct

US . . .

continued from A18

belief that China could do so quickly enough not to be caught or stopped.

China is increasingly viewed unfavorably in the US, much of Europe, Australia, South Korea and Japan, according to Pew Research Center data published last year.

But in other countries in Asia as well as in much of Africa and Latin America, there are more positive attitudes about the Chinese government, often driven by Beijing’s economic investments and offers of infrastructure and security assistance. Last year’s Africa Youth Survey,

Authorities should put illegal LPG refillers behind bars

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza MAKE SENSE

Government officials who are responsive to the people’s needs are in good position to strengthen the people’s trust in the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. And there is no better way to feel the people’s pulse other than interactions with citizens. these interactions play a big role in building greater public trust, which also leads to greater compliance with a wide range of public policies.

of three months.

I would like to commend the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation for raiding an illegal LPG refilling station in San Miguel, Bulacan last Friday. Reports said hundreds of old and rusty LPG tanks with different brands are being refilled in this illegal facility.

the danger this poses to consumers nationwide, CIDG Task Force LIGAS head Marissa G. Salgo once said that “one LPG tank is equivalent to 10 live grenades”.

technology, engineering, and maths.

And when women are under-represented in developing new technologies, discrimination may be baked in from the start.

That is why we must close the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology.

Women’s exclusion from the digital world has shaved an estimated $1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade—a loss that could grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action.

Investing in women uplifts all people, communities, and countries.

Let us work together—across governments, the private sector and civil society—to build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women, girls, men, and boys everywhere.

taxes to be applied. That is actually the ultimate reason why the above-mentioned issuances were issued—for the tax authority to have readily available information for checking the correctness of the taxes withheld for each payee. Unfortunately, these were struck down as invalid.

This reminds me of the need to pursue tax reform in the taxation of financial income, financial intermediation services and financial transactions. Aside from the stated objectives of this tax reform, this would make administration and compliance of taxation in the financial sector more efficient. With the proposal to harmonize the tax treatment across financial transactions, the rate would be the same regardless of who the investor is and regardless of the nature of the investment instruments. Among others, this would eliminate the need to apply for tax treaty reliefs or the tax sparing provision, simply for the purpose of availing lower tax rates. More importantly, this would eliminate the necessity of requiring detailed information from the investors as the above-mentioned invalidated issuances sought to impose. Let’s support this tax reform and work for a one final withholding tax rate!

The author is the Managing Partner of DuBaladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at fulvio.dawilan@bdblaw.com.ph or call 84032001 loc 310.

which was composed of 4,500 interviews of 18- to 24-year-olds in 15 countries, found that 76 percent of respondents believed China had a positive influence in their country. Of the US, 72 percent said they believed American influence was positive. In the event of a war over USbacked Taiwan, experts believe shaping global attitudes and narratives will be key in ensuring military and diplomatic support for either side.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, the Wisconsin Republican who chairs the new congressional committee on China, said in a statement after recently visiting Taiwan that Chinese influence operations are part of a broader strategy of “cognitive warfare.” He

Worthy of high commendation is the Presidential Management Staff for their speedy reply after I e-mailed to them a copy of my BusinessMirror column on February 8—When will we ever learn?—where I wrote about the plight of our local LPG cylinder manufacturers, and the alarming importations of substandard LPG cylinders that are locally sold at a very cheap price.

Undersecretary Rodolfo John Robert C. Palattao lV promptly referred the issues I raised in my column to Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla “for appropriate action”.

I ventilated in my column a particular issue raised by our local LPG cylinder manufacturers who are reportedly having a hard time renewing their licenses, while some foreign companies were able to get PS license to produce LPG cylinders in a span

I also cited an alarming fact based on the information I got that some companies are importing substandard LPG cylinders at a very cheap cost. Based on our research, highpressure steel is needed to manufacture an LPG cylinder. If imported LPG cylinders come at very cheap prices, would that not make our authorities suspect that these LPG tanks are made of low quality steel? Steel is a global commodity with a universal price. So, if the price difference between an imported LPG cylinder and locally manufactured LPG cylinder is so big, this should raise a lot of questions and suspicions.

My sources said there is reason to believe that imported LPG cylinders are made of subpar steel. But how come they are not rigidly examined, like what authorities do to local LPG manufacturers that are subject to stringent testing? To appreciate

I am happy to read news reports that the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with industry players, are intensifying their campaign against malpractices being committed by lawless elements in the sale of LPG to consumers.

Reports said that based on data provided by the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB), out of the 1,447 LPG cylinders checked last year, at least 10 percent or 144 had been flagged for violations. Of those offenses, reports said the bulk or around 47 percent constituted under-filling of LPG cylinders.

In 2021, when the LPG Regulation Law or Republic Act 11592 was signed into law, reports said that violations corresponding to the number of cylinders checked had been at a high rate of 18 percent—where 165 had been flagged for violations out of the 914 LPG cylinders the DOE examined.

The DOE said it decided to conduct

a series of information and education campaign as well as summits to stamp out such infractions in the sector, which could pose danger to human lives and properties. However, the agency acknowledged “some of its participants are engaging in unfair and unsafe trade practices, impairing consumers and, to a full extent, causing negative externalities to society.”

The DOE cited data from the Bureau of Fire Protection, showing that “there were a total of 158,266 fire incidents in the Philippines from 2010 to 2021, in which 1,254 incidents are LPG-related.”

Lastly, I would like to commend the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation for raiding an illegal LPG refilling station in San Miguel, Bulacan last Friday. Reports said hundreds of old and rusty LPG tanks with different brands are being refilled in this illegal facility. There’s an urgent need to curb these kinds of malpractices that pose enormous danger to lives and properties. Owners of illegal LPG refilling stations like the one raided by the NBI in Bulacan need to face illegal trading, trademark infringement, unfair competition, and illegal refilling charges. The Philippine economy will greatly benefit if authorities would see to it that these offenders are put behind bars, whoever they may be.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

Beyond a glance: Digitalization and enhanced data governance for women’s political participation in the Philippines

By George Erwin M. Garcia & Dr. Selva Ramachandran

Women’s political participation is a fundamental factor for gender equality and development as it facilitates their direct engagement in public policy and decision-making. Globally, studies have shown that higher numbers of women in leadership positions in government generally contribute to stronger gender-responsive and inclusive governance.

In the Philippines, the status of Filipino women has significantly improved in terms of development indicators and in their participation as active voters. More than the half of the country’s population is female. However, the past few elections in the last two decades showed a significant gap between the number of men and women as elected leaders of the country.

A quick glance at the status of Filipino women and their political participation generates an interesting outlook.

The Philippines is ranked high in terms of gender equality globally as indicated by its Gender Development Index (GDI). The Philippine GDI has constantly been higher than the global index since 1990 (when it was at 0.931 compared to the global GDI of 0.899) until 2021 (when it was at 0.99 compared to the global GDI at 0.958). In 2021, the Philippines had been placed in Group 1, which is comprised of countries with high gender equality.

Based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) data from

added that the committee would “work to expose the truth about the (Chinese Communist Party’s) pattern of aggression against America and our friends.”

The State Department’s Global Engagement Center is charged with countering Chinese messaging outside of both the US and China. Speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the department, a State Department official responded to concerns that the US doesn’t directly counter many lines of attack from Beijing.

“There was a decision made that we were not going to get in the business of playing whack-a-mole with specific lines of Chinese messaging,”

2016 to 2022, the percentage of females among all registrants has consistently been at least 50 percent. Voter turn-out among women has also remained high from 2010 to 2022, with consistently at least 75 percent of registered women voters casting their votes on election day.

Overseas, women’s active participation can also be observed in the latest available Comelec data.

Registered voters and actual voters overseas in the 2019 elections were mostly female, both at around 60 percent. Furthermore, voters’ turnout among female registrants in the same elections was at 33 percent, while that among males was at 29.4 percent.

In gist, women have, historically, been active participants in the electorate since the dawn of women’s suffrage. This type of participation does not extend beyond voting, however, as participation of women as candidates for elective positions in the country has remained low.

Over the past five automated elections, although the percentage

the official said. “Frankly, there’s just too much of it. It would be like trying to put your finger in the dam to stop the leak.”

The State Department instead tries to fund programs exposing facts and ideas that China wants to suppress. The Global Engagement Center has funded third-party research of China’s crackdown in Xinjiang province against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups. Beijing has long tried to frame its operations in Xinjiang as countering terrorism and radicalism in the face of international criticism about its network of detention camps and its restrictions on movement and religious expression in the province.

Over the past five automated elections, although the percentage of women candidates had steadily increased from 16.7 percent in 2010 to 20.6 percent in 2022, these figures translate to only having one for every five candidates being a woman.

of women candidates had steadily increased from 16.7 percent in 2010 to 20.6 percent in 2022, these figures translate to only having one for every five candidates being a woman. The percentage of women among those elected also had increased from 18.5 percent in 2010 and 23.3 percent in 2022, yet is still below parity.

This does not paint the whole picture. We would like data to be further nuanced, made more comprehensive, and real-time. With current technologies and systems in the Comelec, arriving at these data can take a while. By digitalization and better management, use, and communication of data, a comprehensive understanding of the trends and gaps in political participation among women and men may be further achieved in a quicker and more efficient manner. With timely and accurate data, the push for having empowered women participating as political leaders and having a wellinformed voting population can be supported.

The United Nations Development

State has also funded trainings for investigative journalists in countries that have received Chinese investment and a project that tracked Chinese dam construction along the Mekong River, which is a key source of water for Southeast Asian countries downstream from China.

The US also uses direct investment as a tool for countering Chinese influence, though critics have questioned whether some funded programs are effective.

In one instance, the US Agency for International Development last year proposed using funding from an annual fund for countering Chinese influence to support bakeries in Tunisia. According to two other

Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines and the Comelec have partnered to enhance the digitalization capacity to better highlight the roles of women in the political arena. Particularly, through the partnership, data-driven and online solutions will be developed to get timely and accurate insights to help identify challenges or barriers in women’s political participation. These insights would then inform solutions on how to address these barriers, and encourage equality and equity among women and men, including disadvantaged groups, through policies, data-informed decisions, or capacity-building.

Ultimately, the goal of the joint Comelec-UNDP initiative is to nudge more responsive and timely decisions that would build the foundation for electoral policies, systems, or processes that empower women to step up both as voters and as leaders in the effort to equalize representation.

Tides might be turning to support more women in joining the political arena. However, without the comprehensive deep dive that digitalization and better electoral data governance can bring, we will not be able to have a more complete picture of the gendered electoral processes and networks beyond the mere glance that surface data suggests.

people familiar with the matter, officials wanted to buy software for bakery owners to help them determine which of their products were most marketable. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal agency deliberations.

In a statement, USAID said the Tunisia program was intended to “create sustainable demand-driven jobs” and promote Western software over Chinese programs that “might be easily accessible” but “less efficient.”

“We know that our grants-based assistance can go even further when put together with public and private investments, which far outstrip the resources that the PRC has brought to the table to date,” the statement said.

George Erwin M. Garcia is the Comelec chairperson and Dr. Selva Ramachandran is UNDP Philippines resident representative.

Let us work together—across governments, the private sector and civil society—to build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women, girls, men, and boys everywhere.

House-OKd Magna Carta gives sailors full protection

By Jovee Marie N. dela

@joveemarie

POE: TRANSPORT SAFETY BOARD MUST BE PRIORITY

tion mechanism for seafarers in cases of epidemics, pandemics, maritime accidents, and other crises, which entitles them to full compensation.  I f affected by a pandemic or epidemic, seafarers should be entitled to “medical care, board and lodging for periods spent by a seafarer in quarantine or self-isolation,” as well as “hospitalization and medical treatment when the seafarer is sick or infected – until declared as fully recovered.”

Voting 304 against 4, the chamber overwhelmingly voted on Monday to pass House Bill (HB) 7325 or “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers,” which also aims to develop a pool of competent and world-class seafarers “through a system of education, training, certification, and licensing.”

It also ensures that seafarers have “full protection” before, during, and after employment, especially during maritime accidents, epidemics or pandemics, or other natural or man-made crises.

“Our seafarers are our unsung heroes. Almost 400,000 of them are on board merchant shipping vessels around the world at any given time. They are not only a source of income for the country through

their remittances but also a source of pride,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

P rovisions of HB 7325 cover Filipino seafarers “who are employed or engaged or work in any capacity on board foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally.”

T he bill also lists the rights as well as duties and responsibilities of seafarers, as well as of ship owners and manning agencies.

It also mandates that the standard employment contract, or SEC, be reviewed and approved by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure that the terms adhere to or protect the rights of seafarers as laid down in the law.

H B 7325 lays down the protec -

Seafarers shall be entitled to adequate compensation in the case of injury, loss or unemployment arising from the ship’s loss or foundering, in accordance with the SEC or the CBA (collective bargaining agreement),” the bill read.

T he Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is also mandated to establish seafarer welfare facilities or centers in major crew-change ports, “specifically in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, and other areas.”

A One-Stop-Shop for Seafarers, which shall have representatives from government agencies that process or issue licenses, permits, clearances, and other documents

required by seafarers, shall also be established in these welfare centers for the convenience of the seafarers and to maximize the services being offered to them,” HB 7325 said.

T he Secretary of the DMW, or a duly authorized representative, shall also have access to foreignregistered ships and Philippineregistered ships operating internationally and “conduct inspection to ensure compliance with working and living standards of seafarers as provided under this proposal.

A t the core of this proposed landmark legislation, according to Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron P. Salo, is the protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare of Filipino seafarers. Salo chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.

“ By codifying relevant seafarers’ rights and duties, the proposed law shall seek to ensure better working conditions, meaningful qualifications, and other measures that will improve their situation at work,” he added.

T he proposed law shall establish Seafarer Welfare Centers which will be a one-stop shop in processing the seafarers’ licenses, permits, clearances and other required documents.

Continued on A4

SEN. Grace Poe renewed her pitch for timely enactment of an enabling law creating a Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB), embodied in Senate Bill 1121, citing the need for “truthful and thorough investigations” deemed indispensable in addressing transportation accidents.

Elevating Senate Bill 1121 (PTSB) for floor deliberation leading to a plenary vote, said the proposed PTSB Act will establish an agency in charge of investigating transportationrelated accidents and incidents.

I n her sponsorship of SB 1121, Sen. Poe stressed: “We need an independent agency that shall conduct independent, thorough, and truthful investigations, and provide corresponding and critical recommendations.”  She assured that “the PTSB can save lives,” noting: “And not just that, it is also hoped that it can resolve the issues in our transport systems without even causing a shutdown. The enactment of this measure will be the first step towards safer and more effective journeys for all Filipinos.”

R ecalling the New Year’s Day air traffic shutdown that stranded tens of thousands of passengers and disrupted nearly 300 flights, as well as the series of recent air crashes, Poe said such should “prompt the creation of the PTSB to expedite investigations, exact accountability and prevent the occurrence of similar tragedies.”

T he senator acknowledged

Poor Pinoys had it worse: Feb inflation at 9.7% for them

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE poorest Filipinos experienced a 9.7-percent inflation rate in February, higher than the inflation seen by all Filipino households, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

T his is the fourth consecutive month when inflation for the Bottom 30 percent of households was above 9 percent. However, the month-on-month data showed the rise in inflation was flat since inflation for the poorest households was also at 9.7 percent in January.

However, local economists said the elevated inflation experienced by the poorest households could imperil the government’s efforts to reduce poverty incidence. The aim of the Marcos administration is to bring down poverty to single-digit levels by 2028.

“A 9.7 (percent) inflation will definitely affect our efforts toward poverty reduction. A 9.7 percent inflation means additional individuals who would not have the capacity for sustenance. As the price increases, the purchasing power of money depletes. This is worse for poor people because they will have even less money to buy what they need,” De La Salle University economist Maria Ella Oplas told BusinessMirror

O plas said Filipinos who are better off financially are in a better position to stretch their resources so they can sustain their way of life, but poor families do not have such option.

T his can be seen in the data since Restaurants and Accommodation Services were among the top causes of inflation for the Bottom 30 percent of households. National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the bulk of these restaurants are small carinderias which the poor buy food from.

T he weight of Restaurants and

that the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and other concerned agencies can also look into accidents within their jurisdiction.

However, she believes “an independent and dedicated agency can more efficiently and expeditiously address such incidents.”

S he stressed: “Much like what we saw during the New Year fiasco at the airport, CAAP will never say that they were remiss with their maintenance. When a ship sinks, MARINA will never say that they failed to conduct the proper inspection. And when a fatal train accident occurs, DOTr will never admit that they bought a malfunctioning train or that corners were cut during construction.” A t the same time, Poe noted that CAAP currently functions as regulator, operator and investigator during accidents. “Even CAAP recognizes the disadvantages of these conflicting roles and supports any proposal to separate these functions. Congress had to step in because CAAP couldn’t even figure out what went wrong,” she added.

Still, she maintained the measure is “not a duplication” of existing functions of some agencies and highlighted the need to “institute an independent agency with the proper expertise to investigate transportation accidents as per global standards.” Butch Fernandez

Murder raps filed vs. Rep. Teves Jr., 5 others

Accommodation Services in the Bottom 30 percent CPI is 7.5 percent, representing the third highest in the CPI. Given the weight and the recent increases in inputs such as raw ingredients and services needed for restaurants to operate, the poor would be significantly affected.

B ased on the data, Restaurants and Accommodation Services posted an inflation of 7.9 percent, and this represented 6.1 percent of the increase in inflation for the Bottom 30 percent.

O plas said resorting to carinderia food could be cheaper for poor households because cooking food at home entails larger one-time costs such as buying LPG, which they cannot buy in “ tingi ” [in small proportions]. Buying charcoal to cook food is an option but using it means cooking food in bulk to maximize the use of the resource.

“ This is really bad (9.7 percent inflation for poor households). High food and other prices will worsen poverty since food is the biggest component of the consumer basket. This means that the poor really do not have access to more efficient channels for food,” University of the Philippines School of Economics head of research Renato E. Reside Jr. told BusinessMirror

A teneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. also told this newspaper that food is really more expensive for the poor since their incomes are much smaller. As the income of families increases, their food consumption remains the same but their additional income is able to cover food price hikes.

L anzona explained that when food becomes expensive, the tendency of poor households is to reduce consumption of non-food items, eventually compromising their welfare and deepening poverty.

MURDER  charges were filed on Tuesday before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 3rd District, Negros Oriental  Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and five others in connection with their alleged involvement in three separate killings that took place between March to June  2019.

Teves and his secretary, identified only as alias “Hannah Mae,” were charged with three counts of murder, while his corespondents Richard Cuadra, Jasper Tanasan and Rolando Pinili were charged with two counts of murder; respondent Alex Mayagma was charged with one count.

T he filing was initiated by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), which conducted the investigation on the killings that took place on March 25, May 26 and June 23, 2019.

O ne of the victims in the killings was former provincial board member of Siaton town, Oriental Mindoro Miguel Lopez Dungog, who was felled on March 25, 2019 in front of the Siliman Medical Center in Dumaguete City.

T he two other victims were identified as Lester Pialgao Bato and Pacito Libron.

L awyer Levito Baligod, counsel for the families of the victims, said among the witnesses who executed the affidavits against the respondents were members of the assassination team allegedly hired by the lawmaker to carry out the killings.   “

They were summoned by, allegedly they were summoned by Congressman Teves, gave them the instructions to assassinate these victims and they provided other details about the killings,” Baligod said.  “So, I was convinced of the credibility of these witnesses. That’s why I helped the families filed the complaint with the CIDG,” the lawyer added.

Cruz

THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to address prevailing issues and concerns pertaining to Filipino seafarers and the Philippine maritime industry.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Forex losses cut ‘22 profit of Aboitiz Equity Ventures

By VG Cabuag @villygc

shifts taking place within our organization. We will continue to focus our energy and resources on strategic innovation and, more importantly, on people and talent,” company president and CeO Sabin M. Aboitiz said. Aboitiz Power Corp.’s income contribution to A eV for the year amounted to P14.3 billion, 11 percent lower than the P16 billion recorded in 2021.

This was primarily due to A eV ’s reduced ownership of AboitizPower from its strategic partnership with Japan’s JeR A Asia Pvt Ltd.

Revenues for the entire year rose 37 percent to P307 billion from the previous year’s P233.92 billion, as most of its units performed well during the period.

For the fourth quarter alone, the company’s net income fell 55 percent to P3.5 billion from the previous year’s P7.8 billion.

The company recognized nonrecurring losses of P2 billion during the period, primarily due to forex losses from the revaluation of US dollar cash and liquid financial instruments, compared to the P444 million in non-recurring gains for the same period in 2021.

For the entire year, A eV said it recognized non-recurring gains of P3.5 billion, primarily due to forex

gains from the revaluation of US dollar cash and liquid financial instruments, compared to the P527 million in non-recurring gains recorded in 2021.

Without these one-off gains, A eV ’s core net income for 2022 was still down by a wider 21 percent to P21.3 billion. Power still accounted for the bulk of its income at 62 percent, while financial services accounted for 27 percent. Income contributions from real estate, food and infrastructure were at 11 percent, 0 percent and -1 percent, respectively.

“As we closed another transformative year for the Aboitiz Group, our techglomerate continues to take shape, not just in our financial reports, but also in the major culture

A e V ’s equity ownership in AboitizPower was reduced to 52 percent from 77 percent effective end of 2021, resulting in a lower share in AboitizPower’s earnings.

Union Bank of the Philippines’ income contribution to A eV in 2022 was flat at P6.3 billion.

On a standalone basis, UnionBank had a flat net income of P12.7 billion last year, mainly on extraordinary non-recurring trading gains during the first half of 2021.

A eV ’s non-listed real estate businesses, comprising Aboitiz Land Inc. and its subsidiaries, also reported a flat net income of P2.6 billion.

Revenues reached P4 billion, some 23 percent higher than last year, as the residential business had a significant increase in its revenue contribution year-on-year due to in-

creased house construction activity, significant site development completion, and strong sales with spot cash payments.

Food units Pilmico Foods Corp., Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp. and Pilmico International Pte. Ltd., which includes Gold Coin Management holdings Pte. Ltd., had suffered a loss P14 million for the year, narrower than the P2-billion loss recorded in 2021.

The food and nutrition segment, which consists of the flour, farms, meats and trading divisions, recorded a net loss of P416 million.

The agribusiness segment, which consists of the regional animal nutrition businesses feed, pet food and specialty nutrition, also reported a net loss of P78 million.

For the infrastructure group, Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. had a net loss of P323 million, from P1.6 billion in income recorded in 2021. This was due to lower market demand for cement caused by the pre-election construction ban and post-election transition, global commodity price increase of steel, other construction materials and higher input costs of fuel and electricity.

Republic Cement also benefited in 2021 from a one-time gain brought about by the CR e AT e law which reduced its deferred tax liabilities.

Use of biofuel in SPUG areas eyed

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) and APTI Renewable e n ergy Corp. (APTI R e C ) will jointly explore the possibility of utilizing biofuel and biomass hybrid power in Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) areas.

APTI R e C is a subsidiary of Asian Pyrochem Technologies Inc., an authorized export and import channel of the Governments of Indonesia and the Philippines under a government-to-government energy program through PT PP Persero TBK and Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC).

Napocor and APTI R e C signed

last Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“The MOU will allow us to access APTI R e C ’s technology on the use of biofuel or palm oil as an alternative fuel. Together, we shall also collaborate to build a prototype bioenergy renewable energy power plant that uses palm oil and develop an integrated logistical and technical system for the production of biofuel and biomass,” Napocor

President Fernando Martin Roxas said, adding that this move is part of the state firm’s sustainability agenda meant to gradually minimize its operation’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Signing on behalf of APTI R eC is its president and C e O, h a rley Luis

T. Leaño. “We are happy to share our knowledge and experiences and to have found an ally in championing renewable energy in Napocor. This partnership will not only pursue energy development but will also help alleviate poverty in the countryside,” said Leaño.

Napocor said that there is a potential for the application of APTI R e C ’s technology in SPUG since most of these areas can be converted into palm oil plantations.

“Apart from high fuel prices, off-grid areas also suffer from inclement weather situations that sometimes hinder the delivery of fuel which in turn affects their power supplies. If we can develop a model of this technology on vari-

ous SPUG areas, we can save costs on fuel and hauling,” said Roxas.

Roxas said the success of the partnership and the programs that will stem from it will eventually help Napocor achieve “more affordable, and cleaner and renewable energy while providing additional livelihood opportunities in the offgrid areas.”

Napocor, as mandated by the e l ectric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or Republic Act 9136, is tasked to perform missionary electrification in the farthest communities and islands not connected to the main grid. It is in this capacity that the corporation operates 281 SPUG plants in 189 municipalities across 35 provinces in the country.

B1

Mega’s plant gets BOI nod

The Board of Investments (BOI) said the P980-million

Mega Prime Foods Inc.’s sardines manufacturing facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas supports the government’s “overall direction” to host clean and sustainable manufacturing practices in the country.

According to the investment promotion agency, the project features a “state-of-the-art” semi-automated sardines canning manufacturing plant, with zero-waste fish meal facility, cold storage, and warehouse. It said the whole plant will operate using an “energy-efficient” power source to minimize carbon emissions.

“This innovation by Mega Prime Foods Inc. supports the government’s overall direction to host clean and sustainable manufacturing practices in the country,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Alfredo e Pascual

said in a statement on Tuesday.

The BOI said the manufacturing plant has a “reduction” facility where all protein-based waste products such as heads, tails, and entrails are converted into other fishery products or byproducts by drying them using a drum dryer and afterward grounded. BOI also noted that fish oil is extracted during this process.

“The site boasts of zero raw material wastage and will not have any protein-based waste material coming out,” BOI said.

The BOI, one of the attached agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the company has installed a 400-kiloWatt (kW) solar panel which can optimize up to 15 to 20 percent of total power consumption during day time. It is designed to accommodate the future expansion of solar panels up to twice the existing installation. Andrea E. San Juan

‘PHL’S FASTEST AND BEST MOBILE NETWORK ’ Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence, has officially awarded PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) as the Philippine winner for Best Mobile Network, Fastest Mobile Network for five years in a row, and Best Mobile Coverage at the 2023 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Smart is the first and only Philippine mobile operator to be given Ookla’s prestigious Best Mobile Network award, an elite designation given to wireless services providers with both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage within the same reporting period. In the photo are (from left): Smart First Vice President Lloyd R. Manaloto; PLDT and Smart Network Head Eric S. Santiago; Ookla Chief Operating Officer Shivani York; and Ookla Chief Commercial Officer Shawn Heidel. Contributed photo

The Philippine Stock e xchange Inc. (PSe) is encouraging the public to register in the PSe Investment e x po 2023, a financial literacy initiative that aims to promote awareness on investing in legitimate financial instruments.

The event will kick-off on Thursday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. with an opening ceremony and a discussion on the 2023 economic and Market Outlook.

“Financial literacy activities are very much needed at this time when potential and new investors fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes and are easily swayed by herd mentality in investing. We hope that the lineup of activities during the Investment e x po will equip the attendees with proper investing know-how and strategies,” PSe President and

said.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures inc. (AEV) on tuesday said its income in 2022 fell 9 percent to P24.8 billion, from the previous year’s P27.3 billion, mainly on weak fourth quarter profits due to foreign exchange losses.

BTr raises ₧25B from domestic debt mart

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Bureau of the Treasury

(BTr) continues to see full award of its auction of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) after it successfully borrowed P25 billion from the domestic market as rates remain well within benchmark level.

The Treasury made a full award of its T-bonds auction on Tuesday as rates averaged at 6.378 percent, lower than the 6.463 percent secondary market benchmark rate for the same debt paper.

The reissued T-bonds, which have a remaining life of about 9 years and 6 months years, fetched rates from a low of 6.223 percent to a high of 6.410 percent, which was still below the secondary market rate.

The Treasury also noted that the average rate was also lower than the debt paper’s original coupon rate of 6.75 percent set during its first issuance last September 2022.

Tuesday’s auction was oversubscribed by 2.846 times as total tender reached P71.156 billion. This is now the ninth consecutive time that the Treasury’s auction committee decided to make a full-award of its T-bonds sale.

“With its decision, the committee raised the full program of P25 billion, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P140 billion,” the Treasury said through a statement it issued after the auction.

The national government aims to borrow P200 billion from the domestic debt market this month through the sale of T-bonds and bills (T-bills).

For the whole year, the national government plans to borrow P2.207 trillion with a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources.

In terms of domestic borrowings, the national government aims to raise a total of P1.654 trillion, P54.1 billion of which coming from the sale of T-bills while the remaining amount would come from the auction of T-bonds.

DOF move vs inflation gets Marcos’s OK

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos

The Chief Executive met with economic managers in Malacañang last Tuesday to discuss how to mitigate the current effects of the rising cost of living, particularly through nonmonetary policy measures.

In a short-message sending service, Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said the President approved “in general” the list of inter-

ventions submitted by the economic managers at the meeting.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said among their proposed measures is fast- tracking the release of imported food commodities from the Bureau of Customs (BOC); the creation of the new Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook; and the expansion of the government Kadiwa program, which

State-run lender eyes to

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) announced last Tuesday plans to expand the volume and value of its digital transactions by 60 percent on an annual basis beginning this year.

The target would translate to 93.48-million more transactions for a total of 249.28 million with an estimated amount of about P8.96 trillion from the figures posted by the state-run lender last year.

The bank said through a statement that it facilitated P155.8 million digital transactions last year with an “unprecedented” value of P5.6 trillion as it continued ramping up its efforts toward digital and inclusive banking. The lender added that the volume of digital transactions it handled last year rose by 14 percent year-on-year while the amount was more than double than the value it recorded in 2021.

LandBank said it is “looking to grow its digital transactions by at least 60 percent in terms of both volume and value” this year.

LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo was quoted in a statement as saying their “digital channels continue to service the growing customer demand for con-

Anomalous transactions

ANOMALOUS transactions occur when an institution, organization or individual is unfairly put at a disadvantage or loss to the unjust benefit of an individual or individuals.

To give you a couple of examples I have recently been made aware of, the first involved the purchase of equipment and the second was selecting an inferior service provider.

In the case of the anomalous purchase of the equipment, the known and reputable suppliers submitted their own quotations, which had prices within a band of about 10 percent.

However, when it came for Board approval, an unknown supplier, which was not even from the industry, was endorsed due to the “superior” quality, “better” performance and “safety” of the said equipment, all of which could not be quantified since it was very subjective.

Nonetheless, due to the emphatic pleadings of the proponent with the endorsement of another Board member, the Board agreed to award the contract

to the recommended supplier. It was later noticed that the awarded contract was more than five times the cost of the other regular suppliers.

The selection of an inferior and little known service provider was a puzzle to many since the previous contractor was quite well known in the industry and did an outstanding job. However, the proponent and his cohorts were able to get their way claiming that the new contractor had a better rate and offered a superior service.

Special concessions were given by the proponent, including changes in the contract after it was awarded. Due to the unsatisfactory performance, a

allows agriculture suppliers to directly sell their products to consumers.

They also recommended the distribution of P26.6 billion worth of subsidies to vulnerable groups. Of this, P9.3 billion will be used to provide targeted cash transfer program to 9.3 million households, who will receive P1,000 monthly for two months.

Also part of the proposal was to change the work schedule for government workers to a 7 a.m.-to-4 p.m. shift and to maintain the temperature in public offices to 25 Celsius to dampen power demand nationwide.

The implementation of the measures, Diokno said, is to bring down inflation to 4 percent by October.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported last Tuesday that inflation only slightly slowed down to 8.6 percent in the previous month

tactless financial transactions.”

“We are driven to support our expanding retail customer base, to deliver convenient and responsive services to more customers nationwide,” Borromeo added.

To increase its digital transactions, the lender would undertake an “intensified” communication campaign through its social media channels.

The information drive seeks to “protect” consumers from phishing scams and other forms of online banking fraud, according to the bank.

The lender’s weekly posts on social media reminders and best practices to regularly provide the public with tips on spotting cyberattacks, how to prevent different forms of phishing, and keeping online credentials confidential, among other online security measures.

Corporate clients

LANDBANK’S corporate clients accounted for the bulk of digital transactions it handled last year through an online platform, the lender’s statement read.

The bank disclosed that it handled P3.13-trillion worth of corporate transactions last year, more than six times than the nearly P50 billion it

lot of questions were raised; and it was eventually discovered that a kickback of more than 20 percent was made to the proponent. Such actions do not serve the best interest of the stakeholders and, if you ask me, these actions are utterly disgusting. It is up to us to avert such anomalous transactions from happening. I have some observations that may prove helpful in prevention.

First is that the perpetrators have this characteristic of being self-righteous and following all the rules and procedures when it comes to others but not to themselves.

Second is that they tend to talk with a loud and confident voice and will not hesitate to intimidate or bully anyone who disagrees with them. They also have this tendency of clouding the issue as well as evading difficult and straightforward questions.

There is also normally some connivance involved with allies who will act to support, substantiate and cover up the actions of the proponent. Finally they

from 8.7 percent in January.

The main drivers of inflation were still electricity, gas and other fuel products, as well as price spikes for food and basic commodities, it noted.

Palliative measure

FOR labor groups, the recent inflation figures showed the urgency of their demand for government intervention to bring down the high cost of living.

“The reduction in inflation from 8.7 percent to 8.6 percent has no impact on the prices of basic goods,” Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis said in a text message. Adonis, nonetheless, welcomed government’s proposal to provide more state subsidies to vulnerable groups amid high inflation. However, he noted that such measures are not

sustainable. The labor leader called on the government to impose price control on basic goods and to help farmers boost production for the country to stop relying on imported goods. For its part, the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) organization called the announced inflation mitigation initiatives “insufficient palliative measures” for workers.

“There is an urgent need for workers to recover their lost purchasing power. And the best way to do this is to grant wage increases and to reduce the cost of living of workers,” Sentro Secretary General Josua T. Mata said. Mata said the government can also lower the cost of living by lowering food prices and the cost of electricity.

GSIS inaugurates office building in Quezon City

facilitated in 2021.

“For national government agency partners, the Electronic-Modified Disbursement System (eMDS) facilitated 2.5 million or 15 percent more transactions, amounting to P2.1 trillion representing a 22 percent growth rate,” it said.

LandBank said its mobile app transactions rose by 19 percent year-on-year to 123.6 million with the value rising by 32 percent on an annual basis to P227 billion.

Meanwhile, the bank said its bulk credit system registered 1.8 million transactions last year (up by 1,526 percent) with an estimated value of P28.5 billion (697 percent higher year-on-year).

The LandBank said its online portal facilitated 5.8 million transactions amounting to P11.6 billion, equivalent to 49 percent and 11 percent increases, respectively. The web-based payment facility also onboarded 314 new partners for a total of 1,136 merchants, of which 798 are from the public sector, it added.

The online retail banking channel posted a 15-percent rise in transactions value year-on-year to P17.7 billion, the lender’s statement read.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

will find ways to hang on to power to maintain influence and protect their illicit actions, to the point that they will undermine and create issues with those incumbent.

It is about time we open up our eyes and speak out against anomalous transactions. While these shameless people may be able to cover their asses by getting the appropriate approvals, just because something is legal does not mean it is right!

While it is possible that bad people may think they did not have to pay for their sins in this life, there really is no escaping karma.

Dr. George S. Chua was the 2016 president of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) in 2016 and of the Federation of Philippine Industries from 2010 to 2020. He is currently an active entrepreneur with investments in fintech, broadcast, media, telecommunications and properties. The views and comments of Chua are his own and neither of the BusinessMirror nor the Finex. Comments may be sent to georgechuaph@ yahoo.com.

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced last Monday the inauguration of the newly-constructed office building of its Quezon City branch in Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

Situated at the heart of Quezon City and nestled in a 3-hectare property, the new building of the GSIS Quezon City Branch Office “offers convenience to its visiting clients with its accessibility and upgraded facilities,” the GSIS said in a statement.

“The new GSIS Quezon City Branch Office forms part of our goal to provide the ultimate customer experience to our members and pensioners,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in the statement as saying.

The new building is compliant with the Anti-Red Tape Authority and Gender and Development requirements. It has sufficient rooms and facilities, a spacious lobby and a vast parking space to accommodate visiting clients.

“ Plano din natin i -accommodate dito ang ibang government offices. Pwede silang umupa sa amin. Sana ay makapaglagay din tayo ng transportation hub, retail o commercial area,” Veloso added. [We also plan to accommodate other government offices here. They can rent from us. I hope we can also put a

CREDIT:

transportation hub, retail or commercial area.]

Strategically located

THE new office of the GSIS Quezon City branch is strategically located near government offices such as the Quezon City Hall, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, PTV 4 and Philippine Information Agency, among other agencies.

Among the GSIS branch offices nationwide, its Quezon City branch serves the most number of clients, catering to 311,923 members, 29,054 pensioners, 194 remitting agencies and 297 sub-agencies. Up to 500 clients visit the office daily.

The new office of the GSIS Quezon City branch is near the popular Quezon City Memorial Circle and main road where public transportation is available. The GSIS QC branch was renting a building along Mindanao Avenue prior to its transfer to the new site. The new building is owned by GSIS, which translates to savings in rental fees.

“We are excited that you have invested in this new building to serve our people and nearby government agencies,” Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, the guest of honor during the event last March 1, was quoted in the statement as saying.

Grayscale-SEC fight could clear the way for anybody to speculate on Bitcoin

THE risks of creating a new way for retail investors to pour money into cryptocurrency markets are at the heart of a court fight Tuesday between Grayscale Investments LLC and a top US financial regulator.

Grayscale wants to convert its $14 billion Bitcoin Trust (ticker GBTC), the largest investment vehicle tied to the No. 1 cryptocurrency, into an exchange-traded fund. But the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected the plan in June, saying cryptocurrency markets

are too ripe for fraud and manipulation.

Grayscale sued, asking a federal appeals court to overturn a decision the company called arbitrary.

The legal battle before a 3-judge panel in Washington has big implications for the crypto industry because it could clear the way for similar ETFs, fueling a major expansion of the market by making it easier for everyday investors to bet on the success or failure of digital assets.

“Allowing an ETF means anybody with a brokerage account—which is ba-

sically available to anybody who can fog a mirror in the US—can now speculate on Bitcoin,” said James Angel, an associate finance professor at Georgetown University. Angel signed on to one of the amicus briefs in support of Grayscale.

Arguments at the DC Court of Appeals will hinge on whether ETFs backed directly by Bitcoin are any riskier than ETFs already approved by the SEC that are linked to cryptocurrency futures contracts. Grayscale claims there’s little difference, while the government says fu-

tures, unlike spot Bitcoin, are traded on a public exchange with federal oversight.

The court case is a major test for the SEC, which has taken an aggressive stance toward the crypto industry, including through increased enforcement following the collapse of several companies, including FTX, last year. The SEC has claimed that most digital assets are securities that have to be registered with the agency. US regulators are concerned the next crypto disaster might have greater re-

percussions if digital-asset businesses grow large enough to affect the broader financial system, which was mostly insulated from the current crisis.

For Grayscale, the stakes are high.

The trust has effectively operated as a closed-end fund that didn’t redeem shares when prices fell, which left the trust trading at discounts of more than 40 percent to its underlying Bitcoin. The structure of an ETF allows shares to be created and redeemed to keep pace with shifting demand. A conversion could

unlock $6 billion in value, according to Elliott Stein, senior litigation analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. The steep discount on the Bitcoin trust has been at the center of recent lawsuits. Rival Osprey Funds claims Grayscale misled investors by saying the conversion to an ETF was a “forgone conclusion.” Investment firm Fir Tree Capital Management claims there’s no legal reason that stops the trust from allowing investors to exit. Bloomberg News

Jr. has backed the proposed measures of the Department of Finance (DOF) to address high inflation.

expand value, volume of digital transactions by 60%

George S. Chua

This Wednesday, March 1, 2023 photo, shows Government service insurance system President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso (third from right) and Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte during the opening of the newly-constructed Gsis office building in Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. With them are (from left) Gsis Trustees Rita E. Riddle and Alan R. Luga, Department of human settlements and Urban Development secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar and Gsis Trustees Evalina G. Escudero and Rachel Queenie Dizon-Rodulfo.

GovERnmEnT SERvICE InSuR anCE SySTEm

Show BusinessMirror

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: James Van Der Beek, 46; Freddie Prinze Jr., 47; Camryn Manheim, 62; Aidan Quinn, 64.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Consider your options, evaluate the cost and time involved, and adopt change with open arms. There is no place for anger if you want to get things done. Sort through your differences with others and find a compromise that will ensure you move forward. Recognize embellishment, overindulgence and emotional blackmail, and nip any sudden fallout. Micromanagement is the fastest route to victory. Your numbers are 9, 17, 21, 27, 33, 45, 49.

Prince Harry contacted about coronation; attendance unclear

LONDON—King Charles III’s office has been in touch with Prince Harry about the new monarch’s coronation, raising the possibility the prince will attend the historic ceremony despite tensions within the royal family.

If Harry and his wife, Meghan, were to attend the May 6 coronation at Westminster Abbey in London, it would be the first meeting between Charles and his younger son since Harry deepened the rift within the House of Windsor by revealing family secrets in his bestselling book Spare

A spokesman for Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, confirmed on Sunday that Harry had received “e-mail correspondence’’ from the king’s office about the coronation. Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time,” the couple’s office said in a statement.

Speculation about whether Harry and Meghan would be invited to the coronation has raged since the release of Harry’s explosive memoir, which contained damning allegations of intrigue behind the palace walls.

The disclosures, including details of private conversations with his father and brother, Prince William, fanned tensions between Harry and his family that became public when he and his wife moved to North America in 2020. The book also included allegations that members of the royal family regularly feed the press unflattering information about other members of the House of Windsor in

exchange for positive coverage of themselves.

The prince singled out Camilla, the queen consort, accusing her of leaking private conversations to the media as she sought to rehabilitate her image after marrying Charles. Camilla was once reviled for her long-term affair with Charles, which contributed to the breakdown of his marriage to the late Prince Diana, Harry and William’s mother.

The acrimony between Harry and his family once again spilled into public view this week when the Sussexes acknowledged they were asked to vacate their home in Britain.

Frogmore Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, was the couple’s main residence before they gave up royal duties and moved to Montecito, a wealthy enclave in Southern California. The Sun newspaper reported that Charles asked them to relinquish the dwelling on January 11, the day after Harry’s memoir was published.

But issues other than the book may have sparked the request.

Charles, who became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, has said he plans to cut the number of working royals and reduce the cost of the monarchy as he seeks to modernize the 1,000-yearold institution in hopes of ensuring its survival.

With Harry and Meghan now living in California, leaving a royal residence without occupants so they have a place to stay on their occasional visits to the UK may have been seen as a bad look.

Harry, meanwhile, continues to share his personal experiences and critique of the royal family as he promotes his book. AP

JUST A GUEST NETIZENS are lashing out at a socialite because of the venue of a family member’s recent big event. But the socialite and her partner were there simply as guests and the relationship between the socialite and the hosts is best described as civil. The socialite and the host had a falling out after the former’s affair with a shady character became public, thanks in part to her partner’s consent. The partner may be OK with it but the host, who the socialite was really close to, isn’t. So that became the end of it and that was the reason why the socialite and her partner were just guests at the event. The host is now independently wealthy and doesn’t need the socialite for anything.

FREELOADERS?

DURING a very recent event headlining an actress in the news, a lot of people noticed how many members of her family were there. Very noticeable was the presence of the actress’ father, who was in sunglasses at an event where the lights were dimmed. Also standing out like a sore thumb was the actress’ jobless brother. Every family member of the actress was there and they were such eyesores. Everyone knows they are financially dependent on the actress and seem to not make any efforts to find jobs or open their own businesses.

NO TO FAKES

THE actress had to do some damage control via a new Instagram post after she had been “exposed” by an account on the social media platform whose specialty apparently is revealing whether branded bags shown off by celebrities are fake or not. The actress had been exposed in the early days of the account and if you look, it is still there in the highlights. But everyone is scared of the feisty actress and no one will surely dare openly post about it. Those close to the actress say she never wears fakes and this is consistent with her image. Two other actresses have also recently been exposed by this account.

FASCINATED WITH THIS GUY

IT’S amazing how fascinated the public is with half-Filipinos with cute accents that they will support these people’s careers even if some of them are without talent. One example is the singer-producer whose only claim to fame is that he was part of a famous loveteam. The public blindly laps up every pronouncement of this guy even if he does not have a solo hit. They believe everything he says and he has successfully rebranded. Meanwhile, many homegrown talents are still struggling to make it.

Benildean student-filmmakers bag awards at interschool film tilt

SILIP@LENTE (Silau), the official film organization of the Adamson University (AdU), in collaboration with the AdU Cultural Affairs Office, recognized the creativity and storytelling skills of promising student-artists at the recently concluded Realifilm 2023 | Haze of Truth: Underlying Gap of Life

Themed Romanticizing Life and Social Issues, the competition challenged aspiring and amateur filmmakers from various schools, colleges and universities to utilize their talents in encapsulating current societal problems in 10-minute films.

The contest granted the Awards of Virtue to Chauncy Cruz and Vahn Leinard Pascual, both Digital Filmmaking (DFilm) students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of New Media Arts.

Entitled Sa Mga Mata ng Bata, Cruz’s piece revolves around a spoiled elementary pupil whose father is an infamous local mayor.

It tackles the impact of adult authority in shaping the values of a child, the understanding of good and evil, and the weight of principles passed onto from one generation to the next. The work likewise earned the

Silver Award and Silau’s Choice Award. Kenshin Lagutan earned the Best Actor title.

Pascual’s Hindi Kita Malilimutan narrates the story of a teenage girl who wishes to skip the last funeral day of her misogynistic and abusive father. A metaphor to a patriarchal, fascist and feudal political landscape, the psychological drama gives a glimpse of the rage, fear and gloom that comes with a victim’s trauma. It bagged the Bronze Award. The Best Cinematography was granted to Reeve Ducusin.

Czarina Sinio took home the Best

Supporting Award for Malikmata Fellow student-filmmaker Jean Evangelista’s piece follows a matriarch who claims to have seen an aswang, a shape-shifting creature from Philippine folklore, lurking around their house. Evangelista used the imagery of the grotesque being to depict the horrifying realities of landgrabbing and highlight the importance of saving the environment from selfish political interests.

More information about Realifilm and for the complete list of winners can be found at www.facebook.com/ silipatlenteadu

The

Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll have plenty to do, so don’t waste time. The busier you are, the easier it will be to avoid turmoil and interference. Don’t share personal information or believe everything you hear. A change to your surroundings will pique your imagination. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Good things come to those who wait; this time, the recipient is you. Patience will pay off and everything will fall into place. Take what comes your way and give it a unique spin; praise will follow. Make healthiness your goal. ★★★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Expect someone to lead you astray or get in your way. Focus on your goal, and be sure to finish what you start. Consider how you present yourself to others and update your image to ensure you have an impact.

★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Confusion will occur if someone sends mixed messages. A change may be necessary, but preparation must be in place before you move forward. Be resourceful, talk to experts and pay attention to detail. Don’t take a risk with your health. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t give in to demands; do what makes the most sense to you. How you present yourself and your intentions will determine how others respond. Let charm lead the way and a hands-on approach be your calling card. Romance is in the stars. ★★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Handle responsibilities before moving on to the things you consider unessential. Your ability to take care of matters efficiently and without anger will encourage working in unison with someone who can help bring about positive change. Travel will spark your imagination. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If there is something you don’t like, act. You can’t resolve matters if you don’t let others know how you feel and what you want. Showing interest in what others like will help you get what you want. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Making comparisons will hold you back. Shoot for the stars, be open to doing things differently and bring about positive change. Ignore what others do or say and follow your instincts. Pay attention to detail and oversee everything as it unfolds. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be realistic, look at the facts and don’t count on anyone but yourself to fix what is going wrong. Tally up what irks you and devise a doable plan. A social event will help establish your popularity and boost your confidence. ★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t fight an impossible battle. Concentrate on what’s important to you, and you’ll make progress that ends in personal gain. A change to your living arrangements will resolve a pending problem. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Use emotional tactics to your advantage. If someone plays tough, suggest alternatives to control the outcome. Revisiting relationships that didn’t work will help you recognize why. Make personal gain and romance your goals. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Listen to reason and distance yourself from lofty suggestions that involve risks. You can avoid instability due to false information or poor decisions if you are true to yourself and those with similar concerns. An emotional situation will result in empty promises. ★★★

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are unique, entertaining and unpredictable. You embrace challenges and offer insight.

‘the right flower arrangement’ BY SHANNON RAPP

Korean babysitter app seeks to ease guilt for moms torn between child and career

By Sam Kim & Emily Yamamoto Bloomberg News

CHUNG JEEYEA overheard a colleague sobbing in a bathroom, unable to find someone on the phone to pick up her sick child from school. It was a moment she, too, would experience as a mom and one that led her to quit her job and start a service to help parents faced with the same quandary.

Six years later Momsitter, an online platform that matches families with potential babysitters, has gained more than 1 million users. Chung tapped into South Koreans’ tech savvy to respond to a culture that frowns upon working mothers.

“The culture of guilt is still with us,” Chung said. “We’re so used to raising children just by moms.”  Momsitter provides the tools to allow women to challenge the idea they can’t have both children and a career, she said.

Such social pressures contribute to one of the gravest long-term threats to South Korea’s economy: a declining population. The country has the world’s lowest fertility rate. Part of the problem is that Korea’s rapid economic development and urbanization atomized families, cutting off support networks of relatives. The nation ranks at the bottom for social capital in the developed world, meaning the level of trust among people is exceptionally low. That has a direct impact on economic prosperity, according to the London-based Legatum Institute.

“It takes an enormous amount of trust to leave your child with someone, but the supply of such people is limited,” said Bae Yun-jin, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. “Accessibility of support facilities for mothers also varies for each region.”

While Korea has kindergartens, nurseries and public babysitter programs, Momsitter aims to fill the remaining gaps, particularly for higher-income families.

Women’s difficulty finding support limits Korea’s economic potential and is reflected in the nation’s struggle to bring its female labor-market participation rate above 60 percent. Korea and Italy were the only OECD members in 2021 that had per capita GDP above $40,000 and a participation rate below 60 percent.

As women feel torn between children and a career, Korea continues to struggle with a low birthrate. A typical Korean woman is expected to have an average of 0.81 children over her lifetime, according to the latest data from 2021. The number of newborns is just 0.5 percent of the population.

The declining birthrate threatens to erode prosperity as a shrinking workforce is forced to support a swelling aged population. With fewer babies born and workers to support the economy, growth is also poised to slow.

Alarmed by the faster-than-expected rate of population aging, the government is increasing its efforts to encourage people to have more children.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has tripled payments for mothers of newborns.

But the problem is deeper than financial support.

Economists say gender inequality is central to the fertility crisis. On top of the struggle to hold down a job, Korea has the biggest wage gap between men and women in the developed world. Mothers are considerably less likely to be hired than childless women, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The government launched its own babysitter service in 2007. Some 27,000 sitters helped 78,000 families last year, with the focus of support on lowerincome parents, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Demand continues to outstrip supply, especially among higher-income parents, often forcing them onto waiting lists. That’s where Momsitter comes in— while also helping to boost the supply of babysitters.

Apps similar to Momsitter are also catching on, including Tictocrroc and Jaranda. They specialize in providing tutors for specific subjects for children and playmates for young ones.

Chung said her start-up looks to services like www.care.com in the US for pointers. She says local investors such as the Korea Development Bank and Daol Investment have so far embraced her vision, extending funding of 13.3 billion won ($10.5 million). But there are also lingering concerns about safety and vetting of sitters. Cases of abuse and harm to children are occasionally reported internationally, often because of the difficulties of checking candidates thoroughly. Momsitter administers aptitude tests for babysitters and provides information including health reports, reviews by other parents and any certificates they may have. It bans “troublemaking” babysitters and parents from the service for five years, Chung said.

“Information builds trust and our role is to help mothers make informed decisions,” she said.

“We need to break the cycle of mothers having no choice but to be with their children around the clock regardless of whether they want it or not.”

“We need to keep mothers happy.”

Creating a conducive culture for your team

PART of my work before as a people manager was to interview candidates to become part of my team. Included in the files Human Resources gave to me for each candidate was the result of their culture fit test. The test assessed the candidate’s values alignment to the organization, which also provided insight on the kind of working environment the candidate will thrive in and excel. Using the results of the test, I asked follow-up questions to determine if the candidate was a good fit for my team.

Managers need to understand that hiring should not be based solely on the candidate’s knowledge and skills. They also need to look at the candidate’s behavior because the one they hire will affect the overall work culture of the team.

A team’s work culture is the set of values a group collectively believes in which helps them achieve their goals. This not only describes the working relations of team members, but also reflects what is expected from each other and how they interact with other departments of the organization. Some team cultures expect and even glorify working late, while others demand work-life balance. A team’s work culture depends on what a team leader has nurtured and developed.

As the leader of the team, you are responsible for your team’s culture. You are also responsible for screening the people who will work well with your team and help your team reach its full potential. A good work culture eases communication because everyone is aligned in terms of mindset, expectations

and purpose. This results in increased productivity and a mutual understanding that the product of one team member is the work of the entire team. If you are managing a team, you are the primary person in developing your team’s culture. Your cue comes from your organization’s core values which you should adopt. But you need to translate those core values into what it means for your team. For example, I was part of an organization whose core values included innovation. I used to lead a group of trainers in that organization, so to be innovative I asked them to develop, discover, or adopt new ways of delivering training. This resulted in gamified training materials, which became an additional selling point for the organization to acquire new clients. To create a beneficial team culture, make sure that the team’s values are aligned with the organization’s core values. In addition, your values as a team and what defines your team culture is anchored on your team’s purpose. Your team needs to understand that what they do contributes to the success of the organization, and to their personal goals. The best way for you to acknowledge their contribution is to reward their efforts. Rewards can come in many forms, so choose the ones that your team will actually appreciate. What you reward gets to be what is expected from other team members.

To understand your team’s current culture, do a quick survey of your team’s employee experience since they joined the team, and how fast they have assimilated. Take note of how they interacted with each other, and the tools and work processes they used every day so you can identify where you can improve their experience. Remember that their experience will feed into the kind of team culture you want to develop. Their experience will validate the kind of workplace culture you want them to imbibe. If not, you might need to plan and implement culturebuilding initiatives to improve your team’s culture, some of which are discussed here.

Set aside a schedule to mentor your team. Mentoring does not always have to be a formal engagement where both mentor and mentee follow a pre-arranged material for discussion. Part of

mentoring is understanding where your team members are coming from. You cannot do that if they feel that everything they say and do is being evaluated. Try having lunch with them or engaging them in small talk once in a while just to get a feel of what interests them. From there, you can provide opportunities for them to explore those interests so they can find ways to improve their work.

If mentoring is limited because you have a big team, you can look for learning opportunities where they can hear from experts on how to do their work better. If possible, provide opportunities for each of your team members to do a learning session to discuss a successful project to the team so others can learn from it. This also helps you highlight the kind of accomplishments that are expected from your team, and at the same time provide a venue where your team members can be proud of each other’s accomplishments.

If not a learning session, publicly recognize team member’s accomplishments especially those that are awarded by the organization. This is one way of creating a linkage between the organization’s goals and your team’s objectives, and this helps your team understand that while your team may have its own goals, it still contributes to the organization’s target. Check and evaluate your team regularly so that you can fine tune the team’s culture. It does not have to be as formal as an organizational climate survey, but it can be done by observing how your team members work with one another, and by taking the conscious effort to know each of your team members better. You need to understand that if you want your team to assimilate the team culture you have in mind, it should also be aligned with your team’s personal goals and aspirations.

In the end, walk the talk. No matter how badly you want your team to have a certain culture or working environment, everything rises and falls on you as the leader. If you do not embody the values you want your team to develop, you will find your team doing only the bare minimum. Or worse, they will look for a manager who can lead them to where they will thrive and prosper. n

Leading carrier marks anniversary with more seat sales

THE Philippines’s leading airline, Cebu Pacific continues to shower consumers with more gifts of travel as it turns a year older with the launch of its P27 seat sale in celebration of its 27th anniversary in March.

Ongoing until March 10, CEB travelers can book their flights to select domestic and international destinations for as low as P27 one-way base fare, exclusive of surcharges and fees (bit.ly/CebuPacificSale). The travel period is from April 1 to September 30, 2023. The airline is running a “March Pinabongga” month-long series of promos and seat sales as gratitude to its loyal customers over the past 27 years.

Aside from the P199 seat sale all month long, it is also offering up to 27-percent off on select add-ons to

make flying more convenient for its passengers. With CEB’s low fares now made more affordable by seat sales,

consumers have more chances to go on a water-rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro, satisfy their cravings with the delectable cuisines of General

Santos and Davao, and enjoy the sights and scenes of Cebu, Clark and Iloilo. They can also witness the blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan and Taiwan, and shop till you drop in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai, as these destinations have been made more accessible with direct flights via Cebu Pacific.

Passengers with existing Travel Funds may use these to pay for flights and other add-ons. Apart from the Travel Fund, other payment options such as payment centers, credit or debit cards, and e-wallets may also be used.

CEB is set to restore 100 percent of its pre-Covid network and capacity in March 2023. It now flies to 34 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

PHOTO BY SMARTWORKS COWORKING ON UNSPLASH

Women‘s Fitness Philippines to host Mar 19 All-Women‘s Run in Filinvest,

Alabang

One Meralco Foundation energizes health center for Iloilo community

LACE up your kicks, ladies, because this March 19 at Filinvest, Alabang, Women’s Fitness Philippines is hosting an All-Women’s Run you’ll never forget. Sassy music you can dance to and roads filled with tough ladies? You got ‘em both!

Every March we celebrate women’s month to remind us all of how far we’ve come and all that we have yet to conquer as women. Women have contributed so much to the world’s progress - from tech to science to politics, to sports, so many women are trailblazing in their respective industries. But you don’t need to be Miss Universe or a pro athlete to celebrate your wins, nor do you need to accomplish something out of this world to celebrate being a woman. Because whether you are a working woman, a sassy sis, or a fierce female, WFP’s All-Women’s Run is your space to run, walk, dance in.

Celebrate and feel celebrated with your favorite gal pals as you strut through a 3k or 5k run and if you’re the sporty spice type WFP’s All-Women’s Run also has a 10k, or 21k runs for you to dominate.

And who would ever forget about the super moms we all adore? We’ve got room for you and

your babies in a 500m dash. Bring the cuties in a backpack, a stroller or even running beside you holding hands while you cross the finish line.

As a reward to all the ladies who take on the challenge - you receive a race bib, a finisher’s bling, and a tote bag whether in a dash stance or a pirouette!

Excited to run the town? Get a chance to win a race kit and a limited-edition AWR cropped top if you head over to WFP’s Insta and tag two of your besties!

RESIDENTS of an island community in Iloilo province are set to benefit from better health services after One Meralco Foundation (OMF) energized an off-grid health center in the town of Concepcion.

The project involves a 1-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic system for the Barangay Polopiña health center, which caters to the basic medical needs of nearly 4,000 individuals residing in various sitios of the island village.

The new solar facility will energize crucial equipment that can contribute to the improvement of the medical services in the community. Health care workers can now use nebulizers critical for patients with asthma, pregnant women can now be monitored using dopplers, and cold storage for essential medicine and vaccines can now be utilized. In addition, the health center is now sufficiently lit and ventilated resulting in a more conducive environment for patients.

“With electricity access, our barangay health care workers are now able to use equipment that were lacking during the absence of electricity,” Ferdinand O. Geluz, OMF Trustee and Meralco First Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer said.

“In the coming years, One Meralco Foundation will continue these electrification programs in the hopes of reaching more remote communities with the intention of providing this basic necessity to our countrymen,” he added.

With the energization of the health facility, barangay health worker Cristina Dumaraog said medical services can now be expanded to emergency response for patients and maternity care for pregnant women aside from medicine dispensation and limited consultations.

“The electricity service will limit risks for patients especially pregnant women who need to travel by boat even during inclement weather for health service,”

Dumaraog, who has been serving the

community as a barangay health worker for over 20 years, said.

Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva said the electrification project of OMF provides the island community of Barangay Polopiña with convenient access to expanded medical services especially during emergencies.

“This project literally gave us light and is a very big help in providing better health service to our community,” he said.

The energization of rural health centers is among the fresh initiatives of OMF under its electrification program which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, water access, and agricultural and livelihood programs.

As the social development arm and corporate foundation of Meralco, OMF is committed to spreading the light to underserved communities across the country through sustainable programs that have lasting impact.

Dentsu International appointed foodpanda's media partner for its Asia Pacific markets including PHL

DENTSU International has been appointed by foodpanda, an online food and grocery delivery platform and lead brand for Berlin-based’s Delivery Hero in Asia, as its media partner for its Asia Pacific markets. The markets will include Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand – in addition to its existing remit in Taiwan, where Dentsu has been their media partner since 2020.

Dentsu will work closely with foodpanda in the region to support its media transformation journey and bring closer collaboration across the markets.

Prerna Mehrotra, CEO of Dentsu Media APAC, said: “Our amazing team in Taiwan has built a strong foundation in the market, successfully differentiating foodpanda from its competitors with great relevancy to its target audience. To be entrusted with and grow our remit in APAC is a true testament to foodpanda’s confidence in us and we are honored to add this portfolio in our roster. We are excited to continue driving meaningful difference in their media and marketing strategy and can’t wait to do some great work together.”

Ankit Kochar, Head of Brand Media,

Rex Education's AECON 2023 gathers over 20,000 Edukampyons online to discuss learning resilience

Atwell elaborated on different instruments education professionals could use in optimizing classroom success, namely, creative interactive teaching, positive physical school environment, inclusive classrooms, participative shared leadership, supportive school culture, and engagement with family and community.

AECON capped off its plenary sessions with Dr. Amy Berry, an International Education Consultant and author of “Reimagining Student Engagement: from Disrupting to Driving”, and her talk on “Pivoting to Quality, Ensuring That All Learners Attain Learning Standards in Every Key Stage in the K to 12 Program.” Berry focused on what she called building blocks that develop the language, partnership, and process of engagement within one’s classrooms. Each aspect was coupled with concrete actions such as the development of teachers’ effective communication, collaboration with stakeholders, and activation of fundamental skills that could facilitate learning.

In all, Rita Atienza, Director of the Ateneo Teacher Center, facilitated the question-andanswer segments after each plenary session.

foodpanda APAC, said: “Dentsu is an advertising powerhouse with a strong legacy in its media roots. Given that they were able to navigate with great agility in today's digital complexities, we decided to take our existing partnership to the next level outside of Taiwan. Their extensive network and versatility were some of the key criteria that we were seeking in a partner, and we look forward to a meaningful and collaborative relationship in the years ahead.”

Dentsu’s appointment is effective as of April 1, 2023.

The hidden price of post-harvest losses: How improper produce management is harming Philippine agriculture

EVERY year, post-harvest losses cost Filipino farmers billions of pesos in lost revenue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, improper post-harvest management accounts for up to 50 percent of root crop and grain losses. This is especially important in a country where agriculture is a primary source of income for many families, resulting in a significant decrease in the quality and quantity of produce.

A lack of infrastructure and technologies for preserving and storing agricultural products is one of the primary causes of postharvest losses. Inadequate storage facilities, refrigeration systems, and transportation networks all contribute to the problem.

However, there is a simple solution. Several initiatives and technologies, such as modified atmosphere storage (MAS) and refrigeration systems, can be implemented to help reduce post-harvest losses. Companies like Coolaire Consolidated Inc. are setting the standard in this regard. Coolaire is the Philippines' leading provider of refrigeration systems, cold storage equipment, and specialized air conditioning systems for

mobile applications such as refrigerated trucks and vans and modern jeepneys. Their products are specifically designed to keep produce fresh, prevent spoilage, and reduce post-harvest losses. Several best practices, in addition to technological solutions, can be implemented to reduce post-harvest losses. These include proper harvesting techniques, sorting and grading of produce, and the use of appropriate packaging and labeling to identify the quality and origin of the

products. Farmers and other stakeholders must also be educated and trained in order to reduce post-harvest losses.

Coolaire Consolidated Inc. Managing Director Joel Ryan Tugade emphasizes the importance of collaboration in order to achieve the common goal of reducing postharvest losses. Coolaire is committed to helping the Philippine agricultural sector grow by working closely with farmers and other stakeholders to develop tailored solutions to overcome obstacles. For more than 50 years, the company has been a trusted partner of the agricultural industry, and they continue to innovate and improve their products and services to help reduce post-harvest losses.

We can help reduce the amount of agricultural products lost each year by investing in appropriate technologies, implementing best practices, and providing education and training. This will not only benefit farmers and their families, but it will also contribute to the agricultural sector's sustainability and resilience in the Philippines. Coolaire Consolidated Inc. is committed to doing their part and invites everyone to join them.

WHAT awaits on the other side of learning recovery? This is the question the Annual Educators’ Congress (AECON) 2023 recognized and answered during the two-day event, held virtually recently. Under the banner “Learning Recovery to Learning Resilience,” AECON attracted over 20,000 education thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to convene and discuss emerging education topics and trends, and most importantly, to continue the efforts toward learning resilience.

AECON 2023 endeavored to support DepEd’s objective of expanding the knowledge base of learning recovery by fostering resilience among learners and education ecosystems. Drawing inspiration from the agency’s 2030 Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP), the event touched on themes of quality and inclusive education, learner empowerment, and positive learning environments.

“In a sense, this is an affirmation for us that what we are doing contributes to larger nationwide goals,” Rex Chief Executive Officer Don Timothy I. Buhain said in his opening speech. “This affirmation fuels us to be more eager and willing contributors—a feeling and sentiment we wish to share with all of you.”

AECON featured renowned local and international speakers across different disciplines. Delivering the keynote address was Hon. Gina O. Gonong, DepEd’s Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching. The plenary sessions kicked off with Dr. Yolanda Quijano, Chief of Party of Project Gabay, covering the topic “Expanding Access to Education for Groups in Situations of Disadvantage to Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Service Delivery.” Dr. Quijano highlighted how disadvantaged youth often have limited access to formal education. She named children in geographically isolated or disadvantaged areas (GIDA), youth from indigenous cultural communities (ICC), Muslim students, and persons with disabilities as some of the sectors that are left behind.

Also present was Dr. Alison Atwell, an International Whole School Improvement Consultant, in a session on the “Teacher's Tool Box: Six Essential Tools to Achieve Comprehensive Student Growth.” Dr.

Aside from the different talks, participants also had the freedom to choose two from the 10 breakout sessions covering varying topics regarding basic education, early childhood care and development, and higher education. These sessions were co-organized by a number of partner organizations within the sector, and allowed attendees to deepen their experience through topics of their interests.

Organizations that facilitated breakout sessions were the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino, Ink., Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, the College of Graduate Studies and Teacher Education Research of Philippine Normal University, the Organization of Social Studies Teachers in the Philippines, the Reading Association of the Philippines, the Values Education Department of the College of Education of University of the Philippines, the Association of Philippine Schools Overseas, the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities.

The congress formally concluded with a synthesis session from Dr. Jerome Buenviaje, Dean of the College of Education, University of the Philippines - Diliman. "We have to understand that resilience is a weapon to fight for empowering our learners [and] creating positive learning environments, so that we will attain quality and inclusive education," he said. "In looking forward to learning resilience, tatayo tayo, dahil tayo ay Pilipino (we will recover, because we are Filipinos).”

Over the years, AECON has served as a testament to Rex Education’s commitment of service to the public and the country. “The worst may have been behind us, but the journey to learning recovery and on to learning resilience is far from over. And what a joy to have you all as traveling companions,” Buhain said of AECON attendees, who he addressed as Edukampyons, or champions of education. “Ultimately, it will be all of us who will make the difference.”

Through AECON and the strength of Edukampyons, Rex Education remains committed to the journey, from learning recovery to learning resilience.

COOLAIRE Consolidated Inc.

Managing Director Joel Ryan Tugade

THE One Meralco Foundation energized the off-grid health center of the island community of Barangay Polopiña in Concepcion, Iloilo which caters to nearly 4,000 individuals. The energization of rural health centers is among the fresh initiatives of OMF under its electrification program which also covers schools, households, water access, and agricultural and livelihood programs

Aiming to become A development cAtAlyst in mindAnAo

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

with launching and completing more residential projects in order to cope with the increase in demand for master-planned communities in Mindanao. Furthermore, DLI expects to generate P1.1 billion in sales for this year alone as the company launches the third building of its Bridgeport Park project.

“That is, curating sustainable communities and transforming spaces that address the needs of our people,” DLI President Ricardo Lagdameo told the Property Section in an e-mail interview.

For 2023, DLI is going to focus on improving and boosting turnovers for its residential segments like Ameria, Harbor View Estates, and Seawind. He said the company is also pushing through

“Since its launch, Bridgeport has been proving its potential towards local and international investors. The sales takeup of Bridgeport Park [including building 1 and 2] along with Harbor View Estates is at 65 percent which has generated over P2 billion in total sales,” Lagdameo told the Business -

Mirror in an e-mail interview.

Lagdameo said the Damosa Land is projecting at least a 50-percent increase in sales over the past year as the property developer firm because of the launching of new residential product launches, the completion of several existing projects, and an expected increase in occupancy in the office spaces and hotels. Moreover, Lagdameo said the company remains bullish based on the current positive trends prevailing in the property sector.

Some of their most notable achievements include the launch of their newest mixed-

use luxury development, Bridgeport, a 13-hectare low density marina development, that features low-density condominium buildings, premium open lots, a condotel, commercial and dining areas, and an exclusive marina.

“Seeing the current trend and outlook for real estate, we are optimistic that we’ll reach and even go beyond the milestones that we are targeting for this year—just like what we’ve done in 2022,” he said.

In its industrial segment, he said Damosa Land recently brought in four new locators which are expected to either begin construction or start op -

erations this year. This includes HEAD Sport—a global tennis ball manufacturer. For its commercial and office segments, Lagdameo said the company expects to see a 100-percent occupancy rate in the Damosa Diamond Tower which houses three new BPO firms, SGV—a financial services firm, and several ANFLOCOR Group of Companies offices. He said Damosa Land has consistently curated its properties from different segments to encapsulate the natural beauty of Mindanao to make each project distinct and show the natural beauty of Mindanao.

Tesda backs BBM’s flagship mass housing program The SToveleSS KiTchen: MoDern SoluTionS for MoDern ProbleMS

By Roderick L. Abad

IN support of the “Pambansang

Pabahay Para sa Pilipino” program of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will help develop the competency of construction workers in the country.

Director General Danilo P. Cruz said that they are one of the top priority sectors of the agency when it comes to the budget allocation for scholarships. He added that a lot of courses are dedicated for them.

“Tesda is one with the Housing Department and other government agencies in developing and enhancing the skills of workers in the housing industry,” he said.

DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap recently paid a courtesy call to him to discuss the areas of partnership to augment the housing and construction industries’ present work force as well as enhance their skillset.

The housing agency earlier said of its expected sudden increase in demand for construction workers as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s “Pambansang Pabahay” will go full blast in the coming months.

The chief executive and DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar led the launching of the administration’s flagship mass housing program on December 21, 2022 in Nueva Ecija.

Developing foundational skills of builders ACCORDING to data, Tesda produced a total of 60,223 graduates in the construction industry last year. Likewise, there were 76,134 laborers certified as skilled workers in their respective courses.

Apart from the regular training courses, the agency has also integrated Plumbing NC II and Photovoltaic Systems Installation NC II in the Tesda Online Program (TOP).

The TOP is an online platform that provides an effective and efficient way to deliver TVET at the learner’s place and time.

In the TOP, the Plumbing NC II course had 8,668 finishers while Photovoltaic Systems Installation NCII had 4,741 completers in 2022.

Tesda has also been working with stakeholders in the construction sector, including the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) that is the recognized National Industry Board for the Construction Sector.

PCA and Tesda met last August 4 to discuss the latter’s ongoing programs and projects. They are targeting to produce 4.4 million highly skilled workers in the construction sector for the next eight years.

“We commit to continue providing construction-related programs and partner with the industries to ensure that Tesda construction-related courses are at par with international standards,” Cruz said.

MANAGING your own space is as fulfilling as it is challenging sometimes. For anyone living in a modern apartment or a condo set-up where every square foot holds its weight in gold, finding the sweet spot between maximizing space and making it conducive for everyday living can be a real struggle.

It’s because of this need that so many multi-functional and space-saving household essentials shot in popularity in recent years. But how effective are they for other parts of the home where we usually spend a lot of time doing manual work and prep? Case in point: our kitchens.

Years ago, a regular kitchen was expected to have several appliances to be truly functional. But modern problems require modern solutions, and so a new wave of kitchen partners that can do multiple jobs started taking over households. Think about it: a few years ago, would you have even imagined that you could survive without a stove?

Now you might say, “This isn’t even possible at present” Well, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is here to prove you wrong. The latest model from the premium lifestyle brand’s best-selling line of kitchen partners, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is a versatile unit that can do almost anything and

everything a home cook needs in their kitchen.

The model’s dedicated air frying setting is just the tip of the iceberg of its note-worthy line of features. With 10 cooking functions that include grilling, slow cooking, baking, roasting, and even a pizza-cooking feature, you can skip having a stove— and a dozen other appliances in your kitchen. Make your favorite roast or whip up your favorite crunchy fries in minutes with its dual-speed convection feature that raises hot air and sinks cold air to reduce the cooking time by 30 percent. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer also has an Element IQ

System that makes it ideal even for a newbie home cook. The technology is a smart algorithm feature that helps create the perfect cooking environment for different cooking techniques. The advanced sensing and temperature control of this model promises even cooking all the time, eliminating guesswork for its users.

In terms of design, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is crafted for ease of use. It comes with a clear and easy-to-understand LCD Display and an interior oven light that automatically turns on at the end of every cooking cycle. Topping these is its sophisticated and sleek aesthetic which makes

it so easy to fit in any modern, classy home.

True enough, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer checks all the boxes a smart homeowner needs from a cooking appliance. It is sleek, versatile, user-friendly, and can elevate anyone’s creativity in the kitchen regardless of their cooking level. Small space or not, this model is a definite must-have for anyone looking for a kitchen partner that can meet their modern needs. Do you want to learn more about the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer? Check out their web site or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages now for more information.

The Lagdameo family-controlled Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) has survived the pandemic and is ready to face future challenges to become a development catalyst in Mindanao, according to its top executive.

Sports

B8 Wednesday, March 8, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Keon to PSC chair Bachmann: There’s so much talent to tap

Marcos era that produced many if not all of the best and brightest in Philippine sports—De Vega-Mercado, Elma Muros-Posadas who was hailed by the PSA with a Lifetime Achievement Award, incumbent PSC commissioner, bowling great Olivia “Bong” Coo, among others.

HIDILYN TO ATHLETES: GET COLLEGE DEGREE

secure a college degree.

The school has honored DiazNaranjo with the Saint Benilde Medallion—she’s the first to receive the gold-plated decoration from the institution—and an athletic scholarship program under her name. She was Athlete of the Year in 2016 when she won silver at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and 2018 when she won one of four Philippine gold medals at the Jakarta Asian Games.

Diaz-Naranjo’s 2022 trophy was for her world weightlifting championships gold medals in Bogota, Colombia, last December.

OF the several memorable sidebars in Monday night’s San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards, a former sports leader’s unsolicited advice to the current Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) administration stands out. “ There is so much talent in this country that falls through the cracks in the system and it is really sayang,” said Michael Keon as he paid homage to the late Asian athletics queen Lydia De Vega-Mercado who was posthumously installed to the PSA Hall of Fame.

K eon of course was the man behind the Project: Gintong Alay, a program established during the

Now the mayor of Laoag City, Keon told athletes, officials and PSA members at the Diamond Hotel grand ballroom about a conversation he had with PSC chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann last week on how the sports agency could accomplish its goal.      We talked about what is important to Philippine sports now.

I advised him [Bachmann] that the PSC should concentrate together with the national sports associations because there is so much talent in this country,” Keon said.

I believe Chairman Bachmann is receptive to our advice and will initiate this with the help of the NSAs,” he said.

Gintong Alay has always become a template for a sports program in the country, in as much the same way as the Northern Consolidated basketball program which was a brainchild of the late sportsman and businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

Magnolia eyes q’final incentive

MAGNOLIA takes on Blackwater for its last elimination round game on Wednesday with the Hotshots gunning for a quarterfinals bonus in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Hotshots are 6-4 won-lost and a victory over the Bossing in the 3 p.m. game would give them a favorable chance of making the top four which offers twice-to-beat incentives in the next phase of the conference.

“ We have a slim chance of making it to the top four, but we want a great momentum heading into the playoffs that’s why this game is important,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said.

“ We have to take care of this business first and whatever happens, we’ll prepare for the playoffs,” he added.

Despite missing Ian Sangalang this conference because of an undisclosed illness, the Hotshots are doing well behind import Antonio

By Josef Ramos

HIDILYN DIAZNARANJO lifted her fourth Athlete of the Year trophy—and her second consecutive— from the Philippine Sportswriters Association during the Annual Awards Night Monday at the Diamond Hotel.

The Olympic and world champion, however, didn’t delve on how it is to be a successful athlete. Instead, she focused on encouraging her fellow athletes to get a college degree.

I’m 30 plus [32] right now,

I’m still competing, training and trying my best to finish my studies and get a degree,” she told an attentive audience of 300 in the awards night again title sponsored by San Miguel Corp.

So for those people who said it’s too late to start, I told them that I don’t believe in that because age doesn’t matter—it’s just a number,” Diaz-Naranjo added.

D iaz-Naranjo is close to finishing her degree of Business Administration major in Business Management at the College of Saint Benilde where she is a scholar.

D iaz-Naranjo got enrolled at Saint Benilde after her Rio silver medal campaign and she hopes to graduate in May after six years—the hectic schedule of a top-tier athlete prevented her from completing her degree in earnest.

I am hoping to inspire more athletes and hoping to be back for my fifth PSA athlete of the year award,” she told the audience who warmly applauded her.

Hester, who is averaging 28.7 points, 15.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in each of their seven games.

But the Bossing—already eliminated with a 1-9 record— remain a threat to spoil Victolero’s playoff campaign.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, meanwhile, shoots for a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals when it faces alreadyeliminated Terrafirma in the second game at 5:45 p.m.

The Justin Brownleeled Gin Kings are on a four-game winning streak for a 7-2 card.  Terrafirma is out with a 2-8 record.

Josef Ramos

NFL combine TV spectacle, moneymaker

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press

THE National Football League (NFL)

combine is winding down and it’s clear the annual scouting event that’s evolved into a made-for-TV spectacle continues to be a required stop on the road to a pro football career amid concerns it can be a demeaning process with diminishing value.

The combine, which launched in 1982 mainly to bring prospects to one location so teams could gather medical information, now unofficially kicks off the upcoming NFL season and puts football back on center stage just weeks after the Super Bowl. Th e event is a moneymaking machine for the league, another interview/ audition for players and a job fair for unemployed coaches. But opinions vary on how necessary it is today.

NFL Players’ Association executive director DeMaurice Smith strongly

Suddenly, we’re the story

WHEN our names were called and we prepared to mount the stage, I saw Hidilyn Diaz rise from the presidential table. We would pass her by. She was smiling at us.

We stopped just before the podium climb. I was last of the four in the queue.

I stood just a breadth away from Hidilyn Diaz in this electric moment at the jam-packed gala ballroom of the swanky Diamond Hotel in Manila.

A s if on cue, I shook the hand of Hidilyn Diaz.

I told her, “Gratitude for all the honors you have given our country, from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to the World Championships last year.”

Thank you very much, Sir,” she said, smiling sweetly as ever, resplendent in her flowing gown of flesh.

It took a while before I would let go of her massive hand that had gripped the world to give the country its first Olympic gold medal in 2020, ending nearly a century of fruitless campaign in the quadrennial Summer Games.

Her palm so precious I seemed to want to cling to it till eternity, no matter that it was as coarse as sand paper.  What a feeling.

A nd then came her bombshell: “Pardon my asking, Sir,

What matters is how you work hard and how badly you really want it,” she said. “What is important is you love what you’re doing

and know your purpose whether for yourself and your parents. For us, we are doing it for our country and for sports.

I n fact, Saint Benilde excused her from an important activity—a requisite to her graduation—scheduled on Monday in Tagaytay City.

“ I am thankful to the College of Saint Benilde as they rescheduled our retreat—a part of my graduation requirements—to sometime in May in order to personally attend this awarding ceremony,” she said.

I n the audience was Eduardo Jarque, a member of Saint Benilde’s Board of Trustees and Consultant for Media Relations, who was instrumental in Diaz-Naranjo’s bid to

The late Asian Sprint Queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado was also posthumously installed to the PSA Hall of Fame with her daughter, Stephanie Mercado de Koenigswarter, former Project” Gintong Alay head now Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon and her fellow athletics legend Elma Muros-Posadas in attendance.

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino also received his second consecutive Executive of the Year award.

We are very thankful to the PSA for recognizing our athletes’ success. It’s very important because it will inspire other athletes, not to forget their achievements as well,” Tolentino said. “Congratulations to the PSA, a very credible organization.”

Creamline wears down PLDT, gains semis slot

REAMLINE didn’t budge against PLDT’s gallant stand for an emphatic 25-20, 25-21, 25-17 victory and the first semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference before a huge Tuesday crowd at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday. ore than 7,600 fans braced for a fierce duel between the defending champions, who

Crebounded from a stinging five-set setback to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers with victories over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Army Lady Troopers, and the High Speed Hitters coming off a four-game roll after an opening game stumble.

But some left the venue disappointed as the Cool Smashers stamped their class early and dominated the High Speed Hitters with their vaunted attacking skills, then sustained their charge all the way to the finish to complete the one-hour 29-minute romp that formalized their entry to the playoffs play of the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

IT’S fun time for the Cool Smashers after Jema Galanza scores a point and is acknowledged by teammates Kyla Atienza, Tots Carlos, Ced Domingo and Michelle Gumabao.

opposes the combine because he views it as intrusive and says it’s intended to point out negatives about prospects.

As soon as you show up, you have to waive all of your medical rights and you not only have to sit there and endure embarrassing questions, and I think that’s horrible,” Smith said last month. “I don’t wanna pooh pooh any of that, but would you want your son to spend hours inside of an MRI (machine) and then be evaluated by 32 separate team doctors who are, by the way, are only doing it for one reason? What’s the reason? To decrease your draft value.”

D uring interviews at the combine, players have been asked to play puttputt golf, darts or rock-paper-scissors to measure their competitiveness. Over the years, there have been instances where players were questioned about their sexual preference or whether their mother worked as a prostitute.

but are you all former Olympians, too?”

We did appear old.

R ecah Trinidad and Eddie Alinea are octogenarians, and Percy Della and I are septuagenarians.

A nd we didn’t mind being mistaken for Olympians.  Swell by me.

No, Ma’am,” I said to Hidilyn Diaz.  “We are sportswriters.”

Awww!” she said.  “Congratulations, Sir.”

Yes, us grizzled wordsmiths were to be feted, too, this night of nights alongside the nation’s finest athletes who shone brightest in 2022. It was the San Miguel CorporationPhilippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards, an event held yearly to honor primarily the brilliant feats of our heroes in sports.

W hy the PSA officers deviated from tradition and also honored us, Rey Virgilio C. Lachica, the association president, had this to say: “About time you guys are given due recognition, after giving us almost a lifetime of good read in sports writing.”

C reamline coach Sherwin Meneses, however, opted to downplay their dominance, stressing the semifinals will be a whole new phase.

We’re happy we’re in the semifinals, but it’s back to zero there,” Meneses said.

C reamline hiked its record to 6-1 (win-loss) while throwing the battle for the next three semifinals spots into a wide-open race among PLDT, which dropped to 4-2 in a tie with F2 Logistics and Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo (3-3) and even Choco Mucho (2-3).

T he Cargo Movers and the Flying Titans, meanwhile, played each other late Tuesday the result of which will weigh on their respective Final Four drive.

Asean taekwondo tilt up

THE Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) will host the 16th Asean Taekwondo Championships from March 10 to 12 at the Ayala Mall-Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

“ We expect our Asean neighbors to field the same bets that they’re sending to Cambodia,” said PTA Secretary General Raul Samson, referring to the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games set from May 5 to 17.

A round 383 athletes, officials and international referee from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Laos are coming for the championships.

The biennial event is supported by Smart/MVP Sports Foundation, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The PTA, meanwhile, concluded its national selection for members of the team to the Cambodia SEA Games, among them Tokyo Olympian Kurt Barbosa and fellow Mexico world championships campaigners and 2019 Philippine SEA Games gold medalist Dave Cea (-74 kgs), Laila Delo (-67 kgs), Baby Jessica Canabal (-53 kgs), Joseph Chua (63 kgs) and Alfritz Arevalo (-68 kgs).

Fellow honorees Ding Marcelo, 77, and Jun Engracia, 71, failed to attend.  Jun was in Australia, Ding holed at home after having golfed in the morning.

“ Typically Ding,” said Percy, blurting expletives, during our ride home in the company of wine-loaded Jake P. Ayson.

We write stories about winners and losers as our way of living. Suddenly, we are the story.

E lma Muros, a track and field legend like Lydia de Vega before Hidilyn Diaz’s time, came to me for a selfie, accompanied by Jean Malanum.

She asked me to bring her to you, Sir,” said Jean, a female scribe of note.

“I have framed many of your stories about me, Sir,” said Elma. It tugged at the heart.

THAT’S IT  Our “Lifetime Award in Sports Journalism” plaque reads: “For his indelible contributions to Philippine sports journalism, serving as one of the pillars and helping pave the way for several generations of sportswriters.”  How

HIDILYN DIAZ-NARANJO (third from left) with Philippine Sportswriters Association president Rey Lachica, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann. PHOTO RUDY ESPERAS

THE Denver Broncos’ scout Sae Woon Jo measures the flexiblity of Ball State defensive back Nic Jones at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. AP

MICHAEL KEON knows what he’s talking about when it comes to Philippine sports.

PHOTO RUDY ESPERAS