BusinessMirror March 09, 2023

Groups lift transport strike, LTFRB pushes talks

TRANSPORT groups Mani-

bela and Piston decided on Wednesday to cut short their supposed weeklong strike after they received a “commitment” from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the government will review and revise the Public Utility Vehicles Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“We are not against the modernization program, but we hope that this will be implemented in a manner that does not leave anyone behind—humane and just. We will hold President Marcos Jr. to his commitment that the government is open to discuss and revise the

implementation of the PUVMP to ensure that the livelihood of our PUV drivers and operators will not be disrupted. For this, our group has decided to stop the transport strike together with Piston and ply our routes again starting tomorrow,” Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said.

Manibela and Piston was supposed to conduct a weeklong strike starting Monday in protest of the PUVMP, particularly its features on consolidated franchising, the limited choices of suppliers for “modern” jeepneys, and the fi nancing terms for drivers repaying bank loans for the vehicles.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

Chairman Teofi lo E. Guadiz III wel-

comed the decision of transport groups, as this will “benefit commuters who were likewise deeply affected” by the two-day strike.

“We have never wavered in asking our friends from Manibela and Piston to sit down with us, to thresh out their concerns about the PUVMP and the modernization of the public transportation industry. We are glad they listened to our President,” Guadiz said.

He added that Manibela and Piston can take this “opportune time to fi nally sit down and help each other come up with an effective public transportation modernization program that is responsive and inclusive not only of their needs but also that of the commuting public, who will ultimately ben-

LOWER gold prices in the international market as well as the government’s debt payments pulled down gross international reserves (GIR) to below $100 billion in February, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

e BSP’s preliminary data showed the country’s GIR settling at $99.3 billion at the end of February 2023 from the $100.7 billion in January 2023. e GIR was at $107.8 billion in February 2022.

e BSP’s reserve assets consist of foreign investments, gold, foreign exchange, reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and special drawing rights.

“ e month-on-month decrease in the GIR level reflected mainly the National Government’s [NG] net foreign currency withdrawals from its deposits with the BSP to settle its foreign currency debt obligations and pay for its various expenditures, and downward adjustments in the value of the BSP’s gold holdings due to the decrease in the price of gold in the international market,” BSP explained.

e latest GIR level, BSP said, represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

GIR is deemed adequate if it can fi nance at least three months’ worth of the country’s imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

Further, BSP said the GIR in February is 6.1 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity.

e BSP said the net international reserves, which refers to the difference between the BSP’s reserve assets or GIR and reserve

B J M N. D C @joveemarie

TO help reduce power demand nationwide even as the government’s utilities costs are surging, a leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Marcos administration to relaunch a better version of the “enercon campaign” implemented in the 1970s.

Surging infl ation or not, the government’s P91-billion annual utilities and fuel bill should prompt President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to relaunch a better version of his father’s 1970s “enercon cam-

paign,” according to House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto.

On Tuesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno proposed measures to address high infl ation.

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.

If Marcos wants tips on how to implement a campaign of recent vintage, Recto said in a statement he can get them from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose two orders in 2004 successfully

pared down electricity use in government offices.

“It should be comprehensive. A national framework of which a four-day workweek, as proposed by the Finance secretary, is but one component,” Recto said.

“Economics and environment should be the driving force behind the campaign. For the people to support it, it should be framed as saving money and saving the Earth at the same time,” he said.

In 2019, Recto said before the pandemic “turned the lights off ” in public buildings, the gov-

efit from a modernized, progressive, efficient, comfortable and safe commuting experience.”

Officially introduced in 2017, the PUVMP is a 10-point program that ultimately involves the phaseout of the old PUVs to make way for more modern and environmentally-friendly vehicles. While its proponents say enough time has been given the sector since 2017, the fact is that the pandemic disrupted the transport sector, throwing tens of thousands of drivers out of jobs amid the lockdowns.

One crucial step toward the vision for transitioning from old PUVs to modern, clean ones, is the consolidation of individual fran-

PBBM eyes permanent Kadiwa hubs across LGUs

“So, this

just continue because now we are considering to evolve

These won’t be so-called pop-up centers, but we will have a permanent Kadiwa center in various LGUs. We are studying the potential sites,” Marcos said in an interview on Wednesday, speaking partly in Filipino.

The president made these remarks after the launch of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo para sa Manggagawang Pilipino” in the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) labor center in Quezon City on Wednesday.

As the “largest” labor center in the country representing workers across di erent sectors nationwide, the TUCP said it has long called for the “massive” expansion of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Kadiwa and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Diskwento Caravan across the country as a needed intervention to address the “stubbornly” high in ation.

TUCP President and House of Representatives

Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza (TUCP Party-list) said the rst-ever “Kadiwa para sa Manggagawa” demonstrates the “openness” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. in responding to the clamor of TUCP’s workers.

Mendoza noted by eliminating layers and intermediaries, including “unscrupulous” smugglers, traders, and cartels, who they feel must be prosecuted, the “Kadiwa para sa Manggagawa” empowers farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their a ordable high-quality produce directly to ordinary Filipino consumers especially for Filipino workers. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

Senators vow support for Zubiri, call coup plot report ‘fake news’

SENATORS on Wednesday affirmed

100 percent support for Senate

President Juan Miguel Zubiri, calling as “fake news” an online story that said he may lose his post because Malacañang Palace supposedly was unhappy with the slow pace of administration bills in the Senate.

Among those who came out gunning for Zubiri was Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who aired his suspicion that the supposed “plot” may be tied to efforts to fast-track constitutional amendments, where

the Senate is seen to play a big role, given the overwhelming majority of proadministration congressmen who have rushed a Resolution of both Houses for a constitutional convention; and are now rushing

the accompanying bill for a law to authorize creation and funding for a Con-con.

Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay also readily declared support for Zubiri, dismissing talks of a leadership coup plot, and fl atly saying the report has “no basis.”

In a radio interview, Gatchalian called 100 percent fake news the report that Zubiri has lost the support of majority in the chamber.

If accomplishments are the basis for assessing a Senate President, the senators said Zubiri is up to par, having successfully pushed in record speed the national budget for 2023.

Moreover, they also noted Zubiri’s successful defense against critics of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, the biggest trade agreement in the world which the Philippines

has joined.

On Wednesday, Zubiri explained that RCEP was stalled in the Senate because the chief sponsor had become cool to the accord, amid a groundswell of protests from local producers fearing a flood of imports.

Meanwhile, Zubiri was also credited with securing speedy approval of the bill to ensure a learning recovery program for millions of students impacted by the pandemic.

In Gatchalian’s view, the talks being floated that Zubiri would be ousted is linked to the revived plot to amend the Constitution, which will require the Senate participation to push through. e House this week overwhelmingly voted to approve on third and fi nal reading Resolution of Both House No. 6 (RBH 6), despite an argument by

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that doing so sans Senate participation is illegal.

Late Tuesday, the House also approved on second reading the bill accompanying RBH 6, to pave the way for a law covering the creation, election and funding of a constitutional convention, one of three modes for Charter change allowed in the 1987 Constitution.

BSP: Inflation, market IAC to ease pressure on prices

Committee (IAC) on Infl ation and Market Outlook (IMO) can help address the supply-side issues of rising commodity prices.

BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla told

that mon-

etary policy has its limits and one of them is “curing” supply side concerns that affect infl ation.

e lack of efforts to address supply side concerns has already been cited by economists, who noted that the BSP had been doing the heavy lifting even as far back as December in terms of addressing infl ation. (Full story: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2022/12/07/ inflation-easing-plan-lacking-its-8-innovember/)

“ is is okay [creation of IACIMO]. After all, the problems that have to be addressed are on the supply side, which can’t be cured by exchange rate and monetary policy,” Medalla told this newspaper.

e National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) also clarified that the IAC-IMO will not be placed under the Neda Board.

e IAC will be under the newlyformed Econ Development Group (EDG).

e fi ndings and recommendations of the IAC will also be presented to the EDG, which will make recommendations to the President.

e EDG will also have Neda as its Secretariat.

e Terms of Reference (TOR) on the IAC-IMO will be drafted by Neda and the Department of Finance. e TOR will contain the IAC’s structure and functions.

Neda and DOF will be cochair the IAC-IMO while the Department of Budget and Management will be the vice chairperson.

Gold...

e IAC will also include 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.

e Philippine Statistics Authority, BSP, and Philippine Competition Commission will serve as the Committee’s resource institutions.

e EDG, which will also be cochaired by Neda and DOF, will assist the Executive Department in harmonizing, coordinating, complementing, and synergizing the efforts that will ensure the country’s rapid, inclusive, and sustained growth.

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.

e 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.

e EDG 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.”

chises into transport cooperatives or corporations, which will provide groups access to business fi nancing to bankroll the acquisition of modern vehicles.

Manibela and Piston were particularly opposed to the consolidation and the need for drivers to shoulder payments for new units.

Latest data from the LTFRB showed that about 62.4 percent or about 98,000 jeepneyes have consolidated nationwide, while 71.7 percent or about 14,000 of the roughly 19,000 UV Express have consolidated. is means that about 65,000 drivers are in danger of losing their livelihoods if they fail to consolidate by December 31. e program, to date, has a 4.5-percent success rate with only 6,814 modern jeepneys deployed versus the universe of 158,000 PUVs with franchises.

vate sectors falling due within the next 12 months.

liabilities or short-term foreign debt and credit and loans from the IMF, also decreased. e data showed the net international reserves declined by

$1.3 billion to $99.3 billion as of February 2023 from $100.6 billion in January 2023. BSP said short-term debt based on residual maturity refers to outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less, plus principal payments on medium- and longterm loans of the public and pri-

coupons system that even private cars can get, should be stopped.

Ambulance runs should be exempt.

It added that the level of GIR, as of a particular period, is considered adequate, if it provides at least 100 percent cover for the payment of the country’s foreign liabilities, public and private, falling due within the immediate 12-month period. ernment—national, LGUs and GOCCs—paid P43.2 billion for power, water and gas.

On top of this is the P47.5 billion in “fuel, oil and lubricant expenses it racked up that year,” he added. “ at’s about P90.7 billion in a year. You can save 10 percent, P9 billion in savings, which can be rechanneled to buy medicines,” the lawmaker said.

However, Recto said the parameters of the enercon campaign should be properly defi ned by a Palace order in order not to harm essential services.

“You don’t cut back on police and military patrols. But the gas

As for hospitals, there is no deduction, because that is essential,” he said. Recto said Marcos should launch it now to familiarize the office before summer sets in, when a rise in air-conditioner use, low water levels in hydroelectric dams, and distribution lines trip-offs caused by high heat index combine to trigger power outages.

“But the main price driver is that coal, which accounts for 58 percent of generating capacity, is getting expensive, and this cascades down to higher meter charges,” Recto explained.

“Year-on-year, the price of electricity, gas and fuel has increased by almost 15 percent,” he said. When the global oil crunch hit

the country in the 1970s, President Marcos Sr. launched an “enercon campaign” from the demand side, while building plants on the supply side, under a world-class energy team led by then Minister Geronimo Z. Velasco.

And when world oil prices soared during her watch, President Macapagal-Arroyo responded with Administrative Order 103 which ordered government offices to reduce by 10 percent their cost of the consumption of fuel, electricity and other utilities.

It was followed by AO 110 which institutionalized a Government Energy Management Program. “ e records and aide memoires on these previous enercon campaigns are in the presidential library for President BBM to read,” Recto said.

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri

PBBM assures secure jobs as PUV drivers end protest

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured that no jeepney driver would lose his job due to the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program with the introduction of electric vehicles on the streets.

T he President made the assurance following a meeting with transport groups late Tuesday.

Marcos said the government is now looking at ways of ensuring that no PUV worker will be rendered jobless once the modernization program is fully implemented.

T he government has also been thoroughly studying and tweaking the systems in inspecting and PUVs during the extension period of consolidation of transport groups under the PUVMP until December 30 of this year, the President said.

“ The problem they raised is that they…fear that they won’t be able to secure a loan to buy new vehicles so we’re looking to ensure that no one loses their jobs if ever they fail to buy an electric vehicle,” the President said.

According to Marcos, is implementing the modernization program to ensure that the vehicles are safe for the passengers.

Following a meeting with Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) President Mody Floranda and Manibela leader Mar Valbuena with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil late Tuesday, jeepney drivers and operators ended their planned week-long transport strike against the phase out of traditional PUVs.

M eanwhile, President Marcos thanked members of Manibela and PISTON for heeding the call of the government to sit down and discuss their concerns regarding the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Our discussion was good and we gave ourselves a little time until December 30—we postponed [the program] until December. I think that is enough time for us to do everything that needs to be done to fix the system of inspection and replacement of our jeepneys, our transport workers,” Marcos said.

“ I thank them because they made their point very clearly that

we have to look and study this thoroughly,” the President added.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has welcomed the decision of transport groups to end their planned one week strike, two days after it started last Monday, March 6.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III welcomed the decision of the transport groups Free Alliance of Bus Employees and Laborers for Labor Rights and PISTON to end their tigil pasada for the sake of commuters who have been affected. “ We have never wavered in asking our friends from Manibela and PISTON to sit down with us, to thresh out their concerns about the PUVMP and the modernization of the public transportation industry. We are glad they listened to our President,” said Guadiz.

Vital role

THE Inter-Agency task force formed by the Marcos administration to address the transport group strike of Manibela and PISTON has been instrumental in averting the further escalation of the disturbance in Metro Manila as well as in the other national urban centers, said the Presidential Communications Office.

Upon the directive of the President, members of the Inter-Agency Task group had coordinated and collaborated to find ways to ensure that the effects of the March 6 transport strike would be contained.

T he task force, which included the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), Department of Transportation (DOTr), LTFRB, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), among others, had put in place several contingency measures to soften the impact of the transport group strike in Metro Manila and other nearby areas.

T he contingency measure included the deployment of augmentation vehicles to transport stranded passengers during the first day of the planned weeklong transport disturbance.  Police and traffic personnel were also assigned on the routes that had been identified as hot spots and ensured the peace and order and smooth flow of vehicular traffic in these areas.

Judge allows 9 cops implicated in Calbayog City mayor’s March ’21 murder to post bail

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Calbayog City has allowed the nine police officers charged for the murder of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and three others in March 2021 to post bail.

In a resolution issued Tuesday March 7, Calbayog RTC Judge Maricar Lucero cited the prosecution’s “failure to establish strong and convincing evidence of guilt” for the

crime of murder as basis for granting the bail plea of the accused.

A llowed to post bail were accused Police Lt. Col Harry Villar Sucayre, team leader of the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP–IMEG), Major Shyrile Co Tan, Capt. Dino Laurente Goles, Lt. Julio Salcedo Armeza Jr., Staff Sergeant Sgts. (SSgt.) Neil Matarum Cebu, Edsel Tan Omega and Randy Caones Merelos, Patrolman Niño Cuadra Salem, and Corporal Julius Udtujan Garcia.

Land reclamation and quarrying: Group lists ‘threats’ to Manila Bay’s existence

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

MANILA Bay continues to support life and livelihoods, experts and leaders of civil society organizations asserted, as they pressed the government to stop all land reclamation and seabed quarrying projects that threaten marine resources in the region on Tuesday.

There is no truth to the claim that Manila Bay is dead. Manila Bay is a lifesustaining ecosystem for many fishes, mangroves, and birds. Every day, millions of artisanal fisherfolk and coastal communities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces continue to derive livelihood and sustenance from the bay,” Oceana Vice President, Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos told the media during an online news conference on February 7.

What threatens Manila Bay and all life it supports are the massive, destructive dump-and-fill activities which are causing irreversible damage to our marine and coastal ecosystems. Land reclamation is destroying the rich biodiversity of marine and coastal ecosystems in Manila Bay. These also endanger Metro Manila residents near Manila Bay’s coast as the projects add to the worsening hazards, such as flooding, storm surges, land subsidence, and liquefaction,” she added.

As of February 28, 2023, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) listed a total of 52 reclamation projects in the country, including a similar project in Coron that has been forfeited by the government. Of this number, 22 projects are located in Manila Bay, and half

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE modernization of public utility jeepneys (PUJ) and the transition to an environmentfriendly mode of transportation should not come at the expense of jeepney drivers and operators who stand to be affected by the plan, climate justice advocates under the 350.org Pilipinas said on Wednesday.

T he group said freedom of movement is a right that is endowed to everyone and therefore its protection is a common good that should be ensured by the government.

Making streets [safer] to different modes of transport is therefore crucial to ensuring that this right is respected and enjoyed by everyone,” the group added.

H owever, citing a study that shows 88 percent of Filipino households in Metro Manila and the Greater Manila Area do not own cars, the group said public transportation is the arteries of cities, and as such, they play a critical role in ensuring that the needs of those who do not own private vehicles are met.

With the current transportation crisis, the group agreed to the need to modernize the public transport system, “as we strive to be more efficient and contribute towards the reduction of our carbon footprint from transportation.”

However, the group said more importantly, it should not come at the

expense of displacing PUJ drivers.

According to the group, a jeepney phase out will reportedly cost the livelihood of around 500,000 drivers and 300,000 small operators and will affect 2 million families who depend on jeepneys.

“With this, we stand in solidarity with the jeepney drivers’ strike against their enforced phase out,” the group said.

According to 350.org Pilipinas, the goal of a modernized transport system should not be limited by merely changing the type, engine, and fuel of public utility vehicles.

“It is also about improving urban mobility conditions with safer, better, cleaner, cost-effective transport options to lessen dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.”

“A just transition means transforming social systems in the transport sector to meet a climateresilient and low-carbon economy that maximizes the benefits of climate action while at the same minimizing hardships for transportation workers and their families in the present and the future,” the group stressed.

This transition should be guided by the equity that recognizes and ensures the rights and well-being of transport workers and commuters, the group said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

THE Metropolitan Manila De-

velopment Authority (MMDA) announced that starting today, Thursday, March 9, a dry run would be held for the implementation of the exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue.

T he exclusive motorcycle lane is at the third lane from the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue, the country’s widest thoroughfare, from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen and vice versa.

“

The dry run is meant to familiarize motorcycle riders traversing Commonwealth Avenue on the said policy. We will have a full deployment of MMDA traffic enforcers and we will be assisted by the local government of Quezon City,” MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes. He announced the conduct of a dry run during the formal launch held at the UP-Ayala Technohub footbridge in Quezon City.

“No motorists will be apprehended during the duration of the dry run which will start tomorrow until next Sunday, March 19,” Artes said.

A rtes explained that the implementation of the motorcycle lane is to reduce the number of fatal road crashes involving motorcycles and to improve traffic flow on the said road.

T he trial court set the bail amount for the accused at P120,000 each.

It is worthy to note that bail is not granted to prevent the accused from committing additional crimes. The purpose of bail is to guarantee the appearance of the accused at the trial, or whenever so required by the trial court,” the RTC said.

Thus, bail acts as a reconciling mechanism both to accommodate the accused’s interest in his provisional liberty before or during the trial, and the society’s interest in

assuring the accused’s presence in the trial,” the court added. A side from Aquino, also killed were his security escort identified as Police SSgt. Rodeo B. Sario, driver Dennis Abayon and passerby Clint John Paul Yauder. Another aide identified as Mansfield F. Labonite survived. T he filing of the charges against the nine police officers was recommended by a panel of prosecutors of the DOJ after the conduct of preliminary investigation.

Senate panel prescribes equipment upgrade and technical capacity to end airport glitches

of these or 11 are already under way.

Outside of Manila Bay, the PRA lists a total of 30 projects—14 were approved plus Coron and 15 applications under Executive Order 74 with memoranda of understanding.

Manila Bay has been identified as a Key Biodiversity Area. It is a rich sardine spawning ground as shown by data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (BFAR-NFRDI). It is also a stopover for millions of migratory birds from the northern hemisphere.

In addition, Oceana reminded the local governments of their clear mandates to protect the municipal waters and the constitutional right to a healthy, safe, resilient environment of its constituents and ensure that mechanisms and safeguards for the protection of the environment are complied with as mandated by Memorandum Circular 2022-018 issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Instead of land reclamation, the government should be working on its rehabilitation as so directed by the Supreme Court in the landmark 2008 ruling, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority vs Concerned Residents of Manila Bay. By restoring its health and abundance, Manila Bay will in turn provide food and livelihood for so many Filipino families as it has done so for several generations. There are also mangroves there, which have the potential to provide climate resiliency to the coastal areas. Let us not waste this precious resource, it is worth so much more than the false promises of development,” Ramos said.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SEN. Grace Poe, presiding chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, pressed concerned authorities to “improve the technical capacity” of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), stressing the urgent need to “upgrade critical equipment” in a determined bid to “prevent future glitches” at all airports in the country.

“ These should be complemented with the rollout of sufficient engineering guidelines and training of accredited engineers who will man the system,” the senator stressed in endorsing the Senate committee report on the New Year’s Day air traffic shutdown.

T he lawmaker lamented that the January 1 “systems failure” was indeed “a confluence of factors and errors,” noting that “experts likened it to the planets aligning albeit with an unfortunate consequence.”

“ Bihira pero alam nating posibleng mangyari ito, at patuloy na mangyayari kung wala tayong gagawin sa mga problema ng air traffic system sa bansa,” Poe added, reminding concerned authorities, “There is much work needed for a better system.”

It is my earnest hope that through our investigative work, Congress will be able to assist CAAP in providing a system where travel in our airspace is no longer shut down by causes which could have been avoided,” the senator added.

A t the same time, she indicated “the panel will not adopt a punitive direction on its findings, stressing public safety as its primary goal.”

S till, she assured “accountability will follow after we have laid down safety measures for our air passengers,” as she listed the Senate committee’s recommendations, as follows:

1

) Setting up of another Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) in an independent location

2) Fast-tracking of feasibility studies on the proposed Ninoy Aquino International Airport privatization

3) Immediate compliance by CAAP to the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization

4) Amendment of CAAP charter to improve efficiency and transparency, and

5) Passage of relevant bills such as the Philippine Transportation Safety Board, Philippine Airports Authority Act and Air Passengers Bill of Rights.

wealth Avenue after the dry run.

Violators will then be fined P500,” he said.

For his part, 1-Rider Party-list Representative Bonifacio Bosita welcomed the development, adding that he appreciated the special attention given to the riding community.  I am thankful to the leadership of Chairman Artes as he prioritized the safety of motorcycle riders. As an advocate and representative of 1-Rider Party-list, I am appealing to all motorcycle riders to maintain order and discipline on the roads,” the legislator said.

R amon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez, also of 1-Rider Party-list, who was also present during the event, expressed support for the agency’s rider-friendly initiatives.

“ We have high hopes for the success of the implementation of exclusive motorcycle lanes,” Gutierrez said.

B ased on MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), there are a total of 1,686 or 5 cases per day of motorcycle-related road crash incidents along Commonwealth Avenue were recorded for the year 2022. Of that figure, 13 cases resulted in fatal injuries, 930 in nonfatal injuries, and 743 in damage to property. Per the annual average daily traf -

fic count conducted by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, a total of 154,639 motorcycles and 10,134 public utility vehicles ply along Commonwealth Avenue.

Further, the MMDA chief added that stricter implementation of exclusive motorcycle lanes on Commonwealth Avenue will commence on March 20.

We will fully enforce the exclusive motorcycle lanes on Common-

U nder MMDA Resolution No. 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue shall be designated as an exclusive bicycle lane.

T he second lane and third lane of the same avenue will be designated as exclusive public utility vehicle (for jeeps, UV Express, buses) and motorcycle lanes, respectively.

T he remaining lanes of Commonwealth Avenue shall be utilized by all other motor vehicles.

modernization program should not come at the expense of drivers and operators’

BCDA opens bidding for ₧1-B solar power project in New Clark City

Juan

By Andrea E. San

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it wants solar power to energize New Clark City (NCC).

In a news statement issued on Wednesday, the BCDA said it is seeking private partners to establish a large-scale solar photovoltaic power plant in NCC.

“

The BCDA is inviting all interested private companies to participate in the bid for the long-term lease of a 37-hectare property at the northernmost portion of NCC, and the development of a solar farm with a

capacity of at least 25 megawatts and an investment of at least P1 billion,”

BCDA announced.

BCDA President and CEO Aileen

R. Zosa said the solar power plan is in line with the renewable energy (RE) thrust of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

This solar farm is one of the crucial projects in New Clark City as it will supplement energy sources and lower energy costs for our locators, while also ensuring reduced carbon emissions,” Zosa said.

The BCDA is calling for private sector partners to support us in this endeavor. Your participation is im-

portant as we strive to make New Clark City into a smart, sustainable and green city,” Zosa added.

Under the terms of reference (TOR) for the bidding, the BCDA said it is offering the property for an initial lease period of 25 years, renewable for another 25 years upon mutual agreement of the parties.

According to BCDA, interested companies may participate in the bid by purchasing the TOR starting Wednesday, March 8, 2023. It also noted that a pre-bid conference would be held on March 24 at 10 a.m. at the BCDA Corporate Office in Taguig City.

BCDA reminded that participants

PBBM leads launch of special Kadiwa outlet in Quezon City

have until April 21, 2023, 12 p.m. to submit their bid documents, eligibility requirements and financial proposal for the solar farm project.

In line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the Marcos administration is implementing policy reforms to promote RE sources, thereby lowering energy costs and supporting the revitalization of industries.

T hese efforts, BCDA said, will help achieve the goal of the Philippine government of increasing the share of RE in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

Online recruitment up 4% from Dec. ’22 to Jan. ’23–study

By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

IT’S indeed business as usual again as more and more Filipinos are getting employed with the economy’s reopening amid the improving Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, a study revealed.

B ased on the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) report released by talent platform provider foundit on Wednesday, e-recruitment in the Philippines increased by 4 percent in January 2023 compared to December 2022.

Despite the 7 percent annual decline in online hiring activity, the above-cited month-on-month (MoM) growth apparently shows the recovery of the domestic job market from the ensuing health crisis.  With this development, employee reskilling and upskilling must continue in order for them to thrive in current market dynamics.

Industry-wise, health care has the

sharpest MoM surge at 11 percent. This is mainly due to health being still the topmost priority in rural and urban areas nationwide, especially with the imminent pandemic’s end, as well as rapid developments and innovations in this sector that have made health services more accessible to the people.

T he rising medical recruitment on the web could also be attributed to the recent enactment of a handful of landmark health laws centered on building a healthier ecosystem.

Other verticals that witnessed rosy growth at the start of this year are logistics, courier/freight/transportation/import/export/shipping (7 percent), retail (3 percent), hospitality (3 percent), and information technology (IT)/telecom (3 percent).

T he strong talent demand in these fields could be ascribed to the rise in e-commerce channels, elevated national internet penetration and heightened requirement for industrial freight warehouses.

Positive employment growth was also recorded in banking, financial services and insurance (2 percent); business process outsourcing/IT-enabled services (2 percent); engineering, construction, and real estate (1 percent); and advertising market research/public relations/media and entertainment (1 percent) sectors, which hitherto have made significant contributions to the country’s gross domestic product and have chartered a succeeding growth strength for the industries.

R egarding functional roles, marketing and communication (10 percent) and sales and business development (8 percent) professionals were constantly sought after as companies seek to improve margins by having skilled practitioners who add value to their brands.

W hite-collar health-care workers again accounted for a lion’s share of 8 percent of the overall demand. This was followed by professionals in the purchase/logistics/supply chain (7

percent), customer service (7 percent), human resource and admin (6 percent), and finance and accounts (4 percent)— thanks to escalated digital marketing campaigns and the fast deployment of artificial intelligence or AI.

G iven the outstanding performance of the hotel industry, complemented by the latest domestic tourism upswing and advanced digital booking, hospitality and travel job orders increased by 3 percent last January.

“Despite the global slowdown, the Philippines’s job market is showing remarkable resilience, with positive momentum month over month. As businesses across various sectors pivot and incorporate technological innovations, the job market is experiencing a significant boost, particularly in the health care, retail, and IT industries. These sectors are witnessing tremendous growth and creating new employment opportunities,” said Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, formerly Monster Asia Pacific & Middle East.

By Raadee S. Sausa

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. led the launch on Wednesday of a special Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlet dubbed “KNP Para sa Manggagawa” (KNP for Workers) in Quezon City, where he lauded workers’ essential role in the country’s economic and social progress.

T he KNP Para sa Manggagawa outlet is located at the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) head office in Quezon City.

T he outlet is an expansion of the highly successful Kadiwa program by government agencies and local governments.

T he program aims to market more affordable and quality food commodities and non-food products for Filipinos, while at the same time, giving a platform and opportunities for local farmers, fisherfolk and micro, small and medium enterprises

to generate more income through a direct farm-to-consumer trade. Moreover, the labor department is providing wages for participating sellers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.  I n response to soaring food prices, the President launched the KNP program to provide Filipinos across the country with fresh and affordable agricultural and fishery products.

T he President, who also serves as Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, said KNP would not only help Filipinos cope with the effects of rising food prices but also increase the income of local farmers, fisherfolk and small enterprises. We will continue to do this [Kadiwa stores], we will add more, expand. It is important to put up more of these especially in areas where people cannot afford the prices in the markets,” the President said.

Clark Freeport receives recognition as next MICECON destination from Tourism dept

CLARK FREEPORT—This free port will host the Meetings Incentives, Convention and Exhibits, Conferences (MICECON) 2024 after Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera received the plaque of recognition as the next MICECON destination from the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco handed the said recognition to Devanadera during the MICECON event held at the SMX Convention Center at SM City Lanang in Davao City held from March 1 to 3, 2023.

In her speech, Devanadera expressed appreciation to the people of Davao and took the challenge of leading Clark to new heights.

We would like to thank you for

this opportunity to be able to host for the next MICECON. For the past three days, we have witnessed the warm hospitality, creativity, might, and promise of Davao City and its people. From 11 tribes, you have come together, united as one. We are awed by your strength and will power. Clark has very big shoes to fill, and we welcome the challenge of hosting next year’s MICECON,” she said.

Devanadera, together with the DOT, encouraged the participants to visit and experience Clark in the upcoming MICECON to be held next year inside the free port.

“In 2014, the idea for a thriving MICE industry was planted in Clark. Ten years later, we are eager to show you how we’ve grown. We look forward to hosting MICECON with you again next year,” she mentioned.

Also present during the awarding ceremonies and culmination of MICECON 2023 are Vice President and Department of Education Sec. Sara DuterteandTourismPromotionsBoard (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

D evanadera was joined by CDC Directors Atty. Ana Liza Peralta, Atty. Maricris Ang-Carlos, and CDC Tourism Promotions Division

(TPD) headed by Officer-in-Charge Elenita Lorenzo.

The said event is the largest gathering of MICE professionals, which brought 500 in-person delegates and around 2,000 online participants from the Philippines and other countries. T he three-day conference was spearheaded by the DOT, and was made possible through the TPB and the City Government of Davao.

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to carry out cleanup operations in connection with the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, and assured affected communities that the government will extend assistance, particularly through the cash-for-work program.

During a media interview on the sidelines of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo launch in Quezon City on Wednesday, the President said authorities have located the sunken tanker that has been leaking industrial fuel oil, enabling them to predict the direction of the spill.

My instruction to DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] and DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] is to clean up. Because the fishermen cannot fish now, and therefore they have no job. We replaced it with a cash-for-work program because they will help to carry out cleanup operations,” Marcos said.

“ But in the meantime, they are engaged in the cash-for-work program in the cleanup. When that’s over, they can go fishing again. They can return to their jobs,” the President added.

According to Marcos, the government is monitoring fishing sanctuaries and tourist areas, and will immediately carry out a cleanup drive if they detect any presence of oil along the shoreline.

“And we are keeping an eye on private corporations that have equipment, Japan has sent aid to prevent oil from reaching the shoreline,” the President said.

M arcos said he hopes that through the current efforts, the oil spill could be contained so that the conditions in the affected communities would normalize soon.

It was reported that eight more towns in the province of Oriental Mindoro were placed under a state of calamity early this week to help authorities extend aid to communities affected by the oil spill.

Remulla sees closure of Degamo slay case after disclosure on mastermind’s identity

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday disclosed that a mastermind have been identified by the  arrested suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others last Saturday.  I n an interview, Remulla told reporters that he has seen one of the statements executed by the  four suspects with the  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) about a  live video conversation with  the mastermind.

By Andrea E. San Juan

TRADE Secretary Alfredo

E. Pascual said women are “great contributors” to the country’s economic growth and expansion post-Covid-19, noting that there are about 313,608 women-led businesses in the country.

Women play a crucial role in achieving these strategic priorities and actions. Over the years, they have proven their great potential, especially in business and industry,” Pascual said in a statement issued on Wednesday.  T he trade chief stressed that women have “broken glass ceilings and surpassed societal expectations.”

With this, he said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) “proactively” supports policies addressing the “disproportionate” impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially to women entrepreneurs and marginalized sectors.

In fact, in support of women entrepreneurs, Pascual said DTI provides alternative and accessible sources of financing through its financing arm—Small Business

T he NBI earlier took custody of the four suspects from the police  after they expressed willingness to divulge information in connection with the gruesome crime.

T he  four were identified as Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Joric Labrador and Osmundo Rivero.

“ There’s a statement already to the effect that there was a mastermind but we have to evaluate it properly.

But, I have seen a statement already pointing to the mastermind,” Remulla said.

W hen asked if the suspects already divulged the motive for the gruesome crime, Remulla said: “The

motive was not mentioned but the person they were talking to was on video. A live conversation happened on video with the person they are pointing to.”

With this vital information, Remulla expressed belief that the closure of the case is already near.

“I can say that the end is near… except that all the perpetrators have not been rounded up. There are a few more people that we have to round up,” the justice chief said.

T he statements executed by the respondents are still in the verification process by the NBI, according to Remulla.

Corporation (SBCorp.).

SBCorp has already released about P1 billion pesos worth of loans in support of businesses owned or operated by women through its Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso [P3] program and Bayanihan CARES an interestfree and collateral-free financing program that aims to assist MSMEs,” Pascual reported.

T he trade chief bared more programs that women micro entrepreneurs may access to help their businesses grow. One of these, he noted, is the Rural Agroindustrial Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project, She Trades Philippines, and Investing in Women Asia.  Pascual underscored the importance of gender equality in realizing the development goals in the country.

We at DTI believe that as we uplift women, we uplift our nation, We believe that gender equality is an important factor to realize our development goals and achieve a prosperous Philippines with equal opportunities for all. With this, I call on our fellow Filipinos to join us in honoring Filipino women and their invaluable contributions to economic development,” Pascual said.

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

THE government should take decisive steps to stop China from creeping deeper into Philippine waters, or may just drop Manila’s maritime claims, and even its sovereign rights, a maritime law expert said on Wednesday.

Others, including a retired US Air Force official, also offered recommendations as to how the administration could deal with Beijing’s “gray zone” operations and strategy in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and West Philippine Sea (WPS).

T he KIG and the WPS are gray zone areas, which in the definition of retired Philippine Marine Corps Commandant and current Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs (PAMA) Ariel Caculitan, are areas where activities that are “short of war or kinetics” are conducted.

University of the Philippines maritime law professor Jay Batongbacal said in a presentation at a forum in Makati City that Beijing’s gray zone operations are no longer confined at the KIG and WPS, but are even conducted in other waters of the country where China’s military conducts

H e added that the suspects would also undergo a second round of questioning with the presence of their lawyers.

T he DOJ is still determining whether to place the four suspects under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

A n  information for three counts of murder and frustrated murder have already been filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental against the four suspects and 12 other “John Does.”

A nother set of information for three counts for violation of laws

patrol and assert maritime claims.

China’s gray zone operations have been observed as close as 50 nautical miles of Luzon as of last year,” Batongbacal commented, adding that the country “need to push back” and ensure that China will not get used to such patrols.

Line must be drawn… otherwise, we might as well retreat and give up everything,” Batongbacal stressed.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, adviser to the PCG commandant on maritime security, who spoke during the forum as a maritime scholar, confirmed China’s incursions in the country’s northern territory and eastern seaboard, especially at the Benham Rise.

Tarriela called for the continued modernization of the Coast Guard because it cannot afford to “pull back” again like in the case of the Scarborough Shoal where a USacquired Philippine Navy warship pulled back during a standoff with a Chinese vessel in 2012, thus giving China a de facto control of the shoal.

Caculitan agreed that whatever the country did to “remove” China from the WPS had failed.

Retired Philippine Navy Rear Ad-

on the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives against three of the respondents were also filed before the RTC of Bayawan City.   T he four suspects were believed to be among a group of at least 10 heavily armed men who barged into the compound of Degamo’s residence in Barangay Isidro in Pamplona, Negros Oriental and indiscriminately fired at the governor and some constituents availing of financial assistance being given to poor families.  T he DOJ has  offered a P5 million reward for anyone who can provide information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the suspects.

miral Rommel Jude Ong said China is conducting a combination of psychological, media and legal warfare over the WPS where it is waging a hybrid conflict.

Hybrid warfare, he said, entails the use of diplomacy, information, military and economic.

O n the other hand, conventional warfare only makes use of the military.

Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation Fellow and retired US Air Force Col. Raymond Powell said that China is fully maximizing civilmilitary fusion in its gray zone operations in the WPS.

Powell said this strategy could be checked by the Philippines by sticking to its rights as reinforced by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration, reaching out to the open society and collaborating with allies and partners.

He said the government should tap the public and the media, and use commercially available maritime data to deal with and expose the Chinese gray zone activities.

Powell predicted that China would maintain a strong presence in Pagasa in support of its claims.

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

THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) aims to resume the implementation 82 infrastructure projects in local government units that were earlier halted due to lack of funds.

A ccording to Tieza COO Mark Lapid, these projects were “previously approved [by the Board], but suspended due to the remittance of P12 billion” of the agency’s funds to the National Treasury to support the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. A number of these projects, he stressed, will be resumed “subject to the availability of funds.” Tieza is the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), with its operations mainly funded by the collection of travel taxes. (See, “Online payment boosts Tieza’s tax take,” in the BusinessMirror , March 3, 2023.)

A lso on Tieza’s plate this year, he said, is the continued implementation of ongoing projects amounting to P1.4 billion. This includes the long-running Boracay Water Drainage Program Phase 2 (Packages 1A, 3, 4, 5) in Aklan; the construction of the Inang Laya Flag Monument in

Imus, Cavite; Emergency Work for Compliance with the Fire Department Requirement and temporary kitchen in Banaue Hotel in Ifugao; Completion of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-Tourism Park in Maragondon, Cavite; Construction of a boardwalk along the San Jose Airport (Phase 2) in Occidental Mindoro; Malacañang sa Sugbo in Cebu City; and the Restoration of Corregidor in Corregidor Island, Cavite.

Boracay drainage completion delayed anew

LAPID explained the delay in the completion of the Boracay project, first started by Tieza’s predecessor, the Philippine Tourism Authority, as due to the “partial suspension” of the portion being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways, because of the “revision of plans to suit the actual site condition. Other works that are doable or not affected by redesign/revision are still [ongoing].” However, he admitted that the new completion date for Phase 2 of the program still “can’t be determined since the redesign is still subject for review and approval by the DPWH and Tieza.”

Phase 1 of the island’s water drainage program was completed

lion. Phase 2, with a budget of P1 billion, began in January 2018, and was supposed to be completed in 2020. The project is located along the 400-meter road network at Bloomfield Road, including a drainage line at Lugutan Road, Station 3 access road, PCTV access road, D’Talipapa road, Azalea Resort road, and from Station 1 to Station 3 collector drainage line along the white beach, within the 25+5 easement.

Support to historical monuments, war museums

DOCUMENTS from Tieza, copies of which were furnished to the BusinessMirror, showed infrastructure projects to be undertaken this year, costing about P800 million. These projects include: the Construction of the Design and Build Project for the Enhancement of the Arrival and Departure Areas at terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (collaboration with the DOT and Department of Transportation); the Design and Build of Bicycle Facilities (collaboration with DOTr and the Intramuros Administration); construction of 10 Tourist Rest Areas across the country; rehabilitation of the Tieza office in San Vicente, Palawan as well as the establishment of monument markets along the

Long Beach; along with several projects at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan, including the aesthetic lighting of its memorial cross and colonnade, geodetic survey and geotechnical analysis of a development site to include a Center for World War II Studies, a cable car, and walking trail, and the renovation and construction of new restrooms.

O ther infrastructure projects for implementation this year include the reconstruction of the Corregidor Breakwater in Cavite; an Assets Rehabilitation Program covering Banaue Hotel, Balicasag Island Dive Resort, Gardens of Malasag, Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park; construction of a Modular Docking Facility at Pinagmangalucan, Palawan; and the Development of a New Rizal Park Children’s Playground as well as the refurbishment of the park’s restrooms.

T ieza, a government-owned and -controlled corporation, has targeted to collect close to P5 billion in travel taxes this year, with the easing of international travel restrictions. Of that amount, it will retain 50 percent, or some P2.3 billion. The rest go to the Commission on Higher Education (40 percent) and to the National Commission for Culture and Arts (10 percent).

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

NEARLY 80 years after the serial abuse committed in the so-called Red House in Bulacan and on international women’s day, the Philippines was found to have violated the rights of comfort women, victims of sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during the second world war.

T he United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) issued its decision after examining a complaint filed by 24 Filipina nationals, members of the Malaya Lolas (“Free Grandmothers”), a non-profit organization established to provide support to sexual slavery survivors.

T he UN CEDAW said the Philippines failed to provide for the reparation, social support, and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered by the women. The Committee also found that the country “waived its right to compensation by signing the Treaty of Peace with Japan.”

This is a symbolic moment of victory for these victims who were previously silenced, ignored, written off and erased from history in the Philippines,” said Committee member Marion Bethel. “The Committee’s Views pave the way for restoring their dignity, integrity, reputation and honour.”

The Committee requested that the Philippines provide the victims full reparation, including material com-

pensation, and an official apology for the continuing discrimination.

T he UN said CEDAW observed that the Philippine Commission on Women has not addressed the institutionalized system of wartime sexual slavery, its consequences for victims and survivors or their protection needs.

However, Philippine war veterans, who were mostly men, were entitled to special and esteemed treatment from the government, such as educational benefits, healthcare benefits, old age, disability and death pensions.

Given the extreme severity of gender-based violence suffered by the victims, and the continuing discrimination against them regarding restitution, compensation and rehabilitation, the Committee concluded that the Philippines had breached its obligations under the Convention.

I n particular, the Committee found that the State party had failed to adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to prohibit all discrimination against women and protect women’s rights on an equal basis with men.

This case demonstrates that minimizing or ignoring sexual violence against women and girls in war and conflict situations is, indeed, another egregious form of violation of women’s rights. We hope that the Committee’s Decision serves to restore human dignity for all of the victims, both deceased and living,” Bethel said.

PBBM vows speedy cleanup of oil spill, aid to communities

Trade chief lauds women’s role as ‘great contributors’ to growth

Experts to PHL govt: Stand up vs Chinese ‘gray zone’ operations

Battle for Bakhmut City takes center stage in war in Ukraine

Bangladesh building explosion kills at least 17; scores injured

DHAKA, Bangladesh—An explosion in a seven-story commercial building in Bangladesh’s capital on Tuesday killed at least 17 people and injured dozens, officials said.

The explosion occurred in Gulistan area, a busy commercial area of Dhaka, fire department official Rashed bin Khaled said by phone.

The building contained several stores selling plumbing products and household items, and its first two floors were badly damaged, according to fire officials.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, but some reports said the explosion happened from accumulated gas.

Khaled said at least 11 fire department teams were working at the scene of the explosion.

Bacchu Mia, a police official at the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said more than 50 people were taken there for treatment, and at least 14 of them were dead. The others later died from their injuries, he said. Local media reported at least 100 people were injured in the blast.

The United News of Bangladesh agency reported that people on the upper floors were trapped for hours after the explosion.

Brig. Gen. Main Uddin, director general of the Fire Servoce and Civil Defense, said they could not enter the ground floor and they had no clear data if anybody was trapped.

He said that it was not possible to get to the ground floor as the building became very risky because the columns that hold up the building had collapsed.

He said they would take help from the military after the search and rescue operations begin on Wednesday morning.

Bangladesh has a history of fires and industrial disasters, including factories catching fire with workers trapped inside. Monitoring groups have blamed corruption and lax enforcement.

A massive fire on Sunday at a crammed refugee camp for Rohingya Muslims in southern Bangladesh left thousands homeless. No casualties were reported at Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar district.

In 2012, about 117 workers died when they were trapped behind locked exits in a garment factory in Dhaka.

The country’s worst industrial disaster occurred the following year, when the Rana Plaza garment factory outside Dhaka collapsed, killing more than 1,100 people.

In 2019, a blaze ripped through a 400-year-old area cramped with apartments, shops and warehouses in the oldest part of Dhaka and killed at least 67 people. Another fire in Old Dhaka in a house illegally storing chemicals killed at least 123 people in 2010.

In 2021, a fire at a food and beverage factory outside Dhaka killed at least 52 people, many of whom were trapped inside by an illegally locked door.

Last year, a fire at a shipping container storage depot near the country’s main Chittagong Seaport killed at least 41 people, including nine firefighters, and injured more than 100 others. AP

Little known outside Ukraine before the Russian invasion, Bakhmut has become a symbol of the country’s fortitude and perseverance in the face of the Kremlin’s onslaught.

The Ukrainian leadership vowed again this week to keep defending the city, but some observers have warned that holding on to it could be too dangerous and costly.

Here is a look at Bakhmut, the battle and its possible consequences.

What kind of city is Bakhmut?

BAKHMUT, which had a prewar population of more than 70,000, was an important center for salt and gypsum mining in the Donetsk region of the country’s industrial heartland known as the Donbas.

The city was also known for its sparkling wine production in historic underground caves. Its broad tree-lined avenues, lush parks and stately downtown with imposing late 19th century buildings made it a popular tourist attraction.

When a separatist rebellion engulfed the Donbas in April 2014, weeks after Moscow’s illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, Russia-backed separatists won control of the city but lost it a few months later.

How did the fighting evolve?

RUSSIAN troops first attempted to recapture Bakhmut in early August but were pushed back.

The fighting abated in the following months as the Russian military faced Ukrainian counteroffensives in the east and the south, but it resumed at full pace late last year. In January, the Russians captured the salt-mining town of Soledar just a few kilometers (miles) north of Bakhmut and advanced to the city’s suburbs.

The relentless Russian bombardment has reduced Bakhmut to a smoldering wasteland with few buildings still standing.

Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have fought ferocious house-tohouse battles in the ruins.

Soldiers from Russia’s private Wagner Group contractor have spearheaded the offensive, marching on “the corpses of their own troops” as Ukrainian officials put it. By the end of February, the Russians approached the only highway leading out of the city and targeted it with artillery, forcing Ukrainian defenders to rely increasingly on country roads, which are hard to use before the ground dries.

What do Ukrainian and Russian officials say about the battle?

UKRAINIAN authorities have hailed the city as the invincible “fortress Bakhmut” that has destroyed waves of Russian assailants.

As Russian pincers were closing on the city, a presidential aide warned last week that the military could “strategically pull back” if needed. But on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top generals decided that the army will keep defending Bakhmut and reinforce its troops there.

For the Kremlin, capturing Bakhmut is essential for achieving its stated goal of taking control the entire Donetsk, one of the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed in September.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that the seizure of Bakhmut would allow Russia to press its offensive deeper into the region.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the rogue millionaire who owns the Wagner Group, charged that his forces were destroying the best Ukrainian units in Bakhmut to prevent them from launching attacks elsewhere.

At the same time, he harshly criticized the Russian Defense Ministry for failing to provide Wagner with ammunition in comments that reflected his longtime

tensions with the top military brass and exposed problems that could slow down the Russian offensive.

What do experts say?

MILITARY experts note that Ukraine has turned Bakhmut into a meat grinder for Russia’s most capable forces.

“It has achieved its aim as effectively being the anvil on which so many Russian lives have been broken,” Lord Richard Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff of the British armed forces, said on Sky News.

Phillips P. O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews, said the battle for Bakhmut “confirms that the Russian army is still struggling with basic operations.”

He noted that the Kremlin’s continuing emphasis on land grabs regardless of losses means that “Russian strategic aims are bleeding the Russian army greatly.”

While Ukrainian and Western officials pointed out that Russian combat losses were much higher than Ukrainian, some observers argued that the defense of Bakhmut was distracting Ukrainian resources that could be used in a planned counteroffensive later in the spring.

Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at CAN, a Washington-based think-tank, observed

that the Ukrainian defenders “achieved a great deal, expending Russian manpower and ammunition,” but added that it could be wise for Ukraine to save its forces for future offensive operations. “Strategies can reach points of diminishing returns,” and given that Ukraine “is trying to husband resources for an offensive, it could impede the success of a more important operation,” he said.

What could happen next?

UKRAINIAN and Western officials emphasize that a Ukrainian retreat from Bakhmut will not have strategic significance or change the course of the conflict.

The Ukrainian military has already strengthened defensive lines west of Bakhmut to block the Russian advance if Ukrainian troops finally retreat from the city. The nearby town of Chasiv Yar that sits on a hill just a few kilometers west could become the next bulwark against the Russians. Further west are Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the heavily fortified Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk.

And even as the Russian military tries to pursue its offensive in Donetsk, it needs to keep large contingents in other sections of the Donbas and in the southern Zaporizhzhia region where Ukrainian forces are widely expected to launch their next counteroffensive. AP

Stocks tumble on fears about faster rate hikes, Dow down 570

By Stan Choe AP Business Writer

NEW YORK—Stocks sank Tuesday after the head of the Federal Reserve warned it could turn the dial back up on its hikes to interest rates if pressure stays high on inflation. The warning shook markets and raised worries about a possible recession down the line.

The S&P 500 dropped 1.5 percent for one of its worst days of the year so far. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 574 points, or 1.7 percent, while the Nasdaq composite fell 1.2 percent.

Inflation and what the Fed is doing about it have been at the center of Wall Street’s sharp swings this year. After seeming to be on a steady decline since last summer, reports on inflation last month came in surprisingly hot. So did a suite of other data on the economy.

That raised fears that inflation is staying stickier than feared and that the Fed will have to raise rates higher than earlier thought. Higher rates can drag down inflation because they slow the economy, but they hurt prices for stocks and

other investments. They also raise the risk of a recession later on.

The Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, on Tuesday confirmed some of those fears and said the recent data mean “the ultimate level of interest rates is likely to be higher than previously anticipated.”

He also said in his testimony to a Senate committee that the Fed is ready to increase the pace of its hikes again if needed.

That would be a sharp turnaround after it had just slowed its pace of increases to 0.25 percentage points last month from earlier hikes of 0.50 and 0.75 points.

“If the totality of the data were to indicate that faster tightening is warranted, we would be prepared to increase the pace of rate hikes,” Powell said. “Restoring price stability will likely require that we maintain a restrictive stance of monetary policy for some time.”

After sitting at virtually unchanged levels just before Powell’s testimony, stocks fell immediately afterward.

“This is the market coming back to realistic expectations,” said Megan Horneman, chief investment officer at Verdence

Capital Advisors. “I think it’s going to continue to wash out some of the excesses in the market.”

Wall Street had already begun convincing itself that higher rates than earlier thought were on the way and that the Fed may even possibly go back to larger rate increases following last month’s data reports.

Since getting last month’s blowout jobs report and other surprisingly strong data, Wall Street largely abandoned hopes that percolated early this year for a possible cut to interest rates later in 2023.

It also upped its forecast for how high the Fed will ultimately take rates before pausing.

That’s been most clear in the bond market, where the yield on the 10-year Treasury topped 4 percent last week and hit its highest level since November. It helps set rates for mortgages and other important loans.

On Tuesday, it again approached 4 percent after Powell’s comments before falling back to 3.97 percent from 3.96 percent late Monday.

The two-year Treasury yield, which moves more on expectations for the Fed, shot up to 5.01 percent from 4.87 percent and is at

its highest level since 2007.

Traders now see a better than two-in-three chance the Fed will accelerate its rate hikes and raise by 0.50 percentage points on March 22. That’s a flip-flop from a day earlier, when the widespread bet was for the Fed to stick with a smaller increase of 0.25 points, according to data from CME Group.

“If they were to go 75 after pulling back to 25, that would spook the markets,” Horneman said. “I still think that they’re going to go 25, but if they go 50, I think it” would be seen as the Fed’s “being very flexible and can act quickly if needed if economic data tells them that.”

“If they articulate that, I think markets can accept that.”

More fireworks may arrive later this week and into next as the Fed gets more data points that will help shape its decision making ahead of its next meeting on interest rates.

On Friday will come the US government’s monthly jobs report.

Within that, most of the attention will be on how high wages are going for workers. The fear at the

Fed is that too-strong gains could lead to more upward pressure on inflation.

Then two reports next week will give updates on how high inflation remains at both the consumer and at the wholesale levels.

The challenge for the market has been that the economy has actually been too strong,

despite all the rate increases the Fed has thrown at it. While that resilience calms worries a recession may hit imminently, it likely means rates will need to stay higher for longer. That in turn raises the risk of a deeper recession down the line. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed

THE six-month battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been the longest and bloodiest fight of the war so far.

VIDEO footage of Bakhmut shot from the air with a drone for The Associated Press on Monday, February 13, 2023, shows how the longest battle of the yearlong Russian invasion has turned the city of salt and gypsum mines in eastern Ukraine into a ghost town. The relentless Russian bombardment has reduced Bakhmut to smoldering wasteland with few buildings still standing intact, as Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have fought ferocious house-to-house battles amid the ruins. AP

ONLOOKERS gather outside the site of an explosion, in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. An explosion in a seven-story commercial building in Bangladesh’s capital has killed at least 17 people and injured dozens. Officials say the explosion occurred in a busy commercial area of Dhaka. AP

The World

Malaysia to take Sulu heirs to court over seizure claims

By Anisah Shukry

Malaysia was responding to a Reuters report Tuesday that French bailiffs tried to enforce a court-issued seizure order on three of the Malaysian government’s properties in Paris. There was no attempt to seize the properties and the premises of any diplomatic mission shall be inviolable and immune under the Vienna convention, Malaysia said in the statement.

House Speaker McCarthy confirms US meeting with Taiwan president

By Erik Wasson & Billy House

HOUSE Speaker Kevin Mc -

application to cancel the award in Paris, while a district court in Luxembourg set aside the legal action payment, Malaysia said in January.

“Malaysia maintains that it does not recognize the purported commercial arbitration instituted by the Sulu Claimants and will continue to vigorously defend its sovereignty through the appropriate legal forums,” said Malaysia’s secretariat.

The bailiffs tried to obtain a description of the properties and were turned away, according to Malaysia’s Special Sulu Secretariat. The bailiffs appeared to have acted on instruction from the Sulu claimants, on the basis of a statutory mortgage registered on the premises following a Paris court order, said the secretariat.

“Moving forward, it is Malaysia’s intention to summon the Sulu claimants to appear before the court which granted the authorization order to obtain the cancellation of the registration of the mortgage,” the secretariat said in a statement Wednesday.

“The statutory mortgage is not an enforcement measure per se.”

The incident was linked to the Sulu heirs’ years-long claims to the Borneo state of Sabah. A French judge in December granted their request to seize the properties to settle a debt of 2.3 million euros ($2.46 million) they said were owed to them, according to Reuters.

This was after a French Arbitration Court in Paris last year ordered the Malaysia government to pay 62.59 billion ringgit ($14.9 billion) to the Sulu descendants over their territorial claim. The Malaysian government filed an

The Sulu heirs also laid claim to state-owned oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd.’s units in Luxembourg as part of their efforts to enforce the arbitration award. Petronas in February confirmed the seizure orders and said it would defend its legal position.

The Sulu Sultanate leased Sabah state to a British company in 1878 and the Borneo state was later absorbed into Malaysia. They ruled the islands in the Sulu Archipegalago, which are parts of Mindanao in today’s Philippines. Bloomberg News

US to relax Covid testing for travelers from China

By Aamer Madhani & Zeke Miller

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—The Biden administration is preparing to relax Covid-19 testing restrictions for travelers from China as soon as Friday, according to two people familiar with the decision.

The people, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the administration has decided to roll back the testing requirements as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are declining in China and the US has gathered better information about the surge.

The restrictions were put in place on December 28 and took effect on January 5 amid a surge in infections in China after the nation sharply eased pandemic restrictions and as US health officials expressed concerns that their Chinese counterparts were not being truthful to the world about the true number of infections and deaths. The Washington Post was first to report on Tuesday about the expected administration move. At the time, US officials also said the restriction was necessary to protect US citizens and communities because there was a lack of transparency from the Chinese government about the size of the surge or the variants that were circulating within China.

As part of its response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this year ex -

panded genomic surveillance at several US airports, collecting voluntary samples from passengers aboard hundreds of weekly flights from China, and the testing of wastewater aboard airplanes. The Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance Program will continue to monitor travelers from China and more than 30 other countries.

The rules imposed in January require travelers to the US from China, Hong Kong and Macau to take a Covid-19 test no more than two days before travel and provide a negative test before boarding their flight. The testing applies to anyone 2 years and older, including US citizens.

It also applied to people traveling from China via a third country

and to people connecting through the US as they go on to other destinations. Anyone testing positive more than 10 days before the flight can provide documentation showing they’ve recovered from Covid-19 instead of a negative test result.

It has been left to the airlines to confirm negative tests and documentation of recovery before passengers board.

China saw infections and deaths surge after it eased back from its “zero Covid” strategy in early December after rare public protests against a policy that confined millions of people to their homes and sparked protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.

But as China eased its strict rules, infections and deaths surged, and parts of the country for weeks saw their hospitals overwhelmed by infected patients looking for help. Still, the Chinese government has been slow to release data on the number of deaths and infections.

The US decision to lift restrictions comes at a moment when USChina relations are strained. Biden ordered a Chinese spy balloon shot down last month after it traversed the continental United States. The Biden administration has also publicized US intelligence findings that raise concern Beijing is weighing providing Russia weaponry for its ongoing war on Ukraine.

Earlier Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned that Beijing and Washington were headed for “conflict and confrontation” if the US doesn’t change course.

Qin’s comments came a day after Xi in an unusually pointed speech said that “Western countries led by the United States have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression of China.”

White House officials sought to downplay the hot rhetoric from Beijing.

“There is no change to the United States’ posture when it comes to this bilateral relationship,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “The president believes those tensions obviously have to be recognized, but can be worked through.”

Qatar’s top diplomat sworn in as new prime minister

Carthy confirmed plans to meet with Taiwan’s president in the US this year but stressed that meeting doesn’t preclude a trip to Taiwan later.

“That has nothing to do with my travel, if I would go to Taiwan,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday night when asked about the meeting.

The Financial Times on Monday first reported McCarthy’s plans to meet in California with President Tsai Ing-wen rather than Taipei, a trip that would have angered Beijing.

“China can’t tell me where and when I can go,” McCarthy said.

Last month, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul said McCarthy would plan a trip to the island either later this year or next year. But such a visit was seen as setting up a potential confrontation similar to the one in August when former Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan. McCarthy has said he would like to travel there as speaker and take a bipartisan group of lawmakers. But the Chinese government has urged McCarthy not to visit the island and “to earnestly abide by the one-China principle,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on January 30. Bloomberg News

Hungarian delegation backs Sweden’s Nato application

By Jan M. Olsen

The Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark—

A parliamentary delegation from Hungary said Tuesday that it supports Sweden’s Nato membership bid after meeting the speaker of the Swedish parliament to iron out what Hungary’s governing party has called “political disputes.”

Some Hungarian lawmakers have raised doubts about whether to support the Nato membership applications by Sweden and Finland, citing what they call “blatant lies” from Stockholm and Helsinki on the state of Hungary’s democracy.

But the Hungarian delegation indicated Tuesday that the parliament in Budapest would ultimately ratify Sweden’s Nato bid.

“We support Sweden’s Nato membership,” Hungary’s deputy parliamentary speaker, Csaba Hende, told Swedish news agency TT.

“We made it clear that the Hungarian government, the Hungarian president, the prime minister and most of the Hungarian parliamentarians clearly support Swedish Nato membership,” Hende said, according to the news agency.

In Brussels, Nato SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the statements by the Hungarian lawmakers.

“They are sending a positive message and recommending ratification. So, of course, we still have some way to go but we are making progress,” Stoltenberg told reporters.

The parliamentary delegation also met with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, who said that “we assume the ratification will take place shortly.”

“The date that has been talked about is the end of March, and that is what we are aiming for,” Billström told TT.

Hungary is the only Nato member country besides Turkey that hasn’t yet approved Sweden and Finland’s joint application to join to Western military alliance.

to improve bilateral relations between Budapest and Stockholm. Hungarian officials have accused Swedish and Finnish politicians of telling “blatant lies” about Hungary.

“It would be appropriate that Swedish politicians, government representatives and members of the EU Parliament, based on completely untrue facts, do not indicate or imply that there is a lack of rule of law in a country,” Hende told TT.

The European Union has expressed repeated concerns about the state of democracy in Hungary under the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who earlier said it wasn’t right of Finland and Sweden “to ask us to take them on board while they’re spreading blatant lies about Hungary, about the rule of law in Hungary, about our democracy and about life here.”

The Hungarian delegation plans to visit neighboring Finland next to clarify its positions. The delegation’s trip to the two Nordic countries pushed a ratification vote back by two weeks. Hungary’s parliament now expects to take up the measure during a session that begins March 20.

EU defense ministers are holding an informal two-day meeting in Stockholm. Sweden currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency.

Nato’s Stoltenberg was also in Stockholm and met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and leaders of parliamentary parties that back the country’s bid to join the alliance.

On Thursday, Stoltenberg will chair a meeting in Brussels between representatives from Sweden, Finland and Turkey.

“I will be cautious about guessing what the outcome will be,” the former Norwegian prime minister told a press conference, adding: “It is important to meet.”

He reiterated that Sweden and Finland “have delivered on what they were supposed to do” after they applied to join the alliance in May.

D

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Qatar’s top diplomat was sworn in as the country’s prime minister on Tuesday, replacing another member of the ruling family who had held the post since 2020, state news reported.

The Qatar News Agency says Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was sworn in as the new head of government, without providing further details.

Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, appoints the holders of top offices, usually from members of the ruling family. As in other Gulf Arab countries, politics is largely confined to the ruling family and developments are rarely aired in public.

Sheikh Mohammed has served as foreign minister since 2016 and was the public face of Qatar as it navigated a 3 1/2-year economic boycott by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt that only came to an end in January 2021.

He replaces Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz

Al Thani, who had served as prime minister and interior minister—responsible for domestic security—since 2020. He was replaced as interior minister on Tuesday by Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Gas-rich Qatar, one of the wealthiest countries on earth, supported Islamist groups across the region during and after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, bringing it into conflict with its Gulf Arab neighbors, who view such groups as a threat to hereditary rule.

Relations have improved over the last two years.

The rulers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt visited Qatar as it hosted soccer’s World Cup last year.

Meanwhile, the UAE quietly began allowing Internet users in the country to access the websites of Al Jazeera, the pan-Arab broadcaster, as well as the Qatar News Agency. Both websites and others appeared accessible early Wednesday in the Emirates, which long has complained about Al Jazeera’s editorial coverage.

The northern European neighbors sought Nato membership in May in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, dropping their longstanding positions of military neutrality.

According to Aron Emilsson, chairman of the Swedish parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, who also met with the Hungarian delegation, the visiting lawmakers didn’t put forward any conditions for ratification.

“We talked about strengthening and improving bilateral relations and understanding each other’s constitutional traditions,” he said.

Hende said it was necessary

Kristersson said the Swedish government will formally present later Tuesday a law enabling the Scandinavian country to join Nato. No date for a vote in the 349-seat Riksdag was announced.

“The Riksdag will make its decision in the Nato matter within a few weeks,” Kristersson said. “Sweden thus maintains exactly the same speed as Finland.”

On March 1, the Finnish parliament gave its approval to the Nato bid. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has pledged to sign that into law before the Finland’s April 2 general election. Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report

MALAYSIA intends to bring the self-styled descendants of the sultanate of Sulu before a court, after a territorial dispute between the two parties led to bailiffs appearing at the Southeast Asian nation’s embassy and staff residence in Paris on Monday.

2023. Chinese economic officials expressed confidence Monday they can meet this year’s growth target of “around 5%” by generating 12 million new jobs and encouraging consumer spending following the end of anti-virus controls that kept millions of people at home.

THEN Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani listens to a question during a joint press briefing with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian, in Tehran, Iran on January 29, 2023. Qatar’s top diplomat was sworn in as the country’s prime minister on Tuesday, March 7, replacing another member of the royal family who had held the post since 2020, state news reported. The Qatar News Agency says Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was sworn in as the new head of government, without providing further details. AP/VAHID SALEMI

Agriculture/Commodities

Protocols activated to stop ASF spread in Cebu

By Raadee S. Sausa

THE Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is coordinating with local government units and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) regional office for the implementation of protocols aimed at preventing the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Cebu.

B AI confirmed on Wednesday that 58 out of the 149 pig blood samples from Carcar City, Cebu tested positive for the fatal hog disease.

T he attached agency of the DA said the samples were collected in surveillance activities conducted by the City Veterinary Office of Carcar and were initially submitted to the DA-Regional Animal Disease Diagnosis Laboratory (RADDL) 7 for ASF testing using Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction wherein some samples tested positive.

Following the initial results, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DARFO) 7 sent the samples to the BAI for confirmation.

Upon the release of initial test results by RADDL 7, the City Veterinary Office of Carcar and Provincial Veterinary Office of Cebu immediately deployed response teams for further

disease surveillance in the city to identify the extent of infection.

M ovement control measures are being implemented and coordination with the local governments is ongoing.

T he BAI said it will provide the necessary technical and logistical support for the immediate containment of the infected area.

It also encouraged all swine raisers and stakeholders to report any unusual pig mortalities and sickness to their respective agriculture/veterinary offices, intensify the biosecurity measures and stop the use of swill.

BAI advised the public not to panic and to cooperate with the authorities on the implementation of ASF control protocols in the province.

Rest assured that the BAI, DARFO VII, the local government of Cebu and all concerned agencies are working closely together to immediately control and prevent further spread of ASF.”

O n March 7, the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA 7) confirmed that 11 of 15 barangays in Carcar City, Cebu have positive cases of ASF.

T his prompted both the Cebu

Communities affected by oil spill to get aid from BFAR

THE Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said it will provide livelihood assistance to the fishers affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

On March 7, DA-BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto committed the initial allotment of P4 million which will be used to implement immediate and alternative livelihood assistance for fisherfolk engaged in capture fishing while the provincial government enforces fishing ban in the affected areas.

Using the said initial amount, the government will provide 10 units of smokehouses for fish processing.

T he raw materials for fish processing will be sourced from Occidental

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is targeting the distribution of some 310 hectares of governmentowned agricultural lands to farmers in Pampanga.

DAR said the property, currently assigned to the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) sits idle in Magalang, Pampanga.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said in a statement that he has ordered the fast-tracking of the distribution of government-owned agricultural lands.

T he agency said it has recently conducted a dialogue with the farmers of San Agustin, Magalang town to discuss the smooth and expeditious distribution of idle government owned-lands (GOLs) and identify the possible agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the said province.

DAR Central Luzon Regional Director Arsenio James Ponce said that the agency would begin surveying the properties of PSAU so that it could immediately issue individual land titles to qualified ARBs.

“ We ask the ARBs’ full cooperation and want their opinions on how we can survey the land faster. We will assess the result of this meeting and apply the best measures to implement this process quickly.”

Mindoro and other nearby areas not affected by the oil spill.

I n addition, the agency said it will operationalize Kadiwa Oplan ISDA, an existing project which supports fishers by providing market linkages. Fisheries cooperatives from Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro will be linked for fish trade, while the DA-BFAR provides logistical support such as utilization of reefer vans.

“ The DA-BFAR is determined to help our affected fisherfolk cope with the loss of income due to the fishing ban resulting from the oil spill,” Escoto said.

We are implementing these immediate livelihood interventions which will be coursed through the

AUSTRALIA , the world’s second-largest wheat exporting country, is likely to see shipments slump 20 percent from record levels in the coming financial year as production tumbles because of a shift to a drier climate pattern.

Exports will probably fall to 22.5 million tons in 2023-24 from an alltime high of 28 million tons a year earlier, while output is set to decrease to 28.2 million tons from 39.2 million tons, government forecaster Abares said. The figure for the harvest just completed is up from 36.6 million tons estimated in December. Planting for the coming crop only gets under way in April.

Supplies of the food staple from Australia have helped to cap global prices in the past year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine choked shipments and sent the grain to a record. Production in Australia was boosted by plentiful rains from the La Niña weather event, and a return to less favorable, drier conditions is expected in the coming months, the agency said in a report.

More from Abares:

The agricultural sector will be “affected by a flip into El Niño or positive IOD led drought-like conditions” in 2023–24, according to assumptions based on statistical analysis and climate modeling.

The Indian Ocean Dipole refers to a pattern of changes in sea surface temperatures in the western and eastern tropical Indian Ocean.

“Our expectation is that the climate’s going to shift towards a dry pattern,” Abares Executive Director

provincial agriculture office of Oriental Mindoro for a centralized and strategic distribution to our fisherfolk beneficiaries.”

B esides livelihood interventions, the DA-BFAR will extend technical assistance to the provincial government by conducting laboratory testing of water and fish samples gathered from the affected areas.

T he result of the tests will be used in determining and recommending areas that are safe for fishing activities.

To date, about 11,000 fisherfolk families in the municipalities of Naujan and Pola including its neighbouring areas are affected by the oil spill, according to reports. Raadee S. Sausa

provincial government and the Cebu City government to announce bans on pork products from Carcar City.

However, Cebu City is still allowing pigs and other pork products from Negros Island to enter Cebu City directly despite the 30-day ban issued by the Cebu provincial government on March 6.

For his part, DA-7 ASF Coordinator Daniel Ventura Jr. said the pigs that tested positive in Carcar originally came from Negros Island and were slaughtered along with local pigs at the city’s abattoir.

T he local pigs were traced back to the 11 barangays, but Ventura did not identify the barangays.

Samples collected from a Carcar City slaughterhouse were tested for ASF at the BAI’s Animal Disease Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory on March 1 as part of Carcar City’s ASF surveillance activities.

T he positive test results prompted the contact tracing.

BAI regulates the licensing and registration and regulates the manufacturing, importation, distribution and monitoring of veterinary drugs and products,veterinarybiologicalproducts and veterinary drug establishments.

Vaccination drive against fatal hog disease pushed

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

APARTY-LIST lawmaker on Wednesday urged the government to prioritize the vaccination of local hogs against the African swine fever (ASF), which continues to decimate the local supply since its resurgence in 2018.

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee issued the statement as local agriculture product KPP Powers Commodities is currently conducting safety and efficacy trials using the AVAC ASF Live Vaccine developed by AVAC Vietnam Co. Ltd. in four farms in the country. He said the clinical trials, which are expected to be completed in April, are being done under the supervision of the Bureau of Animal Industry. “ We are calling for our hog raisers. Now that we expect the anti-ASF

vaccine to be available, I hope the government will act immediately to get a supply and distribute it to our stakeholders as soon as possible,”

Lee said.

Citing recent reports, Lee said the Vietnamese government will soon start nationwide distribution of the AVAC ASF vaccine after producing highly favorable results from more than 600,000 doses administered in field trials since July 2022.

“ The nationwide vaccination drive will help our hog raisers fight the spread of ASF. Just as we successfully responded to Covid-19 through vaccination, we believe this is also an effective solution for ASF,” Lee said.

T he lawmaker highlighted the urgency of ASF vaccination, saying ASF has caused supply shortfalls that have resulted in the jacking up of pork prices. This, in turn, has an effect on inflation, he added.

T he Department of Agriculture (DA) recently reported that there are active ASF cases in 75 barangays in 42 municipalities in 12 provinces in seven regions as of February 2. These provinces include Cagayan, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

T he DA also said that the cumulative number of affected areas since the breakout of ASF in the country in 2019 up to the present reached 4,308 barangays in 788 municipalities in 59 provinces in 15 regions. Since the first outbreak of the virus in September 2019, and by June 2021, the Philippines’s total hog population had already declined by half to 6.6 million pigs from 13 million pre-ASF.

output from emerging markets.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Toronto on Monday, Vera said authorities eased tensions by establishing lines of communication with communities and understanding their concerns. In many cases, conflicts related to stalled investments in local water and health projects, he said, adding that the government has stepped up efforts to ensure public works get done.

To be sure, unrest lingers in some areas. In Puno, home to some of the worst protests, roadblocks have continued even after those in other mining regions were lifted. While Minsur SA’s giant San Rafael tin mine has restarted operations after a 45-day halt, it’s still a long way from full capacity.

Jared Greenville said in an interview.

“We’ve had a run of three really wet years and that’s really unusual in the historical record.”

But given factors such as levels of water storage and soil moisture, production should still remain at about an average level, he said. Winter rainfall is a key uncertainty in terms of climate change.

Canola production in Australia is expected to decline by 35 percent to 5.4 million tons in 2023–24 on expectations of drier conditions.

Barley output is likely to shrink 30 percent to 9.9 million tons in 2023-24, while sorghum production is forecast to contract 28 percent. The value of crop production is

likely to fall to A$46 billion ($31 billion) in 2023-24 from a record A$54 billion, largely driven by a drop of about a third in the value of wheat, barley and canola output.

Livestock production will remain relatively steady at A$35 billion. In 2023–2024, the value of agricultural exports is forecast to fall to A$64 billion from A$75 billion a year earlier.

Peru’s copper

THE government of Peru, the second-biggest producer of copper and zinc, expects that shipments of the commodities will begin to normalize within days as the nation’s worst street protests in decades ease.

“ The issue of protests has been reduced to a minimum at this time,” Oscar Vera, newly-appointed energy and mines minister, said in an interview. “The mining corridor is now open and in the coming days, mineral will begin to be taken out.”

T he full resumption of shipments will come as a relief to tight global metal markets, which were roiled by a surge of protests prompted by the impeachment of former President Pedro Castillo. The months of unrest—which constrained the transport of metal to ports and supplies to mines—embroiled operations by companies including Glencore Plc and Freeport-McMoRan Inc., while highlighting risks to commodity

Minister Vera said direct and ongoing communication and concrete action to address demands were paying off—even at MMG Ltd.’s Las Bambas mine, which has endured more than 400 days of roadblocks in its seven-year history.

With blockades at a minimum, Las Bambas will probably resume copper transport “between today and tomorrow,” Vera said. He said he’s hoping there’ll be a lasting solution with a military presence along roads and authorities on the ground to make sure mine commitments are met. There are also proposals to change the route used to transport ore to port.

Peru’s copper production is likely to have taken a hit from the protests, but Vera said he was “very optimistic that in the coming days everything starts to normalize,” with output recovering over the rest of the year. Bloomberg News

BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO

Let’s stop putting children at risk

The United Nations said child labor is work carried out to the detriment and endangerment of a child, in violation of international law and national legislation. It either deprives children of schooling or requires them to assume the dual burden of schooling and work.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), however, said not all work done by children should be classified as child labor that is to be targeted for elimination. The participation of children in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling is generally regarded as something positive. This includes activities such as assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult life.

A 2021 report by the ILO and Unicef dubbed Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward said the number of children in child labor has risen to 160 million worldwide—an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years—with millions more at risk due to the impacts of Covid-19. The report points to a significant rise in the number of children aged 5 to 11 years in child labor, who now account for just over half of the total global figure. The number of children aged 5 to 17 years in hazardous work—defined as work that is likely to harm their health, safety or morals—has risen by 6.5 million to 79 million since 2016.

“The new estimates are a wake-up call. We cannot stand by while a new generation of children is put at risk,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “Inclusive social protection allows families to keep their children in school even in the face of economic hardship. Increased investment in rural development and decent work in agriculture is essential. We are at a pivotal moment and much depends on how we respond. This is a time for renewed commitment and energy, to turn the corner and break the cycle of poverty and child labor.”

In the Philippines, over 70 percent of children in 11 regions nationwide were already working in 2021, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The total number of working children considered engaged in child labor in 2021 was estimated at 935,000. This was higher than the reported working children engaged in child labor in 2020 at 597,000. The PSA data also showed six of these regions have poverty rates of above the national average as of 2021. Four of these regions with high poverty rates and children working also saw an increase in poverty rates in 2021 (Read, “70% of children already working in 11 regions—PSA,” in the BusinessMirror , March 7, 2023).

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) had the highest proportion of children aged 5 years old to 17 years old working in 2021, at 81.7 percent. The other regions with a high number of children working include Region I (Ilocos Region); Region II (Cagayan Valley); Region III (Central Luzon); Mimaropa Region; Region VII (Central Visayas); Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula); Region X (Northern Mindanao); Region XI (Davao Region); Region XII (Soccsksargen); and Region XIII (Caraga).

The six regions that had a high proportion of children working and had higher poverty rates than the national average were Mimaropa; Central Visayas; Zamboanga Peninsula; Northern Mindanao; Soccsksargen; and Caraga. The PSA data showed 75.1 percent of children in Mimaropa worked and the region had a poverty incidence rate of 20.8 percent.

The data also showed 79.1 percent of children in Central Visayas, which had a poverty rate of 27.6 percent, worked in 2021; Zamboanga Peninsula, 78.7 percent of children working and a poverty rate of 30.1 percent; Northern Mindanao, 73.7 percent of children working and a poverty rate of 26.1 percent; Soccsksargen, 71.9 percent of children working and 28.1 percent poverty rate; and Caraga, 72.2 percent of children working and poverty rate of 33.2 percent

The rising number of Filipino children in the labor force is alarming, considering that we have a law—Republic Act 9231—designed to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. As the ILO chief said, “we are at a pivotal moment and much depends on how we respond”.

Poverty is the biggest reason children are sent to work. Unfortunately, children in the salt mines are prevented from getting the education they need to break the cycle of poverty.

It would do well for the government to intensify its campaign against poverty by providing livelihood support for families engaged in child labor, particularly in the regions cited by the PSA. We need to strengthen national and local policies that promote education and protect our children.

BusinessMirror

Lourdes

Jennifer

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Ruben

Eduardo

Nonilon

D.

‘How we can make it work’

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

We are all created equal in the eyes of God. except, the heavenly Five” basketball team does not have one player under 6’ 5” tall.

We are not even close to being equal. We are all physically, mentally, and emotionally different. Each of us is born with our own genetic pattern that lays the foundation of our abilities and capabilities that must then be nurtured to allow a move in search of our full potential.

Even identical twins having the exact same DNA may not look precisely identical to one another because of environmental factors such as womb position.

However, there is one prevailing reality. There are winners and there are losers.

One of the most interesting historic personalities that in my opinion is not studied enough is Vilfredo Pareto. He died in 1923 at age 75, so he was a witness to a huge section of modern history including the Second Industrial Revolution through the First World War and the massive technological advancements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Pareto earned a doctorate in civil engi-

neering and spent 30 years as chair of Political Economy at the University of Lausanne. His “fame” is for different “Paretos” including analysis, distribution, the index, and the most widely known “Pareto Principle.”

The “Pareto Principle” was based on his observation that 20 percent of the population owned 80 percent of Italy’s wealth. American engineer and management consultant Joseph Moses Juran expanded on this to the “80/20 Rule” where roughly 80 percent of consequences come from 20 percent of causes. Eighty percent of a company’s sales come from 20 percent of the salesforce. Eighty percent of classroom disruptions come from 20 percent of the students.

But we know from personal experience that the “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school is not always the most successful. Why? Pareto was confused why sound economic principles did not always work out similar to the “Most Likely to Succeed” who fails. His sociology held that much

Here is what one agribusiness owner had to say: “The solution to the rising agricultural commodity prices is not just simply increasing production, as this could even harm farmers during harvest season due to oversupply. The fix should be broader market access during harvest time, extending shelf life using technology, and increasing storage capacity to optimize income during post-harvest.”

social action is not logical and that much personal action is designed to give phony logic to non-rational actions. We do not succeed even when we know how to succeed.

In my observation, when faced with challenges and making policy decisions—personal and in society —the “losers” tend to say, “It can’t be done” while the “winners” ask, “How can we make it work?” Playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote: “There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

I can certainly appreciate those that are against jeepney modernization. It is inexpensive public transportation that stops almost anywhere the passengers desire. It allows you to become one with the traffic noise and exhaust fumes. And who wouldn’t want to sit elbow-

to-arsehole with 15 strangers in a metal box the size of two queen-size beds. Don’t’ forget also that a Sarao jeepney was exhibited at the Philippine pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair as a national image for the Filipinos. Modern public transportation: “It can’t be done.”

Philippines’s “Agricultural output shrinks by 0.1 percent in 2022.” Asean volume of production for rice 2022 over 2021 is up 2.6 percent; the Philippines is up 0.99 percent. For corn, Asean had a 0.68 increase; the Philippines was up 0.06 percent. In sugarcane, Asean increased by 16.35 percent; the Philippines was down 19.13 percent. We need to improve and modernize Agri production, but we need our small farms, our farmers are too old, we have too many people, and not enough water. Agri modernization: “It can’t be done.”

Here is what one agribusiness owner had to say: “The solution to the rising agricultural commodity prices is not just simply increasing production, as this could even harm farmers during harvest season due to oversupply. The fix should be broader market access during harvest time, extending shelf life using technology, and increasing storage capacity to optimize income during post-harvest.” File that winner’s statement under “How we can make it work.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Chinese minister warns of conflict unless US changes course

BeIJING—China’s foreign minister has warned Washington of “conflict and confrontation” if it fails to change course in relations with Beijing, striking a combative tone amid conflicts over Taiwan, Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Qin Gang’s language appeared to defy hopes China might abandon confrontational “wolf warrior” rhetoric. It followed an accusation by Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Western governments led by the United States were trying to encircle and suppress China.

being the fundamental interests of the two peoples and even the future of humanity.”

On Monday, Xi accused Washington of hurting China’s development.

Benjamin

Aldwin

Rolando

Washington’s China policy has “entirely deviated from the rational and sound track,” Qin said at a news conference Tuesday during annual meeting of China’s ceremonial legislature.

China’s relations with Washington and Japan, India and other Asian neighbors have soured as Xi’s government has pursued assertive policies abroad.

“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,” Qin said in his first news conference since taking up his post last year. “Such competition is a reckless gamble, with the stakes

“Western countries led by the United States have implemented allround containment, encirclement and suppression of China, which has brought unprecedented grave challenges to our nation’s development,” Xi was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency.

In the face of that, China must “remain calm, maintain concentration, strive for progress while maintaining stability, take active actions, unite as one and dare to fight,” he said.

A State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said Washington wants to “coexist responsibly” in a global trade and political system and denied the US government wants to suppress China.

“This is not about containing China. This is not about suppressing China. This is not about holding China back,” Price said in Washington.

“We want to have that constructive competition that is fair” and “doesn’t veer into that conflict.”

US officials are increasingly worried about China’s goals and the possibility of war over Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. Many in Washington have called for the US government to make a bigger effort to counter Chinese influence abroad.

Concerns about Chinese spying on the US and Beijing’s influence campaigns there have drawn particular concern. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a planned visit to Beijing after Washington shot down a Chinese balloon suspected of being used for spying on US territory. Its electronics and optical equipment are being analyzed by the FBI.

Then last week, Beijing reacted with indignation when US officials raised the issue again of whether the Covid-19 outbreak that first was detected in southern China in late 2019 began with a leak from a Chinese laboratory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the US of “politicizing the issue” in an attempt to discredit China. The two countries have traded

angry words over Taiwan as Xi’s government tried to intimidate the island by firing missiles into the sea and flying fighter planes nearby.

Qin was ambassador to Washington until last year and in a previous stint as Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman was known for cutting condemnation of foreign critics.

On Tuesday, he criticized Washington for shooting down the balloon. He repeated claims that its appearance in US skies was an accident.

“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.”

Qin called Taiwan the first “red line” that must not be crossed. China and Taiwan split in 1949 after a civil war. The mainland’s Communist Party says the island is obliged to unite with China, by force if necessary.

Washington does not publicly

See “Chinese” A13

Teachers protest over suspected Iran schoolgirl poisonings Execution pending appeal of labor claims

By Jon Gambrell | The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iranian teachers protested Tuesday over suspected poisonings targeting schoolgirls, as a prominent lawmaker and an activist group put the number of those reporting symptoms into the thousands across hundreds of schools.

The new figures dramatically escalate the ongoing crisis now gripping the highest levels of Iran’s theocracy, already under pressure after months of demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini in September.

Meanwhile, prosecutors started filing criminal charges against journalists, activists and others over their comments on the still-unsolved incidents that began in November. Officials also again announced arrests of unnamed suspects over the occurrences, with little detail, after withdrawing similar earlier claims.

These new incidents at schools, with new ones reported Tuesday, threaten to again stoke public anger as parents fear for their children’s safety. It remains unclear who may be behind the suspected attacks and what chemicals—if any—have been used.

“The poisonings are further forcing a domestic conversation along Iran’s deep social divides between religious conservative Iranians and more secular liberal Iranians,” riskintelligence firm the RANE Network said in an analysis. “If the poisonings continue, they will become another trigger of disruptive unrest against the government, regardless of whether the government is actually behind them or not.”

One new toll came from Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that also monitored the recent protests over Amini’s death. Relying on official reports and activists, the group said at least 290 suspected school poisonings have happened over recent months, with at least 7,060 students claiming to be affected.

At least 99 cities and 28 of Iran’s 31 provinces have been affected in the crisis, the group said. Tehran province has seen the most suspected incidents with 33 cases, followed by Qom province, where the crisis began in November.

Another toll came from Mohammed Hassan Asefari, a prominent Iranian lawmaker who is on a panel investigating the incidents and has close ties to security forces. He told the semiofficial ISNA news agency that as many as 5,000 students have complained of being sickened in 230 schools across 25 provinces.

Iranian authorities to this point have yet to offer exact figures in the crisis. Activists and Iranian media reports previously have said that over 1,000 students complained of falling ill with at least 400 of them hospitalized.

Angry over what they described as the government’s slow response, teachers demonstrated in a number of Iranian cities, including Ahvaz, Isfahan, Karaj, Mashhad, Rasht, Sanandaj, Saqqez and Shiraz, online videos purported to show.

Other videos showed anti-riot police on streets, with some police officers surrounding those demonstrating in Isfahan. Activists identifying themselves as belonging to Iran’s Coordinating Council of Teachers Syndicates said police used pepper spray, water cannons and force to disperse protesters in Mashhad, Rasht and Saqqez.

Iranian state media made no mention of Tuesday’s demonstrations or of security forces dispersing demonstrators. Teachers have been targeted by security forces and faced arrests for months over protesting in support of their longstanding demands for salary increases amid the collapse of Iran’s currency, the rial.

Protesters and others have raised the possibility that religious extremists may be targeting schoolgirls to

stop them from receiving educations. Attacks on women have happened in the past in Iran, most recently with a wave of acid attacks in 2014 around Isfahan, at the time believed to have been carried out by hardliners targeting women for how they dressed. But even in the chaos surrounding the Islamic Revolution, no one targeted schoolgirls for attending classes.

Iran itself also has been calling on the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan to have girls and women return to school.

Determining what’s going on in Iran has been difficult. Authorities have detained nearly 100 journalists since the start of the protests in September over the death of the 22-year-old Amini, detained allegedly because of how she was dressed. The targeting of journalists has escalated in recent days amid their reports on the suspected poisonings.

Tehran chief prosecutor Ali Salehi said authorities began filing charges against journalists, including editors at the reformist newspapers Hammihan and Shargh, which have led reporting on the suspected poisonings. A news site, activists and others also face charges over allegedly spreading “unreal claims and totally false” statements about the attacks, Salehi said, according to the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency.

Salehi sought to justify the cases by saying those charged jeopardized the “psychological security” of Iran’s citizens.

Iran’s government, while initially ignoring reports of alleged poisonings back in November, has faced increasing pressure from the public to respond. On Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said any culprits connected to the alleged poisonings should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime.”

Seeking to ease worries, Iran’s Interior Ministry announced Tuesday night it made arrests in six provinces of unnamed suspects over the suspected poisonings.

However, its statement focused on one arrestee it described as making a video of one suspected school poisoning that was sent to “hostile media in order to be exploited in the scenario of creating fear and apprehension.” It also said three others were active in the recent protests.

Officials have made claims about arrests previously that were later denied.

As Iran struggles to respond, international pressure is growing on Tehran to investigate. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday called for a “credible, independent investigation” into the incidents by the United Nations.

“If these poisonings are related to participation in protests, then it is well within (the) mandate of the U.N. independent international fact-finding mission on Iran to investigate,” she said. Iran hasn’t acknowledged asking for outside help and has described some of the recent incidents as episodes of “hysteria.”

Pinoy Marino Rights

ExEcUTIon pending appeal of labor claims is in consonance with the wisdom of the Supreme court in cases where “the judgment becomes illusory.” (Corona International Inc. vs. Court of Appeals, 343 SCRA 512) as labor litigation takes years before it reaches the Supreme court.

A 2021 study by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) noted that in the period 2015-2019, it took 7.2 years on the average for an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) money claims case to go through the entire judicial process from the date of filing of the complaint in the NLRC up to the date of decision by the Supreme Court.

The CHR noted that one of the usual complaints of OFW party-litigants concerning their right to access to justice is that it takes a very long time before their cases are resolved with finality. The phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” is always put to the test in many OFW cases.

As a result, the CHR noted that many of them enter into amicable settlements and accept payment much less than what they are legally entitled to under the law.

The Rules of Procedure of the National Labor Relations Commission and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board follow the Labor Code in stating that the decision of the NLRC Commissioners

or the NCMB Voluntary Arbitrator/ Panel, which is subsequently upheld or modified following the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration, is “final and executory” after 10 calendar days from receipt thereof by the parties.

Once a judgment has become final, the prevailing party can have the judgment executed as a matter of right. (Honrado v. Court of Appeals, GR 166333, 25 November 2005)

A party may already move for the execution of the monetary award of the NLRC/NCMB even during the pendency of the petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court unless a restraining order is issued by said courts.

Just as a losing party has the right to file an appeal within the prescribed period, so does the winning party have the correlative right to enjoy the finality of the resolution of the case. (Philux, Inc. v. NLRC, 586 Phil. 19, 33-34).

Execution pending appeal was explained by the Supreme Court in

Aris (Phil.) Inc. vs. NLRC, (200 SCRA 246): “The law itself has laid down a compassionate policy which, once more, vivifies and enhances the provisions of the 1987 Constitution on labor and the workingman. These provisions are the quintessence of the aspirations of the workingman for recognition of his role in the social and economic life of the nation, for the protection of his rights, and the promotion of his welfare.

The Court added: “The duties and responsibilities of the State are imposed not so much to express sympathy for the workingman as to forcefully and meaningfully underscore labor as a primary social and economic force, which the Constitution also expressly affirms with equal intensity. Labor is an indispensable partner for the nation’s progress and stability.”

This rule is in harmony with the social justice principle that poor employees who have been deprived of their only source of livelihood should be provided the means to support their families. (Brizuela v. Dingle & Legaspi, GR 175371, April 30, 2008)

The Supreme Court noted in a case that has spanned a dozen years with the disability indemnity benefit not granted, the sad reality is that the seafarer succumbed to his illness, died and cannot now enjoy the fruits of his long protracted struggle for what is right and what has accrued to him. (Oriental Shipmgt. Co. Inc. v Bastol, GR 168269 January 29, 2010)

In cases of litigants with medical conditions, some incur huge debts to sustain their medication while others die before the decision by the

Supreme Court is released forcing the seafarers into accepting an exgratia, miniscule amount. One cannot reclaim the life of the deceased claimant.

The Supreme Court lamented that the claimant “has grown old with the case. He fears he may no longer be in this world when the case is finally decided.” (Borja v. Court of Appeals, 196 SCRA 847 ).   Unlike land based OFWs and local workers, execution of decisions involving seafarer’s claims will soon change once an escrow provision is included in the pending Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers.

The employers and manning agencies again proposed the escrow provision, which, in essence, will have significant impact on the “immediately final and executory” nature of NLRC/NCMB decisions.

They stressed that such move is necessary to ensure the restitution of monetary awards in case the appropriate appellate court annuls or partially or totally reverses the monetary judgment award.

The proceeds shall remain in escrow until such time the finality of the decision issued by the appropriate appellate court is obtained.

The amount in escrow shall not include claims for salaries, statutory monetary benefits, or those originally determined by the employer or manning agency to be legally due to the seafarer.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez. com or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.

Biden administration backs new TikTok bill, wants swift passage

By Jenny Leonard, Anna Edgerton & Daniel Flatley Bloomberg Opinion

Th E White house endorsed a bipartisan bill that could give the president authority to ban or force a sale of TikTok, support that could hasten passage and break a deadlock over how to address privacy concerns around the popular c h inese-owned app.

The bill introduced Tuesday would give the president the ability to force the sale of foreign-owned technologies, applications, software or ecommerce platforms if they present a national security threat to US users. It doesn’t mention Beijing-based Bytedance Ltd.’s TikTok by name, but the video-sharing app, which has about 100 million users in the US, is the clear target.

“We look forward to continue working with both Democrats and Republicans on this bill, and urge Congress to act quickly to send it to the president’s desk,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

This is the first time the Biden administration has weighed in on legislation to deal with the app, which the White House says pose national security risks. Critics of TikTok say it allows the Chinese government access to data and viewing trends of the roughly 100 million Americans—as well as users globally—who have made it one of the world’s most popular apps.

At the same time, the administration wants to avoid the legal challenges that beset former President Donald Trump’s push to ban TikTok and Tencent Holdings Ltd.’s WeChat

Chinese

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continued from A12

support either unification or formal independence for Taiwan but is obligated by federal law to see that the island has the means to defend itself.

“The US has unshakable responsibility for causing the Taiwan question,” Qin said.

He accused the US government of “disrespecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” by offering the island political backing and furnishing it with weapons in response to Beijing’s threat to use force to bring it under Chinese control.

messaging app. Trump ordered those products banned from app stores in 2020, but a federal judge blocked the order, arguing that it would violate free speech rights.

“These risks are not going away, and unfortunately our tools to date have been limited,” Senator Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat who is one of the bill’s cosponsors, said at a briefing Tuesday. “We are going to create a new set of authorities.”

James Lewis, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that “the Trump deal was thrown out of court in less than 30 minutes. This administration has thought carefully about how to do something that will stand up in court. Being able to say, Congress passed a law that gives us this authority really helps.” “It strengthens their hand in any future battle either to negotiate with TikTok or to negotiate with the court,” Lewis added. It was unclear how the bill introduced by Warner and John Thune, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, might affect a separate national-security review of TikTok. That review, led by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or Cfius, was meant to come to an agreement ad-

“Why does the US ask China not to provide weapons to Russia, while it keeps selling arms to Taiwan?” Qin asked.

In Taipei, Taiwan’s defense minister said the armed forces weren’t seeking outright conflict with China’s military, but nor would they back away in the event of Chinese aircraft or ships entering Taiwanese coastal seas or airspace.

“It is the nation’s armed forces’ duty to mount an appropriate response,” Chiu Kuo-cheng told legislators.

Beijing has also accused the West of “fanning the flames” by providing Ukraine with weaponry to fend off

dressing concerns surrounding US user data. But that process appears to have stalled.

TikTok’s opponents in Congress have rejected the company’s assurances that its Chinese owner doesn’t have access to US user data, including viewing patterns and geolocation. In addition, reports that TikTok promotes or hides certain content has raised questions about whether Chinese authorities could influence what content American users see.

TikTok has presented a security plan called Project Texas that pledges to insulate the company’s US operation from Chinese influence. The plan includes an independent board of directors to oversee data security, third party vetting and a partnership with Oracle Corp. to store user data and audit the platform’s algorithms.

TikTok’s response

“THE swiftest and most thorough way to address any national security concerns about TikTok is for Cfius to adopt the proposed agreement that we worked with them on for nearly two years,” TikTok spokeswoman Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement Tuesday. “We have been waiting for Cfius to finalize our agreement for over six months now, while our status has been debated in public in a way that is divorced from the facts of that agreement and what we’ve achieved already.”

The backlash has had TikTok waging an all-out charm offensive globally for months. To drum up goodwill and defend its data protection and content moderation policies in Washington, executives have en-

the Russian invasion. China says it is neutral but said before the invasion that it had a “no-limits friendship” with Russia. It has refused to criticize Moscow’s attack or to call it an invasion.

A Chinese call for a cease-fire in Ukraine that has drawn praise from Russia but dismissals from the West has done nothing to lessen tensions. US officials accuse China of considering providing weapons to Moscow 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

listed lobbyists to engage with more than 100 congressional offices. In the second quarter of last year, TikTok spent $2.1 million on lobbying on issues including children’s privacy, content moderation and antitrust— the most to date.

In comments that may have presaged the Biden administration’s support for the approach in the Warner bill, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview last month that “it’s dangerous business” to “pass a law to outlaw a particular company. I think it’s probably more thoughtful to say, ‘These are the kinds of risks we’re worried about, from these categories of companies and we’re going to enable some department to run a process to assess the risk and take action.’”

Warner’s bill would still need to go through a Senate committee, and it’s unclear where the measure ranks among Chuck Schumer’s priorities. As Senate majority leader, he determines whether it would come to the floor for a vote. It would also need to pass the House of Representatives, where several lawmakers have their own bills that would explicitly ban the app.

Anti-China sentiment crosses party lines in Congress, and a number of senators from both parties said Tuesday they were aligned on taking action against TikTok. Republican Marco Rubio of Florida has said flatout that it’s time to ban TikTok “for good.” “We’re very united on this topic,” Senator Dan Sullivan, an Alaska Republican, told reporters. He said the US needs to “bring all aspects of American power and policy” to the China challenge.

crisis to serve a certain geopolitical agenda,” Qin said.

The annual meeting of the National People’s Congress is due to endorse the appointment of a new premier and government chosen by the Communist Party in a once-adecade change.

The meeting also is expected to name Xi to a third term in the ceremonial post of Chinese president after he broke with tradition and awarded himself a third five-year term as ruling party leader in October, possibly preparing to make himself leader for life. (Associated Press Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington)

Dennis Gorecho

Another toll came from Mohammed Hassan Asefari, a prominent Iranian lawmaker who is on a panel investigating the incidents and has close ties to security forces. He told the semiofficial ISNA news agency that as many as 5,000 students have complained of being sickened in 230 schools across 25 provinces.

A14 Thursday, March 9, 2023

INDUSTRIAL VACANCY SEEN TO DROP TO 4.7%

Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

VACANCY in industrial estates is seen declining to 4.7 percent this year from 5.7 percent in 2022 as investments from manufacturing, ecommerce and logistics industries happen, Colliers Philippines said on Wednesday.

Joey Bondoc, research director at Colliers Philippines, is bullish on the decline in industrial spaces nationwide by one percent during the two periods in review, as he cited in their latest Market Intelligence study a report that the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) greenlighted last month a total of P3.8 billion ($69.1 million) investments.

Such amount allocated for 11 projects is 112 percent higher than the P1.79 billion ($32.7 million) worth of invested capital approved by the agency in February of 2022.

Five of the approved projects this year are intended for export manufacturing, three for facilities, and one for information technology, logistics, utilities and for an expansion of a manufacturing economic zone—all located in Taguig, Laguna, Batangas, Tarlac, and Palawan.

PEZA, likewise, has endorsed 21 ecozone projects to the Office of the President for proclamation, which could potentially create P21.2 billion ($385.5 million) in investments.

I n the previous edition of their market research, he noted that they also expected a new industrial hub of 132 hectares in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas or CALABA corridor, seen to be delivered in 2023, with the completion of three industrial parks in Laguna and Batangas.

A ccording to him, they also project constant warehouse rental rates hike with the likely expansion of semiconductor companies.

A mong the locators anticipated to take up space in the next 12 months are chemicals and automotive manufacturers, as well as transport and logistics firms.

“

Colliers recommends that developers actively participate in overseas missions organized by Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA), including PEZA to capture demand from foreign investors,” Bondoc said of their suggestion to real estate players given such developments.

O n the part of the government, the professional services and investment management company believes that its initiative to build more ecozones will help strengthen the Philippines’s appeal as an industrial and manufacturing hub to international locators.

“

The development of new industrial parks and facilities, specifically in Central and Southern Luzon, should provide potential locators with more options and allow them to haggle for more attractive land and warehouse lease rates,” he stressed.

Bill rightsizing govt bureaucracy clears House on 2nd reading

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

TO improve public service de -

livery, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a Marcos administration’s priority measure implementing a rightsizing program in the national government.

T hrough viva voce voting, lawmakers approved on second reading House Bill 7240 or the proposed National Government Rightsizing Act.

T he bill is expected to be approved on third and final reading next week.

T he bill grants authority to the President of the Philippine to rightsize the executive branch in order to eliminate redundant, duplicate and overlapping functions.

It also provides for optional adoption of the rightsizing program by the legislature, judiciary, constitutional commissions, Office of the Ombudsman and local government units.

T he bill grants retirement benefits and separation incentives for personnel who may be affected by the program.

It also provides a three-year timeline to implement the rightsizing program. The bill seeks to create the Committee on Rightsizing the Executive Branch (CREB) to the best interest of the State to reorganize, merge, streamline or abolish agencies and officers.

Under the bill, the committee shall be composed of the executive secretary as chairperson, and the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management as cochairperson, with the secretary for SocioEconomic Planning, chairperson of the Civil Service Commission and the director general of the Anti-Red Tape Authority as members.

T he bill also mandates the committee to conduct a strategic review and study on the role, mandates, functions, programs, projects, operations, structure and manpower

Cha-cha Express: House rushing bill for a Con-con

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

T his, after members of the lower chamber approved on second reading House Bill (HB) 7352 or the proposed Constitutional Convention Act late Tuesday.

T he measure is expected to be approved on third and final reading next week.

T he measure covers the implementation of RBH 6 to propose amendments to, or revisions of, the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

H B 7352 includes the composition of the Constitutional Convention of 251 elected delegates and appointed sectoral representatives, equal to 20 percent of the total elected delegates.

It also provides the qualifications of the elected and appointed delegates, as well as the disqualification of those convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Under the bill, the election of delegates is set for the last Monday of October 2023, simultaneous with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

T he bill also provides acts prohibited in addition to those acts already prohibited in the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

It also provides emoluments for the delegates—P10,000 for every day of actual attendance and entitlement to necessary travel and lodging expenses.

H B 7325 requires that the delegates of the Constitutional Convention be of recognized probity, independence, nationalism and patriotism.

Under the bill, the Commission on Elections is mandated to issue the rules and regulations to govern the election of delegates to the Convention.

H B 7325 was approved the day

after RBH 6 was passed on third and final reading. The bill was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, among others.

‘Stop the Cha-cha train’ GABRIELA Partylist on Wednesday marched with various women’s rights organizations to unite against the railroading of Charter Change.

W hile the jeepney drivers are on transport strike, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 7352 to pave the way for Charter Change despite mounting calls from the public against it.

Brosas said that Charter change is not the answer to the worsening state of Filipino women in the country.

The government is willing to provide a whopping P10-billion funding for the Constitutional Convention, including P10,000 per day per diem per delegate while it only offered a meager P500 per month for two months for 9.3 million families,” Brosas said.

I n his interpellation on House Bill 7352, Kabataan Partylist Rep.

Raoul Manuel exposed “vulnerabilities” of the current mode of the constitutional convention to the influences of political parties, dynasties, and other powerful groups.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Lorenz Defensor, agreed that anyone can be influenced, but argued that elections will weed out any bad influences.  M anuel also raised questions regarding the criteria for the selection of appointed delegates, so as to limit cases of selection based on political connections.

He also questioned the requirement for a college degree for elected delegates in the Constitutional Convention.

M anuel also found too much the P10,000 per diem allowance for the delegates, saying these are resources that could be used to ensure services for people in need.

Unofficial estimates for personnel services are currently P597 million for salaries and benefits of staff members, P755 million for employers’ share in mandatory contributions, P76 million for secretariat salaries for a total amount of P1.6 billion, said Manuel.

He added that the total estimated costs, when adding P766 million for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and P106M for Capital Outlay, amount to P2.4 billion for the Con-con.

complement of the different agencies under the Executive Branch.

T he CREB shall submit to the President the rightsized organization structure of agencies concerned and the corresponding executive issuances with due consideration of the results and finding of strategic review and study that will be conducted, within 60 days from approval by the committee of the results of the strategic review and study.

T he bill grants the President a power to create new agencies, officers, positions as needed in order to strengthen the capacity of government agencies to perform their mandate; regularize ad hoc offices whose function are vital and significant, thus must be continually undertaken by the government; merge and consolidate agencies whose functions are unnecessarily overlapping or duplicating and could be undertaken by a single entity, or clients are similar or related, to rationalize the use of government resources and split agencies with multifarious functions which are deemed distinct but equally important aspect of governance.

Within the year

EARLIER , Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman expressed confidence that a law to rightsize the government would be passed within the year.

“ If the rightsizing [law] will be passed within the year, then we can start it already,” Pangandaman added.

Pangandaman noted that the rightsizing law is among the administration’s priority measures and part of the common legislative agenda (CLA) of the executive and legislative branches of government.

T he DBM earlier disclosed that the rightsizing of the bureaucracy would result in P14.8 billion in savings at the expense of an estimated 2 million government employees who have been determined to have redundant or overlapping functions.

Salceda prods IMO to pitch anti-inflation EOs

WITH the creation of an Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IMO), an economist-lawmaker on Wednesday urged the IMO to recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the issuance of executive orders to ease prices.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said the IMO should expedite coordination between agencies on fighting price hikes.

T his 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.

“ Now that the IAC is finally constituted, it is high time for our economic team to advise the President on how to use the broad and critical powers of his office to tamp down price hikes,” said Salceda.  “ It’s part of the Inflation Reduc -

tion Powers under my proposed Bayan Bangon Muli Act which we filed in July. If the predisposition of the President is to implement the measures in that proposal piece by piece through executive action, that also works,” Salceda said.

S alceda’s proposal, filed on July 21, 2022, includes the creation of a similar task force to coordinate actions to stabilize the price and supply” of basic goods.

T he proposal also seeks the following special powers: against antihoarding; to incentivize production; to provide loans and guarantees to suppliers of essential goods; against price-gouging; (motu proprio) to investigate market abuse; declaring a transport emergency with special transport powers; and, to mobilize uniformed personnel to expedite programs and projects.

I n an October 2022 memorandum for the President, Salceda recommended issuing a slew of executive orders to fight price hikes.  “At least one of them is already

accomplished. That’s the amended IRR of the Renewable Energy Law, which now allows 100-percent foreign ownership of RE generation,” he said.

S alceda urged IMO to recommend to the President these following orders:

■ EO directing the inventory and release of all procured and available financial and material resources for agriculture, as well as expeditious completion of all pending procurement for agriculture

■ EO ensuring that all supply bottlenecks for food and other farm producer are eased may also be issued

■ AO directing Local Government Units to lift all hindrances and blockages across farm-to-market routes

■ AO directing the Department of Transport to ensure the proper flow of traffic feeding into inter-island nautical routes

■ EO directing that all schools and barangays undertake community edible gardening programs

■ Conduct of food processing and

storage trainings for farmers to manage food surpluses

■ Revival of the vermiculture for animal feed under President F.E. Marcos lower tariffs for imported corn to 5 percent (or raise minimum access volume)

■ Increase current 150,000 MT import program for refined sugar, but under an auction system to reduce price differential and generate revenues for domestic sugar sector support

■ Ensuring that hydropower dams are able to produce optimally through desilting

■ Increasing the production of domestic coal and considering the temporary or managed relaxation of the Department of Energy (DOE) moratorium on the expansion of power plants employing domestic coal

■ Issuing an Executive Order expediting the local and national approval of necessary permits for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

THE proposed Constitutional Convention Act, the accompanying bill of the Resolution of Both Houses 6 calling for a Constitutional Convention, is now awaiting third and final reading approval in the House of Representatives.

SOLIDARITY SIGNAL In a show of solidarity and support for rural women currently facing criminal charges for defending their land rights, members of the global feminist action network World March of Women-Pilipinas gathered at the Department of Justice in Manila on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day, to demand the dismissal of their case. ROY DOMINGO

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

Thursday, March 9, 2023

MPIC 2022 core profit rises on strong demand rebound

By VG Cabuag @villygc

ConglomerATe metro Pacific Investments Corp. (mPIC) on Wednesday said its core net income for 2022 reached P14.2 billion, up 15 percent from the previous year’s P12.3 billion on the strong recovery of toll road traffic and the growth in power consumption.

Revenues for the year rose 28 percent to P519.5 billion from the previous P406 billion.

Attributable income rose 4 percent to P10.5 billion from the previous year’s P10.1 billion, despite lower nonrecurring income in 2022 compared to 2021, which had the benefit of gains from the sale of Global Business Power and don Muang Tollways

amounting to a total of P5.7 billion.

Power accounted for P12.4 billion or 65 percent of net operating income, toll roads contributed P5.7 billion or 30 percent, water contributed P2.7 billion or 14 percent and the other businesses, mainly light rail, healthcare, agribusiness, real estate and fuel storage incurred a loss of P1.8 billion.

For the fourth quarter of 2022 alone, Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla said the company’s core income was about P800 million, flat from the previous year.

she said the company may revive its logistics business this year as this will complement its entry into agribusiness. The company has shuttered its logistics business in 2021.

“Our continuing earnings growth reflects significant volume increases for all our core businesses together with our intense focus on operational efficiencies. This has been achieved on the strength of years of significant investments in improving the quality of our services,” MPIC Chairman, President and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“It has been a transformative year for MPIC. With the same commitment that we have poured into the country’s underinvested utilities sector, we have now bravely pushed ahead with our plans to invest in Phil-

ippine agriculture, a critical area of focus with profound ties to poverty reduction and food security.”

For this year, Revilla said the MPIC as a group will spend almost P80 billion in capital expenditures (capex), slightly lower than its capex budget last year.

“We will have funding requirement of P5 billion plus we will spend some P15 billion in plant acquisition and on agriculture expansion.” she said a chunk of the P80-billion capex will be for power, followed by toll roads which will complete half of the projects this year and the remaining half next year. The rest will be for Maynilad Water services Inc., the West Zone concessionaire.

The company said average borrowing costs for 2022 were significantly reduced, resulting in a 5 percent decline in net interest costs, a result of MPIC’s strategic rerating and refinancing of expensive debt facilities notwithstanding a rising interest rate environment.

ACEN eyes ₧32B in loan facilities

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of conglomerate Ayala Corp., is eyeing to tap credit facilities worth up to P32 billion.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday, the “procurement of additional credit facilities of up to P32 billion” was discussed during the company’s regular board meeting last March 7.

“These are loan facilities we are

SGP declares dividends for Q1

SYNERGY Grid and development Philippines, Inc. (sGP), the indirect controlling shareholder of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), has declared its cash dividend for the first quarter at P0.1737 per share totaling P914,680,924.20.

This is lower than the previous quarter at P0.26 per share amounting to P1,369,125,160.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, sGP said the board approved the declaration of cash dividends from the company’s unrestricted retained earnings in view of the dividends received from NGCP, Pacifica21 Holdings, Inc. and OneTaipan Holdings, Inc.

The first quarter cash dividends will be payable on April 13, 2023 to stockholders of record as of March 23, 2023.

NGCP is s G P’s sole operating asset. It holds the sole and exclusive concession and franchise for operating the Philippines’ transmission network, linking power generators and distribution utilities to deliver electricity to power distributors and cooperatives nationwide. Lenie Lectura

arranging with various lenders, with no specific timing for use yet,” the company said.

Other matters discussed during the board meeting include an execution of a keep whole agreement with Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corp. in relation to the proposed participation by Ingrid Power Holdings, Inc. in a bidding for ancillary services with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; amendment of Articles of Incorporation to create preferred shares via reclassification of100

million unissued common shares into preferred shares; and offering/ issuance, and/or private placement, and listing of preferred shares, subject to stockholders’ and regulatory approvals.

ACEN is targeting to reach 20 gigawatts of renewables capacity by 2030. It is also committed to transition the company’s generation portfolio to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and to become a Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.

At present, the company has about

4,000 MW of attributable capacity from owned facilities in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Australia, with a renewable share of 98 percent, which is among the highest in the region.

“ACEN announced the adoption of a new corporate vision and strategy that targets 20 GW of attributable renewables capacity by 2030. With a strong balance sheet, robust pipeline, and a highly energized organization, ACEN is making significant strides toward accelerating the energy transition in the region.”

Adidas shakes up management

AdIdA s AG slashed its dividend and shook up its management as new chief executive officer Bjorn Gulden tries to turn around the crisis-beset German sports brand.

d e spite vowing to speed up decision-making, Gulden held off on the biggest question investors are asking of the German sportswear company: What will it do with $1.3 billion worth of unsold Yeezy gear?

With no immediate answer forthcoming and Adidas saying there’s only a 15 percent to 30 percent chance it’ll sell the remaining products from its now defunct partnership with the rapper known as Ye, the current year will be challenging.

To help make Adidas faster, Gulden said he’s personally replacing Brian Grevy, the head of global brands, who is leaving the company. The new CEO said Wednesday he still plans to return to profitable growth in 2024 by building brand

awareness, reducing discounts and chipping away at excess stockpiles of sneakers and apparel.

If Adidas writes off the unsold Yeezy products—old versions of which continue to fetch high prices on sites like eBay—it would lower the company’s operating profit by €500 million ($527 million) and lead to Adidas’s first annual loss in more than 30 years.

Adidas’s entire stockpile of unsold sneakers and apparel had a value of about €6 billion as of the end of december, up 49 percent from the prior year. That situation had already been a problem even before Adidas in October cut ties with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after he unleashed a string of hateful and antisemitic rhetoric.

The stock fell as much as 2.4 percent in morning trading in Frankfurt.

Adidas has initiated arbitration proceedings against Ye claiming damages, the company said in the

annual report. While Ye’s side has filed counterclaims, Adidas said it currently doesn’t expect that will lead to any cash outflow.

Among other management changes, Arthur Hoeld will become head of global sales in April, replacing Roland Auschel who is leaving after a 33-year career at Adidas.

Gulden is looking to pivot beyond the Yeezy fiasco and build brand heat again with a strategy that “balances global direction with local needs, that is fast and agile,” he said in the statement.

Catering products to local markets is becoming a particularly urgent problem in China, once Adidas’s growth engine. sa les in the AsiaPacific region plunged 31 percent in 2022, in large part because Adidas failed to overcome the country’s widespread boycotts of western brands.

Adidas proposed slashing the annual dividend by 79 percent to 70 cents. Bloomberg News

CDC CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera led the celebration of National Women’s Month in Clark Freeport Zone. CDC Photo

B1

SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (sM FB) on Wednesday said its profits in 2022 grew 12 percent to P34.7 billion from the previous year’s P31.41 billion despite heightened geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges.

Consolidated revenues rose 16 percent to P358.9 billion from the previous year’s P309.77 billion, driven by higher volume growth across its beer, spirits, and food divisions. The company said it also optimized pricing strategy across its portfolio to manage the impact of rising raw material costs.

“sMFB’s results prove the resilience of our business model as we navigated a very difficult environment in 2022. Looking to 2023, we expect to continue to deliver operational excellence and invest in growth to drive long-term value for our shareholders. At the same time, we will continue to ensure that our products are within reach of every Filipino,” said Ramon s Ang, the company’s president and CEO. san Miguel Brewery Inc. had revenues of P136.2 billion, up 17 percent from the previous year. domestic operations saw volumes grow amid a favorable market environment, continued easing of Covid-19 restrictions, a buoyant economy, and robust

consumer spending. Its international operations sustained its strong performance with volumes up double-digit from the prior year, on the back of gains in its exports, Indonesia and Thailand operations.

sMB’s income from operations rose 10 percent to P29.5 billion.

Meanwhile, its spirits business led by Ginebra san Miguel Inc.’s income from operations rose 13 percent to P6 billion. The company said it had an 11 percent sales growth to P47.3 billion, driven by higher volumes and a modest price increase earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, the income of sa n Miguel Foods from operations rose 15 percent to P13.3 billion. The company sustained its robust topline performance throughout 2022, posting consolidated revenues of P175.3 billion, 16 percent higher than last year.

Almost all its businesses delivered strong double-digit revenue growth, led by its flour, feeds and prepared and packaged food.

“Amidst rising inflation, volumes in most segments grew, boosted by intensified distribution, aggressive promotional activities, launch of new products and utilization of additional capacity from new facilities,” the company said. VG Cabuag

THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will defer the collection of around P1.1 billion of generation charges over a twomonth period. However, this will still result in an increase in overall rates for March at P0.62 per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Meralco, in a letter to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) dated March 6, informed the commission about its plan to defer the collection of generation charge to cushion the impact of rising power rates.

The total projected generation charge increase for March is P0.92 per kWh. This was brought about by higher electricity spot market prices.

Meralco, with the cooperation of power generation companies, will defer the equivalent of P0.40 per kWh

to April and May 2023. Thus, the generation charge increase for March will be reduced to P0.52 per kWh. If taxes and other charges are included, the total increase for a residential customer will be around P0.62 per kWh in March, down from the estimated P1.1 per kWh total rate increase.

The final rate adjustment, including transmission charges, for March will be announced by Meralco on Friday.

The ERC said it would have to verify the figures submitted by Meralco. “such increase shall be subject to further validation by the Commission as to compliance with the underlying power supply agreements and substantiation of any fuel pass through component, as applicable,” it said on Wednesday. Lenie Lectura

for 2 months

Financial literacy to aid girls in career–groups

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

YOUNG Filipino girls would have a better chance of becoming financially independent with sufficient financial literacy education, according to Plan International Philippines (PIP) Inc. and Visa Inc.

The nongovernment group and the American multinational financial services corporation are working together to promote financial education among youth and young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds and help girls take better control of their careers, lives, and future.

They launched a project to enhance and localize the financial literacy content through Plan International’s “Hope Town Hero” app. Aside from work readiness skills, the app also teaches basic financial literacy skills such as building a healthy money mindset, and has an in-game tool that lets learners create financial goals and monitor their monthly budget.

“Teaching financial literacy to girls and young women is not just about providing them with useful financial tips, it’s also about preparing them to make informed and effective decisions about their finances,” PIP Country Director Ana Maria J. Locsin said. “With these tools in hand, they can recognize and grab the opportunities that can push their potential and improve their quality of life.”

Girls and young women especially need useful financial literacy to facilitate their transition into living independently and boost their capacity to make decisions, yet many

of them are not learning the information they need to participate in today’s economy.

“Our partnership with Plan International will impact the lives of thousands of young people by providing them with education and skills that will enable them to become financially independent adults who contribute meaningfully to their families and communities and is just one way we are delivering on our purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid,” Visa Vice President for Inclusive Impact and Sustainability Patsian Low said.

Visa’s financial education modules will be integrated into the offline-capable, game-based app to amplify the reach, quality, and impact of the program.

The project targets to reach 5,000 young users and will be implemented in complementation with other projects under the Youth Economic Empowerment and Disaster Reduction and Management programs:

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Tacloban, Cotabato, and Metro Manila.

Based on the results of the 2017 National Health and Demographic Survey, 43 percent of women aged 15 to 64 years old decided on how her cash earnings can be used.

Further, 54 percent of women in this age group belong to households where both wife and husband jointly decide on how a woman’s cash earnings are used.

The data from the Philippine Statistics Authority also showed 75 percent of women in 2017 were currently married and employed in the past 12 months.

BIR Region-7A eyes over ₧97B in revenue collections this year

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

P250,000 to P400,000 would now be 15 percent of excess over P250,000 from 20 percent of excess over P250,000 before.

“We need to surpass that challenge. We will improve our enforcement to cover the reduction in individual income taxes,” Mailig told the BusinessMirror.

He said the region would gather all the necessary data to determine the extent of the impact of the reduction in individual income taxes on the region’s overall collections.

BIR Region-7A Regional Director Mahinardo G. Mailig said they plan to surpass the P87.5 billion taxes collected by the regional office last year.

BIR Region-7A’s total tax collections last year was 8.72-percent higher than the P80.4891 billion it collected in 2021. BIR Region-7A is the second biggest revenue region in the country in terms of annual tax collections behind Makati City.

“We are planning to surpass that.

We are planning to increase actual collections by 11 percent,” Mailig told the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the region’s tax campaign kickoff in Quezon City last Wednesday.

Mailig disclosed that it was the region’s internal target since the BIR main office has yet to release the breakdown of annual collection target per revenue region this year.

The BIR, as a whole, is targeting to collect nearly P2.6 trillion in taxes

this year, about P259 billion higher than the P2.34 trillion it collected last year.

Challenges

MAILIG said one of the challenges they plan to overcome this year through intensified enforcement is the reduction in the individual income tax rates following the implementation of the second tranche of the salary tax reduction as mandated by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, or “Train,” law (Republic Act 10963).

Under the Train law, the tax rate for individuals earning between P250,000 to P8 million would be slashed further by 2-percentage points to 5-percentage points depending on their tax brackets. The reductions in personal income tax took effect last January 1.

For example, the personal income tax of individuals earning between

MBC ‘trusts’ govt to address profiteering vs inflation

By Andrea San Juan

THE Makati Business Club (MBC) said it “trusts” that the government will address profiteering to beat inflation.

This was expressed by MBC Executive Director Francisco Alcuaz Jr. who lauded the government’s strategy through a statement released by the organization last Tuesday.

“We applaud the government making this highly proactive move to strategize inflation,” Alcuaz said.

The MBC official explained that inflation is both global and local as it is the “strongest headwind” threatening the country’s recovery, job creation, and cost of living. With this, Alcuaz said, “we trust that they will address not just normal supply and logistics issues but immoral and illegal profiteering as well.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced last Tuesday that

Inflation slowed down to 8.6 percent in February.

The slowdown was expected by Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (“Go Negosyo”) Founder Jose Maria A. Concepcion III. In a televised interview last Wednesday, Concepcion said he sees commodity prices slowly going down since the price of coal and wheat are gradually declining, which leads to the decline in the prices of flour.

“So as Covid is already easing off and disappearing to some extent, supply chain is coming back; China is coming back you know,” Concepcion said, noting that the Ukraine-Russia crisis is the remaining culprit in the global arena.

“Kung wala ‘yan palagay ko babagsak uli ang presyo ng mga commodities natin [Without that, I think the price of our commodities will fall again]; but it’s coming down.”

Meanwhile, in a statement issued also last Tuesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual vowed that the Depart-

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

Pascual reiterated his position that the country needs to adopt a “wholeof-government” approach in managing inflation, while pursuing food security and a “more stable” market prices for basic necessities and prime commodities.

“We will also intensify our price monitoring efforts, ensuring that Filipino consumers will not fall victims of unfair and unjust business practices.” Pascual said.

Big test

THE Trade chief 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. [We want to make sure

there is enough food on the table of every Filipino family.]

In line with this, Pascual committed to continue working on improving the country’s agricultural value chain and expanding access to affordable agricultural products in local markets.

Among the initiatives that the Trade chief listed down as a strategy to beat inflation is to coordinate with local price coordinating councils to monitor and ensure stable prices and steady supply of basic goods in the market.

Itong global inflation, isa itong malaking pagsubok sa ating pamahalaan kaya naman mahalaga na magtulungan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno nang sa gayon ay masolve rin natin ’yung mga challenges sa local supply chain,” Pascual was quoted in a statement as saying. [This global inflation is a big test for our government, that’s why it is important that government agencies work together so that we can also solve the challenges in the local supply chain.]

DBM urges agencies to ID climate-change programs

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) urged various government agencies to identify more programs aimed at mitigating the effects of the climate crisis on the country as the national government remains keen on hiking funding for climaterelated programs.

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the national government allocated P464.5 billion this year for climate change-related programs and projects, which was 60.1 percent higher than the P289.7 billion allocation last year.

At present, the total budget for climate change-related programs account for 8.8 percent of the national government’s P5.268 trillion budget this year.

“While we are on track with our ‘Agenda for Prosperity,’ our efforts will be futile if we are unable to address climate change, as it continues to pose significant risks to our economic development,” Pangandaman told attendees of the annual Climate Change Expenditure

(CCET) virtual orientation

held recently.

“As stated in the World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Report for the Philippines published in November 2022, mainstreaming climate considerations in public financial management is crucial in climate change adaptation and mitigation,” Pangandaman added.

The DBM chief emphasized that it is important to identify environment-related programs and projects in the national budget and to track the expenditures to these programs “efficiently.”

Priority projects identified

PANGANDAMAN urged her colleagues in government to “keep in mind that we are doing all these to ensure that our economic progress is moving towards a truly inclusive and sustainable economy — one that will be felt by every individual, family, and entity in the country, and will benefit not only citizens in the world today but also in the generations to come.”

This year, the national government is spending P464.5 billion

for various climate change mitigation and adaptation programs that include water sufficiency, sustainable energy, food security, climate smart industries, among others, the DBM said.

The programs are aligned with the country’s National Climate Change Action Plan, according to the DBM.

“Water sufficiency projects are prioritized, with almost 80 percent of the total climate change budget, followed by sustainable energy, food security, ecosystem and environmental stability, climate smart industries and services, human security, and knowledge and capacity development,” it said.

The DBM said some of the agencies and programs funded by P464.5 billion include the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (P20.5 billion), Quick Response Fund (P17.15 billion), Flood Management program (P182.99 billion), National Greening Program (P2.39 billion), Manila Bay Rehabilitation (P1.56 billion) and Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management program (P246 million).

Mailig added that BIR Region-7A is also intensifying its digitalization efforts to improve its collections as part of the overall policy thrust of the BIR main office.

“We follow the policy of the national [office]. Today, we have electronic payment systems; our registrations are electronic as well as other services are online already,” he said.

Celebrities

MAILIG noted that celebrities and media personalities’ tax payments contribute significantly to the region’s overall collections.

In fact, Mailig added that they are also banking on the influence of celebrities, media personalities, online influences and content creators in urging the public to pay their taxes correctly and punctually.

“The celebrities are paying and we are always monitoring them. We also monitor the influencers and content creators and they are also paying properly,” he said.

The region recognized its top tax-

payers during the Wednesday event that included celebrities and personalities such as Coco Martin, Anne Curtis-Smith, Willie Revillame, Maja Salvador, Michael V., Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Liza Soberano, and Vic Sotto, among others.

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui emphasized the importance of Region-7A in the bureau’s overall revenue collections as it is “one of the largest metropolises” in the country “in terms of population” and economic activity. Lumagui pointed out that Region-7A has been surpassing its tax collection targets at least in the past two years, noting that it was able to collect P80.4 billion in 2021 when businesses are “still adjusting to the new normal.”

Region-7A exceeded its tax collection targets in 2021 by 7 percent and by 8.9 percent in 2022, Lumagui added. The BIR Region-7A comprises four revenue districts: Regional District Office 28 (Novaliches), Regional District Office 38 (North Quezon City), Revenue District Office 39 (South Quezon City) and Revenue District Office 40 (Cubao).

Earlier, finance officials expressed confidence that the BIR will achieve or even surpass its P2.599-trillion target revenue collections for this year on the back of an improving economy and digitalized taxpaying services. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/02/08/dof-seesbir-hitting-%e2%82%a72-599t-target/)

Maybank revises upward inflation outlook to 5.9%

Climate-related expenditures

IN an earlier statement, Pangandaman said the national government’s climate-related expenditures grew at an average rate of 21.3 percent from 2015 to 2023.

The CCET seeks to contribute to the attainment of climate change-related provisions in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 through efficient monitoring of programs aimed at mitigating the impact of the climate crisis. The CCET is a workshop organized by the DBM and the Climate Change Commission aimed at tracking, monitoring and monitoring programs that “help address problems posed by climate change.”

Part of the workshop was explaining to government agencies the “necessity” of “intensified” climate change planning and programming, according to the DBM. The DBM added that national government planning officers, budget officers and climate change technical representatives were also briefed about the importance of CCET as a component of the national budget preparation.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

THE two decade-high core inflation rate prompted the Maybank Investment Banking Group to revise upward its inflation outlook for 2023.

In its latest research note, Maybank said it now expects inflation to average 5.9 percent from the initial estimate of 4.6 percent in 2023.

The bank also expects monetary authorities to raise rates by another 50 basis points (bps) to an interest rate of 6.5 percent within the first semester of 2023.

“We raise our 2023 headline inflation rate forecast to +5.9 percent vs. +4.6 percent previously [2022: +5.8 percent] and expect subsequent easing in monthly inflation to be gradual, mainly on base effect from the high monthly inflation rate last year,” Maybank said.

Last Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that headline inflation slowed to 8.6 percent in February but core inflation rose to 7.8 percent, the highest since March 1999 when core inflation was at 8.1 percent.

Core inflation excludes certain highly volatile food and non-food items. It started increasing in March 2022 when it increased to 2.2 percent from February 2022. The PSA said this means core inflation has been steadily increasing for the past 13 to 14 months. (Full story here: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/03/07/inflation-slowsdown-to-8-6-in-february-psa/)

“We expect BSP to raise the policy rate by another +50bps to 6.5 percent before the end of 1H 2023 and stay there until 2h [second half] 2023. With core inflation continuing rising, together with ‘zero’ output gap this year vs ‘negative’ output last year, we expect headline inflation to potentially remain persistent this year. The next BSP monetary policy meeting is on 23 Mar 2023,” Maybank said. Maybank explained that food inflation is expected to remain elevated in the near term due to high global food inflation fueled by high fertilizer and feed meal costs.

This is while the government has introduced measures such as Executive Order (EO) 10 in December which extended EO 171 to maintain lower import tariff for pork, rice, corn and coal until December 2023.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Maybank said, also issued Sugar Order 6 in February allowing the importation of 440,000 metric tons of refined sugar in 2023. Agriculture damage caused by disasters such as typhoons, meanwhile, could also affect inflation. Maybank noted that based on data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), and Department of Agriculture (DA), typhoons had a significant impact on farm output.

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region-7A (Quezon City) eyes to increase its revenue collections this year by at least 11 percent year-on-year to over P97 billion on the back of better individual tax payments, its director said.

Obesity is a disease, has negative impact on mental well-being

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes | Contributor

In the Philippines, cases of obesity continue to rise, doubling in the past decade and with alarming frequency among adults. Nearly 4 out of 10 adults are overweight or obese, putting them at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases.

Despite being labeled a simple lifestyle choice, obesity is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive approach to prevention and management.

“Obesity is not just about being overweight; it is a chronic disease that affects the whole body. The prevalence and burden of obesity in the Philippines are alarming, and we need to understand the physiological aspect of obesity to provide appropriate management and care to those affected,” said Dr. Joy Arabelle Fontanilla, an endocrinologist, during a recent press briefing held at the Bonifacio Global City.

BMI cutoff points

I N its recent survey, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)-Department of

Science and Technology (DOST) said approximately 27 million Filipinos are considered overweight or obese. Further, it is particularly prevalent in the Philippines where 36.6 percent of individuals aged 20 years or older meet the World Health Organization (WHO)  BMI or Body Mass Index cutoff points for being overweight or obese.

Over 1 billion people worldwide are affected by the global obesity epidemic, including 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents, and 39 million children. The WHO predicts that this number will continue to rise, with 167 million individuals projected to experience declining health due to overweight or obesity by 2025.

Meanwhile, medical organizations like Novo Nordisk Philippines recognizes the urgent need for action and aims to educate patients, doctors, and stakeholders on the psychological aspects of obesity and the hope of defeating this chronic disease.

Dr. Edgardo Tolentino Jr., a psychiatrist, warned of the serious consequences of obesity

such as stress and mental breakdown.

“The stigma and discrimination associated with obesity can lead to psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Addressing the mental health effects of obesity is crucial in providing comprehensive care and support to individuals affected by this chronic disease,” noted Dr. Tolentino.

Dr. Nemencio A. Nicodemus Jr., professor at the UP College of Medicine and president of the Philippine Association of the Study of Overweight and Obesity, said health professional organizations have a big role to play in communicating to the public the perils and consequences of obesity.

“Medical societies play a crucial role in addressing the complex issue of obesity in the Philippines. By continuously advocating for evidence-based approaches to prevent and manage obesity, medical societies can help change the narrative around this chronic disease. With the support of the medical community, we can improve the health and well-being of Filipinos affected by obesity and other related diseases,” explained Nicodemus.

The voice of the public DANISH multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk recognizes the importance of addressing the psychological aspects of obesity and encourages patients, doctors, and stakeholders to join the conversation and break the stigma surrounding this chronic disease.

“As a country that values health and wellness, Denmark recognizes the importance of addressing the global obesity epidemic. We share in amplifying the conversation on obesity and promoting awareness and education to combat this chronic disease. We support the efforts of Novo Nordisk and other organizations in providing innovative treatments and comprehensive care to those affected by obesity. Together, we can make significant progress in defeating this public health challenge,” emphasized Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael “Dan-Dan” Mellbin.

“At Novo Nordisk, we believe in driving change in obesity by providing innovative treatments, supporting research and education, and collaborating with stakeholders across the health-care ecosystem. We are committed to empowering individuals affected by obesity to live healthier and fulfilling lives, and we will continue to lead the way in this critical mission,” noted Cihan Serdar Kizilcik, Vice President and General Manager, Novo Nordisk.

During this year’s observance of World Obesity Day on March 4, 2023, the theme is “Changing the perspectives: Let’s talk about obesity.” It aims to provide a platform for people affected by obesity to share their experiences and stories, thereby empowering them and creating a more compassionate dialogue around this chronic disease. This theme seeks to shift the narrative from one of shame and stigma to one of empathy, understanding, and support.

Early diagnosis, intervention can help combat dengue–expert

By Rory Visco Contributor

THOUGH already seen as endemic in the Philippines, dengue continues to be a serious threat to the health—and lives—of many people all over the world. Over the last 50 years, the incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold and has expanded its reach to more countries, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections recorded annually, though 80 percent of them are seen as mild and asymptomatic.

Despite it being endemic already in the country, there are still dengue cases that become severe thereby causing deaths. This disease, transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, will not go away, so what’s critical in avoiding dengue deaths are proper diagnosis, early intervention and clinical management, especially at its onset in the first few days.

Dengue in the PHL

DR . Rontgene Solante, Chairman of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine section of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, said during the recent Stop C.O.V.I.D. Deaths webinar titled “Nakakamatay Ba Ang Dengue?

Update on Clinical Management of Dengue” organized by the University of the Philippines, the UP Manila NIH National Telehealth Center and UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH)

By Candy P. Dalizon

CANCER is now the third leading cause

o f death in the Philippines and its costly treatment regimens impose a heavy burden on patients and their families.

“For many years, cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in the country. Sadly, Filipino families, even those in the upper-income brackets, are vulnerable to catastrophic health spending due to high treatment costs and limited coverage of cancer care under public programs,” said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman during the recent Philippine National Cancer Summit. DBM has released the 2023 Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) amounting to P500 million to the Department of Health (DOH). The CAF aims to complement and supplement existing financial support mechanisms for various cancer care and control services that are not yet covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and only partially covered

that the country has always been a country considered as a threat for any increase in the number of dengue cases. He said transmission has been documented all year round and even before 2003 up to 2013. During the rainy season, cases will be higher than expected. The Department of Health (DOH) said anyone is vulnerable, and the highly vulnerable ones are those 25 years and below.

Dr. Solante said in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned that the Philippines is one of those countries with the highest number of dengue cases during its 2019 surveillance report, with higher mortality and higher case fatality rate. “The WHO’s initial report in 2018 said one of the major gaps is the delay in the institution of appropriate therapeutic modalities. Overhydration among patients was also one of the causes of mortality. The DOH released an administrative order to update and form an informed standardized protocol for doctors, whether in private or government facilities in the diagnosis and treatments of dengue,” Dr. Solante pointed out.

Common causes of mortality

THE findings of the WHO Dengue Mission Activity in the Philippines in July 2018 revealed that the three most common causes of mortality are delay in presentation to the health care system resulting in delayed admission to tertiary centers where most of the time, patients

by the Malasakit Program.

While there are government funds and public and private organizations offering financial aid to cancer patients, these may not be enough considering the number of cases and high cost of cancer treatment.

Affordable oncology care

RE COGNIZING this problem, AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo shared how AC Health continues to work with like-minded partners, such as Siemens Healthineers and Varian, to help realize the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital’s vision of providing more affordable oncology care in the country.

AC Health’s Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the country’s first dedicated cancer hospital, is set to open by the third quarter of this year.

“Our goal is to offer the best value private hospital for cancer care. We are working with our partners to ensure that our cancer hospital will provide very competitive rates for diagnostics, radiation, chemotherapy, and

are already in severe form of dengue, leading to delayed institution of appropriate rehydration, and delay in instituting appropriate rehydration measures in hospitalized patients, where there were gaps in fluid hydration; and fluid overload.

The report, he said, also emphasized important measures for consideration to alter and decrease mortality of suspected dengue patients. These involved the early diagnosis and indication for admission, early detection of plasma leakage and time-sensitive institution of fluid rehydration, the investigation and correction of common complications in case patients do not respond to conventional IV fluid therapy, the early detection of bleeding and early blood transfusion, then early diagnosis in cases with unusual manifestations, especially those with encephalopathy or the presence of co-morbidity or other superimposed bacterial infections.

Management gaps

HE ADDED that in 2020, the DOH formed a Technical Working Group to review some of these gaps in dengue management, one of which is the incorporation of innovative diagnostic modalities such as the Dengue NS1 antigen rapid diagnostic test. “This will somehow help us diagnose the patient with dengue and I think this has been implemented in the primary health care setting, that it should be

surgery to a broader base of Filipino patients,” said Borromeo.

Borromeo was one of the speakers during the cancer summit held on February 23 and 24 at Crowne Plaza Galleria, Quezon City. The event was organized by the Philippine College of Surgeons - Cancer Commission Foundation to rally stakeholders in the battle against cancer.

Collaboration

DRAWING from AC Health’s experience in putting up the country’s first dedicated cancer hospital, Borromeo spoke about the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in bridging the cancer care gap in the Philippines.

“I am a big believer that the private and public sectors should work hand-in-hand towards improving oncology care here in the Philippines. In no other industry is collaboration more evident than in health care, as we saw firsthand during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Borromeo.

In the special panel discussion, “A Closer

readily available so that physicians will have a very good diagnostic tool to confirm it at the level of the primary care center.”

Dr. Solante also cited a journal of infectious diseases regarding lessons learned in case management of dengue that listed a host of problems and proposed solutions when it comes to clinical management to reduce dengue Case Fatality Rate (CFR). Some of those problems include improper diagnosis and triage of dengue, to be solved by earlier recognition and clinical/laboratory diagnosis, improper recognition and management of plasma leakage, with optimal fluid management as a solution, improper recognition and management of bleeding, with optimal transfusion as possible solution, while complications of multiple organ failure can be solved through earlier recognition and management of severe dengue to avoid prolonged shock.

“The key to dengue management has always been reducing mortality and morbidity by recognizing the disease phase the patient is experiencing. It is also essential that patients, parents or guardians, and clinicians are cognizant of the warning signs and symptoms. It is also important for clinicians to recognize early the presence of dengue and at the same time look for some of the warning signs that will somehow educate the patient and clinicians to anticipate so they should be appropriately managed,” he explained.

Look at Cancer Centers,” AC Health Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Maria Carissa Alejandro further elaborated on interventions in reducing the cost of cancer care and how these can be applied in building the country’s first dedicated cancer hospital.

“Health services need to go beyond pricing and focus on creating greater value for patients. We hope that the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital will serve as a model for more affordable cancer care in the Philippines,” said Alejandro.

AC Health executives said the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital has reached 75 percent completion and is set to open in the third quarter of this year in Taguig City. It will be the first comprehensive and dedicated cancer hospital in the country, offering a complete range of cancer services, from screening, diagnosis, treatment, to post-cancer care. Equipped with 18 chemotherapy infusion units, two linear accelerators (LINACs), and all the essential diagnostic and imaging machines, the hospital will be focused on improving overall patient experience and e nabling multidisciplinary cancer care.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Seek IMMeDIATe MeDICAL ATTenTIon For AnIMAL BITeS To AvoID DeATH By rABIeS

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Ev E ry m onth of March is celebrated as r a bies Awareness Month.

The Department of Health (DOH) said rabies is a human infection that occurs after a transdermal bite or scratch by an infected animal, like dogs and cats.

I t can be transmitted when infectious material, usually saliva, comes into direct contact with a victim’s fresh skin lesions. r a bies may also occur, though in very rare cases, through inhalation of virus-containing spray or through organ transplants.

Fatal but preventable

r A BIES is considered to be a neglected disease, which is 100 percent fatal though 100 percent preventable.

I t is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country but it is regarded as a significant public health problem because it is one of the most acutely fatal infections and it is responsible for the death of 200 to 300 Filipinos annually.

Cases

DOH officer-in-charge Maria r o sario ve rgeire said that 43 cases of rabies were recorded from January 1 to February 18 this year. All were fatalities, according to ve rgeire. “Itong 43 na kaso na ito ay hindi rabies mismo. These are animal bite cases,” she said in a media forum on March 7. This figure, she said, is lower by 4 percent as compared with the same period in 2022.

Data from the DOH’s epidemiology bureau showed that rabies had a case fatality rate of 100 percent.

Signs and symptoms of rabies

THE DOH said that the first symptoms of rabies are similar to those of the flu such as general weakness or discomfort, fever, and headache.

A s the rabies virus incubates inside the body, the person may experience an itching sensation around the bite area and symptoms of cerebral dysfunction such as anxiety, confusion, and agitation.

Patients will later experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia, and insomnia as the disease progresses.

Meanwhile, dogs infected with the rabies virus develop the following symptoms then die within 10 days:

n Unprovoked abnormal aggression

n r e stlessness

n Incoordination and paralysis

n Lethargy

n Hoarse barking or inability to do so

n Hyper salivation, excessive salivation or foaming at the edges of the mouth

Incubation period

THE incubation period takes two to three months as the rabies virus travels from the bite area to the central nervous system. There are exceptional cases where incubation only lasts two to three days or can take as long as six months. If you are bitten by an animal, immediately wash the bite or scratch area and apply iodine-containing medication on the wound.

C onfine the dog or animal for observation and report the circumstances of the bite to a health-care professional. N ot all animal bites require rabies specific treatment, but if the dog exhibits symptoms of the virus or its background is unknown (i.e. the dog is a stray), the person must get a rabies vaccine or post-exposure prophylaxis. Should the dog remain healthy after 10 days, it is still best to take the rabies vaccine preventively, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Post-exposure prophylaxis

A POST- E x P OSU r E p rophylaxis or PEP is the administration of the rabies vaccine to a person after being exposed to the rabies virus.

I n countries where rabies is endemic, like the Philippines, it is necessary for a person to undergo PEP immediately after an animal bite, regardless of the health of the animal in question.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis

A P r E - E x POSU r E p rophylaxis or PrEP , on the other hand, is the administration of the rabies vaccine before exposure to the rabies virus.

I t is recommended for individuals whose work puts them at a higher risk of animal bites or whose circumstances limit their ability to seek immediate medical attention.

The DOH reminds the public that once clinical symptoms begin to develop, rabies is almost always fatal.

T here is currently no effective medication for patients who have entered this stage of the disease, the DOH said. Ways to prevent the spread of rabies DOGS cause almost all cases of rabies in humans. As such, vaccinating at least 70 percent of dogs in places where rabies is endemic will break the transmission of the disease.

Training dogs to socialize with people properly will contribute in minimizing the transmission of rabies by preventing animal bites altogether.

Avoiding stray dogs will also keep chances of catching rabies in the community low.

Obesity is a disease, not a lifestyle disease. Obesity also has a negative impact on the mental well-being and social and economic status of those who are considered obese.

Toddler edition of family love and laughter ‘play list’

6 tips to appreciate the little things in life

WHENEVER we have our attention only on the bigger picture in life, we tend to overlook its simple joys. Instead of living each day full of energy, we find ourselves feeling stuck and yearning for more.

Personal finance expert Sam Hawrylack, the coowner of financial independence and early retirement platform How To Fire and brand marketing agency SJ Digital Solutions, highlighted the importance of appreciating the little aspects.

“When you’re focused on what’s going on right in front of you, life doesn’t feel as stressful or mundane,” she explained. “Instead, you realize how much you have to be grateful for. You’ll enjoy every step it takes to reach your goals, financial or otherwise.”

In Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance and media educational platforms in the US that provides women with financial guidance, Hawrylack likewise advised her readers to consider living on less to concentrate on what is meaningful.

“The things that make up everyday happiness will lead to much more personal and financial peace when you accept it,” she added. “Learning to be thankful for what you have can keep you from filling the need for more with things you don’t really need or want.”

Echoing Hawrylack, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde shared several tips on how to recognize the things that nurtures and sustains our being.

1. Spend time with loved ones. Life is short. Moments cannot replace things. Savor the memories you create with loved ones. Be there for each other’s core memories.

2. Go through old memories. Revisit photographs, videos and keepsakes. Treat yourself to a trip down memory lane. Allow yourself to immerse in the joys of these moments. Enjoy the good times.

3. Celebrate your financial wins. Every win is a win. This comes in different ways: being frugal, saving enough money for a short-term goal, or stocking up on your emergency fund. Set small milestones and celebrate them.

4. Keep a gratitude journal each day. Take a few minutes to sit down and think about the good that happened. Make it a part of your wake-up or bedtime routine. It may be non-monetary events you are grateful for, which made your day a little more special.

5. Create a visual board. Document everything good. Pin photos of your family, friends, pets or anything that produces a smile. Place the photos somewhere that you see them often. Let these be a reminder of all the riches you have in your life.

6. Slow down and be present. Stop rushing through life. Focus on what’s in front of you—no matter how small. Relish in the moment. Stop thinking about what you do or don’t have.

LAST week, I discussed about the weekend “play list” for infants that involved easyto-follow routines with sensory play incorporated into baby’s daily activities. For parents with toddlers who did not start with these play routines, there is no need to worry at all. Your toddlers are just as open and ready to start their happy learning journeys at this stage.

For my own toddlers then, I feel very lucky to have been guided well by my children’s teachers on how life skills were more important at this stage. I remember having a conversation with Meagan’s teacher then, worried I was at the time why my nearly three-year-old was not yet reciting the whole alphabet. Teacher Vangie assured me then that literacy and other cognitive skills will all eventually be learned. She then emphasized that as a toddler, it is more important to learn the basics of learning like listening, following instructions, and understanding logic like cause and effect, because they are the foundations of how information is picked up by children.

Being an early childhood educator now, I realize that I was then raising my toddlers before with a combination of skill-building and socio-emotional learning (SEL). I underscored emotional values equally, if not even more than cognitive skills. I felt the best gift I could give my child was to empower them to become happy and emotionally strong individuals.

My emotional goals during my children’s toddler years were: to build my child’s curiosity and love for learning; to allow my child to be good with mess and mistakes; to do chores like cleaning and packing away to know they could help in the house; to let my child feel love and show this love and appreciation to the people around them like their siblings, grandparents, helpers, etc.; and to continue providing emotional security through family routines like daily time blocks, nightly bedtime stories and weekend play nights. I will discuss time blocks in later articles.

These goals became the basis of how I picked the activities, as well as the play tools/toys, that I would buy and prepare. Below are my top 5 picks on how we built love and laughter as a family during my children’s toddler years:

1. SWIMMING. Water has always provided a relaxed environment for my children, as well as helped in building their gross motor skills. We also play a lot of water games like finding P5 coins that I would scatter in an actual or inflatable pool.

2. ‘FUN-DAMENTAL MULTISENSORY’ ACTIVITIES. During weekends, I loved to “gamify” basic fundamentals. Aside from our favorite Bingo games, you could do match-it games like play the

fastest to get most red objects wins. Find electronic toys that have a gamified function like The Learning Journey Elephant colors and shapes, or the Counting Cookie Jar.

3. ‘MESSY IS BESTY’ ACTIVITIES. I believe the future world of our children requires not perfection, but the agility to adapt to their fast-changing world. Psychologically, I felt that my children should be comfortable with “mess” and iterations. Safe finger paints was a staple, where we would draw objects, letters, numbers with their fingers. But here is the fun part, my toddler would be in an inflatable pool so she would feel the paint on her thighs and legs. After that, we would pour more water in the pool with all her wooden letters then pretend to make alphabet soup. My most favorite activity was when we would combine primary paint colors in the pool to form secondary colors. Seeing the amazement in your child’s eyes is priceless.

4. ART AND EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES. My children also loved markers at this stage. I think it

Bullying within a family can have lifelong repercussions

By Corinna Jenkins Tucker University of New Hampshire

NEARLY 80 percent of US children grow up with a sibling. For many, brothers and sisters are life companions, close confidants and sharers of memories. But siblings also are natural competitors for parents’ attention. When brothers and sisters view parents’ love and attention as limited—or lopsided in favor of their sibling—rivalry may ensue.

Rivalry can motivate children to develop unique talents, abilities—such as in academics, sports or music—and other characteristics to gain their parents’ attention. Sometimes, however, rivalry can lead to jealousy and bickering—and too much of it can lead to aggression, bullying and even abuse and violence.

We are researchers who focus on sibling dynamics, parenting and mental health. Conflict among siblings is widely viewed as normal but, in the past decade, a new body of research consistently shows that sibling aggression and abuse are far from harmless—and can have lifelong repercussions.

OVERLOOKINg AggRESSION

AGGRESSIVE behavior is characterized

by an intent to cause harm, including physical pain and humiliation. Many behaviors between siblings fit this definition.

In 2013, using data from over 1,700 US children, we found one-third of children under age 18 experienced physical, property or psychological sibling victimization in the previous year. In fact, sibling aggression is the most common form of family violence, with more children victimized by a sibling than by

a caregiver. It’s a form of family violence not talked about, despite its ubiquity.

Parents often rationalize aggressive sibling behavior—it’s just rivalry, it’s normal, no one got hurt. Sometimes adults even think it’s good for kids’ development to deal with aggressive behavior—that it makes them tougher.

For some, sibling aggression can be chronic and cross over to sibling abuse, which can leave physical or psychological injuries. Abuse involves objects, weapons,

over again. It is good there is now a Crayola Colorand-Erase Mat available, so children are free to draw and change their strokes more easily.

We also explored many places during weekends. Our favorite place was the bookstore—to the point that even when Meagan got lost in National Book Store at age two, she did not even cry.

5. ‘I BUILD ME’ ACTIVITIES. This is my favorite activity of all because I saw how my children grew their belief in themselves. The first activity I saw this was in cleaning. I saw how they would have their child-size cleaning tools in Montessori school. It was good that there was a Melissa-and-Doug child-size broom and mop. So, part of my play corner at home included cleaning materials.

Another activity was stacking and sorting activities. I loved how all these concepts come together. On one occasion, my son drew a rainbow, then I challenged him to build a rainbow with his favorite toy cars. I cannot explain the happiness he showed that day from accomplishing this. n

multiple tormentors or sexual assaults. A widely held view is aggression between siblings cannot be abuse. But for a surprising number of children, it is. This false belief has led to many suffering in silence.

LONg TERM EFFECTS

SIBLING aggression is linked to worse mental and physical health across the life span of the perpetrators and victims. Both experience higher rates of depression, substance use, delinquency and sleeplessness. Additionally, data shows just one incident of victimization at the hands of a sibling is linked to worse mental health in childhood and adolescence. Experiences of sibling aggression also influence other relationships. Parent-child relationships can suffer. Some victims may become estranged from their sibling and parents. Additionally, sibling aggression and victimization behavior is often reflected in peeranddating relationships.

PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

PArENTS often want simply to stop the behavior and move on—or ignore it.

However, this is a missed opportunity for teaching important social skills. To help

children have positive relationships in their lives, parents should teach how to navigate conflicts in a healthy way.

When aggressive behavior occurs, parents should immediately interrupt it. Without taking sides, parents can help their children from a young age learn skills that lessen aggression, such as listening, seeing another person’s perspective, managing anger, negotiating and problem-solving. In cases of sibling abuse, teaching siblings conflict resolution skills is not appropriate. Engaging in mediation may further victimize the targeted child when there is a power imbalance and potential or actual serious harm present. Being victimized and abused is not a form of rivalry; it requires the family to seek help from a mental or physical health professional. Research shows it’s time to change the commonplace idea that aggressive sibling dynamics are harmless. Caregivers should take these behaviors as seriously as they do peer bullying or other forms of family violence. Addressing sibling aggression and abuse can improve children’s mental and physical wellbeing—as well as the quality of their relationships, both inside and outside the family. THE CONVERSATION

PHOTO BY KRAKENIMAGES ON UNSPLASH

#MaskUpForHope launched to push for continued awareness, vigilance against infectious diseases

Manila Doctors Hospital recognizes partners of CSR initiatives programs

IN its thrust to strengthen the power of volunteerism, empower communities, and deliver accessible healthcare and medical needs to the marginalized and the underserved, Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) recognized its outstanding internal community and external partners at the recently concluded SHINE Awards 2022 last February 23, 2023 at Dr. George S.K. Ty Medical Tower Penthouse.

An acronym for Service, Harmony, Integrity, Nurture and Excellence, the SHINE Awards is an annual gathering to celebrate the milestones of MDH’s Corporate Social Initiatives Office (CSIO) through the volunteer efforts of the internal community and significant contributions of external partners. In 2022, CSIO reported a total of 1,299 volunteers (internal and external) rendering 14,467.13 volunteer hours, 3,598 volunteer instances, and more than P60 million waived professional fees.

Recognized internal volunteers and external partners received tokens and special certificates produced and handwoven by the event’s official partner, Bayo Manila, through their collaboration with the community of weavers in Angat, Bulacan, and one of CSIO’s partner, Care Channels Social Enterprises.

MDH President Arlene P. Ledesma expressed her delight and gratitude for all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the hospital’s social initiatives. “In today’s live staging of the 9th SHINE Awards, we return to our roots with our original theme, SHINE For Humanity,” she added.

Ledesma also applauded the nominees for the 9th SHINE Awards, citing their significant roles in being the embodiment of light and hope for the humanity. “Shining for humanity does not mean attracting attention to what we’ve done, but to illuminate hope in our brothers and sisters and show that Manila Doctors Hospital is here to lend a hand,” she added.

Cross-industry partners, companies, brands, social enterprises, non-government organizations and foundations, government agencies and offices, and even individual benefactors graced the event and were recognized for their significant contributions and partnerships to the hospital’s social vision.

The roster of partners include Absolute Distilled Drinking Water; Abbott Laboratories Philippines; Alagang Kapatid Foundation; AXA Philippines; Capiznon Sa Manila; Clara

Ole; Davies Paints Philippines, Inc.; Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry; Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region and Ford Motor Company Philippines.

Also recognized were GT Foundation; Herran Bakery; Hospicio De San Jose; ICTSI Foundation Inc.; Jason Manufacturing Philippines Corp; JYA’s Multi-trade Distribution; Lydia’s Lechon; McCormick Philippines; Mackiers Trading; Maris Pure Corporation; Master Pest Control; Mayani’ Maybank Philippines; Romeo and Shirley Sy; Rodrigo Bayna and Aileen Abayon.

Other partners who were recognized were New SO’s Enterprises; Office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian; Organica Nutrition Inc.; Pacific Paint Philippines, Inc. (BOYSEN); Paco Asia Plumbing and Hardware; Philippine Savings Bank; Radio Veritas through Caritas Manila; Stone of David Corp,; Silungan Ng Pag-Asa; The Wellex Group Inc.; Tinapayan Festival Bakeshoppe; Unilever Philippines and Uno & Una Macalintal

Meanwhile, recognitions were also bestowed on the internal community including the different directorates, departments, and employee-volunteers of the hospital. MDH President Arlene P. Ledesma acknowledged and recognized the relentless efforts and skills of employees and doctors. “In time of great need, despite the ever-challenging

conditions we have faced, you devoted your time, talent, and skill to serve our communities. We salute you for the lifechanging acts of service that you have given to our beneficiaries”, she added.

In collaboration with different organizations, the MDH Corporate Social Initiatives Office (CSIO) currently has 19 programs in the facets of Health, Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Partnership Building.

Manila Doctors Hospital remains to be the International Hospital Federation’s (IHF) most-awarded hospital in the Philippines in the areas of quality and patients’ safety, green hospital, service excellence during crisis, and sustainability initiatives. MDH-CSIO is also a recipient of the Excellence Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Category by the Asian Hospital Management Awards in 2015 and 2016. In 2022, MDH-CSIO also won the Silver Award in the International Hospital Federation’s Sultanate of Oman Health Service Excellence During Crisis Award during the 45th World Hospital Congress in Dubai.

It is also the very first winner of PMA Agora Award on Outstanding Achievement on Advocacy Marketing in support of the United Nations Global Compact–Sustainable Development Goals in 2019. Manila Doctors Hospital is also a founding member and currently a board member of the Global Compact Network Philippines.

Biotin (Wolvit®) prevents hair loss caused by biotin deficiency

AFULL head of hair is commonly associated with feminine allure or masculine appeal. No matter how it’s cut or styled, thick, smooth, and shiny tresses enhance a pretty face or lend a kind of charm to plain and homey ones. In fact, nothing gives the average man or woman a better confidence boost than a lush, wellstyled mane.

Thus, it can be quite distressing for anyone to note signs of early hair loss, such as regular shedding of hair in the shower or waking up to find significant amounts of hair strands on one’s pillow.

Providentially, before all these lead to the more visually upsetting stage such as a “receding hairline,” there is a product that’s formulated to help restore the thickness of your hair and prevent serious hair loss:

Biotin (Wolvit®).

Biotin is a key part of the body’s protein synthesis, especially in keratin production. Keratin is the most important protein that the body needs to produce and maintain healthy hair and skin—plus better nail growth.

In a study published in the Skin Appendage Disorders journal, it was found that common afflictions resulting from biotin deficiency include alopecia, eczematous skin rashes,

seborrheic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and more. This often manifests as excessive hair loss, brittle nails, or dry skin. These are conditions that may produce an emotional toll on the afflicted, as well. After all, excessive hair loss can cause your self-confidence and self-esteem to plunge, and feelings of insecurity to set in.

Marco Elmer Manus, Group Product Manager at Kusum Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Brand Office, spoke on how Biotin (Wolvit®) helps those suffering from biotin deficiency. “The signs of biotin

AN infection, prevention and control (IPC) campaign dubbed #MaskUpForHope in the New Normal, will kick start this March 2023 to raise awareness on the importance of continued vigilance against infectious diseases through in-person education and social media awareness programs.

Medtronic, Project HOPE, Peopleto-People Health Foundation and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) team up to conduct health training in the Philippines amid the ongoing Covd-19 pandemic.

The Philippines has been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with almost four million cases reported. Despite the resumption of economic activities nationwide, infection surges and incomplete vaccinations continue to pose a threat to public health. In response, Project HOPE and ASSIST launched a campaign for community stakeholders across the Philippines, including students, teachers and staff as face-to-face classes resume as well as local government officials and industry workers in transportation and logistics as public transportation returns to full capacity.

#MaskUpForHope IPC training will roll out in Marawi this March 14 to16, the capital city of the province of Lanao del Sur in Mindanao. Along with its rehabilitation efforts, Marawi has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 6,000 cases reported as of February 2023. This is part of the organizations’ efforts to support the community’s Covid-19 response, address vaccine hesitancy and improve the delivery of health care services under the new normal setting in the region. The Master Trainer’s Program will be joined by technical-vocational school trainers, barangay health workers, barangay nutrition staff, youth leaders and local government representatives.

“For over 60 years, Project HOPE has been committed to providing health

education and care to communities around the world,” said Rabih Torbay, President and CEO of Project HOPE. “Our partnership with The People-to-People Health Foundation and ASSIST in the Philippines is a testament of our continued commitment to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting the communities that are most affected by it.” ASSIST Executive Director Francis Macatulad said, “We are excited to join forces with Project HOPE and The Peopleto-People Health Foundation to launch this campaign in the Philippines. Through our collective efforts, we hope to continue raising awareness on the importance of IPC measures and empower communities to protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19 in the new normal.”

In addition to training, informational stickers and posters will be installed in hospitals, clinics, public spaces, transport terminals, public vehicles and schools to promote awareness on IPC measures. These efforts aim to ultimately encourage communities to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases in the Philippines.

For more information on #MaskUpForHope In the New Normal, please visit ASSIST Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ASSISTAsia.

Power Mac Center’s Basecamp opens March training schedules for Apple certification courses

deficiency can be difficult to deal with,” said Manus. “One starts to worry about their health and lose confidence in their looks. it’s disquieting! That’s why we want to tell everyone, ‘Hey, relax! There are things you can do. A good diet, regular exercise, and taking Biotin (Wolvit®) will help.’” Manus asserts that there’s no need to be alarmed when hair loss starts setting in. A healthy lifestyle combined with Biotin (Wolvit®) provides the body the biotin it needs to produce healthy hair, skin, and nails.

A study conducted by the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine found that the use of Biotin (Wolvit®) “has positive effect on the structure of the skin and its appendages (hair, nails).” In a review of 18 cases—published in Skin Appendage Disorders—where biotin was used in response to hair loss, it was found that all showed evidence of clinical improvement.”

All this gives hope to those suffering from hair loss caused by biotin deficiency. So for those looking to prevent early hair loss, Biotin (Wolvit®) is here, reminding everybody, “Don’t lose it! Use Biotin (Wolvit®)!” Biotin (Wolvit®) is available in all leading drugstores nationwide.

BASECAMP, Power Mac Center’s official training provider, is officially opening enrollment to its March training sessions. With Apple Certified Professionals teaching Apple certification courses, it’s perfect for individuals and groups seeking to reskill or upskill their tech knowhow and boost their competitiveness in the Apple ecosystem.

Courses include Apple Device Support (March 7 to 9), Apple Deployment and Management (March 13 to 14), App Development with Swift (March 22 to 24), Pages, Numbers, and Keynote (March 27 to 31), and Final Cut Pro X (March 29 to 31).

Delivered through specialized training methodologies and guided exercises, these are specifically designed to help learners deploy, support, and troubleshoot devices, as well as familiarize themselves with existing powerful applications or even create their own. Customized sessions can also be arranged for groups of at least 10 participants.

Other courses include macOS Fundamentals, macOS Technical Troubleshooting, Mac and Windows Integration Basics, Professional Development for IT and School Administrators, Professional Development for Educators, iOS/iPadOS Fundamentals and Troubleshooting, and 1-on-1 tutorial. There are also VIP courses on Onsite Support for Mac or iPhone/iPad, and Zoom Video Conference Support, as well as certification exams, namely, Apple Deployment and Management Exam and Apple Device Support Exam for those looking to beef up their credentials.

“If you want to invest in yourself, Basecamp is the starting point of your digital expedition. It helps people boost their productivity and work competitiveness so

they can take advantage of the economic opportunities that the future will bring. Our course offerings are designed to empower individuals to maximize the utilization of Apple technology—whether it’s for growing in their current career, preparing for a new role, or simply for their creative pursuits,” said Maleng Raysag, Basecamp Head.

Basecamp carries courses tailored for learners across different age groups, i.e., kids, teens, and adults or professionals. Established in 2009 under the former name PMC Business Systems, Inc. (PBSI), it rebranded as Basecamp this year to strengthen its commitment to support Filipinos’ digital skills training needs and prepare them for an even more techdriven future.

Its on-site and online quality training and services equip customers with technical skills that help address the ever-changing demands of the modern workplace, as well as creative skills that enable them to pursue meaningful endeavors and unleash their full artistic potential.

Basecamp has 15 years of experience in servicing the training needs of close to 10,000 enrollees, with more than 50 students with Apple certification. It continuously aims to produce more Filipino Apple certified professionals and uplift the industry to support the growing number of customers in the country.

Invest in yourself! Book a training now at <https://bit.ly/PMCBasecampCourses> or inquire via <basecamp@powermaccenter.com> or +63 908 885 6277. You can also visit the training location at the 3rd Level of Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. Follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube to be updated on promotions and special deals on Basecamp training fees.

ALAGANG KAPATID FOUNDATION IS ONE OF MDH CSIO’S EXTERNAL PARTNERS. Onstage with Alagang Kapatid’s Menchie Silvester (center) were: (left to right) Dr. Hian Ho N. Kua, Hospital Director; Arlene P. Ledesma, President; Aniceto Sobrepena, Vice Chairman of the Board; and Dr. Mario Juco, Medical Director.

Envoys&Expats

dignitaries from different countries who attended the International Bamboo Festival in her hometown of Las Piñas City. She thanked Israel’s ambassador Ilan Fluss and his spouse Gila, Austrian ambassador Johann Brieger and spouse Roswitha, Swedish ambassador Annika Thunborg and spouse Aaron Tovish, French ambassador Michèle Boccoz, Belgian ambassador Michel Parys, Brazil’s ambassador Antonio J.M. de Souza e Silva, German cultural attaché Kai Tomzig and Japan’s deputy chief of mission Kenichi Matsuda for witnessing the momentous event.

NEW NATURE CENTER Ambassador Michèle Boccoz of France (third from left) and Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (third from right) led the groundbreaking of the Shark Fin Bay Environmental Research Center in Pangatalan Island, Palawan on March 2. The French Facility for Global Environment granted funding of €527,000 to the privately-run Sulubaai Filipino-French nongovernment organization to strengthen the region’s resilience, and engage local communities on the management of the protected areas. The center will serve as a venue of scientific innovations and research to enhance the conservation and protection of the island’s coastal and natural resources, said the Embassy of France.

The Netherlands, Germany uphold gender equality, rights, advocacies

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

“...The [Kingdom of the] Netherlands stand in solidarity with you to promote equal rights, fight stigma and discrimination, as well as increase the visibility of educating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/ transexual, [queer and many other] persons,” remarked Ambassador Marielle Geraedts during the launch of the “Philippine Financial and Interindustry Pride (PFIP) Playbook:” a compendium of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, programs and practices for local organizations.

Geraedts thanked legislators— mainly Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros—for championing the SOGIE Bill despite opposition from conservative elements, and also credited LGBTQ+ advocates who lobbied their respective local governments to pass their own antigender discrimination laws.

The envoy mentioned Quezon City, led by Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, as a local government champion of gender equality by educating the public on the stories and rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are seeing the fruits of your labor, [as we are making more] gender champions around the world,” the Dutch diplomat disclosed. More

AMBASSADOR Anke Reiffenstuel of

“The Philippines does not have a comprehensive antigender discrimination law that protects the LGBTQ+,” she said.

the Federal Republic of Germany said the Philippines has to exert more efforts in pushing for gender equality and inclusivity.

“As we launch the PIFP Playbook, we still have a long way to go. According to the World Economic Forum Index on gender equality, the Philippines dropped from 17th to 19th,” Reiffenstuel remarked.

Although Executive Order 100, or the “Institutionalizing the Diversity and Inclusion Program, Creating an Interagency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and for Other Purposes” was passed during the Duterte administration, the German envoy pointed out that LGBTQ+ members and minorities experience violations of their rights which discourages their full participation in the labor market and denial of access to basic public health services, plus they are exposed to hate-related and heinous crimes.

Although there are still challenges in pushing for pro-LGBTQ+ initiatives, Reiffenstuel said the introduction of the PFIP Playbook is encouraging and inspiring because of the commitment as well as consistent and long-time dedication of principal stakeholders and the lawmakers: “What I have seen today is exciting. Fighting, working and advocating for gender equality is not an ‘either-or.’ It is not a top-down approach, but [one from] all directions where everybody is involved.”

“More…businesses are realizing that [diversity, equity and inclusion] are not only buzzwords; these ideas carry hope and progress for many in the LGBTQIA+ community who are deserving of recognition and respect as they live and work according to their true selves and identities,” Geraedts added.

‘Big win’

FOR her part, Hontiveros acknowledged the significance of the PFIP Playbook in the country’s continued fight for a national antidiscrimination law that protects persons of di-

GENDER EQUALITY WEEK

The Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently holding the Taiwan Gender Equality Week, concurrent with the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. TGEW will offer an expanded series of events showcasing Taiwan’s advances and achievements in technology and gender equality. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila invites Filipinos to watch “Taiwan Main Stage: Promoting Gender Equality in the Digital Age” on March 10 at 7:30 a.m., and the Nongovernment Organization CSW67 Forum until March 17—both of which will be streamed live on YouTube.

PNA inks news-exchange accord with Israel’s TPS

STATE-RUN Philippine News Agency (PNA) and Israel’s Tazpit Press Service (TPS) inked a cooperation agreement that would increase the flow of news content between their respective countries.

duce our two countries [and] peoples to each other. [We’re celebrating] 65 years of friendship, and we look forward to collaborating with TPS,” the executive editor said.

verse SOGIESC.

“At the heart of the bill, there are only basic rights. Through the PFIP Playbook, educating organizations, institutions and communities we are part of has never been easier,” the solon said. “Bigger battles are won through the victories of many smaller [groups]. No win is ever too small, and a win like today’s playbook is bigger than many.”

The PFIP Playbook is a critical resource for business managers and industry leaders keen on building safe and welcoming, diverse and inclusive, as well as ethical and sustainable bodies. Based on the experiences and expertise of leading private groups in the Philippines today—all recognized employers of choice—the playbook defines possibilities within the current socio-legal landscape, and directs stakeholders toward greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in work places and beyond.

Supported by extensive research by the University of the Philippines’ Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, the playbook also chronicles PFIP’s successes in its first decade. It features case studies illustrating the diversity, equity and inclusion journeys of PFIP member-companies: from early pains, to landmark wins.

US arms Phil. Natl Police with bomb-disposal gear

ON March 1 United States am-

bassador MaryKay Carlson led the turnover of bombdisposal equipment valued at P182.3 million ($3.3 million) to enhance the antiterrorism capabilities of the Explosive and Ordnance DivisionCanine Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-EOD/K9).

The donation of explosive countermeasures kits consists of bomb suits, digital X-ray machines, seven Ford Ranger pickup trucks and tactical medical kits. They are geared to enhance the capabilities of the PNP EOD/K9 Group in searching, identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices, while facilitating the collection of evidence for legal proceedings.

“This turnover ceremony underscores the increasingly strong

relationship between the US and the Philippines as friends, partners and allies,” Carlson said during the turnover ceremony held at Camp

Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. “This year the US has invested more than P276 million [or some $5 million for] specialized training and equipment

to the PNP in the areas of explosive ordnance disposal, crisis response, digital forensics, investigations, and intelligence fusion. [My country] remains steadfast in its friendship and commitment to the Philippine government, and we are very proud of our continuing partnership in the fight against terrorism.”

“We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer in our ability to fulfill our mission to keep our communities safe from terrorism and other forms of criminality,” said PNP director for Logistics Police Major General Ronaldo Olay on behalf of PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. “This donation also highlights the strong [ties] between the PNP and the American Embassy.”

Under the deal, PNA and TPS would exchange English news and multimedia news services free of charge, plus share best practices through their respective reporters, editors and technical experts.

The pact also covers possible training and visits to either of the countries.

Ambassador Ilan Fluss, who witnessed the signing at the PNA Office in Quezon City, welcomed the agreement and described it as a “bridge” to boost the two nations’ understanding of each other.

“I look forward to seeing more…interesting information—about Israel because in the Philippines, when you read about [my country], it’s more… from the international agencies,” Fluss said. “This serves as an opportunity to understand and have different kinds of information… coming out of Israel.”

The ambassador believes that Filipinos would be interested in reading more about archaeology, technology, as well as religion written from the Holy Land itself.

Presidential Communications OfficeNews and Information Bureau (PCO-NIB) director Raymond Burgos and PNA executive editor Demetrio Pisco Jr. both see the signing as a milestone for the country’s official news wire service.

Burgos said the PNA would be a “close partner” to TPS, and report on various stories that are often overlooked by other media outlets.

Pisco, for his part, said the cooperation is timely as the Philippines and Israel mark 65 years of friendship this month.

“I hope in our own way, we can intro-

TPS director Amotz Eyal and TPS director of International Operation Miri Ovadia signed the deal for the Israeli news agency from their Jerusalem headquarters.

The former hoped that the news deal would help enhance the two nations’ relations, as he assured to bring news content from Israel without a hint of bias.

“I think that the fact that we can start and share actual information, truthful stories, [we] can elaborate the relationship between the countries to a new level,” Eyal said. “Our goal here in TPS is to present Israel without bias in the news. And we see our partnerships as something that is really important for the truth.”

Aside from national news, Eyal said TPS produces enterprising stories focused on Israel as a technology hub, and a leader in agri-tech.

Aside from Fluss, the signing was also witnessed by PCO-NIB assistant director Lee Ann Pattugalan, PNA deputy executive editor Luis Morente, TPS strategic advisor Robert Besser, and TPS senior editor Pesach Benson.

TPS is an independent news agency, and is the only Israel-based news service that directly gathers and disseminates real-time information for use by local and international news organizations, according to its web site.

PNA has similar deals with Italy’s ANSA, Morocco’s MAP, Türkiye’s Anadolu, the United Arab Emirates’ Emirates News Agency, China’s Xinhua, and South Korea’s Yonhap, among others. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

BAMBOO FESTIVAL

Senator Cynthia A. Villar (inset) acknowledged the presence of

EMBASSIES of the Netherlands and Germany recently backed the country’s established rights on sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

AMBASSADOR Marielle Geraedts

AMBASSADOR Anke Reiffenstuel (left) and Senator Risa Hontiveros (right)

MaryKay Carlson (middle), with Program Management Specialist Liezl Domingo (from left), Resident Program Manager Ronald Dizon, Regional Security Officer Steve Lesniak,

EXECUTIVE editor Demetrio Pisco Jr. (from left), Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Director Raymond Burgos and Assistant Director Lee Ann Pattugalan FB: ISRAEL IN THE PHILIPPINES

DE LA SALLE University stretched its unbeaten run to four matches after sweeping University of the East (UE), 25-20, 25-21, 25-14, in University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball action on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But the Lady Spikers had to stave off several attempts by the Lady Warriors to score an upset.

U E trailed by only three late in the first set, 18-21, and even went 4-0 in the second set, but De La Salle was able to manage their opponents on both occasions.

“ We started slow and we’re complacent,” De La Salle’s interim coach Noel Orcullo said. “They [UE] matched our pace in the first two sets and we didn’t stick to our game plan immediately.”

Thea Gagate had 13 points on eight attacks and five blocks, while rookie Angel Canino had 10 points, eight excellent receptions and seven digs for De La Salle.

Van Bangayan led the fight for the Lady Warriors with 14 points and eight digs with Ja Lana scoring 11 points.

A damson University beat University of Santo Tomas (UST), 25-15,

25-17, 25-19, while Far Eastern University (FEU) downed  Ateneo de Manila University in a marathon 2512, 15-25, 19-25, 25-15, 18-16 match also on Wednesday. K ate Santiago and Trisha Tubu had 13 points apiece for the Lady Falcons, who improved to 3-1 won-lost.

R enren Peñafiel had seven points and Imee Hernandez and Xyza Gula got six points apiece as UST head coach Kungfu Reyes used all but one of his 14 players as his team went 2-2 in a tie with FEU.

Jovelyn Fernandez delivered 18 points and 13 digs while Alyzza Devosora and Mitzi Panangin got 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Lady Tamaraws.

Eighteen-year-old libero Marga

Encarnacion produced 35 digs and 12 excellent receptions, and Gerzel Petallo added nine points for FEU.

The win was FEU’s first against Ateneo since May 4, 2019, when the 29time champions forced a rubber match in the Season 81 Final Four with a 1025, 25-23, 25-22, 12-25, 15-8 victory. Vanie Gandler had a triple-double of 13 points, 16 digs and 12 excellent receptions and libero Roma Doromal had 18 digs and 16 receptions for Ateneo.

Marcial out 3 weeks with injured knuckle

The doctor told me to rest this hand [knuckle] for three weeks,” said Marcial, who received a Special Citation from the PSA along with his national boxing teammates.

Nothing serious and I can go back easily,” added Marcial, who underwent surgery in La Vegas before he flew to Manila last February 24.

M arcial reinjured his knuckle during his two-round technical knockout victory over Ricardo Ruben Villalba of Argentina in their nontitle eight-round bout last February 11 in San Antonio, Texas.

He’s now 4-0 with two knockouts as a professional boxer.

“Even during my amateur days, my knuckle has been a problem,” he said.

He said that frequent excessive force from his arm damaged the soft tissues in his knuckle. His left hand, however, are okay.

By Pat Graham

The Associated Press

DENVER—Sorry, Giannis, the National Basketball Association (NBA) wanted back that rebound. Your fourth triple-double of the season, too.

Some might say nice try, others have an issue with what is known as stat padding.

EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL will be away from the gym for at least three weeks until his injured right fist heals.

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Marcial showed up with his right hand in a cast during the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards on Monday night at the Diamon Hotel.

Marcial, 27, a native of Zamboanga City, will figure in his fifth pro fight— perhaps another eight-rounder or this time a 10 rounds—in July or August in the US, according to his Mexican trainer Jorge Capetillo.

Marcial reiterated that he’s no longer competing in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games in May and the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, a Paris Olympics qualifier, is not officially on his calendar just yet.

Josef Ramos

Zubiri on arnis: Our neighbors are getting stronger

a former national arnis athlete. “It’s a competition, but we will do the best we can and get as many golds [possible].”

By Josef Ramos

SENATE President Sen. Juan

Miguel “Migz” Zubiri believes the Philippines will have a run for its money in arnis in the 32nd Southeast

Asian Games Cambodia is hosting from May 5 to 17.

Zubiri, head of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Federation (PEKAF), said Myanmar, Vietnam and host Cambodia have vastly improved in arnis after recruiting Filipino masters as coaches and trainers.

“It’s really hard to tell,” said Zubiri,

SENATOR Christopher Law -

rence “Bong” Go co-sponsored

Senate Resolution No. 50 Tuesday congratulating and commending Julie Uychiat for being the first Filipina to finish the World Marathon Challenge.

G o, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, hailed Uychiat for winning four of the seven

There are 12 gold medals staked in arnis in Cambodia in men and women bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight categories for live stick and padded stick contact bouts as well as in anyo (form).

Our opponent became stronger like Myanmar [which] has a Filipino coach,” Zubiri said. “Vietnam is catching up while Cambodia has the home court advantage.”

The Philippines won 14 of the 20 gold medals in the 2019 SEA Games with Vietnam bagging four and Myanmar and Cambodia one apiece. Arnis, however, wasn’t on the Vietnam program last year The PEKAF is fielding 40 athletes to Cambodia.

Go lauds Uychiat

marathons in the 2023 edition.

He said Uychiat’s journey in the grueling competition inspired Filipinos to believe that they can achieve their goals and dreams through hard work and dedication.

AN ISSUE CALLED STAT PADDING

W hen Milwaukee MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to orchestrate his 10th rebound Sunday night in the final seconds of the Bucks’ win against Washington, it sent the world of social media into overdrive.

A long with it, dredged up conversations about the touchy topic of stat padding, which insinuates that someone, whether it be on the basketball court or even in the world of online video games, compiles results oblivious to what’s going on around them.

A rebound shy of the triple-double mark, Antetokounmpo was running out the clock when he stopped near the basket. He hesitated for a moment before lightly tossing the ball at the bottom of the rim and grabbing it for what appeared to be his 10th board.

Even the announcer was like, “Does that count?”

It did—until it didn’t. On Monday, and following a review by the league, his official line read: 23 points, 13 assists and nine boards.

W hile wiping away Antetokounmpo’s last rebound was probably an easy call for the league, it sometimes can be a fine line between padding one’s stats and just playing the game hard.

Russell Westbrook no doubt heard the innuendos when he was a tripledouble machine. Two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic recently heard aspersions, too.

A ntetokounmpo’s rebound was on the

blatant side (his name got added to a Wikipedia entry on “stat padding”).

“ I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one,” Antetokounmpo said in a postgame interview following a 117-111 win over Washington.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone doesn’t believe Jokic would ever try to steal one. Still, Jokic heard the noise directed his way after recording his 100th career triple-double on Feb. 28. The Denver big man sarcastically addressed comments made by ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, who intimated Jokic was guilty of stat padding.

I mean, when you’re stat padding it’s easy, you know,” Jokic told the Nuggets’ TV

network Altitude Sports of notching the milestone.

A sked if he heard the chatter, Jokic amusingly responded: “Yes, of course. I mean, it’s true.”

Concerning the late-game actions of Antetokounmpo, Perkins commented on Twitter: “Every player has padded their stats at some point during their career.”

Players in triple-double territory do often know when they’re closing in on the usually impressive stat line. Some even know exactly what’s required. They know when they need one rebound or one assist, and so do their teammates. They almost always defer in those moments for the benefit of someone else’s stats.

Teams get stat sheets delivered in every time-out. Scoreboards in the the arenas show every number imaginable. Everybody knows the deal in those moments.

There have been memorable, and strange, examples of the lengths players will go to get there.

Cleveland’s Ricky Davis shot at the wrong basket in 2003 to try and get the one rebound he needed; it wasn’t awarded by the stat crew and Utah was highly annoyed at Davis’ antics with 6 seconds left in what was a 25-point game. He was trying to embarrass somebody.... I’d have knocked him on his” butt, the late Jerry Sloan, then the Utah coach, said that night.

W hen the obvious doesn’t happen, stat padding tends to become hilarious.

Take the game in 2017, when Dwyane Wade was with the Chicago Bulls and needed one rebound for a

As chairman of the Committee on Sports, let me reiterate my steadfast commitment to our Filipino athletes in always ensuring that their rights and welfare are always on the forefront of my priorities,” Go said.

PhilCyling women’s team makes podium in Stage 1 of Biwase Cup

THE national women’s road team earned a podium finish behind two Vietnamese squads in Stage 1 on Wednesday of the 13th Biwase Cup in Vietnam where the nationals’ modest goal was to warm their legs and gain international exposure for the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games in May.

The team—composed of Kate Yasmin Velasco, Marianne Dacumos, Mathilda Krog, Avegail Rombaon and Mhay Ann Linda—wound up behind Vietnamese squads Cong Ty Cp Tap Doan Loc Troi and Tuyep TP. Hcm Vinama after the 66-km criterium around Binh Duong New City.

A ll three teams had identical accumulated clocking of 10 hours, four minutes and 48 seconds (total time of the five riders) with the team THE PhilCycling national women’s team share the podium with two Vietnamese squads.

classification determined by the order of finish of the individual riders.

Velasco finished eighth and Dacumos 10th in the provisional individual results and later wound up 10th and 12th, respectively, after the time and sprint bonuses were applied for the general classification.

Rombaon, Krog and Linda were in 17th, 24th and 26th in the field of 90 cyclists spread out over 18 teams from the host country, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiawan, Thailand and Kazakhstan.

They all finished in a bunch 12 seconds behind 1-2-3 individual finishers Maneephan Julatip (one hour, 40 minutes and 36 seconds) (four seconds behind) and Nguyen Thi Thu Mai of Vietnam and Nur Aisyah Binti Mohd Zubir (five seconds behind) of Malaysia. Velasco, Dacumos, Rombaon and Krog are regular riders of the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance team, while Linda, who’s racing abroad for the first time, made the national team from Team Excellent.

triple-double. Kay Felder took the game’s final shot for Cleveland, it missed and the ball was magically coming right to where Wade was standing with 1 second remaining— that is, until Bulls teammate Cristiano Felicio knocked the ball away.

Wade fell back in disbelief, then gave Felicio a look as if to ask, “Why?”

My teammate didn’t want me to be great,” Wade said that night, smiling, though mildly bothered.

Wade did just fine without that triple-double; he’s almost certainly going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Andray Blatche, however, is not going to be enshrined in Springfield. He never got a tripledouble. He almost did, once.

A pril 4, 2010, was the night of Blatche infamy. He finished with 20 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds for Washington, and thought he had rebound No. 10 with 22.1 seconds left. Small complication: He fouled New Jersey’s Brook Lopez on the play, and didn’t have another chance to get the board he needed.

I n the case of Jokic, Malone doesn’t believe his center would ever chase individual glory—though the Nuggets’ coach has a theory why someone might.

Maybe they’re just tired of this player, non-athletic player from Sombor, Serbia, continuing to kick everybody’s” butt, Malone told reporters after a recent practice. “Maybe people have a hard time with that. I don’t know. But for (Jokic) to say that, ‘Yeah, you know what, I’m padding my stats.’ Yeah, it probably signals that maybe something touched a nerve.

He’s not doing anything to pump his own numbers up,” Malone added. “It’s just not in his nature. It’s silly to think otherwise.”

PGT swings back into action in Visayas

THE Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) ushers in the new season with a two-leg swing in the Visayas beginning with the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Negros Occidental Classic presented by MORE Power from March 15 to 18.

The cream of the country’s pro crop bannering the cast beefed up by a number of aces who hurdled the recent PGT Q-School.

They include former amateur hotshots and national team mainstays who are bursting with enthusiasm about taking their respective games to the next level although focus will be on the top guns headed by the top finishers in The Country Club Invitational last month, the flagship tournament of each PGT season.

The Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit last made stops in Visayas and Mindanao in 2019 but was forced to hold “bubble” tournaments in the next two years

before staging seven events last year following the easing up of health restrictions.

A nd with the success of the Don Pocholo Razon Memorial Cup and the staging of the PGT Q-School, the PGTI and the sponsoring ICTSI are looking forward to a busy season with a full calendar of events.

The PGT, which offers a total purse of P2.25 million, will also be held simultaneously with the Ladies PGT.

A fter the Negros Occidental Classic at the Marapara Golf and Country Club, the Tour will hold the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge from March 22 to 25 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club and in Laguna for the second ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship from April 18 to 21 at the Caliraya Golf and Country Club in Cavinti.

WHEN Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to orchestrate his 10th rebound Sunday night in the final seconds of the Bucks’ win against Washington, it sent the world of social media into overdrive. AP

THE Lady Spikers put up a defense that looks impregnable in this play.

EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL holds his trophy with his injured right hand. PHOTO BY RUDY ESPERAS

ZUBIRI