BusinessMirror March 14, 2024

EBy Andrea E. San Juan

@andreasanjuan

& Jovee

Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

MPLOYERS and exporters on Wednesday expressed reservations regarding the proposed national wage hike, saying it could widen existing inequalities across various sectors of the Philippine economy, while making it harder for business to recover prepandemic growth levels.

In his position presented during the hearing of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Director-General Jose Roland Moya underscored the potential risks the proposed wage hike poses to the vast majority of workers in the informal economy, which con-

stitutes approximately 80 percent of the Philippine workforce.

For its part, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) warned the government against imposing an increase in the minimum wage. While Philippine exports rebounded in January and are poised to grow this year on the back of electronics, mining and service exports, the wage hike could dampen the growth of the country’s earnings from outbound shipments, the group said.

Despite the country’s earnings from outbound shipments posting a 9.1 percent growth in the first month of the year, Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. told this paper that hiking the minimum wage can affect exports as it would hit the manufacturing sector and the supply chain. To sustain the trend of the country’s ex-

ports, the Philexport chief warned against such hike saying, “Huwag lang sila magkakamali tataasan ’yung minimum wage, magkakalokoloko na naman ’yun. ’Yung inflation natin. Kasi ’yung mga manufacturing tatamaan eh. Tsaka ’yung supply chain.”

In contrast, the country’s service exports could be a bright spot amid economic headwinds.

“Service exports, notably IT-BPM, are typically more resilient during economic slumps, less impacted by supply chain issues and manufacturing slowdowns,” Ibpap told the BUSINESSMIRROR in a Viber message.

Pending in the lower chamber, House Bill 514 and HB 7871 proposed a P150 daily increase, while HB 7568 pushed for a P750 acrossthe-board increase.

The Senate recently approved on third and

final reading a bill for a P100 hike.

Moya underscored the potential risks the proposed wage hike poses to majority of workers in the informal economy, including street vendors, home-based workers, domestic workers, construction laborers, informal transport workers, and agricultural workers. “These are just a few examples, and the informal sector in the Philippines is diverse and encompasses a wide range of occupations and activities. Common challenges across these sectors include job insecurity, low wages, long working hours, limited social protection, inadequate safety standards, and lack of access to benefits,” he said. Moya emphasized that while the formal sector might benefit from the proposed increase, it could widen existing inequalities.

& Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

AS expected, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto breezed through his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, as he vowed to work closely with lawmakers in ensuring tough scrutiny of revenue measures and plugging leakages, while financing growth and investing enough in human development.

In his opening statement where he addressed the cochairmen of the CA panel handling his nomination, Recto, himself a threeterm congressman and senator, defined his job briefly: “While his job requires a Finance secretary to be a dealer of hope, he must also be a teller of truth.”

He assured lawmakers that the “revenue measures we have sent to Congress comply with that maxim. They maximize the gains, minimize the pain, institute fairness and fiscal consolidation.”

Being a former lawmaker himself, he said he well understood the instinct of the legislature that “for every tax proposal, your immediate reaction is not of ratification, but restraint.”

However, he indicated he and his DOF team and all other relevant agencies were willing to defend each measure. He expressed hope

ABy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

TEAM from the UP Diliman College of Science National Institute of Geological Science (UPD-CS NIGS) has discovered evidence of gas hydrates, potentially a great alternative energy source but also posing a geologic and environmental threat, in the Manila Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Elisha Jane Maglalang, Dr. Leo Armada, Madeleine Santos, Karla May Sayen, and Dr. Carla Dimalanta believe that gas hydrates may be abundant in an area the size of Palawan island in the Manila Trench which is located west of the islands of Luzon and Mindoro. Their study is the first to investigate these substances in Philippine trenches, pioneering gas hydrate research in the country.

The trench reaches a depth of about 5,400 meters, in contrast with the average depth of

the South China Sea of about 1,500 meters.

The scientists explained that much like carbonated drinks are water infused with carbon dioxide, gas hydrates are ice mostly infused with methane, a natural gas used as fuel. Gas hydrates are ice-like substances that usually only form beneath the seafloor, where the pressure is high and the temperature is just below the water’s freezing point of 0°C.

Because gas hydrates contain huge amounts of carbon and methane, they can be a great alternative energy source.

“The western Philippines has vast potential for this unconventional energy resource,” the researchers said in a statement.

They discovered that a total area of around 15,400 square kilometers in the Manila Trench, or about the size of Palawan, could contain gas hydrates. They estimate these substances might be around 200 to 500 meters below the seafloor.

A potential geologial and environment theat

GAS hydrates can be a geologic and environmental threat.

Gas hydrates are unstable solids and will dissociate and melt when the conditions in which they form change, usually during earthquakes.

“Worryingly, the Manila Trench is an active margin, responsible for numerous earthquakes in Western Luzon. When gas hydrates melt, it will agitate the seafloor, possibly triggering submarine landslides and tsunamis,” the scientists said.

Moreover, methane can harm the environment when released into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, and just one cubicmeter block of gas hydrate contains as many as

By Cai U. Ordinario

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said banks and other BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) should place the national ID at the top of the list of acceptable government IDs.

In a statement, the BSP said measures must be enhanced to ensure the broad acceptance of the PhilID as a valid and sufficient proof of identity and age in all financial transactions, subject to authentication.

BSFIs, BSP said, may use the PhilSys Check identity authentication tool to verify if the data stored in the QR code match the information printed on the face of the ID.

“The BSP has identified the national ID as a driver of financial inclusion in the country by serving as proof of identity for opening formal transaction accounts,” the BSP said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) welcomed the issuance released by the BSP to prioritize the PhilID and ePhilID in the list of accepted IDs in financial transactions.

“We, at the PSA, express our appreciation for the continued support of institutions in the acceptance of PhilIDs and ePhilIDs,” said PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General.

“In the same way that we encourage registered persons to utilize their PhilID or ePhilID in their transactions, we also urge our relying parties to honor the IDs issued by the Philippine Identification System [PhilSys] as valid proof of identity in their establishments,” he explained.

The BSP, through Memorandum No. 2024-

Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

said, will be boosted “by reducing the cost of doing business, improving the regulatory regime, and ending constraints.”

The confirmation comes two months after Recto took his oath at the Malacañang Palace, replacing Benjamin Diokno.

The Commission on Appointments (CA) Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. expressed full support for Recto’s appointment as the secretary of Finance, with Revilla saying, “You have undeniably proven yourself over your years of top-caliber public service, and your statement today solidifies this, and all the more convinces us of how truly qualified and competent you are.”

Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Ronald dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Christopher Bong Go, Joel Villanueva, Raffy Tulfo, Loren Legarda, and Representatives Jose Gay Padiernos, Albert Garcia, Ramon Guico Jr., and other CA members also approved the confirmation of Recto as finance secretary.

Recto, Diokno: similar, differing views

WHEN Recto was asked by CA member Senator Risa Hontiveros how different his priorities as DOF secretary are compared to Diokno, he said they are similar in many ways.

Recto said they both think that it is important to not max out the “Philippine national credit card” and to lower the country’s debtto-GDP ratio, which currently stands at 60.2 percent. Deviating from his predecessor, Recto said he supports free public college education, adding in Filipino, “For me, that’s very important and it should be given more funding.”

Recto said he also supports the Senate Bill 2501 which seeks to reform the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system.

In terms of lowering the fiscal deficit, Recto said the trajectory curve must not be too steep at the expense of growth. With a P5.767-trillion 2024 national budget, Recto said it never crossed his mind that he will head a department tasked to raise P15.8 billion daily, from tax collected and money borrowed. Of the total, P11.7 billion will be supported by tax revenues, while a P4.0 billion hole will be plugged by debt. As chief of the Finance department, Recto

PHL shuns China proposals on managing WPS disputes

THE Philippine and Chinese foreign ministries have been exchanging proposals to manage their bilateral disputes in the West Philippine Sea, but these proposals were immediately rejected.

In a meeting with select journalists including BusinessMirror last week, a Chinese official said they “worked day and night” to come up with proposed solutions to ease tension in the WPS. The official said 11 concept papers were presented to the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department for consideration in early 2023.

However, Manila said most of the Chinese proposals violate the Philippine Constitution.

The Chinese proposals

“ONE proposal was how to manage Second Thomas Shoal, another on how to manage fishing issue, Scarborough Shoal, another one is ecological protection,” the Chinese official said.

However, these proposals were ignored, the Chinese official claimed. “We met with some kind of inaction from the Philippine side. They said, they are ’reading, reading,’ but we did not get any-

thing back,” he said. The official said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong even went to Manila in March 2023 to follow up on these proposals.

“So that’s why we asked them, ‘Are you sincere? Are you serious about this?” the official said.

Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, somehow confirmed the information shared by the Chinese official to Philippine media.

“Proceeding from its bilateral relationship with the Philippines and peace and stability in the South China Sea, China has made proposals to the Philippines on managing the situation at sea and carrying out maritime cooperation.

“Regrettably, the Philippines has not yet responded to most of the proposals and made frequent infringements and provocations at sea. Such moves seriously undermine the atmosphere of communication and cooperation between

China and the Philippines,” Wang told reporters in Beijing. Philippine counter-proposals IN a statement, the DFA denied they ignored China’s proposals, and instead “immediately” studied and conducted “lengthy and in-depth consultations” with concerned government agencies.

“While a few proposals were deemed somewhat workable, many of the remaining Chinese proposals were determined, after careful study, scrutiny and deliberation within the Philippine Government, to be contrary to our national interests,” DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said.

The DFA stressed that any agreement with foreign governments “should also not undermine the Philippine Constitution or denigrate the legally-settled rights of the Philippines under international law, particularly the 1982 Unclos and the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

The DFA then submitted counter-proposals to the Chinese side, based on the “extensive” internal discussions with other government agencies. “Instead of considering the Philippine counter-proposals, however, the Chinese side presented its own counter-proposals, which again did not reflect our interests, especially on issues such as the South China Sea,” Daza said.

These exchange of proposals were discussed in person during the 8th Bilateral Consultation Meeting on the South China Sea (BCM) in

Shanghai in January 2024.

Daza said the DFA cannot accept Vice Foreign Minister Sun’s “gentleman’s agreement” as it would be deemed to be “acquiescence or recognition” of China’s control and administration over the Ayungin Shoal. She insisted that Ayungin Shoal is part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. Considering the Chinese proposal would be “violating the Philippine Constitution or international law.”

“The DFA wishes to underscore that the Philippines is approaching these confidential negotiations with utmost sincerity and good faith. We were, therefore, surprised by China’s disclosure of sensitive details of our bilateral discussions,” Daza said.

Beijing: No dispute with PHL in SCS WANG reiterated that China has “indisputable sovereignty” over the islands in the South China Sea (Nanhai Zhudao). Further to this, Beijing claimed that “there’s no territorial disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.”

“China’s position on the South China Sea issue is consistent. We stand ready to continue to work with the Philippines to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, we will take resolute measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Wang added.

GAS HYDRATES DETECTED IN MANILA TRENCH

equivalent to 14 percent of an average Filipino’s methane emission in 2021.

“Therefore, it is essential to determine the distribution and stability conditions of gas hydrates offshore of the Philippines,” the researchers emphasized. To determine their location without drilling through the seafloor, scientists rely on sound waves.

Similar to how a pond reflects sunlight, gas-bearing substances like gas hydrates reflect sound waves. These seismic reflections, called bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), indicate where gas hydrates might be present.

By analyzing existing seismic data in the Manila Trench, the UP geologists were able to map out BSRs and, consequently, deduce possible locations of gas hydrates in the region.

More research needed

THE researchers note, however, that while BSRs are tell-tale signs of gas hydrates, they are not definitive.

“Future drilling of offshore targets will be instrumental in confirming methane hydrate occurrence,” the researchers said.

“These investigations offer a vital opportunity to develop our indigenous energy wealth,” they added.

To move forward, the researchers are conducting additional investigations in other offshore places in the Philippines to expand our geophysical dataset. Moreover, the team is spearheading efforts to foster marine geophysics in the country.

”These efforts will contribute not only to the advancement of scientific knowledge but also to the development of the expertise of Filipino geoscientists in marine geophysics,” they concluded.

“If enacted, the wage hike could further widen existing inequalities, leaving informal sector workers at a severe disadvantage. While formal sector employees may see an improvement in their standard of living, many of our Filipino workers are likely to experience job losses and reduced working hours. This disparity would widen the income gap between the two sectors, further marginalizing informal workers and deepening socio-economic inequalities,” he said.

Strain on MSMEs

MOYA noted the significant role played by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippine economy, where they account for 99.5 percent of all registered businesses. He worries that a substantial wage hike could strain the financial resources of MSMEs, particularly those with tight profit margins. Increased labor costs might lead to downsizing, operational challenges, and reduced competitiveness for these enterprises. Attracting and retaining skilled workers may become a challenge for MSMEs, limiting their ability to innovate, expand, or improve productivity, he added. Moya warned that these challenges could impact the sustainability and contribution of MSMEs to the overall economy.

Deter investment

HE highlighted the potential deterrent on foreign investments. Increased labor costs for businesses, including foreign investors, could diminish profit margins and competitiveness, particularly in industries with tight profit margins or intense competition, he said. Moya also cautioned that higher wages might reduce profitability for businesses, making investments in the country less appealing to foreign investors and potentially decreasing foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. There are as well unintended consequences of higher wages. Increased labor costs might lead businesses to cut costs elsewhere, resulting in job cuts or reduced hiring. Small or lowmargin businesses, in particular, may struggle to absorb these increased costs, leading to closures if they cannot remain profitable. Moya, meanwhile, commended the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards for their balanced representations from workers’ and employers’ sectors.

Lastly, Moya addressed the potential dangers of wage distortion, emphasizing its ability

to disrupt the established wage structure and create inequities within the labor market.

Meanwhile, the exporters’ group also weighed in on the issue. Despite the country’s export earnings posting a 9.1-percent growth in the first month of the year, Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. told this paper that hiking the minimum wage can affect exports as it would hit the manufacturing sector and the supply chain.

“They should not make the mistake of raising minimum wage again, as that could spell trouble. There’s inflation, because manufacturing will surely be hit. And then there’s the supply chain,” he said, speaking mostly in Filipino.

This was only among the factors that could potentially reverse the growth of exports this year. Other threats to growth that the Philexport chief cited were geopolitical factors which often lead to higher shipping costs and inflation.

In contrast, the country’s service exports could be a bright spot amid economic headwinds. “Service exports, notably [IT and Business Process Management] IT-BPM, are typically more resilient during economic slumps, less impacted by supply chain issues and manufacturing slowdowns,” the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) told the BUSINESSMIRROR in a Viber message.

“With companies continuing to rely on ITBPM services for operational support, process efficiency, and digital transformation, demand for these services remains strong, even in tougher times,” the industry group noted.

Despite potential impacts from global recessions, Ibpap said, as a sector which accounts for 79 percent of the Philippines’s service exports in 2022, the industry is expected to show “remarkable resilience” compared to goods exports. The country’s merchandise export earnings grew 9.1 percent in January, a rebound from the contraction of 0.5 percent in December 2023 and 10.6 percent in January 2023.

Ortiz-Luis said electronics and mining-related exports could have pushed up exports in the said period.

“We know the huge share in exports of electronics. So that might account for it. Plus I understand some mining companies had made shipments,” the Philexport chief said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that electronics exports amounted to $3.45 billion, up 16.3 percent in January 2024 from the $2.97 billion in January 2023. This translates to 58.2 percent share of the country’s goods exports pie.

Miru, Comelec officials’ ‘no show’ in House committee hearing draws ire of lawmakers

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

FOLLOWING a “no show” in a House hearing, lawmakers on Wednesday raised concerns about unanswered questions on the speedy award of an P18-billion automated votecounting deal despite raging controversies surrounding winning bidder Miru Systems Co. Ltd., a South Korean firm.

Rizal Rep. Dino Tanjuatco and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez expressed dismay over the “extreme haste” with which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed the P18-billion automated vote-counting contract with controversial firm Miru.

The lawmakers slammed the Comelec for its failure to verify a flurry of reports concerning Miru’s incompetence to run automated

elections in other countries.

Tanjuatco criticized the lack of investigation into the issues, particularly the submission of a prototype, which, he said, is against the law.

During the oversight hearing, Comelec Chairman George Garcia and representatives from Miru were absent, leaving committee members without the expected demonstration of the new automated voting system intended for use in the 2025 midterm elections.

“Members of this committee wanted to ask questions to Miru, the systems provider. I wonder why there is no sense of urgency for the contractor to attend this meeting. The expectation of the committee was that there would be a demonstration to ensure the integrity and truthfulness of counting machines to be used in next year’s election,” Tanjuatco said.

Rodriguez noted that none of the 14 invited Miru officials attended the hearing, leaving committee members without the opportunity to address questions directly to the service provider.

Rodriguez earlier flagged the possibility of a failure of the 2025 midterm polls and a revert to the “dark ages” of manual counting if the many issues hounding Miru’s performance in elections it had handled in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Iraq, among others, are not properly and immediately addressed.

Mountain Province Lone District Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr., who chairs the suffrage committee, expressed frustration at Miru’s unexplained absence, and Tanjuatco added that it displayed a lack of respect toward the House committee.

Tanjuatco likewise expressed

US Indo-Pacific Command vows renewed engagements with AFP

By Rex Anthony Naval

AS tensions rise in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) committed Tuesday to undertake more military activities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

USINDOPACOM commander Admiral John Aquilino made this comment following his visit and subsequent meeting with AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. During the meeting, Aquilino also assured Brawner of their continued cooperation and support.

Incidentally, the two officials met a week after the March 5 incident where two Filipino ships were damaged and four crewmembers hurt when Chinese vessels harassed a resupply effort for a contingent manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) in Ayungin Shoal in WPS.

“Among those discussed were the lined-up programs and activities, including the Philippine-US Balikatan Exercises, the maritime cooperative activities, and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites projects, and the strengthening of coordination with other militaries from likeminded nations to advance the rules-based international order and secure a free and open IndoPacific Region,” the AFP said in a statement.

The meeting highlights the commitment of the AFP to its treaty ally to ensure high-level coordination and sustained implementation of programs aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two militaries.

Earlier, the AFP said that it would have a chance to test some of its newly acquired advance weaponry in this year’s “Balikatan” exercise, which is scheduled from

April 22 to May 8.

This is a possibility after Balikatan executive agent Col. Michael Logico said that an “integrated air missile defense exercise” in Central Luzon will be among the highlights of the annual military exercise between Filipino and American troops.

“Yes, we will be utilizing our own newly-acquired weapon systems from [the] AFP Modernization [Program] and we are going to test the interoperability between our weapon systems and that of the United States,” the AFP official said when asked if the SPYDER air defense missile system will be utilized for this.

And when asked if there will be live-fire scenarios for these drills, Logico said there would be “both live and virtual.”

Also to be tested are the “command and control dimensions” of these weapon systems.

regret that Garcia has failed to keep his personal assurances that the contract would not be awarded to Miru any time soon, considering the many controversies that should be addressed beforehand.

He pointed to the lack of transparency in the procurement process and cautioned the Comelec of the dire consequences resulting from the rushed signing of the deal.

“During the February 21 demo that I attended, I raised with Chairman Garcia numerous concerns regarding the Miru machine and the procurement process. He personally assured me that the Comelec would not be awarding the contract to Miru just yet and that there would be time to address these mounting concerns. To my utter surprise and disappointment, the Comelec awarded the contract the very next day,” Tanjuatco said.

This year’s war drill will take place from April 22 to May 8.

SPYDER is short for Surfaceto-Air Python and Derby mobile air-defense missiles.

It is the primary weapon of the Philippine Air Force’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group.

SPYDER is a mobile air and missile defense system designed to protect critical installations, landbased fixed assets, mobile platforms, and friendly forces from aerial threats, such as combat aircraft, attack helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, incoming missiles, guided munitions, and rockets. It is also capable of neutralizing surveillance threats

SPYDER is an acquisition project under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program. The first two SPYDER batteries were delivered on Sept. 24 and 29, 2022 respectively, while the third battery is expected to be delivered on May 24, 2024.

The contract is worth P6,846,750,000 and includes an integrated logistics support, a simulator, a missile repair facility, and air defense systems missile training for personnel.

DENR-EMB Region 3: LGU has power to shut down illegal smelting plants

IT is up to the mayor of San Simon, Pampanga, to take the appropriate action, including the issuance of a closure order, against smelting plants found to be violating the law, according to the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

The DENR-EMB identified the erring companies as Global Aseana, Ecoseal Matallic Manufacturing Corporation, Chilwee Metallic Manufacturing Corporation, and Dongjin Lonvegivity Industry Corporation. All four companies were found to have been processing

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday announced that all of its units would be on heightened alert from March 23 to April 3 as part of its preparation for the Holy Week holidays.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said these preparations are part of the Department of Transportation’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2024.”

In line with this, Balilo said PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, directed all Coast Guard districts, stations, and sub-stations to intensify seaborne patrols and safety mea-

used lead acid batteries (ULAB) without permit and discharging untreated wastewater into the river that traverses San Simon, Pampanga. They are required by law to treat wastewater containing the toxic materials after the lead has been extracted from the used batteries. In a letter sent to Vittorio V. Vitug, president of the Capampangan in Media Inc. (CAMI), DENR-EMB Region 3 Director Martin Jose V. Despi said his agency has already informed San Simon Mayor Ryan Viray of the violations committed by the firms in his area of jurisdiction.

Despi had been invited to attend

sures on all ports and waterways nationwide.

This is to ensure the smooth operations of sea transport facilities, convenient sea travel, and safety of local and foreign tourists in major beaches and private resorts amid the anticipated increased volume of maritime traffic.

“Coast Guard personnel will conduct 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways in western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes,” Balilo said.

CAMI’s regular forum and answer queries on reports of water and air pollution caused by illegal smelting operations, particularly on that portion of the river in Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon.

In that letter, Despi informed CAMI that the local DENR-EMB bureau had already issued in February a notice of violation (NOV) against the four firms for operating without a registration certificate after a technical team conducted an inspection the previous month.

Despi pointed out that the power to shut down the firms is vested on the concerned LGU.

The previous month, Dr. Jesus

Lim Arranza, president of the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc., called for the closure of lead smelting operations, which, he said, are discharging toxic materials into the river, resulting in fish kills downstream. He feared the water and air pollution would affect the health of residents living along the riverbanks.

Arranza made the call when he attended a recent CAMI forum as guest speaker.

The firms were found to be operating without adequate facility and equipment in the handling of acid and other toxic materials, among other violations.

In particular, Tanjuatco questioned the integrity of vote counting as he personally saw that Miru’s machine read crumpled, marked, and torn sample ballots during last month’s demo.

Other lawmakers, including Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-List Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, expressed disappointment over Miru’s absence, citing concerns about local joint venture partners and potential security lapses based on Miru’s track record in other countries.

“We’ve heard that Comelec’s bidding process may have been tailor-fit for Miru as the chosen bidder,” Castro disclosed. Castro also flagged alleged security lapses as well as corruption in elections handled by Miru in Argentina and Kyrgyzstan, respectively.

As such, Manuel sought the presence of Miru’s joint venture partners in the next meeting scheduled for March 19.

Meanwhile, Dalog said, “Because Chairman Garcia and Miru weren’t here, our concerns were not addressed.”

Dalog requested Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo to conduct the much-delayed demo before the committee before this week ends or next week, ahead of legislators’ Holy Week break.

However, Casquejo could not commit an exact date to the committee, prolonging legislators’ worries and uncertainty about Miru’s capabilities.

During the hearing, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) defended Comelec and Miru from criticisms of the hastily awarded contract.

Amnesty grant for ex-‘Reds’ gets 23-0 Senate approval

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

FOLLOWING the Senate’s concurrence with Presidential Proclamation No. 404, some 3,000 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) are expected to avail of the amnesty granted by Malacañang, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said Wednesday.

Voting 23-0, the upper chamber adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 20, giving the green light to grant amnesty to former CPP-NPA-NDF members who have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code and special penal laws in furtherance of their political beliefs.

Citing data from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), additional applicants may be expected from over 17,000 surrenderers and over 22,000 individuals who withdrew support from the CPP-NPA-NDF, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, said. “As I have said in my sponsorship speech, ‘Amnesty is the best policy.’ I call on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, the National Amnesty Commission [NAC], Department of Justice [DOJ], Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP], Department of National Defense [DND] and Philippine National Police [PNP] who graciously lent us their valuable time and expertise during the period of interpellation, to not let the amnesty measures remain just that—a mere policy,” Estrada said.

Moreover, Estrada is moving to ensure the amnesty binds. “Let’s all make sure that this amnesty program, together with

the amnesty programs for the MILF, MNLF, and RPMP-RPA-ABB, which were earlier approved by Congress, will be implemented fully and faithfully towards its objective of transforming lives and communities, encouraging former rebels and combatants to return to the folds of the law and to participate in nation-building within the framework of peaceful and deliberative society,” he added.

Estrada recalled that as provided under Section 4 of said proclamation, “the amnesty shall extinguish their criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs and restore their civil and political rights suspended or lost by criminal conviction.”

He added, however, this “will not apply to those who have already been proscribed” or those charged under the Human Security Act of 2007 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

As provided, it shall likewise,not cover those who committed crimes, such as kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, crimes committed against chastity, crimes committed for personal ends, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949, as well as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.

“Ang pagkakaloob ng amnestiya ay sasailalim sa proseso, sa pangunguna ng National Amnesty Commission at mga local amnesty boards na magsasagawa ng masusing vetting process katuwangangiba’t ibangahensyangpamahalaan,kabilangang

Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation upang masiguro nakwalipikado sila na gawaranngamnestiya,” Estrada said.

PNP eyes to deploy 34K cops for summer season

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is finalizing its security plan for the coming summer vacation months highlighted by a plan to deploy 34,000 police officers to ensure the safety of the public during this season.

In a media briefing, PNP spokesperson

Col. Jean Fajardo said that they are now in the “final stage of preparations for Oplan Summer Vacation.”

“It’s just a matter of harmonizing, we are just waiting for the recommended security deployment by our regional officers,” she added in Filipino.

Fajardo said that this would not entail any difficulty as the PNP is used to making such preparations every year. She added that the 34,000 police officers that will be initially deployed

could be adjusted depending on the peace and order situation prevalent in every region.

“Our police directors are given wide discretion to adjust their security deployment depending on the security environment in their respective AORs [area of operation],” Fajardo said.

The PNP spokesperson said that these officers would be deployed to secure major transportation hubs, airports, ports, expressways, major transport points and areas of convergence.

And with the coming Holy Week holidays, Fajardo said they would be deploying police assistance desks to secure those coming for the traditional “Visita Iglesia” and other activities related to the Lenten Season. Rex Anthony Naval

Neda proposes new set of metrics in bidding, award of infra contracts

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is proposing a new set of metrics that would go beyond the price of infrastructure projects to prevent delays and ensure efficient implementation.

In a recent hearing of the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Official Development Assistance (ODA), Neda Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Uy said this new procurement mechanism is part of Neda’s recommendations for the revision of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Uy said these technical parameters would focus on best value procurement efforts that extend beyond just price. He stressed that as such, this will focus

on quality and availability of items for procurement.

“We have what we call supply-side issues. When there are actually only a few who can qualify or are even interested. So we need to come up with better approaches,” Uy said.

“One of the things that we would like to highlight is the best value procurement mechanism in procurement reform. Instead of talking of price per se as the prior amount value, we should be talking about (value),” he explained.

Apart from the new criteria, the Neda is also pushing for the consideration of the provisions of the law on the “preferential use of domestically produced and manufactured goods.”

Uy admitted this may be a controversial recommendation but he noted that not all materials needed

by ODA-funded infrastructure projects are locally available.

“Normally for the ODA, we go for ODA because we see comparative advantage of sourcing goods and expertise outside of the country. The technology involved is not available locally,” Uy explained.

“So while we do recognize promoting domestic production and use of domestic goods and services, to the extent that we have already identified comparative advantage to official development assistance foreign expertise and goods, we would like to consider that,” he added.

Uy also said there is a need to create a cadre of procurement officers to ensure that procurement tasks are carried out efficiently. These recommendations will address delays in infrastructure projects.

Out of the 70 ongoing ODA projects, 40 of these are facing delay in implementation.

Uy said nearly half or 17 of these infrastructure ODA projects implemented by 9 implementing agencies encountered procurement-related issues. He noted that there are a number of procurement issues that faced bidding failures due to a shortage of qualified bidders for civil works, goods, and highly technical consulting services.

The issue included frequent revisions and adjustments to approved terms of references (TORs) and contracts, such as changes in scope, specifications, cost and timeline.

Uy added that alterations in bidder circumstances or deviations from eligibility criteria create procurement issues that delay projects.

PBBM: Germany’s support vital for PHL-EU trade talks

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Mar-

Pcos Jr. said he is banking on the support of Germany to fast track the completion of Manila’s ongoing negotiations for the country’s preferential trading with the European Union (EU).  “Germany’s support is vital to the country’s reapplication to the EU’s GSP+ (Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus) and for the resumption of negotiations for a Philippines-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” Marcos said in his remarks during the PhilippineGerman Business Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday. He said the matter would be tackled during the second session of the Philippines-Germany Joint Economic Commission (JEC) on March 27 of this year to be held in Manila. During his joint news conference with Marcos last Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he

Go pushes for ‘more robust’ fire prevention drive, extends assistance to Samal Island blaze victims

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go continues to provide assistance to fire victims across the country, directing his Malasakit Team to organize a relief effort for those affected by a recent incident in Purok 2, Barangay Aundanao, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Davao del Norte on Monday, March 11. In a video message, Go emphasized his ongoing efforts to assist the government in implementing a “more robust” fire prevention campaign in the communities. He also pointed out that the Bureau of Fire Protec-

tion (BFP) is currently modernizing following the approval of Republic Act No. 11589.  The BFP Modernization Act, primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the agency undergoes a ten-year modernization program.  “Sa pagiikot ko ng bansa para makatulong sa mga nasunugan, nakita ko po talaga ang importansya ng pagpapalakas ng ating fire prevention campaigns. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pag-apruba ng

supports the signing of such FTAs not only with the Philippines, but also with other members of Asean.

The country’s GSP+, which removed the import duties of over 6,000 Philippine goods in Europe, finally expired last year despite the pronouncement by the EU it is willing to extend the validity of the scheme until December 31, 2027.

Meanwhile, talks for EU FTA, which was supposed to eventually replace the EU GSP+, is still ongoing.

The DTI is targeting to complete the assessment on the resumption of negotiations of the EU FTA, which has been deferred since 2017, during the first quarter of the year.

According to data from the European Commission (EC), the total trade between Philippines and EU reached 18.4 billion euros in 2022 making it the regional bloc’s fourth largest trading partner during that period. Samuel P. Medenilla

programs.

BFP Modernization Act para mas lalo pang lumakas ang kapasidad ng ahensya,” said Go.  Held at the Barangay Aundanao Hall, Go’s team gave financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, vitamins, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to two affected households.

Meanwhile, a team from the National Housing Authority conducted an on-site assessment to determine potential recipients who may qualify for its housing assistance

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography extended additional support to residents in need of hospital care. He encouraged them to utilize the services of nearby Malasakit Centers, specifically those at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City or Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program and successfully advocated for RA 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored in 2019. There are now 161 Malasakit Centers, as of March 11, which have helped more than 10 million indigent Filipinos, according to the DOH.

150 patients evacuated as fire hits PGH

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that the agency’s Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) extended assistance to University of the PhilippinesPhilippine General Hospital (UPPGH) for the transfer of patients to various DOH hospitals following a fire incident of the hospital’s Medicine Ward.

“UP-PGH has reported that the fire is now under control, although patients and doctors remain in the evacuation area within the parking lots,” the DOH said.

Likewise, all DOH hospitals in the National Capital Region have been alerted and are prepared to accommodate patients.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) immediately responded to the fire that engulfed PGH’s Medical Supplies Room and Surgery Room. Nurse Rochelle Ong of PGH estimated the number of evacuated patients to 150. The PRC Manila Team assisted patients back to their ward and sent two health staff to lend support.

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon directed the staff and volunteers to respond quickly and dispatched firetrucks and ambulances to ensure that the fire was put out quickly and that no one was hurt.

“I am relieved to know that the patients were evacuated quickly and that the fire was put out at the earliest with the help of our volunteers and staff, and with our assets from Manila, NHQ-Port, Caloocan, and other nearby areas.

I am deeply concerned about the patients as fire in a hospital is dangerous,” Gordon said.

In light of Fire Prevention Month, the DOH said it is instructing all its hospitals to review their fire evacuation plans and conduct risk analyses for fire prevention on their premises.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said that at 3:09 p.m., the fire was raised to the first alarm and escalated to the second alarm at 3:11 p.m.

DBM chief pushes bigger spending on GAD programs

By Reine Juvierre Alberto

BUDGET Secretary Amenah

F. Pangandaman called on government agencies to maximize and spend more on the implementation of programs to advance gender equality and women empowerment initiatives.

Pangandaman told the BusinessMirror on Monday night that she is encouraging government agencies to go beyond the 5 percent allocated budget for the implementation of programs to empower women.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is also keen on creating a technical working group (TWG) to update the Magna Carta on Women or the Gender and Development (GAD) law that was passed 15 years ago in 2009.

The Budget chief noted the 5 percent allocated budget per agency for the implementation of GAD programs only corresponds to the minimum requirement as

US business mission bares details of planned P1-B investment to PHL

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

KKR, an American global investment firm, as part of its investment in Pinnacle Towers, the largest independent telecommunications tower operator in the Philippines, said it expects to continue investing $400 million in the Philippines.

KKR’s investment will cover plans to develop and acquire roughly 2,000 towers to support digital connectivity across the Philippines, according to the statement of the United States Department of Commerce following a two-day Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PTIM) of US Secretary of

Commerce Gina Raimondo to the Philippines on March 11 and 12.

“KKR continues to be highly attracted to the dynamic Philippines market and looks to do more to support national infrastructure and development priorities,” the statement of the department read.

This $400 million investment is

part of the $6.4 billion infrastructure fund, which KKR poured into Asia.

“We recently closed the largest infrastructure fund to be raised in Asia—$6.4 billion. As part of that fund, we are looking to invest in a number of jobs across Asia and Philippines is one of them,” David Luboff, Head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure and Co-Head of KKR Asia Pacific, told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting of Raimondo with members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, and the USAsean Business Council on Tuesday in Makati City.

KKR is just one of the 22 US companies that flocked to the Philippines to invest. Delegates participating in the US trade mission have announced over $1 billion in US investments, creating educational and career opportunities for an estimated over 30 million Filipinos.  Other delegates that participated

include Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (APLFI), Google, InnovationForce, Mastercard, Microsoft, Sol-Go, UltraPass ID, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, United Airlines, among others.

According to the US Department of Commerce, Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (APLFI), led by Filipino-American Apl.de.Ap from the Black Eyed Peas, is launching the Philippines’s first Electric Mobility Education and Development Center in partnership with Legacy EV from Phoenix, AZ, and supported by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that APLFI and Legacy EV signed on March 11 in Manila with the Asian Development Bank.

“The center will provide comprehensive training in electric vehicle [EV] technology, repair, maintenance, and the installation and operation of charging infrastructure,” the US Department of Commerce said.

Meanwhile, American multinational technology company

Google announced that it is rolling out Google Career Certificates in 50 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) virtual campuses covering over 1,300 DTI Negosyo Centers in 16 regions nationwide.

Separately, Google is on target to complete the TPU (TaiwanPhilippines-United States) subsea cable system by the end of 2025, the US Commerce department said.

Another US firm that will invest in the Philippines is Sol-Go, which will be investing in solar panel production that will “further elevate” the Philippines as a hub for high tech manufacturing and provides the United States with a reliable partner to produce lightweight solar panels.

“From their initial half-million dollar investment in Lipa City, SolGo aims to achieve 15-megawatt [MW] capacity within the next few months and is planning an additional investment of $5 million to reach 100-MW capacity in 2025-6,” the statement of US Department of Commerce read.

Pinoy citizenship for sale? Senate starts probe on issuance of govt docs to aliens

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano started Wednesday its probe into the fraudulent issuance of legitimate government-issued documents, including passports and driver’s license, to unscrupulous foreign nationals, which is now being considered as a “national security concern.”

During the hearing, various government agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), disclosed that separate investigations are now being undertaken to determine how these unscrupulous individuals were able to obtain Philippine passports, birth certificates, driver’s license and police clearance.

Earlier, the BI said the scheme should be treated as a national security concern that should be addressed by all concerned government agencies.

The committee’s investigation was an offshoot of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s disclosure during the plenary budget deliberations on November 9, 2023 about the interception by the BI and NBI of foreign nationals with Philippine passports.

During interpellation, Dela Rosa said that “more than a dozen Filipino passport holders [were] obviously not Filipinos.”  He raised the alarm as it “involves national security.”

prescribed by the GAD law.

“This means that their GAD budget allocations and expenditures, depending on the agency’s prerogative based on their available fiscal space, as well as their approved programs and projects that address gender issues and concerns, may go beyond the 5 percent,” Pangandaman explained.

However, even with a 5 percent allocated budget, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), which monitors and prepares the annual report of government agencies’ compliance with the GAD budget policy, reported that only 32 percent or 86 out of 266 agencies covered in its analysis were able to comply with the GAD budget provision.

The PCW said in its latest GAD Budget Report that there is difficulty in reaching the 5 percent minimum GAD budget utilization “mainly due to the agency’s limited capacity to mainstream gender

Cayetano agreed that the issue involves national security because it would mean foreigners can come in and out of our country as if they were Filipinos, aside from being able to buy and own lands by posing as Filipinos using Philippine passport and birth certificates.

She also recalled that Senate President Miguel Zubiri also manifested during last year’s budget deliberations that he received reports that the NBI had an ongoing investigation on the activities of a Local Civil Registrar (LCR) in a town in Caraga Region in Mindanao.

The LCR was allegedly “giving out birth certificates” and the NBI “caught several Chinese nationals who do not even speak English, Tagalog, or Bisaya.”

The matter was also referred to the committee for further investigation.

“They could be a threat to our safety, they could be citizens of countries that in one way or another are not friendly to us. So it is definitely a national security issue,” Cayetano said in her opening statement.

The senator cited the case of a Vietnamese national who was issued with a Philippine passport.  She said the Vietnamese national, whom she did not identify pursuant to the Data Privacy Act, was recently deported by the BI after being discovered in possession of a fraudulently obtained Philippine passport.

The Philippine passport bore a name alongside her photo, which was different when compared to her Vietnamese Passport.

in its programs, projects and processes.”

In 2021, P250.8 billion or 3.53 percent of the P7.1 trillion total budget appropriations of agencies covered in the report were allocated for GAD programs, activities and projects, PCW said.

Of the total budget appropriations amounting to P1.1 trillion of agencies that submitted their GAD accomplishment reports for FY 2021, P168.3 billion or 14.53 percent were utilized to implement GAD programs, projects and activities.

The low utilization rate of the respective agencies’ GAD budgets was also pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted the implementation of their planned GAD activities, the report added.

“Nevertheless, we believe that it is high time to update the GAD law to make it attuned to the changing times,” Pangandaman said, adding that there is a “growing clamor and

The questioned document, however, was found to be genuine and duly issued by the DFA.

The case, according to Cayetano, was just “the tip of the iceberg” as the panel conducted its own investigation and gathered another case of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was a victim of identity theft.

The Saudi Arabia-bound OFW, according to Cayetano, was barred upon entry at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) due to inconsistent statements she gave during screening.

Cayetano said the OFW claimed that it was the first time she would be leaving the county but immigration records showed that she had already departed twice as a land-based OFW in 2015 and 2019, and had not returned to the Philippines since then.

The DFA and BI both confirmed that they are aware of the case of Jane. “So, just to state for the record, it is the State’s duty to protect and maintain the integrity and credibility of passports and travel documents,” the senator said.

“Those are two separate cases... Those are our very troublesome issues...The most painful question that I am about to raise: Is Philippine citizenship for sale?” Cayetano asked.

Representatives from the PSA admitted that there were several cases of falsified certificates, which are now being looked into by the agency.

However, the PSA said, the falsification could have originated from the local civil registrar and not from the agency.

request to update” the law.

“As an advocate of women’s rights and gender equality, I fully support the move to revisit the GAD law to better cater to the needs of women today, especially since more and more women are now involved in different sectors of society,” Pangandaman, who is the only female member of the country’s economic team, stressed.

Recently, Pangandaman led the Philippine delegation at the General Discussion at the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York City.

CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year, the CSW is chaired by the Philippines through H.E. Antonio Lagdameo, permanent representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations.

Meanwhile, the DFA said that it immediately reconvened the inter-agency committee on passport irregularity following the November 23 budget deliberations.

He said following a broadened investigation, the DFA was able to determine that there were several more passports issued to non-Filipinos.

“We have taken steps that this would not happen again or minimize [such],” the DFA said.

The DFA also reported it had prevented at least 100 attempts of foreigners to secure Philippine passports using spurious birth certificates.

The NBI also said it is investigating 17 persons, mostly foreign nationals, who were found to be in possession of genuine Philippine passports.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian sounded the alarm on cases of foreign criminal syndicates being able to obtain government documents, such as Tax Identification Number (TIN) cards and Philippine National Police-issued identification cards “with such ease.”

During the hearing, the lawmaker pointed out that foreign nationals supposedly working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry but are actually involved in organized crimes were able to stay in the country because they were able to obtain legitimate Philippine documents.

Gatchalian said he personally witnessed this when he and Sen. Risa Hontiveros inspected the hub of Smart Web Technology, an establishmentprovisionallylicensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).   Authorities recovered local TIN cards, PhilHealth IDs, Certificates of Alien Registration, Alien Employment Permits and police clearances during the raid.

“All those people operating the facility held legitimate Philippine government IDs, making them legitimate people operating legitimate activities in Pasay City,” Gatchalian said.  The committee is expected to hear the side of local civil registrars where the falsified birth certificates originated when its resumes hearing.

Biden and Trump clinch nominations, setting stage for a grueling general election rematch

By Steve Peoples Ap National Political Writer

ASHINGTON—President Joe Biden and former President Donald

WTrump clinched their parties’ presidential nominations Tuesday with decisive victories in a slate of low-profile primaries, setting up a general election rematch that many voters do not want.

The outcome of contests across Georgia, Mississippi and Washington State was never in doubt. Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, faced major opposition. But the magnitude of their wins gave each man the delegate majority he needed to claim his party’s nomination at the summertime national conventions.

Not even halfway through the presidential primary calendar, Tuesday marked a crystalizing moment for a nation uneasy with its choices in 2024.

There is no longer any doubt that the fall election will feature a rematch between two flawed and unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in US history, while the 77-year-old Trump is facing decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases. Their rematch—the first featuring two US presidents since 1912—will almost certainly deepen the nation’s searing political and cultural divides over the eight-month grind that lies ahead.

In a statement, Biden celebrated the nomination while casting Trump as a serious threat to democracy.

Trump, Biden said, “is running a campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution that threatens the very idea of America.”

He continued, “I am honored that the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic Party across the country have put their faith in me once again to lead our party—and our country—in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever.”

Trump, in a video posted on social media, celebrated what he called “a great day of victory.”

“But now we have to get back to work because we have the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump said of Biden. “So, we’re not going to take time to celebrate. We’ll celebrate in eight months when the election is over.”

Both candidates dominated Tuesday’s primaries in swing-state Georgia, deep-red Mississippi and Democratic-leaning Washington. Voting was taking place later in Hawaii’s Republican caucus.

Despite their tough talk, the road ahead will not be easy for either presumptive nominee.

Trump is facing 91 felony counts in four criminal cases involving his handling of classified documents and his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, among other alleged crimes. He’s also facing increasingly pointed questions about his policy plans and relationships with some of the world’s most dangerous dictators. Trump met privately on Friday with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has rolled back democracy in his country.

Biden, who would be 86 years old at the end of his next term, is working to assure a skeptical electorate that he’s still physically and mentally able to thrive in the world’s most important job. Voters in both parties are unhappy with his handling of immigration and inflation.

And he’s dealing with additional dissension within his party’s progressive base, furious that he hasn’t done more to stop Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Activists and religious leaders in Washington encouraged Democrats to vote “uncommitted” to signal their outrage.

In Seattle, 26-year-old voter Bella Rivera said they hoped their “uncommitted” vote would would serve as a wakeup call for the Democratic Party.

“If you really want our votes, if you want to win this election, you’re going to have to show a little bit more either support of Palestinian liberation—that’s something that’s very important to us—and ceasing funds to Israel,” said Rivera, a preschool teacher who uses they/them pronouns.

Almost 3,000 miles away in Georgia, retiree Donna Graham said she would have preferred another Republican nominee over Trump, but she said there’s no way she’d ever vote for Biden in the general election.

“He wasn’t my first choice, but he’s the next best thing,” Graham said of Trump. “It’s sad that it’s the same old matchup as four years ago.”

The Associated Press writers Hallie Golden in Seattle, Jeff Amy in Loganville, Georgia, Fatima Hussein in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

IAEA chief tells residents treated wastewater discharge at Fukushima nuclear plant is safe

By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

TOMIOKA, Japan—The head of the UN atomic agency on Wednesday told local Japanese representatives at a meeting in Fukushima that the ongoing discharge of treated radioactive wastewater at the ruined nuclear power plant has met safety standards and that any restrictions on products from the region are “not scientific.”

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi joined local officials and representatives from fishing and business groups and reassured them that the discharges are being carried out “with no impact to the environment, water, fish and sediment.”

Grossi, who arrived in Japan on Tuesday, returned to Fukushima for the first time since the release of the treated water began in August.

Grossi will examine the discharge and sampling facility later Wednesday. He last visited the plant in July after issuing an IAEA review predicting only negligible impact from the discharges. The IAEA comprehensive report later concluded that the discharges meet international safety standards.

The 2011 disaster damaged the Fukushima plant’s power supply and reactor cooling functions, triggering triple meltdowns and causing large amounts of radioactive wastewater to accumulate. After more than a decade of cleanup work, the plant began discharging the water after treating it and diluting it with large amounts of seawater on Aug. 24, starting a process that’s expected to take decades.

The discharges have been opposed by fishing groups and neighboring countries including China, which banned all imports of Japanese seafood immediately after the release began.

“There is no scientific reason to impose any restriction on products coming from us,” Grossi said at the meeting in Iwaki, south of the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

“This is very important in particular to be said in this forum here in Fukushima,” he said. He noted a “political dimension to this activity since ... some neighboring countries are also manifesting concerns.”

Pentagon to give Ukraine $300M in weapons even as it lacks funds to replenish stockpile

By Tara Copp & Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—The Pentagon will rush about $300 million in weapons to Ukraine after finding some cost savings in its contracts, even though the military remains deeply overdrawn and needs at least $10 billion to replenish all the weapons it has pulled from its stocks to help Kyiv in its desperate fight against Russia, the White House announced Tuesday.

It’s the Pentagon’s first announced security package for Ukraine since December, when it acknowledged it was out of replenishment funds. It wasn’t until recent days that officials publicly acknowledged they weren’t just out of money to buy replacement weapons, they are $10 billion overdrawn.

part of the stalled supplemental spending bill.

The replenishment funds have allowed the Pentagon to pull existing munitions, air defense systems and other weapons from its reserve inventories under presidential drawdown authority, or PDA, to send to Ukraine and then sign contracts to order replacements, which are needed to maintain US military readiness.

“When Russian troops advance and its guns fire, Ukraine does not have enough ammunition to fire back,” said national security adviser Jake Sullivan in announcing the $300 million in additional aid.

The Pentagon also has had a separate Ukraine Security Assis-

tance Initiative, or USAI, which has allowed it to fund longer-term contracts with industry to produce new weapons for Ukraine.

Senior defense officials who briefed reporters said the Pentagon was able to get cost savings in some of those longer-term contracts of roughly $300 million and, given the battlefield situation, decided to use those savings to send more weapons. The officials said the cost savings basically offset the new package and keep the replenishment spending underwater at $10 billion.

One of the officials said the package represented a “one time shot”—unless Congress passes the supplemental spending bill, which includes roughly $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine, or more cost savings are found. It is expected to include anti-aircraft

Putin: Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence threatened

By The Associated Press

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to its statehood, sovereignty or independence, voicing hope that the US would refrain from actions that could trigger a nuclear conflict.

Putin’s statement was another blunt warning to the West ahead of a presidential vote this week in which he’s all but certain to win another six-year term.

In an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday, Putin described US President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who fully understands possible dangers of escalation, and said that he doesn’t think that the world is heading to a nuclear war.

At the same time, he emphasized that Russia’s nuclear forces are in full readiness and “from the military-technical viewpoint,

we’re prepared.”

Putin said that in line with the country’s security doctrine, Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons in case of a threat to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence.”

The Russian leader has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The most recent such threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month, when he warned the West that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.

Asked in the interview if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that.

He also voiced confidence that Moscow will achieve its goals in Ukraine and held the door open for talks, emphasizing that Russia will hold onto its gains and would

seek firm guarantees from the West.

“It shouldn’t be a break for the enemy to rearm but a serious talk involving the guarantees of security for the Russian Federation,” he said.

Putin said that a recent spike in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia is part of efforts to derail the country’s three-day presidential election, which starts Friday and which he is set to win by a landslide, relying on the tight control over Russia’s political scene he has established during his 24-year rule.

Russian authorities reported another major attack by Ukrainian drones early Wednesday. The Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 58 drones over six regions. One of the drones hit an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, injuring at least two people and sparking a fire. Another drone was downed as it was approaching a refinery near St. Petersburg.

missiles, artillery rounds and armor systems, the official said.

“This is not a sustainable way to support Ukraine,” said Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, calling it a “one time good deal” that officials can’t plan on occurring again.

The aid announcement came as Polish leaders were in Washington to press the US to break its impasse over funds for Ukraine at a critical moment in the war. Polish President Andrzej Duda met Tuesday with President Joe Biden after meeting with Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate earlier in the day.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refused to bring the $95 billion package, which includes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, to the floor. Seeking to put pressure on the Republican speaker, House

Ukraine, meanwhile, reported more Russian attacks early Wednesday. A Russian strike killed two people and injured another five in the town of Myrnohrad in the eastern region of Donetsk, about 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) from the front line, according to Gov. Vadym Filashkin. Local rescuers managed to pull a 13-year-old girl out of the rubble of an apartment building that was hit by a Russian missile. A five-story building in the northern city of Sumy was struck by a drone launched from Russia overnight and 10 people were rescued from the rubble, including eight who sustained injuries, according to the regional administration.

In President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, the death toll from a Russian missile attack the previous night rose to four, said Gov. Serhii Lysak. He said that 43 people were wounded in of Kryvyi Rih, including 12 children, the youngest of them two and eleven-month-old.

“Every day our cities and villages suffer similar attacks. Every day Ukraine loses people because of Russian evil,” Zelenskyy said.

4 million people face ‘acute food insecurity’ in troubled Haiti–UN food agency official

UBy Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

NITED NATIONS—Four million people face “acute food insecurity” and one million of them are one step away from famine, the UN food agency’s director in the conflict-wracked Caribbean nation said Tuesday.

Jean-Martin Bauer told a virtual press conference that he’s “ringing the alarm bell” because the recent increase in gang violence has made a very bad situation even worse and displaced an additional 15,000 people—just over the first weekend in March in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

That brings the total number of displaced people in Haiti to over 360,000, he said, and the UN says half of them are children. The country has more than 11 million inhabitants.

Bauer said, there were 4 million food insecure and hungry Haitians during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and that number hasn’t gone down, but the number on the brink of famine has escalated to one million.

Port-au-Prince has been turned into “a bubble” where gangs control the roads, the port and airport are closed, and no one can get in or get out, Bauer said.

The World Food Program director said the agency and its partners started a hot meal service for newly displaced people in the capital, starting with 2,000 meals a day and now up to nearly 14,000 meals a day.

But he said the WFP warehouse will run out of supplies in a few weeks unless the port is reopened to replenish the agency’s stocks.

Haiti depends on food imports for 50 percent of its food supply, and Bauer said WFP can confirm that the cost of a food

basket is rising in Port-au-Prince as well as elsewhere in Haiti.

There were disturbances in January and food prices jumped 25 percent in the south where roadblocks came up and trucks weren’t able to get to Port-au-Prince with basic necessities, he said, and there was a scarcity of propane which is the basic fuel, including for cooking.

In recent days, because of the gang violence, food prices have jumped at least 10 percent, Bauer said.

The economy in rural areas outside the capital depends on links to Port-auPrince, he said, and food prices have also risen elsewhere in the country because of disrupted trade.

A WFP survey found that as prices go up household incomes are going down because people can’t go to work, are “sheltering in place,” and aren’t earning

money, Bauer said. Asked about the impact of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation, which will take effect once a transitional presidential council is created, Bauer said he isn’t good at reading political dynamics “but we certainly hope that there will be an improvement in security.”

Insecurity is hampering people from doing very simple things right now like taking their children to school, or going to the supermarket or work, which are “extremely risky,” he said. Speaking from Cap Haitien in northern Haiti, Bauer stressed, however, that the focus can’t just be on security, “We also need a robust humanitarian response,” he said.

But the UN’s $674 million humanitarian appeal for Haiti this year is just 2.6 percent funded.

Democrats have launched a longshot effort to force a vote through a discharge petition. The seldomsuccessful procedure would require support from a majority of lawmakers, or 218 members, to move the aid package to a vote.

Ukraine’s situation has become direr, with units on the frontline rationing munitions as they face a vastly better supplied Russian force. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly implored Congress for help, but House Republican leadership has not been willing to bring the Ukraine aid to the floor for a vote, saying any aid must first address border security needs.

Pentagon officials said Monday during budget briefings that they were counting on the supplemental to cover the $10 billion replenishment hole.

“If we don’t get the $10 billion we would have to find other means,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said. “Right now we’re very much focused on the need for that supplemental.”

This is the second time in less than nine months that the Pentagon has “found” money to use for additional weapons shipments to Ukraine. Last June, defense officials said they had overestimated the value of the weapons the US had sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion over the past two years.

At the time, Pentagon officials said a review found that the military services used replacement costs rather than the book value of equipment that was pulled from Pentagon stocks and sent to Ukraine. The discovery resulted in

a surplus that the department used for presidential drawdown packages until the end of December.

The United States has committed more than $44.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including more than $44.2 billion since the beginning of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.

The Pentagon is $10 billion overdrawn in the replenishment account in part due to inflationary pressures, and in part because the new systems the Pentagon is seeking to replace the old systems with cost more, such as the upcoming Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, which the Army is buying to replace the long-range Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS.

The vast majority of those munitions have come from Army stockpiles due to the nature of the conventional land war in Ukraine.

The months without further shipments of US support have hurt operations, and Ukrainian troops withdrew from the eastern city of Avdiivka last month, where outnumbered defenders had withheld a Russian assault for four months.

CIA Director William Burns told Congress that entire Ukrainian units have told him in recent days of being down to their last few dozen artillery shells and other ammunition. Burns called the retreat from Avdiivka a failure of ammunition resupply, not a failure of Ukrainian will.

The Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Stephen Groves contributed.

Russia says it killed 234 fighters while thwarting an incursion from Ukraine

By Jim Heintz & Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press

UKRAINIAN long-range drones smashed into two oil facilities deep inside Russia on Tuesday, officials said, while an armed incursion claimed by Ukraine-based Russian opponents of the Kremlin unnerved a border region just days before Russia’s presidential election.

The attack by waves of drones across eight regions of Russia displayed Kyiv’s expanding technological capacity as the war extends into its third year. The cross-border ground assault also weakened President Vladimir Putin’s argument that life in Russia has been unaffected by the war, though he remains all but certain to win another sixyear term after eliminating all opposition.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that Moscow’s military and security forces killed 234 fighters while thwarting the incursion.

In a statement, the ministry blamed the attack on the “Kyiv regime” and “Ukraine’s terrorist formations,” insisting that the Russian military and border forces were able to stop the attackers and avert a cross-border raid. It also said the attackers lost seven tanks and five armored vehicles.

The reports of border fighting earlier on Tuesday were murky, and it was impossible to ascertain with any certainty what was unfolding in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions. Cross-border attacks in the area have occurred sporadically since the war began and have been the subject of claims and counterclaims, as well as disinformation and propaganda.

Soldiers who Kyiv officials say are Russian volunteers fighting for Ukraine claimed to have crossed the border. The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion released statements and videos on social media claiming to show them on Russian territory. They said they wanted “a Russia liberated from Putin’s dictatorship.”

The authenticity of the videos couldn’t be independently verified.

Fighters coming out of Ukraine attempted to reach the town of Tetkino, which lies close to the border, according to the governor of Russia’s Kursk region, Roman Starovoit. He said Tetkino was being shelled.

“There was an attempt by a sabotage and reconnaissance group to break through. There was a shooting battle, but there was no breakthrough,” he said in a video message on Telegram.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the Tetkino attacks were driven back, but provided no further details.

It also said Ukrainian fighters made at least four attempts to cross into the Belgorod region but all attacks were repelled by warplanes, artillery and missiles.

The representative of Ukraine’s intelligence agency, Andrii Yusov, told Ukrainska Pravda that the military groups are made up of Russian citizens.

“On the territory of the Russian Federation, they operate completely autonomously and independently,” he said.

In May, Russia alleged that dozens of Ukrainian militants crossed into one of its border towns in the Belgorod region, striking targets and forcing an evacuation, before more than 70 of the attackers were killed or pushed back by what the authorities termed a counterterrorism operation. Ukrainian officials have denied any link with the group.

Meanwhile, one Ukrainian drone struck and set ablaze an oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region, according to regional governor Gleb Nikitin. That region is located some about 775 kilometers (480 miles) from the Ukraine border.

In another deep strike, a drone was shot down in the Moscow region, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Though it was brought down well south of the city center, the drone was close to Zhukovsky Airport, one of Mocow’s four international airports.

UKRAINIAN

THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) vowed to distribute P30 billion worth of farm equipment under a program funded by tariffs collected from rice imports.

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

Tthat metallic mineral production value last year reached P249.05 billion, 4.8 percent higher than the P237.66 billion recorded in 2022.

In its report, the MGB though Romualdo D. Aguilos, chief of the Mineral Economics, Infor mation, and Publication Division of the MGB attributed the mining sector’s results last year to the positive performance of gold and nickel ore.

“In ter ms of product ion value gold enjoyed a 17 percent or P15.59bi llion increase f rom P91.05 bi llion in CY 2022 to P106.64 bi ll ion in CY 2023.”

MGB said nickel ore exhibited a 7 percent or P4.18-billion increase. Value of output rose to P65.84 billion from P61.66 billion. The agency attributed the performance of gold to the increase in the price of the yellow metals in the world market.

The prices of gold and silver went up by 7.8 percent and 7.85 percent, respectively. The recorded average price of gold was $1,802.28 per troy ounce to $1,942.80 per troy. Gold was up by $140.51 while silver was up by $1.71.

Meanwhile, the MGB said nickel and copper prices were “lackluster in 2023 The price of nickel fell to $9.93 per pound from $11.86 per pound.

i n m id-2019. Dist ribut ion of fa r m equipment over t he last four yea rs t r anslates to a 91.6-percent del iver y r ate u nder t he prog r am.

PH i lMec h sa id it h as obl igated a total P24.9 bi ll ion of R ice Fu nd for t he proc urement of 28,817 agric u lt ur al equipment made up of 14,713 u n its of land prepa r at ion mac hi nes; 4,284 u n its of c rop establ i sh ment tec h nolog ies; 8,210 h a r vest i ng and t hreshi ng equipment ; 768 d r y i ng tec h nolog ies; and 842 m i ll i ng equipment.

“E qu ally i mpo r tant i s P H i lMec h ’s t r a i n i ng of t he FCAs and LGUs t h at rece ived fa r m equipment, so t hey w i ll be able to benef it f rom t he tec h nolog ies g iven

to t hem, and ope r ate t hese for many yea rs,” t he agency sa id i n a statement.

PH i lMec h i ntends to f i n i s h d i st ribut i ng at least P3 0 bi ll ion

wor t h of fa r m mac hi nes u nder t he RCEF Mec h an i zat ion Prog r am.”

Under Republ ic Act 1120 3 or t he R ice Ta ri ff icat ion Law, PH i lMec h gets P5 bi ll ion ever y yea r f rom 2019 to 2024 to d i st ribute va riou s ag ric u lt ur al equipment to qu al i f ied FCAs and LGUs.

T he P5 bi ll ion i s sourced f rom ta ri ffs collected on rice i mpor ts. All t h e ag ri c u lt ur al e qui pment d i st ri buted by PH i lMec h u nde r t he RCEF-Mec hani zat ion Prog ram a re i n-k i nd or g r ants or a re at no cost to qu al i f ied FCAs and LGUs nat ionw ide.

T he Phi l ippi nes’s rice i mpor ts for 2024 cou ld exceed 4 m i ll ion

On regional contribution to total production, MGB said Caraga was led the pack with 30.04 percent or P74.79 billion, followed by Mimaropa with 13.18 percent or P32.81 billion, and Cagayan Valley with 12.24 percent or P30.46 billion.

The price of copper also slid to $3.85 per troy pound in 2023, from the previous year’s $4.00 per pound.

In terms of contribution to the total production value, nickel ore and its by-products, nickel-cobalt mixed sulfide (NCMS), and scandium oxalate altogether took the lead with P113 37 billion or 45.52 percent.

“Gold grabbed the second spot with P106.64 billion or 42.82 percent. Copper was in third position with P25.41 billion or 10.20 percent.

W hile the collective values of silver, chromite, and iron ore accounted for P3.63 billion or 1.46 percent,” the MGB report read.

T he MGB sa id t he new ent rants last yea r were Gran Consol idated Min ing Inc. located in Davao de Oro for gold, ARC Nickel Resources and Hallma rk Min ing Cor p. bot h i n Davao Oriental for Nickel, and Kaf ugan Min ing Inc.

Caraga is still the countr y’s mining capital. It has two gold mines, one chromite mine, 21 nickel mines, one hydrometallurgical processing plant,

met ric tons (MMT) on expectat ions of lower paddy h a r vest, accord i ng to a repor t publ i shed by t he Un ited States Depa r tment of Ag ric u lt ure (USDA).

T h e USDA r a i sed i ts p r o j ect i on fo r Phi l i pp i ne ri ce i mpo r ts fo r 2024 to 4.1 MMT f r om t h e p r ev i o u s 3 .9 MMT i n t h e latest ed i t i on of i ts r epo r t on global g r a i ns t r ade.

T he cou nt r y’s purc h ases of i mpor ted rice last yea r fell by nea rly 9 percent to nea rly 3.5 MMT due to volat i le global ma rket cond it ions suc h as hig her prices and lower supply. R ice i mpor ts i n 2022 reac hed a record 3.826 MMT. El Niño, however, cou ld aga i n boost t he cou nt r y’s i mpor ts as t he DA projected t h at rice product ion for 2024 w i ll post flat g rowt h T h e Phi l i pp i nes’s u nm i lled

ri ce p r od u ct i on last yea r r eac h ed a record 20.06 MMT, 1.56 pe rcent hi g he r t h an t he 19.756 MMT prod u ced i n 2022, acco r d i ng to data f r om t h e Phi l i pp i ne Stat i st i cs A u t h o ri ty ( P SA).

Last mont h , t he DA made an assur ance t h at t he cou nt r y’s rice supply i s su ff ic ient t hrou g h t he f irst h alf of t hi s yea r, w it h recent i mpor ts and t he upcom i ng h a r vest t h at peaks i n Ma rc h and Apri l, ensuri ng stable price of t he cou nt r y’s ma i n food staple t hrou g h Ju ne i n

of El Niño.

h e DA sa i d, h oweve r, t h at

may stay elevated t hrou g h September t hi s yea r, due to conce r ns ove r El Niño’s i mpact on global rice supply and he ig htened demand for t he g r a i n t h at, consequently, i s keepi ng i nter nat ional prices hig h

AI-powered cold storage facility in Panabo to open in 2025

Pgence (AI) “to ensure t he i nteg rity of its ref riger at ion temper at ure level as well as to deter m i ne t he i nventor y level i n t he fac i l ity.”

Nona Torres, c hief commerc i al off icer of AC Log i st ics, sa id GMAC wo u ld expand

id most of t he oper at ions in t he upcoming faci l ity here wou ld be powered by a r t i f ic i al i ntell i-

l y

are o v ershado w ing choco l ate demand concerns. T he I nternationa l Cocoa

Organization sees demand outpacing supp l y by 3 74, 000 tons for the current OctoberSeptember year, w hi e S w iss choco atier Barry Ca ll ebaut A G anticipates a 500 000 ton deficit this season. Demand fears ha v e been subdued in the face of poor gro w ing w eather o w production and s l o w arri v a l s ana ysts at the H ighto w er Report w rote in a Tuesday

editorial

PCSO must give public iron-clad assurance of full transparency

THE recent revelation by Senator Raffy Tulfo about two bettors winning the lottery an astonishing 10 to 20 times in just one month has left the public questioning the integrity of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) games. The claim is nothing short of extraordinary and demands a thorough investigation to ensure transparency and fairness.

The

The PCSO’s sur plus fund and its decision to augment lotto prizes as a marketing campaign to attract more bettors further raises eyebrows. W hile the intention may have been to encourage public participation, it is essential to ensure that this strategy does not compromise the fairness and integrity of the games.

The sudden surge in winners, like the 433 individuals who won the P236million 6/55 Grand Lotto draw in October 2023 could potentially set a Guinness World Record, but it also raises suspicions about the authenticity of the outcomes. Thus, no less than the Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel, raised this issue. Pimentel, a math major and bar topnotcher, studied the algorithms entailed in this scenario; hence, his curiosity was piqued.

To restore public trust, the PCSO should be completely transparent in its investigation, which we hope it can complete quickly. It must present conclusive evidence that the winning numbers are drawn fairly, without any bias or manipulation. The PCSO should also consider involving independent auditors or external agencies to assess the integrity of their lotter y system. This step would go a long way in ensuring that the public’s faith in the PCSO is reinstated.

Additionally, the PCSO should address the issue of the edited photo of a jackpot winner that went viral. W hile it may have been done with the intention of protecting the winner’s identity, altering evidence raises further doubts about the transparency of the institution. The PCSO should prioritize maintaining the credibility of its operations by presenting accurate and unedited information to the public.

Lotteries are meant to be games of chance, where ever yone has an equal opportunity to win. W hen multiple individuals win repeatedly within a short period, it not only defies statistical probability but also undermines the trust of the public. The PCSO must recognize the significance of this issue and take immediate steps to restore confidence in its lotto games.

The investigation led by senators is a step in the right direction. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding these extraordinar y wins. The Senate panel, in collaboration with the PCSO, should ensure a thorough and impartial investigation to shed light on this matter and provide the public with the answers they deser ve.

T he lotter y is a source of hope for many indiv iduals, and it is crucial that the PCSO upholds the highest standards of fair ness and transparency. Rebuilding public conf idence in the integ rity of the lotto games shou ld be the top priority. T he PCSO must act sw iftly and decisively to address these concer ns and ensure that the lotter y remains a fair and impar tial game of chance for all bettors.

IF you Google the phrase “how to be successful books,” there are 2,360,000,000 results. There are not necessarily 2.3 billion books outlining the steps to success. But then again, there might be. One expert gives this guidance: “Reading books provides you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed. Start your journey to success today with a good book.”

Along

Dan Rotta, 77, was arrested on

the overwhelming statistics show you have a bleak future.

However, the reality is that there are certain things that a person can do to maximize the chances for a successful life under “normal” circumstances. The road is more difficult if you are carr ying heavy external baggage over which you have little control.

The Philippines’ externals. We are an archipelago nation with around 300 volcanoes with 24 that are active. How many other countries have a travel website write “10 Must-See

The countr y lies along a North/ South axis so crops that grow in the north do not grow in the south “Renewable internal freshwater river flows/groundwater from rainfall” per capita is 9,082 km3 in Vietnam while Thailand has 6,200 km3 The Philippines has only 4,300 km3 fresh water to drink and irrigate its crops, slightly less than South Sudan. And finally, the Philippines is the typhoon magnet and protector of Southeast Asia with an average of 20 typhoons ever y year Contrast Vietnam’s average of four to six typhoons hitting that countr y annually. No nation has much control over the externals and can only adapt as best it can. But what might be a delineating factor that could be pointed to for a nation’s economic success?

Charles H. Smith ser ved as the C h a ir of t he Depa r tment of Accounting at Penn State from 1987 to 2000. He writes: “The shift from a high-trust society to a low-trust so-

ciety is consequential economically, politically, and socially. Low-trust societies have stagnant economies, as nobody trusts anyone they don’t know personally or through personally trusted networks, and nobody trusts institutions to function effectively.”

Trust: a firm belief in the reliability, truth ability, or strength of someone or something.

Smit h: “T he vast trad ing networks of the Roman Empire were based on personal trusted networks and trust in Rome’s institutions. The owners of trading ships dealt with trusted captains and merchants.”

“Tightly bound personal trusted networks work well as long as the state i nst it ut ions t h at bi nd t he entire economy are trusted as fair and reliable—not perfect, but “good enough.” But when institutions are v iewed as unfair unreliable, corrupt, or incompetent, t he ent ire economy decays.”

The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report on trust in NGOs, business, government, and media shows “Developing Countries Lead on Trust” with China, India, Indonesia at the top and South Korea, Japan, and the UK at the bottom.

Globally, “Business remains the only trusted institution” at 63 percent with government coming at 51 and press/media at 50 percent. An over whelming 64 percent of We the People say, “Journalists and reporters are saying things they know are t ions to deter m ine whet her for mer Cred it Suisse customers engaged in tax f raud. T he stor y referred to a businessman whose Fisher Island residence was ra ided by t he IRS in 2021. Rotta was t he c ustomer t he people sa id. The arrest affidavit said that after public reports surfaced in 2008 that UBS was under investigation for

The Justice Department is tr ying

Stock investor with 1,900% gain breaks long silence in Japan

By Ben Stupples & Taiga Uranaka

FOR almost three decades, Stephen Butt’s company mostly stayed behind the scenes, a long-term investor in the tradition of Warren

forever to unlock something, but once the consensus is reached the ball gets rolling quickly.”

Si lc hester h as been i nvest i ng in Japan since 1995. It has largely pressed management teams in private, while at times also going public with demands, such as when it filed a request to the Tokyo District Court in 2007 to tr y to stop automobile product retailer Autobacs Seven Co. from selling convertible bonds. The court rejected the demand, Autobacs said at the time.

Obayashi Cor p. It called for special dividends at both and a share buyback at Kyoto Financial. Shareholders again said no.

Now attent ion i s foc u sed on whether Silchester will make proposals during this year’s AGM season. Many Japanese companies hold their annual meetings in June, with shareholder proposals expected to be announced in coming weeks.

“We would like to continue to explain our thinking and listen to their thinking,” Nobuhiro Doi president of Kyoto Financial, said in an interview. “I don’t think our relationship is a hostile one.”

are just as interested in Silchester’s moves.

“It’s a deep value investor,” said Masatos hi K i k u c hi , pan-As i an chief equity strategist at brokerage Mizuho Securities Co. in Tokyo. “I think it is usually soft engagement type, conducting engagement in private,” he said. “My guess is Silchester saw an opportunity to trigger changes.”

Silchester generally doesn’t take a public profile, but will do in extreme cases, a representative for the firm said in rare comments to media, adding it has done the same at other companies in the past.

W hi le Si lc hester says not hing has changed in how it operates, analysts see the investor’s moves—and companies’ responses—as another example of how the countr y’s stock market is evolving. An overhaul of cor porate governance rules started about a decade ago is making chief executive officers more receptive to shareholders, and that’s one big reason why the Nikkei 225 Stock Average finally surpassed its historic peak reached in 1989. Calls for buybacks and dividend increases “are now falling on open ears in Japan,” said Jesper Koll, expert director at online brokerage Monex Group Inc. in Tokyo. “It’s classic Japan in the sense that it takes

In 2022, Silchester embarked on a series of shareholder proposals at companies in the country. Stock owners that hold at least 1 percent of a Japanese stock for at least six months can propose items to be voted on at the annual general meeting. Silchester called for special dividends at four regional lenders, one of which was Kyoto Financial Group Inc.

Kyoto Financial had never received a shareholder proposal in its 81-year histor y. It consulted lawyers and other experts before deciding to oppose it. Silchester, which has held Kyoto Financial’s shares since 2006, responded in a public statement, calling the lender’s stance “naive and lacking financial acumen.”

It said management was seeking to retain capital for its own comfort rather than the good of shareholders or the bank. Regional lenders should pay out half their profit from core banking business and all the dividend income on their equity holdings, the investor said.

S h a r e h olde r s voted aga i nst Silchester’s proposal.

T he money manager ta rgeted

Kyoto Financial again last year along with a construction company called

A spokesperson for Obayashi declined to comment on its communications with shareholders. In a statement in May, the company said its board opposed Silchester’s proposal because it would obstruct Obayashi ’s growth strategy. But earlier this month, Obayashi ’s shares surged more than 20 percent in a single day after the company raised its return on equity target and dividend forecast.

Kyoto F i nanc i al s h a r es h ave more than doubled since Silchester announced plans to submit its first proposal in April 2022, another indication that vocal public stewardship can pay even when votes are lost. The money manager is the bank’s largest shareholder with a 6.6 percent stake, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Silchester isn’t an activist, but it takes a strong interest in how companies that it invests in are run, the representative for the firm said.

Rega rdless, Si lc hester ’s Japan stocks a re risi ng fast. T he yen’s plunge is boosting exporters’ profits. Inflation is finally taking hold. And some of the biggest names in investing, from BlackRock Inc. chief Larr y Fink to Buffett himself, have been making pilgrimages to Tokyo and talking up the market.

Yet longt i me Japan watc hers

Global fuel prices are surging with supply risks ahead

Dfew levers for the US government to pull to lower gasoline prices.”

The average gasoline price at the pump in the US is now 60 percent higher than at the start of November 2020 —a potentially significant factor for American voters when comparing how well off they feel now versus when President Joe Biden was first elected. And while pump prices are rising relatively slowly for this time of year, US fuel stockpiles well below seasonal norms will keep refining margins elevated, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

As a result, the agency on Tuesday raised its second-quarter retail gasoline price forecast by 20 cents a gallon. Distillate cracks—the cost of diesel and jet fuel over crude prices— will benefit from ver y lean inventories and lower production in the short term, as refiners prioritize gasoline output, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a note this week.

various moving parts are making it tough to forecast how much fuel will be available in a year where global oil demand is set to break another record and voters in the world’s largest economy will head to the polls.

There’s a risk that premium gasoline prices could reach a multi-year high this year, said Mukesh Sahdev, head of oil trading and downstream research at Rystad Energy AS.

“There’s not a lot President Biden can do in time for the election, if this happens,” he said. “Strategic petroleum reser ves are low, and there are

One t he bi ggest US ref i ners, Valero Energy Cor p. said earlier this year that it expects a lengthy startup period for new global capacity coming on stream, which will mean the supply-demand balance rema i ns relatively tight for the near future.

Nigeria’s massive Dangote refiner y has, after years of delays, finally started to export fuel. But questions remain over when it will reach full capacity and the timeline for specific units—which impact the type of petroleum products it makes— coming online. It’s a similar stor

“We expect refined product margins to remain elevated and volatile relative to histor y,” said Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sac h s. St rong demand growth for refined products will be roughly in line with net gains in refining capacity, this year and next, he said.

Then there’s the question of what disruptions to the supply of crude and feedstocks mean for fuel output. Sanctions on Russian oil, rising US shale production, Opec+ cuts and changes to global trade flows caused by vessels avoiding the Suez Canal route due to Houthi attacks all feed into fuel production.

For the global gasoline market, one of the biggest question marks is over the availability of octaneen h anc i ng blend i ng components used to make the fuel, particularly with the US summer driving season approaching.

Sanctions placed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine have helped lighten the crude slates in Europe and the US, pressuring output of components like alkylate and reformate, said Jorge Molinero, an analyst at Sparta Commodities. The problem isn’t expected to go away this year, he said.

Overall, global crude refining capacity is forecast to rise by more than 1.5 million barrels-a-day this year slightly outpacing demand growth of 1.4 million—although the outlook differs depending on the fuel, said George Dix, a refining analyst at consultancy Energy Aspects Ltd. Oil product margins are expected to be lower than the previous year but above historical levels, he said. That’s because of new plants taking time to come online and inefficiencies in refining created by Russian crude and petroleum product rerouting, Dix said. With assistance from Lucia Kassai, Barbara Powell, Devika Krishna Kumar and Serene Cheong /Bloomberg

University of Oxford g raduate Butt worked at Morgan Stanley’s asset management business in London in the 1990s, where he ser ved in roles including chief investment officer He set up Silchester w ith former colleag ues from the US bank in 1994, naming it after a quaint English v illage and tak ing a similar investment approach to his time at Morgan Stanley—buy i ng stakes in companies outside the US that it considered under valued. It won money management mandates from endowments, pension f unds and wealthy families. Even today, most of Silchester’s clients are based in the US, according to a person familiar w ith the matter, who asked not to be identif ied discussing private infor mation.

“We like the fact that their sole focus is on managing one strategy,” wrote Michael Binz, then a senior research analyst at Hammond Associates, in a 2008 analyst briefing note for Texas Tech University on Silchester “By focusing solely on international equity investing they are able to develop unrivalled expertise in the asset class.”

Japan was one of the countries that Butt and his colleag ues covered at Morgan Stanley, and when they set up Silchester, one of the f ir m’s early backers was the Japanese life insurer Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co. Today, Silchester holds stakes in dozens of Japanese stocks. Its biggest holdings include car maker Honda Motor Co., adver tising company Dentsu Group Inc. and f inan-

cial f ir ms such as Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Hold ings Inc. and Nomura Holdings Inc.

About six years ago, Butt gave a rare insight into his investing influences. Dressed in a grey suit with a turquoise handkerchief, he lectured a packed audience in London on the legacy of the late value investor Ben-

jamin Graham. Graham’s writings are a “treasure trove” for any serious investor, Butt said, based on a brief for the event organized by the UK branch of the CFA Institute. “He set out enduring principles,” Butt, now 73, said during his 2018 talk. “It’s not clear that much has changed.”

An investment of $100 in Silchester’s inter national equity prog ram on December 31, 1994, wou ld be wor t h $2,031 before investment management fees as of the end of December T hat’s a gain of 1,931 percent, or 10.9 percent per year, outper for ming the MSCI EAFE Index, which covers developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia, Israel and the Far East, according to data seen by Bloomberg.

Butt and his family are worth at least $750 million through their majority stake in Silchester’s parent company, according to an estimate by Bloomberg. That makes him one of Britain’s richest money managers, alongside Brevan Howard Asset Management co-founder Alan Howard and BlueCrest Capital Management co-founder Michael Platt. The representative for Silchester declined to comment on the valuation.

Butt and his wife, Caroline, set up the Calleva Foundation, a charity that supports medical research at Oxford and academic research at the National Histor y Museum and other institutions. Not all Silchester’s wagers have paid off. T he i nvestor became a major

Credit Suisse shareholder in 2018 and still held a stake three years later when the troubled Swiss lender’s stock had slumped. Credit Suisse was taken over by UBS Group AG last year Silchester is also one of the biggest shareholders of GAM Holding AG, the Swiss asset manager that has plunged 98 percent over the past decade.

Si lc hester ’s Japanese reg ional bank bets have fared better Investors have been buying the shares on expectations that Japan will soon end eight years of negative interest rates, which should boost the lenders’ earnings.

Anot her factor i n sh a re-price ga ins in Japan is a push by t he Tokyo Stock Exc h ange to sh ame compan ies t h at t rade below book value, accord ing to Nic holas Smit h, a st rateg ist at CLSA Ltd. T his has “per fectly encapsu lated t he zeitgeist” and spurred a raft of sh a re repurc h ases, he sa id. All but two of the 78 lenders in the Topix Banks Index trade at less than the value of their net assets. Kyoto Financial announced a buyback of as much as 13 billion yen ($88.2 million) in November Toyoki Sameshima, an analyst at SBI Securities Co., called it a sur prise.

Still, some obser vers aren’t sure Japanese exec ut ives h ave really changed their views on how companies should be run.

“There are more engagement activities” by Japanese asset managers, said Shoko Shinoda, a fund analyst at Rakuten Securities Inc. in Tokyo.

“But I’m hearing Japanese companies’ management is yet to fully understand them.”

Silchester itself says it’s encouraged by Japan’s cor porate governance reforms, but there is much work to be done.

“It had been too peaceful,” Kyoto Financial’s Doi said. “We have a lot to learn from investors.” With assistance from Loukia Gyftopoulou / Bloomberg

Poland’s Duda warns Putin will attack others if Russia wins in Ukraine

By Akayla Gardner & Piotr Skolimowski

POLISH President Andrzej Duda said Russian President Vladimir Putin will attack other states if the Kremlin wins its war in Ukraine as he sought to convince the US to approve further assistance for Kyiv.

“W hat Ukraine needs today is to make sure that Putin does not win the war,” Duda told Bloomberg Television’s “Balance of Power on Tuesday.

“We’re a nation who was enslaved by Russia several times. If Russia wins the war in Ukraine, he will attack one more time. He will attack other states,” he added. “That’s why they have to be stopped. They have to be blocked. They have to be punished.”

Duda’s comments come after he visited the W hite House along with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a critical moment in Ukraine’s war to repel Russia’s invasion. The US, Poland and other allies of Ukraine are scrambling to provide more assistance to Kyiv with the war now in its third year and the countr y’s weapons stockpiles dwindling.

Earlier Tuesday, the W hite House announced a package of $300 million in militar y assistance to Ukraine, t he Biden administration’s latest effort to secure aid with Congress deadlocked. US assistance has been stalled as House Republicans use Biden’s request as leverage to force concessions in a domestic dispute over immigration and border policy.

Duda, who met Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier Tuesday, said he stressed to US representatives and senators the need to counter the threat from Russia.

Mangun . . . continued from A

Nato spending

DUDA’S visit to Washington ser ved as a marker for the 25th anniversar y of Poland’s membership in Nato. The Polish president reiterated his calls for members in the alliance to raise their defense spending commitments. Biden hailed Poland for spending almost 4 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, double the 2 percent threshold for Nato members. Duda has sought to raise the threshold for Nato members to 3 percent.

“We’re a nation who was enslaved by Russia several times. If Russia wins the war in Ukraine, he will attack one more time. He will attack other states,” he added. “That’s why they have to be stopped. They have to be blocked. They have to be punished.”

There has been growing anxiety in some foreign capitals about the future of the militar y alliance and more broadly the US commitment to its allies.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has said he told a Nato ally during his

presidency that he would let Russia do “whatever the hell they want” to countries that didn’t meet the alliance’s defense spending obligations. Trump has also been a fierce critic of continued US assistance for Ukraine.

“W hy shou ld we bear the f u ll burden for their security?” Duda said when asked about Trump’s comments. “This is understandable to me, and President Donald Trump today returned to this topic, and he says 2 percent, responsible allies pay 2 percent. W ho does not pay 2 percent? They are not a responsible ally.”

Duda said he enjoyed “good cooperation” with Trump, who is heading to a general-election rematch against Biden. “No matter who is in power in Poland, no matter who is in power in the United States, the foundation, the basis to us are good Polish-US relations,” Duda said. “If we had an agreement about something, with President Donald Trump, that agreement was always kept,” he added. “He understood the problems in our part of Europe.”

Duda famously asked the thenpresident during a W hite House visit in 2018 to set up a permanent US militar y base, offering to call it “Fort Trump.” Both men are still in touch Asked how he would conv ince Nato members to increase their contributions, Duda cited the initial resistance to opening accession talks with Ukraine to the European Union just after the Russian invasion began.

“After two, three months, they were say ing completely d ifferent things,” he said With assistance from Kailey Leinz, Joe Mathieu and Jennifer Jacobs / Bloomberg

Tcircu lar acknowledged the readiness of the Mindanao grid to undertake the two policies, especially because the W holesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao has been in effect for over a year now.

“T he establishment of WESM i n M i ndanao w i ll help fac i l itate t h e i mplementat i on of pol icy mec h an i sms t h at promote compet it ion and c ustomer c hoice t hrou g h RCOA and GEOP,” t he c irc u la r stated. RCOA allows contestable c ustomers to dec ide whic h elect ric ity suppl iers to source power f rom. T he establ ishment of RCOA is mandated by t he Elect ric Power Indust r y Refor m Act of 2001 (Epira) to offer opt ions to t he end-users and g row t he ma rket.

GEOP is a DOE init iat ive t hat allows consumers to c hoose to source renewable energy f rom a l icensed suppl ier as opposed to consum ing whatever is suppl ied by t heir d ist ribut ion ut i lity (DU). It is establ ished in Re-

publ ic Act No. 9513, also known as t he Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

“All elect ric ity end-users in t he Mindanao g rid whose average peak demand falls w it hin t he t hreshold set by DOE for pa r t ic ipat ion in t he GEOP shall be allowed, on a voluntar y basis, to source t heir electricity supply f rom a renewable energy suppl ier subject to appl icable ru les and reg u lat ions,” t he c irc u la r stated.

T he DOE said the Energy Regu lator y Commission (ERC) w i ll keep t rack of t he t ransact ions involv ing d isplaced cont ract capacity or energy (DCC/E) arising from the migration of customers under RCOA and GEOP DCC/E is the excess in contracted capacity or energy of a destitution utility (DU) from a generation company, resulting from the unutilized volume of capacity.

“T he ERC shall closely monitor all measures taken by t he DU on t ransact ions involv ing t he DCC / E, suc h t hat any ant icompet it ive behav ior or abuse of ma rket power shall be dealt w it h accord ingly,” t he DOE sa id.

T he c irc u la r was signed by DOE Secreta r y Raphael Lot i lla last Ma rc h 1 and made publ ic last Ma rc h 13 Lenie Lectura

GBy Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

OOGLE is on track to complete its project to connect the Philippines, Taiwan and the United States through the latest state-of-the-art multicore fiber (MCF) technology which will offer faster and cheaper internet connectivity.

f ibers t hat can essent ially double t he number of cores, ca rr y ing more l ight and infor mat ion at a reduced cost per bit. Google sa id t his is t he f irst t ime t hat t he MCF tec hnology w i ll be adopted. Sapna C had, t he v ice president of Google Asia Pacif ic under Sout heast Asia and Sout h Asia Front ier was one of t he American business exec ut ives who joi ned US President Joe Biden’s spec ial t rade and investment m ission to t he Phi l ippines t his week.

US Commerce Sec reta r y Gi na Raimondo, who led the 22-member

Presidential Trade and Investment Mission, reported that Google is also rolling out the Google Career Certificates in 50 virtual campuses of the Department of Trade and Industr y.

T he Google Ca reer cer t if icates w i ll cover over 1, 300 DTI Negosyo Centers in 16 reg ions nat ionw ide.

Meta submarine cable investments to PHL ASIDE f rom Google, Meta has also invested in t he inter nat ional subma rine cable system t hat w i ll connect t he United States w it h locat ions in t he Lu zon. Meta is t he pa rent company of soc ial med i a g iants Facebook, Instag ram and W hatsapp.

T he US Commerce Depa r tment sa id t he Pac if ic Light Cable Network w i ll suppor t t he Phi l ippine gover nment’s new Nat ional Fiber Backbone Phase 1.

T he project w i ll be launc hed on Ma rc h 25.

Microsoft training to BSP, DBM, DTI MICROSOFT, t he softwa re g iant t hat manu fact ures Windows oper at i ng system, i s also work i ng w it h t he Phi l ippi ne agenc ies on

how to tap Mic rosoft’s a r t if ic i al intell igence to prov ide better publ ic ser v ices. T he US Commerce Depa r tment sa id Microsoft w i ll coord inate w it h t he Bangko Sent r al and Phi l ippines’s Depa

LCproducer in the countr y also recorded a loss of P1 billion from its equity interests in the Coral Bay and Taganito HPAL plants

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Pagainst a profit of P900 million the year prior due to lower nickel and cobalt prices.

NAC said revenues from the sale of ore declined by 16 percent to P21.4 billion from P25.5 billion posted in 2022.

In terms of volume, operating mines sold a combined 16.5 million wet metric tons (WMT) of nickel ore, an improvement of 3 percent compared to the year prior The company exported 8.9 million WMT of saprolite and limonite ore at the average price of $30.59 per WMT during the period against 8.1 million WMT at $39.39 per WMT in the previous year

It also delivered 7.6 million WMT of limonite ore to the Coral Bay and Taganito HPAL plants, realizing an average price of $14.66 per WMT, in contrast to the previous year’s 7.8 million WMT delivered at $18.72 per WMT.

As a result, the weighted average nickel ore sales price during the period fell by 20 percent to $23 30

The

The company has appointed Maria Franchette M. Acosta as its corporate secretar y, group general counsel and chairman of the inspectors of proxies and ballots committee.

Acosta, 51, will ser ve the unex-

per WMT from $29.17 per WMT last year The company said in a statement that it realized P55.78 per US dollar from nickel ore sales last year a 2-percent increase from the previous year’s P54.90.

Earnings before interest, taxes, dep rec i at ion, and amo r t i zat ion (EBITDA) from mining operations amounted to P10.9 billion, a 24 percent decline from the same period last year due to lower nickel ore revenues. Zamora also said the company’s diversification into renewable energy is “proceeding according to plan.”

“With EPI [Emerging Power Inc.] solar capacity now at 172 MWp and almost 400 MWp in the immediate pipeline, our role as stewards of our countr y’s natural resources takes on even greater significance.”

E P I s u bs i d i a r y Job i n-SQM Inc. (JSI) increased its electricity generation rose by 25 percent to 143,770-megawatt hours following the increase in capacity to 100-MWp from 62-MWp year-on-year

JSI’s EBITDA rose 14 percent yearon-year to P594 million. Last Februar y, JSI further ramped up capacity by 72 MWp, resulting in the present capacity of 172 MWp. Its operating assets are in Mt. Sta. R ita, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Subic).

EPI is focused on expanding its bu si ness por tfol io, accord i ng to Zamora.

He said the pre-development ac-

pired term of Solomon M. Hermosura, who has resigned and transitioned to government ser vice.

Acosta is t he cor porate governance g roup head and c hief legal off icer of Ayala Cor p. She is a pract ic ing lawyer for 24 yea rs, w it h 18 yea rs in Vi lla raza & Angangco law f ir m where she was a sen ior pa r tner, co-manag ing par tner and head of its cor porate and commerc i al depa r tment.

Ayala Land also appointed Robert Michael N. Baffrey as vice president.

Baffrey, 46, is the executive director of Ayala assigned to Makati Development Cor p.as its construction operations group 1 and business development group head. He took on the responsibility of managing several projects particularly Arca South and Bonifacio Global City.

tivities on Northern Palawan Power Generation Cor p.’s solar project in Subic-Cawag are “almost complete” with construction of the proposed 145-MWp plant expected to begin by the second quarter of this year In addition, Greenlight Renewables Holdings Inc., EPI’s joint venture w it h Shell Overseas Investments B.V., is on schedule to implement its solar power project in Leyte, with an initial 120-MWp slated to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.

As to the modular-type geothermal project of EPI’s affiliate, Biliran Geothermal, Inc., the initial 2-MW turbines have been installed and energization activities are ongoing. This paves the way for the next phase of the 10-MW capacity expansion, intending to attain a full capacity of 50 MW in the medium term.

Meanwhile, the company’s board of directors approved the declaration of a cash dividend of P0.13 per share of common stock, of which P0.05 per share is special, payable on April 12, to shareholders of record on March 27.

YBERSECURITY giant Cisco said on Wednesday it has partnered with the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) to “elevate” the cybersecurity knowledge and skills of professionals within the commercial banking sphere.

Implemented under Cisco’s Countr y Digital Acceleration Program, the “Cisco-BAP Cybersecurity Skills Training Program for the Next Generation Banker” saw 13 prominent Philippine banks completing cybersecurity courses developed by Cisco Networking Academy.

T he program was delivered in partnership with Mapua University through a blend of self-paced, inperson, and virtual classes on Webex. Participants from member banks under went one of two pat hways based on t heir roles. T he Beg inners Prog ram, i nclud i ng courses on Introduction to Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity Essentials, was designed for banking professionals with management responsibilities. Managers with technical roles associated with technology or cybersecurity enrolled in the Specialized Program, covering courses on Network Security, CyberOps Associate, and Cloud Security.

“The importance of banks and financial institutions protecting con-

sumer data and privacy is paramount in today’s digital era. With the evolving cyber threat landscape, banking professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and skill sets to prevent cybersecurity breaches and respond swiftly to threats.

This partnership with Cisco enables us to provide them with strong cybersecurity skills, to not only safeguard institutions in the Philippines but also maintain the trust and confidence of customers,” BAP Managing Director Benjamin P Castillo said.

The banking sector’s increasing shift towards digitalization has amplified the threat landscape, prompting the urgent need for bolstered cybersecurity measures.

Recent data from the Philippines Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) indicates a 152-percent increase in cybercrimes and a threefold rise in online scams from 2022 to 2023 Against this backdrop, cybersecurity education and training have emerged as critical components for banking professionals.

“As cyber threats continue to escalate, so does the need for advancing and expanding our cybersecurity workforce,” Cisco Philippines Managing Director Zaza Soriano-Nicart said. Lorenz S. Marasigan

“If

Minimo explained. The total amount of foreign loans guaranteed by the government to GOCCs and GFIs shall not be more than $7.50 billion, she added.

Meanwhile, the debt ceiling for nat ional gover nment cont racted loans is $10 billion under Section 2 of RA 4860, the DOF noted.

RA 4860 is also known as “An Act Authorizing the President of the Philippines to Obtain Such Foreign Loans and Credits, or to Incur Such Foreign Indebtedness, as may be Necessar y to Finance Approved Economic Development Pur poses or Projects, and to Guarantee, in Behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, Foreign Loans Obtained or Bonds issued by Cor porations Owned or Controlled by the Government of the Philippines for Economic Development Pur poses Including Those Incurred for Pur poses of Relending to the Private Sector Appropriating the Necessar y Funds Therefor, and for Other Pur poses.”

The DOF’s presentation revealed that some GOCCs and GFI loans are contracted with bilateral and multilateral development partners offering mostly concessional terms. “It would be reasonable to assume that the 25-percent grant element could still be likely met,” the DOF has said.

The DOF also presented the data from the Bureau of the Treasur y on the status of the $10-billion debt ceiling and $7.5-billion guarantee ceiling under RA 4860 as of endDecember 2023

Based on the data, the national gove r nment-d ir ect loans (nonODA), have an outstanding balance of $122.91 million w ith an available head room of $9,877.09 m i ll ion.

National gover nment-g uaranteed loans, w ith a g uarantee ceiling of $7.5 billion, have an outstanding balance of $3,266.80 million w ith avai lable headroom of $4,233.20

m i ll ion. Meanwhi le, ODA loans, w ith no debt ceiling, have an outstand i ng balance of $37,944.71 million.

Tariff exemption for electric vehicles sought for ‘survival’

By Andrea San Juan

THE Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is asking the Tariff Commission to reconsider the granting of tariff exemption to motor vehicles (MVs) that transport ten or more persons as the group describes the local electricjeepney (EJ) manufacturing industry in “survival mode.”

“The granting of tariff exemption to this segment [EJs], should it cover vehicles of the type used as [EJs] shou ld be strongly reconsidered,” read the position paper the EVAP submitted to the Commission. “The local electric jeepney manufacturing industr y is in sur vival mode and this move will definitely not help.”

The EVAP is referring to Executive Order (EO) 12, which orders the application of most-favored nation (MFN) duty for MVs for the transport of ten or more persons (including the driver) at zero-tariff from Februar y 2024 to 2028. After the fifth year or Februar y 20, 2028, onwards, the MFN rate of duty will be at 20 percent. T he ta riff exempt ion for t his

By Lenie Lectura @llectura & Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HOUSEHOLDS who want to install solar panels in their homes now have another financing option through Security Bank Corp., which recently signed a partnership with Helios Energy Inc., for a solar mortgage program.

T hrou g h a statement it i ssued last Wednesday, Security Bank sa id its pa r tnership w it h t he pioneeri ng cl i mate f i ntec h f ir m w i ll allow t he lender to i nteg rate sola r panels i nto hou si ng loans. T hrou g h t he pa r tnership, t he two f ir ms w i ll “prov ide a l i fel i ne” for homeowners seek i ng rel ief f rom hig h ut i l ity expenses.

“By leve r ag i ng eac h ot h e r ’s

Tmotor vehicle classif ication is also “expected to under mine the electric vehicle incentive strategy currently being developed,” which he said is anchored on the promotion of [electric public utility vehicles] ePUVs manu fact uring,” EVA P President Edmund A. A raga said as he read t he posit ion paper at a hea ri ng before the Tariff Commission last Wednesday.

EVAP Chairman Emeritus Ferdinand I. Raquelsantos explained that EJs are now in “sur vival mode” as there is currently only one manufacturer left for ePUV manufacturing from four “A lot of manu fact urers t h at should do manufacturing of ePUVs are now working with the units.

strengths, we aim to position our solar mortgage offering not merely as an option, but as a necessity,” Security Bank Senior Vice President and Secured Lending Division Head Paz Victoria R. Gonzalez was quoted in the statement as saying. “This partnership encompasses a referral arrangement, wherein Helios will direct prospective clients to Security Bank for home loans inclusive of solar panels; utilization of the home equity option for solar panel acquisition; and solar mortgage to eligible clients through our ‘top-up program,’” Gonzalez added. The partnership is founded on a financial product that integrates solar panel purchases into new or existing housing loans offered by the bank. This approach not only makes

would be “detrimental” to the growth of batter y electric vehicles (BEVs) and “further slow down charging infrastructure development.”

The EVAP also stressed that HEVs pricing is competitive and, hence, there is no need for introducing tariff exemption to HEVs. “T here i s al ready a su sta i ned growth in HEV adoption and thus further incentives are not needed and would just lead to unnecessar y tax revenue losses,” the EVAP’s position paper read.

Elvin Raymond Garcia, an official of the Board of Investments (BOI),

solar energy more accessible but also provides homeowners with a cost-effective solution to embrace renewable energy, according to the cou nt r y’s 10t h-la rgest lender i n terms of asset. One of the key highlights of this collaboration is Helios’ commitment to ensuring quality and reliability in solar panel installations. Helios collaborates with reputable solar panel providers nationwide.

“Solar mortgages, led by Security Bank, will completely change the way solar is sold and the way we generate value from our homes. We don’t have to wait for capital appreciation or rental income,” Founder and CEO of Helios Hsin Yao Cheng said. [You can] add solar for zero down today and create a completely pas-

emphasized that the agency attached to the DTI maintained that hybrids should not be included in the products covered by the EO 12. The EO, Garcia added, temporarily reduced the rates of import duty on certain EVs and their parts and components for five years.

Ga rc i a, Super v ising Investment Spec i al ist for Heavy Indust r y Div ision of Manu fact uring Indust r y Ser v ices for t he BOI, expla ined t hat gover nment inter vent ion t hrough t he inclusion of hybrids in t he EO m ight no longer be needed as hybrids h ave been post ing healt hy” dou ble-d i g it g rowt h r ates s i nce 2022. “On the inclusion of HEVs, we note that the annual growth rate for imports of HEVs were 24 percent in 2022 and 36 percent in 2023,” he said.

“Imports of hybrids despite not being included under the coverage are posting healthy double-digit growth rates given the impressive market sales of hybrids due to competitive pricing,”

O

A

according to the SSS.

Agas said that the largest membership coverage was recorded in Quezon City w ith around 15,000

JOs after Macasaet and Quezon City

Mayor Maria Josefina Tanya “Joy” G. Belmonte signed an agreement last January 29. Prior to the SSS-QC Government partnership, the pension fund has already sealed agreements with the Local Government of Mandaluyong, Taguig and Malabon last year, according to the SSS. “As they are exposed to various health hazards while per

Likewise,

temporar y government workers, he added.

Invest in the future AGAS urged other public sector leaders and groups to extend social security protection to their constituents and colleagues by subsidizing their monthly SSS contributions.

“They can shoulder the contribution payments of their chosen recipients for at least six months through the ‘contribution subsidy provider program.’ Let us join forces to invest in the future of our fellow workers in gover nment through equitable social security protection,” the SSS officer said. Agas noted that SSS was able to collect over P7.08 billion worth of workers’ contributions from 2015 to 2023 under the program. Over 2,100 local government units remit-

sive income stream for your family, all with zero downpayment today,” Cheng added.

Helios offers panels with a 25-year warranty, prov id ing homeowners with peace of mind and long-term savings on their energy bills. Further Helios prioritizes preventive maintenance and consistent support to ensure the efficient functioning of solar systems throughout their lifespan.

Beyond clean energy, the par tnership also underscores Security Bank’s comm itment to s u sta i nability. By promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions, the Bank and Helios aim to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and the preser vation of the env ironment.

ted P4.66-billion worth of contributions while almost 700 national government agencies and government owned and controlled cor porations paid P2.03 billion.

On the other hand, over 100 state colleges and universities remitted P289.91 million SSS contributions and 86 local water districts paid P97.64 million.

“We commend t he p r oact i ve stance of our partners in the government sector in providing adequate social safety nets to their JO and COS workers through active SSS membership,” Agas said.

He added that their significant role as coverage and collection partners helped SSS in generating higher revenues while also providing meaningful benefits to all members.

It was recently announced that in 2023, the SSS achieved P83.13 billion net income that year with a huge bulk coming from contribution collection of P309.12 billion.

Agas attributed the outstanding financial performance of SSS last year to the efforts of the SSS management and employees in intensifying its collection activities such as registering new paying members, improved collection from delinquent employers, and the 2023 contribution rate hike.

Health& Fitness

‘Whole of society’ approach pushed at cancer summit to fight cancer

By Candy P. Dalizon

CONVENING stakeholders from diverse sectors, the 2024 Philippine National Cancer Summit (PNCS) championed a “whole of society” approach, emphasizing its potential to significantly improve cancer care in the Philippines.

With the theme “Advancing Integrated Cancer Care Systems for the Filipino,” the summit was co-organized by the Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CanCom), the Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCPh), and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).

The event fostered a collaborative environment by uniting a broad spectrum of stakeholders from the national and international cancer community, including medical professionals, patient advocates and survivors, academic and research institutions, industry partners, the private sector, local government representatives, and key national agencies.

The summit aimed to achieve several key goals which include to identify and share best practices, models, and innovations in integrated cancer care; discuss the progress of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) implementation and localization efforts; establish concrete quality metrics in cancer care by introducing tools, frameworks, and defining standards for patient care, and formulate actionable recommendations to improve the quality and accessibility of cancer care throughout the Philippines, among others.

Cancer remains a major public health challenge, contributing to 7.84 percent of the country’s disease burden and ranking as the third highest cause of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY).

Breast cancer is the most common among women, accounting for 31.4 percent of cases, while lung cancer is the most prevalent and deadliest among men, with 19.5 percent of cases, based on recent statistics.

In the face of these alarming numbers, the two-day summit offered new

hope and direction, aligning with the goals of the NICCA. Enacted on February 14, 2019, the NICCA provides a comprehensive framework to ensure the availability of quality and affordable cancer care services, aiming to improve survival rates and alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families.

Gathering of stakeholders

DR. Manuel Francisco “Ramy” Roxas, chairperson of PCS CanCom which spearheaded the summit, highlighted the event’s importance in bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to improve cancer care.

“During this summit, we are reminded of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment against cancer. We are here to listen to each other and inspire each other to continue to improve cancer care for our people,” he stated, emphasizing a “whole of society” approach to the cancer fight.

Cancer care with a whole-of-society approach is a strategy that goes beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. It underscores collaboration between various sectors of society to improve prevention, detection, treatment, and support for people with cancer.

In his keynote address read by Philippine Cancer Center Head Dr. Alfonso Nu ñez III, Department of Health (DOH)

Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa pointed out the significant challenge cancer poses to public health and its expensive consequences. He stressed the need to educate and inform communities about health-maintaining behaviors and disease prevention.

LGU approach

MEANWHILE, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said he aims to unite stakeholders to devise a unified plan for cancer care at the local government level.

“We should really sit down, look at the capacity of each, harmonize everything, and do a master plan. That is what I commit to this group that we’re going to do,” said Abalos.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte likewise shared the city’s efforts. “We are in the process of crafting the localized version of the NICCA. The city government can allocate a more significant amount of resources when we have the local version of the national law. Hopefully, this can be done by the second quarter of this year,” said Belmonte.

The QC mayor also stated that their overall goal is to establish and maintain a system that combines scientific advancements and practical applications into a comprehensive program aimed at reducing cancer morbidity and mortality in the country, particularly in Quezon City.

“Serving as frontline implementers of healthcare policies, all LGUs play an important role in integrating national guidelines with local needs through active collaborations with community stakeholders,” said Belmonte as she mentioned the DOH, Philippine Cancer Society, Cancer Warrior PH, PhilHealth, as among the stakeholders.

Power of partnerships

ON the second day of the summit, Paolo Maximo F. Borromeo, CEO and President of Ayala Health and Presidential Adviser on Health, talked about the power of partnerships in improving cancer care in the country.

“Since last year’s National Cancer Summit, I am proud to say that we have inaugurated and opened the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital [HCCH], the country’s first dedicated cancer specialty hospital. With a total investment of P3 billion, our goal is for this 100-bed facility to offer the best value hospital for cancer care,” said Borromeo.

Located in Arca South in Taguig City, the 100-bed facility is equipped with 18 chemotherapy infusion units, four operating theaters, two Linear Accelerators (LINACs), and all the essential diagnostic and imaging machines, including PET-CT, optimized for cancer

screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

“In the short time since its inception, the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital has achieved remarkable milestones in patient care and medical procedures,” said Borromeo, citing the hospital’s recent achievements, including the first colorectal and breast cancer surgeries, the first chemotherapy administration, the first histopathology case, and the first patients to complete radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine procedures within its state-of-the-art facility.

Collaboration and synergy

HE emphasized that robust partnerships that embody collaboration and synergy across various sectors are the key to achieving this.

“In healthcare, particularly in the context of cancer care, it’s crucial to acknowledge that no single entity can effectively tackle the complex challenges alone. Our partnership framework embodies the foundation of our approach—a commitment to forging strategic alliances with key stakeholders across various sectors to amplify our impact, empower patients, and drive positive change,” added Borromeo.

He enumerated these collaborations: partners in both national and local governments, as well as financing, technical, pharmaceutical, healthcare institutes, corporate, and patient and advocacy groups.

Day 2 of the summit also featured DOH Undersecretary Enrique A. Tayag who discussed the progress and gains in cancer care and NICCA implementation and Dr. Nu ñez who tackled the PCC’s journey towards becoming the country’s apex cancer referral hospital.

The 2024 Philippine National Cancer Summit, held on February 29 and March 1 at Novotel Araneta, served as a vital platform for stakeholders to collaborate and share innovations in cancer care, aiming to transform the landscape of cancer treatment and management in the Philippines.

By emphasizing the crucial role of early screening and intervention for prevalent cancers, the summit sought to gather collective efforts toward a future where Filipinos no longer fear cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure everyone has access to the necessary care and support to fight this disease.

A healthy work environment is the key to healthy living

By Rory Visco Contributor

THE Philippines has its own Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards crafted back in 1978, and later amended in 1989.

These standards were meant to “safeguard the worker’s social and economic well-being as well as his physical safety and health.”

Almost three decades later, these standards were updated via Republic Act No. 11058 or “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof,” which was passed on August 17, 2018, and came with a corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations that was published almost four months later through Department Order No. 198.

These standards were not meant to be just a piece of paper but meant to be enforced widely in the country, where employers are mandated to adopt and use “appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, and working conditions to ensure safe and healthful employment.”

Studies have shown the critical connection between health and work, where healthy workers would have greater chances of employment than those who have health issues. While issues with physical health can affect work chances, an unhealthy work environment can also affect health and bring about problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, hypertension and other negative health issues. This, in turn, can also affect the

company in terms of more employee absences due to sickness, lower worker productivity, among others. The link between health and work became more evident during Covid-19, which showed the importance of having effective systems in place to protect workers’ health and at the same time secure their job and their ability to earn.

Safeguarding employees’ health

WHILE gainful employment provides Filipinos the financial security to provide for the family, their work can also be a contributory factor when it comes to occupational risks that can either positively or negatively affect their health and financial security.

Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer from Stanford University, who is also an expert on workplace health, said there are several factors that can directly impact the health of employees while working, one of which is job design, including control over work. He said organizations “can guard against these dangers by creating roles with more fluidity and autonomy, and by erecting barriers to micromanagement.” There is also the issue of overtime and number of hours worked. Many Filipinos often choose to work longer hours for that added boost to their monthly paycheck. However, according to Pfeffer, long work hours have been associated with adverse health effects, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, disability. “Employers need to acknowledge this fact and encourage workers to leave after their workday is done to enjoy time with family and friends, without the stigma often associated

with ‘leaving early.’”

For many Filipinos who value work and at the same time put a premium on family commitments, the conflict of choosing between work and family is oftentimes a constant struggle. These days, Pfeffer pointed out that “people need to choose their employer not just for salary and promotion opportunities, but on the basis of whether the job will be good for their psychological and physical health.” He advised employers to “ensure that your employees know that family and other personal commitments are a part of life, and give them the flexibility to not miss out on important moments with family. If employees are happy at home, they will bring their best selves to work every day.”

He likewise recommended that organizations should stop worrying about healthcare costs and instead focus on their company’s work environment, which according to Pfeffer, is “a source of a lot of the stressors, which create chronic disease.”

Offering health insurance is also a way to help improve overall work environment and create a place where workers can do great work while at the same time remain healthy. “Companies that build great workplaces also improve human physical and mental health and lifespan,” Pfeffer said.

Healthcare insurance

FOR PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger Tanco, he said the company understands the intrinsic link between health and professional longevity. This is why PhilCare, Tanco said, continues

to come up with products and services that were designed specifically with that critical link in mind.

Among these products, he said, include ActivNation, a series of corporate programs designed to help employers keep their workforce healthy, with customizable corporate plans to meet the specific needs of a business regardless of its size, plus prepaid healthcare plans to help workers, particularly those in the freelance economy so that they, too, can access quality medical and mental health services.

Aside from that, PhilCare also appoints liaison officers in companies to make sure the utilization of its services is a shared responsibility between PhilCare and the business.

Just recently, PhilCare came out with the results of its recent study, “The ABCs of Pinoy Xs and Ys,” which is the sixth in PhilCare’s groundbreaking series of nationwide health and wellness studies that began in 2014. This latest installment builds on the insights of the first generational study about Gen Zs that came out in late 2023 and puts the spotlight on Generation X, or those between ages 43 and 58, and Generation Y, also known as Millennials, or those between ages 27 and 42.

“We recognize the challenges and aspirations of Generations X and Y by empowering them to navigate their careers with vitality and retire well by prioritizing their health,” Tanco explained. “We aim to be the steadfast partner of employers and workers in achieving holistic well-being.”

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

BREAST and cervical cancers are at the top of health issues that Filipino women face today, the Department of Health (DOH) said. Data gathered by the Philippine Cancer Society shows that breast cancer ranks as the top cancer site for women, with 65 percent of cases being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Cervical cancer ranks second in cancers among women in the Philippines.

The early detection of women’s cancers through sound screening programs and management at primary level is the inspiration behind the Bagong Urban Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and partners have started to build nationwide. The DOH aims to build 28 BUCAS centers to serve the 28 million of the poorest Filipinos by the year 2028. BUCAS centers

will also have mammograms, HIV screening, and family planning services, among others.

Women’s Month

THE DOH is one with the nation in celebrating Women’s Month.

“We recognize the pivotal role women have, not just in healthcare, but in all nation-building initiatives. As we help President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. pursue Universal Health Care for all Filipinos, we must provide essential services that improve the overall health and well-being of women,” the DOH said. As part of women’s month celebrations, DOH, through the TARA! KonsulTayo National Health Fair, conducted free HIV screening, testing, and counseling, family planning, and reproductive healthcare, health promotion and counseling, and cervical cancer screening last March 9 and 10, 2024 at the Liwasan Aurora in Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Innovation, alliance with regulators sought to uplift local beauty industry

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

HE Chamber of Cosmetics

TIndustry of the Philippines (CCIP) is aiming for innovation and sustainable partnership with government regulators like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the end goal of accelerating the beauty sector’s further development while maintaining the high-quality and safe standards for personal and skin care products in the domestic market.

This was among the key topics discussed during the induction of the CCIP’s newly elected Board of Trustees held recently at the Discovery Suites Hotel in Ortigas City. FDA’s Center for Cosmetics and Household / Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research Director Engr. Ana Trinidad Rivera facilitated the oath taking ceremony

The commitment pledge, on the other hand, was led by FDA Director General (DG) Dr. Samuel Zacate. Others present in the event were FDA Attorney III Pamela Angeline Sevilla and FDA Office of the Director General Executive Assistant Daniella Nicole De Vera.

The meeting, likewise, served as a courtesy call with Dr. Zacate, who joined in a dialogue about the cosmetics industry’s concerns on FDA regulations. He underscored how crucial innovation is for the local cosmetics sector and expressed his desire to empower industry players by making regulations more enabling while still compliant to the principles of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The Philippine policy environ-

ment for cosmetics is mainly based on the Asean Cosmetic Directive, an initiative that pushes trade among Asean member-states by harmonizing technical industry requirements while maintaining safety and quality standards.

“It’s a challenge that the FDA wants to help tackle with the local cosmetics industry,” said Dr. Zacate.

F-Pop drive

DR. Zacate is an advocate for the “F-Pop Initiative,” the agency’s project in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) Korea.

The campaign seeks to promote “functional cosmetics” so as to make the Philippine beauty industry more competitive in terms of product innovations as compared to neighboring countries, such as South Korea, China and Japan.

Also, he delved on plans for digitalization to optimize FDA’s e-portal and, eventually, migrate cosmetics and food registrations for automatic posting.

“It was a fruitful meeting. We see that the FDA recognizes the industry’s needs and painpoints,” noted CCIP President Christine Reyes.

The chamber’s leader is expecting for more constructive talks and potential solutions with the FDA. She sees it as the beginning of a more sustainable alliance between the beauty industry and the FDA.

Being a collective voice for the industry, CCIP champions favorable policies and regulations with government agencies like the FDA, thus, guaranteeing a more enabling environment for cosmetics businesses to operate and grow.

Parentlife

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Associated Press

Vhigh school teacher Joe Clement keeps track of the text messages parents have sent students sitting in his economics and government classes:

“What did you get on your test?”

“Do you want chicken or hamburgers for dinner tonight?”

Clement has a plea for parents: Stop texting your kids at school.

Parents are distressingly aware of the distractions and the mental health issues associated with smartphones and social media. But teachers say parents might not realize how much those struggles play out at school.

One culprit? Mom and Dad themselves, whose stream-of-consciousness questions add to a climate of constant interruption and distraction from learning. Even when schools regulate or ban cellphones, it’s buzzes on watches and phones are occupying critical brain space regardless of whether kids are sneaking a peek.

phones less distracting at school. Here’s what teachers and experts recommend.

TRY IT: STOP TEXTING YOUR KID AT SCHOOL

texting, but school is a place for focusing on learning and developing independence. Teachers say you can still reach your child if you have a change in plans or a

If the message is not urgent, it can probably wait.

Think of it this way: “If you came to school and said, ‘Can you pull my child out of calculus so I can tell them something not important?’ we would say no,” central Virginia school counselor Erin Rettig said. Teachers emphasized: They are not saying parents are to blame for school cellphone battles, just that parents can do more to help. Tell your kids, for they do, ignore it.

now?’—don’t respond,” said Sabine Polak, one of three mothers who co-founded the Phone-Free Schools feeding the problem.”

CUT THE CORD FROM 8 TO 3

during the Covid-19 pandemic, when kids were home doing online school. They have kept that communication going as life has otherwise returned to normal. “We call it the digital umbilical cord.

Parents might not expect their kids to respond immediately to texts (though many do). But when students pull out their phones to reply, it opens the door to other social media distractions.

VIA TEXT MESSAGE

ANXIETY

in Virginia, tells parents they are contributing to children’s anxiety by sending messages, tracking their whereabouts and checking grades daily, which doesn’t give kids space to be independent at school.

Some teachers say they get emails from parents over, because kids feel the need (or are told) to report grades immediately to parents.

Dr. Libby Milkovich, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Kansas

City, says she asks parents to consider what kids miss out on by having parents at arms’ reach during school hours.

“By texting back and forth with a parent, a child is unable to practice either self-calming or problemsolving skills,” Milkovich said. “It’s easy to text, but if I don’t have a phone, I have to go ask the teacher or I

Some kids who oppose school cellphone bans say it’s helpful to reach out to parents when they’re feeling anxious or worried at school. For children with serious anxiety who are accustomed to texting parents for reassurance, Milkovich suggests phasing in limits so the child can gradually practice having more independence. She urges parents to ask themselves: Why does my child need constant access to a phone?

child at any time,’ which has nothing to do with the child’s outcome. It’s because of the parents’ anxiety,” she said.

TAKE AWAY THAT OLD PHONE

Her school requires students to put phones in a special cellphone holder when they enter classrooms. But she has seen students stash their old, inactive phone there, and hold onto the phone that works.

Like many teachers, she says phones aren’t the only problem. There’s also the earbud issue.

“Forty percent of my students have at least one earbud in when they walk into class,” Black said. “The

kids will set their phone in the holder to music and they’ll listen to music in class in one earbud.”

TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS

To prove just how distracting smartphones are, Clement ran an in-class experiment where he asked

old-time video arcade—bizzing, buzzing, dinging and ringing for two solid minutes,” he said.

Many studies have found students check their Common Sense Media found teens get bombarded percent of them pop up during the school day, mostly from friends on social media.

“Every time our focus is interrupted, it takes a lot of brain power and energy to get back on task,” said Emily Cherkin, a Seattle-based teacherturned-consultant who specializes in screen-time management.

Teachers say the best school cellphone policy is one that physically removes the phone from the child. Otherwise, it’s hard to compete.

“When the phone vibrates in their pocket, now ‘How do I get it out to the table? How do I check it?’” said Randy Freiman, a high school chemistry teacher they haven’t heard a word you’ve said. Their brain is elsewhere.”

Editor:

B5

things like handy oil blotting paper, sunstick, lip balm

while on the go. Be a pro and cover all the bases by adding eye drops to your everyday self-care bag. From walking along bustling city streets to staying glued to screens for both work and leisure, your eyes endure a lot in your day-to-day life. It’s easy to overlook them until they’re already tired or irritated—red, dry, and itchy. Eye drops help by providing moisture when your eyes aren’t making enough of their own, while also reducing friction and care arsenal, you can never go wrong with the world’s

only cooling eye drops in the Philippines with Rohto Cool Eye Drops, providing instant relief and cooling from minor eye discomforts due to smoke, dust, wind, sun glare, and chlorinated water, or from eye strain debris from eyes, they can also prevent dryness and germ infection all while nourishing the eyes at the same time.

comfort, Rohto Cool Eye Drops are great for waking up sleepy eyes, a must when driving or pulling an all-nighter for study or work. If you’re looking for something with a gentle and moisturizing formula

Whichever you prefer, these handy eye drops are formulated by Rohto Pharmaceutical Japan, which has over a century of experience in producing safe and is fully automated under a controlled environment that’s designed to meet the highest standards. Made with precision and care, applying the eye drops is also a breeze as Rohto’s patented nozzle ensures a precise no-mess drop at any angle. They are also suitable for use with or without contact lenses for your convenience.

Rohto is available at Watsons stores, or online and Shopee. More information can be found at www. rohtoeyedrops.com.ph.

RETAIL TREATS IN HONOR OF WOMEN’S MONTH

WITH the theme “inspire inclusion,” this year’s International Women’s Month aims to inspire people to value women’s contributions, and Robinsons Department Store is joining the celebration with its “We

COCA-COLA

COCACOLA Philippines, in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), has launched the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program in Bacolod City. By engaging 500 sari-sari stores and carinderias as new collection partners, consumers in Bacolod City can take more action around recycling and help advance a circular economy for plastic packaging.

Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of partnering with industries, companies, social enterprises, and non-government institutions to deliver impactful and sustainable opportunities that can help uplift lives.

“The Tindahan Extra Mile Program is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By mobilizing our local entrepreneurs and fostering community engagement, we are taking significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable Bacolod,” he said.

“As we launch the Tindahan Extra Mile Program, we are not merely initiating a program; we are

igniting a movement,” Benitez emphasized. “Together with BENRO, BEST, Coca-Cola Philippines, and our dedicated micro-retailers, we have the power to effect real change and preserve our environment for future generations,” he added.

Through Tindahan Extra Mile, participating micro-retailers will receive financial incentives by collecting PET plastic bottles. The program encourages the community to partake in a shared responsibility towards a cleaner Bacolod by providing convenient collection points in front

of sari-sari stores and carinderias. Residents can easily drop off their empty bottles for recycling. Store owners will accrue environmental points proportional to the bottles they collect, redeemable for cash or products through the bXTRA app.

“Investing in the Tindahan Extra Mile program aligns perfectly with Coca-Cola Philippines’ goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle we sell in the country. By empowering women micro-retailers, who make up a significant portion of sari-sari stores and carinderia owners

FedEx Empowers Next Generation through Educational Scholarship Program for Young Women in STEM

FEDEX Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced its collaboration with Zonta Club of Makati

to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and to furthering gender equality, FedEx held a virtual career fair on February 28 to help the students prepare for their

BingoPlus pairs music with Panagbenga Festival’s flowers

BINGOPLUS, your comprehensive entertainment and amusement platform, the first online bingo app in the country, went all out as it celebrated and ramped up the fun at Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival.

The Panagbenga Festival,an annual monthlong flower fair, was created as a tribute to Baguio’s flora and the resiliency of Filipinos during the 1990 Luzon Earthquake. For its part, BingoPlus understood the importance of the festival and

wanted to honor the hard work that typically precedes leisure and fun.

BingoPlus set up shop in two locations, providing visitors the chance to play a variety of games. Its Melvin Jones Football Grounds booth, which was active from February 23 to 25, 2024, hosted the color game, ring toss, photo wall and mirror selfies, and The Wall. Similarly, the Session Road booth that was up from February 26 to March 3, 2024 invited passersby to play the color game and

first job. They were given the opportunity to craft a professional resume and gained experience in a mock job interview conducted by FedEx human resources specialists.

This is part of FedEx ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of leaders. The EWSP is one of many initiatives FedEx supports to address the social and economic needs of local communities.

To learn more about the FedEx Cares global initiatives, visit https://fedexcares.com

Bingo Rush and spend time at its photo wall and mirror selfie set up.

On top of giving away merchandise to those who played at its booths, BingoPlus also awarded the victors of the Grand Street Dance Parade and the Grand Floral Parade P50,000 each. Furthermore, BingoPlus was seen participating in the floral parade with a float featuring brand mascot BingBing.

Notably, BingoPlus hosted an additional event to ramp up the liveliness and energy of the festival.

The BingoPlus Concert Stage, a variety show, at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds brought in various artists to take the stage. There were performances from Tony Labrusca, The Nameless Kids, Pop 3HSome, Project Z, A Class, and Trainee AE to name a few. Some of the performers took part in the variety show’s Acoustic Idol segment, with the grand winner receiving Php 20,000.

As brands dedicated to the relaxation of Filipinos and the development of Philippine culture, ArenaPlus and BingoPlus remain steadfast in supporting local sports, entertainment, and leisure activities. They continue to work on developing avenues and opportunities to make leisure and sports more accessible and relevant to the Filipinos.

BingoPlus and ArenaPlus proudly stand as flagship brands under Digiplus Interactive Corp, solidifying its position as a leading gaming and leisure provider in the country. For more updates, visit www.bingoplus. com and www.arenaplus.net or download the apps now via the App Store and Google Play.

Winning the Jolly Claro Cooking Oil’s Raffle Promo and the Joy it Brings

WINNING a raffle promo is akin to finding a hidden treasure chest. It’s unexpected, thrilling, and fills you with an overwhelming sense of joy.

Jolly Claro Cooking Oil held a nationwide raffle promo, “Mas Claro, Mas Panalo” starting September 2023 to January 2024. A total of over P2 million worth of cash prizes were given away. The grand raffle winners were picked in January and the winners hailed from different parts of the country and the story of each winner is unparalleled.

Aside from the Oilinis, Oilinaw and Oilinamnam experience that come from being solid fans of Jolly Claro Cooking Oil, the three lucky grand prize winners proved that this once in a lifetime experience is one of the most heartwarming moments of their lives.

One of the three winners is a native of Tarlac, who recently switched to Jolly Claro Cooking Oil for her Takoyaki business. This Japanese street food requires profuse usage of a good quality cooking oil to give it a crunchy exterior and well-cooked batter.

Once a buyer of “takal mantika” in a public market, she became a loyal user of Jolly Claro Cooking Oil after she got to try it and now swears that there’s no looking back. “Before, I used takal cooking oil to save on costs.

When I saw the ads about Jolly Claro in the grocery and FB, joined the raffle draw. The quality of Jolly Claro oil is really good, and it is good investment for food business owners. We did not go back to takal mantika.

The quality and price of Claro is really good.”

The other lucky raffle winner is Bryan, a Gen Z from Batangas. He and his family have been loyal users of

in the Philippines, TEM creates a convenient and accessible network for consumers to recycle,” said Pablo Medina, Senior Director for Franchise Operations at Coca-Cola Philippines. “This program not only helps foster environmental responsibility but also provides opportunities for financial independence and growth for these female entrepreneurs, driving positive change within their communities.”

Any sari-sari store and carinderia owner can become a member of the Tindahan Extra Mile in three easy steps.

Step 1: On the Tindahan Extra Mile Facebook page, sign up on the bXTRA website using your email address.

Step 2: Collect empty PET plastic bottles and bring them to the nearest TEM Trash to Cashback Collection Hub.

Step 3: Exchange your PET bottles for a TEM kit and card to start earning environmental points.

Best Senior Vice President Jan Vincent Mercado urged micro-retailers to join TEM as members. “In partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, our aim is to empower micro-entrepreneurs to become environmental stewards,” he said. “We acknowledge

Jolly Claro for years, and with their loyalty came an amazing opportunity. “My family has been using Jolly Claro for a long time. The price and the quality are great. My aunt asked me to buy a bottle of Jolly Claro Cooking Oil on that day. When I went to the grocery, saw the same ad that I saw in FB. So I decided to join. am really grateful to Jolly Claro for this blessing. I plan to surprise my family, and of course my Auntie, with the prize that I won.”

The grand winner from the Greater Manila Area was a former OFW. However, during the pandemic, she was one of those who unfortunately lost a job. To be able to make ends meet, she decided to venture into a food business with her husband.

“My husband cooks and we sell cooked food. We really liked the quality of Jolly Claro because it does

their significance and influence within communities, emphasizing their potential to encourage community members to segregate plastic waste and participate in recycling endeavors,” Mercado said.

To enable more micro-retailers and inspire collective action towards plastic bottle recycling, Coca-Cola Philippines will bring the Tindahan Extra Mile Program to other areas such as Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in 2024.

Last year, Coca-Cola Philippines launched its consumer engagement program, “May Ikabobote Pa,” to educate, inspire, and engage more consumers to return their empty bottles and cans for recycling.

To advance the circularity of plastic packaging, the company also introduced new bottles made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic. This packaging innovation is now available in Coca-Cola Original 190ml, Wilkins Pure 500ml, and Sprite 500ml. These bottles can be recycled many times, significantly reducing the volume of virgin plastic created and used. Consumers can locate the nearest collection points and discover more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ recycling initiatives through the CocaCola Sustainability Hub.

Instituto Cervantes Celebrates Women’s Month with the Film Series Espacio Femenino

THIS March 2024, Instituto Cervantes will showcase their annual film series “Espacio Femenino,” to honor the works and culture created by women for women. Screening will be at 2 pm on the following dates: March 14, 16, 21, and 23, 2024 for the general audience and will take place at Instituto Cervantes Intramuros branch. Viewing is free for all with a first come first serve seating arrangement. Espacio Femenino will present four feature films and three short films, which were directed by women to showcase their stories of recent years. The series will have both fiction and nonfiction films, and plays on the theme of disorderly imaginaries, all of which will highlight the characters of their authors in displaying quality Spanish cinema accomplished with a female signature.

On March 14, La mami (2019), written and directed by Laura Herrero Garvín will be shown to unfold the raw realities of escort ladies at the Barba Azul cabaret in Mexico City. This particular piece takes on a social, ethical and tremendously human portrait of the world of call girls. The film mainly follows Doña Olga, known as “Mami,” a former cabaret performer with more than 45 years in the business who now is in charge of the women’s restroom. Multiple stories come to life as the routine, struggles, and conversations of the cabaret girls take its place in the intimate space for women. La mami was awarded at multiple film festivals and was the winner of the Best Film at the Cinema Tropical Awards or the FIPRESCI award from film critics.

On March 16, Saturday, three short films take the stage with Cortos en femenino: Oro rojo (2021), written and directed by Carme Gomila; Escamas (2020), co-written and directed by Katherina Harder, and Sorda (2021), written and directed by Nuria Muñoz Ortiz and Eva Libertad. Oro Rojo is an animated social commentary on the issues of environmental exploitation, racism, and capitalism through the lives of three Moroccan immigrant women working in the countryside of Huelva. Delving into the concept of intimate representations in self-discovery, Escamas follows the story of Alicia, a woman who had to undergo mastectomy due to breast cancer, and her neighbor, Lucia, a transsexual woman, as they find acceptance with the help of one another. The final segment of

not have an unpleasant smell and its color does not darken right away. The quality is really good. The oil darkens very quickly.” When she saw the Facebook ad, she did not hesitate to try her luck. “We sent four entries. We really took the time out to join this promo and we also prayed.”And when she received the call declaring that she was one of the grand raffle winners, she had nothing but a grateful heart and strengthened loyalty for the brand. As a former user of another cooking oil brand, discovering Jolly Claro in 2022 not only helped both her and her husband in improving the quality of the food for their business, it has also given them a life changing blessing which will enable them to grow their business further and recover from the after-effects of the pandemic.

Jolly Claro Cooking Oil is not only a household staple, the brand is also a clear and superior choice for everyday cooking. Distinguishing itself through

cortos en femenino, Sorda, is the first sign language film with a Goya award nomination that tells the story of a young couple, Angela and Darío, facing their new challenge of having a child as Angela also struggles to fight the war of being a deaf woman in a prejudiced society.

The fourth film will be on March 21, Thursday, with the showing of Las cinéphilas (2017), the first feature length documentary in a trilogy about art and its meaning in the passage of time, written and directed by María Alvarez. It focuses on three retired women, living in Buenos Aires, Madrid, and Montevideo as they explore their passion for cinema. Las cinéphilas dismantles the stereotypes traditionally associated with a male-centered culture of cinema told through the eyes of the camera and the stories of these women.

Espacio Femenino will conclude the series on March 23, Friday, with Viaje al cuarto de una madre (2018), an award-winning debut film that encompasses the relationship between a mother and daughter as they learn their own identity as women and as individuals. Leonor and her mother Estrella’s journey to self-discovery starts as their relationship falters when Leonor decides to leave their home. It reflects on the roots of family ties as everyday gestures and communication change their perspectives of their identity while they learn to live separately. Viaje al cuarto de una madre has won the Youth Award at the San Sebástian Festival and the Asecan Award for Best Film.

The film series, presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Mostra Internacional de Films de Dones de Barcelona, and the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, will be in Spanish with English subtitles. Entrance is free.

For further information and updates on the film series, please visit Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook site (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila) or log on into: https://cultura.cervantes.es/ manila/en/espacio-femenino.-imaginariosalborotados/167699

For further information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, please visit their website (https://manila.cervantes.es), or follow Instituto Cervantes on the following social media pages: (Facebook: InstitutoCervantesManila; Instagram: institutocervantesmanila).

quality and versatility, Jolly Claro boasts a high smoke point, allowing it to withstand high heat frying without burning or smoking. Its clear and smooth appearance, resistant to cloudiness or thickening, further sets it apart. Undergoing a unique five-step process (three times refined, two times filtered), Jolly Claro attains this clarity and top-notch quality, positioning it as the perfect partner for your everyday cooking. With Jolly Claro, enjoying a good, quality cooking oil for your everyday dishes doesn’t have to strain your finances. Choosing Jolly Claro Cooking Oil is a wise move for your kitchen and your wallet. It’s the perfect choice for budget-conscious homemakers and cooks who refuse to compromise on taste and quality.

Jolly Claro Cooking Oil is distributed by Fly Ace Corporation and is available at all leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide and online via AceMarket.ph, Lazada, Shopee and TikTok Shop. For more information, follow its Facebook Page and visit www.flyacecorp.com.

PHL, India tech confab to boost economic ties

THE Embassy of India held the first India-Philippines Tech Summit (IPTS) last week to help boost economic and strategic linkages through the use of digital technology.

At the event, Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran cited the need for developing countries to develop partnerships among themselves—particularly in security, people-to-people ties, and the economy.

“With the arrival of AI [or artificial intelligence, there will be more changes. There is a need for a partnership. This summit is the beginning],” Kumaran said. According to the ambassador, the summit would bring-in Indian entrepreneurs and their success stories to the countr y’s digital space: “For the Philippines, India offers an opportunity to study, adopt, synergize, and cooperate.” Specifically, the summit brought Indian unicorns” or startup companies valued at over $1 billion that

are privately owned and unlisted on a share market, plus those in the agriculture, health care and financial technology or fintech sector to the Philippines.

For the envoy, the IPTS 2024 was a venue to gather stakeholders in the digital domain, provide an unprecedented opportunity for networking, as well as explore mutually beneficial government-to-business and business-to-business linkages.

Meanwhile, Secretar y Ivan John Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the Philippine government remains keen on maintaining its partnerships w ith the private sector The DICT chief shared that there are several areas now under negotia-

So, who promised what to China on Ayungin Shoal resupply?

Tsource. (I asked the BusinessMirror editor-in-chief for permission to agree to the condition, and she said yes.)

T he source na rrated to u s t he “promise” allegedly made by the Philippine government on Ay ungin Shoal and why the Chinese Coast Guard is allowing only one boat.

The source said in the last two years of the Duterte administration, there was an understanding” that the Philippine government will only provide basic supplies to the Philippine troops stationed in the BRP Sierra Madre on Ay ungin Shoal.

“There was an understanding with t he prev iou s adm i n i st r at ion t h at was approved by the high up, and of course approved by the whole command chain.

“Food, water, even some beauty products for your militar y, we understand. Even for regular rotation, that’s fine. But not to bring-in a large scale of building materials,” the Chinese official said.

He said the Philippine militar y had shared with them their intention to buttress the rusting BRP Sierra Madre, a World War 2-era naval ship.

it is a big accusation. And Mandarin-speaking Filipinos who heard the original statement mentioned by the Chinese Foreign Ministr y have confided to me that the translation provided to us was already sanitized and that the Mandarin words were “more hurtful” in context.

A Chinese official spoke to a select group of Filipino reporters last week on the condition of Chatham House Rules—we are free to use the information that we will receive on the condition that we do not identify the speaker nor the affiliation of the

tion with the Indian government on cybersecurity and digital transformation.

“The summit is a fitting renewal of cooperation and celebration of the establishment of diplomatic ties between [our] countries,” Uy said in a recorded speech T he one-day I P TS was or gan i zed by t he DICT, t he Phi l ippi nes C h amber of Commerce and Indu st r y, as well as Ind i a’s M i n i st r y of Elect ron ics and Infor mat ion Tec hnology and t he Feder at ion of In-

of tetanus poisoning, or the ship will just break down, scattering them in the middle of a sea wilderness.

Apparently, the notion of reinforcing BRP Sierra Madre alarmed Beijing, as this would mean that its grounding would make it more permanent; and technically, means the Philippines has already “occupied” the shoal.

This, the Chinese claim, makes the Philippines a violator of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct for Parties (DOCC) in the South China Sea, which obliges claimants to “refrain” from doing activities that would complicate or escalate the disputes, such as inhabiting on the “presently uninhabited” islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.

BRP Sierra Madre was intentionally grounded by the Navy in 1999. The DOCC was signed in 2012.

Still, Beijing sees the Ayungin Shoal as “presently uninhabited” with just the BRP Sierra Madre moored on it.

With this understanding,” the Chinese Coast Guard has been instructed to allow only one boat to proceed to the Ayungin Shoal during rotation and resupply mission. The other boat, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard vessels, would now come under water cannon firing.

W hen asked how does t he C hinese Coast Gu a rd know t h at t he ot her boat ca rries t he const ruct ion suppl ies, t he off ic i al sa id Phi l ippi ne m i l ita r y off ic i als h ad told t hem t h at t hey only need one boat to bri ng basic suppl ies.

W hen Pr es i dent Fe rd i nand R. Marcos Jr took off

Last

AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner admitted last October that the Philippine militar y has started doing “superficial repairs” on BRP Sierra Madre to improve the living conditions of the soldiers with decent sleeping and dining facilities, as well as improve access to the internet.

But apparently, the AFP intimated— or signalled?—to the Chinese side that they will put more reinforcements on the ship which would make it sturdier Remember this is a World War 2 ship and it has been grounded in that shoal for 25 years. Imagine the rust all around it. The soldiers staying there may not die from a Chinese attack but

The

“With

UK visa-application center inaugurated

VF

Od i an C h ambers of Commerce and Indu

A round 300 participants from agriculture, health care and fintech companies, representatives of Philippine government agencies and businesses, as well as angel investors, venture capital firms and incubators gathered for the event. Apa r t f r om netwo r k i ng oppor tunities, the summit featured panel discussions from exper ts in the f ields from the aforementioned sectors. Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA

will not make, and what circumstances they have to make some response.

“But the problem was that this administration was eager to change. So it led to—despite our warning—I warned them again and again, I said, ‘No, before we reach some understanding, please be patient. Let’s talk.’

“But they insisted. They said that’s up to us. They even asked us a question, ‘W hat about if we do this, if we send or do something new, what will be our reaction.

“Then, they asked ‘what about if we ask the support of the Americans?’” the source intimated.

As of this writing, I’m still tr ying to reach Delfin Lorenzana and Teodoro Locsin Jr the defense and foreign affairs secretaries during the Duterte administration, to comment about this supposed understanding” that the Chinese government says it had with the previous government.

I asked a high-ranking official from the Depar tment of Foreign Affairs if there was indeed such an “understand ing” or “arrangement” made. T he off icial denied they made such a promise.

“W hy would we agree to that? There is no record of it, no proof of it. If there’s no record, then the Chinese are lying,” the Filipino diplomat said. The problem though, the source conceded, was that during the administration of President Duterte, Chinese President Xi Jinping would call Duterte without Secretar y Locsin joining the call, so the DFA does not have an official record of their phone conversations.

In my more than 20 years of covering the foreign affairs, it is ver y rare for Chinese officials to be ver y candid about issues which are ver y sensitive such as the West Philippine Sea. T he C hi nese s ide i s obv iou sly ver y hur t, as much as we are. T hey are also human. But in the world of uncer tainty, w ith the war between Ru ssi a and Uk r a i ne and renewed Israel-Palestinian conflict, I believe the Chinese side is also worried that the South China Sea dispute is getting out of hand. T he off icial who spoke to us is probably risk ing his position or stature, but it speaks volumes of how desperately they want to resolve this problem w ith the Phi lippine gover nment. For me, it is impor tant to note also that the Chinese side also let go of its “promise” in the mid-90s that the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) wou ld just be a f isher man’s shelter, and then turned it into a huge militar y outpost. Let’s just hope that cooler sides and diplomacy wou ld prevai l, and fewer promises are broken.

FFERING an en h anced v i sa-appl icat ion s u bm i ssion experience for United K ingdom visa customers in Manila, Deputy Ambassador Alistair W hite led the inauguration of the upgraded UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Manila on March 8, with Assurance and Integrity Manager for Asia Pacific Julian Salisbur y of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Head for Australasia Kaushik Ghosh of VFS Global. The new UK VAC in Manila at the sixth floor of the Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two will provide a more comfortable and relaxed visa application-submission experience. The spacious facility, equipped with modern amenities and ser vices, has the capacity to process a higher volume of visa applications per day, while enhancing the customer experience by making their processing journey smoother and more seamless.

W hite said that the new and improved VAC located at the city center is easily accessible by public transportation, “providing our customers with added convenience to ensure they have a smooth start to their journey to the UK...” “In 2023, UKVI issued around 77,500 visas to [Filipinos—a 24-percent increase from the numbers we saw issued in 2022,” the deputy ambassador shared. “As always, we’re excited to welcome more travelers this year, as the UK stands as a key travel destination for many in the Philippines.” Sp r ead ac r oss 3 , 3 00 s qu a r e feet, t he center has 10 subm ission cou nters, w it h a capac ity to process more t h an 300 appl icat ions da i ly. It also h as a newly designed, state-of-t he-a r t Prem iu m Lou nge as one of t he opt ional ser v ices for v isa c ustomers. For his part, Ghosh remarked: “VFS Global h as sh a red a longstanding relationship of trust with the [British government since 2003… the new VAC reflects the strong

partnership we share and] will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for travel to the UK. We are confident that this will enhance customer experience by making the visa-application process even more smooth and seamless], thereby helping us better ser ve travelers to the UK better.”

As ment ioned, t he Prem iu m Lounge enables end-to-end personal ized assistance t hroughout t he application process. Prime Time Appointments” ser vice allows submission of visa applications beyond regular working hours, and “Keep My Passport” that permits applicants to retain their passports while their applications are being assessed, and only submit them once a visa decision has been reached.

Similarly, the “Courier Return” ser vice facilitates deliver y of the processed documents to the registered address, while SMS notifications can help in giving updates at each step of the application journey.

In addition, UK visa customers can apply for their visa from any preferred location—at home or in office—by opting for the “On Demand Mobile Visa” ser vice. VFS Global operates UK VACs in Cebu and Manila, with the latter catering to UK visa applicants—including for study, travel, business, and others.

A trusted par tner for t he UK government since 2003, VFS Global won the global contract for overseas UK visa and citizenship ser vices in 2023 This year, it will deploy 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Ser vice Centres for the UK in 142 countries across Africa and Middle East, Americas, Australasia and Europe, China and Taiwan, as well as Asia and Asia-Pacific regions. The centers will accept all categories of visa applications, plus those for UK passports in some locations.

In all, these new centers are seen to process 3.8 million applications yearly.

UAE holds free eye treatments in Samar

THE Noor Dubai Foundation (NDF) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in cooperation with the nongovernment organization (NGO) Eye hEar Foundation and Department of Health (DOH), recently conducted f ree cata ract surgical caravans in Borongan, Eastern Samar and Catarman, Northern Samar Almost 2,000 persons benefited from the program’s activities, which i ncluded sc reen i ng and eye-ca re diagnosis, 586 cataract surgeries, distribution of 454 eyeglasses, and handing out of medicines during each camp.

Ambassador Moh amed Oba id Salem Alqataam Alzaabi of UAE shared that “with the directives of the [Emirates’ wise leadership, and under Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s global initiatives that give hope for millions of people for a better future,] the UAE has been maintaining strong friendship ties with the Republic of the Philippines, especially in the medical field.”

T he envoy expressed t he embassy’s gratitude to the foundation “for its great efforts and sustainable charitable program. [We salute them for their project’s immense results in the Philippines. Also, I would like to thank the Philippine government for its great cooperation in this program.”

A

A C

Hidilyn, 3 others in good position

Ababa surges ahead as locals make move

JHONNEL ABABA charged to the top with a two-under 70 for a one-stroke lead over Korean Gwon Minwook in another challenging day Wednesday halfway through the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Apo Golf Classic.

Despite a wobbly start at the backnine, Ababa bounced back with a run of five birdies capped with a 20-foot putt on No. 18 of the Davao City layout. He sustained his attack at the front with birdies in Nos. 1 and 8 to stay in command but failed to get up-anddown on the ninth for a pair of 35s. While content with his lead at 143, the ace Davaoeño acknowledged the importance of the third round in maintaining his position while underlining the need to improve his drives and irons.

“My shots were off in the early going but was able to recover,” said Ababa, who bogeyed Nos. 10 and 12 but rebounded with three birdies in the next six holes, capped by a long putt on the par-five 18th.

But he remained cautious of the strong competition with Minwook and several others staying within striking distance.

“Tomorrow is crucial, you need to make some headway to avoid being left behind in the final round,” said the two-leg winner of last year’s edition of the annual circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. (PGTI).

Minwook, who tied for fifth in

last week’s Philippine Golf Tour Q-School at South Pacific, struck back from a double bogey on No. 12 with an eagle on the next and a birdie on No. 18 to fire a 71, moving to solo second at 144.

Tony Lascu ña and Jay Bayron also positioned themselves as contenders along with 10 others, including fellow Davaoeños Zanieboy Gialon and Edmar Salvador Jr.

Lascuña, the Tour’s only four-time Order of Merit winner who ruled this event in 2019, carded a 70 to be at third place at 145, while Bayron, out to snap a long title spell, also remained in the hunt with a 72 for a 146, catching Gialon and first round joint leader Ozeki Kakeru from Japan.

Gialon, who last won at Caliraya Springs in 2022, blew a one-under card with bogeys in the last two holes at the front for a 73, while Kakeru also reeled back in a frontside finish, dropping strokes on Nos. 6 and 8 for a 74.

Notably, Kristoffer Arevalo shot the tournament-best four-under 68, highlighted by three birdies in the last six holes as he fought back from a 77 to join Salvador and Dutchman Guido van der Valk at seventh with 147s.

Salvador, who matched Kakeru’s opening 72 Tuesday, struggled with a 75 while van der Valk squandered a solid backside 33 with bogeys on Nos. 2, 4 and 6 to settle for a 72.

But the title race remains tight with several players grouped closely, promising an exciting third round in the P2.5 million championship supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf.

They include Ira Alido, Russell Bautista, Japanese Kei Matsuoka, Korean Hyun Ho Rho and Rupert Zaragosa, who all assembled 148s. Alido, Matsuoka and Rho shot 73s, Bautista carded a 74, while Zaragosa fumbled with a 73.

Zaragosa, in chase of a second win after dominating the Iloilo leg last year, threatened to within a stroke off

Ababa with a three-under card with three holes left at the front. But he lost his momentum and putting touch, closing out with a bogey-double-bogey skid to drop to joint 10th.

Forty-one players advanced to the last 36 holes with last week’s Q-School topnotcher Aidric Chan and two-time

elims winner Toru Nakajima from Japan barely making it through with 154s after 75 and 77, respectively.

Among those who fell by the wayside were last year’s Valley leg runaway winner Reymon Jaraula (76-156), last week’s Q-School No. 2

Mitsubishi Triton GSL A / T and a Toyota Raize plus other premium prizes for holes-inone—resumes Thursday with Batch 2 in sequential tee times starting at 6 a.m.

Batch 1 will resume play on Friday and the second to complete their 36hole round on Saturday. The event drew a record field of 325 teams comprising 650 players.

Manila Southwoods chairman Bob Sobrepeña and Forest Hills general manager Raymond Bunquin produced

74 points under the Aggregate format at Legends as they tied Poch Hernandez and Antonio Otayz for the Division III lead, two points ahead of the teams of Steve Tycangco-Michael Tan To and Art Caronongan-Arthel Caronongan, who both made 72 points.

Gene Ynion and Armando Salva, meanwhile, surged ahead in Division IV with 74 points, also at Legends, with Jun Ymbong and Ariel Javelosa submitting a 73 and Gerry Handog and Jong Arcano combining for 72 points. In Division V, JJ Atencio and Jake Ong scored 96 points at the Masters to seize a two-point lead over Manolo Agojo and Vicente Marquez, who carded a 94, while Toby Orqueza and Rod Liamzon turned in a 90 for third.

Jayson Yu, Chief Finance Officer of Club Leisure Management Corp., and Manny Santander scored 73 points at Legends to post a commanding ninepoint lead over Arvin Mandigma and Bong Agojo, who made 64 points, in the Sponsors/Guests category of the event.

Dennis Hain and Manny Rabe posted a 63 for third.

Other hole-in-one prizes are Alaska cruise for two with round-trip tickets for seven nights, a three-night stay at Hamp Court Palace with two roundtrip tickets, a Smart Vogue Plus Ogawa Massage Chair, and P100,000 worth of free play credits at Newport World Resorts.

In case no one scores an ace, all prizes will be raffled off during awards rites on Saturday.

Hyundai Motors, Phil. Is offering an exclusive prize, a Stargazer X, for an ace.

Kuresh Samanodi (73-157), former leg winner Arnold Villacencio (76-160), last week’s joint fifth placer Drew Proctor of the US (79-160), consistent Top 10 finisher Dino Villanueva (80161) and former OOM winner Jobim Carlos (82-166).

MMaking up the Gold sponsors list are Federal Land, Inc. and The Turf Company while the Silver sponsors are Abomar Equipment Sales Corp., Agrexplore Corp., Le Chef, Inc., Leads Agricultural Products Corp., City of Cabuyao, City of Carmona, Mit-Air, Inc., Pacsports Phils. Inc. and Regent Travel Corp.

FBy Rick Olivares

ILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN Joshua Culibao takes on Danny Silva in a featherweight match in UFC Fight Night Tuivasa vs Tybura on Sunday.

The 29-year old Culibao (11-2-1), who was born in Sydney, saw his three-match win streak halted via unanimous decision to Lerone Murphy last July in London.

“I was upset about the result of that last fight,” Culibao said. “I felt too eager to get in there. Usually I am enjoying the moment.”

“I wanted to fight so bad and for it to be over, I didn’t think my mind was in the right headspace and maybe I was looking ahead and you cannot have that,” he added. As a result of that match, Lerone Murphy cracked the top 15 UFC Featherweight Rankings and Culibao knows it is a missed opportunity—but it has only made him more motivated this time.

“I think the loss will make me a better fighter because training camp is really

for Paris Olympics

By Josef Ramos

HIDILYN DIAZ-NARANJO remained potentially close to returning to the Olympics with three other weightlifters also in strong position to join the Tokyo Games gold medalist in Paris in July.

Diaz-Naranjo dropped one rung down to No. 8 in the -59 kgs class in the women’s Olympic rankings—a spot that keeps her in the magic 10 for qualification for Paris.

Also within the quota, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas secretary-general Patrick Lee said on Wednesday—are Vanessa Sarno, Rosegie Ramos and John Febuar Ceniza.

“These four weightlifters are qualified [for Paris]—as of this moment,” Lee said. “But anything can still happen with the last Olympic qualification coming up.”

The International Weightlifting Federation has set the World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, up March 31 to April 11 as the sixth and last Olympic qualifier.

Diaz-Naranjo, winner of the -56 kgs gold medal in Tokyo, has committed for

“This is my home course, so obviously I want to do well,” Singson said. “But then it’s also the home

so I

the seasoned national team player underscored the need for patience and a solid performance in the final round.

“I need a lot of patience and hope to play well,” she said. Singson is no stranger to success on the LPGT, having secured titles at Splendido Taal in 2022 and at Valley Golf last year while playing as an amateur. She bogeyed No. 2, flubbed a tricky birdie-putt from short range on the next, bogeyed Nos. 5, 9 and 12 for the second straight time. But she dominated the par-5 No. 13, also for the second consecutive day, and birdied the next two, both side-hillers, before gaining another stroke on the par-3 17th to complete her fiery windup for a 39-33.

“Fairways and greens and hope the putts will drop,” Singson said of her game plan for the third round. Ababa dropped to second with a 75 for a 147. The local ace appeared headed to retaining the lead she yielded to a hot-starting Mikha Fortuna with a birdie on No. 13 but failed to match Singson’s hot finish.

Fortuna, who won the seasonending Match Play Invitational at The Country Club last November, drove past Ababa with a birdie on the first hole and stayed ahead with a frontside 37. But the Oklahoma U product wavered with four bogeys in the first seven holes at the back and fell behind. She matched Singson’s birdie on the 17th to finish with a 76 for third at 149.

Multi-titled Chanelle Avaricio remained at fourth despite a birdieless 78 but stood way behind Singson at 153 while Rev Alcantara matched par-72 to tie Harmie Constantino, who faltered with a 79, at fifth at 155. After a first-round 83, Alcantara mounted her comeback with birdies on Nos. 16, 17 and 3, but she struggled at the finish, bogeying Nos. 4, 6 and 8 for a 38-34.

Miya Legaspi pooled a 156 after a 78, Laurea Duque also submitted a six-over card for a 157, and rookie pro Lois Kaye Go made a 78 for joint ninth at 159 with reigning Order of Merit winner Daniella Uy, who continued to struggle with an 82 after a 77.

good for me this time around,” he said. Perhaps, too, he was anxious about his wife Sarah’s impending childbirth then—she gave birth to baby girl Marley three weeks after the fight.

“Now it is just more than me,” Culibao said. “The fights mean more. It’s no longer about me. I have a goal and that is to provide for my family and put food on the table.”

Standing in his way is Silva (8-10), a Mexican-American who will be making his UFC debut.

The 27-year-old Silva is coming in with a two-match win streak—a unanimous decision victory and a knockout.

Like Culibao, Silva

the Phuket event in favor of the Asian championships in Tashkent last month.

Two-time Southeast Asian Games champion Sarno ranked fifth in women’s +71 kgs, while Ramos, 20, stood at ninth place in women’s -49 kgs after five Olympic qualifiers.

Ceniza also skipped Tashkent but still ran sixth place in men’s +61 kgs. “I’m so confident our four athletes will make it to Paris,” said Lee, stressing all four are penned for the Phuket World Cup.

Diaz-Naranjo is in deep training in her facility in Jala-Jala while the rest honing at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Only the top 10 in each weight category and only one weightlifter could compete for a national Olympic committee in the Paris Games set from July 26 to August 11.

The IWF will announce the qualifiers for Paris in May.

Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas clinched tickets to Paris from the boxing qualifiers in Italy only last Monday to join fellow boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena on Team Philippines.

Nataño stuns Cua in Kidapawan City Barrios Cup meet M

ARY DJOANA NATAÑO beat fancied Dhea Cua in a gripping duel of skills and composure, 7-6 (5), 7-6(4), to capture the spotlight in the Ronald Barrios Cup National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Kidapawan City Club in Cotabato over the weekend.

Carrying the momentum from her quarterfinal triumph over doubles partner and third seed Aika Salahuddin, Nataño survived Jasmen Kadalum, 7-5, 4-6, 10-7, in a duel of unranked players.

The Cotabato City native then shocked the multi-titled Cua in a pair of closely-contested sets, snaring the girls’ singles 18-and-under trophy in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

While Cua took the 16-and-under crown with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Jannah Otico, the local talent fell short of extending her run of “double” victories following her romps in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib Cup, and the Mayor Josef Cagas and Gov. Yvonne Cagas Championships over the past three weeks.

Despite the runner-up finish, Cua’s stellar performance still earned her MVP honors, while Midsayap, Cotabato’s Krelz Jan Gecosala shone in the boys’ side with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Julius Otoc in the 14-and-under finals.

Chad Globasa topped the boys’ 16-and-under class after beating, Iñigo Barrios, 6-2, 4-6, 10-5.

Other winners in the week-long tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, Palawan PawnshopNTC and Universal Tennis Rating were Job Albretch of Cotabato City, Kresthan Belacas of Mlang, Princess Placa of Digos City, Justine Gumbao of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and Francis Dimzon of Maragusan, Davao de Oro.

Meanwhile, action in the longrunning talent-search sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro starts Thursday at the Inigos Resort in Lucena. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Albretch repelled Pete Andre Cua, 6-4, 6-2, to secure the boys’ 18-andunder plum, Belacas trounced Jaycee Compa, 6-2 6-2, for the boys’ 12-andunder diadem, Placa upended top seed Jamnah Otico, 3-6, 7-6(9), 10-5, for the girls’ 14-and-under crown, Gumbao repulsed No. 1 Daneea Sinsuat, 7-5, 6-2, for the girls’ 12-and-under title, and Dimzon booked another 10-and-U unisex trophy with a 4-1, 4-1 romp over Francis Pilapil.

Cua and Sanschena Francisco and Albretch and Arpha Sarip III (18-andunder) led the doubles winners, along with Jamnah Otico and Helle Sira, and Belacas and Julius Otoc (14-andunder) and Dimzon and Sinsuat (10-and-under unisex).

MOST Valuable Players Krelz Jan Gecosala (left) and Dhea Cua (right) with host and sponsor Ronald Barrios of Midsayap.

MAFY SINGSON makes a shot from behind a tree. NONIE REYES