BusinessMirror May 13, 2024

BSP likely to start cutting rates in Q3, analysts project

WITH consumption hurting the country’s recent economic performance, analysts said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to start cutting rates as early as the third quarter.

In its latest Country Risk & Industry Research, BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, projects a rate cut by the Monetary Board in July when the United States Federal Reserve is also expected to cut rates.

L ast week, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s GDP growth averaged 5.7 percent, slower than the 6.4 percent in the first quarter but faster than the 5.5 percent posted in the last quarter of 2023.

(See: https://businessmirror .com. ph/2024/05/10/spending-cutbacksto-continue-say-experts/)

“Our forecast incorporates a rate cut by the central bank in July, the same month we expect the Fed to begin easing, which is a more dovish view compared with market positioning,” BMI said in a report.

High interest rates, BMI noted, caused a decline in investments in the first three months of the year. The tight monetary policy made borrowing costs soar.

BMI said, however, that the El Niño is expected to affect food production, pushing commodity prices up and delaying any disinflation.

The result is largely consistent with our 6.2 percent full-year growth forecast, which we maintain. Labor market conditions have tightened, and we still expect looser monetary policy to lift economic activity over the coming quarters,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) also expects the US Federal Reserve movements to have significant weight on BSP’s monetary policy.

BPI expects the BSP to start easing monetary policy by the third or fourth quarter. If inflation stabilizes and the Fed cuts rates, this will convince monetary authorities to reduce key interest rates.

But overall, BPI expects BSP to “em -

brace a cautious approach to monetary policy” by keeping rates high in the first semester of 2024. “ Easing its monetary policy may also be contingent on the Federal Reserve’s future policy move. If local inflation conditions are right, the BSP will likely respond immediately with rate cuts once the Fed begins its easing cycle,” BPI said. A ny easing of the monetary policy would bode well for the embattled Philippine peso. The peso has been taking a beating since April 18 when the

NET FDI INFLOWS UP

ABy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

SURGE in equity and investment funds as well as equity placements boosted the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows in February 2024, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

T he data showed the foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows grew 29.3 percent year-on-year to reach $1.36 billion from the $1.06 billion net inflows in February 2023.

T he data showed a 480.4-percent increase in equity and investment fund shares, and nearly a thousand percent increase in net investments in equity capital.

This development was due to the 927.3-percent expansion in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital [other than reinvestment of earnings] to $764 million from $74 million in February 2023,” according to BSP.

B SP said the developments brought the cumulative FDI net inflows in January-February 2024 to $2.3 billion, higher by 48.2 percent than the $1.5 billion net inflows re -

corded in January-February 2023. The growth in FDI reflects sustained investor confidence in the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and resilience amid persistent inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainties,” BSP said. T he data also showed that under net investments in equity capital, there was a 660.2-percent increase in placements: reaching $857 million in February 2024 from $113 million in the same period in 2023. W ithdrawals, however, also showed a 142.1-percent increase to $93 million in February 2024 from $38 million. However, compared to $110 million posted in January 2024, the February withdrawals was lower.

USDA EXPECTS PHL TO REMAIN TOP GLOBAL RICE IMPORTER

TBy Ada Pelonia

HE Philippines will remain as the world’s largest importer of rice as it will purchase 4.2 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, according to a report published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“ The Philippines imports are forecast up to a record 4.2 million tons on continued growth in consumption. The Philippines is expected to again be the largest global rice importer,” the latest monthly report on global grains trade read. The USDA has projected in its monthly report that the Philippines will import to feed its growing population and the increasing number of tourists who will visit the country.

Indonesia, the USDA said, will see the biggest change in rice imports next year due to larger crops and carry-over stocks.

“In 2025, the largest change for rice imports is for Indonesia where imports are forecast down 2.0 million tons to 1.5 million tons due to a larger crop and sufficient beginning

stocks,” the report read. The decline in Indonesia’s rice import would impact the rice exports in Thailand and Vietnam, with USDA’s projections down 900,000 metric tons (MT) and 500,000 MT, respectively.

“ Thailand rice exports are forecast at 7.5 million tons, down 900,000 tons from the prior year. Lower demand is expected from Southeast Asia, particularly from Indonesia,” USDA said. Vietnam exports are forecast at 7.5 million tons, down 500,000 tons from the prior year, primarily due to sharply lower demand from Indonesia.”

The Philippines and China, which account for over 50 percent of Vietnam’s exports, were expected to continue purchasing large amounts of rice.

The Philippines’s unmilled rice production declined by 1.96 percent to 4.69 MMT in the first quarter of 2024 from the 4.78 MMT recorded in the same period in 2023, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“USDA,”

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

THE closure of the 48-yearold Sofitel Philippine Plaza will likely compound the increase in room rates of hotels in its category, many of which are already charging higher than prepandemic rates. I n a Viber message to the BusinessMirror , Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) Director for Hotels, Tourism & Leisure Alfred Lay lamented the closure of the iconic leisure property by the bay, once popular for its spectacular views of the sunset over Manila Bay. “It’s sad to hear of the closure of such a prominent property in the Metro Manila landscape. This will exacerbate the increase in room rates across both the upscale and luxury hotel markets, specifically for the

luxury segment in Metro Manila, which had already logged 21-percent increased room rates in 2023 versus 2019.”

A s per LPC research, the average daily rate (ADR) of luxury hotels in Metro Manila outpaced all hotel segments, reaching P10,264 per night in 2023 from P8,429 in prepandemic 2019, despite a dip in their average occupancy rate to 69 percent from 71 percent in 2019. The ADR of upper upscale hotels rose to P6,945 per night last year, from P6,354 in 2019, and registered higher average occupancy at 75 percent in 2023 from 65 percent in 2019.

Ph ilippine Plaza Holdings Inc., owner of Sofitel Manila, has said it is closing the property for safety reasons, and is studying its possible renovation, estimated to cost  roughly P8.6 billion.

SKYLINES AND BOTTOM LINES Skyscrapers dotting the skyline of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City symbolize the area’s thriving urban landscape. Recent reports showcase a still vibrant

NG subsidies to GOCC dip 8.1% to ₧19.59B in 1st qtr

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

COMPARED to a year ago, the national government extended lesser subsidies of P19.587 billion to corporations it owns and runs in the first quarter of 2024.

L atest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed subsidies extended to governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) went down from January to March this year by 8.08 percent, or P1.721 billion, from the P21.308 billion recorded in the same period in 2023. Broken down, the bulk of the subsidies amounting to P15.179 billion, or 77.49 percent, went to major non-financial government corporations; up by 19.17 percent from last year’s P12.737 billion.

T he remaining subsidies worth

Govt

“One thing good about this is that an additional share of the government is as owner.  A royalty is something you give to the owner.  There is now a share of govern -

P4.286 billion or 21.88 percent went to other government corporations, which also declined by 49.14 percent from P1.759 billion in 2023.

O f the total subsidies extended, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), and National Electrification Administration (NEA) received the largest share as the government counters the impact of El Niño on energy and food security.

T he NIA obtained the highest subsidy from the government:

ment as owner of the minerals,” he said, adding that it is “a recognition of the fact that the state is the owner of the minerals” and that the industry “will be doing the right thing.”

P10.317 billion or 52.67 percent of the total subsidies disbursed during the first quarter. The amount also inched up by 1.30 percent from P10.184 billion in the same period in 2023.

Trailing NIA was NFA and NEA with subsidies amounting to P2.250 billion and P2.088 billion for the three-month period, respectively.

Meanwhile, the smallest subsidies went to the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED) and the Philippine Tax Academy (PTA), or P7 million each, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with P10 million.

For March alone, the state disbursed a total of P6.872 billion in subsidies to state-run corporations, lower by 36.34 percent year-on-year than the P10.795 billion in 2023.

T he NIA remained as the agency extended with the highest subsidy at P3.224 billion in March, followed by NEA at P2.088 billion, and the

Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) at P382 million. Meanwhile, health insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has not received any subsidy from the government yet. PhilHealth is set to receive P61.514 billion in subsidies this year, according to the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

L ast year, PhilHealth obtained the largest subsidy at P50.746 billion, or 31.03 percent, of the total subsidies disbursed to state-run corporations.

T he national government provides subsidies to state-run firms to fund operations not covered by corporate revenues or to finance specific programs or projects.

L ast year, subsidies given to state-run corporations plunged to P163.535 billion, an 18.39-percent plunge from P200.410 billion in 2022 as the country recovered from the impacts of Covid-19.

B SP also said the growth in FDI inflows was tempered by the 41.5-percent contraction in nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments to $533 million in February 2024 from $912 in February 2023.

Further, the data showed reinvestment of earnings slightly declined by 3.8 percent to $66 million from $69 million.

“[The] bulk of the equity capital placements during the reference month came from the Netherlands, with investments directed mostly to the financial and insurance industry,” BSP said. It explained that net investments in debt instruments consist mainly of intercompany borrow -

BPI said that based on its observations, the Philippine peso tends to strengthen when the Fed eases monetary policy.

However, while a Fed cut might lead to Peso appreciation, its gains are likely to be smaller compared to other emerging market currencies given the substantial current account deficit of the country,” BPI said.

ing/lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/ affiliates in the Philippines.

T he remaining portion of net investments in debt instruments are investments made by nonresident subsidiaries/associates in their resident direct investors, i.e., reverse investment.

B SP said FDI includes investment by a nonresident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent.

It also covers investments made by a nonresident subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor. FDI can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings.

this year. B ased on PSA data, Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) for food and non-alcoholic beverages slowed to 0.5 percent from 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

A ddressing the same forum Friday, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan highlighted the underutilized but immense potential of the mining sector.

deposits have been developed for production.

D espite the sector’s modest contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which stood at 0.5 percent by the end of 2023, he believes there is room for significant growth. Balisacan noted that only 0.17 percent of the country’s known mineral

Consequently, he said, employment in mining and quarrying remains low, constituting only 0.45 percent of total employment.

P resently, the majority of the country’s mineral exports are raw or unprocessed. This leads to foregone opportunities to leverage our natural resources to produce the tools and technologies that sustainable and resilient economies demand.

“ With abundant reserves of minerals vital for producing green technologies such as solar PVs [photovoltaic cells], wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries, the Philippines is strategically positioned to tap into global markets for these technologies and maximize the value derived from its mineral products,” Balisacan added.

B alisacan said that this can be achieved by further developing downstream metallic and nonmetallic mineral processing to bolster the expansion of domestic manufacturing industries focused on green technologies.

A s outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, the government is exploring opportunities to increase value addition in the mineral industry while ensuring macroeconomic stability and accelerating climate action.

H owever, Balisacan also acknowledged significant challenges impeding the growth of the mineral industry, such as limited availability of mineral processing technology, substantial capital requirements, high operating costs largely driven by high electricity expenses, and an unstable policy environment surrounding mining.

To address these challenges, Balisacan said the government will provide support to local industries for research and development (R&D) and commercialization of green technologies and products.

It will also implement reforms to bring down electricity and logistics costs and create an enabling policy environment to encourage private sector investments in green industries. He reiterated that the government is actively collaborating with relevant agencies to implement a suitable tax regime for extractive industries, particularly mining, and to institutionalize the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) principles.

“ We expect the promising mining industry to support our manufacturing, infrastructure, and construction sectors, with spillovers to the broader economy through more and higher-quality jobs for all Filipinos even as we work toward our climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement,” the Neda chief said.

Moving forward, BPI expects some rebound in investment spending this year, given expectations that businesses will raise capital expenditures once key policy rates come down.

BPI noted that the loan portfolio of banks grew by 8.6 percent in February, faster than the 7 percent growth in previous months.

It added that capital-intensive industries have also seen expansion such as real estate, manufacturing, and utilities. This, BPI said. could reflect an increase in their capital expenditures.

E arlier, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said household consumption spending, which posted growth of 4.6 percent, was the slowest in 14 years, sans the pandemic years.

Consumption spending accounted for 74.5 percent of the country’s GDP in the January to March period

The company is currently negotiating with the Government Service Insurance System, its landlord, for an extension on its lease contract for another 25 years, after its expiration in 2041, the outcome of which will determine whether the hotel’s closure is temporary or permanent. (See, “Sofitel Philippine Plaza workers will get nearly P300 million in separation benefits—hotel owner,” in the BusinessMirror , May 10, 2024.)

DOLE assistance

THIS developed as Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said his agency “will be ready to provide assistance to Sofitel Manila’s workers as we have done in the past and in similar situations. Among possible interventions will be job facilitation/referrals in other hotels through the Philippine Hotel Owners Association/conduct of job fair/livelihood assistance.” During the pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) paid out emergency cash benefits to tourism workers who had lost their jobs due to the widespread closure of the industry. H e told this paper the hotel’s labor union has not filed any case with DOLE arising from the  closure: “Probably they are still in discussion with management.” DOLE met with Sofitel Manila management “sometime last week,” and were informed

T he data also showed consumption for education slowed to 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024 from 8.3 percent and 11.5 percent in the fourth and first quarters of 2023, respectively.

T he PSA also said spending for restaurants and hotels slowed to 11.9 percent in the first quarter of 2024 from 15.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 20.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023. S pending for vices—alcoholic beverages and tobacco—contracted 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024. In the last quarter of 2023, spending for these items posted a growth of 0.6 percent and in the first quarter last year, 7.4 percent.

T he data also showed that valuables, under gross capital formation, contracted 25.3 percent, the steepest decline since the first quarter of 2022. Valuables include the purchase of antiques, jewelries, and other high-value items.  Cai U. Ordinario

that the closure was “due to safety issues/concerns, which they have to totally address,” he added.

Significant impact

THE loss of some 600 rooms from Sofitel Manila’s closure will be significant as new properties in its category will be coming onstream only in 2026. LPC’s Lay noted, “Room rates for luxury hotels are expected to grow well into 2026 as there is little new supply coming down the pipeline. This segment will be Banyan Tree Manila Bay, expected in 2025/2026, and the Mandarin Oriental Manila in 2026.” Both hotels will be adding just 238 rooms and 276 rooms, respectively, to the  luxury hotel segment. T he Hotel Sales and Marketing Association and PHOA have declined to comment on the impact of Sofitel Manila’s closure on their industry. The Department of Tourism, likewise, has yet to issue any statement on the matter.

Earlier, LPC projected a hotel shortage in the medium term, which will push up ADRs and possibly affect the country’s ability to attract some 12 million international travelers by 2028.  (See, “‘KEYS MUNA’ | Imminent hotel room shortage—and resulting higher room rates—could derail PHL’s ambition to lure more visitors,” in the BusinessMirror , April 20, 2024.)

Precarious power situation prompts sharp hike in WESM prices

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Electricity spot market prices in all grids shot up to nearly P7 per kilowatt hour (kWh) last month after the luzon grid was placed on 21 red alerts and 23 for the Visayas grid.

Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed that April 2024 system average price in the WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) reached P6.90 per kWh compared to last month’s P5.19/kWh and it is recorded that 19.68 percent of the trading intervals for this month were subjected to the Secondary Price Cap (SPC) compared to last month’s 7.04 percent.

IEMOP is the WESM operator. The WESM billing period starts every 26thof the month and ends 25th of the next month.

The SPC is a price-mitigating mechanism imposed when there are persistent high market prices. It is imposed when the Rolling Average of the Generator Weighted Average Price (RAGWAP), which is calculated over a period of three days, or 864 five-minute dispatch intervals, exceeds P9 per kWh. Once this threshold is breached, the SPC will be applied to the rate of P6.245 per KWh in the next dispatch interval. When the RAGWA falls below P9.0 per kWH, the regular pricing mechanism resumes without the SPC for upcoming dispatch intervals.

For Luzon, the average WESM price spiked by 31.6 percent to P6.63 per kWh during the WESM billing period as against the previous billing of P5.04 per kWh. As expected, electricity spot market increased because many power plants went on forced outage and delivered less capacity. Aside from the 21 red alerts, the grid was also placed on 54 yellow alerts during the said period.

A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement while a yellow alert means operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The peak demand for Luzon was recorded at 14,011 megawatts (mW) on April 24, surpassing the projected peak demand for electricity this year by 99 mW.The spot market price for that day reached P6.37 per kWh.

The higher electricity demand has been putting pressure on the prices of electricity in the spot market and the more expensive oil-based power plants have been dispatched.

The Manila Electric Company

(Meralco) said last week that power rates are expected to go up owing to higher generation charge. “This is mainly due to higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices brought about by the tight supply condition, as power demand surged along with higher heat indices,” Meralco said.

Meanwhile, the Visayas grid average price stood at P8.73 per kWh, up 39.5 percent from P6.26 per kWh. The yellow alert was hoisted over the grid 37 times during the period.

On April 24, the grid recorded a peak demand of 2,581mW as against 2,515mW of supply. Spot market during this day shot up to P6.37 per kWh.

The red and yellow alerts for both grids started last April 16.

After two weeks, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) stepped in and ordered the suspension of the WESM in Luzon and in Visayas whenever there are red alerts.

In Mindanao, average price stood at P6.43 per kWh up by 40.9 percent from the previous billing. The grid recorded an ample supply at 3,553mW as against a demand of 2,063mW.

Lawmaker to energy sector: Guarantee steady supply of power

ABy Jovee Marie dela Cruz @joveemarie

LAWMAKER has urged the energy sector to guarantee a steady supply of power to safeguard senior citizens from heat-related illnesses in light of the growing threats to the country’s energy security.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes of the Senior Citizen party-list group raised the call to the energy industry, saying that urgent action is needed to address the pressing need for new power generation projects.

Ordanes’s plea comes at a pivotal moment as the country grapples with a confluence of factors straining its power infrastructure.

The heat index has reached dangerous levels in the Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas regions.

Ordanes said that senior citizens, especially those over 65, are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses as their bodies lose the ability to regulate their temperature with age.

“Senior citizens are vulnerable to heat stroke if they are not used to high temperatures,” Ordanes said.

Health experts are saying that high temperatures and high humidity can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and heart, lung, and kidney disorders.

Ordanes added that it is imperative

PH tops online shopping scam list

By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

THE Philippines needs to urgently step up its awareness campaign against internetbased rackets as it topped the online shopping scam list in the 2023 Asia Scam Report, a survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance in partnership with the Taiwan-based tech security company Gogolook.

for senior citizens to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and stay safe during hot periods.

This requires a reliable power supply to ensure they can stay in an airconditioned place, especially at times of the day when the temperature is at its peak, he said.

Recent instances of thinning power supplies, highlighted by the issuance of red and yellow alerts by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), underscore the immediate need for intervention, he said.

Such alerts signify a precarious balance between supply and demand, raising concerns about the ability to meet the electricity needs of all sectors, particularly vulnerable populations like senior citizens, said Ordanes.

“We are now in a situation in which our power supply is simply low and knotty to solve. The last thing we want to happen is for certain groups to hamper this administration and

the private sector to solve the nation’s energy security,” Ordanes said.

“Think of the more than 12 million senior citizens who will be affected if the country continues to have an acute power supply,” he added.

The country has a total installed capacity of around 28,297 megawatts (MW) as of June 2023, while peak demand was estimated at 17,000 MW.  Another 8,000 MW of additional power generation capacity is needed to meet the anticipated 25,000 MW peak demand in 2028.

Ordanes called on the players in the energy industry to act now and make sure new capacities are coming on stream to ensure supply sufficiency not just this year, but also in the future as demand is expected to continue going up.

“It is in the best interest of consumers, which include many senior citizens, if new power projects are developed as soon as possible,” he added.

Pinoys encouraged to export phones, jewelry, motor vehicles to UAE

By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan

FILIPINO exporters, particularly those of smartphones, jewelry and motor vehicles, can export more to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) given its rising population and income levels, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said.

In a statement, Philexport said, Panot Punyahotra, Consul (Commercial) at Office of Commercial Affairs at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai, UAE said these are among the products that UAE imports from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the world.

Punyahotra also cited data showing other products the Emirates imports from the world, including gold, telephone sets, diamonds whether or not worked but not mounted or set, petroleum oils, and articles of jewelry and parts thereof of precious metals.

“They import quite a lot of this jewelry.

The rest will be mostly the industrial products and interestingly, you will not see food items here but if you combine the small items of food products, it will be a big part also for Dubai imports,” he said during a webinar organized by the Asean Access LEARN.

Punyahotra said the UAE has a population of 9.29 million and is the logistics hub of the world.

To seize these huge market opportunities, entrepreneurs who are interested in exporting their products to the UAE must conduct “thorough” research and understand the regulations, measures, and standards that correspond to the customers’ needs, Philexport noted.

Punyahotra said they can contact their embassies in UAE to assist them, adding that every ASEAN country has trade promotion organization in the Emirates which can provide them a list of potential buyers.

The UAE representative said documents required for exporting depend on the product the entrepreneurs intend to export, noting that for instance, food items containing meat need halal certification.

“Because if you go to the supermarkets in Dubai, the consumers know that every item they buy, they don’t have to worry [if] it would be halal because otherwise, the government will not allow it to go into the country. But they also have a section which is non-halal,” he said.

“So it doesn’t matter if you export for the foreign workers or for the locals. Once it passes the border, it must comply with the local regulations,” he added.

Punyahotra said buyers will also inform the exporters of the documents they have to prepare.

He said going or participating in trade fairs in the UAE also bring benefits to entrepreneurs.

“If you will not go there to exhibit, you can go there to see the products of your competitors. You can see by yourself what kind of competitors you have, you can see the prices.,” he said.

Punyahotra said entrepreneurs can also export from home to customers or distributors in the UAE.

Earlier this month, Trade Undersecretary for International Trade Allan B. Gepty told reporters that the first round of talks for the free-trade agreement between the Philippines and the UAE will start on May 6 and will hopefully be concluded within the year.

Since it’s a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Gepty said it covers “several areas more than the market access.

“Chapters on intellectual property, competition, also digital trade, e-commerce, of course a portion of that is negotiated also on government procurement and then movement of the natural persons in relation to services,” Gepty said.

For the Philippine side, Gepty said the country is eyeing to secure a “preferential arrangement” with all of its products of interest in the country, from agricultural products to industrial products.

Data from the Tradeline website of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) indicated that total trade between the Philippines and UAE reached $1.9 billion in 2023, with imports from the UAE amounting to $1.5 billion and exports to the Middle East country at $341.9 million.

According to DTI’s website, the UAE is the Philippines’s 17th largest trading partner and the top export market among all Gulf Cooperation Council member states. In addition, the UAE hosts one of the largest populations of overseas Filipinos in the Middle East, as well as “well-known and home-grown” Filipino brands and businesses, the DTI website noted. (Full story here: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/05/01/fta-talks-with-uae-toopen-soon-yearend-finish-eyed/)

Recent government data indicates a 20 percent rise in cybercrime cases during the first quarter of the year compared to the last quarter of 2023.

In this regard, several government agencies joined forces with the private sector to step up the fight against online fraud and scams with an education campaign focused on bolstering consumer protection online.

On Saturday, Bayan Academy and the Citizen Watch Philippines led the launching of “Be Wais” Civic

In addition, the Philippine National Police recorded over 19,000 cybercrime incidents, marking an almost 70 percent increase from the previous year. The majority of these cases, approximately 14,000 incidents, were related to online scams.

Education Campaign against fraud and Scams aims to increase awareness among the public about the various types of scams, empowering them to spot and avoid the prevalent fraudulent activities online.

Representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Philippines attended the event, along with private sector partners Meta and SM Supermalls.

The group released the first of a series

of educational videos illustrating the deceptive tactics of various scams, such as online shopping scams, phishing or bank scams, job scams, love scams, investment scams, and brand impersonation scams. These videos will also be shared on the social media platforms of the government agencies, the private sector and advocacy partners.

The Department of Justice noted that 90% of all crimes these days have cybercrime content.

Similarly, the SEC has observed a rapid increase in the number of investment scams perpetrated online since the start of the pandemic.

“This is why we are ramping up our financial literacy drive to empower them to be wiser in their investment

decisions, as well as in the selection of various financial products and services, and intensifying our enforcement efforts to make sure scammers are put behind bars,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said in a statement.

Department of Migrant Workers

Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac pointed out that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are often targets of investment scams, consumer fraud, and worse, illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

“Empowerment is the cornerstone of our vision. With collaborative initiatives from our partner agencies and concerned stakeholders, we continue to support OFWs and their families in managing their hard-earned money and in helping them make wise financial decisions, as well as in maximizing their earning potential from the livelihood support from our reintegration services,” Cacdac said.

In his remarks, USAID-Philippines’ Deputy Director of Economic Development and Governance Eric Florimon Reed stressed the importance of consumer trust in building a resilient digital economy.

“For a digital economy to flourish and be sustainable, it is important that consumers trust the integrity and fairness of digital marketplaces. In turn, these marketplaces need to prioritize and promote transparent and ethical practices that engender such trust, allowing consumers to confidently engage and transact online,” Reed said.

Christopher Belmonte, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines and former congressman, stressed the need for all sectors of society to come together to combat online fraud and scams.

“The 2023 Asia Scam Report ranked the Philippines first in Southeast and East Asia with an online scam rate of 35.9 percent. Cybercrime in all its forms is indeed a serious problem that requires our whole society working together to expose and counteract,” Belmonte said.

“While we push government and online platforms to strengthen citizens’ cyber-protection, we must also arm ourselves with the know-how to ensure that these fraudsters, scammers and thieves do not succeed,” he added.

Francisco Enrique Bernardo III, chairman and president of Bayan Family of Foundations, said empowering people through education and awareness-raising is one way to address the issue of online fraud and scams.

“Scammers get more and more creative. We need to be familiar with their dirty tricks so we can spot and prevent ourselves from getting scammed. When something is too good to be true, take a moment. Be doubtful. Pause before reacting, buying, or sending money online. No matter the style or type of scam, it helps to Be WAIS at MagDUDA,” Bernardo said.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes

Precarious power situation prompts sharp hike in WESM prices

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Electricity spot market prices in all grids shot up to nearly P7 per kilowatt hour (kWh) last month after the luzon grid was placed on 21 red alerts and 23 for the Visayas grid.

Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) showed that April 2024 system average price in the WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) reached P6.90 per kWh compared to last month’s P5.19/kWh and it is recorded that 19.68 percent of the trading intervals for this month were subjected to the Secondary Price Cap (SPC) compared to last month’s 7.04 percent.

IEMOP is the WESM operator. The WESM billing period starts every 26thof the month and ends 25th of the next month.

The SPC is a price-mitigating mechanism imposed when there are persistent high market prices. It is imposed when the Rolling Average of the Generator Weighted Average Price (RAGWAP), which is calculated over a period of three days, or 864 five-minute dispatch intervals, exceeds P9 per kWh. Once this threshold is breached, the SPC will be applied to the rate of P6.245 per KWh in the next dispatch interval. When the RAGWA falls below P9.0 per kWH, the regular pricing mechanism resumes without the SPC for upcoming dispatch intervals.

For Luzon, the average WESM price spiked by 31.6 percent to P6.63 per kWh during the WESM billing period as against the previous billing of P5.04 per kWh. As expected, electricity spot market increased because many power plants went on forced outage and delivered less capacity. Aside from the 21 red alerts, the grid was also placed on 54 yellow alerts during the said period.

A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement while a yellow alert means operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The peak demand for Luzon was recorded at 14,011 megawatts (mW) on April 24, surpassing the projected peak demand for electricity this year by 99 mW.The spot market price for that day reached P6.37 per kWh.

The higher electricity demand has been putting pressure on the prices of electricity in the spot market and the more expensive oil-based power plants have been dispatched.

The Manila Electric Company

(Meralco) said last week that power rates are expected to go up owing to higher generation charge. “This is mainly due to higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices brought about by the tight supply condition, as power demand surged along with higher heat indices,” Meralco said.

Meanwhile, the Visayas grid average price stood at P8.73 per kWh, up 39.5 percent from P6.26 per kWh. The yellow alert was hoisted over the grid 37 times during the period.

On April 24, the grid recorded a peak demand of 2,581mW as against 2,515mW of supply. Spot market during this day shot up to P6.37 per kWh.

The red and yellow alerts for both grids started last April 16.

After two weeks, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) stepped in and ordered the suspension of the WESM in Luzon and in Visayas whenever there are red alerts.

In Mindanao, average price stood at P6.43 per kWh up by 40.9 percent from the previous billing. The grid recorded an ample supply at 3,553mW as against a demand of 2,063mW.

Lawmaker to energy sector: Guarantee steady supply of power

ABy Jovee Marie dela Cruz @joveemarie

LAWMAKER has urged the energy sector to guarantee a steady supply of power to safeguard senior citizens from heat-related illnesses in light of the growing threats to the country’s energy security.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes of the Senior Citizen party-list group raised the call to the energy industry, saying that urgent action is needed to address the pressing need for new power generation projects.

Ordanes’s plea comes at a pivotal moment as the country grapples with a confluence of factors straining its power infrastructure.

The heat index has reached dangerous levels in the Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas regions.

Ordanes said that senior citizens, especially those over 65, are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses as their bodies lose the ability to regulate their temperature with age.

“Senior citizens are vulnerable to heat stroke if they are not used to high temperatures,” Ordanes said.

Health experts are saying that high temperatures and high humidity can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and heart, lung, and kidney disorders.

Ordanes added that it is imperative

PH tops online shopping scam list

By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

THE Philippines needs to urgently step up its awareness campaign against internetbased rackets as it topped the online shopping scam list in the 2023 Asia Scam Report, a survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance in partnership with the Taiwan-based tech security company Gogolook.

for senior citizens to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and stay safe during hot periods.

This requires a reliable power supply to ensure they can stay in an airconditioned place, especially at times of the day when the temperature is at its peak, he said.

Recent instances of thinning power supplies, highlighted by the issuance of red and yellow alerts by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), underscore the immediate need for intervention, he said.

Such alerts signify a precarious balance between supply and demand, raising concerns about the ability to meet the electricity needs of all sectors, particularly vulnerable populations like senior citizens, said Ordanes.

“We are now in a situation in which our power supply is simply low and knotty to solve. The last thing we want to happen is for certain groups to hamper this administration and

the private sector to solve the nation’s energy security,” Ordanes said.

“Think of the more than 12 million senior citizens who will be affected if the country continues to have an acute power supply,” he added.

The country has a total installed capacity of around 28,297 megawatts (MW) as of June 2023, while peak demand was estimated at 17,000 MW.  Another 8,000 MW of additional power generation capacity is needed to meet the anticipated 25,000 MW peak demand in 2028.

Ordanes called on the players in the energy industry to act now and make sure new capacities are coming on stream to ensure supply sufficiency not just this year, but also in the future as demand is expected to continue going up.

“It is in the best interest of consumers, which include many senior citizens, if new power projects are developed as soon as possible,” he added.

Pinoys encouraged to export phones, jewelry, motor vehicles to UAE

By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan

FILIPINO exporters, particularly those of smartphones, jewelry and motor vehicles, can export more to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) given its rising population and income levels, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said.

In a statement, Philexport said, Panot Punyahotra, Consul (Commercial) at Office of Commercial Affairs at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai, UAE said these are among the products that UAE imports from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the world.

Punyahotra also cited data showing other products the Emirates imports from the world, including gold, telephone sets, diamonds whether or not worked but not mounted or set, petroleum oils, and articles of jewelry and parts thereof of precious metals.

“They import quite a lot of this jewelry.

The rest will be mostly the industrial products and interestingly, you will not see food items here but if you combine the small items of food products, it will be a big part also for Dubai imports,” he said during a webinar organized by the Asean Access LEARN.

Punyahotra said the UAE has a population of 9.29 million and is the logistics hub of the world.

To seize these huge market opportunities, entrepreneurs who are interested in exporting their products to the UAE must conduct “thorough” research and understand the regulations, measures, and standards that correspond to the customers’ needs, Philexport noted.

Punyahotra said they can contact their embassies in UAE to assist them, adding that every ASEAN country has trade promotion organization in the Emirates which can provide them a list of potential buyers.

The UAE representative said documents required for exporting depend on the product the entrepreneurs intend to export, noting that for instance, food items containing meat need halal certification.

“Because if you go to the supermarkets in Dubai, the consumers know that every item they buy, they don’t have to worry [if] it would be halal because otherwise, the government will not allow it to go into the country. But they also have a section which is non-halal,” he said.

“So it doesn’t matter if you export for the foreign workers or for the locals. Once it passes the border, it must comply with the local regulations,” he added.

Punyahotra said buyers will also inform the exporters of the documents they have to prepare.

He said going or participating in trade fairs in the UAE also bring benefits to entrepreneurs.

“If you will not go there to exhibit, you can go there to see the products of your competitors. You can see by yourself what kind of competitors you have, you can see the prices.,” he said.

Punyahotra said entrepreneurs can also export from home to customers or distributors in the UAE.

Earlier this month, Trade Undersecretary for International Trade Allan B. Gepty told reporters that the first round of talks for the free-trade agreement between the Philippines and the UAE will start on May 6 and will hopefully be concluded within the year.

Since it’s a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Gepty said it covers “several areas more than the market access.

“Chapters on intellectual property, competition, also digital trade, e-commerce, of course a portion of that is negotiated also on government procurement and then movement of the natural persons in relation to services,” Gepty said.

For the Philippine side, Gepty said the country is eyeing to secure a “preferential arrangement” with all of its products of interest in the country, from agricultural products to industrial products.

Data from the Tradeline website of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) indicated that total trade between the Philippines and UAE reached $1.9 billion in 2023, with imports from the UAE amounting to $1.5 billion and exports to the Middle East country at $341.9 million.

According to DTI’s website, the UAE is the Philippines’s 17th largest trading partner and the top export market among all Gulf Cooperation Council member states. In addition, the UAE hosts one of the largest populations of overseas Filipinos in the Middle East, as well as “well-known and home-grown” Filipino brands and businesses, the DTI website noted. (Full story here: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/05/01/fta-talks-with-uae-toopen-soon-yearend-finish-eyed/)

Recent government data indicates a 20 percent rise in cybercrime cases during the first quarter of the year compared to the last quarter of 2023.

In this regard, several government agencies joined forces with the private sector to step up the fight against online fraud and scams with an education campaign focused on bolstering consumer protection online.

On Saturday, Bayan Academy and the Citizen Watch Philippines led the launching of “Be Wais” Civic

In addition, the Philippine National Police recorded over 19,000 cybercrime incidents, marking an almost 70 percent increase from the previous year. The majority of these cases, approximately 14,000 incidents, were related to online scams.

Education Campaign against fraud and Scams aims to increase awareness among the public about the various types of scams, empowering them to spot and avoid the prevalent fraudulent activities online.

Representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Philippines attended the event, along with private sector partners Meta and SM Supermalls.

The group released the first of a series

of educational videos illustrating the deceptive tactics of various scams, such as online shopping scams, phishing or bank scams, job scams, love scams, investment scams, and brand impersonation scams. These videos will also be shared on the social media platforms of the government agencies, the private sector and advocacy partners.

The Department of Justice noted that 90% of all crimes these days have cybercrime content.

Similarly, the SEC has observed a rapid increase in the number of investment scams perpetrated online since the start of the pandemic.

“This is why we are ramping up our financial literacy drive to empower them to be wiser in their investment

decisions, as well as in the selection of various financial products and services, and intensifying our enforcement efforts to make sure scammers are put behind bars,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said in a statement.

Department of Migrant Workers

Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac pointed out that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are often targets of investment scams, consumer fraud, and worse, illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

“Empowerment is the cornerstone of our vision. With collaborative initiatives from our partner agencies and concerned stakeholders, we continue to support OFWs and their families in managing their hard-earned money and in helping them make wise financial decisions, as well as in maximizing their earning potential from the livelihood support from our reintegration services,” Cacdac said.

In his remarks, USAID-Philippines’ Deputy Director of Economic Development and Governance Eric Florimon Reed stressed the importance of consumer trust in building a resilient digital economy.

“For a digital economy to flourish and be sustainable, it is important that consumers trust the integrity and fairness of digital marketplaces. In turn, these marketplaces need to prioritize and promote transparent and ethical practices that engender such trust, allowing consumers to confidently engage and transact online,” Reed said.

Christopher Belmonte, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines and former congressman, stressed the need for all sectors of society to come together to combat online fraud and scams.

“The 2023 Asia Scam Report ranked the Philippines first in Southeast and East Asia with an online scam rate of 35.9 percent. Cybercrime in all its forms is indeed a serious problem that requires our whole society working together to expose and counteract,” Belmonte said.

“While we push government and online platforms to strengthen citizens’ cyber-protection, we must also arm ourselves with the know-how to ensure that these fraudsters, scammers and thieves do not succeed,” he added.

Francisco Enrique Bernardo III, chairman and president of Bayan Family of Foundations, said empowering people through education and awareness-raising is one way to address the issue of online fraud and scams.

“Scammers get more and more creative. We need to be familiar with their dirty tricks so we can spot and prevent ourselves from getting scammed. When something is too good to be true, take a moment. Be doubtful. Pause before reacting, buying, or sending money online. No matter the style or type of scam, it helps to Be WAIS at MagDUDA,” Bernardo said.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

House racing to amend RTL to cut rice prices

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE House of Representatives is set to commence plenary debates this week on the bill that seeks to amend the rice tariffication law (RTL), which lawmakers view as crucial for reducing rice prices.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the lower chamber is committed to intensify efforts to expedite plenary debates and attain the bill’s approval on second reading by Wednesday.

less than P30 and make rice more affordable.

Currently, rice retails between P40 and 45 per kilo. Some aeras sell the staple for more than P50 a kilo.

“By amending the RTL, we aim to bring about tangible reductions in rice prices, ensuring that Filipino consumers are not unduly burdened by high food costs,” Romualdez said.

“Lowering rice prices to less than P30 is a crucial step towards ensuring food security and economic stability for all.”

The substitute bill proposes restoring the National Food Authority’s (NFA) role in managing the country’s rice supply chain under the amended RTL.

Plenary debates will commence once the RTL amendment bill is sponsored by the Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga.

“We recognize the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by consumers due to high rice prices. Through these plenary debates, we are taking decisive action to bring about meaningful change and ease the financial strain on Filipino households,” Romualdez said.

PhilRice to planters: Test heat-tolerant rice varieties

THE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is urging farmers to test the adaptability of rice varieties that can withstand high temperatures in their locality.

Career scientist Norvie L. Manigbas pointed said data spanning 50 years suggests a temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius in the future. This, he said, highlights the need to use NSIC Rc 600 and 602 to the fullest as these varieties can endure temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius.

“The country’s first hightemperature-tolerant rice seeds, NSIC Rc 600 and 602, display exceptional traits crucial for resilience in hightemperature conditions. These can withstand temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius and even up to 38 degrees Celsius in controlled environments like glasshouses,” he said in a statement.

NSIC Rc 600, under heat stress, yields 6.3 tons per hectare (t/ha) and in normal conditions, it yields between 6.5-7t/ha. It matures in 110 days and exhibits resistance to both deadheart and whitehead.

NSIC Rc 602 yields 6.2t/ha, matures in 109 days, and shows resistance to whitehead. These varieties demonstrate intermediate resistance to blast, bacterial leaf blight, sheath blight, brown planthopper, and green leafhopper.

Farmers interested in testing the varieties can inquire and access them through PhilRice’s Business Development Division.

Manigbas said heat stress during the vegetative phase can cause leaf discoloration and accelerated growth, potentially reducing the yield potential of heat-sensitive rice varieties.

“Temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius during the reproductive stage can lead to yield reductions starting at 14 percent, escalating to 14-20 percent

as temperatures rise further.”

To increase adoption of these varieties, Manigbas advocates for intensified promotion and deployment of these varieties.

With the challenges of climate change, Manigbas said PhilRice, with the backing of the Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Tsukuba, Japan, is continuously developing rice varieties that can tolerate high temperatures.

Currently, the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture is testing more breeding materials for hightemperature tolerance. The flowering stage of these materials is planned between April 15 and May 15, a period typically experiencing the highest temperatures during the dry season based on 15 years of weather data.

“The development of hightemperature-tolerant seed varieties is a meticulous process involving years of breeding and testing. Researchers evaluate various characteristics, including grain filling, fertility, and resistance to pests and diseases, to ensure the viability and effectiveness of the selected varieties,” Manigbas said.

Varieties including NSIC Rc 600, NSIC Rc 480, and IR 64 are being studied in flooded and controlled irrigation using the Micrometeorological Instrument for NearCanopy Environment of Rice (MINCER), which records temperature and humidity data every two minutes and calculates the heat index once flowering begins.

“We have advanced materials in observational nursery trials, some nominated for national cooperative tests in high-temperature ecosystems. We aim to acquire new varieties within two years, but for now, let’s encourage more farmers to adopt NSIC Rc 600 and 602 in areas with high temperatures.”

Last Tuesday, the committee approved the substitute measure for House Bills (HB) 212, 405, 1562, 9030, 9547, and in consideration of House Resolution (HR) 1614.

The substitute bill aims to bolster the competitiveness and resilience of the rice industry while ensuring affordable access to the

essential staple for all Filipinos.

The committee’s approval followed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s expression of intent to certify the RTL amendment bill as urgent.

Romualdez said the intention was to have the RTL amended by July, aiming to lower rice prices to

Key to the measure is maintaining a rice buffer stock, empowering the NFA to buy local milled rice as needed.

In cases of insufficient domestic supply, the NFA can procure rice from accredited importers at a set percentage of CIF (cost, insurance and freight) landed price. As a last resort, the NFA can directly import rice with explicit authorization from the President, solely to stabilize the national rice supply. The bill also grants temporary powers to the NFA in cases of price spikes or acute shortages. It likewise strengthens the Bureau of Plant Industry to ensure warehouse compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards. The bill suggests adjustments to fund allocations and the establishment of a Rice Industry Development Program Management Office.

Enacted in 2019, the RTL replaced quantitative restrictions on imported rice with tariffs, establishing the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund or RCEF. However, it removed the NFA’s market intervention powers. Lawmakers said this affected public access to affordable rice varieties.

‘PHL must fight pests, diseases to boost cacao output’

are not rolled out],” he said.

PBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

ESTS and diseases destroy as much as 40 percent of the country’s output of cacao, a high-value crop used for making chocolates, according to an expert.

Dr. Tamie Solpot, associate professor at the University of Southern Mindanao, said during a recent webinar that the government and planters must prioritize pest and diseases management if the country wants to raise cacao output.

Citing data from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Solpot said an estimated 30 percent to 40 percent of cacao crops are destroyed by pests and diseases.

“Ganoon po kataas ‘yung possible na losses kapag napabayaan po natin yung ating cacao plantation at hindi po natin na-manage at nagkaroon ng interventions [That’s the possible losses cacao plantations could incur if proper management and interventions

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country produced 10,759.12 metric tons (MT) of cacao last year. This was harvested from 32,945.08 hectars, a level that hardly expanded based on figures from the agency.

While the Philippines has a competitive advantage in cacao production given its location and climatic condition, Solpot said the country’s cocoa production accounts for less than 1 percent of global output.

“So far, (the Philippines) contributes only about 0.1 percent to global production, but we have many areas that may be planted with cacao,” he said.

Citing PSA data, an industry roadmap prepared by the Department of Agriculture (DA) indicated that Philippine cacao production is increasing, albeit at a slow pace. However, output continues to fall short of domestic demand.

Among the factors that hinder

Group extends aid to farmers

SOME 200 farming families in Western Samar received cash grant as well as livelihood assistance from nongovernment organization Save the Children Philippines.

“Families reliant on farming are facing mounting challenges due to the scorching heat, affecting their ability to support their children’s health, survival, and education,” said Faisah Ali, humanitarian manager of Save the Children Philippines.

Rex Abrigo, environment and climate change advisor at Save the Children Philippines, said climate challenges affect children, despite their minimal responsibility for causing climate change.

cacao production in the country are low productivity, unsustainable cacao farms, competing crops, changing weather conditions, and pests and diseases.

“Pests and diseases would determine the quality of our beans and our cacao is being challenged with not only one but many kinds of pests and diseases,” Solpot said.

He said one of the major cacao diseases that strikes plantations is the vascular streak dieback (VSD) which hits young and adult cacao crops.

A study published in Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal revealed that in Indonesia—the world’s third largest producer of cacao—VSD leads to a drop in plant productivity and death of susceptible plants.

“What we can do is practice regular pruning…it can also promote good air circulation which may make the environment less favorable for the development of the disease,” Solpot said.

He added that the cacao pod

in Western Samar

The organization, through its Generation Hope Campaign, advocates for climate adaptation measures. In partnership with the Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF) Inc., the group has given P6,000 cash assistance to each farming household in the region.

Western Samar is among the 14 regions in the country affected by El Niño, which has caused agricultural losses and water shortages, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The prolonged El Niño is affecting approximately 3.6 million Filipinos, including children, due to droughts and dry conditions.

US health officials to spend $100M on bird flu surveillance

UNITED States health officials are putting more than $100 million toward ramping up surveillance of bird flu in cattle and people amid rising concerns that the outbreak has spread more widely than reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will use the funding to detect and track the virus, called H5N1, that’s been spreading in wild birds, poultry and domestic cows, according to a statement Friday.

The economic fallout from agricultural losses has reached P6 billion, with rice, the main crop, accounting for about P3 billion in damages.

Lack of water for irrigation of farms compromises soil health, making crops more prone to pests and diseases which, in turn, drives up food consumption rates.

“Increasing prices of vital farming resources like electricity and packaging materials add to the challenges. Meanwhile, livestock is at high risk of contagious diseases that could likely trigger outbreaks like African swine fever, possibly exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions,” the group said.

borer, an insect that attacks cacao, could result in the total damage of plants if it is left uncontrolled.

“Kapag hinayaan natin mas lalo silang nag-multiply kasi wala tayong ginawang employment ng management strategies. Pwedeng hindi tayo makapag-harvest totally [Without employing management strategies, the pest would multiply and totally destroy crops],” he said. Solpot said pesticides could remedy infestations but warned against its improper usage, saying it should be used “as a last resort.”

“When we constantly use pesticides, the chances of pesticide resistance is high especially kapag same na active ingredient ‘yung ginamit natin.”

According to the DA’s cacao roadmap, the country’s annual cacao production averages only 10,000 MT to 12,000 MT. Under the roadmap, the government’s goal is to produce 50,000 MT of quality fermented beans by 2025.

“Before, our two-hectare farm used to produce around 70 sacks of rice, but because of the impact of El Niño, we lost everything,” said Teresita Abides, a 46-year-old mother whose family depends heavily on rice farming.

Abides said her children had to stop schooling to help their father cope with the difficulties on the farm caused by the drought. Aside from the cash grant, Abrigo said each household in Western Samar also received five drought-resistant seeds for cultivation in their backyard gardens, ensuring a sustainable food supply capable of enduring dry seasons.

Trainings on animal husbandry, vegetable cultivation and crop production were also organized by the group. Roderick L. Abad

The CDC will use $34 million to test for and analyze viral sequences, while another $29 million will be dedicated to tracing and monitoring people who may have come into contact with the virus. Other funds will be used to study vaccine candidates and wastewater sites. The CDC is also distributing protective equipment to farm workers, prioritizing those with infected herds.

Observation of the virus has been spotty. Some dairy farms have hesitated to invite the CDC for surveillance, facing a potential financial impact if sick cows are found.

Scrutiny of the CDC’s response to health crises has risen after widespread criticism for inadequate early testing for emerging health threats such as Covid and the mpox virus. While just one H5N1 infection has been recorded in a person in the US so far, scientists have cautioned that virus has the potential to mutate into something far more transmissible and dangerous.

Migrant workers who staff farms are leery of government officials, fearing job loss if they show signs of exposure to the virus. No states have invited the CDC to test, which has created blind spots in understanding the scope of the outbreak.

The CDC maintains that the risk to humans is low. However, six new farms reported infected cattle this week - up from the earlier count of 36 farms in nine states - prompting concern over the virus’s spread.

About 30 people have been tested for H5N1 this year, and 220 have been monitored for symptoms. The CDC is ready to deploy epidemiological teams, but is awaiting states’ invitations, Director Mandy Cohen said in an interview Monday.

The Department of Agriculture is

making funding available to dairy farms dealing with cattle outbreaks, including financial incentives to distribute protective equipment. Farms could receive up to $28,000 each over the next 120 days, including reimbursements for veterinarian costs and testing, if they help increase herd surveillance.

The FDA will dedicate an additional $8 million to support milk supply surveillance and pasteurization. One in five milk samples contains fragments of the avian flu virus, the agency said in April, but pasteurization kills it.

Tests for live virus in eggs have been negative, the FDA said. The agency said last week that it tested 297 retail dairy samples, and all were negative. Bloomberg News

ASSORTED varieties of rice are on display at the San Andres public market in Manila in this BusinessMirror file photo.

DAIRY cows graze in pens at the Torre Santamaria S.C.C.L livestock and biogas plant in Vallfogona de Balaguer, Spain, on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. MICHELE SPATARI/BLOOMBERG

18

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

19 NEW WAVE INFOTECH LIMITED PHILIPPINES, INC.

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

LIU, XIAODONG Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

LUO, WEI

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

20 NEW WAVE INFOTECH LIMITED PHILIPPINES, INC.

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

21 NEW WAVE INFOTECH LIMITED PHILIPPINES, INC.

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

PENG, WEI

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

PHUNG, THI THI

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

Basic Qualification:

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

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

Basic Qualification:

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

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

Basic Qualification:

SAI THIHA SAN

22

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

23 NEW WAVE INFOTECH LIMITED PHILIPPINES, INC.

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

WANG, JIAHUI

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner,

PHILIPPINE MANUFACTURING CO. OF MURATA, INC.

Lot 2A, Phase 1B, First Philippine Industrial Park, Pantay Bata, City of Tanauan, Batangas OGATA, NAOAKI

Deputy Director

Brief Job Description:

Lot 2A, Phase 1B, First Philippine Industrial Park, Pantay Bata, City of Tanauan, Batangas

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

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

Basic Qualification:

TAN SING KIANG Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

24

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower

2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

WANG, HUIHUANG Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

Computer literate and having finished at least Secondary Education and must be able to speak, write and read Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Indonesian or Indian language.

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

Basic Qualification:

Computer literate

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

May 13, 2024

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

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

NO. ESTABLISHMENT

1 D.J.T.Y. INT’L TRADING CORP.

E. Jacinto St. Cor. J.P. Rizal St., Lot 2, Block 3, Rizal Technopark, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal

2 EDS MANUFACTURING, INC.

Aguinaldo Highway, Emispecial Economic Zone, Anabu II-A, City of Imus, Cavite

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

JUNLIANG, WU

Chinese Speaking Quality Control

Brief Job Description:

Provide customer service support to the organization by obtaining, analyzing and verifying the accuracy of information.

SUZUKI, TOMO

Assistant Senior Manager - Accounting and Finance Departments

Brief Job Description:

Oversee the overall implementation of plans, policies, programs, systems and procedures of finance and accounting departments

3 EDS MANUFACTURING, INC.

Aguinaldo Highway, Emispecial Economic Zone, Anabu II-A, City of Imus, Cavite

4 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

5 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

6 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

7 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

8 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

IWAYAMA, SOTA

Assistant Senior ManagerProduction Department

Brief Job Description:

Oversee the overall administration of plans, policies, programs, systems and procedures of production division

TOMY

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SAI KWAN KHAY

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SAI WOON SHAN

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SOE MIN TUN

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SU SU WIN

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Computer literate and fluent in Mandarin language Salary Range:

30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have 7 years of experience and knowledge in the operations of automotive wiring harness, in accounting and finance matters, must be cost-skilled, result oriented and good decision-making skills

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Must have 7 years of experience and knowledge in wiring harness design and quality control with leadership, result oriented and decisionmaking skills

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

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

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Myanmari language

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Myanmari language

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Myanmari language

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak,

Covelandia

Covelandia

Cavite

Laguna

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower 2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna HUA QUOC LUC Foreign Customer Service Representative

6th, 7th, 9th-12th Floor, Southwoods Office Tower 2, San Francisco, City of Biñan, Laguna

LIU, GUANG

Foreign Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from foreign end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner, consistent with company standards.

Palestine wins major UN victory, gains new rights and privileges despite US opposition

By Edith M. Lederer

The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—The

UN General Assembly voted by a wide margin on Friday to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

The world body approved the Arab and Palestinian-sponsored resolution by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions. The United States voted against it, along with Israel, Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Papua New Guinea.

The vote reflected the wide global support for full membership of Palestine in the United Nations, with many countries expressing outrage at the escalating death toll in Gaza and fears of a major Israeli offensive in Rafah, a southern city where about 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge.

It also demonstrated growing support for the Palestinians. A General Assembly resolution on October 27 calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza was approved 120-14 with 45 abstentions. That was just weeks after Israel launched its military offensive in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.

While Friday’s resolution gives Palestine some new rights and privileges, it reaffirms that it remains a nonmember observer state without full UN membership and the right to vote in the General Assembly or at any of its conferences. And the United States

has made clear that it will block Palestinian membership and statehood until direct negotiations with Israel resolve key issues, including security, boundaries and the future of Jerusalem, and lead to a two-state solution.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood said Friday that for the US to support Palestinian statehood, direct negotiations must guarantee Israel’s security and future as a democratic Jewish state and that Palestinians can live in peace in a state of their own.

The US also vetoed a widely backed council resolution on April 18 that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine. Under the UN Charter, prospective members of the United Nations must be “peace-loving” and the Security Council must recommend their admission to the General Assembly for final approval. Palestine became a UN non-member observer state in 2012.

The United States considers Friday’s resolution an attempt to get around the Charter’s provisions, Wood reiterated Thursday.

Unlike resolutions in the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the 193-member General Assembly. Fri -

day’s resolution required a two-thirds majority of members voting and got significantly more than the 118-vote minimum.

US allies supported the resolution, including France, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Estonia and Norway. But European countries were very divided.

The resolution “determines” that a state of Palestine is qualified for membership—dropping the original language that in the General Assembly’s judgment it is “a peace-loving state.” It therefore recommends that the Security Council reconsider its request “favorably.”

The renewed push for full Palestinian membership in the UN comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage. At numerous council and assembly meetings, the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinians in Gaza and the killing of more than 34,000 people in the

territory, according to Gaza health officials, have generated outrage from many countries.

Before the vote, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, told the assembly in an emotional speech that “No words can capture what such loss and trauma signifies for Palestinians, their families, communities and for our nation as a whole.”

He said Palestinians in Gaza “have been pushed to the very edge of the strip, to the very brink of life” with Israel besieging Rafah.

Mansour accused Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preparing “to kill thousands to ensure his political survival” and aiming to destroy the Palestinian people.

He welcomed the resolution’s strong support and told AP that 144 countries have now recognized the state of Palestine, including four countries since October 7, all from the Caribbean.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Er -

dan vehemently opposed the resolution, accusing UN member nations of not mentioning Hamas’ October 7 attack and seeking “to reward modernday Nazis with rights and privileges.”

He said if an election were held today, Hamas would win, and warned UN members that they were “about to grant privileges and rights to the future terror state of Hamas.” He held up a photo of Yehya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Hamas attack on Israel, saying a terrorist “whose stated goal is Jewish genocide” would be a future Palestinian leader.

Erdan also accused the assembly of trampling on the UN Charter, putting two pages that said “UN Charter” in a small shredder he held up.

The original draft of the resolution was changed significantly to address concerns not only by the US but also by Russia and China, three Western diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were private.

The first draft would have conferred on Palestine “the rights and privileges necessary to ensure its full and effective participation” in the assembly’s sessions and UN conferences “on equal footing with member states.” It also made no reference to whether Palestine could vote in the General Assembly.

According to the diplomats, Russia and China, which are strong supporters of Palestine’s UN membership, were concerned that granting the rights and privileges listed in an annex could set a precedent for other would-be UN members—with Russia concerned about Kosovo and China about Taiwan.

By Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Mednick & Samy Magdy

RThe Associated Press

AFAH, Gaza Strip—Israel ordered new evacuations in Ga -

za's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza's last refuge, in defiance of growing pressure from close ally the United States and others.

As pro-Palestinian protests continued against the war, Israel’s military also said it was moving into an area of devastated northern Gaza where it asserted that the Hamas militant group has regrouped after seven months of fighting. Israel has now evacuated the eastern third of Rafah, and top military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said dozens of militants had been killed there as “targeted operations continued.” The United Nations has warned that the planned full-scale Rafah invasion would further cripple humanitarian operations and cause a surge in civilian deaths.

Rafah borders Egypt near the main aid entry points, which already are affected. Israeli troops have captured the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, forcing it to shut down. Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel on the delivery of aid though the crossing because of “the unacceptable Israeli escalation,” the state-owned Al Qahera News television channel reported, citing an unnamed official.

US President Joe Biden has said he won't provide offensive weapons to Israel for Rafah. On Friday, his admin -

istration said there was “reasonable” evidence that Israel had breached international law protecting civilians— Washington’s strongest statement yet on the matter.

In response, Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told The Associated Press that Israel acts in compliance with the laws of armed conflict and the army takes extensive measures to avert civilian casualties, including alerting people to military operations via phone calls and text messages.

More than 1.4 million Palestinians—half of Gaza’s population— have been sheltering in Rafah, most after fleeing Israel’s offensives elsewhere. The latest evacuations are forcing some to return north, where areas are devastated from previous attacks. Aid agencies estimate that 110,000 had left before Saturday's order that adds 40,000.

“Do we wait until we all die on top of each other? So we’ve decided to leave,” Rafah resident Hanan alSatari said as people rushed to load mattresses, water tanks and other belongings onto vehicles.

“The Israeli army does not have a safe area in Gaza. They target everything,” said Abu Yusuf al-Deiri, displaced earlier from Gaza City.

Many people have been displaced multiple times. There are few places left to go. Some Palestinians are being sent to what Israel has called humanitarian safe zones along the Muwasi coastal strip, which is already packed with about 450,000 people in squalid conditions.

Georgios Petropoulos, with the UN humanitarian agency in Rafah,

said that aid workers had no supplies to help people set up in new locations.

“We simply have no tents, we have no blankets, no bedding,” he said.

The World Food Program had said it would run out of food to distribute in southern Gaza by Saturday, Petropoulos said—a further challenge as parts of Gaza face what the WFP chief has called “full-blown famine.”

Aid groups have said that fuel will be depleted soon, forcing hospitals to shut down critical operations.

Heavy fighting was also underway in northern Gaza, where Hagari said that the air force was carrying out airstrikes. Palestinians in Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and surrounding areas were told to leave for shelters in the west of Gaza City, warned that Israel would strike with “great force.”

Northern Gaza was the first target of Israel’s ground offensive launched after Hamas and other militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking another 250 hostage. They still hold about 100 captives and the remains of more than 30. Hamas on Saturday said that hostage Nadav Popplewell had died after being wounded in an Israeli airstrike a month ago, but provided no evidence.

Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives have killed more than 34,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures. Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties, accusing it of embedding in densely populated residential areas.

VBy Vasilisa Stepanenko & Evgeniy Maloletka The Associated Press

o V C h A N s k u kraine—Moscow’s forces captured five villages in a renewed ground assault in northeastern u kraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said s at urday, and Associated Press journalists in the city of Vovchansk described multiple buildings destroyed after Russian airstrikes and barrages of Grad rockets.

u k rainian officials didn’t confirm whether Russian had taken the villages, which lie in a contested “gray zone” on the border of u kraine's k ha rkiv region and Russia.

u krainian journalists reported that the villages of Borysivka, o h irtseve, Pylna and s t rilecha were taken by Russian troops on Friday. Russia said the village of Pletenivka was also taken.

i n an evening statement s at urday, u krainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said fighting was still ongoing in the settlements of s t rilecha and Pletenivka, as well as k r asne, Morokhovets, o l iinykove, l ukyantsi and h at yshche.

o u r troops are carrying out counterattacks there for a second day, protecting u krainian territory,” he said.

t h e i nstitute for the s t udy of War said Friday that geolocated footage confirms at least one of the villages was seized. t h e Washington-based think tank described recent Russian gains as “tactically significant.”

t he renewed assault on the region has forced more than 1,700 civilians residing in settlements near the fighting to flee, according to u krainian authorities. i t c omes after Russia stepped up attacks in March targeting energy infrastructure and settlements, which analysts predicted were a concerted effort by Moscow to shape conditions for an offensive.

o n s at urday, Russia continued to pummel Vovchansk with airstrikes and Grad

rockets as police and volunteers raced to evacuate residents. At least 20 people were evacuated to safety in a nearby village. Police said that 900 people had been evacuated the previous day.

AP journalists who accompanied an evacuation team described empty streets with multiple buildings destroyed and others on fire. t h e road was littered with newly made craters and the city was covered in dust and shrapnel with the smell of gunpowder heavy in the air. Mushroom clouds of smoke rose across the skyline as Russian jets conducted multiple airstrikes.

t h e AP journalists witnessed nine air attacks during the three hours they were there.

t h e situation in Vovchansk and the settlements along the border (with Russia) is incredibly difficult. Constant aviation strikes are carried out, multiple rocket missile systems strikes, artillery strikes,” said tam az h am barashvili, the head of the Vovchansk military administration.

“For the second day in a row, we evacuated all the inhabitants of our community who are willing to evacuate,” he said. “ i think that they are destroying the city to make (local) people leave, to make sure there are no militaries, nobody. to c reate a ‘gray zone.‘” Evacuees bade tearful goodbyes to their neighbors as they were taken away from their homes.

“You lie down and think—whether they will kill you now, or in an hour, or in three,” said resident Valentyna h r evnova, 75. “ i hope that they (Russians) will not come, but ours ( u krainians) will be here.”

Vera Rudko, 72, was among those who left.

“We drove through Vovchansk in the city center,” Rudko said. “ i can’t look at this without tears. Everything is trembling. We didn’t sleep these two nights at all.”

Russia’s recent push in k ha rkiv seeks to exploit ammunition shortages before promised Western supplies can reach the

The final draft that was voted on dropped the language that would put Palestine “on equal footing with member states.” And to address Chinese and Russian concerns, it decided “on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent” to adopt the rights and privileges in the annex.

It also added a provision in the annex clarifying that it does not give Palestine the right to vote in the General Assembly or put forward candidates for UN agencies.

What the resolution does give Pale stine are the rights to speak on all issues not just those related to the Palestinians and Middle East, to propose agenda items and reply in debates, and to serve on the assembly’s main committees. It also allows Palestinians to participate in UN and international conferences convened by the United Nations, but without the right to vote.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authority’s application for UN membership in 2011. It failed because the Palestinians didn’t get the required minimum support of nine of the Security Council’s 15 members. They went to the General Assembly and succeeded by more than a two-thirds majority in having their status raised from a UN observer to a non-member observer state. That opened the door for the Palestinian territories to join UN and other international organizations, including the International Criminal Court. In the Security Council vote on April 18, the Palestinians got much more support for full UN membership. The vote was 12 in favor, the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstaining, and the United States voting no and vetoing the resolution.

Under longstanding legislation by the US Congress, the United States is required to cut off funding to UN agencies that give full membership to a Palestinian state, which could mean a cutoff in dues and voluntary contributions to the UN from its largest contributor.

front line, and pin down u krainian forces in the northeast and keep them away from heavy battles underway in the Donetsk region where Moscow’s troops are gaining ground, analysts said. Russian military bloggers said the assault could mark the start of a Russian attempt to carve out a “buffer zone” that President Vladimir Putin vowed to create earlier this year to halt frequent u krainian attacks on Belgorod and other Russian border regions. Fears also mount that without adequate supplies, Russia might even be able to cut supply routes and besiege the city of k har kiv, where 1.1 million people reside. u krainian officials have downplayed Russian statements about captured territory, with reinforcements being rushed to the k h arkiv region to hold off Russian forces. o n t e legram, k ha rkiv region

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Solar storm hits earth, producing colorful light shows across Northern Hemisphere

By Marcia Dunn AP Aerospace Writer

APE CANAVERAL, Fla.—An

Cunusually strong solar storm

hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere early Saturday, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated. The effects of the Northern Lights, which were prominently on display in Britain, were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.

Many in the UK shared phone snaps of the lights on social media early Saturday, with the phenomenon seen as far south as London and southern England.

There were sightings “from top to tail across the country,” said Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, Britain’s weather agency. He added that the office received photos and information from other European locations including Prague and Barcelona.

NOAA alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to take precautions.

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The storm could produce northern lights as far south in the US as Alabama and Northern California, NOAA said. But it was hard to predict and experts stressed it would not be the dramatic curtains of color normally associated with the northern lights, but more like splashes of greenish hues.

“That’s really the gift from space weather: the aurora,” Steenburgh said. He and his colleagues said the best aurora views may come from phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.

Snap a picture of the sky and “there might be actually a nice little treat there for you,” said Mike Bettwy, operations chief for the prediction center.

The most intense solar storm in recorded history, in 1859, prompted auroras in central America and possibly even Hawaii. “We are not anticipating that” but it could come close, NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl said.

This storm poses a risk for highvoltage transmission lines for power grids, not the electrical lines ordinarily found in people’s homes, Dahl told reporters. Satellites also could be affected, which in turn could disrupt navigation and communication services here on Earth.

An extreme geomagnetic storm in 2003, for example, took out power in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa. Even when the storm is over, signals between GPS satellites and ground receivers could be scrambled or lost, according to NOAA. But there are so many navigation satellites that any outages should not last long, Steenburgh noted.

The sun has produced strong solar flares since Wednesday, resulting in at least seven outbursts of plasma. Each eruption, known as a coronal mass ejection, can contain billions of tons of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona.

The flares seem to be associated with a sunspot that’s 16 times the diameter of Earth, NOAA said. It is all part of the solar activity ramping up as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle.

Crisis looms as US debt tops $34 trillion, but lawmakers can’t agree on a solution

By Kevin Freking The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—For Mike Johnson it was effectively a Day 1 priority.

It’s well past time, the newly elected House speaker said in October, to establish a bipartisan commission to tackle the federal government’s growing $34.6 trillion in debt. “The consequences if we don’t act now are unbearable,” he said, echoing warnings from his predecessor and other House Republicans.

More than six months later, the proposal appears all but dead, extinguished by vocal opposition from both the right and the left. The collapse underscores an unyielding dynamic in Washington, with lawmakers in both parties loath to consider the unpopular tradeoffs that would be necessary to stem the nation's swelling tide of red ink—particularly in an election year. Facing the reality that any fiscal commission would almost certainly suggest that Americans pay more or get less from their government, lawmakers have time and again done what they do so well: punt the problem to the next Congress. And they seem poised to do so again.

Many Democrats and left-leaning advocacy groups oppose the commission because they fear it would recommend cuts to Social Security benefits. Some Republicans and right-leaning groups are against it as well, fearing the panel would recommend tax increases. They’ve labeled the commission a “tax trap.”

“I’m disappointed that we haven’t got as much momentum as I thought we would,” said Rep. Jodey Arrington, the Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee. “The speaker supported it, endorsed it from the outset. But I think there are some outside groups that have weighed in, that have said that this is a backdoor way to raise taxes, and it scared some of my Republican colleagues.” Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.,

Flash

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, r-La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, May 7, 2024. a promising start has given way to challenging political realities for supporters of a bipartisan commission to tackle the federal government’s growing debt challenges. Johnson lauded the idea of establishing such a commission on his first day in office. AP PH oTo/J. S CoT T A PPL e W HIT e

sponsor of the debt commission bill in the Senate, was even more pessimistic.

“No one seems to care,” Manchin said. “It’s a shame, $34.6 trillion in debt. No one cares about it.”

The debt commission legislation, modeled after previous efforts, would create a 16-member panel to recommend steps that could be taken to balance the federal budget at the earliest reasonable date and improve the long-term fiscal health of Medicare and Social Security. The commission would have 16 members—12 from Congress, evenly divided by party, and four outside experts without voting power.

The GOP-controlled House Budget Committee advanced the bill in a 22-12 vote.

The fiscal realities that would face any commission are well documented and center to a large extent on Social Security and Medicare, which consume an ever-growing share of the federal budget, and interest payments on the nation's debt.

For Social Security, the reserves for The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will run out in 2033. At that point, the program will have enough tax revenue coming in to pay about 79

percent of scheduled benefits. For Medicare, the trust fund covering inpatient hospital stays, hospice care and stays at skilled nursing facilities has sufficient funds to pay full benefits until 2036. At that point, 11 percent spending cuts would be required to match incoming revenue.

The last fiscal commission over a decade ago—chaired by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson—recommended $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the course of a decade through a combination of tax increases and painful spending cuts. But the 11-7 vote in favor of the package was not enough to force Congress to consider it back in 2010.

Supporters of a new debt panel noted that they modeled their bill on something that has succeeded in the past—commissions to consolidate the nation’s military bases. The new commission would work under a similar structure with the legislation requiring each chamber to vote on its final proposal expeditiously.

Still, Democratic lawmakers and the White House are skeptical of forming a debt commission. Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, told lawmakers in a recent hearing that the administration was concerned that the one thing on the table for the commission would be Social Security benefit cuts, not asking high-income Americans to pay higher taxes.

“It will be borne on the backs of those who paid into the system and rely on this program to retire in peace,” Young said.

More than 100 Democratic lawmakers also signed onto a letter opposing the commission back in January as powerful groups such as the AFL-CIO and AARP voiced their concerns.

When Republican-aligned groups also came out against the bill, including Americans for Tax Reform and the Club for Growth, prospects for moving ahead dampened considerably. Their opposition weakened GOP leadership's leverage in attaching the commission to an annual spending bill or other must-pass measure.

“There’s no guarantee about the outcome. I think that’s what scares more people, and this town likes to know what the outcome is,” said the House bill’s author, Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich. Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said any mechanism that allows for tax increases undermines former President Donald Trump and other Republicans running for office on a platform of cutting taxes. He said the focus must be strictly on spending reductions, and “tax increases are what politicians do instead of making decisions and hard choices.”

“The modern Republican Party is not going to put tax increases on the table as if they were part of the solution to anything,” Norquist said.

floods kill more than 300 people in Afghanistan after heavy rains–UN

By Rahim Faiez The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD—Flash floods from unusually heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan have killed more than 300 people and destroyed over 1,000 houses, the UN food agency said Saturday. The World Food Program said it was distributing fortified biscuits to the survivors of one of the many floods that hit Afghanistan over the last few weeks, mostly the northern province of Baghlan, which bore the brunt of the deluges Friday.

In neighboring Takhar province, state-owned media outlets reported the floods killed at least 20 people. Videos posted on social media showed dozens of people gathered Saturday behind the hospital in Baghlan looking for their loved ones. An official tells them that they should start digging graves while their staff are busy preparing bodies for burial.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, posted on the social media platform X that “hundreds...have succumbed to these calamitous floods, while a substantial number have sustained injuries.”

Mujahid identified the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor and Herat as the worst hit. He added that “the

extensive devastation” has resulted in “significant financial losses.”

He said the government had ordered all available resources mobilized to rescue people, transport the injured and recover the dead.

The floods hit as Afghanistan is still reeling from a string of earthquakes at the beginning of the year as well as severe flooding in March, said Salma Ben Aissa, Afghanistan director for the International Rescue Committee.

“Communities have lost entire families, while livelihoods have been decimated as a result,” she said. “This should sound an alarm bell for world leaders and international donors: we call upon them to not forget Afghanistan during these turbulent global times.”

The IRC said that apart from the lives lost, infrastructure including roads and power lines had been destroyed in Baghlan, Ghor, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Samangan, Badghis and Takhar provinces. It said the agency is preparing to scale up its emergency response in affected areas.

The Taliban Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday that the country’s air force has already begun evacuating people in Baghlan and had rescued a large number of people stuck in flooded areas and transported 100 injured to military hospitals in the region. Richard Bennett, UN special rappor-

teur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said on X that the floods are a stark reminder of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to the climate crisis and both immediate aid and long-term planning by the Taliban and international actors are needed.

At least 70 people died in April from heavy rains and flash floods in the country. About 2,000 homes, three mosques, and four schools were also damaged.

“Tax increases solve no problem.”

That approach also makes Democrats such as Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas wary of a commission.

“We cannot solve our problems by cutting entirely. It’s got to be with some additional revenue. Unl ess revenues are very much on the table, I’m not for anything. It has to be both,” Doggett said.

Konektadong Pinoy Bill: Connecting all Filipinos, driving economic growth editorial

The rapid digitization of the global economy has brought immense benefits in the form of increased employment, productivity, innovation, and new products and services. however, the digital divide continues to be a major challenge, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.

According to news report, over 58 million Filipinos—more than half the population—are considered “Internet-poor” due to their inability to afford even the minimum mobile data package. This lack of affordable, widespread Internet access is severely limiting economic opportunities for millions of our countrymen.

Individuals without digital skills and access are at a major disadvantage when it comes to obtaining higher-paying jobs in the modern economy. Additionally, the country as a whole faces impediments to economic development if large swaths of the population remain disconnected from the digital world.

Ensuring universal and affordable Internet access should be a top priority for the government. The digital divide is not just a technological issue, but also one that has far-reaching economic and social implications. Bridging this divide will unlock countless opportunities for Filipino families, businesses, and the nation as a whole.

The inclusion of the Konektadong Pinoy (Open Access) Bill in the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) signifies its importance and prioritization in the country’s policy agenda. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has recognized its significance, and the bill is on track for approval before Congress adjourns sine die.

The reforms encompassed in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill are crucial for its success. Removing the legislative franchise requirement for data transmission industry participants and promoting infrastructure sharing through a comprehensive policy framework are steps in the right direction. These reforms will foster healthy competition, drive down costs, and encourage investment in areas that are currently underserved.

The call by the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines for the swift passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is a welcome and crucial step in the right direction. This legislation aims to lower barriers to entry in the data transmission sector, increase competition, and drive infrastructure investment—especially in underserved areas. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Joint Foreign Chambers call for immediate passage of bill to expand Internet access,” May 10, 2024).

The seven foreign chambers underscored the importance of passing the bill, saying this will “reduce costs and expand access to high-quality Internet services by lowering barriers to entry in the data transmission sector and encouraging more competition and investment in data transmission.”

“Prohibitive costs and lack of Internet infrastructure contribute to the prevailing digital divide,” the JFC said in a statement, adding that the country also lags behind its middle-income peers in Asean in Internet access, speed, and affordability for mobile and fixed services.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the Philippines cannot afford to be left behind. Passing the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is an essential stride towards a more prosperous, equitable, and future-ready Philippines.

The advantages of bridging the digital divide go beyond individual households, encompassing wide-ranging benefits for society. By expediting our digital transformation through the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, we can unlock the nation’s potential for economic growth, job generation, and innovation. This initiative will create opportunities in emerging industries, entice foreign investments, and elevate the competitiveness of Filipino businesses on a global scale.

BusinessMirror

Age diversity and the inclusive workplace

IRISING SUN

T used to be that people retired as they turned 60, or shortly thereafter. But even this is changing as populations age and birth rates fall in most major economies. The World health Organization projects that the proportion of people over 60 will nearly double from 12 percent to 22 percent by 2050.

In the coming years, we will see a more diverse workforce in terms of age or generation. In the US, for example, about 25 percent of men and 17 percent of women over 65 are expected to be still working by 2032.

All this means that organizations must start preparing for the changes that an age-diverse workforce brings. They need to look at how they can adjust to these changes to ensure that the future remains positive for all. Workers must take the opportunity to adapt to these changes, too.

True success, according to a report called “Evolving Together: Flourishing in the age-diverse work-

force,” hinges on collaboration, including the support we get from the organizations we work for, and the policies that enable these organizations to support their people.

We all know that health is important so people can stay productive well into their 70s or 80s. Governments must put more money into healthcare, sure, but more than that, the organizations themselves should introduce their own wellbeing programs for their employees. They can also implement flexible work schedules, phased retirement programs, mentorship initiatives, or intergenerational collaboration projects. Older employees may like-

We all know that health is important so people can stay productive well into their 70s or 80s. Governments must put more money into healthcare, sure, but more than that, the organizations themselves should introduce their own well-being programs for their employees. They can also implement flexible work schedules, phased retirement programs, mentorship initiatives, or intergenerational collaboration projects. Older employees may likewise benefit from training that will help them adapt to new technologies or job roles.

wise benefit from training that will help them adapt to new technologies or job roles.

Company policies may have to be rewritten to accommodate needs that change with age. And as mentioned, our lawmakers need to sit down and write the laws that will allow employers to do this. There could be incentives offered for companies that hire older workers, different forms of protection against age discrimination, or of-

fers of funding for lifelong learning initiatives.

Our communities and social organizations have a role to play in supporting older workers, too. For example, they can initiate programs to provide social support, networking opportunities, or access to resources, for instance, for those who are going into a new career (or entering a new phase).

Additionally, cultural shifts are needed to promote inclusivity and respect for workers of all ages. Initiatives that combat ageism, promote intergenerational teamwork, and celebrate the contributions of experienced workers can help create a more supportive and inclusive environment.

Individuals, as well as the organizations they are part of, must invest in continuous skill development and training to thrive in the modern workplace. The role of employers and policymakers is to create an atmosphere that will attract, train, and retain age-diverse talent. This time is an opportune time for organizations and society to shape the future of work while developing strategies that can address new challenges brought about by workforce diversity.

Ariel T. Cayanan: Transforming Freemasonry in the Philippines

Awith innovative initiatives

LITO GAGNI

rIel T. CAyAnAn, the newly installed Grandmaster of the Grand lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the Philippines, is diligently developing innovative initiatives for the organization. These programs aim to emphasize a return to the fundamental principles for its members, while dispelling unfounded conspiracy theories surrounding its rituals. Additionally, they aim to perpetuate the noble objective of fostering personal growth and character development, ultimately striving to transform good men into even better individuals.

Cayanan, a former undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, is poised to emulate the exemplary practices of the past 10 Grandmasters of the Masons. He seeks to guide the group with their wisdom while also introducing fresh initiatives will revolve around his slogan: “Together, brethren, we survive, recover, grow, and heal as one.”

Firstly, Cayanan is emphasizing the need to institutionalize the Masonic principles that center on timeless tenets, values, and philosophies. Freemasonry in the Philippines dates back to 1856, and Cayanan aims to strengthen this tradition. To this end, he is proposing a “ladderized” system to empower lecturers and equip new brethren with deeper Ma-

Cayanan is emphasizing the need to institutionalize the Masonic principles that center on timeless tenets, values, and philosophies. Freemasonry in the Philippines dates back to 1856, and Cayanan aims to strengthen this tradition.

sonic knowledge. In addition to implementing the go-back-to-basics program, Cayanan is introducing an arbitration tribunal within the group. This tribunal aims to handle and resolve grievances among masons in a manner that eliminates the necessity for formal court disputes. According to Cayanan, this Masonic Judicial System will be staffed by trained and qualified brethren with a fixed term of office.

We understand that former Chief Justice Reynato Puno is reportedly set to head the Masonic Judicial System, which mandates a resolution of complaints in three months. This new system could potentially help reduce court backlogs, as disputes would be processed more quickly through this Masonicaffiliated process. For this program, Cayanan said: “We believe that our Masonic Laws and Edicts are better interpreted, enforced and defended by masons and not by non-masons.” The said arbitration tribunal will have its own rulebook that will address all the requirements for the filing of a complaint and its resolution. It also includes a listing of a roster of Masonic counsels who will assist the parties in a dispute. Cayanan has outstanding credentials in computer engineering, teaching, and public service that are expected to help him accomplish what he has set out for his stewardship of the masons. He told me that he wants to update his fellow brethren on his accomplishments and the progress made compared to the objectives he initially set, once he completes his term as Grandmaster. Before his assumption into office, Cayanan visited almost all the lodges in the Philippines to familiarize himself with the issues that each lodge is facing. This has allowed

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Philippines as a global tax leader

OJoel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

Part 23

n november 13, 2023, the asian Development Bank (aDB) granted a $400-million loan to help the Philippines achieve its medium-term fiscal strategy and finance its post-pandemic economic recovery. This comes after a series of loans extended by aDB to enhance the revenue mobilization of the tax-collecting agencies, including the Bureau of Internal revenue (BIr) and the local government tax-collecting units (lGUs).

The previous loans granted by ADB include the $300 million policy-based loan in 2019 for the establishment of a legal and institutional framework to mobilize local revenues; the provision of technical advice in the formulation of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program packages from 2016 onwards; the $26.5 million investment project in 2020 to support government initiatives and reforms to improve local governments’ real property tax collection; and the $400 million policy-based loan in August 2021 for the Local Governance Reform Program. With all of these loans and assistance, the BIR, the Bureau of Local Government Finance, and the LGUs are involved in a number of tax transformation activities while they are doing their day-to-day tax administration and collection efforts.

This newest loan of the ADB comes from its Domestic Resource Mobilization Program Subprogram 1. The Philippines is the borrower of this policy-based loan for DRM reform. This DRM program addresses the country’s need to tackle discrepancies in tax policy frameworks to boost tax compliance, reduce tax avoidance, and raise more revenues from activities and products that have a major impact on the environment or contribute to climate change. The program recognizes that DRM reforms required not only in raising taxes, but also in designing a revenue system that promotes inclusiveness, encourages good governance, attracts investments and job creation, reduces inequality, and tackles climate change. This loan is expected to yield a higher tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, thereby ensuring sustainable financing for the country as it strives to accomplish its objectives outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Under the PDP 2023-2028, the Philippines aims to raise its tax-toGDP ratio to at least 15.9 percent by 2026. Per World Bank information, this ratio stands at 14.6 percent as of 2022. (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GC.TAX.TOTL.

GD.ZS?locations=PH). I am optimistic that the Philippines can do better than the projected tax-to-GDP ratio

. . . continued from A12

him to develop initiatives aimed at benefiting the organization, such as establishing a medical facility for the members, and creating the offices of Vice Presidents for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to assist the Grandmaster.

The components to be funded by the $400 million loan include the BIR’s Digital Transformation; implementation of international tax standards; enhancement of key taxpayers’ services, including online tax registration, return filing and payment; capacity building of staff, and improvement of taxpayer compliance.

of 15.9 percent. Increasing this ratio by 1.3 percent within the next three years is a doable challenge to the BIR. Further, the ADB said the project can potentially increase the ratio of actual tax revenues to tax potential, from 75 percent in 2020 to at least 85 percent by 2026. The BIR should also strive to exceed this metric.

The components to be funded by the $400 million loan include the BIR’s Digital Transformation; implementation of international tax standards; enhancement of key taxpayers’ services, including online tax registration, return filing and payment; capacity building of staff, and improvement of taxpayer compliance.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr. is expected to lead the charge in attaining the outcomes on increased tax efficiency ratios, a digitally-driven BIR meeting world-class tax standards, and improved taxpayer compliance and servicing of their requirements. He has already initiated several innovative programs and will just have to sustain these to meet his mandate of transforming the BIR to collect taxes and serve taxpayers better.

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He has also held the various positions of Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business, Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co., and director of various corporate boards. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com and his firm JL2T Consultancy.

Cold Peace over Cold War

ISiegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

T seems like a never-ending tale— Filipino fisherfolk driven away. Philippine coast guard vessels chased off by water cannons. One international protest after another, one accusation after a further. The situation at the West Philippine Sea (“South China Sea” in China’s maritime dictionary) is convoluted at best, with a sword of Damocles hanging over its head.

Anytime soon, we could be seeing rivets of peaceful transactions welded in these troubled waters, or worse, we might be bracing for assault or military incursion. Recently, calls for the Philippines to embark on a different—or stronger—approach are mounting. And the waiting game for our head of state to command something hardline is as much a tension as an agonizing exercise. Thus far, his policy anent China is touted as a repetitive lackluster response, unless he is already brewing a counter-offensive, but the same is yet inaudible.

The overly eager folks could not hold their tongues. President BBM, in forging alliances with “friendly” countries like Australia, the USA, Japan, and even Israel, has managed to make the Philippines a beneficiary, albeit hearsay at the moment, of firearms, ammunitions, jet fighters, and even a replica of Israel’s all-weather air defense system. Whether the information remains as gossip or could ripen into fruition, it should still strike us ominously. Apparently, the thread between peace and war is thinning out.

The question is, will PBBM ignore China’s aggression, or will he bring the country to war? Notably, the Supreme Court has designated the President as the “primary architect of foreign policy,” (Saguisag et al. v. Ochoa, Jr. et al., GR 212426, January 12, 2016) and the Philippine Constitution clothes him with a “built-in military authority” (Article VII.18).

Indeed, a “perceived foreign slight” is for the Commander-in-Chief to decide, and the process calls for congressional action but only for purposes of declaring a war “already in existence.” This is found in the Constitution’s Article VI.23 which states: “The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war.” As one Judicial Academy lecturer succinctly puts it: “Congress cannot call for initiatory military action, by dint of international law (e.g., Article 2.4 of the United Nations Charter) and the Constitution’s Article II.2 (“The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy”).

Amid all symptoms of Chinese aggression in the disputed territorial waters, the Philippines lingers on calculated actions and by-thebook responses, thus far. Perhaps noting the saying that hell knows no wrath than an engager scorned, our country ought to choose cold peace over cold war. These two eras are tangibly explained by an international columnist citing a 2019 essay in Foreign Affairs. Says Mr. Michael Hirsch: “Cold war” means openly vying for total dominance, military and otherwise. It means constant internal interference with a rival nation through covert action and living with the ever-present threat of annihilation in a hairtrigger, nuclear-imperiled world. “Cold peace,” on the other hand,

A cold war is always zero-sum; in a cold peace, there’s no winner and no finish line. It’s a lot less exciting, but a lot fewer people are likely to die.

EnvIrOnmEnTal journalists face many forms of harassment, like online threats and physical and legal attacks. a report published by United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UnESCO) on World Press Freedom Day (may 3) warns of increasing violence against and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate disruption.

At least 749 journalists or news media reporting on environmental issues have been attacked in the last 15 years, and online disinformation has surged dramatically in this period.

Cayanan, who previously advocated for the establishment of cold storage facilities to bolster the country’s food security while serving as Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization at the Department of Agriculture, has now turned his attention to other initiatives aimed at benefiting the organization. One of his key initiatives is connecting with others and reinforcing the ideals of Freemasonry, with the goal of dissuading them from maintaining their flawed perceptions about the fraternity.

Recognizing the importance of fostering camaraderie among masons and their immediate families, Cayanan has established a visionary objective: the creation of a Masonic Activity Center. This ambitious long-term goal encompasses the construction of a multifaceted facility, featuring a diverse range of recreational activities for brethren and their families. Moreover, it will serve as a prestigious venue for hosting world-class masonic functions and activities. To support the needs of the masonic community, the center will also house state-of-theart offices and provide additional lodge halls, ensuring a modern and efficient environment.

The new Grandmaster epitomizes an outstanding Mason with his visionary ideas. In fact, he shared with me the story of a scroll bestowed upon him by the Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales, and Provinces Overseas. This remarkable scroll now graces his office, bearing the spirit of King Athelstan.

With the theme “A Press for the Planet,” UNESCO stressed that the access to reliable information and the importance of strengthening independent environmental and scientific journalism is more critical than ever.

UNESCO noted that this year’s World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

The UNESCO report was echoed as one of the major threats to media practitioners during the recent consecutive media conferences that gathered journalists, media workers, educators, human rights, and press freedom advocates.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) held the Third Investigative Journalism Conference (IJPH)

from April 30 to May 2, 2024 that tackled the importance of investigative journalism and watchdog journalism amid the increasingly challenging political and information environments.

In commemorating World Press Freedom Day, the First Philippine Media Safety Summit was held on May 3, 2024 that aimed to facilitate a review and assessment of the state of journalism and freedom of expression in the country.

One of the IJPH breakout sessions touched on environment and community issues presented by journalists Karl Lipneten, Jhesset Enano, Leilani Chavez, and Caecent No-ot Magsumbol.

“Independent journalists as well as scientists are crucial actors in helping our societies to separate facts from lies and manipulation in order to take informed decisions, including about environmental policies,” UNESCO said.

I was assigned in the environment beat during the mid 1990s when I was still connected with a major daily while finishing my

The lesson cannot be any clearer. When faced with crisis, or a potent force, threat or any form of aggression, our FIRST defense and BEST offense would be to look to our Abba Father both for wisdom and protection. Many a times, we are overwhelmed by what we see in the natural: a tiny “David” that is the Philippines against a muscular “Goliath” like China; small and ill-equipped coast guard vessels against huge waterpirouetting ships; solid structures manned by numerous armed men versus a rusty Second World War-era ship (BRP Sierra Madre) carrying the Philippine flag and guarding against Chinese expansion—the same predicament faced by king Jehoshaphat and his people. But these did not stop them from fixing their eyes on the supernatural instead of the natural. And so, they prayed, “no matter the punishing sword or plague or hunger, they will serve God” (v.9). And they chose to sing praises instead of hurling spears.

Truthfully, there can be many experts counseling our President or guiding our authorities. Discussions on the national angle, on the economy and environment, among others, flow freely day in and day out. But the sum of it all ought to be an intentional preference for peace over war. After all, peace is every believer’s default mode, following Jesus Christ’s pronouncement that “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27 ). It is about time that we march along this gift of peace and own it.

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

means that rival powers generally avoid the use of military force and focus their relationship on nonlethal forms of geopolitical competition. The contest is defined by whoever exercises the most influence within a generally agreed-upon international system. A cold war is always zero-sum; in a cold peace, there’s no winner and no finish line. It’s a lot less exciting, but a lot fewer people are likely to die. No matter the provocation then, and in spite of the many times the President might be swayed into leading this country to war against China, the choice for what is more of a life-sustaining action ought to be preferred. Corollary to this, my humble opinion is for us to shift our eyes from the natural sphere to the heavenly arena. This should remind us of what King Jehoshaphat of old Israel mulled over as he and his army stood no chance against the herculean armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites, as told in 2 Chronicles 20: 1-29 of the Bible. As documented, the enemies of Israel wanted to take over the land given by God to His people. On the natural and physical range, Jehoshaphat and his troops were too small and weak compared to the forces of their opponents. But instead of sliding down to despair, the king led his army, as well as the women and children to pray for God’s counsel and intervention. And true enough, the Lord assured them, thus: “Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:v. 15-16 ). And as further narrated, King Jehoshaphat sent out men who would sing to God in praise and worship to march down in FRONT of their army. Not the archers, or sword-wielding men, but praise-singers were appointed to walk in front and lead the army to victory. True enough, they won over their enemies.

The perils of environmental journalism

UNESCO noted that this year’s World Press Freedom Day is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.

legal studies at the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen is calling on the government to intervene in the climate change case lodged before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stressing the need to take action for communities in the country continuously facing the brunt of the climate crisis.

“We are a nation whose geographical location has made us vulnerable to natural disaster. We are reliant on agriculture and fisheries, to which we must consider the impact of natural disasters both on the livelihoods of our farmers and fisherfolk, and on our own survival as a nation,” added Leonen, who was my professor at the UP Law.

Cyber-libel was also identified as a continuing threat to media practitioners.

Libel is the public and malicious imputation of a crime, of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural person or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.

The traditional concept of libel involves print media, radio and television broadcasts.

RA 10175 was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, 2012 wherein “cyber libel” is among the ac-

tions criminalized.

The application of the law penalizing libel has been extended to cyberspace and electronic p latforms, including social media, websites, blogs, forums, and other digital channels.

Justice Leonen is vocal for the decriminalization of cyber libel due to its possible “chilling effect” on speech, which he noted in his dissenting opinion in the case of Disini vs Secretary of Justice (G.R. No. 203335, February 18, 2014) in connection with the constitutionality of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, including the provisions on cyber libel.

Chilling effect generally occurs when a law is either too broad or too vague wherein individuals or groups refrain from engaging in expression for fear of running afoul of a law or regulation, retaliation, prosecution, or punitive governmental action.  Leonen stressed that the threat of being prosecuted for libel stifles the dynamism of the conversations that take place in cyberspace.

“The kinds of speech that are actually deterred by libel law are more valuable than the state interest that is sought to be protected by the crime. Besides, there are less draconian alternatives which have very minimal impact on the public’s fundamental right of expression,” Leonen said.

Peyups is the moniker of the

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Dennis gorecho

A14 Monday, May 13, 2024

A.O. CREATES NEW ‘SUPER BODY’ FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos

PJr. has created a new super body” to enhance the country’s human rights protection, including situations in cases involving drug control and counter-terrorism.

Administrative Order (AO) No. 22, issued through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, created the Special Committee on Human Rights coordination to sustain the government’s initiatives with the United Nations for the Joint Program (UNJP) on Human Rights, on law enforcement, criminal justice and policy-making.

It is imperative to sustain and enhance the accomplishments under the UNJP, which is set to expire on 31 July 2024, through institutionalization of a robust multistakeholder process for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines,”Marcos said in the four-page AO.

Among the functions of the committee is to ensure human rights will be enforced in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism.

For this purpose, the Special Committee may, whenever necessary, invite as a member and/or observer such other government agencies including the Commission on Human Rights, Dangerous Drug Board, and the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center,” the President said in the new issuance.

The Committee’s other functions include investigation and accountability on human rights violations, including those committed by law enforcement agencies.

I t will also be tasked to uphold

and protect human rights of persons deprived of liberty, particularly in guaranteeing that no one is subjected to torture or other cruel inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

Also part of its functions is to expand civic space and engagement with the private sector and also establish a National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up on human rights-related cases.

T he mechanism will complement and rationalize the efforts of concerned government agencies, instrumentalities, and bodies in “identifying human rights concerns and issues, and in processing reports relative thereto to ensure that appropriation action is taken.”

The Committee will be chaired by the Executive Secretary, while the Justice Secretary will serve as his or her co-chair.

Its members will include the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) will serve as the Committee’s secretariat.

The Committee is mandated to submit an annual report to the Office of the President; its members are authorized to accept donations, grants, bequests, gifts from domestic or foreign sources for purposes relevant to their mandate and functions.

AO 22 was signed by Bersamin on May 8, 2024 and its implementing guidelines will be issued within 30 days once the issuance takes effect Samuel P. Medenilla

ERC: Diesel plants best buffer vs huge outages

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Energy Regulatory Com -

mission (ERC) has acknowledged the importance of diesel power plants for preventing a massive power outage, as these can best provide immediate response to restore power when major plants conk out, as what happened last month in Luzon and Visayas.

“ I think, we have to admit that during the period that we lost, we expected that we lost our large hydros,” ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said, referring to hydroelectric power plants that are normally placed on maintenance shutdown during summer months since water supply running their power generators is usually thin in the dry season. “What we didn’t expect is that even coal and natural gas plants suddenly disappeared, right? What came in, what saved the system, so that we didn’t have system-wide blackouts, were our diesel plants,” she said.

Most of the power plants on forced outage and are running on derated capacity are coal and gas plants. As a result, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon and Visayas grids on red and yellow alerts several times since April 16. There had been power outage incidents in some areas, mainly because of thin power reserves.

E ssentially, Dimalanta said the diesel plants, albeit their fuel is more expensive, saved both grids from prolonged blackouts.

“ We know that the fuel of diesel plants is expensive, even more expensive. So, they are the ones who should be paid because they are the ones who produced the electricity that we used because most of us didn’t experience blackout.  So, because we used the diesel plants, it’s our obligation to pay, right?” said the ERC chief.

Q2 agri output seen stagnant if El Niño farm havoc goes on

By Ada Pelonia

THE country’s agriculture output in the second quarter may stay the same if El Niño continues to damage local plantations, according to economists.

“Ganun pa rin kasi tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung El Niño [It will stay the same due to El Niño],” Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), told BusinessMirror via phone.

“ Baka masundan naman ng La Niña kaya lang that’s another source of disaster;  sobra naman ang tubig pero I don’t think the situation will be any different second quarter [There could be La Niña which is another source of disaster because

of excess water but I don’t think the situation will be any different second quarter],” he added.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that farm production inched up by 0.05 percent in terms of value using constant 2018 prices. The crops, livestock, and fisheries subsectors recorded contractions while poultry registered an increase.

T he value of poultry production, which amounted to P68.76 billion, posted a 5.9-percent gain with ev-

ery poultry commodity recording increases, except for duck eggs.

However, Briones doubts if the increase in poultry would be maintained by the second quarter.

“ Baka hindi natin ma -repeat itong extraordinary increase ng poultry tapos similar trend pa rin yung ibang subsectors, so baka hindi maulit yang slightly positive growth na ‘yan, baka mag -negative na siya ng second quarter lang  [It’s possible that extraordinary increase in poultry won’t happen again. With the similar trend in the rest of the subsectors, it’s also possible not to have a repeat of that slightly positive growth which may turn negative but only for the second quarter],” he said.

“ That 5.9-percent growth might not be repeated, and therefore, [poultry] cannot pull up the entire sector into the positive territory by second quarter,” he added.

Contractions in commodities

MEANWHILE , University of Asia and the Pacific Center for Food and Agribusiness (CFA) Executive Director Senen Reyes told BusinessMirror that contractions in some commodities were partly due to El Niño. “ If you look at the first quarter volumes for the three subsectors, you would note that these contracted, particularly for some commodities which account for a significant share of agriculture and fisheries, in part due to the El Niño,” Reyes said via text.

Poultry, particularly chicken, increased with more modern facilities of commercial growers which made it more resilient to the weather disturbances. As a cheaper protein source, the demand may have prodded more loadings, he explained. Given the same conditions, the second quarter may be the same depending on the weather,” Reyes said.

A mong these diesel plants are the 150-megawatt (MW) Ingrid high-speed diesel plant in Pililia, Rizal, owned by ACEN and Marubeni Corp.

A CEN President Eric Francia said the diesel plants are the pragmatic stop gap solution to support increasing demand, at least for the next few years.

We decided in 2019 to bring in leased diesel plants given the impending shortage in the system especially during peak summer months,” said Francia.  However, the economics of diesel plants are challenged because of the market framework,” he said.

ACEN has partnered with Marubeni Corporation to develop the P7billion Ingrid plant. The units are leased from British-based company Aggreko International Projects Limited (Aggreko), which is also the operations and maintenance provider of the diesel plant.

T he 150MW Ingrid plant has been operating since October 2021. The plant then signed an ASPA (ancillary services procurement agreement) following NGCP’s competitive selection process in early 2023. However, Ingrid’s bidded ASPA rate has not been approved by ERC. The plant is not viable without a proper ASPA contract. In fact, we had to pay standby charges to the unit owner last March in order to keep the units at least for this summer. Given the persistent red alerts and blackouts, it was definitely the right thing to do,” said Francia. “But this model isn’t sustainable; the plant needs to be contracted.” Francia explained the importance of contracting for diesel plants. “Think of the diesel plant as a rental property that only gets occupied during summer,” said Francia. “That property needs to recover its capital and operating costs for the entire year, but only during the summer months.

AS the Marcos administration steps up the revitalization of the mining sector to take advantage of the increasing global demand for energy transition metals, the government is looking at having mining drive green technology and high-quality job growth.

S ecretary Maria Antonia YuloLoyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the online processing of mining will be ready within the year, hoping to increase the number of operating mines in the next few years.

S peaking during a DENR-led Mining Conference in Taguig City recently, Yulo-Loyzaga said the full digitalization will be road-tested and is hopeful of shortening the waiting time for the approval of the mining permit applications.

This is in the work-in-process stage,” said Yulo-Loyzaga.

Frederick “Deck” Go, Secretary, Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (Osapiea), said the objective of the interagency collaboration in the minerals development sector is to ensure the ease of doing business to encourage mining investment by shortening the waiting time for mining applications.

“ We are working with Secretary Toni, particularly on the mining sector.  I think the goal is very correctly mentioned.  We have an ideal target of 1 to 2 years [processing permit],” he said.

“Apart from digitalization, the realization is perhaps [that] the process is going to be done simultaneously rather than sequential, to radically make the processing more swift,” according to him.

T he forum, organized in collaboration with the Stratbase ADR

Institute aimed to unite industry experts and other stakeholders to work closely with the government on policy reforms to ease regulatory obstacles and position the Philippines as a significant contributor to the global green economy. He cited a mining reform bill in the Senate, and the idea is to equalize the taxation of the industry and essentially it will improve the taxation of foreign direct investment.  He said the bill is still under deliberation.

T he Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), he said, is very active in the taxation package being worked out by legislators.

H e insisted that in luring investors, the Marcos administration, through the DENR and other concerned agencies, is working to improve the ease of doing business. Interviewed by reporters, COMP

Executive Director Ronald Recidoro said the members of the chamber are open to tax reform but said they prefer taxation based on profit, rather than gross income. We are happy to see that the DOF is beginning to see our point that we are already heavily taxed.  If new taxes are imperative, they should be based on profit.  All our taxes are gross-based.  But the beauty of the current proposal as a windfall profit goes higher, the tax also goes higher,” he said. I n terms of the tax rate and tearing, there has been consensus in the industry.  We will come up with a mechanism that is acceptable to the government and the industry.  A ccording to Recidoro, the new tax, over and above the current real estate tax and other corporate tax, will increase the government’s share in mining revenue. See “Govt,” A2

FLOATING PROTEST Fisherfolk from Zambales, joined by Alyansa Bantay Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, organized a fluvial parade in the West Philippine Sea near Candelaria, Zambales, on

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

B1 Monday, May 13, 2024

BCDA wants private sector to build Clark BRT system

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) plans to tap the private sector to build the P5-billion Clark Integrated Transport hub, a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that will run within Clark all the way to the New Clark City in Tarlac.

“seamless travel” from the airport to the city’s main gates and onward to the Clark Freeport Zone and to the New Clark City.

It will use modern units or Euro 5-compliant buses and will feature “smart components” that will provide passengers with estimated wait times, similar to bus systems abroad.

more attractive to the private sector.

“Most of the transport operators do not earn money from passenger fees, but on real estate. If you look at Tokyo, their stations are like malls. So our model is like TOD as well. we will partner with real estate [players] to make it viable,” Bingcang said.

A feasibility study for the project is now being conducted by the World Bank, he added, noting that the report will be submitted by October.

Initial cost estimates for the project, including the real estate component, is between P3 billion and P5 billion.

BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said the Clark Integrated Transport Hub is set to span across Clark, encompassing both internal circulation routes and connecting the city to the airport.

“It’s a mass transport mode that we want; there will be less pollution, fewer cars—that’s the model. It’s a dedicated bus transport,” Bingcang said on the sidelines of the One Clark Forum organized by the BCDA and the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (Ejap).

Spanning approximately 60 kilometers, the system will facilitate

He noted that the system will be complemented by transport-oriented development (TOD) to make it

Bingcang said the BCDA may start the bidding process for the project as early as the last quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025.

CLI income rises on higher sales

CBy VG Cabuag @villygc

EBu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), a regional property developer, said its income in the first quarter rose by 15 percent to P978 million from the previous year’s P847 million.

The company said its revenues rose 31 percent to P6.23 billion from the previous year’s P4.77 billion, driven by robust growth across the listed company’s business segments.

Reservation sales reached P7.18 billion and the company said with new project launches in the pipeline, this trajectory is expected to be

‘BCDA

will redevelop BGC assets’

AyA LA- OWNED mall Market! Market! will be up for redevelopment as the area will be part of the planned “transitoriented development” surrounding the Metro Manila Subway stations in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). State-owned firm Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) also said during a recent forum held in Pampanga that it intends to get the “maximum value” for the property. “Market! Market! land will be up for redevelopment. So, it will be a mixed-use (property). It is our single last big property in BGC and we want to make sure once we redevelop it we’ll get the maximum value for the property,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang told reporters on the sidelines of the One Clark Forum organized by the staterun firm and the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines. Bingcang said the lease for the land of the Ayala-owned mall will end in 2027. “And two years before, which is next year, we will start the disposition of the Market! Market! area,” he said. “Of course, Ayala can still participate in the redevelopment.”

The Ayala-owned mall that stands on a 10-hectare land, however, is just part of the proposed transit-oriented development located within BGC. Apart from this, Bingcang said the BCDA also has properties in Navy village, a sixhectare development across the Senate Headquarters in BGC which will also be converted into a mixeduse development. Andrea E. San Juan

sustained until the end of the year.

The company launched Casa Mira Homes Butuan with sales value of P2.6 billion. CLI said the product is “selling fast” one month after it was unveiled.

To date, CLI said it recorded a 93 percent sell-out status across all its projects in different stages of development.

“This quarter’s notable achievement strongly indicates that we are on track. Our consistently strong sales performance in the preceding years coupled with the significant progress of the construction of our projects are our main contributors to our stellar performance,” CLI Chair-

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK

Last week

Share prices fell for the second straight week on weaker-thanexpected economic growth of the Philippines and the higher april inflation print, which weighed on investor sentiment, according to analysts.

The benchmark Philippine Stock exchange index lost 103.62 points to close at 6,511.93 points.

The main index was down in three of the five trading sessions as investors sold their positions following the announcement of economic figures.

The country’s first quarter GDP grew 5.7 percent, slightly higher than the previous quarter’s 5.6 percent but slower than the previous year’s 6.5 percent.

“an initial look-through at the breakdown shows steep deceleration in private consumption,” broker 2Tradeasia said.

Trading volume was weak throughout the five-day sessions, only averaging at P4.83 billion, with foreign investors, which only cornered 43 percent of the trades, were net sellers at P3.04 billion.

Other sub-indices ended mixed with the broader all Shares index losing 21.04 points to close at 3,447.13 points. The Financials index plunged 82.37 to 2,006.52, the Industrial index rose 217.52 to 9,077.48, the holding Firms index declined 230.25 to 5,839.05, the Property index shed 12.66 to 2,415.52, the Services index gained 50.51 to 1,937.30 and the Mining and Oil index surged 295.60 to 9,095.57.

For the week, gainers managed to outnumber losers 123 to 102 and 32 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were GeOGraCe

man and CEO Jose Soberano III said.

Its hotel revenue also surged by 37 percent in the first quarter following the opening of three hotels in addition to the fully operational Citadines Cebu City.

Bringing the company’s total completed rooms to now 338 are the newly launched lyf Cebu City in Base Line Center, The Pad CoLiving in Banilad High Street, and Citadines Bacolod City. CLI has 6 more hotels under construction expected to further drive its hotel revenue growth.

“The hospitality industry in VisMin [Visayas and Mindanao] is getting stronger and we are poised to

resources Philippines Inc., asiabest Group International Inc., Grand Plaza hotel Corp., Coal asia holdings Inc., anglo Philippine holdings Corp., atok-Big Wedge Co. Inc. and aBSCBN Corp.

Top losers, meanwhile, were Philippine racing Club Inc., Kepwealth Property Phils. Inc., Macay holdings Inc., Benguet Corp. B, NihaO Mineral resources International Inc., Millennium Global holdings Inc. and Discovery World Corp.

this week

Share prices may rise, still on bargain hunting, as the market is now below its 200-day exponential moving average, again giving a bearish signal.

Investors are also expected to continue digesting the first- quarter corporate results during the week.

Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said there might be some episodes of bargain hunting given that the market is trading at attractive levels.

“Investors are still expected to maintain caution however while waiting for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas policy meeting to happen later within the week. Investors are expected to wait for cues from the BSP regarding their policy outlook in light of the latest macroeconomic data wherein inflation and GDP growth both came in below expectations,” Tantiangco said.

2Tradeasia said the BSP is expected to keep its rates this week, but stubborn inflation figures is making many to speculate of a hike in key policy rates.

“The probabailty of a rate cut by June as initially communicated by the

take advantage of this opportunity,” Soberano said.

CLI’s rental income also increased by 58 percent, driven by newly turned-over lease spaces at 38 Park Avenue and Base Line Center Phase 2 located in Cebu’s business hubs.

The firm has also spent P2.74 billion in capital expenditure (capex) during the period, out of its capex budget for the year of P14.5 billion.

“We are committed to expanding our footprint around the country. We will soon introduce our first project in General Santos and we continuously work on land acquisition initiatives in Luzon,” Soberano said.

ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI), the listed retail unit of the Gokongwei Group, said it is keen on accelerating its expansion outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

The company said during its annual stockholders’ meeting that it will tap its supermarket and drugstore businesses for the expansion.

“With 30 percent of our stores located in Metro Manila, we want to accelerate our expansion outside the capital. In terms of formats, were looking to open more of our core supermarket and drugstore banners,” Robina Gokongwei-Pe, the company’s president and CEO, said.

The company’s supermarket business consists of Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, The Marketplace, which it acquired from the Rustans group and Robinsons Easymart. It also owns Southstar Drug, TGP (The Generics Pharmacy) and Rose Pharmacy.

Amid stiff competition in the supermarket business, particularly from the emerging hard

BSP is gradually evaporating in light of high US inflation and the US Fed moving rate cuts further into the year.

Our then-conservative outlook that rates may not move und sale into the year is being supported by new data points, which puts pressure in growth and alpha plays in equities.”

Chartwise, the local market may retest its 200-day exponential moving average. If it is able to regain position above the said line, then the market may target next its 50-day exponential moving average. If it fails to do so however, the market may decline to its support at 6,400, Tantiangco said.

stock picks

PhILSTOCKS has recommended trading the stock of Monde Nissin Corp. on its good figures for the first quarter.

“Since the stock has been creating higher lows, we recommend trading the uptrend of the stock. Our suggested entry price is P11.56 for traders,” it said.

It gave a target price of P13.22 apiece for Monde Nissin shares. Shares of Monde closed last week at P11.30 apiece.

Meanwhile, the broker advised to buy in dips on the stock of Century Pacific Food Inc. after its revenues rose for the first quarter driven by the recovery of the exports business, “Chartwise, the stock has consistently been on an uptrend since last year. It continues to create higher lows and is showing bullish signals,” the broker said.

It set a target price of P41.40 for the stock.

Century Pacific shares closed Friday at P35.50 apiece. VG Cabuag

discount stores, Pe said RRHI intends to maintain market share by “offering a wide range of relevant products and providing an exceptional shopping experience be t offline or online.”

“Our margins should remain intact as we continuously enhance our product mix and gain more scale,” she said. “We have entered the hard discount category through a stake in O!Save which is aggressively expanding.”

For its drugstore businesses, Pe said the company’s aspiration for the segment is to become more accessible to our customers.

“By doing so, we aim to boost our market share and brand value. We believe there is opportunity to increase market coverage for all our banners, as there are a lot of municipalities and barangays in the Philippines that still lack drugstores.

In terms of major acquisitions, the company said it is always on the lookout for value accretive.

“Should there be an opportunity, we will be ready to capitalize.”

VG Cabuag

IT-BPM firms ‘eagerly’ await new law amid tax perks woes

By Andrea San Juan

TPerspectives The Future of Fintech

IN a relatively short time, fintechs have become an established part of the financial services environment.

The fast pace of innovation within the sector, allied with fintechs’ ability to understand customers’ wants and needs through data analytics, has resonated with consumers and businesses eager for customer-friendly products that speed up transactions and widen choice.

The future of fintech belongs to those organizations that can master data from across the enterprise—front to back office—to drive their decisionmaking. To do this, KPMG professionals believe companies will need to become “connected enterprises.” These are organizations that use data and digital technology to function more smoothly, develop innovative products, connect with customers and suppliers, and give employees the tools to succeed. A clear focus on what they do best can help ensure that technology investment is not spread too thinly, with a growing use of strategic partnerships to access new capabilities, accelerate expansion and help to reduce costs.

“The rapid evolution of fintech poses challenges to traditional institutions, blurring boundaries and heightening competition. Success relies on organizations adeptly utilizing data for customer insights, prioritizing privacy and security, navigating regulatory frameworks and innovating seamlessly,” said KPMG in the Philippines Technology Consulting Head Jallain Marcel S. Manrique.

Strategic imperatives

THE transformation of fintech landscape is being strongly influenced by consumers’ expectations for improved speed, security and trust, and by regulatory demands that require more transparency, cybersecurity and data protection. As big tech, startups, and traditional banks seek to gain market share, a highly competitive ecosystem is emerging. We have identified strategic imperatives that are needed to address both customer and compliance challenges— all require connected capabilities to develop, build and deliver seamless customer experiences.

Focus on core business identity

ENHANCE core competencies to stay ahead of the pack in a competitive fintech arena. The fintech market is incredible competitive, with a stream of new entrants from sectors like social media and telecommunications offering payments and financing products.

To maintain an edge, fintech may seek new opportunities like adjacent products and services. It is especially important that new products are aligned with the brand and core competencies, and do not stretch resources to the extent that the customer experience is compromised. When launching new products, operational functions like finance, customer support and compliance should be connected to product management and engineering to maintain consumer protection, data security and regulatory compliance. An alternative route is to form strategic partnerships or acquisitions to accelerate speed to market.

Carve a path to profitability

NAIL fundamental unit economics while amplifying profitability. Fintech companies often face a unique set of financial challenges as they navigate through growth phases and proceed through rounds of funding. In the early stages, fintechs typically experi-

ence high customer acquisition costs fueled by concerted marketing efforts that support brand building and customer growth.

Maintain technology relevance and avoid technical debt

KEEP pace with emerging technologies to avoid technical debt. To thrive in a highly dynamic and relentless industry, it is essential for fintechs to maintain technological relevance— it gives them a competitive advantage, helps attract top talent, fosters a culture of innovation and forges strategic partnerships with other technology driven-companies.

Create strategic partnerships

ACCELERATE expansion of customer reach through large-scale delivery of new products and services. As fintechs continue to grow in size, scope and complexity, they need to support large-scale delivery of products, with appropriate databases, billing and invoicing systems, customer support and supply chain increasingly powered by artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies. In many cases, the way forward is via partnerships— working with and managing a diverse partner ecosystem that is connected with customers, employees and business partners rather than building capabilities in-house.

Harness the power of data to drive strategy

OPTIMIZE data insights to develop trusted products and exceed customer expectations. Having pioneered technology-driven, convenient and easy-touse financial products, fintechs need to step up to satisfy ever more demanding customer expectations. And they must do so while adapting from being agile startups to larger, increasingly regulated enterprises. Today’s users expect carefully tailored products from the moment an app is downloaded through every stage of their experience.

As part of KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co.’s initiative to empower a digitally-enabled Philippines, the firm will hold its annual Innovation Summit at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on 4 July 2024. The Summit will gather industry experts, business leaders from different sectors and the public, serving as a platform for sharing insights and strategies in the digital landscape. The finals of the Philippine leg of the Global Tech Innovator Competition will also be held during the Summit, providing a much-needed platform for local tech startups and technology players in the country to present their businesses to potential local and international investors through. Join virtually via Zoom by registering through this link: https://kpmg. com/ph/en/home/events/2024/07/innovation-summit-2024.html. Registration is open until June 15.

This excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/ home/insights/2023/09/the-future-of-fintech. html.

© 2024 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership, is a member firm of a global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG Int’l Ltd. All rights reserved. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.

HE flagship organization of the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Management (BPM) industry is hoping that the amended version of Republic Act (RA) 11534 will lessen the tax imposed on registered business enterprises (RBEs) particularly slapped by local government units (LGUs), among others.

At a Senate hearing last week, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) President Jack Madrid unveiled the IT-BPM industry’s proposed amendments for the enhanced version of RA 11534 (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises, or Create, law, the “Create More (Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) proposal, underlined in Senate Bill (SB) 2654. Madrid told the BusinessMirror over the weekend the industry eagerly awaits the amendments of Create “for the clarity, stability and predictability of our incentives regime.”

One of the proposals of the ITBPM industry is to reconsider a section in the SB 2654 amending

Section 294 of RA 11534, a piece of the measure that aims to impose a 2-percent duty on RBEs availing of the enhanced deduction regime.

“This has to do with a proposed imposition of a business enterprise local tax at a rate not exceeding 2 percent of gross sales for RBEs availing of the enhanced deduction regime,” Madrid said.

Calling the 2-percent duty “onerous,” he said this could also “discourage enterprises from opting for the enhanced deductions regime.”

“With the current wording in the bill, an LGU may still collect other fees, which is actually happening quite a bit these days. And this is just the LGU tax,” Madrid said.

On top of the LGU tax, he said the RBE will still be liable to pay [Corpo-

rate Income Tax] CIT to the national government.

“So we propose that the 2 percent should be reconsidered and lowered,” Madrid said adding: “just to provide an example there is one big LGU that is charging .75 percent.” He declined to identify the LGU.

To avoid imposing more charges aside from the 2-percent, Madrid said, “We would like to insert the word fees after taxes so that the LGU can no longer impose any charges on top of the 2 percent.”

Another proposal of the industry group has to do with “recognizing the technical obsolescence” as a reason for disposal of equipment earlier than five years.

“Our industry relies a lot on equipment composed of PCs and laptops. And it is often the case when these computers are no longer useful to our business even earlier than five years due to the faster rate of obsolescence,” said Madrid. He added that an RBE need not pay taxes and duties due on the book value of the equipment.

The IBPAP head emphasized that making the RBEs pay additional taxes and duties on the remaining life of the equipment is a “big burden.”

Meanwhile, Madrid said the industry also proposes that the investment promotion agencies (IPAs) be “specifically designated” as the authority to determine the extent of coverage of the VAT zero-rated items that are purchased locally.

This, he asserted, as the current language noted that “RBEs may still be subject to the [BIR] Bureau of In-

ternal Revenue’s discretion and what they will allow and recognize as VAT zero-rated local purchases of goods and services.”

In contrast, Madrid lauded Section 9 of SB 2654, which aims to amend Section 309 of the Create Law (Prohibition on Registered Activities). Section 309, allows RBEs located in economic zones and freeports to implement telecommuting programs including work from home arrangements at a 50-percent threshold.

“We find this a very welcome and much awaited amendment to the law that can give greater encouragement to existing companies and players to expand under [Philippine Economic Zone Authority] PEZA registration,” he said.

Madrid expressed hope that the industry’s comments will be considered and will lead to amendments that “will provide more clarity, stability and predictability to our incentive regime and strengthen the ease of doing business.”

Prior to unveiling the industry’s wish list, Madrid underscored the importance of the proposal to amend the measure that contains the incentives system in the country.

“The proposal to amend Create is a very important endorsement of the IT BPM industry and our ambition to generate more than 1 million more jobs to the country and increase foreign exchange revenues by over $29 billion,” which Madrid said can be translated to over 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Vietnamese financial tech starts biz in Philippines

VIETNAMESE financial technology startup Digital Payment Solutions Joint Stock Co. (doing business as MFast) has officially launched its operations in the Philippines, less than a year after it raised $6 million to fund its expansion in the region.

MFast is an agent banking aggregator platform that allows users in underserved communities to access financial services. These agents provide crucial services in finance, banking, and insurance.

“We are thrilled to bring MFast to the Philippines, a land known not just for its vibrant culture but for the resilience and enterprise of its people. From our humble beginnings in Binh Phuoc, we’ve always believed in the power of financial tools to transform

lives,” MFast Co-founder and CEO Phan Thanh Long said.

In Vietnam, MFast claims to be the largest sales agent network for financial services, leveraging the learn-practiceearn framework for its agents. The platform spans all 63 provinces, employing a vast network of agents who bridge the gaps in traditional field sales models.

Phan said agents in Vietnam earn as much as 100 million Vietnamese Dong or about P225,000 per month, which is 10 times more than the average salary in Vietnam.

“Launching MFast here is not just about expanding our reach—it’s about planting seeds of opportunity and watching them grow into possibilities far beyond what we ever imagined. We see this as a new chapter for our business and every Filipino joining us on

AUB: High US rates to boost $ assets

DOLLAR-denominated assets will continue to offer favorable yields as the US Federal Reserve keep monetary policy tight and US interest rates expected to peak this year, according to Asia United Bank (AUB)

Senior Vice President and Head of Trust

Andrew Chua.

Chua issued the statement after accepting the “Best Managed Fund” in the Dollar Medium-Term Bond Fund category for the AUB Gold Dollar Fund (GDF) at the CFA Society Philippines’ 2023 Best Managed Funds of the Year Awards held on August 10. A total of 86 funds from 16 investment houses and trust institutions joined the competition.

AUB was able to sustain its eighthyear winning streak due to the GDF’s consistently stellar performance. The Fund performed relatively well compared to the benchmark 5-year US Treasury rates. As of December 2023, the Fund had an annualized return of 7.47 percent net, outperforming the benchmark’s performance of 6.23 percent annualized return for the same period.

The GDF enables retail investors access to the US dollar bond market normally reserved for foreigners and high

net worth investors. It offers flexibility as returns can be withdrawn any time after the minimum holding period and investors benefit from a team of professional fund managers that will ensure their investments are kept safe as risk and returns are balanced appropriately. The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities and targets to outperform a benchmark rate equivalent to the rolling yield of the 5-year US Treasury Notes, net of fees.

“With US interest rates expected to peak this year, the Fund will continue to benefit from the higher accruals on outstanding investments as a result of the higher interest rate environment and will potentially book gains on its marked-to-market with the tapering of interest rates by next year,” said Chua.

Local investors in search of higheryielding assets will be well positioned if they load up on US dollar assets such as AUB’s GDF. “Given the US Fed closing in on the end of the rate hiking cycle, the Fund will be gradually increasing its duration while maintaining safe and diversified securities as well as hold sufficient cash to manage liquidity risk,” Chua added.

this journey towards financial empowerment and independence,” he said.

MFast Philippines will be led by seasoned banker Carolyn Rose G. Lao.

The platform leverages new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to maintain high integrity and trust within its network.

Phan noted that with techbased agent banking, MFast could drive financial literacy and inclusion in remote areas, which are normally excluded from participating in the financial systems due to their locations. In August 2023, MFast raised $6 million from a Series A funding round led by Wavemaker Partners LLC, a Southeast Asian venture capital firm led by Filipinos Paul Santos and Eric Manlunas. Lorenz S. Marasigan

WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF ‘OUTSIDE AGITATORS’?

Here’s what to know about the label and campus protests

By Graham Lee Brewer The Associated Press

Historically, when students at american universities and colleges protest—from the civil rights Movement to Black lives Matter—there's a common refrain that “outside agitators” are to blame. college administrators and elected officials have often pointed to community members joining protests to dismiss the demands of student protesters.

Experts say it’s a convenient way for officials to delegitimize the motivations of some political movements and justify calling in law enforcement to stop direct actions that are largely nonviolent and engaging in constitutionally protected speech.

“This tactic shifts focus away from genuine grievances and portray radical movements as orchestrated by opportunistic outsiders," said Shanelle Matthews, a professor of anthropology and interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York and a former communications director for the Movement for Black Lives. Over the last few weeks, students on campuses across the country have built encampments, occupied buildings and led protests to call on colleges and universities to divest their endowments from companies profiting from the Israel-Hamas war. Several college and city leaders have pointed to the threat of outsiders when describing the protests—and some have responded by cancelling or shifting plans for

commencement ceremonies. Here’s what to know about the phrase “outside agitators” used during historic student movements.

The CIVIL RIGhTs MoVeMenT (1960s-1970s) Pr O TEST m ovements are typically comprised of local community members and organizers from other parts of the state or country that work together toward a common goal. In the 1960s, state and local officials often focused on this hallmark of community organizing and suggested that civil rights protests were organized by people outside of a given community.

In 1960, a group of Black college students took out a full page ad in Atlanta newspapers called “An Appeal for Human r i ghts” that expressed solidarity with students everywhere protesting for civil rights. Segregationist politician and then-Georgia Gov. Ernest Vandiver suggested it was created by foreigners and called it a calculated attempt “to breed dissatisfaction, discontent, discord and evil."

“It did not sound like it was prepared in any Georgia school or college; nor in fact did it read like it was written even in this country,” he told the press.

The idea that outside agitators were involved in civil rights protests became so common that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against the label in his letter from the Birmingham Jail in 1963.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” King wrote. “Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”

Former President r i chard Nixon hoped to tie the 1970 shooting deaths of Kent State students by the National Guard to outside agitators, but the FBI was unable to provide such a link. The students had been protesting the Vietnam War.

During the Civil r i ghts Movement, the label was used as a weapon against community members who spoke up or provided support to protesters and organizers, said Dylan C. Penningroth, an author and historian who teaches law and history at the University of California, Berkeley.

“It delegitimizes internal dissent against the status quo. So anyone who speaks up against the status quo, whatever that is, is by definition an outsider,” he said.

It also ignores the fact that local civil rights organizers often take cues from other protest movements, Penningroth said, and building solidarity with others around the country is often an important part of enacting change.

BLACK LIVes MATTeR (2013-present)

N E A r LY a h alf-century later, the 2014 killing of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked widespread protests

against police brutality.

Again, outside agitators were frequently invoked and blamed for destruction, looting and the burning of buildings.

The same language was used to describe protests in the wake of the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, which resulted in over 10,000 arrests nationwide.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz suggested that 80 percent of those who participated in the unrest that followed in Minneapolis were from out of state. But an Associated Press analysis found that 41 of the 52 people cited with protestrelated arrests had Minnesota driver’s licenses.

PRo-PALesTInIAn PRoTesTs (2024)

T HE number of people arrested in connection with protests on college and university campuses against Israel’s war in Gaza has now topped 2,800. The Associated Press has tallied at least 70 incidents on at 54 schools since the protests began at Columbia on April 18. Official have used outside agitator rhetoric in a handful of examples nationwide. After dozens of students were arrested in May 4 demonstrations at the University of Virginia, a top law enforcement official suggested outsiders had “bull horns to direct the protesters on how to flank our officers.”

“We’re receiving intelligence that outside agitators are starting to get involved in these campus protests,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told Fox News on May 6. In anti-war protests on campuses at Atlanta’s Emory University, Boston’s Northeastern University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, school officials and law enforcement have made inaccurate claims about the presence of non-students.

nYC PRo-PALesTInIAn PRoTesTs (2024)

O N April 30, New York City police officers in

r iot gear entered Columbia University’s campus and cleared an encampment, arresting more than 100 people. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly cited the presence of “outside agitators” to justify the use of police force.

“There is a movement to radicalize young people and I’m not going to wait until it’s done and all of a sudden acknowledge the existence of it,” Adams said at a May 1 news conference.

Pressed for specifics, though, the mayor and police officials have had little to say. Adams has repeatedly said that he decided police intervention was necessary in Columbia’s demonstrations after learning that the husband of one “agitator” was “arrested for federal terrorism.”

But the woman referenced by the mayor wasn’t on Columbia’s campus that week, isn’t among the protesters who were arrested and has not been accused of any crime.

Nahla Al-Arian told The Associated Press she was visiting the city last month and briefly stopped by the campus to see the protest encampment. She also said Adams was mischaracterizing the facts about her husband, a former computer engineering professor who was charged two decades ago with giving illegal support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group in the 1980s and 1990s.

Students involved in the Columbia protests have told The AP it is true that some people not affiliated with the university have been on campus and played an active role in the demonstrations, but they have vehemently denied that those allies were leading or “radicalizing” the students.

“While it’s true that people with nefarious intentions crash protests, it's the exception rather than the rule,” Matthews said. “Given that, people should be wary of this narrative.”

The Rev. Ralph Abernathy, foreground left, and the Rev. Martin

In this photo provided by Laila Al-Arian, nahla Al-Arian visits the pro-Palestinian protesters encampment on the campus of Columbia University, Thursday, April

The Fashion Pillars Award 2024: Creativity and compassion

Japanese sunscreen brand offers long-lasting protection for all outdoor fun

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LUMINARIES in the field of beauty and style were feted at the 1st Philippine Fashion Pillars Award on April 13, at the Teatrino at Greenhills in San Juan City.

The award honors and recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the fashion industry in the Philippines. The event celebrated and acknowledged the creativity, innovation, and talent of fashion designers, stylists, models, photographers, hair and makeup artists, fashion directors, and fashion journalists.

Leading the awardees are legendary designers Oskar Peralta and Renee Salud; beauty icons Melanie Marquez (Miss International 1979), Evangeline Pascual (Miss World First Princess 1973) and Pebbles Asis (Miss Universe 1987 Top 10); fashion directors Raymond Villanueva and Ogee Atos; supermodels Gerone Olorocisimo and Lito Gruet; and photographer Edward de la Cuesta.

“We are absolutely grateful. The Fashion Pillars Award 2024. An absolute joy of life,” the always vivacious Villanueva says.

“The mission of the Philippine Fashion Pillar Awards is to elevate and promote the Philippine fashion industry on both the national and international stages. It seeks to provide a platform for emerging talents and established professionals to showcase their work and build a sustainable and inclusive fashion ecosystem in the country,” says Richard Hiñola, the awards guru behind the event and the publisher of Best Magazine

The fashion designers who were also given recognition are Dong Omaga-Diaz, Johnny Abad, Gener Gozum, Amir Sali, Dave Ocampo, Jhay Layson, Avel Bacudio and Cary Santiago. Model-actress Wilma Doesnt and model Angel Agustin, former president of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines, were cited for their body of work.

“To God I give back the glory,” a grateful OmagaDiaz, who studied in Paris, stated. “Marami pong salamat sa tiwala!”

Among the awardees are fashion directors Bobbit Patag and Concon Siñel; photographers Edmund Chua and Melvin Sia; LGBT and style icon Maria Barbie Arcache; stylist-designer Andrea Justine Aliman, supermodel-turned-makeup maven Lala Flores; model-designer Kathy Moya.

This writer was also cited for contributions to fashion reporting, along with Philstar Global’s Earl Bracamonte.

Besides the accolades for the pillars of local fashion, the ceremony also honored the awardees of the 1st Philippine Trending Brand 2024 and the 5th

Philippine Faces of Success 2024, which included actress actress Sheryl Cruz, GMA heartthrobs Rob Gomez and Kelvin Miranda, ingenue Faith da Silva, and veteran contravida Odette Khan.

“The event isn’t only about recognitions and awards but also had a charitable component that reflected the spirit of giving back to the community. The presence of industry leaders, celebrities and influencers added to the glamor and excitement of the evening. The performances that took place throughout the night added an entertainment element and further heightened the celebratory

Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs is finally in the Philippines

I WOULD never leave home without applying lipstick and spritzing on some fragrance. Fragrance boosts my mood and really makes me happy. It’s a bonus when someone compliments me on it, especially if the compliment is coming from a woman.

Through the years, my fragrance preferences have evolved from fruity florals to more woody and musky scents. I’ve also learned how to layer to make a fragrance that’s unique only to me.

I recently attended Luxasia Philippines’ opening of Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs in the country at Rustan’s Makati. The Atelier des Fleurs collection, a tribute to the artistry of perfumery and the beauty of flowers, brought 19 scents to the Philippines. Each fragrance tells the perfumers’ story.

Each scent represents a single olfactory note and can be worn alone, in twos, or in threes, representing limitless possibilities and creative freedom. So, yes, these scents—all eau de parfum—are made for layering.

Atelier des Fleurs is a collection of single flowers with no frills, simple, legible, minimalist, and generous as interpreted by some of the world’s best perfumers. With Atelier des Fleurs, Chloé lets you create your own bouquet of flowers.

“The Atelier Des Fleurs collection breaks the codes of traditional perfumery. What I love the most about this collection is that we are reminded that your scent is more than just a fragrance; it’s actually an extension of your identity,” said Bettina De Los Santos, brand manager of Chloé.

Iris, the one I have, was created by Steve Guo who discovered Iris  x germanica while exploring the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Shaira Luna compared the scent of Iris to a lipstick and I agree. The eau de parfum starts out cool and papery and dry, and fades to a woody musk.

Lavanda captures Quentin Bisch’s childhood vision of his mother walking from the heat of the garden into the cool shade of the house, a sprig of lavender in her arms. But Bisch’s Lavanda is a very modern take on lavender while capturing its every facet, from aromatic freshness to sun-drenched fullness.

Bisch also created Cedrus, a woody, balsamy and smoky scent with the memory of a bouquet of branches that his father gave to his mother when he was a child.

Bisch also created Vanilla, my favorite from the line. As a budding perfumer, Quentin Bisch learned that vanilla comes from a rare orchid. Since then, he dreamt of crafting an eau de parfum around this rare flower. Bisch’s Vanilla is unique—and it is spicy and

Philippine Fashion Pillars Award, Hiñola hopes, will become a beacon of inspiration for emerging talented and young designers in the Philippines, and to serve as a platform to uplift their morale and give them the spotlight they deserve.

“The vision of the event is to foster a culture of appreciation for Filipino fashion, and to create opportunities for collaboration, growth and recognition within the industry,” Hiñola adds. “The Philippine Fashion Pillars Awards 2024 aspire to inspire creativity, diversity and excellence in the

mysterious more than it is overindulgent.

Sidonie Lancesseur’s Neroli brings back the memory of a trip to Seville , where the orange blossoms exuded smooth and deliciously refreshing scents warmed by the sun. This is one of my favorites from the collection and it’s also a bestseller. For Violette, Fanny Bal revisited her childhood memories of the violet blossoms in her family’s garden so the fragrance evokes the flower’s powdery notes with a hint of delicate freshness.

Santalum by Marypierre Julien was inspired by the perfumer’s memory of a sandalwood fan

which her grandmother brought home from a trip to Australia. The fan would scent the room with each wave of her hand. This bottle of Santalum captures that warm, woody essence. Violette and Santalum also have a green label, which means they are of 100 percent natural origin. Narcissus Poeticus, Iris, and Ylang Canaga also have the green label, denoting fragrances which are vegan and free from artificial colourings and filters.

Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs collection is exclusively available in two sizes (50 ml and 150 ml) at Rustan’s Makati.

The

An A l l Filipino R i de-sh A R i ng compA n y A i ms to m A k e its m A R k

Ride-sharing has become a highly-popular mode of transportation for many living in the metro.

From its humble start in 2015, the apppowered ride-hailing service has boomed in the country, evolving in its services offered to include deliveries and transport, as well as the inclusion of motorcycles in its vehicle pool.

The latest participant in the growing market is Unified Transport Operations League (UTOL) (www.utol.ph), a 100 per-

cent Filipino-owned and operated transport network company that aims to strike a balance in addressing the needs of both the riding public and transport network vehicle service (T n V s ) owners and operators.

To provide better services to the riding public and partner drivers-operators, UTOL has collaborated with different companies such as vehicle maintenance, cleaning services, and even insurance providers to provide comprehensive insurance to the vehicles at a lower price. The company is

h E art community celebrates the 100th birthdate of one of the most accomplished painters in the Philippines, h u go C. Yonzon, Jr. This will be marked with the launch of a coffee-table book on May 24, 2024, Friday, 4 pm at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts Atrium in Diliman. Titled “Matayog na Puno: The Life and Art of h u go C. Yonzon Jr.,” the book is written by veteran journalist n e al Cruz and author Boboy Yonzon.

h u go won numerous awards in the so-called traditional and modern categories, and garnered major prizes as photographer, cartoonist and caricaturist, and book illustrator. Born on May 24, 1924, he started his career in advertising in the late 40s and, 20 years after, moved his tools and skills to the newspaper world. According to Cruz, who was managing editor with Manila Chronicle, Evening n e ws, Daily Express, and

also in talks with automotive dealers to form partnerships and become accredited vehicle suppliers for UTOL partner driveroperators. This will include financing for vehicles that would be used by drivers under the UTOL network.

With all of these activities rolled-out, UTOL hopes that its partner-driver operators will also up their game and provide better-quality services to the riding public. By professionalizing the behavior of vehicle drivers and ensuring that quality standards are met, the company can differentiate itself from the field and customers can book knowing that they will get a smooth and safe transportation experience at a fair price.

UTOL has already signed up T n V s driver-operators into their platform, but the doors are still open for prospective applicants. “There are two main requirements that applicants need to provide if they apply as an UTOL T n V s These are the O r /C r of the vehicle to be registered and a professional driver’s license. For the vehicle models that can apply, UTOL follows the guidelines of the LTF r B regarding T n V s requirements. h o wever, ideally, UTOL would prefer Toyota Vios applicants as these are easier to service for UTOL’s own mechanics and spare parts can easily be found and stocked,” Maningas said.

Daily Globe said: “Yonzon, despite his enormous accomplishments, was so humble, he never approached us for press releases even if he had so many friends in the media.”

Yonzon died in October, 1994, at a relatively young age of 70. h i s paintings grace the walls of major banks such as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Metrobank, government institutions such as the Development Academy of the Philippines and n a tional Economic Development Authority, and homes of discriminating art lovers here and abroad. Family, friends, and admirers will be on hand to honor him with this book. Published by the Onyx Owl, the biography-cum-monograph will reveal Yonzon—the artist, family man—with his foibles, warts and strengths. The celebration, in addition to the book launch, will be laced with music numbers, dance, tributes, and merienda cena. It is open to the public.

MB a rk on a gastronomic

an endless array of sake, shochu, whisky and beer, each telling a unique story of heritage and masterful craftsmanship. a s you step into the opulent g r and Ballroom, expect to be greeted by a wave of enticing aromas and the lively buzz of fellow

Discovery Group’s Elize Point defines holistic living in Davao

In Davao City, one can find the perfect balance of urban living and countryside calm, amid the majestic backdrop of the Davao Gulf and iconic Mt. Apo. Elize Point, the Discovery Group’s latest development in the area, takes that experience up a notch and offers residents a unique community, one that enables holistic, sustainable lifestyles focused on their physical, social, spiritual, environmental, emotional, financial, intellectual and occupational wellness.

More than just a residential development, Elize Point is a testament to the harmonious blend of nature and innovation. Its 61 meticulously designed lots, with sizes that range from 600 to 1,000 sq m plotted on an elevated area, embrace exclusivity and ensure that residents enjoy more of their lush surroundings, making the project an homage to the natural beauty that surrounds it.

Elize Point’s Sales Pavilion broke ground at a ceremony held March 21, 2024 led by Discovery World Corporation vice president Mary Jean Codinera and executive director Chris Tiu, Manuel Ching of Sterling Structures, and the in-house Sales team head Ed Sonoy.

As described by Codinera, this development

“is a legacy project, one that sets out to honor the landscape while upping the standards of high-end living.”

This is achieved through features such as underground cabling, a mini theater, and an airconditioned basketball court. n o tably, 43 percent of the 11-hectare expanse is dedicated to open spaces and amenities.

“Space, after all, is one of life’s ultimate luxuries,” said Jose C. Parreño, president of Discovery World Corporation.

“Moreover, Elize Point prioritizes sustainability through the utilization of rainwater catchment areas, solar panels, and water treatment facilities,” Parreño added.

Still, the subdivision connects its residents to their urban creature comfort, as it is located in the fast-growing Matina district, where the modern Davao Global Township is set to rise.

“It’s becoming clear that this development is not just a new address—it’s a prelude to a new way of life,” said Codinera. “A life where luxury isn’t just defined by opulence but by the delicate balance between human comfort and the surrounding environment.”

MOT h E r h O OD is definitely one of the hardest endeavors a woman can take in her life. There’s no manual or guide that can properly prepare you for raising children well. That’s why it’s important that mothers find the support that they can truly rely on. This is the message that PLDT h o me gives moms in its new Mother’s Day video.

The video highlights the concept of “backstage moms,” or moms who support other mothers as they navigate their responsibilities, challenges, and learnings through motherhood.

The video opens in a studio set up, where Jaclyn, a mother, appears to be performing for her daughter Lottie. As if filming an actual show, Jaclyn plays the “perfect, gentle, and calm’ mom while trying her best to keep her head above water.”

enthusiasts, all in anticipation of a shared experience centered around Japan’s most treasured libations. With over 200 labels to sample, your taste buds will dance across a tapestry of flavors ranging from the delicate whispers of premium sake to the bold statements of aged whisky.

But what

For more heartwarming stories and videos, follow PLDT h o me’s its official Facebook page and YouTube channel. PLDT’s

But motherhood isn’t a show or performance.

The story shifts to Jaclyn who then loses her “perfect image” and goes backstage to release her real emotions. That’s when her support system of fellow moms, including her own mother, comes in to show their support saying, “It’s okay to ask for help. We are here for you.” The story ends with PLDT h o me thoughtfully reminding moms that there will always be a community of parents, whether online or offline, that they can always rely on no matter what. It’s a timely reminder that when parenthood gets tough, it’s always okay to turn to people who can reassure and empathize with them. With the right support and community, moms can get through anything together.

In the photo are, from left, Atty. Orly Ocampo, UTOL, Head Legal Department; Rolando Maningas, CEO and Chairman of the Board, UTOL and Rosalie Del Rosario Maningas, General Manager, UTOL.

Travails of a working mom

IT has happened. My fiveyear-old has started questioning my life choices.

“Why are you still working? It’s already nighttime,” she told me one time I was rushing an important presentation. “Why do you have to leave? Is it because your boss will get angry?”—asked when I had to miss her very first family day in school due to a longcommitted company trip.

The night before that trip, my daughter, after saying her bedtime prayer, turned to me and said she wanted to grow up soon so she could help me and so I could stop working. I held back my tears, even as I saw hers rolling down her cheeks. My heart shattered.

I’m sure these conversations are not unique to me and my daughter. If you’re a working momma like me, chances are you have had similar exchanges with your kids at one point or another. And the exchanges become increasingly difficult. As much as we would like to be present for every milestone, there are times when we cannot, even if we want to.

But we try anyway. We juggle work commitments, home responsibilities, and mommy duties. More often than not, it’s our self-care that takes a backseat— which should not be the case, but happens anyway.

So close to real life

So M e y ears back, I came across Canadian sitcom Workin’ Moms on Netflix. Curious, I watched the pilot episode. A few minutes into the show, I was hooked. The show’s creator and one of the lead actors, Catherine Reitman, played high-flying public relations executive Kate Foster, who had to hit the pause button when she gave birth well into her 30s and deep into her PR career.

Coming back from her maternity leave, she came face-to-face with a new male executive who seemed poised to take her spot as the agency’s ace. The first few episodes magnified the difference between male and female executives, as Kate struggled to get her groove back, all while pumping breastmilk in the office and taking care of a needy little human when she gets home from work.

At some point in the series, as Kate’s career got back on track, her marriage started to crack. Husband Nathan, played by Reitman’s real-life spouse Philip Sternberg, cheated on Kate with the nanny of Kate’s best friend, psychiatrist Anne Carlson. Kate later had her own affair with her business partner. In the end, Kate and Nathan decided to work on their marriage, no matter how difficult things got.

Another story arc that imprinted heavily on me was that of Anne and her family. While successfully helping patients with their mental health issues, she struggled to deal with her own anger issues and her teenage daughter. She was so busy taking care of other people that she did not see that she needed help, too.

Some situations depicted in the series may be too extreme for many of us, but I have no doubt that these things, and then some, do happen in real life. In numerous interviews, Reitman had revealed that the show was largely based on her own experiences as

Na Si Mama” (“Child/Son, Mom’s Coming Home”), which clinched the second prize under the watercolor category at the 56th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC). Hailing from the University of the Philippines—Cebu, e d ward’s winning artwork serves as a poignant tribute to his o v erseas Filipino Worker (o F W) mother, whose unwavering dedication paved the way for his education and artistic journey. He shared, “Super proud siya kasi siya yung naging inspiration ko.” (She’s super proud because she was my inspiration.)

Rendered in watercolor on a can -

vas, e d ward’s artwork serves as a heartfelt homage to his mother. Its title encapsulates the anticipation and joy of reuniting with a loved one after enduring separation due to work abroad.

The inspiration behind e d ward’s artwork sprang from personal experiences deeply ingrained in his familial dynamics. Growing up, e d ward witnessed the sacrifices made by his parents, particularly his mother, who assumed the role of both breadwinner and nurturer when his father passed away.

e d ward recounted, “ Nung nawala

na sya (papa), ang mama ko na yung

a new mom. The main characters were supposed to show the messy side of motherhood, one Reitman related to more than the well-curated mommy posts often seen on social media.

Love yourself—or try to T H e s how’s seven-season run brought to the fore some very real issues that working mothers face on a daily basis: the emotional load they carried, discrimination in the workplace (which continues to happen, no matter how much organizations try to mask it), neglecting one’s own physical and mental well-being, and huge societal pressure to be the best mom and wife while maintaining a successful career.

Amid the laughs and eyerolls, I went through a roller-coaster of emotions with the sitcom’s main characters. Their struggles became mine. I laughed with them, cried with them, got hurt for them. There were times when I saw myself in some of them. Up to the very last episode, which dropped

nagtaguyod sa amin at sya naman yung nag ibang bansa. Yung artwork nato ay appreciation at tribute ko para sa kasipagan at pagpupursigi nya sa ibang bansa para lang matustusan nya ang pangangailan namin at mapagtapos kami ng pag-aaral.” (When he (father) was no longer around, my mother took over the responsibility for us and she also went abroad. This artwork is my appreciation and tribute to her diligence and perseverance in another country just to provide for our needs and ensure that we finish our education.)

e d ward meticulously chose each

last year, I felt like I was one of them, a part of their little group of “messy” working moms, trying very hard to excel at work and at being a wife and a mother. It may sound funny, but watching the show made me feel less alone. “Ah, other people are going through the same thing, thinking the same thoughts, feeling the same emotions. It’s not just me,” I told myself. There are so many imperfect moms out there—it is really not just me. Somehow, this realization helped me learn to not be too hard on myself.

More than five years into my motherhood journey, I am still a work in progress. A workaholic since day one, I still struggle to strike a balance between career and home life. I tend to put myself last, when I know I should also prioritize me. o n e cannot pour from an empty cup, after all. My family sometimes suffers, too, as work becomes more of a priority. But I am constantly learning and trying to change. To all my fellow working moms,

element within the artwork to convey the essence of his mother’s sacrifices. o n t he right side, a depiction of his mother’s devout faith is portrayed, symbolizing her steadfast reliance on spirituality amidst the challenges of working abroad. Conversely, on the left side, her profession as an educator is highlighted, signifying her commitment to shaping young minds even in a foreign land. Additionally, the central image captures Romero’s perspective of their reunions at the airport, which are marked by heartwarming embraces.

In essence, e d ward’s winning

do not be too hard on yourselves. You are trying your best and you are more than enough. Do not try to be a superwoman. Your child needs a mother, not a hero.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you imperfect moms out there. I hope you had a nice, relaxing day yesterday, free from work commitments and just relishing the gift of being a mother.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is AVP and Head of Customer Experience of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. She spent more than a decade as a business journalist before making the leap to the corporate world.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

artwork transcends the confines of the canvas and speaks volumes about the power of art to express gratitude, honor loved ones, and shed light on shared human experiences. As viewers gaze upon his masterpiece, they are reminded of the sacrifices made by mothers and the extraordinary resilience, love, and selflessness that define motherhood. It serves as a poignant tribute to mothers’ unwavering dedication and nurturing spirit. This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate and cherish the profound influence of mothers whose love knows no bounds in our lives.

I

B8 Monday, May 13,

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor:

To go or not to go to Roland Garros

ROME—Fifteen days before he is scheduled to play in what will likely be his final French Open,  Rafael Nadal  is so unsatisfied with his level of tennis that he’s still debating whether or not to go to Roland Garros. Nadal’s surgically repaired hip and his 37-year-old legs didn’t provide him with the necessary means to be competitive enough on Saturday as ninth-ranked Hubert Hurkacz overwhelmed the 22-time Grand Slam champion on the Spaniard’s beloved clay for a 6-1, 6-3 victory in the third round of the Italian Open. I t was Nadal’s first match against a top-10 player in one and a half years and he couldn’t have been more disappointed.

“ Tough day for me in all ways because I felt more ready than what I showed,” Nadal said. “I am little bit more unpredictable today, not playing enough for the last two years. Too many doubts.”

I n terms of games won—just four—it was the most lopsided loss for Nadal on clay in 21 years, since also winning only four games against Gaston Gaudio in Hamburg in 2003 when he was only 16.

N ow Nadal will need to dig deeper on the practice court if wants to be competitive one last time at the

Tiongson,

EFrench Open, where he is the record 14-time champion. Roland Garros starts on May 26.

N adal said he had two options for Paris.

One is to say, ‘OK, I am not ready, I am not playing enough well,” Nadal said. “Another is accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks.

“ The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best,” Nadal added. “Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.”

Nadal is still regaining his fitness after missing nearly all of 2023 with a hip injury that required surgery.

Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week,” Nadal said. “If I feel ready, I going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting the last 15 years, if now seems impossible.”

A gainst the big-serving Hurkacz, appeared slow at times and lacked the lucidness to finish off points.

Twice in the first set, Nadal missed drop shot attempts to hand Hurkacz breaks of his serve.

Then early in the second set, Nadal

lacked oomph on a backhand volley, allowing Hurkacz to reply with a forehand up the line that clipped the net and landed in for another break.

O n the changeovers, Nadal sat hunched over, sweat dripping from his headband and deep in thought for solutions that he couldn’t find.

Nadal has indicated this will be his final season on tour and fans inside Campo Centrale tried to encourage the record 10-time Rome champion with chants of “Ole Ole Ole, Ra-fa, Ra-fa.”

T he crowd even hung around outside the stadium after the match, with  thousands of spectators cheering for Nadal  when he walked over a bridge leading out of the stadium to the players’ area.

Nadal hadn’t faced a top-10 player since beating No. 4 Casper Ruud at the 2022 Association of Tennis Professionals Finals.

Nadal didn’t convert any of his seven break points and committed twice as many unforced errors as Hurkacz—20 to 10.

H urkacz served nine aces to Nadal’s one.

A fter the match, Nadal declined to participate in a celebration of his career that local organizers had prepared.

Me anwhile, top-ranked Novak Djokovic said he was “fine” after accidentally getting  knocked on the head by a water bottle  while

By Josef Ramos

RIS TOLEDO remained the “Man of Steel” of Philippine athletics with his

obligations that I need to settle,” said Toledo, 31, and a Seaman Second Class at the Philippine Navy.

signing autographs after his opening win on Friday.

But Djokovic wasn’t taking any further chances when he showed up at the Foro Italico for practice on Saturday, putting on a biking helmet when he met with fans again. AP

Dyip bracing to face a ‘different SMB’ on Wednesday

topnotcher San Miguel Beer fell to No. 8 Terrafirma, 106-95, in their quarterfinals matchup on Saturday afternoon in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A nd the Dyip have all the reason to celebrate after slaying a giant, but have to be better prepared for their winnertake-all game this Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“ We just have to relax and have fun,” Terrafirma’s scoring leader Juami Tiongson told BusinessMirror on Sunday. “It only means that they [Beermen] are not unbeatable.”

“ But we have to be level headed and we don’t want to let this thing go to our heads, knowing San Miguel Beer has the capability to get back because they have vast experience,” he added.

Tiongson had 29 points, 10 he made in the fourth quarter, and top rookie pick Stephen Holt finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the win that negated San Miguel Beer’s twice-to-beat advantage for topping the eliminations with 10 wins and only one loss. Isaac Go was also in the middle of the equation by keeping the Beermen at bay with his 11 of 22 points—laced with six three-pointers—in the first quarter and Javier Gomez de Liaño was two assists shy of a triple double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Terrafirma.   We’re here so we cannot let this opportunity go away,” Tiongson said. “We have to give it our best again although we expect face a different San Miguel on Wednesday night.” Terrafirma, seeing action in the playoffs for only the second time since the 2016

powerful performance in decathlon and Christine Hallasgo gifted herself a gold medal on Mothers’ Day with a runaway finish in the women’s 10,000 meters in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Philippine Athletics Championships over the weekend.

Toledo’s no back-to-back (201719) gold Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for nothing in athletics’ most grueling men’s event that involves four track and six field events and played inside two days, finishing first in seven of them—400 and 110 meters hurdles, shotput, high jump, discus throw, javelin throw and pole vault—and wound up No. 2 in the 100 and No. 3 in the long jump and 1,500 meters. Those strong finishes at the PhilSports in Pasig City earned Toledo 6,348 points, way ahead of silver medalist and 100 and long jump topnotcher Allen Roy Mationg (5809) of Pasig City and Ronel Juntilla (5,247) of Pinoy Athletics.

“But I have to compete hard because I am the national record holder.”

Toledo’s national record stands at 7,469 points which he registered in claiming silver at the Hanoi 2022 SEA Games.

H e’s hoping to breach decathlon’s qualifying standard of 8,460 points for the Paris Olympics in the Thailand Open set June 14 to 18 in Bangkok. H allasgo, marathon queen of the Philippines 2019 SEA Games, made her native Malaybalay

sila sa TV, ngayon, nandito na sila. Punta lang sa basketball gym.”

A nd that gym meant for basketball was packed with fans sitting on these dangerous scaffoldings. I returned to Manila, even more convinced that this was a seismic shift for the sport.

The powers that be in my old company listened one year too late. By that time, Ateneo faced powerhouse La Salle for the first time in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball finals.

Sixteen years later, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is packing stadiums and arenas reminiscent of the good old days of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Ateneo-La Salle basketball games.

W hile the game was fortunate to be given a massive shot in the arm by those Ateneo-La Salle finals, it has moved forward in different directions.

W hile not every collegiate league draws massive crowds—and the men’s game pales in comparison to the women’s matches—what is clear is how the sport is viewed differently in terms of participation, media attention, corporate sponsorship and fan engagement.

No disrespect to the women’s game which is so engrossing, the power volleyball of the international game isn’t there just yet. Hence, long rallies add so much excitement.

W hat I also like is teams are beginning to look like how professional teams are formed—mixed from different schools. While teams at first were offshoots of their collegiate counterparts. Now, they aren’t.

A nd it seems the Creamline Cool Smashers have been able to corner the market share on not only skillful but larger than life players.

You have to start with Alyssa Valdez who is the first athlete in this country to garner more than a million followers in her social media. Her power spikes drew that initial attention, then her well-rounded game.

O pposite hitter Michelle Gumabao is not only a champion with La Salle, but also a beauty queen. Outside hitter Jema Galanza has to be one of the most

gears up for huge turnout

complete with an exclusive Shopwise bike jersey and participation bib. M ayor Alex Advincula reaffirmed Imus City’s commitment to bolstering the event’s success. A ssembly starts at 5 a.m. on race day with the 60-km ride set at 5:25

popular players in this country. And it’s great that she finally realized that potential that was on display during her playing years at Adamson albeit on and off. Now, she’s a superstar.

W hile

IT’S the most lopsided loss for Rafael Nadal on clay in 21 years.