BusinessMirror May 27, 2024.pdf

₧65-B investments needed for 70% steel self-sufficiency

ABy Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

ROUND P65 billion worth of investments are needed for the Philippine steel industry to build more plants to attain 70 percent selfsufficiency in as soon as four years, according to SteelAsia, the flagship steel company of the Philippines.

“ Excluding Lemery, it’s still around P65 billion. The total project cost is P65 billion,” Rafael Hidalgo, Senior Vice President for Business Development of SteelAsia told reporters at a recent briefing in Cebu when asked how much the steel firm still needs to raise for its

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By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

months of the year, higher than the level recorded a year ago.

L atest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the government’s gross borrowings from January to April 2024 reached P1.163 trillion, up by 7.98 percent, or P86 billion, from P1.077 trillion in the same period in 2023.

O f the total gross borrowings for the four months, the bulk, or 89.25 percent, went to domestic borrowings, reaching P1.038 trillion and higher by 38.56 percent than the P749.113 billion recorded in the same period a year ago. T he lion’s share of the government’s gross domestic borrowings during the four-month period came from the Retail Treasury Bonds at P584.861 billion, followed by the Fixed Rate Treasury Bonds at P377.258 billion, and Treasury Bills at P76.822 billion.

ITLOS CITES ARBITRAL RULING IN OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

THE International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), a world court that resolves cases related to maritime disputes, has released a judicial opinion supporting scientific evidence that humancaused carbon emissions not only pollute the air but also the seas, and that states are under obligation to take all measures to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution from these greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

T he 153-page advisory opinion likewise cited at least six times the 2016 ruling of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea which declared that China has no right to claim any islands or rock features based on the nine-dash U-shape line drawn in their historical maps.  C hina never recognized the arbitral award, saying the ad hoc tribunal formed by The Hague-based Permanent Court

of Arbitration has no jurisdiction over their maritime claims in the South China Sea.

T he Department of Foreign Affairs said the latest ITLOS advisory opinion ”bolsters and reinforces the legitimacy of the final and binding 2016 Arbitration Award, and its unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law.”

“ The ITLOS cited the South China Sea Arbitration Award of 12 July 2016 as authoritative in key parts of the Advisory Opinion. Further, 26 States or groups of States also referenced the Award as legal authority in their respective oral and written statements during the ITLOS proceedings,” the DFA said in a statement.

Why the need for ITLOS ADVISORY opinion

SMALL islands from the Pacific and the Caribbean have formed an alliance called the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change (COCIS) to seek

expansion plans.  A ccording to SteelAsia’s presentation which Hidalgo explained, the Philippine steel industry can be 70 percent self-sufficient with SteelAsia’s expansions and potential foreign investments in as early as four years. T he four-year development plan of the steel firm indicated that investments would be needed for upstream steelmaking particularly scrap-based products; and for midstream rolling, investments should be poured into rebars/angles, sections, and wire rods.

A s for the downstream fabrication and cold processes—which include spring, cables, tools, tire cord, machin -

ery, defense equipment, automotive, pipes, roofing, appliances, among others—the country mmust be able to produce downstream products of sections and wire rod, plate and hot rolled coil, in order to be 70 percent self-sufficient.

In building the country’s steel selfreliance, SteelAsia unveiled its expansion plans which should be attained by 2027. For its Lemery plant, the firm intends to add 500,000 (metric tons) MT rolling capacity in its production and 500,000 MT steel making capacity by 2026.

For the Candelaria plant, SteelAsia hopes to expand the heavy section by producing 750,000 MT in rolling capacity and 750,000 MT in steel-making

capacity by 2026.

For its Concepcion plant, the firm will produce rebars of 1,200,000 MT in rolling capacity and 500,000 MT of wire rod production in steel-making capacity by 2027.

A s for its Davao Meltshop, the firm aims to add 500,000 MT in steel-making capacity for billets.

All we need to do is build a significant part of the steel industry in the next three to four years. So our plants are in Lemery, Candelaria, Concepcion and in Davao, to build new products, import substitute products,” Hidalgo said.

See “Investments,” A2

ACO-INVESTMENT between the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) and state-run pension funds in largescale utility projects is still on the table, according to its top official.

M IC President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael Consing Jr. told the BusinessMirror on Sunday that the MIC can collaborate with the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in large-scale utility projects generating consistent cash flows, given the state-run pension funds’ focus on long-term returns.

Consing identified possible investments in tollways, airports, and power distribution as these would offer predictable returns and longer investment durations.

“A strategic alliance between SSS, GSIS, and the [National Development Company] NDC, structured as a general or limited partnership, has the potential to drive trans -

formative economic and developmental progress across the nation,” Consing pointed out.

“ Maharlika’s focus on earlierstage ventures may be less aligned with the typical pension fund investment model, which prefers established companies,” Consing added.

T he collaboration should prioritize asset classification, whether concession-based, private merchant risk or start-up, over the stage of investment, according to him.

“ This approach would provide greater flexibility and inclusivity for diverse investment objectives,” Consing explained.

E arlier, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando L. Macasaet said that SSS would only coinvest with the MIC in “brownfield investments,” or already existing facilities.

IN the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Aghon, the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year, a resident of Sitio Haliging Bato in Barangay Biga, Lobo, Batangas, salvages a bamboo pole—likely from a damaged boat—on the debris-strewn beach. Story on storm Aghon in A3 Nation. ROY DOMINGO

Govt perks set for natural capital accounting ventures

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE government is set to provide incentives to enhance Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) to measure the economic value and degradation of natural resources under a newly passed law last week.

P resident Marcos signed last Wednesday Republic Act 11995 institutionalizing the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (Pencas).

Pencas is a comprehensive data framework in the generation of natural capital statistics and accounts towards their progressive integration in macroeconomic indicators.

ated service, the Environmental Natural Resources and Ecosystem Account Service (Enreas).

T he Department of Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will help provide PSA with NCA-related data.

climate justice. Small islands may be wiped out of the Earth as sea levels rise, caused by the effects of climate change.

COCIS asked ITLOS to issue an advisory opinion to determine the specific obligations of the 164 signatory countries of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas to “prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment” as well as to “protect and preserve the marine environment to sop ocean warming sea level rise and acidification.”

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has also floated the idea for the state-run pension funds to buy out the government’s shares in SCTEx to generate “fairly significant” revenues.

R A 11995 mandates the Department of Finance (DOF) to develop incentive mechanisms that will drive NCA investments. It will also integrate NCA considerations into fiscal policies and regulations.

T he Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is tasked to oversee the institutionalization of the Pencas using international standards through its newly cre -

It will include data on the depletion, degradation, and restoration of natural capital; environmental protection expenditures; pollution and quality of land, air and water; and environmental damages.

Consing, however, said that the MIC is looking into investing in “more impactful projects.”

Personally, I think it’s a great investment, but in my opinion, we can be more impactful investing in

NCA considerations will be integrated in government policies by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

A ny citizen has the right to access the information generated under RA 11995 and to seek justification from any government agency that may have ignored or neglected Pencas accounts and indicators in their decision-making.

T he Pencas data is expected to help in government efforts to protect, conserve, and restore ecosystems.

M eanwhile, the Department

projects just like what we signed now,” Consing told reporters on Friday on the possibility of investing in existing toll roads, such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

T he MIC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the

of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as well as state universities and colleges will develop modules to contribute to the Pencas, while the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will integrate it in continuing professional education programs.

I n its 2022 Roadmap to Institutionalize NCA, Neda identified the challenges in the implementation of NCA as: major bottlenecks related to data, human resources, standards and local application of international frameworks.

Neda said it has adopted the United Nations System of Environment-Economic Accounting (UNSEEA) for its NCA Framework.

T he said roadmap will be updated with the implementation of RA11995. PSA is mandated to come out with the implementing rules and regulations of the new law one year from its effectivity.

National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Friday to conduct feasibility studies to assess the present electrical system of Palawan, in which the corporation can determine how much it will invest to improve it.

Consing said the state-run corporation will focus on making investments in the energy sector, its priority sector, to develop energy transmission lines in off-grid islands in the country.

The MIC aims to generate $1 billion in investments for the energy sector alone towards the end of the year.

T he corporation’s priority sectors for investments include physical, digital and social infrastructure; food security; aviation and aerospace; mineral processing; transportation; and tourism.

T he MIC is the sole vehicle for mobilizing and utilizing the Maharlika Investment Fund for investments in transactions aimed at generating optimal returns on investments created through Republic Act (RA) 11954 (An Act Establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund). Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Borrowings...

Continued from A1 April also dipped by 79.74 percent to P6.842 billion from the P33.779 billion posted a year ago.

D omestic gross borrowings for the month also declined by 14.32 percent to P82.360 billion compared to last year’s P96.127 billion.

F or the government to meet its spending requirements and to finance its budget deficit, it borrows on a 75:25 mix, wherein 75 percent of the amount would come from the local debt market while the remaining quarter is borrowed externally.

T he government has reverted to a fiscal surplus amounting to P42.7 billion in April, after recording a budget deficit of P195.918 billion in March.

Meanwhile, the state’s outstanding debt reached P14.925 trillion as of end-March; the bulk coming from domestic debt at P10.277 trillion and external debt amounting to P4.648 trillion.

E arlier, the Department of Finance (DOF) raised the government’s borrowing plan to P2.57 trillion in 2024, higher by 4.47 percent than the P2.46 trillion target set by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

Members of COSIS are Antigua and Barbuda, Tuvalu, Palau, Niue, Vanuatu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Bahamas. (see more: https://businessmirror com.ph/2023/09/19/phl-supports-bid-for-itlos-to-issue-advisory-opinion-to-stop-climatechange/)

T hirty-four states, including the Philippines, and nine international organizations, participated in the proceedings in Hamburg, Germany last year.

“ The Philippines recognizes that advisory opinions are significant contributions to the clarification and development of international law. The Philippines reiterates the rule of law ensures equity in the global commons and a fair, just, and peaceful multilateral world order,” the DFA said.

A dvisory opinion highlights Here are the highlights of the advisory opinion of ITLOS:

1. GHG emissions constitute pollution of the marine environment that results in ocean warming, sea level rise, acidification, and deoxygenation that causes harmful effects such as hazards to marine life, human health, hindrance to marine activities, impairment of water quality, and reduction of amenities.

2. UNCLOS requires all states to take all necessary measures to prevent, reduce, and control pollution of the marine environment from any source, including GHG emissions.

b States must ensure that nonstate actors under their jurisdiction and control comply with the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment. If the state fails to put a system to regulate the activities of polluting private entities, the state may be held accountable for the resulting pollution.

3. States are under obligation too concerning transboundary pollution

4. States must work together directly or through international organizations to control pollution from GHG emissions.

5.   States have special obligations to prevent environmental harm, or if degradation has occurred, restore the environment.

6 States have the specific duty to adopt measures necessary to protect rare or fragile ecosystems, habitats of depleted, threatened, or endangered species.

7.  States must adopt reasonable approaches to the conservation and management of living resources on the high seas,which includes precautionary approach and an ecosystem approach to account for the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine biodiversity.

8. States must take measures to prevent, reduce, and control pollution from the introduction of nonindigenous species due to climate change and acidification.

As an archipelagic state, the Philippines is directly affected by the ITLOS advisory. Because of that, the DFA said, government lawyers and other Filipino international law experts are now “diligently studying the Advisory Opinion and its implications for the Philippines and other States Parties to UNCLOS.”

“The Philippines invites all States to join us in a constructive dialogue and thorough study of the ITLOS Advisory Opinion, in the spirit of collaboration towards fully and faithfully enforcing and complying with UNCLOS for a healthy and thriving marine environment,” the DFA added.

a I TLOS does not require states to immediately stop pollution from GHG emissions, but rather, to take all “practicable” measures “on the best available science available.”

H idalgo explained that the P65-billion project cost that the firm needs to raise is on top of the P18-billion investments that have already been poured into the steel section mill in Lemery, Batangas, set to be fully commissioned in 2025.

Currently, the SteelAsia official noted, the Philippines is largely import dependent. Over 60 percent of its billet requirements are imported, while, except for rebar, 86 percent of finished steel is imported.

The development of downstream manufacturing and other industries is hampered by the lack of domestically produced steel products,” said Hidalgo.

T he firm’s latest expansion is the modern steel manufacturing in Compostela, Cebu, which he dubbed “one of the largest and most modern rebar rolling mills in the world.”

T he Compostela facility’s commercial operations began in October 2023. The products and services being produced and offered in this plant are rebars, cut and bend, reinforcing mesh, and coupler and threading.

T he products expected to be produced by the firm in the future  are wide flange beams, sheet piles, angles, wire-rod, flat bar, channels, Tbar, and Lattice girders.  A s for the jobs to be created, Hidalgo said, “When we’re done, including Lemery, we will be internally 3,000 jobs and externally another 15,000 jobs. So total around 18,000 jobs.”

A s the country’s flagship steel company and industry leader, SteelAsia operates steelmaking, rebar manufacturing and rebar fabrication plants in Bulacan, Batangas, Cebu and Davao.

I n April, SteelAsia announced that the country’s first steel sections mill in Lemery, Batangas will be fully commissioned in 2025 and will substitute the importation of steel sections products like H beams, I beams, and angle bars used for infrastructure like bridges, railways, high-rises, industrial buildings, telco towers and transmission towers. (Full story here: https:// businessmirror com.ph/2024/04/29/phls-firststeel-section-plant-seen-to-cutcosts-create-jobs/)

Pagcor’s contributions enable the national government to implement Universal Health Care, Early Childhood Care and Development, Integrated Sports Development Program, National Endowment for Culture and Arts, as well as establish and operate drug rehabilitation centers.

M arcos Jr. once more praised the Filipinos’ unique brand of hospitality, known worldwide, making each tourist feel at home. “We want them here, visiting our islands, investing in our businesses, [and] spending their hard-earned money by having fun and having the best time of their lives here in our country. It is our mission to let the entire world know that the Philippines is open for tourism, for business.”

Ombudsman suspends NE governor

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Ombudsman has placed Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali under a preventive suspension in connection with the administrative charges filed against him for alleged issuance of illegal quarry permits in the province.

Umali’s suspension is the latest in a series of suspensions of sitting elective officials by the Ombudsman, who earlier also suspended Cebu Mayor Michael Rama and other local officials.

NUEVA Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali

He replaced his wife who served a single term as governor starting 2016.

clearance certificates (LECC) as a prerequisite to the grant and issuances of several quarry permits instead of ECCs as mandated by law.

Ombudsman investigators cited the House committee’s report which held that accepting LECC’s, instead of ECC’s, “is a clear circumvention of the law.”

In justifying Umali’s suspension, the Ombudsman cited the need to preserve documents and evidence in its investigation of the cases and “in order to avoid his commission of further malfeasance and/or misfeasance in office.”

BuCor launches new training program for officers

TEarlier, the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Michael Rama and seven other Cebu City officials over the alleged non-payment of salaries of several city hall employees.

“This office finds sufficient grounds to preventively suspend Governor Aurelio M. Umali considering that there is a strong evidence showing his guilt; as the charges against him involve gross misconduct and gross neglect in the performance of duty which may warrant his removal from the service,” the Ombudsman said in a five-page resolution. Umali, together with his wife, former Gov. Czarina Umali, and Natural Resources Officer Wilfredo M. Pangilinan are facing administrative complaints for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service under the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

The complaint was filed by a certain Roberto Duldulao following congressional inquiries which revealed that the respondents allegedly abused their discretion in issuing a total 205 quarry permits for extraction of sand and gravel to “unqualified permittees” who failed to submit mandatory Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The incumbent governor, who was elected in 2019, is on his second term as governor of Nueva Ecija.

Based on the report of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability of the House of Representatives, the spouses Umali required the submission of local environmental

“On the other hand, PENRO Wilfredo M. Pangilinan conspired with and joined spouses Umali in the commission of the unlawful act by his continued observance and issuance of recommendation for the approval of quarry permits with the use only of the LECC,” the Ombudsman order stated.

Anti-graft investigators also found the respondents of being “remiss” in their duty to remit to local governments hosting the quarry operations the excise taxes the province collected from the quarry permit holders.

“Further, after the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija collected taxes on the extracted sand and gravel, the shares of said taxes of the local governments concerned were not released,” the Ombudsman pointed out.

Rama and the seven other officials—city administrator lawyer Collin Rossell, his wife Maria Theresa Rossell who heads the City Treasurer’s Office, Francis May Jacaban, Angelique Cabugao, Jay-Ar Pescante, Lester Joey Beniga, and Nelyn Sanrojo, were ordered suspended for six months.

In a 10-page resolution, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said they found sufficient grounds to issue the preventive suspension against the mayor because of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest among others.

Pro Cha-cha congressman pins hope on new Senate leadership

By Jovee Marie dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE recent leadership change in the Senate may push forward the proposed amendments of the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions, Liberal Party Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay said.

“This issue of Charter change [Cha-cha] has already been concluded in the House of Representatives,” Lagman said during a recent news conference.

“I have expressed my views, and it’s always possible that a change

in leadership [in the Senate] will enhance the chances of Charter change,” he said.

Lagman was referring to Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7, the House version of the proposed economic constitutional amendments. The Senate version, RBH 6, authored by former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sens. Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara, is still pending in the upper chamber.

“But let us wait and see. Let the development unfold in the Senate because the House has already approved the Cha-cha resolution,” he said.

Aghon intensifies, now a tropical storm

TROPICAL Storm Aghon maintained its strength as it hovers and continues to batter Quezon province, the weather bureau said.

The weather disturbance has been largely affecting Luzon since Saturday afternoon.

Areas affected include Aurora, the northern and central portions of Quezon (Alabat, Perez, Quezon, Gumaca, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Unisan, Pitogo, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Atimonan, Mauban, Real, General Nakar, Infanta, Sampaloc, Pagbilao, Calauag, Lucban, City of Tayabas, Lucena City, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Dolores, San Antonio) including Polillo Islands, Laguna, the eastern portion of

Batangas (City of Tanauan, San Jose, Lipa City, Mataasnakahoy, Balete, Malvar, Santo Tomas, Cuenca, San Pascual, Batangas City, Ibaan, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Juan, Taysan, Lobo), the eastern portion of Rizal (Jala-Jala, Pililla, Tanay, Cardona, Binangonan, Morong, Baras). In its weather bulletin issued at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Srvices Administration said Aghon is expected to bring in some 22 mm of rain by Monday afternoon over Quezon, including Aurora, the eastern portion of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Metro Manila and Camarines Norte. Aghon is moving northwestward slowly and is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center,

Spike in Dengue cases noted in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY—Dengue remains a pressing health concern in Baguio and may rise further with the expected onset of the La Niña phenomenon.

The City Health Services Office (CHSO) has reported a 15 percent increase in dengue cases.

Donnabel Panes, chief medical

officer of the CHSO, said that they have monitored 384 cases from January to May this year, a spike from the 284 cases during the same period last year.

Owing to the increase in dengue cases, the city government is intensifying its “Denguerra” program, also called the war against dengue. This

On Monday last week, Zubiri resigned as Senate president, and the senators elected Francis Escudero as the new leader. Additionally, Angara resigned as chairman of the special subcommittee hearing RBH 6.

On the issue of joint or separate voting on proposed charter change, Lagman said, “That issue is not resolved in the Constitution. The Constitution is ambiguous. It is possible that the issue of joint or separate voting will go to the Supreme Court for a final decision.”

He said that the House of Representatives and the Senate have dis -

with gustiness of up to 125 km/h. Pagasa said rain will continue until Tuesday afternoon in the eastern portion of Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, and Polilio Island.

Gale warning is hoisted over the coastal waters of Aurora, Quezon, and Marinduque, the southern coastal waters of Batangas, and the northern coastal waters of Camarines Norte, where sea travel will be risky for small seacrafts, including all motorbancas of any type or tonnage.

According to Pagasa, from Monday through the remainder of the forecast period, Aghon will gradually accelerate northeastward while intensifying. The storm is forecast to reach the “typhoon” category by Tuesday afternoon or evening and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

involves container management and the cleaning and covering of all containers where mosquitoes can breed.

The General Services Office is working hard on its Denguerra drive.

“The more garbage, the more possible breeding sites,” Panes said. She also stressed the need to watch all possible breeding sites such as drums, discarded vehicle tires, flower pots, and leaves of plants that catch water.

Part of Denguerra, aside from a dedicated team that cleans up every Thursday, is encouraging residents to join in the activity within their premises.

Denguerra was launched in 2022, but despite city efforts, spikes in dengue cases remain persistent, exacerbated by climate change.

Dengue symptoms include two days of fever followed by rashes. But the most dangerous phase is after the fever goes down.

“The most dangerous stage of dengue is when the fever goes down and you think you’re cured,” Panes said.

“Most deaths occur due to late consultation and dehydration followed by organ failure,” she added.

Marilou Guieb

tinct roles under the Constitution as a legislature and as a constituent assembly with the power to propose constitutional amendments.

“The work of Congress is different. In Congress, we legislate laws. The work of the constituent assembly, which proposes amendments to the Constitution, is also different. That is where we see the difference. Whether it is joint or separate, I think the debate among us will not end. It might reach the Supreme Court,” he said.

But in a forum held in San Juan City last March, Lagman expressed that the two chambers of Congress must meet

and vote jointly on Charter change.

“They are not making laws; they are exercising constituent powers to amend the Constitution. Meeting jointly and deciding whether to vote jointly or separately is a significant question that needs resolution by the Supreme Court,” he stated.

“In my opinion—without any partisanship on the outcomes of voting jointly—I believe it should be voting jointly because the constituent assembly is unicameral. It does not distinguish between senators, congressmen, representatives, or the Senate,” he added.

Davao City cop chief, 37 others sacked over drugs war killings

DAVAO CITY—Almost two scores of police officers here were relieved of their posts, including the police chief of this city and the commanders of six police stations, on a motu propio investigation conducted by the Regional Internal Affairs Service on the death of seven persons alleged to be targets of a series of illegal drugs sting operation.

The reliefs took effect on Friday for the 37 policemen, including this city’s police chief, Col. Ricardo Bag-ang, who were reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the Regional Police Command headquarters in Camp Catitipan here.

Maj. Catherine dela Rey, regional police spokesman, said the 37 officers were temporarily detailed at the holdings facility while the IAS investigators check for the integrity or lapses in the buy bust operations that were conducted between March 23 and March 26.

Seven persons were killed in 21 drug operations conducted in several places under the operational jurisdiction of Police Stations 1 (Sta. Ana police station), PS3 (Talomo), PS8 (Toril), PS9 (Tugbok), PS15 (Ecoland) and PS19 (Eden-Bayabas, Toril).

Seventeen other persons were arrested and police operatives confiscated a total of 202.64 grams of metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and 60.36 grams of marijuana, all with estimated value of P1,385,195.20.

The police have filed 22 cases as it also claimed that the fatalities were killed when they attempted to engage the arresting officers in gunbattles.

Dela Rey said the relief was ordered by the RIAS when it conducted the motu propio investigation, or on its own accord without formal

HE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Sunday the implementation of a new training program that is aimed to develop the management skills of its officers nationwide.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. called the program as training approaches and a management agenda (TAMA) which will be implemented in all Corrections National Training Institutes (CNTI) nationwide.

Catapang said the “7K-Tama Program” is intended to promote well-programmed training to develop globally competent personnel officers who will become caliber leaders in the future.

The 7-K program stands for “Kaugalian,” “Kaalaman,” “Kasanayan,” “Katatagan,” “Katarungan,” “Katapangan,” and “Karangalan.”

Under the Kaugalian program, training will focus on value formation by indoctrinating trainees with the right attitude.

“Behavior and values are effective manifestations of strong discipline that should be applied at all times, specifically in the performance of their duties and functions as Corrections Officers,” the BuCor said.

For the Kaalaman program, the BuCor will help its offers and trainees to develop a strong base of knowledge to help the brain to function more smoothly and effectively.

request from the families of the fatalities or other parties.

The investigation would determine if the operations were conducted according to normal police guidelines and the extent of participation of the relieved officers.

The operations happened in the same week that Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared another episode of war against illegal drugs.

Dela Rey also clarified that no additional troops have been sent to this city.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte reacted to the relief of the 37 policemen, including the recently appointed city police chief, describing it as a “disruptive action.”

“The Davao City Police Office has consistently shown remarkable effectiveness in maintaining peace and order in our city,” he said in a statement posted in the internet on Sunday.

He said the DCPO posted “a significant 69 percent decrease in focus crimes, comparing May CY 2023 to May CY 2024. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and competence of our police force, working hand in hand with my administration.”

“The recent actions taken against these relieved personnel contradict the spirit of cooperation and mutual trust crucial for effective governance and law-enforcement,” he said.

“I oppose any efforts o undermine the hard-earned trust between our community and law-enforcement. These recent developments serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority,” he said. “I call for transparency and accountability in handling this matter and for the immediate reinstatement of the unfairly relieved officers.” Manuel T. Cayon

“Trainees must be experts in the field of their duties and functions wherever they will be assigned in the BuCor’s organizational framework. This will provide a comprehensive and suitable Program of Instructions (POI) for every course being conducted by the training institute,” it noted. On the other hand, the Kasanayan program aims to develop and empower the necessary skills of trainees before they are assigned to their respective areas of responsibility.

Under the Katatagan program, the BuCor will help its officers to gain emotional stability in order to hurdle challenges while performing their duties.

For the Katarungan program, the BuCor’s is hoping to establish proper norms of conduct for its officers and trainees to prevent them from committing abuses and injustices.

“Corrections Officers and trainees must be advocates of human rights, obey and respect the laws, and uphold the democratic way of life. These principles significantly play a vital role in proper handling and treatment of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) towards absolute reformation,” the BuCor explained. Under the Katapangan program, the agency hopes to strengthen the courage of its officers to do the right thing and develop a strong determination to fight against the wrongful acts and misconduct within the organization.

“Courage is having persistence during tough and challenging situations, and as Corrections Officers, they must possess this characteristic to help them face their fears and overcome obstacles,” it stressed.

The BuCor said the Karangalan program will ensure integrity, loyalty, dedication and devotion to duty among its officers.

Catapang added that he has seen changes in the attitude of BuCor personnel. Joel R. San Juan

The SM Group fosters scholar development by providing opportunities to launch successful careers

THE SM Foundation, the social good arm of the SM Group, is continuously amplifying its scholarship program to boost the career readiness of its scholars.

To cultivate well-adjusted and successful graduates, the foundation joined forces with SM Retail and SM Supermalls and organized general assemblies in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Davao Region, Southern Luzon, Cebu Province, and Western Visayas. These assemblies served as platforms for scholars to hone their skills, connect with their peers and mentors, build networks, and learn more about the program's benefits, such as the internship opportunities and exclusive job offers within the SM Group during Christmas and semester breaks and upon graduation.

The said gathering also aims to connect scholars with peers and mentors, allowing them to create valuable networks and gain insights from SM scholar-alumni who are now thriving in their respective fields.

This focus on practical experience equips scholars with the tools they need to land their dream careers after graduation.

SM Foundation’s Scholarship Program has been empowering deserving Filipino youth from vulnerable communities by supporting their educational aspirations. By prioritizing a wellrounded student experience, the foundation moves beyond financial support, nurturing the next generation of Filipino leaders— scholars who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges and champion social good.

Since 1993, the SM Foundation has been empowering deserving youth from vulnerable populations to achieve their dreams by providing access to quality higher education. To date, the foundation has supported more than 5,500 college scholars.

SM scholars from Davao and GenSan take the recently held General Assembly as an opportunity to forge connections and learn from fellow scholars.

SM Foundation during the general assembly in SM City Iloilo. SM Foundation and

SM scholars bond with their fellow scholars from different parts of Central Luzon.

SM Retail Co-Vice Chairperson Harley Sy (center), SM Foundation’s trustee Chito Macapagal, and Education Program executive director Linda Atayde (2nd row, fourth, fifth from left) lead the general assembly for scholars from South Luzon.

The fourth leg of the general assembly encourages scholars to explore practical experiences such as internships and part-time job opportunities from SM Group to equip them with the tools they need to start their dream careers.

May 27, 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 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

2 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

3 GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, 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

9 LEADWAY TRAVEL CONSULTANCY CORPORATION

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

ZHAO, SHIXIN

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PHYU PHYU NWE

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SAI BA MAUNG

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SANDAR WIN PYAE

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

THI THI TUN

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TONE CHIN SHAL

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

YAN KYAWT PI

Myanmari Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TRINH XUAN QUOC

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Ground Floor, Paseo De Bacoor, Molino III, City of Bacoor, Cavite ONITCHI, MUNACHISO HERBERT

Finance Manager

Brief Job Description: Analyze Financial Statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting practices

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite LI, YUNLONG Chinese - Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls

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, 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, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

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

Qualification:

oral and written communication

Seamen’s advocates press FMJr to sign Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers soon

By Jovee Marie Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE legislative bicameral report for the “true” Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which does not include the contentious bond requirement, has been ratified by the House of Representatives and is expected to be signed by President Marcos soon.

On the final day of the 19th Congress’s Second Regular Session, the House ratified the bicameral report for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which stakeholders say is a historic step forward for the nation’s maritime sector.

A crucial change in the new bill is the removal of the contentious bond requirement provision, which had previously hindered the bill’s passage.

The initial version of the bill included Section 58, which stipulated that seamen must post a bond equivalent to any award they received from final judgments by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or the Voluntary Arbitrator under the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB-DOLE) before receiving their compensation.

This provision was particularly “burdensome,” according to the affected sector, as it applied mainly to awards for disability benefits, often leaving incapacitated mariners without immediate financial support.

With the bond requirement eliminated, the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) said the revised Magna Carta for Seafarers is seen as a genuine protector of seamen’s rights, aiming to improve their working and living conditions, employment terms, and access to social and welfare services.

The ratification follows a concerted

effort led by Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog, who chair the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs in the Senate and House, respectively. The bill, which had faced hurdles owing to the contentious bond requirement provision, now stands on the brink of becoming law, pending the signature of the President.

With this, the PTGWO, the largest federation of labor unions in the country, and Seafarer’s Rights Philippines, a key advocacy group for mariners, lauded Tulfo, Acidre, and other committee members for recognizing the detrimental impact of the bond requirement and removing it from the final version of the bill.

“When the first enrolled bill of the Magna Carta of Seafarers was not signed by the President, there were several reasons cited. But now it appears that there is just a solitary reason. This is the bond requirement provision,” PTGWO said in a statement.

Labor groups had persistently challenged this provision, arguing that it violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution by unfairly targeting mariners. The provision meant that unlike other workers, seamen would not receive their awards promptly, as these would be tied up in appeals to higher courts, potentially delaying payment for years or even decades.

The groups emphasized the urgency of enacting the bill, urging Marcos to sign it into law without delay.

“Now, each day that the Magna Carta is not passed is a day that the working and living conditions of seamen, the terms and conditions of their employment, as well as the social and welfare services for them and their families, are compromised. We are one with them in imploring our Honorable President to immediately sign it into law,” said Seafarer’s Rights Philippines.

Congressman files bill penalizing telcos P 1-M a day if they fail to deliver faster internet speed

ALAWMAKER who represents Makati has filed a bill to penalize telecommunications companies (telcos) that fail to deliver faster internet speeds to consumers within fixed deadlines.

In House Bill 10215, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. proposed that telcos unable to meet mandatory internet speed targets face a regulatory fine of up to P1 million per day, or P365 million per year, until they achieve full compliance.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 7925, also known as the Public Telecommunications Policy Law.

“The Philippines still has one of the slowest average mobile internet speeds

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

in Southeast Asia, and we want to fix this through an act of Congress,” Campos, the husband of Makati Mayor Abby Binay, said in a statement on Sunday.

In pushing for the swift passage of his bill, Campos invoked “the State’s duty to protect the interest of consumers, including internet users, promote their general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.”

The Philippines as of April 2024 had an average mobile internet speed of only 32.37 Mbps, compared to Thailand’s 45.05 Mbps, Vietnam’s 50.88 Mbps, Malaysia’s 91.69 Mbps, Singapore’s 101.43 Mbps, and Brunei’s 102.41 Mbps, according to the Speedtest

RP, UK now recognize each other’s seamen’s certificates

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), covering the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.

In a statement, Marina explained that the the MOU extends to the Red Ensign Group, encompassing the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey) and the UK Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands).

This inclusion broadens employment opportunities for Filipino seamen, enabling their certificates to be recognized across a wider range of jurisdictions. Key elements of the MOU highlight adherence to national laws and the STCW Convention. It outlines conditions for certificate recognition, compliance procedures, and mutual cooperation to enhance technical and administrative capacities related to certification, training, and watchkeeping. The agreement also establishes protocols for mutual visits and evaluations to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement.

“The signing of this MOU signifies a significant step towards closer cooperation between the Philippines and the United Kingdom in the maritime domain. This agreement is intended to benefit the seafaring community and contribute to broader objectives such as maritime security and sustainable development,” the Marina said. The signing ceremony, held in the United Kingdom, was attended by top officials from both countries. It is expected to foster closer cooperation between the Philippines and the UK.

Global Index by Ookla. Mbps is short for megabits per second— a measure of network transmission or data transfer speed.

The Philippines now ranks 11th worldwide in absolute number of internet users, with an estimated 85 million Filipinos browsing the web, mostly using their mobile phones, or a penetration rate of 74 percent of the population.

The reintroduced bill seeks to expressly classify internet connection as a “basic service” within the jurisdiction and regulatory power of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Internet connection is currently considered a value-added service (VAS). This explains why the NTC lacks the power to impose higher standards and mandatory improvements. Jovee Marie Dela Cruz

Group warns against ‘unsafe’ baby wipes banned by FDA classified as banned cosmetic ingredients in the two regional blocs. To prevent children’s exposure to known skin sensitizers, as well as EDCs, the EcoWaste Coalition reminded parents to heed these tips:

THE toxics watchdog EcoWaste Coalition has raised the alarm over the persistent sale of imported baby wipes that contain allergy-causing preservatives banned many years ago by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Ecowaste issued the warning anew after buying five unauthorized baby wipe products listing methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI; also referred to as MCIT or CMIT), methylisothiazolinone (MIT or MI), and isobutylparaben as ingredients at the branch of a popular chain store in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

MCI and MIT are known to cause skin redness, itching, and blistering, and have been prohibited since 2018 in leave-on cosmetic products, including baby wipes, as per FDA Circular 2017-006 and FDA Advisory 2018-034.

Isobutylparaben, a known endocrinedisrupting chemical (EDC), has been banned in cosmetics since 2016 along with four other parabens, namely benzylparaben, isopropylparaben, pentylparaben, and phenylparaben, according to FDA Advisory 2016-032.

In test buys conducted on May 25, the EcoWaste Coalition purchased four products containing MCI/MIT (two variants of Dong Bang Baby Wipes, Lasam’s Bonito Bebe Baby

Wipes, and Baby Wipes Wet Towels) and one product with isobutylparaben (Sensitive Comsoft Baby with Aloe Vera Wipes).

Sensitive Comsoft Baby with Aloe Vera Wipes also contains butylparaben and propylparaben, which are permitted in cosmetics except for leave-on products designed for application on nappy areas of children under 3 years old.

The products, mostly marked “made in China,” are sold for P25 to P49.75 per pack and are not old stocks. Baby Wipes Wet Towels were manufactured in 2024 and will expire in 2027, while the other four were produced in 2023 and will expire in 2026, indicating that the products were recently imported.

Wipes containing MCI-MIT can cause contact dermatitis, “a skin disorder characterized by redness, itching, and vesiculation [that] results from contact with environmental substances that elicit an allergic or irritant response or both,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

MCI-MIT, which are commonly used as a mixture in products, are prohibited in leave-on cosmetic products, including wet wipes, under the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (Asean) Cosmetic Directive (ACD) and the European Cosmetic Products Regulation.

Isobutylparaben and the other four parabens mentioned earlier are likewise

a. Use lukewarm water, mild soap, and cotton balls for cleaning the baby’s bottom, and only use wet wipes when water is not available.

b. Read the product label carefully and shun those that include MCI/MIT and banned parabens as ingredients.

c. Reject products that do not list their ingredients and do not have an expiry date.

d. Look for alcohol-free and unscented wet wipes.

e. To reduce the chances of an allergy, refrain from using unauthorized wet wipes to clean the baby’s hands, mouth, and other body parts.

f. After using wet wipes, rinse with water to remove chemical residues and reduce the risk of skin allergies.

The waste and pollution watchdog group also reminded consumers to properly dispose of used wipes to prevent blocking the drains, contaminating recyclables, and aggravating ocean pollution. Finally, as part of their corporate social responsibility, the group appealed to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to ensure that wet wipes and other cosmetic products containing banned ingredients are not produced and offered for sale to the general public.

UN court order demanding that Israel halt its Gaza offensive further isolates US position

By Eric Tucker & Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—A UN

court’s order that Israel halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has deepened a disconnect with the United States over a military operation that faces mounting international condemnation but that American officials describe, at least for now, as limited and targeted.

The decision Friday by the International Court of Justice in The Hague adds to the pressure facing an increasingly isolated Israel, coming just days after Norway, Ireland and Spain said they would recognize a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor of a separate international court sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as leaders of Hamas. The Biden administration stands apart from the global community— though it is opposed to a major offensive in Rafah, the administration also insists that the steps its close ally Israel has taken so far have not crossed red lines.

Administration officials so far have appeared determined to press on with military and political support for Israel following the deadly

Hamas attack it endured last October, while also pressuring its ally to avoid a full-scale military operation in densely populated Rafah.

“What we have seen so far in terms of Israel’s military operations in that area has been more targeted and limited, has not involved major military operations into the heart of dense urban areas,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at a White House briefing this week.

But, he added, “We now have to see what unfolds from here.”

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the administration’s internal assessment of the situation, said the operation in Gaza had “not yet moved into the core heart of Rafah that gets us to the densest

of dense areas.”

Earlier this month, the White House announced it was pausing a shipment of some 3,500 bombs, including massive 2,000-pound explosives that the Biden administration said were leading to civilian deaths.

President Joe Biden warned during a CNN interview that "if they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah."

US officials in pressuring Israel had suggested that a major operation was a red line that would undermine stalled negotiations on a deal to return Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and would lead Biden to further dial back what weaponry he would send Israel.

But the tone at the White House

Scuffles erupt between police, protesters demanding return of hostages held in Gaza

By Yesica Fisch

The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—Scuffles between Israeli police and protesters erupted in Tel Aviv on Saturday after thousands gathered to demonstrate against the government and demand that it bring back the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Meanwhile, a small US military vessel and what appeared to be a strip of docking area washed up on a beach near the southern Israeli city of Ashdod, not far from the US-built pier on which the Israeli military said humanitarian aid is moving into the Palestinian territory. Also on Saturday, Israeli bombardments were reported in northern and central Gaza. Some protesters in Tel Aviv carried photos of the female soldiers who appeared in a video earlier in the week showing them soon after they were abducted during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 started the war between Israel and Hamas. Some held banners reading “Stop the war" and "Help." They called on the government to reach a deal to release the dozens of hostages still in captivity.

The protesters also called for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu and demanded new elections.

“We all saw the video, we could not stay at home after the government abandoned all these people,” said Hilit Sagi, from the group “Women Protest for the Return of All Hostages.”

Divisions among Israelis have deepened over how Netanyahu has handled the war against Hamas after the attack that killed about 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. Israel says around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more.

“Basically they are not doing enough in order for the hostages to come back, either with military force, with (a) hostages’ deal, negotiating. Nothing is being done,” said Snir Dahan, uncle of hostage Carmel Gat, still in captivity in Gaza.

Earlier in the week, the bodies of three hostages killed were recovered from Gaza, Israel's army said Friday. The army said they were killed on the day of the attack and their bodies were taken to Gaza. The announcement came less than a week after the army said it found the bodies of three other Israeli hostages killed on October 7. Around half of the 250 hostages taken by

Hamas and other militants have been freed, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Netanyahu’s government has faced increasing pressure, both at home and abroad, to stop the war and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, almost 80 percent of whom have been displaced.

Also this week, three European countries announced they would recognize a Palestinian state, and the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, along with Hamas officials.

On Friday the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and to open the nearby border crossing for crucial humanitarian aid. The top United Nations court also said Israel must give war crimes investigators access to Gaza.

However, the judges stopped short of ordering a full cease-fire across the entire Palestinian territory, and Israel is unlikely to comply with the court's ruling. South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians during the war in Gaza, which Israel vehemently denies.

“We were hoping the war would end,” said Islam Abu Kamar, who moved from Gaza City to Rafah following the ground operation launched by Israel after the Hamas attack in October.

In the past two weeks, more than a million Palestinians have fled Rafah as Israeli forces pressed deeper into the city. Israel’s takeover this month of the Rafah border crossing, a key transit point for fuel and supplies for Gaza, has contributed to bringing aid operations to near collapse, the UN and relief groups say.

Israel says it needs to invade Rafah to destroy Hamas’ last stronghold. Egypt said it agreed to send UN humanitarian aid trucks through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, Israel's main entry point into southern Gaza. But it remains unclear if the trucks will be able to enter because fighting still rages in Rafah.

seemed to take a notable shift this week after Sullivan returned from a visit to Israel, where he said he had been briefed on “refinements” in the Israeli plan to root out Hamas in Rafah, and to Saudi Arabia.

During Sullivan’s talks with Netanyahu and other officials during the trip, the Israeli side addressed many of Biden's concerns about its plans for Rafah, according to a senior administration official who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

The official said the administration stopped short of greenlighting the Israeli plan but Israeli officials’ altered planning suggested they were taking Biden’s concerns seriously.

That assessment may be of little

consolation to Palestinians still trapped in Rafah—the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt, and the site of a critical crossing for aid. More than 1 million people sought refuge there in recent months after escaping fighting elsewhere but some 900,000 have since fled the city.

Israel has brought hundreds of trucks in through the other main border crossing, Kerem Shalom, but the UN and aid groups say Israeli military operations make it dangerous for them to pick up food, water and other supplies for starving Palestinians.

The US Agency for International Development says Gaza requires a steady flow of 600 trucks a day of food and other aid to reverse the onset of what the heads of USAID and the UN World Food Program call famine in the north and to keep it from spreading to the south.

Even with a US pier starting to bring in a small amount of aid by sea, Gaza has received only a fraction of the amount of supplies needed since the start of the Israeli offensive.

Leading international humanitarian groups welcomed the ICJ ruling for the pressure they hoped it would bring. Doctors Without Borders said it was confirmation of how “catastrophic” the situation had become for Palestinian civilians i n Gaza and “the desperate need for humanitarian aid to be scaled up immediately.”

There’s no practical mechanism to force Israel to comply with the court order, which, in addition to ordering a halt to the offensive, also

mandates an increase of humanitar

ian aid to the region and access to Gaza for war crimes investigators. Israel showed no signs that it intended to change course after Friday’s ruling. The war in Gaza followed an October 7 attack on Israel that killed roughly 1,200 people, about a quarter of them soldiers, with another 250 taken captive. At least 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The court’s demands go beyond what the US has asked of Israel at the moment, though Washington has nonetheless signaled that it remains opposed to a more intrusive operation in Gaza.

“When it comes to Rafah, we've made known for a long time our concerns about a full-on military assault of Rafah and the damage that that could do to civilian population absent a clear and credible plan to protect it,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Blinken also reiterated that the administration does not believe a major offensive would achieve the results that Israel is looking to achieve, “which is to deal effectively and durably with Hamas.”

“Our concerns about a full-on military assault in Rafah remain,” he said. “We have other ways of dealing with the challenge posed by Hamas that we believe can be more effective and more durable.” Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

ZelensK y y: UKraine has taKen baCK Control in areas oF KharKiv,

By Samya Kullab & Elise Morton

The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian forces have secured “combat control” of areas where Russian troops entered the northeastern Kharkiv region earlier this month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, two people were killed Saturday in an aerial attack on the city of Kharkiv, which is the region's capital, according to local officials.

Kharkiv is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Russian border. Moscow's troops have in recent weeks captured villages in the area as part of a broad push, and analysts say they may be trying to get within artillery range of the city. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated more than 11,000 people from the region since the start of the offensive on May 10.

“Our soldiers have now managed to take combat control of the border area where the Russian occupiers entered,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Friday evening.

Zelenskyy's comments appeared to be at odds with those made by Russian officials.

Viktor Vodolatskiy, a member of Russia’s lower house of parliament, said Russian forces now controlled more than half of the town of Vovchansk, 3 miles (5 kilometers) inside the border, Russian state news agency Tass reported Friday.

Vovchansk has been a flashpoint for fighting since Russia launched the offensive in the Kharkiv region.

Vodolatskiy was also quoted as saying that once Vovchansk was secured, Russian forces would target the cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk in the neighboring Donetsk region. Independent confirmation of the claims wasn't immediately possible.

Russia’s Kharkiv push appears to be a coordinated new offensive that includes testing Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region further south— where Russia’s Defense Ministry said Saturday that its forces had taken over the village of Arkhanhelske— while also launching incursions in the northern Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the Kremlin’s army is attempting to create a “buffer zone” in the Kharkiv region to prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks.

The Russian push is shaping up to be Ukraine’s biggest test since Moscow’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, with outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces being pressed at several points along the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line that snakes from north to south in eastern Ukraine.

In addition to the ground offensive operation along Ukraine's northeastern border, Russia is continuing to bombard the Kharkiv region with missiles, guided aerial bombs and drones.

Regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said that two people were killed and 33 others wounded when an aerial bomb hit a large construction supplies store in the city of Kharkiv on Saturday afternoon, causing

Ihor Terekhov said. Zelenskyy

UN migration agency estimates more than 670 killed in massive Papua New Guinea landslide

By Rod Mcguirk The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia—The International Organization for Migration on Sunday increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea to more than 670.

Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the UN migration agency's mission in the South Pacific island nation, said the revised death toll was based on calculations by Yambali village and Enga provincial officials that more than 150 homes had been buried by Friday’s landslide. The previous estimate had been 60 homes.

“They are estimating that more than 670 people (are) under the soil at the moment,” Aktoprak told The Associated Press.

Local officials had initially put the death toll on Friday at 100 or more. Only five bodies and a leg of a sixth victim had been recovered by Sunday.

Emergency responders in Papua New Guinea were moving survivors to safer ground on Sunday as tons of unstable earth and tribal warfare, which is rife in the country's Highlands, threatened the rescue effort.

The South Pacific island’s government meanwhile is considering whether it needs to officially request more international support.

Crews have given up hope of finding survivors under earth and rubble 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 feet) deep, Aktoprak said.

“People are coming to terms with this so there is a serious level of grieving and mourning,” he said.

Government authorities were establishing evacuation centers on safer ground on either side of the massive swath of debris that covers an area the size of three to four football fields and has cut the main highway through the province.

“Working across the debris is very dangerous and the land is still sliding,” Aktoprak said.

Beside the blocked highway, convoys that have transported food, water and other es -

sential supplies since Saturday to the devastated village 60 kilometers (35 miles) from the provincial capital, Wabag, have faced risks related to tribal fighting in Tambitanis village, about halfway along the route.

Papua New Guinea soldiers were providing security for the convoys.

Eight locals were killed in a clash between two rival clans on Saturday in a longstanding dispute unrelated to the landslide.

Around 30 homes and five retail businesses were burned down in the fighting, local officials said.

Aktoprak said he did not expect tribal combatants would target the convoys but noted that opportunistic criminals might take advantage of the mayhem to do so.

"This could basically end up in carjacking or robbery," Aktoprak said. "There is not only concern for the safety and security of the personnel, but also the goods because they may use this chaos as a means to steal."

Longtime tribal warfare has cast doubt on the official estimate that almost 4,000 people were living in the village when a side of Mount Mungalo fell away.

Justine McMahon, country director of the humanitarian agency CARE International, said moving survivors to "more stable ground" was an immediate priority along with providing them with food, water and shelter. The military was leading those efforts.

The numbers of injured and missing were still being assessed on Sunday. Seven people including a child had received medical

treatment by Saturday, but officials had no details on their conditions.

Medical facilities were buried along with houses, several small businesses, a guesthouse, school and gas station, officials said.

McMahon said there were other health facilities in the region, the provincial government was sending health workers and the World Health Organization was mobilizing staff.

"There will be some support, but it's such a spread-out area that I think it will be quite a challenging situation," McMahon said. "The scale of this disaster is quite immense."

While Papua New Guinea is in the tropics, the village is 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) above sea level where temperatures are substantially cooler.

Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Billy Joseph and the government's National Disaster Center director Laso Mana were flying from Port Moresby by helicopter to Wabag on Sunday to gain a firsthand perspective of what is needed.

Aktoprak expected the government would decide by Tuesday whether it would officially request more international help.

The United States and Australia, a near neighbor and Papua New Guinea's most generous provider of foreign aid, are among governments that have publicly stated their readiness to do more to help responders.

Papua New Guinea is a diverse, developing nation with 800 languages and 10 million people who are mostly subsistence farmers.

Chile accuses volunteer firefighter, ex-forestry official with causing huge fire that killed 137

By Patricia Luna The Associated Press

SANTIAGO, Chile — A Chilean judge on Saturday ordered a volunteer firefighter and a former forestry official detained for allegedly planning and causing a mammoth forest fire in the Valparaiso region that caused 137 deaths and made 16,000 people homeless in February. The court in Valparaiso ruled the two men, who were arrested Friday, could be held for 180 days while they are investigated. The chief prosecutor in the case, Osvaldo Ossandón, told journalists that the main suspect is Francisco Mondaca, a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter in Valparaiso who is accused of physically starting the fire. He said flares and fireworks were found in Mondaca's vehicle. The other suspect was identified as Franco Pinto, a former employee of the National Forest Corporation. He is accused of planning the crime. The regional prosecutor for Valparaiso, Claudia Perivancich, said investigators have evidence the two men agreed “in advance to carry out conduct of this

type when the weather conditions were adequate.”

Prosecutors said that according to Mondaca’s testimony, there was an economic motive behind the plot—providing more work in fighting fires. They said they had not ruled out the possibility of more people being involved.

The commander of the Valparaiso Fire Department, Vicente Maggiolo, said, "We are very dismayed by the situation."

Maggiolo called it an isolated incident and said it should not tarnish the work of the fire department. "We have been saving lives for more than 170 years," he told TVN.

Tornado causes damage, injuries as severe storms sweep through Texas and Oklahoma

By KEN MILLER The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY—A tornado touched down and crossed an interstate in Texas, causing damage and possible injuries as scattered severe storms moved through Texas and Oklahoma Saturday night.

Forecasters issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of both states, as some heat records were broken during the day in South Texas and residents received triple-digit temperature warnings over the long holiday weekend.

A tornado crossed into northern Denton County in Texas late Saturday and overturned tractor-trailer trucks, stopping traffic on Interstate 35, Denton County Community Relations Director Dawn Cobb said in a statement.

The tornado was confirmed near Valley View, moving east at 40 mph (64 kph), prompting the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning for northern Denton County, Cobb said.

The storm damaged homes, overturned motorhomes and knocked down power lines and trees throughout the area including points in Sanger, Pilot Point, Ray Roberts Lake and Isle du Bois State Park, Cobb said, adding that the number of injuries in the county was not immediately known.

The fire department in the city of Denton, about 37 miles (59.5 kilometers) north of Forth Worth, Texas, posted on X that emergency personnel were responding to a marina "for multiple victims, some reported trapped.”

Earlier Saturday night, the National Weather Service’s office in Norman, Oklahoma, said via the social platform X that the warning was for northern Noble and far southern Kay counties, an area located to the north of Oklahoma City. “If you are in the path of this storm take cover now!” it said.

A following post at 10:05 p.m. said storms had exited the area but warned of a storm moving across north Texas that could affect portions of south central Oklahoma.

At 10:24 p.m., the weather service office in Fort Worth posted a message warning residents in Era and Valley View they were in the direct path of a possible tornado and to immediately seek shelter. The Forth Worth office continued to post notices and shelter warnings tracking the movement of the storm through midnight and separately issued a severe thunderstorm warning with "golf ball sized hail" possible.

The weather service office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, warned on X of a dangerous storm moving across the northeast part of the state through 2 a.m. and issued severe thunderstorm notices for communities including Hugo, Boswell, Fort Towson, Grainola, Foraker and Herd.

The Norman office had compared conditions Saturday to “a gasoline-soaked brush pile.” Forecasters said any storms that form could explode with large hail, dangerous winds and tornadoes.

“There’s a small chance most of the matches are duds and we only see a few storms today. Still, that’s not a match I would want to play with. It only takes one storm to be

impactful,” it said via Facebook.

Excessive heat, especially for May, was the danger in South Texas, where the heat index was forecast to approach 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in some spots during the weekend. Actual temperatures will be lower, although still in triple-digit territory, but the humidity will make it feel that much hotter.

The region is on the north end of a heat dome stretching from Mexico to South America, National Weather Service meteorologist Zack Taylor said.

Sunday looks like the hottest day with record highs for late May forecast for Austin, Brownsville, Dallas and San Antonio, Taylor said.

Brownsville and Harlingen near the Texas-Mexico border already set new records Saturday for the May 25 calendar date—99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), respectively—according to the weather service.

Red Flag fire warnings were also in place in West Texas, all of New Mexico and parts of Oklahoma, Arizona and Colorado. Humidity was very low, under 10%, and wind gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) were recorded.

“We’ve got very dry air, warm temperatures and strong winds creating a high fire danger over a wide area...that can lead to rapidly spreading or uncontrollable fires,” Taylor said.

Meanwhile, several inches of snow fell Friday into early Saturday in Rolla, North Dakota, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Canadian border.

April and May have been a busy month for tornadoes, especially in the Midwest. Climate change is heightening the severity of storms around the world.

April saw the United States’ second-highest number of tornadoes on record. So far for 2024, the country is already 25 percent ahead of the average number of twisters, according to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman. Iowa was hit hard this week, when a deadly twister devastated Greenfield. And other storms brought flooding and wind damage elsewhere in the state.

Christian Little, executive director of the forestry department, described the detention of a former official as "a pain" for the agency. Both the fire department and forestry agency said they would tighten hiring procedures. The megafire began February 2 in the Lago Peñuelas nature reserve, in the central region of Chile, and for several days burned several communes, including destroying more than 10,000 homes. It is considered Chile’s worst tragedy

magnitude 8.8 earthquake killed more than 500 people on February 27, 2010.

Leaders of China, Japan arrive in S. Korea for their first trilateral meeting since 2019

By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—Leaders of China and Japan arrived in Seoul to meet separately with South Korea's president on Sunday, a day before they gather for their first trilateral meeting in more than four years.

No major announcement is expected from Monday’s trilateral South Korea-China-Japan meeting. But just resuming their highest-level, three-way talks is a good sign and suggests the three Asian neighbors are intent on improving their relations.

A trilateral leaders' meeting was supposed to take place annually following their inaugural gathering in 2008. But the meeting has stalled since the last one in December 2019 in Chengdu, China because of the Covid-19 pandemic and complex ties among the three countries.

After their arrivals in Seoul on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are to hold bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss ways to promote cooperation and other issues, according to South Korean officials. Li and Kishida are expected to meet bilaterally as well. When Yoon, Li and Kishida meet for a trilateral session on Monday, they’ll discuss cooperation in six specific areas—peopleto-people exchanges, climate change, trade, health issues, technology and disaster responses, according to South Korea's presidential office.

Sensitive topics like North Korea's nuclear program, China's claim over self-governed Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South

China Sea are not among the official agenda items. But some experts say North Korea'’ nuclear program—which poses a major security threat to South Korea and Japan—will likely be discussed among the three leaders though it's unclear whether and how much they would publicize the contents of their discussions.

The three neighbors are important trading partners to one another, and their cooperation is key to promoting regional peace and prosperity. They together make up about 25% of global gross domestic product. But the three countries have been repeatedly embroiled in bitter disputes over a range of historical and diplomatic issues originating from Japan's wartime atrocities. China’s rise and a US push reinforce its Asian alliances have also significantly impacted their three-

way ties in recent years.

South Korea and Japan are both vibrant democracies and key US military allies in the region, but their ties in past years suffered a huge setback over the issue of Korean forced laborers during the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial period. Bilateral ties have warmed dramatically since last year, when Yoon took a major step toward moving beyond historical grievances to cope with shared challenges like North Korean nuclear threats, the intensifying Chinese-US rivalry and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Since 2022, North Korea has been engaged in an unprecedentedly provocative run of weapons tests to build powerful nuclear missiles capable of hitting key sites in the mainland US, South Korea and Japan. In response, South Korea, Japan and the US have

expanded their trilateral security partnership, but that has drawn rebukes from China and North Korea.

South Korea, Japan and the US want China—North Korea’s major ally and economic pipeline—to use its leverage to persuade the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions. But China is believed to have clandestinely supported the impoverished North.

Experts say South Korea, China and Japan now share a need to improve ties. South Korea and Japan want better ties with China because it is their biggest trading partner. China, for its part, likely believes a further strengthening of the South Korea-Japan-US cooperation would hurt its national interests.

Before his departure at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Kishida said it is “very meaningful” for leaders of the three countries to get together and discuss areas of cooperation among them and other regional and international issues.

South Korean and Chinese officials also expressed hopes that the trilateral meeting would enhance three-way cooperation.

China, meanwhile, has always sent its premier, the country's No. 2 official, to the trilateral leaders' meeting since its first session in 2008. Observers say China earlier argued that under then-collective leadership, its premier was chiefly in charge of economic affairs and best suited to attend the meeting, which largely focuses on economic issues.

But they say China may face more demands for President Xi Jinping to attend because he has concentrated power in his hands and defied the norms of collective leadership. Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

Ahead of another syria donor conference, humanitarian workers fear more aid cuts

By Kareem Chehayeb & Omar Albam

The Associated Press

BEIRUT, Lebanon—Living in a tent in rebel-held northwestern Syria, Rudaina al-Salim and her family struggle to find enough water for drinking and other basic needs such as cooking and washing. Their encampment north of the city of Idlib hasn't seen any aid in six months.

"We used to get food aid, hygiene items," said the mother of four. "Now we haven't had much in a while."

Al-Salim's story is similar to that of many in this region of Syria, where most of the 5.1 million people have been internally displaced— sometimes more than once—in the country's civil war, now in its 14th year, and rely on aid to survive.

UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations have for years struggled with shrinking budgets, further worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and conflicts elsewhere. The wars in Ukraine and Sudan, and more recently Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip are the focus of the world's attention.

Syria's war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million, has long remained largely frozen and so are also efforts to find a viable political solution to end it. Meanwhile, millions of Syrians have been pulled into poverty, and struggle with accessing food and health care as the economy deteriorates across

the country's front lines.

Along with the deepening poverty, there is growing hostility in neighboring countries that host Syrian refugees and that struggle with crises of their own.

Aid organizations are now making their annual pitches to donors ahead of a fundraising conference in Brussels for Syria on Monday. But humanitarian workers believe that pledges will likely fall short and that further aid cuts would follow.

"We have moved from assisting 5.5 million a year to about 1.5 million people in Syria," Carl Skau, the UN World Food Program's deputy executive director, told The Associated Press. He spoke during a recent visit to Lebanon, which hosts almost 780,000 registered Syrian refugees—and hundreds of thousands of others who are undocumented.

"When I look across the world, this is the (aid) program that has shrunk the most in the shortest period for time," Skau said.

Just 6 percent of the United Nations' appeal for aid to Syria in 2024 has so far been secured ahead of Monday's annual fundraising conference organized by the European Union, said David Carden, UN deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria.

For the northwestern region of Syria, that means the UN is only able to feed 600,000 out of the 3.6 million people facing food insecurity, meaning they lack access to sufficient food. The UN says some 12.9 million Syrians are food insecure across the country.

The UN hopes the Brussels conference can raise more than $4 billion in "lifesaving aid" to support almost two-thirds of the 16.7 million Syrians in need, both within the war-torn country and in neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

At last year's conference, donors pledged $10.3 billion—about $6 billion in grants and the rest in loans—just months after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and much of northern Syria, killing over 59,000 people, including 6,000 in Syria.

For northwestern Syria, an enclave under rebel control, aid "is literally a matter of life and death" this year, Carden told the AP during a recent visit to Idlib province. Without funding, 160 health facilities there would close by end of June, he said.

The International Rescue Committee's head for Syria, Tanya Evans, said needs are "at their highest ever," with increasing numbers of Syrians turning to child labor and taking on debt to pay for food and basics.

In Lebanon, where nearly 90 percent of Syrian refugees live in poverty, they also face flagging aid and increasing resentment from the Lebanese, struggling with their own country's economic crisis since 2019. Disgruntled officials have accused the refugees of surging crime and competition in the job market.

Lebanon's bickering political parties have united in a call for a crackdown on undocumented Syrian migrants and demand refugees

return to so-called "safe zones" in Syria.

UN agencies, human rights groups and Western governments say there are no such areas.

Um Omar, a Syrian refugee from Homs, works in a grocery store in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli—an impoverished community that once warmly welcomed Syrian refugees.

For her work, she gets to bring home every day a bundle of bread and some vegetables to feed her family of five. They live rent-free in a tent on a plot of land that belongs to the grocery store's owners.

"I have to leave the kids early in the morning without breakfast so I can work," she said, asking to be identified only by her nickname, A rabic for "Omar's mother." She fears reprisals because of heightened hostilities against Syrians.

The shrinking UN aid they receive does not pay the bills. Her husband, who shares her fears for their safety, used to work as a day laborer but has rarely left their home in weeks.

She says deportation to Syria, where President Bashar Assad's government is firmly entrenched, would spell doom for her family.

"If my husband was returned to Syria, he'll either go to jail or (face) forced conscription," she explains. Still, many in Lebanon tell her family, "you took our livelihoods," Um Omar said. There are also those who tell them they should leave, she added, so that the Lebanese "will finally catch a break." Albam reported from Harbnoush, Syria.

Aid trucks begin entering Gaza under agreement with Egypt to bypass Rafah

By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—Aid trucks entered Gaza from southern Israel on Sunday through a new agreement to bypass the Rafah crossing with Egypt after Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of it earlier this month. But was unclear if humanitarian groups would be able to access the aid because of ongoing fighting in the area.

Egypt refuses to reopen its side of the Rafah crossing until control of the Gaza side is handed back to Palestinians. It agreed to temporarily divert traffic through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's main cargo terminal, after a call between US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. But that crossing has been largely inaccessible because of fighting linked to Israel’s offensive in the nearby city of Rafah. Israel says it has allowed hun -

dreds of trucks to enter, but United Nations agencies say it is usually too dangerous to retrieve the aid on the other side.

The war between Israel and Hamas, now in its eighth month, has killed over 35,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its count. Around 80 percent of the population’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes, severe hunger is widespread and UN officials say parts of the territory are experiencing famine.

Hamas triggered the war with its October 7 attack into Israel, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seized some 250 hostages. Hamas is still holding some 100 hostages and the remains of around 30 others after most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year.

Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera TV aired footage of what it said were trucks entering Gaza through Ker -

em Shalom. Khaled Zayed, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent in the Sinai Peninsula, which handles the delivery of aid from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, told The Associated Press that 200 aid trucks and four fuel trucks are scheduled to be sent to Kerem Shalom on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear if the UN was able to retrieve the aid from the Gaza side.

Southern Gaza has been largely cut off from aid since Israel launched what it says is a limited incursion into Rafah on May 6. Since then, over 1 million Palestinians have fled the city, with most having already been displaced from other parts of the besieged territory.

G7 officials make progress but no final deal on money for Ukraine from Russian assets

By David Mchugh AP Business Writer

FRANKFURT, Germany—Finance officials from the Group of Seven rich democracies said they had moved toward agreement on a US proposal to squeeze more money for Ukraine from Russian assets frozen in their countries. But the ministers left a final deal to be worked out ahead of a June summit of national leaders.

"We are making progress in our discussions on potential avenues to bring forward the extraordinary profits stemming from immobilized Russian sovereign assets to the benefit of Ukraine," the draft statement said, without providing details.

Despite the progress made at the meeting in Stresa, on the shores of Lago Maggiore in northern Italy, a final decision on how the assets will be used will rest with the G7 national leaders, including US President Joe Biden, next month at their annual summit in Fasano, in southern Italy.

Host Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said that “progress has been made so far” but that there were “legal and technical issues that have to be overcome.”

“It is not an easy task but we are working on it,” he said at a news conference following the end of the meeting.

Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko joined the finance ministers and central bank heads at their concluding session on Saturday. “I am satisfied with the progress,” he told journalists afterwards. He said the G7 ministers “are working very hard to find a reliable construction for Ukraine."

The US C”ngress has passed legislation allowing the Biden administration to seize the roughly $5 billion in Russian assets located in the US, but European countries have a strong voice in the matter since most of the $260 billion in Russian central bank assets frozen after the February 24, 2022, invasion are held in their jurisdictions. Citing legal concerns, European officials have balked at outright confiscating the money and handing it to Ukraine as compensation for the destruction caused by Russia.

Instead, they plan use the interest accumulating on the assets, but that’s only around $3 billion a year—about one month's financing needs for the Ukrainian government.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is pushing for borrowing against the future interest income from the frozen assets.

That would mean Ukraine could be given as much as $50 billion immediately. But the proposal has run into concerns from European members about the legal complexities, and about concerns that Russia could retaliate against the diminished number of Western companies and individuals who still have holdings in Russia, or against the Euroclear securities depository in Belgium where the bulk of the funds is held.

Northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the UN’s World Food Program says famine is already underway, is still receiving aid through two land routes that Israel opened in the face of worldwide outrage after Israeli strikes killed seven aid workers in April. A few dozen trucks have also been entering Gaza daily through a US-built floating pier, but its capacity remains far below the 150 trucks a day that officials had hoped for. Aid groups say the territory needs a total of 600 trucks a

Russia has published a decree from President Vladimir Putin allowing confiscation of assets of US companies and individuals as compensation for any Russian assets seized in the United States. The ministers also discussed what to do about China’s outsized, state-backed production of green energy technology, which the US considers a threat to the global economy. The US has imposed major new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China. Included is a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made EVs, meant to protect the US economy from cheap Chinese imports. The US position has been that Chinese overcapacity is an issue not just for the US but also for other G7 and developing countries. That’s because China’s selling of low-priced goods threatens the existence of competing companies around the world. The G7 is an informal forum that holds an annual summit to discuss economic policy and security issues. The member countries are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Representatives of the

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, center left, is welcomed by Kim hong-kyun, right, south Korean 1st vice foreign minister, as the premier arrives for a trilateral meeting at the seoul airport in seongnam, south Korea on sunday, May 26, 2024.

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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Escudero: Senate to prioritize bill amending RTL

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

THE likelihood of enacting the measure amending the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) within the year has been boosted with the Senate leadership’s tacit assurance that the version in the upper chamber would get priority attention in plenary once Congress reopens in July.

According to new Senate President Chiz Escudero, “my understanding is that Senator [Cynthia[ Villar will finish all

hearings on the RTL amendments bills while we’re in recess...and when we resume, we will tackle the [RTL] bill in plenary.”

Congress adjourned sine die last week and will reopen when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona).

The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading its own version of the amended RTL.

Escudero said in a radio interview on Sunday he shared some lawmakers’ concern about vesting anew in the National Food Authority (NFA) the mandate to import rice.

Villar, chair of the Agriculture committee, had disagreed with some peers in the lower House

who wanted this. She said the NFA should be mandated mainly to ensure the country has a stable buffer stock to avoid artificial shortages and stabilize prices. She added that its record of importation has been marked with corruption and should not return.

Speaking partly in Filipino, Escudero said the mandate to import should not be restored to the NFA.

“Matuto naman tayo, huwag nating ulitin ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan.

[Let’s learn our lesson, let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past].”

The current practice of allowing only the private sector to import rice has burned government because it did not produce the intended effect of bringing down prices. Escudero said, however,

‘Nescafe program raised coffee output of PHL farmers’

Fthat government had no control over the private sector’s release of rice stocks into the market.

If the government—but not through the NFA—has some sort of leverage because it also imports, the private traders will have to compete and shun their unfair practices of hoarding or profiteering. “Mabubulukan sila ng bigas kasi ang gobyerno merong murang bigas .[They’ll face rotting rice because the government has cheap rice to offer].”

‘Stop sending signals’

MEANWHILE , Escudero had an unsolicited advice to government: stop announcing how much it will import and when, to avoid driving up global prices.

The Senate chief said in dismay

that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is another entity that likes to project Manila’s importation plans, something that, he said, “hindi ko alam kung bakit at ano’ng pakialam nila. [I don’t know why they do that and what is their business].”

He recalled how, during the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her administration’s announcement of plans to import caused global prices to shoot up to record levels, and gave the Philippines the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest rice importer—deemed an irony then because it hosts the International Rice Research Institute that trained generations of rice experts around the world.

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

ARMERS in the Philippines

increased the productivity of their coffee plantations through Nescafe’s program last year, an official of Nestle Philippines said.

Nescafé Plan 2030’s latest progress report showed that farmers in Honduras, India, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam achieved a 5-percent to a 25-percent increase in coffee productivity per hectare (ha) compared to 2022.

Jose Uy III, senior vice president and head of corporate affairs at Nestlé Philippines, said some 8,000 farmers that the company trained were able to produce 1 metric ton (MT) of coffee beans per ha.

However, Uy said this is still lower than 2 MT per ha average output of Vietnam, where the Philippines imports most of its coffee requirements.

“Kulang pa kasi tayo [Output is still not enough]. We want coffee production to rise to Vietnam’s level,” Uy told reporters on the sidelines of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month Celebration and Kick-off of the Robusta Coffee Planting Season in Bukidnon. He said farmers must practice regenerative agriculture, which improves biodiversity and protects soil fertility by restoring the land’s nutrients.

“The key is that we also bring back the health of our land. Normally when you always harvest, you also uproot the nutrients so we practice regenerative agriculture,” he said.

Among these regenerative farming practices are composting, agroforestry, cover crops, and intercropping.

“We want farmers to not be

just dependent on coffee because you can harvest coffee only once a year. Nestle wants to teach farmers to become agripreneurs, to do intercropping.”

Uy said the company would encourage farmers to also plant abaca, high-value cash crops or coconut.

He said this is in keeping with the company’s goal of helping the Philippines become self-sufficient in coffee and eventually export the commodity.

“That is what we envision (exports), but the sufficiency level of Philippine coffee is below 50 percent so we still have a long way to go.”

An industry roadmap prepared by the Department of Agriculture indicated that the country’s coffee self-sufficiency level is only 15 percent.

The DA’s coffee roadmap intends to increase the country’s self-sufficiency in coffee to 39.46 percent and the farmers’ average yield to 2 MT per ha by 2026.

Record-high fish unloading posted in April at 60.2K MT

THE Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) recorded its highest fish unloading in the agency’s history in April with 60,256.88 metric tons (MT) delivered in the country’s regional fish ports (RFP). The volume last month was also higher compared to last year’s 44,721.05 MT.

The agency said that April’s catch represented a 9-percent

increase from the previous month’s unloading. “All RFPs experienced a significant jump in their month-onmonth records,” the PFDA said. It added that the General Santos Fish Port Complex accounted for nearly half of the total unloading record delivered to consumers for the month at 28,027.19 MT. The Navotas Fish Port Complex trailed behind with 23,344.29

MT of unloading volume.

The Bulan Fish Port Complex and Lucena Fish Port Complex had a positive fish unloading trend for April. The Luzon ports unloaded 3,152.15 MT and 2,030.36 MT of fish to consumers, respectively.

For the sole Visayas port, the Iloilo Fish Port Complex recorded a “steady and increasing” monthly fish unloading volume since January as it unloaded 2,570.82 MT of

fish last month.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex and Davao Fish Port Complex had 752.43 MT and 307.03 MT of fishery and non-fishery products, respectively.

The PFDA noted that the Sual Fish Port and Camaligan Fish Port bounced back from their previous month’s record, with 69.93 MT and 2.68 MT of fish delivered to consumers, respectively. Ada Pelonia

Food inflation fears rekindled as crop index erases 2024 loss

AN index of major crops wiped out its 2024 loss as bad weather stokes worries about harvests from wheat to coffee, reviving concerns about rising food prices.

Droughts, frosts and heavy rain are popping up across key growers,

of subdued inflation in the grocery aisle. Climate change and geopolitical concerns are likely to keep crop prices elevated, said Paul Bloxham, HSBC Holdings Plc’s chief economist for global commodities. Chicago wheat futures on Friday traded near the highest since July as poor weather in major exporters from Australia to Russia raises concerns over supplies.

Deteriorating harvest prospects in top shipper Russia have fueled the gains, with more downgrades likely in the next couple of weeks, Dennis Voznesenski, associate director of sustainable and agricultural economics at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said in a weekly report. Robusta coffee prices—another component of the index—are

headed for a roughly 9-percent weekly gain, the biggest since last December as dry weather in key producer Vietnam puts the world on track for a fourth year of robusta deficits. Orange juice set a fresh intraday record Friday on the back of a sinking Brazilian harvest, and weather woes have also lifted benchmark Asian rice prices to the cusp of a 15-year high.

Cocoa futures in New York are poised for a weekly gain of almost 12 percent. Futures have resumed a rally due to falling bean inventories in exchange-monitored warehouses amid uncertainty over next season’s crop. Prices are expected to remain high throughout the current season’s mid-crop, supported by the market fundamentals, the International Cocoa Organization said in a report Wednesday. Bird flu

THE United States Department of Agriculture has banned imports of some poultry products from Australia’s Victoria state after the detection of an outbreak of avian flu. The restrictions, announced Friday, cover both birds and eggs and will remain in force until further notice, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said in a release. The curbs only apply to products that have originated from, or transited through, Victoria and does not include other Australian states. Bloomberg News

THE new refinery built by Garcia Refinery Corp. (Gareco) will help spur the development of the local palm oil industry, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA said Gareco had formed partnerships with 63 farmers to manage a total 3,065 hectares of farm land planted to palm oil trees. The potential supplier of palm oil nuts is much bigger since Sultan Kudarat alone palm oil trees have been planted on 14,000 hectares of farm land.

“The establishment of the first palm oil refinery in the Soccksargen region underscores the immense potential for growth and development within the palm oil sector. This embodies the aspiration of the industry stakeholders to become a dynamic, innovative, and self-sufficient industry that provides benefits and stable supply of vegetable oils for the country,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

Socsksargen refers to a region in Mindanao that groups South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

“The new Gareco refinery brings more than just infrastructure; it brings hope and

opportunities. It will create job opportunities for local communities in Socsksargen, providing employment to oil palm farmers, laborers, and other stakeholders involved in the palm oil value chain. It is likewise poised to stimulate economic growth in the region, thereby enhancing the quality of life for many,” Laurel added.

The DA said the palm oil refinery, which is funded with loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), will produce high-quality palm oil derivatives such as palm olein, palm stearin, margarine, and other products for both the local and international markets.

Laurel said the DA through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), “is committed to proactively nurture the growth and development of the palm oil industry.” He added that the fiveyear palm oil roadmap has recently been updated to support the industry.

“The department is committed to collaborating closely with stakeholders, including the private sector partners such as GARECO, in addressing challenges, promoting innovation, and ensuring the inclusive growth of the Philippine palm oil industry.” Ada Pelonia

FAO unveils updated biodiversity action plan

THE Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently launched its updated action plan for mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors.

FAO also said it is prepared to embark on several new biodiversity-related initiatives.

“Biodiversity is the potential of food diversity in the future,” FAO DirectorGeneral Qu Dongyu said in a video message for UN celebrations of International Day for Biological Diversity last May 22.

Qu said biodiversity: “is what we farm, catch, harvest and cultivate. It is what supports our food networks from pollinators to micro-organisms in our soils. It is what prospers livelihoods of farmers, forest managers and dwellers, fishers, livestock keepers and pastoralists across the world.”

FAO said the 2024-2027 action plan, which superseds an earlier 2021-2023 document, has been further streamlined better to serve the strategy’s aims to reduce the negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity, to promote sustainable agricultural practices and to conserve, enhance, preserve and restore biodiversity as a whole.

The action plan sets out a wide range of deliverables including support for countries in the implementation and monitoring of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Biodiversity Plan).

Meanwhile, earlier this month, three project concepts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Palau, and Samoa became the first FAO-led submissions to be approved under the Global Environment Facility’s Global Biodiversity Framework Fund. The new fund was launched in August 2023 and mobilizes investment for countries—especially Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries—to achieve the targets of the Biodiversity Plan.

Once fully designed and implemented, FAO said the three projects will direct over $7.8 million and leverage $14.2 million in co-financing to achieve targets of the Biodiversity Plan.

All three projects will support Indigenous Peoples to conserve and use sustainably biodiversity and strengthen their stewardship of natural resources.

According for FAO’s State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, the world has up to 783 million people suffering from chronic hunger and that a quarter of the world’s children under the age of five are stunted.

“Conserving, using sustainably and restoring biodiversity, while mitigating the uncertainties associated with climate change has never been so important for food security and nutrition.”

“The new FAO Action Plan fully aligns with the Biodiversity Plan and includes FAO’s Biodiversity Knowledge Hub, providing a ‘one-stop shop’ to facilitate access to knowledge on biodiversity for food and agriculture. It compiles over 350 tools, guidelines and other resources on biodiversity developed by FAO that can be searched and filtered, including by targets of the Biodiversity Plan.”

Palm oil refinery opens

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Steel exports to Canada highlight the Philippines’ global competitiveness editorial

The recent news of SteelAsia, the country’s leading steel company, shipping reinforced steel bars worth P1.5 billion to Canada for its Subway System is a significant milestone for the country’s steel industry. This achievement not only showcases the capabilities of a homegrown company but also highlights the potential for growth and development in this crucial sector. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “SteelAsia ships P1.5 billion worth of bars for Canada subway,” May 24, 2024).

As the backbone of the nation’s progress, the iron and steel industry plays a vital role in achieving sustainable economic growth and ensuring long-term prosperity for the Philippines. The shipment of high-strength steel bars to Canada for its subway infrastructure demonstrates the trust and confidence that international markets have in the quality and reliability of Philippine steel products. With six shipments already completed and more planned for this year, SteelAsia’s success is a testament to its commitment to excellence and its ability to meet the demanding requirements of global projects.

The involvement of SteelAsia in the Cebu-Cordova Bridge project, which subsequently led to its partnership with Acciona, the contractor for the Vancouver South Coast project, showcases the company’s capacity to contribute not only to local infrastructure development but also to international endeavors. This interconnectedness between projects at home and abroad highlights the potential for growth and expansion of the Philippine steel industry on a global scale.

Furthermore, the upcoming commissioning of the Philippines’ first steel sections mill in Lemery, Batangas is a significant step towards reducing the country’s dependence on imported steel products. By producing essential steel sections such as H beams, I beams, and angle bars for infrastructure projects, the industry aims to lower construction costs and generate employment opportunities for Filipinos. This development aligns with the industry’s vision of becoming a major producer of high-quality and safe steel products for domestic consumption, reducing the need for imports by 2030.

To realize this vision and achieve sustainable growth, it is crucial for the government and stakeholders to support the iron and steel industry. The industry has identified several key measures that would facilitate its growth, including the reduction of import costs, addressing revenue losses due to unfair competition, lowering electricity and logistics costs, encouraging investments, and expanding the skilled workforce. By implementing these measures, the industry can overcome challenges and flourish, contributing to the country’s economic development and creating a favorable environment for both local and foreign investors.

The iron and steel industry’s importance extends beyond its direct contributions to infrastructure projects. Its outputs serve as essential inputs for other sectors such as electronics, appliance manufacturing, and shipbuilding. By strengthening the steel industry, the Philippines ensures a robust supply chain and supports the growth of various industries, thereby fostering a thriving and diversified economy.

SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation’s Chair and CEO Benjamin Yao deserves praise for his remarkable achievement in successfully promoting Philippine steel products on the global stage. As the country’s premier steel company, SteelAsia’s accomplishments serve as a testament to the industry’s potential and its capacity to drive economic growth and progress. Its success in exporting steel bars to Canada highlights the country’s ability to produce world-class products that meet international standards.

The Philippine steel industry holds immense potential for growth and development. To fully realize this potential, a collaborative effort is essential, involving the government, industry players, and all stakeholders. By working together, we can provide the necessary support to foster a sustainable, selfreliant, and globally competitive steel industry. This will not only benefit the industry itself but also contribute significantly to the Philippines’ long-term economic prosperity.

BusinessMirror

Initiatives to preserve our cultural heritage

WRISING SUN

e want to support efforts to preserve our cultural heritage, such as the upcoming series of heritage talks and lectures happening from May to July this year. The first one will be held tomorrow, May 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Building. It will focus on the “Textiles of Basilan,” facilitated by Mr. earl Pasilan, a renowned authority on Basilan’s textiles. “With years of dedication to studying and promoting the artistry of Basilan’s weavers, he brings unparalleled insight into the intricate world of these vibrant fabrics and the unique culture of the province.”

The June event will take place on the 26th at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Titled “Red Cloth Reconsidered,” the talk of Dr. Cherie Quizon will be all about the significance of red cloth in various cultural contexts. On July 24, Dr. Norma Respicio will give a talk on “Itneg Textiles, Design, and Meaning.” Dr. Respicio, “an esteemed researcher specializing in Itneg textiles, will shed light on the intricate

patterns and profound symbolism embedded in Itneg weaving traditions through her expertise in textile design and cultural anthropology.”

Those who wish to register for any of these talks may visit the social media pages of the DFA and look for the registration link.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts administers the National Endowment Fund for

The NCCA provides grants to artists and cultural groups whose projects contribute significantly to the Filipino cultural legacy as a means to extend artistic achievement. The NCCA grants financial support to projects aimed at developing, protecting, preserving, and disseminating information about Philippine arts and culture. To learn more about the priority projects for 2025, interested parties may visit [NCCA Competitive Grants Program] (https://ncca. gov.ph/ncca-competitive-grantsprogram/).

Culture and the Arts; and the NCCA has just opened the call for proposals for the 2025 program. The deadline for submission of proposals is August 31, 2024.

The NCCA provides grants to artists and cultural groups whose projects contribute significantly to the Filipino cultural legacy as a means to extend artistic achievement. The NCCA grants financial support to projects aimed at developing, protecting, preserving, and

disseminating information about Philippine arts and culture. To learn more about the priority projects for 2025, interested parties may visit [NCCA Competitive Grants Program] (https://ncca.gov.ph/ncca-competitivegrants-program/).

Additionally, there is an opportunity for Philippine publishers to display their publications at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2024. The National Book Development Board has issued an open call for books; publishers may submit copies of their publications until July 14, 2024, to be considered for the Rights Catalog and Book Sales Display at the FBM 2024. Publishers will be notified about their approved titles by July 30, 2024. Hailed as the oldest and most significant international publishing industry platform, the Frankfurter Buchmesse, or Frankfurt Book Fair, offers an exceptional opportunity for rights selling and greater visibility of books to industry professionals from all over the world. For more information, interested publishers may visit [Open Call for Books 2024](https://books.gov.ph/ OpenCallforBooks2024).

Real Estate Investment Trusts: A path to financial inclusion and stable dividends for small investors

GLITO GAGNI

Iven the current sluggish state of the stock market, small investors now have access to a fresh investment option that offers promising quarterly dividends. Real estate Investment Trusts provide an opportunity for individuals to become co-owners of income-generating properties. These ReITs are legally obligated to distribute dividends on a quarterly basis, ensuring a stable income stream for investors.

This is the thesis of an engaging talk that First Metro Securities Corp. Vice President Andoy Beltran gave to the Monday Circle, an advocacy group that aims to provide insights into investments that will provide for financial inclusion, especially for the unbanked, and ensure that small investors do not fall prey to investment scams.

According to Beltran, the Philippines was actually late in the game in the creation of REITs, a phenomenon that started in the United States in the 1960s, which first introduced REITs that own community shopping centers, railroads and later racetracks in the ’70s, movie houses in the ’80s, as well as car dealerships and even medical offices.

What is great about the REITs is that investing into one means getting cash dividends every quarter, which is 90 percent of the REIT’s income. In short, where an investor is dependent on the board of directors for the dividend declaration, in a REIT stock, it is a requirement of the law.

Beltran sees the creation of REITs as a possible impetus to ignite a business renaissance that will lead to the entry of more retail investors, a vibrant business culture and a paradigm shift in investments into enterprises that will lead to economic growth.

For instance, a REIT can be created from companies that offer senior care, parking buildings, sports

Beltran sees the creation of REITs as a possible impetus to ignite a business renaissance that will lead to the entry of more retail investors, a vibrant business culture and a paradigm shift in investments into enterprises that will lead to economic growth.

facilities, cold storage, and other bigticket items. In fact, one particular REIT that First Metro recommends is that of Citicore REIT, which is both a play on renewable energy as well as property development.

Other REITs that First Metro ticks off as great buys from its investment standpoint are Ayala REIT, Megaworld REIT, and Robinson’s Land REIT. These REITs that are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange provide the kind of steady income that retail investors will need, which will help them avoid becoming victims of Ponzi schemes.

Beltran said that the REIT law gained traction when the TRAIN Law, which was sponsored by House Committee of Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, removed the 12 percent VAT that the old law required. That provided the signal for the entry of the first REIT, that of Areit sponsored by Ayala Land. In the case of Ayala Land, it trans-

ferred ownership of real estate assets to Areit in exchange for equity. Thus, investors in Areit can get cash dividends from out of the earnings of the properties such as malls and hotels. Also, the law requires that the proceeds from the transfer of real estate properties will have to be reinvested in the Philippines. This key point, according to Beltran, ensures that the money raised is put into good use within the Philippines. “This is a game changer,” Beltran told the Monday Circle, which groups together brokers and businessmen with diverse backgrounds from steel industry to cold chains, journalists and lawmakers. A REIT entity begins with a Sponsor, which, in the case of Areit, is Ayala Land. The Sponsor provides and transfers income-generating real estate assets into the REIT corporation. In exchange for the property, the sponsor receives equity ownership over the REIT corporation. In compliance with section 5.1.a. Minimum Public Ownership of the SEC REIT Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the sponsor should

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Antonio L. Cabangon

What the Thai Senate race means and why it’s all different

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

ThAILAnD has kicked off the process to hold its first Senate race since a coup in 2014, after the military-appointed batch completed its five-year term earlier in May. The Election Commission received more than 48,000 submissions after a five-day application period that ended May 24.

Up for grabs are 200 seats in the upper house of the Thai parliament, which for the last decade has largely served to safeguard the interests of the pro-military royalist establishment. The Senate—in its new form—won’t have the power to elect a prime minister but will broadly retain its other roles.

The upper house chamber was in the spotlight for its controversial role in Thailand’s 2023 general election, when it ultimately blocked the prime ministerial candidate of the winning reformist party from assuming power. It used an article in the 2017 military-backed constitution to do so, and later helped install Srettha Thavisin from the runner-up Pheu Thai Party as prime minister. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Senate race.  How will it work?

THe new upper house will have 200 lawmakers compared with 250 members previously. The senators will be from one of the pre-determined 20 civil and professional categories, ranging from farmers to lawyers, women and ethnic minorities.

Candidates must be Thai nationals and at least 40 years old. They cannot be drug addicts, bankrupt, “mentally challenged,” currently in prison or under political bans, according to Senate election rules. Members of the previous post-coup Senate and political parties were not eligible to apply.

Senate aspirants had to pay 2,500 baht ($68) in fees, a figure that’s at least six times the daily minimum wage. The process was criticized by some who see it as excluding people who don’t have disposable income.

The election Commission will vet all submissions and publish the list of candidates who qualify for the next round by May 29. The polls are set for June 9-26. Results are expected by July 2. The new Senate will also have a term of five years.

Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, 76, and prominent prodemocracy activist Anurak Jeantawanich, 55, are among the applicants, according to a database published by the election Commission on May 25. Anurak has said he is hoping to help push reform agendas from the legislative chambers after spending decades on the ground. Somchai is the brother-in-law of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as Pheu Thai Party’s de facto leader.

How democratic will the election be?

FROM 2000 until the 2014 coup, senators were either wholly or partially elected by Thai voters. Under the new system, the general public will have no role in picking the new senators.

The 2024 Senate election will use a so-called “self-selection” process for the first time. Qualified applicants will vote among themselves— for each other within their group and across the 20 groups—at different levels from local to provincial and

The 2024 Senate election will use a so-called “self-selection” process for the first time. Qualified applicants will vote among themselves—for each other within their group and across the 20 groups—at different levels from local to provincial and national. The top 10 candidates from each group will make up the new Senate.

national. The top 10 candidates from each group will make up the new Senate.

Applicants are prohibited from promoting themselves to the general public, including putting up posters in public places, giving media interviews, or mentioning the monarchy, according to rules published by the election Commission in late April.

How involved can political parties be?

THe Senate election law states that executive leaders or those who hold formal titles in political parties are prohibited from any action that may influence the race. Wrongdoers will face up to 10 years in jail and 200,000 baht in fines.

The same ban and penalties apply to those holding political office, lawmakers in the lower house and local administrative officials. Applicants who accept help from political parties or political office holders also face punishment and will have their electoral rights revoked.

Some political and civil groups have tried to skirt the rules. The Progressive Movement, a group linked to the opposition Move Forward Party, said it is aiming to see at least 70 independent senators from its campaign for public representation in the upper house.

Why is this election important?

THe upcoming election will determine how tight a grip the conservative establishment will be able to maintain on one of the most important political institutions in Thailand, and how resistant it will be to progressive agendas backed by a growing demographic of voters who crave change.

The Senate will continue to hold crucial roles in Thailand’s legislative process, especially in the amendment of the military-backed constitution that requires support from at least a third of senators to pass. Nearly all attempts to do so after the coup have failed due to Senate votes, despite the proposals clearing the elected lower house.

The upper house also holds the keys to appointments of independent bodies that can sway national politics, including the election Commission and the Constitutional Court. The two agencies have had an outsized role in blocking progressive reforms, especially in dissolving political parties that they deem have broken the rules.  With assistance from Suttinee Yuvejwattana /Bloomberg

When tax and accounting rules meet

Ior

Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

Part two

T was the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) that issued the guidelines on tax planning and related services revisions to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) (https://www.ethicsboard.org/publications/final-pronouncement-revisions-code-addressing-tax-planning-and-related-services) for compliance of accountants.

I believe that these pronouncements should apply not only to accountants doing tax practice, but also to all tax practitioners and professionals, including lawyers and the tax staff of companies. These guidelines intend to move away from a purely mechanical and legalistic approach, to that of a principles-based framework and a global ethical benchmark for tax planning services and activities. This is a policy that should apply to all and sundry, especially those engaged in tax planning and compliance, and not only to accountants. With more and more practitioners and tax advisors following this mindset and

protocols, the period of “aggressive tax planning and compliance” may be mitigated, resulting in a reduction in the drain in government tax coffers as more responsible tax planning strategies will be implemented and complied with. Thus, tax-collecting offices of the government, led by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), should pursue this development of IFAC conjunctly or separately to customize to the BIR’s requirements. It may be more appropriate for the BIR to draft and issue Revenue Regulations that will apply to all tax professionals and practitioners within a framework customized to the BIR practices and

For the BIR, in drafting the regulations for these tax planning rules, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. may want to consider such provisions as reporting of engagements of tax planning, further discussion on the “stepback” test of the IFAC guidelines, and penalties for violations of the provisions of the regulations.

requirements.

Many of the IFAC guidelines’ provisions are relevant to any BIR issuance that it will issue and implement. These include the reasons for the new standards, the coverage of the tax services, and responsibilities of the tax practitioners, establishing a credible basis for formulating tax plans using the “standback test,” handling gray zones, providing for a conceptual framework, addressing disagreement with clients, multi-jurisdictional tax benefits, reliance on products or studies conducted by third parties, and the prescribed documentation. The accountancy profession, led by the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (BOA) and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and other interested parties, are now drafting the revisions to the

Professional Code of et hics, where these tax planning guidelines will be incorporated. I intend to submit my comments before the deadline of June 15, 2024 of PICPA and the June 30, 2025 deadline of BOA. For the BIR, in drafting the regulations for these tax planning rules, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. may want to consider such provisions as reporting of engagements of tax planning, further discussion on the “step-back” test of the IFAC guidelines, and penalties for violations of the provisions of the regulations.

The outcome of this exercise by the Philippine accountancy profession and the tax authorities may be a model for the global tax community to consider emulating as a tool for ethical tax practices.

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the 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,

US sees Chinese ‘provocations’ in military drills around Taiwan

By Rebecca Choong Wilkins

ThE US State Department accused China of “military provocations” for staging expansive military exercises around Taiwan in the wake of President Lai Ching-te’s inauguration.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said 111 Chinese aircraft and dozens of naval vessels surrounded the selfruled island over the past two days. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US is “deeply concerned.”

“We strongly urge Beijing to act with restraint,” he said in a statement on Saturday. “Using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risks escalation and erodes longstanding norms that for decades have maintained peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Beiijng has signaled displeasure with the new government in Taipei, accusing Lai of seeking independence and destabilizing the region. China’s drills were the biggest around Taiwan in a year.

State-run CCTV reported Saturday that the Chinese army has “successfully completed all the missions” directed against Taiwan.

The drills started a “new era of normalized practices,” Zhang Chi, associate professor of the China People’s Liberation Army National Defense University, said in an interview with CCTV. “The PLA will stake a step forward each time the Taiwanese separatists make a provocative act,” Zhang said.

In Washington, the Pentagon said it “remains confident in current US force posture and operations in the Indo-Pacific region” and has “communicated our concerns” about the Chinese exercises.

The exercises were intended to “serve as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces,” China’s Xinhua News Agency reported, citing a military spokesman.

“China’s recent unilateral military provocations have not only undermined the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but also openly provoked the inter-

“China’s recent unilateral military provocations have not only undermined the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but also openly provoked the international order, and aroused serious concern and condemnation from the international community,” Taiwan presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement Saturday. Taipei calls on China to “shoulder global responsibility with Taiwan and work to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the region,” she said.

national order, and aroused serious concern and condemnation from the international community,” Taiwan presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said in a statement Saturday. Taipei calls on China to “shoulder global responsibility with Taiwan and work to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the region,” she said.

The drills add to the complica-

World Bank tallies up war’s ruinous cost for Palestinian economy

By Abeer Abu Omar

ThE Palestinian economy is suffering a “severe blow” as a result of the war in Gaza, facing a widening financing gap alongside deteriorating growth and dire job losses, according to estimates by the World Bank.

The Palestinian Authority’s financing gap is expected to nearly double to as much as $1.2 billion in 2024 from $682 million last year, according to an updated report published by the Washingtonbased institution. That heightens “the risk of disorderly adjustments and a potential imminent fiscal collapse,” it said.

Focusing on financial policies, particularly around improving spending efficiency, “must remain a top priority in the reform agenda,” the report said.

According to the World Bank’s forecasts, nearly half a million jobs have been lost since the start of the war in October, with more than 200,000 of those in the Gaza Strip and 148,000 due to commuters from

the West Bank losing access to work in Israel. Another 144,000 positions have been eliminated in the West Bank “due to escalating violence and the repercussions on supply chains, production capacity, and breadwinners’ ability to access their workplace,” the institution said.

Gross domestic product in the Palestinian economy is forecast to contract between 6.5 percent and 9.4 percent this year, depending on the severity and duration of the conflict in Gaza and on Israel’s policy changes in the West Bank, the report said.

The International Monetary Fund previously said Gaza saw “an almost complete collapse of activity” in the fourth quarter, estimating that cumulative GDP in the Mediter-

According to the World Bank’s forecasts, nearly half a million jobs have been lost since the start of the war in October, with more than 200,000 of those in the Gaza Strip and 148,000 due to commuters from the West Bank losing access to work in Israel. Another 144,000 positions have been eliminated in the West Bank “due to escalating violence and the repercussions on supply chains, production capacity, and breadwinners’ ability to access their workplace,” the institution said.

ranean enclave and the West Bank plunged 6 percent in 2023. Israel is expanding military operations in Rafah, saying one million civilians have now moved out of the city in southern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he’d allow civilians to evacuate before a ground assault on the city, which Israel describes as the last bastion of Hamas leaders and fighters, as well

tions Lai faces, among them a divisive campaign by rival parliamentarians to rein in the president’s powers. The opposition is pushing through changes to the law that would expand lawmakers’ ability to investigate the government, bringing thousands of people on to the streets in protest.

Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the legislature in Taipei on Friday night to rally against the bill, while smaller demonstrations were reported in other cities around the island of 23 million people.

The opposition Kuomintang, China’s preferred negotiating partner in the chipmaking hub, had pushed to finalize the amendments as early as Friday.

The president’s party was able to slow the passage of the bill, ensuring it wasn’t approved before the meeting adjourned around 11:30 p.m. local time. Crowds are expected to gather again Tuesday when the parliament session on the bill is scheduled to resume. There weren’t any protests outside the legislature on Saturday. With assistance from Kathy Chen, Samson Ellis, Debby Wu and Philip Glamann /Bloomberg

as where hostages are being held.

Many of Israel’s allies have urged the Jewish state to agree to a ceasefire, saying the conditions in areas where civilians are being told to move to—such as tented camps north of Rafah—are inadequate. The conflict began when Hamas fighters swarmed into southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s air and ground offensive on Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the US and european Union. Gaza’s income per capita declined to the lowest level on record last year, with GDP per capita dropping an annual 28 percent to just over $1,000.

“Nearly every Gazan is currently poor,” according to the World Bank’s report. “At least one in four Gazans are experiencing catastrophic hunger, and 95 percent of the population is suffering from food insecurity.” Bloomberg

A14 Monday, May 27, 2024

PBBM cites gaming’s role in PHL economy

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

THE gaming sector has made significant contributions to the Philippine economy, helping boost the tourism industry, providing jobs to Filipinos, and improving their lives through social development projects.

P resident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared this at the formal opening Saturday evening of the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, as he noted the “impressive recovery” of the tourism industry after the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have slowly started to witness how hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities, and tourist spots have slowly but surely risen to the challenge of travel resurgence,” he said. Some 5.5 million foreign visitors arrived in 2023, more than double the arrivals in 2022, and 66 percent of the historic-high 8.26-million visitor arrivals in pre-pandemic 2019.

M arcos Jr. described  the new integrated casino resort as a “game

changer in the global hospitality industry.” Owned by Bloomberry Resorts Corp. led by business tycoon Enrique K. Razon, the US$1billion Solaire North occupies 1.5 hectares and stands at 38 stories, with 526 guest rooms and suites, 2,669 electronic gaming machines, and 163 tables across four casino levels. It has various fine-dining options, along with casual restaurants,  bars and lounges. It also offers wellness facilities and a children’s waterpark. I n his welcome remarks, Razon said, “We envision Solaire Resort North to be a destination resort of choice with Solaire’s distinct mark of sophistication and uniqueness in its lifestyle offerings.  We hope

to serve the burgeoning tourism demand north of Metro Manila and the nearby provinces that are enjoying rapid commercial and residential development. We hope to bolster economic activity in Quezon City by encouraging visitors—both Filipinos and foreigners—to explore and discover the city.”

Louise Araneta-Marcos, Razon’s wife Lizzie, Pagcor chairman Al Tengco, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and lawmakers. T he President

100K jobs generated by casinos HE added that aside from the property’s “exceptional” design, cuisine, and entertainment, “there are Solaire’s people—each top notch in their field, all particularly trained and chosen to deliver unparalleled service. All because at Solaire, we don’t just build structures; we create experiences. But beyond the opulence and grandeur lies our unwavering dedication to service.” Solaire North is staffed by 4,200 employees. A lso present at Solaire North’s opening ceremony were First Lady See

QC’S FIRST INTEGRATED CASINO RESORT President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos lead the ribboncutting during the formal opening of SolaireResort North on May 25 with Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Chairman and CEO Enrique Razon Jr. With them are (from left) Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, Mrs. Lizzy Razon and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM PAGCOR

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Napocor to conduct auction for hybridization of SPUG

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

State-owned national Power Corp. (napocor) will soon commence the auction for the accelerated Hybridization Program (aHP) which seeks to entice the private sector to put up renewable energy (Re) facilities in off-grid areas.

Under the AHP, Napocor will bid out four clusters of off-grid areas, such as Batanes, Palawan, Bicol, and Tawi-Tawi. Interested private firms will develop, finance, construct, and operate RE facilities for their chosen clusters. Napocor, for its part, will be the off-taker of the entire electricity generated.

“We will start with four clusters to be a test case structure. The ones we are bidding are Tawi Tawi, Batanes, Bicol and El Nido. So, that’s about 4 out of the 23 clusters of SPUG [Small Power Utilities Group] diesel power plants. So, if this will be successful, we will think about applying it to the rest of other power plants,” said Napocor President and CEO Fernando Martin Y. Roxas. The winning bidders, which will then be identified as Renewable En-

ergy Power Provider (REPP), will be awarded a 20-year Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (REPPA) with Napocor. The state firm will pay the REPP a Subsidized Approved Generation Rate (SAGR).

“It is technologically agnostic, as long as it’s RE. If the SAGR goes up, we will pay 50 percent each. Meaning, if it increases by 50 centavos, bidders will pay 25 centavos and the other 25 centavos will be shouldered by Napocor. However, if it goes down, we will not pay them below what they bid. They have an upside but no downside as the floor price is what they bid,” Roxas said.

Napocor is just finalizing the customized bidding documents for the AHP, with actual bidding to take place in the next few weeks, Roxas said at the sidelines of the Solar and Storage Live Philippines 2024 event in Pasay city last week.

The hybridization project aims to bring down fuel costs incurred by Na-

pocor, as well as reduce the universal charge for missionary electrification (UCME) subsidies. It is also meant to fasttrack efforts to transition the operations of off-grid areas in the country to RE.

“In essence, a portion of the electricity that Napocor would have produced using its diesel power plant will be replaced with the generated electricity by the RE facility of the REPP which in turn reduces the cost to Napocor and the government. If this model is carried out, this will represent substantial savings for the corporation and will ultimately redound to the benefit of the Filipino people,” Roxas said.

Napocor, as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, is tasked to perform missionary electrification in the farthest communities and islands not connected to the main grid. It operates 281 SPUG plants serving 125 islands across the country.

MGreen units obtain credit facilities

THE units of MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen), the renewable energy arm of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), secured a total of P2.825 billion in funding for its solar power projects. Greenergy for Global Inc. (GGI), a subsidiary of MGreen, secured a P2.034-billion, 15-year term project financing facility from Security Banking Corp. (Security Bank) to fund the ongoing construction of its 49 MWac solar project in Cordon, Isabela. MGreen’s Greentech Solar Energy, Inc. (GSEI), meanwhile, also secured a P791.00 million, 15-year term project financing facility from Security Bank to develop its 18.75 MWac solar plant in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. GGI and GSEI are among the

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK

winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s second round of Green Energy Auction Program. Both projects play a strategic role in MGreen’s goal to expand its solar power capacity and contribute significantly to the nation’s renewable energy aspirations.

The target commercial operation schedule for the two solar plants, with a combined capacity of 67.75 MWac, is set for the first quarter of 2025.

“This signing is more than a formal agreement; it is a commitment to progress and a shared vision for a sustainable future.

This loan will facilitate growth, foster innovation, and create opportunities that will benefit many. It is a stepping stone toward achieving our col-

lective goals and realizing our aspirations” said MGreen President Jaime Azurin.

Security Bank’s Trust and Asset Management Group served as facility agent and security trustee, while Puno and Puno Law Offices served as the borrowers’ legal counsel and Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles served as the lender’s legal counsel for these transactions.

MGen is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Electric Co.

MGreen currently has three operating solar plants in Luzon. These are PowerSource First Bulacan Solar Inc., PH Renewables, Inc., and Nuevo Solar Energy Corp. with a total gross capacity of 191 MWac. Lenie Lectura

ers 114 to 108, and 29 shares were unchanged.

gainers were LFM Properties Corp., roxas

Inc., Imperial resources Inc., Phinma Corp., Coal asia holdings Inc., LMG Corp. and agriNurture Inc.

Top losers, meanwhile, were Keppel Philippines Properties Inc., PTFC redevelopment Corp., Jackstones Inc., Berjaya Philippines Inc., Mabuhay holdings Corp., Discovery World Corp. and Belle Corp. this week

Share prices may extend its gains this week as prices are still attractive to bargain hunters.

“however, we still expect the market to move in a cautious tone while investors wait for fresh leads. Primarily, investors are expected to watch out for more cues on our inflation and interest rate outlook,” Tantiangco said.

“Investors are also expected to monitor the movements of our local currency against the US dollar. a rebound above the P58 to $1 levels may spur positive sentiment but a further depreciation may weigh on the bourse.”

Meanwhile, 2Tradeasia advised investors to expect volatility in the medium term, with the hawkish US Fed. at this point, consensus has revised Fed rate cut expectations to just one rate cut in 2024. Interestingly, the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] harped on two potential local cuts starting august, which should only intensify the push-pull speculation over the remainder of second quarter early third quarter.”

It said the PSei remains range bound around the 6,400-6,800 band, with macro downside risks preventing any propulsion towards the medium-term resistance of 6,800.

“Bountiful speculation should provide opportunities to range trade, albeit recent headlines have tilted to the downside. That being said, the best entry point is the point of maximum pessimism.”

Immediate support for the main index is seen at 6,400 to 6,500 and resistance is at 6,700 to 6,800.

stock picks

PhILSTOCKS has recommended accumulating on support levels on the stock of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) as the company said it will expand its supermarket chain in the provinces.

“We recommend buying shares of the stock at P848. Investors can accumulate the stock if a base is formed in the said support level,” it said.

The broker gave a target price on the stock at P1,161 per share.

SMIC’s shares were last traded at P896 apiece.

Meanwhile, the broker advised to trade the stock of DMCI holdings Inc. after the company said it is looking at large copper and gold mine and a coal mine in Mindanao.

“From a technical perspective, the stock has been correcting after a brief rally at the start of the year,” the broker said, as it set a target price on DMCI at P11.88 per share.

DMCI shares were last traded at P11 apiece. VG Cabuag

‘Alsons to complete 50 housing units in Sarangani this year’

By VG Cabuag @villygc

ALSONS Development and Investment Corp. (Alsons Dev), a property developer, said it will complete some 50 units of the 200-unit Narra Park Residences Avia within the year.

The construction of the residential development is part of the Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani. The company said the vision for the 121-hectare mixed-use community is to provide “a modern and complete living experience.”

“Building on the momentum of last year’s launch, we remain steadfast in our belief in Sarangani’s boundless growth potential,” Miguel Rene Dominguez, the company’s director, said.

“Avia Estate stands as a testament to our commitment to fueling progress in the region by cultivating a dynamic and secure community where families and businesses thrive.”

The village gate and guardhouse are also on track for completion

this August, while other community spaces, such as the large parks, cabaña, swimming pools, and multi-purpose covered court, are set to be completed next year. The company said it is also developing Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex, which will benefit not only residents within the estate but also the bigger Alabel community. The 1,800-square meter complex will be the region’s first integrated emergency response center, bringing together a police station, fire substation and satellite emergency operations center in one location.

The Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex broke ground in September 2023 and is scheduled for turnover to the Alabel local government unit by November 2024. Montessori school the Abba’s Orchard is set to break ground for their Avia Estate campus in June 2024. It will be the first in Soccksargen to offer true Montessori, educating young learners from pre-school to grades 1-3 by school year 2025.

CAN I TAKE YOUR ORDER–AND YOUR DATA?

The hidden reason retailers are replacing staff with AI bots

By Cameron Shackell School of Information Systems, Queensland University of Technology

You might have seen viral videos of Wendy’s drivethru customers in the united States ordering their fast food from the firm’s generative AI bot Wendy’s FreshAI. Most show a very human-like transaction punctuated with cries of amazement at how fast, accurate and polite the system is.

While

what we recognise as experience or expertise. t h is is one of the reasons businesses traditionally try to retain employees for long periods. Retail AI bots, on the other

hand, completely automate data collection. t h e bot is part of a business’s broader computer system, so the details of every customer interaction can be piped straight to a database. t h e data harvest can include the complete “stimulus” presented to each customer: the initial greeting, the volume, the tone, the pacing, responses to customer questions, and of course the dollar and cents outcome.

Depending on a firm’s ethical position, an AI bot can also be designed to harvest not only the customer’s words but also various “meta-facts”: male or female, young or old, thin or obese, short or tall, tattoos or no tattoos.

In fact, with video and audio recording so commonplace, there is no reason everything about an interaction can’t be captured for later breakdown and analysis by AI. By substituting bots for humans, all the data that once ended up in employees (who, possessing the data as expertise, might demand more money to stay) can now go straight into the electronic vaults of the business. What makes the business case for AI bots even more compelling, however, is that they can complete the loop and use the data as well as harvest it.

Dynamic “touchpoint” creators

RetA I leR s p ay a lot of attention to “touchpoints”—critical moments of contact where they can influence the customer’s perceptions and decisions.

In the past, human employees have been selected or trained to provide effective touchpoints. For example, teenagers in colourful uniforms staffing a fast food restaurant lend a certain image and vibe. And the scripts and prompts they deliver, such as “Do you want fries with that?”, come straight from a manual.

But human employees aren’t really able to model millions of past customer interactions, or weigh them against the customer standing in front of them. Retail bots can. t h ey can complete real-time “data loops”. What does that mean? Using gigabyes of past data, retail bots can profile the current customer and adjust their behaviour accordingly, interact with the customer, and then feed back the data created for better performance next time. And that next time might be two seconds later at an identical outlet on the other side of the country with a similar customer.

Businesses are striving to become equations—that AI can solve All these data loops are being

closed at the cost of human jobs because full digitisation is today’s business ideal.

Why? Because a business that runs on data flowing in smooth loops is essentially an equation. And if a business is an equation, you can use (you guessed it) the latest AI to constantly tweak your retail bots and pull other levers to maximise the bottom line.

t h e answers AI provides to the essential question “How do we make more money?” can be extremely granular. For example, based on data from retail bots, AI might one day suggest (and test and implement) an additional 300 millisecond pause before asking overweight customers with brown eyes, “Anything else?”. And it might increase profits for reasons nobody understands.

t h is leaves customers in a weird place.

Data loops create a business so agile that customers feel like their minds are not just being read but anticipated. t h ink that’s far-fetched? You are probably already familiar with how well this works from long hours glued to algorithmic pioneers and full-equation businesses like Google, Youtu be, Amazon, Facebook and t i k tok

Retailers want to use AI to get in on the action. In fact, on the heels of its AI

drive-thru data bonanza, Wendy’s recently had to hose down reports it was considering Uberstyle “dynamic pricing”. So which retail jobs will AI take first?

tH e R e ’s no simple answer to this complicated question. But I can offer a guiding principle. AI thrives on data. If your job involves a lot of data, and the data is currently not captured (people dealing with high-volume traffic, like drive-thru workers), or it doesn’t inform the way you deliver your service (drive-thru workers again, but also those dealing with complex products)—watch out. You are blocking a data loop, and you may be in the crosshairs.

If, on the other hand, you’re not a sinkhole for too much data, and a lot of data wouldn’t make a big difference to you as a touchpoint, you’re probably safe for a while. You can relax and just wait to become a victim of the regular wage-saving type of AI restructuring.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article: https:// theconversation.com/can-itake-your-order-and-your-datathe-hidden-reason-retailersare-replacing-staff-with-aibots-229202.

BankingFinance& Experts: Increase transparency to hike tax collection

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Monday, May 27,

GBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

overnments should bolster transparency in public spending particularly if it intends to increase its tax collection, according to experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In an Asian Development Blog, ADB’s Consultant e r iko Tominaga; Senior Financial Management Specialist Julitta Ponniah; and Administrative and Financial Management Assistant Ma. Kristina e Mahilum said tax and public fiscal management reforms must be pursued in tandem.

The experts said the government must have robust institutions to conduct external audits, be subjected to legislative inquiry, and address corruption. This includes efforts to address the misuse of funds to improve the government’s credibility in collecting taxes.

“Taxpayers have expectations of their governments and working to improve both sides of the equations—how resources are collected and how they are managed—will be more beneficial to both in the long term,” the authors said.

Citing a paper from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the authors said countries with high levels of corruption tend to have lower tax to GDP ratios.

The IMF estimated this at a 2.7 percent decline in tax to GDP ratio for every one-point deterioration in corruption index.

The authors said the 2023 Transparency International re-

port showed that Asia and the Pacific has a stagnant average score of 45 out of 100, with developing countries in the region averaging 36 out of 100.

The Philippines ranked 115th out of 180 countries with a score of 34 out of 100 in the 2023 report. In the index, the least corrupt ranks higher and the more corrupt country ranks lower.

Based on World Bank data, the country’s tax revenue to GDP ratio is 14.6 percent in 2022. Between 1990 and 2022, the lowest ratio was recorded at 11.4 percent in 2004 and the highest was 14.9 percent in 1997.

“ h i gh corruption is linked to lower tax revenues and reduced public trust in government. Corruption erodes public confidence and reduces tax morale [i.e. intrinsic motivation of citizens to pay taxes to governments],” the authors said.

The experts said there must be a strong oversight on public funds to ensure that their taxes are being used prudently.

This can be done through timely external audit of government accounts and legislative scrutiny of budgets and public expenditure.

The authors said the average score for external audit and leg-

islative oversight for developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region is 52 with only eight countries above the acceptable score of 61.

“This inextricable link between fiscal and financial management is indicative of a virtuous circle that influences the tax morale of citizens to pay taxes,” the experts said.

“It also alludes to a fiscal contract between taxpayers and governments—that tax funds will be managed well to deliver better public goods and services, efficiently and effectively, for the betterment of the country and well-being of its people,” they added.

e a rlier, with the challenging target of raising P4.3 trillion in revenues this year without new tax measures, the Department of Finance (DOF) and its attached tax-collecting agencies will bank on non-tax revenues but only as a short-term solution.

Office of the Chief e c onomist Undersecretary Domini SD. Velasquez said the government will “strategically maximize” potential revenues from nontraditional sources, focusing on non-tax revenues.

On top of that, Velasquez said the DOF will improve its tax collections in e-commerce instead to plug the tax leakages in online marketplaces, specifically, those brick-and-mortar shops that transitioned to e-marketplaces.

Starting July 15, 2024, the BIR will implement a tax withholding system on gross remittances made by electronic marketplace operators and digital financial services providers to sellers. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/05/21/without-newtaxes-ng-to-rely-on-nontaxrevenue/).

BDO denies authorizing law firm to send letter against Meralco–solon

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

The ho use Committee on Legislative Franchises has confirmed receiving a letter from Banco de Oro (BDO) denying involvement in a purported complaint against the Manila e l ectric Company (Meralco), saying the bank prefers to resolve its issues with Meralco amicably through constructive dialogue.

Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the ho use Committee on Legislative Franchises, on Sunday confirmed receiving a letter from BDO last May 23, 2024.

Tambunting referred to the letter sent to the h o use panel by BDO, in which the bank clarified that “the bank has not authorized” the law firm Manjares & Manjares to send a previous letter dated May 20, 2024, regarding a complaint from BDO against Meralco.

This issue emerged while the committee was considering a 25-year extension to Meralco’s legislative franchise, set to expire in 2028. Manjares, in a May 20 letter, asked Tambunting to “consider the complaint of BDO Unibank…against Meralco in deciding the legislative franchise of Meralco.”

presently engaged in discussions to resolve the issues” and that “these discussions are, in fact, progressing well.”

The bank said, “BDO finds the urgent need to inform the ho norable Committee that it has no participation whatsoever regarding the preparation or sending of the said letter.”

The bank also told the committee that “for the information of the ho norable Committee, the Bank and Meralco are

“[The bank] prefers to amicably resolve its issues with Meralco through a healthy dialogue,” it said. The complaint pertains to the bank’s application for electric service for its expansion project in Makati City, which Meralco indicated would require a capacity addition necessitating the construction of a new substation.

During the congressional hearing, Meralco assured that it continuously fulfills its mandate and currently meets the bank’s power requirements. Meralco also acknowledged that additional future capacity needs would be addressed.

The power of sToryTelling

WHETHER it’s an inspiring rags-to-riches story, a heartwarming customer encounter, an aha moment in discovering a new brand, the most compelling stories start with people.

As communicators, we need to make our companies and brands relatable to the media and our audiences. One way of doing this is through uplifting stores that touch the heart.

While it is true that in an age as data-rich as ours, many leaders’ natural inclination is to tell stories in terms of numbers – market studies, graphs, and other KPIs, “without humans, numbers are meaningless, “says Heidi Zak in an article in Inc.com. These could also prove to be boring to audiences.

Believing that All Great Leaders are Great Storytellers, Zak who’s Co-founder and CEO of ThirdLove, shares with us why it’s always good to tell a story and The Formula for Great Storytelling.

n stories create meaning Z AK re lates how two researchers tried to sell objects worth pennies for as much as possible. To do this, they were able to sell the pieces (which were worth $1.25 on the average for more than $8,000 in total.

“The study is a prime example of how meaning isn’t inherent,” she

n Nestlé boosts F&b growth o N t i k to k s hop through AC e s tr Ate gy implemeN tAt io N MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Tik -

Tok Shop has become a pivotal player in digital commerce, reshaping consumer interactions with ‘Shoppertainment’, a unique blend of entertainment and commerce, to create a dynamic platform where businesses of all sizes thrive. With a focus on innovation, TikTok Shop has continually evolved its offerings to meet the diverse needs of brands and consumers.

“At TikTok Shop, we’re dedicated to empowering businesses to succeed in the digital world. Our platform combines entertainment and commerce to create a lively space where brands of all sizes can connect with consumers. By continuously evolving and listening to our community’s needs, we’re shaping a more engaging and inclusive online shopping experience,” shared Niks Fojas, Category Lead for Food & Beverage/FMCG at TikTok Shop.

Nestlé’s utilization of tiktok shop’s ACe indicator system: A success story N EST L é , a g lobal leader in the food and beverage indus -

try, exemplifies the success achievable through TikTok Shop’s innovative framework. During the 4.4 Summer Saya Campaign, Nestlé experienced a significant surge, emerging as the top brand in the Food and Beverage category with a 50% uplift in orders. According to Nestlé, this growth is attributed to the brand’s strategic implementation of TikTok Shop’s ACE (Assortment, Content, and Empowerment) indicator system.

“Partnering with TikTok Shop has allowed us to tap into the pulse of consumer trends in the food & beverage industry. By embracing innovation and leveraging TikTok Shop’s platform, we’ve connected with our audience and elevated the shopping experience for food and beverage enthusiasts. This partnership underscores Nestlé’s dedication to staying at the forefront of digital commerce, enriching the way people experience and enjoy our products,” said Stephanie Sy, Head of Digital Transformation at Nestlé.

Central to Nestlé’s strategy was optimizing its presence on TikTok Shop to highlight promotions and campaignexclusive products. This focus on Assortment optimization yielded significant growth metrics, including a notable 41 percent increase in Search GMV and a 5 percent growth in Showcase GMV.

says, “it comes from the stories we tell. Meaning is only imparted, and the primary means of imparting meaning is through stories.

The same is true in a corporate environment. Through stories, “leaders have an opportunity to give meaning to the activities that every member of a team does on a day-to-day basis.”

n stories unite people S TORIES a llow people inside and outside of our companies—including employees and customers – to unite around a common purpose. According to Zak, “it tells employees that their actions contribute to the well- being of a broader collective, and it tells customers that every time they interact with you, they’re really contributing to a movement.”

n stories humanize brands

C OMPANIES a nd brands are often depicted as impersonal, faceless institutions that only care about the bottom line. In short, they are inhuman.

“Nobody wants to buy from an inhuman brand,” says Zak. “People w ant to feel that their purchases, in a small way, contribute to the health of a human endeavor.”

By putting your mission in terms of a human-first story, “you give your brand a face and a pulse.”

Here, Zak shares with us some

Nestlé’s content strategy also played a pivotal role in engaging consumers and driving purchase intent. By hosting extended self-live sessions, the brand created immersive shopping experiences, leading to a 66 percent increase in self-live GMV and a substantial 137 percent increase in orders. Collaborations with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and multi-channel network (MCN) affiliates further bolstered Nestlé’s brand presence, resulting in a 15 percent increase in the number of creators and a substantial 45 percent increase in Affiliate Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) orders. Additionally, empowering creators and maximizing Shop Ads were key components of Nestlé’s success strategy. Thematic brand campaigns like the Nestle March Mega Sale resonated with consumers, resulting in a +240.75 percent uplift in Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS) and a +520 percent surge in daily live GMV.

As Nestlé continues to leverage the features of TikTok Shop’s ecosystem, it highlights the platform’s evolving role in shaping social commerce dynamics. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, this partnership signifies a step forward in enhancing the online retail experience, demonstrating TikTok Shop’s potential for growth

ways we can enhance our storytelling skills:

n mechanical elements

T O b egin with, “think back to those middle-school writing classes.” Here we learned that “all stories need characters to root for, settings in which the action takes place, structures [the five -act structure is most common], and calls to action.”

Zak warns, though, that it’s easy to get absorbed in our own stories and get lost in the basics. With this, she advises to make it a checklist in all your stories.

n people first

T H E media and our audience can relate more to and appreciate micro level versions of your stories.

and innovation.

“TikTok Shop serves as a dynamic marketplace where brands like Nestlé can truly innovate and connect with consumers on a deeper level,” added Fojas. “Our collaborative efforts with Nestlé showcase the power of engaging content and strategic initiatives, driving tangible results and fostering authentic brand-consumer relationships in the digital realm.”

n g lobe A d ds de A FN e ss seNs itivity tr A i N i N g i N e FF orts to be more i NC lusive MANILA, PHILIPPINES—

When Cristina Guanzon joined Globe just this March, she found no trouble collaborating and blending in. Even while living with deafness, Cristina is able to seamlessly communicate with her colleagues.

“One of the first things my colleagues asked was how to sign some phrases and that I share my world through sign language classes. I appreciate my colleagues making an effort to sign simple greetings of ‘good mornin’ and ‘thank you’ after meetings,” shared Cristina, a Lead Expert for UI in Globe’s Product Engineering and Digital Growth (PDEG) team.

“They also willingly adjusted their communication methods, like speaking on my

For example, Amazon told the story of AWS—which powers about a third of the multibilliondollar public cloud market—in terms of a kid in their dorm room. They wanted a college student with a good idea for a software application to be able to run with their idea, and not to be creatively inhibited by money or database constraints.

“There is no business more far-reaching than the cloud,” says Zak, “and more story localized than that.”

n broaden with statistics

I T S when you have carried the gist of your story across, and have drawn people to it, that you can include statistics.

“Illustrate the breadth of po -

stronger side and allowing me to lip-read. Their patience and understanding touched me profoundly, reinforcing my gratitude for their acceptance,” added Cristina.

Such employee feedback reflects Globe’s efforts towards workplace inclusivity, among them the conduct of a disability sensitivity training, which aims to make all employees feel valued and supported.

Recently, Globe held its first disability sensitivity training to give participants a better understanding about disability, how to tackle communications about disability, and ways to properly interact with PWDs in the workplace.

The activity, held with key individuals and groups within the organization with support from the Philippine Business and Disability Network (PBDN), emphasized workplace accessibility for PWDs.

“Through our disability sensitivity training program and partnership with PBDN, we are actively breaking down barriers so every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to our collective success. This is just the beginning of our journey towards building a truly inclusive workplace culture,” said Renato Jiao, Chief Human Resources Officer at Globe.

Cristina’s colleague, UI Design Manager Arvin John Mayor, said the training

tential impact—showing your audience to seize the opportunity, and the number of people adhering to this will be meaningful,” Zak enthuses.

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 association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

helped him understand why inclusivity in the workplace is important.

“This applies to workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces, ensuring that we are treating people with disabilities with respect and dignity. This includes asking before offering assistance, being mindful of personal space, and communicating directly with the person,” said Arvin. Such training is crucial for teams to ensure a friendly work environment for all, and Globe’s PWD employees already feel the difference.

Cristina said the training allowed her colleagues to “empathize with and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.”

“It makes me feel hopeful that people and the world can be more inclusive. It reminds me that we hold the power to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued,” she said.

Globe’s proactive approach to promoting disability awareness and fostering a culture of empathy and acceptance is part of its commitment to establishing a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Its sensitivity training is regularly conducted for teams, squads and other employees with PWD members.

Sunproof your skin with high protection

DIMINISH the effects of photo-aging with powerful skincare: the new NUXE Sun range, offering reinforced anti-aging properties and maximizing protection at the cellular level.

The NUXE Sun range is recognized for its effective broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, preserving the integrity of your skin’s cell structures, collagen and elastin with a 100 percent natural-origin antioxidant duo consisting of rice and rosemary extracts. The patented sunscreen system, exclusive to the brand, combines two esters and three organic sunscreens, delivering twice the UVA protection to help prevent damage from UVA rays.

To reduce the impact on the aquatic ecosystem, NUXE Sun protection products contain three organic sunscreens per formula, which are rigorously selected and have gone through four complementary tests on free-water algae, marinewater algae, a bacterium, and corals representing this entire ecosystem.

Their formulas do not contain controversial sunscreens, such as octocrylene, oxybenzone, and homosalate, to limit the impact on the marine environment.

Additionally, these products are waterresistant, reducing the dispersion of sunscreens when swimming. Plus, their textures are non-sticky, leave no white marks, and diffuse a delectable harmony of Sweet Orange, Tiare, and Vanilla.

The range includes NUXE Melting Sun Lotion 150ml and NUXE Delicious Sun Spray 150ml, and the NUXE Light Sun Fluid exclusively for the face. Enjoy radiant, well-protected skin all day. NUXE is exclusively available at Rustan’s in Alabang, Makati and Shangri-La Plaza, plus at www.rustans.com.

Jeraldine Blackman endorses Beautéderm’s 3 new serums

TO vlogger Jeraldine Blackman, Beautéderm

chairman Rhea Anicoche-Tan is “ate” while the latter calls the Australia-based content creator “ading,” which means “younger sibling” in Ilocano.

“We’re both Ilocanas. We share the same love for family, and we both honor our roots. Jeraldine is an inspiration especially to women. She’s authentic that’s why people love her,” said Anicoche-Tan of Jeraldine, who endorses Beautéderm’s new Cristaux Retinol Serum, Cristaux Zerum Hydra-Beauty, and Cristaux Vitamin C Serum.

Another thing that Jeraldine and Anicoche-Tan have in common are that they are both moms to two kids. They each have a boy and a girl.

Ate Rhea contacted me and she said she’s been following me for a long time already. I was very surprised. I had no idea that someone like her would know me,” said Jeraldine.

With over millions of followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, the Blackman Family is known for their content that deals with their daily life in Sydney. The family is composed of Jeraldine, her husband Joshua, and their children Nimo and Jette.

With her lovely morena skin, Jeraldine is the perfect ambassador for the three serums, each one addressing a specific skin concern.

Cristaux Retinol Serum is for skin rejuvenation and it’s meant to be used at night followed by a moisturizer. Cristaux Zerum Hydra-Beauty helps reduce dark spots and blemishes, while Cristaux Vitamin C Serum is meant to be used during the day under sunscreen.

“Jeraldine has very good skin. She actually looks better without makeup, as you see in their vlogs. Her skin is very dewy,” said Anicoche-Tan.

For Jeraldine, being an ambassador for a brand that she respects is a dream come true.

“Umiiyak ang nanay ko [my mother is crying]. Ganun pala ang feeling [so this is how it feels],” said Jeraldine when asked how she feels at the thought of having her own billboard.

Jeraldine said that if her grandmother who raised her were alive today, she would be very proud.

Jeraldine started making videos in 2021, without any intention of making a living out of it. The family’s content has evolved from the typical foreigner married to a Filipino woman videos to more familycentered content.

On TikTok, the Blackmans get hundreds of thousands of views for every video. Thus, it’s not surprising when Jeraldine said she’s had other beauty endorsement offers before Beautéderm.

“A huge brand in the Philippines offered me the same thing pero kasi may pinagsamahan na kami ni Ate Rhea. Sobrang nag-click kami. So I said I am going go with her. She is so nice. I have also had offers from Australian brands but I wasn’t ready yet that time.”

“Normally when we get endorsers, when people notice that the content is paid, engagement and views are lower than their ordinary posts. But with Jeraldine, even when there’s a product featured in her content, since people know that she really uses the product and trusts it, the views and engagement remain the same,” said Anicoche-Tan.

VIY CORTEZ AT WATSONS MOM & BABY FAIR

WE caught up with entrepreneur, social-media personality, and first-time mom Viy Cortez at the first Watsons Mom & Baby Fair held at the Mall of Asia Atrium and she talked about the joys and difficulties of being a mother.

Cortez and her partner, streamer and content creator Lincoln “Cong” Cortez Velasquez, welcomed their first child in July 2022. Not surprisingly, their son Kidlat is now the center of their lives.

During the event, Cortez reminded moms that they cannot pour from an empty cup.

“Our children don’t need a perfect mother; they need a happy one. Don’t forget to still do the things that used to make you happy. What’s important is if you’re happy, your children will be happy too, they’d feel secure when you’re happy,” she said.

Aside from Cortez, Solenn Heussaff  also headlined the fair, also featured talks, a baby shower for the Watsons Mom Community, and product booths from leading baby brands.

The baby shower on May 6 celebrated 20 soonto-be moms from the Watsons community, who also received special gift packs from Pampers. Throughout the week, families enjoyed a variety of activities including interactive booths, product sampling, and engaging workshops designed to support and educate parents on various aspects of child care and development.

The event concluded on May 12, with a series of informative sessions from mombassadors Iza Calzado for Aveeno and Solenn Heussaff for Cetaphil. Join the Watsons Mom & Baby Club today and sign up at tinyurl.com/3zpey2bc. More information is available at @watsonsph on Instagram, @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.

Louis Vuitton pays homage to Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí in 2025 Cruise Collection

By Joseph Wilson The Associated Press

the park that overlooks Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The show notes said Ghesquiere had been inspired by Gaudí’s “legacy in constant mutation” and Spain’s rich artistic heritage.

“As if in homage to such opulent purity, the Maison’s rigorous spirit embraces the country’s passionate character,” the notes read. “The fervor of its colors, its loyalty to tradition elevated into

artistic expression, dark and light that never appear contradictory.”

Dramatic silhouettes contrasted with the soft curves of Gaudí’s organic structures, which were then reflected in the dresses that draped and folded into volumes that defied gravity. And then there were flashes that delighted: a pair of equestrian boots that finished in a bunch of tassels. The fashion show, however, was not celebrated by all. A group of a few hundred residents protested the event for what they said were the inconveniences it had caused, including reduced parking in the area. The protest also included animal right activists.

The group of protesters located a few streets down the hill from the park’s outer wall could be heard

beating drums, blowing air horns and setting off firecrackers before the show kicked off. Catalan police said they arrested one person for resisting violently to their decision to remove the protesters from a street to let traffic through.

Park Güell, pronounced “gu-ay” was started in 1900 as a planned upscale residential development designed by Gaudí, whose other works include the still-in-progress La Sagrada Familia Basilica. But a lack of buyers led to it being ditched in favor of a park that eventually passed into the hands of the Barcelona townhall.

It now receives 4.4 million visitors a year, mostly from the US, Britain, France, Germany and Italy, with Barcelona residents only representing 0.3 percent of the visitors, according to the park.

BEAUÉDERM chairman Rhea

Anicoche-Tan and vlogger Jeraldine Blackman (left). Entrepreneur and social media personality Viy Cortez. PHOTOS BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ

Spain—Louis Vuitton unveiled its latest fashion designs at Barcelona’s Park Güell on Thursday, providing the clothes with drama to finally match Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece. Nicolas Ghesquiere’s ambitions for the Parisian house’s 2025 Cruise collection were unveiled before an A-list

Alas Pilipinas: Time has come!

By Josef Ramos

Tsets and played Chinese-Taipei hoping to land their fourth-straight victory on Sunday night where a sellout crowd braved Typhoon Aghon’s rains to cheer to a hoarse anew their team.

A las’s victories also came at the expense of Iran and India, which was fourth last year in the Challenge Cup in East Java, Indonesia.

The level of play of the 14 players are high,” said De Brito, who was a member of the Brazilian men’s team that won the gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “We have to keep the level of the national team high—by playing strong and consistent.”

V ietnam, meanwhile, swept its four matches in the preliminaries and Kazakhstan grabbed a semifinal berth in Pool B on Sunday.

The defending champion Vietnamese defeated Indonesia, 25-17, 25-15, 25-27, 25-13, behind outside hitter

Vi Thi Nhu Quynh’s 23 attacks, two service points and one block and Tran Tu Linh’s 10 points. “ The coaching staff used a different rotation today,” team captain Quynh said. “It was to ensure everyone would be involved.”

I ndonesia finished its pool campaign at 1-3 its sole victory coming at t he expense of Singapore.

Sen ‘Tol’ on Second ROTC Games: It’s all about respect, patriotism

THE Second Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games opened Sunday with elaborate ceremonies led by its founder Majority Leader  Francis “Tol” Tolentino in Bacolod City on Sunday with swimming and raiders competitions kicking off in various venues on Monday. Swimming in both men and women divisions are set at the Victorias City Aquatic Center in neighboring Victorias City. Events on tap are the 200-meter ind ividual medley and breaststroke, 100-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly and backstroke.

Tolentino said in his speech that the student cadets taking part in the games are “like passengers aboard a ship reflecting respect and patriotism.” The Philippine ROTC Games is not merely a showcase of athletic prowess, it’s a celebration of discipline, unity and the spirit of patriotism through the veins of our youth,” he said. The ROTC Games are staged in partnership with the Department of National Defense, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine Sports Commission.  The raiders competition will make its ROTC Games debut at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University grounds—it’s an obstacle course-like race seen in boot camp training in the Army, Air Force and Navy.

K azakhstan blasted Hong Kong, 25-17, 25-18, 25-4, to go 3-1 for the second semifinals berth in Pool B of the event backed by Meralco, PLDT, Smart, Akari, AyalaLand, Nuvali, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, M ikasa, Senoh, Asics, Maynilad, Makati Shangri-La, Rebisco, Cignal, OneSports, OneSports+ and PilipinasLive.

A lso in the program supported by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government led by Governor Eugenio Lacson and Bacolod City g of Mayor Albee Benitez are taekwondo, boxing, sepak takraw and table tennis.

C HED Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro also graced the opening ceremony on Sunday at the Panaad Sports Complex and Park attended by close to 2,000 athletes from the three major services.

From seven sports we now have 14 disciplines and while from 700 athletes in the Visayan leg last year, we have close to 2,000 athletes, a sign of the growing popularity and interest in the ROTC Games,” Jaro said.  We were also able to enlist 86 colleges and universities, or higher education institutions, in deploying cadets to compete in our meet,” she added.

C oo, who represented PSC

chairman Richard Bachmann, said: “More memories and more victories are going to be written as we open the second season of the ROTC Games in Bacolod City.”

SENATE Majority Leader  Francis “Tol” Tolentino (fifth from left) with (from left)

Major Geneneral Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Dr. Norberto Mangulabnan, Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Bong Coo, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo, Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro and Defense Assistant Secretary Henry Robinson Jr. COURTESY RUDY ESPERAS

SABELLA ROAN RAMIREZ, an 11-year-old from Barangay Manatal in Pandi, Bulacan, is bound for the Asia Open Schools Invitational Swimming Championships 2024 in Bangkok in August.

A nd what a journey for the young Bulakeña—her participation in the championships held last February at the Assumption University Aquatic Center at the Suvarnabhumi

Que conjures old magic at PHL Masters

By Aldrin Quinto

ANGELO QUE is glad to fly the flag of veteran shotmakers when young big hitters seem ready to take charge.

The 45-year-old Que returned to the winners’ circle by claiming the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Villamor Philippine Masters title with a fourstroke victory after a closing 67, matching the week’s best, on Saturday at the Villamor Airbase Golf Course.

“I’ve been struggling with my game over the past three to four years so to win again, especially with so many young competitors around, feels really good at this age,” said Que, who last won in 2019 in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia’s Manila Southwoods.

Q ue was the only player to submit under-par scores for three straight rounds, starting the tournament with a 73 then carding 68-70 before the stunning five-under closing score for a 10-under 278 total in the P2 million championship sponsored by ICTSI.

It was a huge finish and a big pay d ay—P345,000—for the three-time w inner on the Asian Tour, while the youngster who earlier threatened to steal the show finished in second.

K orean teen pro Hyun Ho Rho, who led the opening round thanks to a hole-in-one and moved back in contention with an eagle in the third, closed with a 72 for solo second at sixunder 282 worth P224,000.

Lloyd Go, winner of the Palos Verdes Championship, had a closing 71 to finish tied for third at five-under.

A lso ending up with 283 totals were amateur Jeffren Lumbo, who submitted a 68, and four-time Order of Merit winner Antonio Lascuna with a 67.

Q ue, thrice winner on the Asian Tour, was also glad to add the Philippine Masters to his collection which includes the 2008 Philippine Open title.

“Only a few players have won the Philippine Open and the Philippine Masters, so at least, I’m part of history again,” Que said.

T he elite list of players who won both the Philippine Open and Philippine Masters includes Ben Arda, Frankie Minoza, Cassius Casas and Robert Pactolerin.

O n a week that saw a bunch of eagles scored on the tight Air Force golf facility, Que was able to get a big lift.

A p itch-in eagle from 50 yards on the par-4 opening hole quickly put him in control and four birdies in a fivehole stretch on the back nine gave him enough cushion to play safe in the final two holes with pars.

Birdie putt on No. 12. That was the turning point. I sort of gained momentum,” Que said.

R ho, on the other hand, had a birdie-less back nine marred by two bogeys including the finishing hole.

All my hard work has paid off,” Que said.

Q ue is the fourth different winner in the PGT season so far, with Jhonnel Ababa ruling the Apo Golf Classic in Davao, Go topping the Palos Verdes Championship also in Davao and Clyde Mondilla earning the trophy in the Caliraya Springs Championship in Laguna.

Meanwhile, in the Ladies PGT, it has been Harmie Constantino on top for the past three tournaments after Sarah Ababa won Apo. This victory will also give me some confidence for the coming months. Hopefully, I can replicate this abroad,” said Que, who also competes on the Japan Golf Tour and the Asian Tour. ANGELO QUE ends a five-year title drought and joins an elite group of golf champions. ROY DOMINGO

in the 36-hole competition. P recious Zaragosa and Vito Sarines will attempt to replicate their triumphs in the 11-14 category, which is spread over 54 holes. Zaragosa is gearing up for a strong challenge from twins Mona and Lisa Sarines, as well as Levonne Talion, Ayesha Salino, Beatriz Lapuz and Althea Bañez. V ito Sarines, who rallied from an 8-stroke deficit to edge out Race Manhit by one stroke at Splendido, targets a strong start but is aware of the formidable competition. This includes Matthias Espinosa, Roman Ungco, Aenzo Sulaik, Kraig Tee, Zianbeau Edoc, Isaac Dillera, Dia Juane, Jose Jacob Gomez, Lucas Garcia, Miguel Encarnacion, Ezekiel Opinion, Nathaniel Yeung, Geoffrey Tan, Gerard Handog, Ruyichi Tao, Enzo Corpus, Iñigo Camposano and Manhit. Focus will also be on the 72-hole 1518 division with Reese Ng, a veteran of numerous international competitions, ready to foil Jiwon Lee’s back-to-back title bid in the girls’ category that also features Series I runner-up Lia Duque, Rafa Anciano, Maria Monserrat Lapuz and Angelica Bañez. I n the boys’ division, Shinichi Suzuki, a key player for Manila Southwoods in club tournaments, is expected to be a major contender. Other notable participants include Santino Pineda, Von Raiden Tablac, Tristan Padilla, Alexander Crisostomo, Justin See, Gabriel Handog, Harry Sales, Santi Asuncion, Alonso Espartero, Mark Kobayashi, John Paul Agustin Jr., Mario Rafael Mañaol, Seth Koa, Miguel Lapuz, Liam Sing and Gabriel Lapuz.

Pilipinas. NONIE REYES