BusinessMirror November 28, 2024

DESPITE the intramurals between the camps of the Philippines’s president and vice president, economic managers have assured the public the economy is undaunted by domestic and external headwinds.

“ e administration is ensuring that the transformation of the economy will not be set back by political challenges,” the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC)—composed of the Budget Secretary, Finance Secretary, National Economic and Development Secretary and the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs—said on Tuesday night.

e DBCC underscored the Philippine economy has proven time

STATES with weak institutions tend to “pick winners” and have no regard for competition which leaves many of their citizens worse off, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

In an Asia Impact Seminar on Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the lack of competition leads to significant waste in the state budget, thus worsening inequality nationwide.

“Recent historical experience suggests to us that in states with weak or captured institutions, picking winners is a dangerous

game,” Balisacan said in the virtual briefi ng. “[ is] also led to significant waste in the allocation of scarce public resources, and the worsening of inequality, corruption, and the erosion of institutions that ensure economic governance, sound economic governance,” he added.

Balisacan, however, said growing industries or fi rms to a level of dominance is “not inherently wrong” but such a position should not be abused and disadvantage competitors.

He added that certain industrial policies could lead to uncompetitive practices because of the

THE national government’s budget deficit narrowed to P963.9 billion as a P6.3-billion budget surplus was recorded in October due to increased revenue collections outpacing expenditures.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the deficit from January to October 2024 narrowed by 5.30 percent or P54 billion from P1.017 billion during the same period last year.

Revenues collected reached P3.766 trillion as of end-October, 16.83 percent higher than the P3.223 trillion generated a year ago.

Taxes contributed 85.68 percent or P3.226 trillion to overall revenues, which grew by 11.40 percent

from P2.896 trillion year-on-year. Broken down, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raised P2.4 trillion, making up 84.95 percent of the P2.85-trillion revised fullyear target.

e collection is higher by 13.49 percent from last year’s P2.1 trillion on account of higher valueadded, personal income and corporate income taxes, as well as combined taxes on bank deposits and government securities, documentary stamp taxes and percentage taxes.

Customs collection THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) generated P777.6 billion, achieving

need to achieve economies of scale.

Nonetheless, Balisacan said industrial policies can be harnessed without favoring a particular group or business.

“For example, infrastructure development, export marketing support, enhancing innovation in ecosystem, and strengthening government, academe, industry linkages, as well as provision of tax incentives using a well established criteria,” Balisacan said. Competition policy, Balisacan said, can be used to improve markets and in e orts to scale up busineses and their operations.

These can be used to make them internationally competitive. Balisacan said this means promoting the ease of doing business and removing barriers to entry and exit. Competition policy, he said, can also be used to punish cartels and abuses of dominance, as well as preventing uncompetitive mergers and acquisitions.

Earlier, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said the Philippines should gear up for stronger competition in Southeast Asia as exports of China may slow down next year.

FFCCCII President Cecilio Pedro told the BUSINESSMIRROR on the sidelines of the MAP General Assembly on Monday expressed concern over the “America First policy,” as he said that this will also a ect China in terms of trade. The president of the largest organization of Filipino-Chinese businesses pointed out that the plan of president-elect Donald Trump to impose additional tari s on imports from China could also a ect Southeast Asian countries. (See: www.businessmirror.com.ph/2024/11/27/ philippines-should-gear-up-forstronger-competition-in-southeastasia-amid-slowdown-in-chinas-outbound-shipments-next-year/)

Comelec gets final batch of ACMs for 2025 polls

THE Commission on Elections announced on Wednesday that it had already received the final batch of automated counting machines (ACMs) set to be used in the May 2025 super elections.

With the delivery of 9,860 additional units to the Comelec warehouse in Biñan, Laguna, the total number of ACMs for next year’s polls is 110,620.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia oversaw the receipt of the machines. He expressed appreciation for the timely delivery and the “faithful compliance” of Miru Systems, the company responsible for supplying the ma-

chines under a joint venture with Comelec.

Dahil maagang na-deliver, maaga ring matatapos ang hardware acceptance test [HAT]. Lahat ng machines kasi dadaan doon,” he added. [Because the machines were delivered early, we can also fi nish early the hardware acceptance test (HAT). All machines pass through that].

e HAT process, which is con-

ducted in collaboration with Miru Systems, ensures that all components of the ACMs are functioning as required.

is includes testing the battery, touchscreen, scanner, printer, camera, audio, smartcard, and USB ports to ensure the machines meet operational standards.

Garcia reported that around 60,000 to 70,000 machines have already passed the tests—all of which had no major issues.

“Minsan hindi agad naririnig ’yung sa audio, ’yun pala may kinakailangang i-adjust lang...’Yung jamming ng paper, na-trace na namin ang naging problem. Hindi pala ’yung scanner, ’yung papel pala mismo,” he explained.

[Sometimes he audio can’t be heard, but it turns out it just needs adjusting...For paper jams, we traced the problem. It’s not the scanner, it’s the paper itself].

Despite previously stating a one-month delay in the schedule

(related: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/11/26/comelec-seals-dealwith-alabama-firm/), Garcia reassured the public that the Comelec is on track.

“Comelec is on time even with the disqualification cases, and declaration of nuisance [candidates],” he said.

e Comelec also confi rmed the delivery of 2,000 ACMs in all barangays nationwide for the upcoming roadshow, which will run from December 2 to January 30.

e roadshow will give voters an opportunity to experience the voting process fi rsthand and familiarize themselves with the machines.

Meanwhile, the certification process for the ACMs, automated election system, and internet voting platform is underway by Alabama-based Pro V&V.

It is expected to be fi nalized by the fi rst week of January, with mock elections to be conducted shortly after.

DBCC: REFORMS SHIELD PHL FROM POLITICAL WAR

and again its resilience against domestic and external challenges,

weathering through natural disasters, geopolitical risks and election cycle tensions. Other crises, such as global or

regional fi nancial crises, supply chain gaps abroad, and cybercriminal activities, have also been withstood, they added.

“It is business as usual for the Philippine government,” the DBCC said as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. went to the United Arab Emirates to strengthen partnership while the Senate passed the P6.35-trillion 2025 national budget on third reading. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2024/11/27/ senate-okays-p6-35-t-2025-budgeton-2nd-3rd-reading/).

Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said in a televised news program on Wednesday that foreign investors are insulated from the country’s political noise.

“I think it doesn’t matter because we have proven ourselves that we’re actually beyond this political noise,” Velasquez said. e passage of tax reforms such as the Create More Act and the positive outlook from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) are the results of the country’s track record amid the political noise.

“In terms of investment, investors are looking at the economic strength of the Philippines—how we’re able to pass reforms, how we’re working with both Congresses to actually pass reforms,” Velasquez added. is comes after the Philippines achieved a BBB+ credit rating and got upgraded to Positive from Stable outlook from S&P on Tuesday. (See: www.businessmirror.com. ph/2024/11/27/phl-eyes-a-rating-asstandard-poor-upgrades-outlook/) e rating was improved due to the Philippines’ growth potential, policymaking, fi scal reforms, improved infrastructure and policy environment and solid external position.

“ ese developments may also, in part, reflect the country’s ontrack fi scal consolidation plan, the recent passage of the Create More and PPP laws, and its sufficient buffers to ensure unhampered strong growth, supported by its robust consumer base, past structural reforms, and steady inflows coming from overseas remittances and BPO receipts,” the DBCC said.

cent of the P5.75-trillion full-year target.

Primary expenditures increased by 9.91 percent year-onyear to P4.09 trillion from P3.72 trillion.

82.75 percent of the P939.7 billion revised fi scal program.

is increased by 5.32 percent from last year’s P738.3 billion as the BOC ramped up its implementation of the Fuel Marking Program along with higher duty, excise and VAT collections.

Meanwhile, non-tax revenues expanded by 64.93 percent to P539.4 billion from P327 billion and accounted for 14.32 percent of total revenues. is exceeded the P449.6-billion revised full-year target by 19.96 percent.

Higher dividend remittances, interest on advances from staterun fi rms, guarantee fees and shares from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) income drove the Treasury’s income to P224.7 billion, surpassing the P187-billion fullyear target by 20.18 percent.

Privatization proceeds, fees and charges, and grants doubled to P314.6 billion from last year’s P152.2 billion and exceeded the full-year target by 19.80 percent.

Government spending from January to October 2024 totaled P4.729 trillion, up by 11.52 percent from P4.241 trillion in the same period a year ago.

is is equivalent to 82.20 per-

Airlines ies nonstop between Bahrain and Manila, by code-sharing with Gulf Air. Frasco is vice chair of the Civil Aeronautics Board, which oversees aviation economic policy. There were 5,528 tourists who arrived from Bahrain from January to October this year, 16 percent more than the arrivals in the same period in 2023. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, arrivals from Bahrain were just 3,296. Similarly, arrivals from the Middle East last year exceeded its prepandemic arrivals by 9.7 percent, reaching 80,851. The Philippines is trying to attract more tourists from the Middle East by encouraging the local hospitality industry to adopt halal measures and Muslim-friendly standards and guidelines. (See, “’Muslims only’ beach to open in Boracay,” in the BusinessMirror, Sept. 2, 2024.)

Improving tourism ties IN a news statement, the DOT said the two tourism o cials also discussed possible joint promotions, the exchange of tourism professionals, discussions to improve MICE (Meetings Incentives Conferences Exhibitions), tourism investments, tourism and hospitality education, and cultural heritage. In turn, Al Saira welcomed Frasco’s proposal to update the Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation between the two countries, which was signed in 2003. “I believe that the MOU will put the silver lining for our cooperation, and I’m so happy that you are here in the Kingdom of Bahrain so that we could start discussing ways that we can collaborate.” Also present at the meeting were Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) chief executive o cer Sarah Ahmed Buheji, BTEA Director of Marketing snf Promotions Maryam Toorani, Vatel Hospitality and Tourism Business School in Bahrain General Director Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) General Manager Alan Pryor.

Meanwhile, interest payments also surged by 23.03 percent to P638.7 billion from last year’s P519.1 billion. For October alone, the P6.3billion budget surplus is a reversal from the P34.4-billion fi scal deficit recorded a year ago.

About P473.1 billion was raised, 22.63 percent higher than the P385.8 billion collected a year ago.

e BIR collected P325.5 billion while the BOC generated P86.9 billion, both increased by 18.62 percent and 11.50 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the government spent P466.8 billion, also up by 11.08 percent year-on-year from P420.2 billion. Higher personnel services expenses and the implementation of infrastructure projects and social protection and health programs bolstered disbursements.

e Treasury said the budget deficit measured against the gross domestic product (GDP) stands at a “manageable” 5.14 percent for the fi rst three quarters of 2024, lower than the 5.70 percent during the same period last year and below the 5.60 percent target for the year.

Meanwhile, Frasco highlighted the Philippines’s e orts in developing gastronomy tourism during a Ministerial Dialogue at the 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, and ensuring local communities bene t from it. Gastronomy tourism e orts “GASTRONOMY is embedded in our...National Tourism Development Plan, [wherein] we have made deliberate and focused approaches towards developing gastronomy,” as government works towards positioning the Philippines as a top food travel destination, said Frasco. She cited initiatives such as the Philippine Experience Caravan, which features “SaloSalo,” where tourists and tourism stakeholders are introduced to the local cuisine and food products of each destination. The Philippines gastronomy tourism sector is projected to be worth US$21 billion by the year 2032, from $5.4 billion in 2022, with a compounded annual growth rate of 14.7 percent. The Philippines hosted in June the UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Paci c in Cebu, where Frasco also announced the development of a Filipino Gastronomy Sustainable Tourism Roadmap, drafted in “nationwide consultations” to institutionalize support for Philippine gastronomy. (See, “UNWTO: PHL good host for Asia Pacific gastronomy center,” in the BusinessMirror, June 27, 2024.) The Philippines further made its mark in gastronomy tourism, when Iloilo City was honored last year as a Unesco Creative City for Gastronomy, while Bacolod City was recognized in September as a “Slow Food” hub in Asia during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin. Bacolod will also host Terra Madre Asia Paci c in 2025, the rst slow-food event in the region. Angeles City, Pampanga was likewise named Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2024 by the World Culinary Awards.

Reine Juvierre S. Alberto now plan to apply the framework of the Greenhills project on similar marketplaces such as the 168 and 999 malls, according to the briefer. As the vice chair of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR), IPOPHL said, “We want to continue close collaboration with the member agencies. Through this, we hope to compel the shopping centers to implement stricter monitoring of their stalls and impose penalties against sellers of counterfeit products.”

“This strong collaboration among the member-agencies, shopping center administrations, and the sellers themselves must lead to better awareness as we continuously enlighten consumers about the possible harms of counterfeiting to their health, lives and households, as well as to the environment and the economy,” IPOPHL said.

Gadon

to SC:

Disbar Sara over expletives, threats vs Marcoses

Gadon said.

ABy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

at the possibility of filing criminal and administrative charges against Vice President Duterte, her security personnel and staff following the “forced transfer” incident involving her chief of staff over the weekend.

DISBARRED lawyer and ally of President Marcos on Wednesday sought the exclusion of Vice President Sara Duterte from the legal profession before the Supreme Court for her expletives and threats made against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker

Martin Romualdez during an online press conference on Saturday.

In his letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justices of the High Court, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon urged the Court to  motu proprio  take action against Duterte like what it did when they suspended him for five months and eventually disbarred him from the practice of law.

Gadon was unanimously disbarred by the 15-man High Tribunal in 2023 in connection with the viral video clip where he cursed and uttered profane remarks against investigative journalist Raissa Robles in December 2021.

It can be recalled that the SC  motu proprio  took cognizance of the video clip and issued an earlier order preventively suspending Gadon from the practice of law pending a judgment in the disbarment case.

The SC said it had found the video clip as “indisputably scandalous that it discredits the legal profession.”

“Such statements coming from the second highest official of the land, seen and heard by millions of Filipinos are undoubtedly illegal, immoral and condemnable,”

“With due respect, disbar Vice President Sara now under the same ‘ motu proprio ’ principle,” Gadon said.

Duterte, during an online press conference, said she had asked someone to kill the First Couple and the Speaker in the event that an alleged attempt on her life succeeds.

She later explained that her statement was not a threat, saying she only highlighted the alleged threat to her security.

Duterte is currently facing two disbarment complaint, the first one was filed in 2011 by the Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines over an incident where she punched a court sheriff in Davao City for implementing a demolition order despite her plea to delay it.

On Tuesday, SC Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting confirmed that an anonymous disbarment case was filed against the Vice President early this month over her remarks threatening to exhume and dump in the sea the remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos if the alleged political persecution against her and her family continues.

The SC has yet to act on the two disbarment cases against Duterte.

At a press briefing in Zamboanga City, Duterte said she has not read or seen the two latest disbarment complaints against her.

“I just read about it in the news,” she said.

Police eyes raps vs Sara GEN. Rommel Francisco Marbil, National Police chief, on Wednesday said that the force is looking

In a statement, Marbil said investigation is ongoing into the possible filing of charges, including violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code for Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority, along with other criminal and administrative offenses, against Duterte and her personnel.

This is in wake of the incident at the House of Representatives Detention Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) involving the detention of Duterte’s chief of staff, lawyer Zuleika Lopez.

Lopez was cited in contempt by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and was initially ordered to serve a five-day detention, which was subsequently extended to 10 days due to disruption.

Marbil said he has formally requested the Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., for the identities of Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) personnel who reportedly assisted in the “forced transfer of Lopez to St. Luke’s Medical Center using a private ambulance that they hired.

“In a video that surfaced, VPSPG head, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, was seen physically pushing and assaulting the PNP doctor-incharge, which could lead to a direct assault complaint,” Marbil said. He added Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), led by Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III is currently reviewing the applicability of charges under existing laws.

With Rex Anthony Naval

Prelate seeks prayers in brewing ‘storm’

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

CARDINAL Jose Advincula, Archbishop

of Manila, on Wednesday called on the faithful to pray for the country’s leaders as the nation faces what he described as a “brewing political storm.”

In a statement, the Cardinal expressed concern that ongoing political conflicts are hindering leaders from addressing the urgent needs of marginalized communities still recovering from recent typhoons.

“The brewing political storm that our political leaders are facing has drained their energy to serve those in most need and the neglected,” he said.

Advincula also asked prayers to help public officials rise above personal and partisan interests, exercise humility, and engage in respectful dialogue to prevent further divisions in the country.

“I humbly exhort you all to pray for them that they may receive the grace to exercise statesmanship in most trying times so that sobriety may prevail in our land and that political issues and personal interests may not divide the nation,” the Cardinal said.

Advincula’s statement comes amid increasing political tensions in the country, marked by controversies and disputes between the families of the President and the Vice President.

The Cardinal also appealed to other sectors of society to take steps to avoid escalating political and personal conflicts.

“I also ask all the leaders of goodwill from different sectors of our society to do what they can to prevent the escalation of political and personal conflicts,” Advincula said.

“Let us all pray for forgiveness and reconciliation, never doubting God’s grace

and love for His people,” he added.

‘Don’t make these people your hapless pawns’

A HANDFUL of supporters of the Duterte family gathered outside the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen Peace or Edsa Shrine on Tuesday, rekindling images of the historic uprisings that took place in 1986 and 2001.

However, instead of a strong collective action, the day was marked by confusion and uncertainty among the participants, many of whom were unclear about the purpose of their gathering.

In response, the Edsa Shrine Rector, Fr. Jerome Secillano, issued a statement urging the rally organizers not to exploit the supporters.

“Please don’t take advantage of these people. Don’t make them your hapless pawns,” the rector said, addressing those responsible for the event.

Secillano emphasized that the attendees, many of whom were hopeful and seeking change, had been misled by false promises.

“These people need genuine care. They are waiting and hoping. But you made them believe that help and change are coming,” Secillano added, calling for an end to the exploitation of the supporters.

From as early as 6:00 a.m. on November 26, several supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the Shrine to express solidarity with the Dutertes amid

controversies surrounding the family. The former President is under the spotlight for the thousands of extra-judicial killings done by State forces and vigilantes during the war against illegal drugs during his watch.

The Vice President on the other hand is being made to account for the millions of pesos of confidential and intelligence funds that she spent as Vice President and as Secretary of Education up to July this year. Participants in the gathering claimed their purpose was not to incite unrest but to condemn what they described as political harassment against the Vice President and her staff.

“May pagbabanta sa kaniyang buhay [Sara]. Tinanggalan siya ng security…klarongklaro that Inday Sara is being singled out,” Jeffrey Celiz, a self-proclaimed ex-ranking officer of the New People’s Army, said. In a separate statement, the Edsa Shrine clarified that it allowed the participants to stay and engage in prayer, provided they adhered to the rules of the sacred site.

“They will be allowed again to stay inside the shrine on the pretext that they are going to pray and not do things [that are] not proper for a house of worship. They won’t be allowed to eat, drink, carry slogans, shout, vlog, sleep, make noise,” it clarified. The Edsa Shrine also reiterated its commitment to maintain normal operations and a peaceful environment for worship.

“Having said the aforementioned, the Shrine will have its normal operations and conduct its usual routine without being detrimental to any group or individual,” the Shrine said.

“Let us all pray that whatever may have caused this sudden surge in the number of shrine-goers be dealt with utmost sobriety and decency,” it added.

The National Police said that it would only intervene in the gathering of Duterte supporters if the situation escalated, particularly if it will cause disruptions such as road traffic congestion.

‘Bad actors involved in rice importation still on the loose ’

TBy Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE overall chairman of the Murang Pagkain Supercommittees at the House of Representatives lamented that the “biggest agricultural price manipulation case,” involving alleged rice importation anomalies during the Duterte administration that cost Filipino consumers billions, has remained unresolved.

During the hearing of the Murang Pagkain Supercommittee last Tuesday, Albay Rep. Jose Clemente “Joey” Salceda said the 2016-2018 rice price manipulation, which forced the Congress to enact the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019, remains the single largest incident of mass-scale price manipulation in the country’s recent history.

He emphasized that during this period, private importers cornered import permits, leading to a sharp spike in rice prices, saying by 2018, Filipino consumers were paying up to P8 more per kilo, translating to a total economic loss of P88.6 billion in

2018 alone and P163.6 billion over the entire period.

“Consumers may have lost as much as P88 billion in 2018, and as much as P163.6 billion in increased consumer prices of rice in total over that period— highway robbery by the privileged few that were allowed to import rice during the period,” he said. Salceda noted that the National Food Authority (NFA), under Duterte-appointed Administrator Jason Aquino, diverted P5 billion meant for palay procurement to loan payments, effectively weakening the agency’s capacity to stabilize rice prices.

“At the time, around 89 percent of rice inventories were held by the private sector. The signs of cartel activity were clear—import permits were cornered, private stocks built up, and prices allowed to rise,” Salceda explained. “It does not take a genius to see that the resulting price crisis was deliberately concocted.”

He also pointed to allegations of a P2-billion bribery scheme within the NFA, where certain officials allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for controlling rice import permits.

“No one has gone to jail on allegations of bribery in obtaining import permits or for the NFA’s failure to undercut cartels by diverting funds,” Salceda said. “What happened to the charges that then-Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said would be filed in 2018?”

Salceda requested the Committee Secretariat to send letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to determine the status of any cases filed against officials implicated in the rice price manipulation scandal.

He also called for letters to the NFA to obtain a list of individuals and corporations granted rice import permits from 2016 to 2018 and to the Bureau of Customs for detailed records of rice import arrivals during the same period.

“We reserve the right to invoke subpoena powers to secure these documents,” Salceda stressed.

Salceda expressed concern that some of the individuals involved in the 2016-2018 rice price manipulation might still be active in the industry.

“Rice prices in the world market have already decreased by 14 percent, and the tariff reduction from 35 percent to 15 percent should have lowered the landed cost of imports by 34 percent,” he said. “Yet, rice retail prices have increased by 9 percent year on year. This is impossible without cartel-like behavior.”

While rice prices have decreased by 40 centavos per kilo since the tariff reduction in July, Salceda argued that this is insufficient.

“The same bad actors from 2016-2018 are still on the loose, and I suspect they’re still in business,” he said.

Salceda also questioned whether the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act is enough to prevent future price manipulation schemes and called for better enforcement to dismantle cartels in the rice sector.

“The more important concern for me as a policymaker is this: Are the same people who were involved in this mess still in the rice trade? Is there anything we can do to finally break this network down?”

The Murang Pagkain Supercommittee was created through House Resolution 254, introduced by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. It consolidates the efforts of key House committees—Ways and Means, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food, Social Services, and the Special Committee on Food Security— to address issues in the food supply chain, including price manipulation, smuggling, and hunger.

Think tank cites need for Site Blocking Law

By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

THE creative industry will flourish once the country follows the example of the United Kingdom, Italy and France in implementing a Site Blocking Law, according to the international think tank Stratbase Institute.

Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit on Wednesday cited the success of site blocking laws in the United Kingdom, France, and Italy that have seen piracy site reductions by up to 95 percent while in Asia, nations like South Korea and Indonesia have reported drops of 98 percent and 95 percent, respectively.

“Online piracy thrives on a simple supplyand-demand dynamic. To break this cycle, we must strike at the root by aggressively cutting off the supply. It’s time to take bold action and show zero tolerance for these illegal operators. The Site Blocking bill is our strongest weapon—let’s use it to dismantle piracy networks and send a clear message: we will not stand by while our economy and national security are undermined,” Manhit explained.

He also urged the Senate for the immediate passage of the Site Blocking bill, citing its 90 percent average success rate worldwide in effectively combating online piracy, according to a study by the Motion Pictures Association.

In a statement, Manhit said this crucial legislation is essential, not only to prevent further economic losses, but also to address

the growing security threats posed by digital piracy.

A survey commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association (Avia) reveals that the Philippines is the second-largest consumer of pirated online content in the Asia-Pacific region, with 70 percent of Filipinos accessing pirated materials, just behind Vietnam at 71 percent.

“As a result, Filipino consumers are nearly 30 times more likely to encounter cyber threats when using piracy sites compared to mainstream websites, according to the Motion Picture Association (MPA), underscoring the severe risks associated with this issue,” Manhit said.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) warned earlier that failure to enact the Site Blocking bill, which has been stalled at the committee level for three years, could result in a loss of up to $1 billion in revenue by 2027.

“We believe that the law must adapt to changes. We must lobby in Congress and the Senate for this law to be passed, as it benefits not only our shareholders but also our economy as a whole,” IPOPHL Supervising Director of the IP Rights Enforcement Office Christine Pangilinan-Canlapan said in an antipiracy symposium last November 13. In addition, Manhit said the creative industry, which includes influencers, content creators, and entertainers, is particularly affected by the absence of the Site Blocking Law.

PHL eyes stronger UAE ties in energy, digital sectors

THE Philippines is setting its sights on pursuing new agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen ties across key sectors to boost innovation and sustainability, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.

After his one-day visit to Abu Dhabi, President Marcos identified culture, energy transition, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, legal cooperation, and investment cooperation as focal points for enhanced collaboration between the two nations.

“At this brief visit, I reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to further strengthen our bilateral ties, progressing towards new spheres of engagement,” Marcos said.

Marcos shared that he is looking forward to also having bilateral agreements to improve government activities, and visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports.

Earlier this year, the Philippines signed a similar agreement with Qatar, easing travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports to facilitate official missions between the two nations.

The UAE, home to approximately 700,000 Filipino workers, has long been a vital partner for the Philippines.

During the “highly-productive” visit, Marcos also acknowledged the UAE’s humanitarian assistance following recent typhoons in the Philippines, its pardoning of 143 Filipinos during Eid al-Adha festival, and its cooperation in the extradition of a Filipino sex trafficker earlier this year.

Marcos also acknowledged the Gulf State’s contributions to the Filipino community, including its recent humanitarian aid during typhoons in the Philippines.

“I expressed the appreciation of the Philippines for the UAE Government’s care and respect for the Filipino community in the UAE.” he added.

Marcos also extended an invitation to UAE President Zayed Al Nahyan for a reciprocal visit to the Philippines to continue their dialogue and “explore further areas of cooperation.”

The Philippine president’s visit marked the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UAE. Justine Xyrah Garcia

DOE set to shift BARMM RE devt to local ministry

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Department of Energy

(DOE) and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Musim Mindanao (BARMM) have signed a transition agreement that will facilitate the transfer of the administration, application and development of renewable energy in the Bangsamoro area.

The agreement is also meant to support the Bangsamoro Government in implementing the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

“By working hand-in-hand and providing full assistance to MENRE, we are committed toensuring that the Bangsamoro Government has the necessary support, resources, and expertise to successfully implement renewable energy policies and initiatives in the region. This partnership will not only help drive the development of renewable energy projects but also create long-term benefits for the region, along with improved energy access, environmental sustainability, and economic growth,” DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

Lotilla and MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim signed the agreement.

Section 8, Article XIII of the Bangsamoro Organic Law grants the Bangsamoro Government the authority to explore, develop, and utilize natural resources, including renewable energy sources, within the Bangsamoro region. Inland waters

that are a source of energy for areas outside the BARMM are co-managed by the BARMM and the national government.

As part of the implementation process, the DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB) will continue to provide capacity building support to the Bangsamoro Government. This includes training and guidance to MENRE on key policy and operational matters, as well as guidelines for the processing and award of renewable energy service contracts and operating contracts and other registrations within the BARMM.

“Through DOE-REMB, we commit our full assistance to MENRE to facilitate its full assumption of the powers, functions, and responsibilities delegated to the DOE under the Renewable Energy Act, including those powers, functions, and responsibilities pertaining to the REMB, and other regulations that applies to the BARMM,” Lotilla said.

These transition activities shall be performed and completed by both parties no later December 31, 2024 or until an agreed upon later date by both parties. Within this period, the DOEREMB shall also transfer to MENRE the custody and responsibility over data and files relating to renewable energy projects located within the BARMM.

Following the transition period, the MENRE will officially take over the administration of all renewable energy service contracts and operating contracts that have been awarded by the DOE within the BARMM. Lenie Lectura

Bicol region defers pay hike talks after Typhoon Kristine

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region V announced on Tuesday that it has “indefinitely postponed” the wage determination process for private sector workers and domestic helpers in the Bicol Region.

The Board’s decision, formalized under Resolution No. 001-2024, comes in the wake of storm Kristine’s destruction across the region last month

“We understand the need to address wage concerns, but we must first prioritize the recovery and rebuilding of our communities and businesses severely affected by this calamity,” RTWPB Chairperson Imelda F. Gatinao said.

Bicol’s current daily minimum wage stands at P395 for all sectors. The Board initiated a wage review earlier this year to address rising costs of living and provide relief for workers, but the disruption caused by Typhoon Kristine has forced a shift in priorities.

Gatinao emphasized that the Resolution No. 001-2024 should “not be taken lightly” and assured labor that the Board would monitor the situation closely.

“The Board will continue to monitor the situation and reassess the feasibility

Tof resuming the process after three months or when conditions improve,” she added.

Gatinao added that the postponement would provide stakeholders with much-needed breathing room.

“This deferment allows all stakeholders to recover and provide thoughtful input into the wage-setting process once conditions stabilize,” she said.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol reported that damage across agriculture, infrastructure, and other sectors exceeded P9.3 billion. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were among the worst affected, with many forced into prolonged closures, facing inventory losses and utility disruptions that have further strained their recovery.

The delay comes despite an earlier commitment by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma that all regions would implement wage increases this year. (Related: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/09/05/provincialwage-hikes-expected-beforeyear-ends/)

As of this writing, 10 out of 17 regions have already finalized and published their new wage orders Justine Xyrah Garcia

Manila’s global appeal high despite overall ranking dip

Bless Aubrey Ogerio

MANILA ranked 76th in a global survey of city perceptions, gaining recognition for its economic potential, job accessibility and friendly atmosphere.

Although it dropped one spot from 75th in 2023, the Brand Finance Global City Index 2024 showed that the Philippines’s capital still ranked higher than New Delhi, Macau and Hanoi.

The city fared well in several key areas, placing 36th for Future Growth Potential, 33rd for Friendliness and

ninth for Affordability.

The capital’s economic outlook was positively regarded, with the report noting Manila’s growing competitiveness as a business and investment hub. This promising sign was supported by a notable 11-rank improvement in “access to a skilled workforce.”

The labor market also showed progress, rising from 81st to 43rd in terms of “ease of finding employment,” outpacing cities such as Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

In the People & Values category, Manila saw improvements in its perception as a “fun and friendly city,”

with rankings for “fun” climbing 15 spots and “friendly” jumping 23 spots.

“Manila’s brand as a friendly and business-ready city is gaining global recognition. From affordable living to improved perceptions of job accessibility, the city has successfully captured attention as a dynamic and economically viable hub,” said Alex Haigh, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Brand Finance.

“These elements position Manila as a thriving cultural and economic centre within Southeast Asia, appealing to individuals and investors seeking a vibrant and inclusive urban

environment,” he added. London, New York and Paris hold the top three spots in global city rankings, while Tokyo and Dubai advanced to fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The survey’s respondents rated 100 cities on key indicators like Familiarity, Reputation, and Consideration, while also selecting from 45 attributes across seven pillars, including Culture & Heritage and Business & Investment, to assess city brands. The findings are based on responses from over 15,000 participants across 20 countries.

Pinoys aware of climate change, yet few adapt

ABless Aubrey Ogerio

RECENT Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) survey has found that many Filipinos (85 percent) are aware of climate change and almost half (46 percent) expect significant impacts within the next five years, but 66 percent have taken no action to mitigate its effects.

Among those who have, the majority focus on environmental efforts like tree planting (21 percent), reducing energy use (15 percent), water conservation (15 percent), insulating (7 percent) and using renewable energy (7 percent).

“There is a need for visible action....The government can take steps to collaborate more closely with communities, civil society groups, the private sector, and academia to support adaptative measures,” said Vincenzo Bollettino, HHI Resilient Communities program director.

Yet, only 22 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with the government’s climate change efforts while 53 percent are uncertain.

Across regions, climate awareness ranges from 70 to 86 percent, with 41 to 58 percent anticipating significant personal

TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has endorsed to the Commission on Appointments the nominations and ad interim appointments of 21 officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In endorsing the nominations committee chair Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said “these 21 individuals have proven themselves through years of unwavering commitment, professionalism, and excellence in representing and safeguarding the interests of our nation on the global stage.”

He asked the bicameral body to consider the following in weighing the appointments:

n Their extensive experience and track records in fostering diplomatic relationships and advancing the country’s foreign policy objectives.

n Their responsiveness in addressing critical issues, particularly those that directly affect our overseas Filipino workers and the broader Filipino community abroad.

n Their readiness to tackle the challenges of an evolving global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties,

risks and 58 to 80 percent believing climate change is human-induced.

Regions hit hardest by disasters show higher climate awareness and adaptation efforts. For instance, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas, affected by Typhoon Yolanda, reported the highest rates of personal adaptation, with 48 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

In contrast, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has notably low awareness, with only 48 percent familiar with climate change, 31 percent seeing it as a personal risk, and 35 percent viewing it as human-induced. BARMM also has the lowest rate of personal climate adaptation, at just 21 percent.

“Areas that are highly dependent on agriculture, such as BARMM, will face additional challenges, including altered growing seasons, reduced crop yields, and increased prevalence of crop diseases, all of which threaten food security and livelihoods,” HHI research director Patrick Vinck said.

Economic hardships, health concerns MANY Filipinos foresee economic chal -

and the urgency of climate change.

“The DFA plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting the sovereignty, security, and welfare of the Filipino people, both here and abroad. It is imperative that the leadership of this department remains in the hands of individuals with the competence, integrity, and passion for public service,” Estrada said.

He expressed confidence that these officials “possess the expertise and moral compass necessary to further enhance our nation’s standing in the international community. Their dedication to upholding the interests of the Filipino people, combined with their deep understanding of diplomacy, makes them assets not only to the DFA but to the entire country.”

Endorsed for approval are the nominations and ad interim appointments of:

1. Noel Eugene Eusebia Mejica Servignon Chief of Mission, Class as Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova, in addition to being Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Romania (nomination)

2. Emmanuel Revilla Fernandez

lenges due to climate change. About 43 percent expect rapid inflation and income loss, while 34 percent worry about poverty and hunger. However, only a small percentage have taken significant steps to adapt, with 7 percent changing their livelihoods and 5 percent relocating to less affected areas.

Based on the results, wealthier, more educated individuals are more likely to take adaptive actions. About 52 percent of those with higher education and 38 percent of those with higher income are more proactive compared to 23 percent with limited education and 30 percent with lower income.

“Few people have adapted their livelihood or even moved to less affected areas, but these percentages are likely to grow rapidly as people increasingly face the consequences of climate change,”Vinck said.

On health risks, many Filipinos underestimate the impact. Only 26 percent are concerned about harm, injuries, or illnesses, while just 10 percent worry about increased mortality.

“Rising temperatures and extreme weather events can exacerbate health risks, and lead to a surge in heat-related illnesses,

vector-borne diseases, and mental health challenges,” Bollettino noted.

Assessing disaster preparedness

THE HHI developed a scoring system to evaluate Filipinos’ preparedness in areas like training participation, access to information, and preparedness measures such as having a go-bag. The results showed that awareness of climate change correlates with a 60-percent increase in preparedness scores.

Vinck noted that “without adequate awareness and belief in the human causes of climate change, necessary adaptive measures may remain insufficient, leaving already vulnerable communities at greater risk of destabilization and economic insecurity.” For Bollettino, there is a need for better communication on personal preparedness, especially for socioeconomically vulnerable groups.

“The government must do more to integrate climate change strategies into national and local policies, ensuring that they not only address environmental concerns but also support economic and social adaptation,” he added.

Chief of Mission, Class II as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (nomination)

3. Adrian Bernie Cabardo CandoladaChief of Mission, Class I DFA (ad interim)

4. Maria Agnes Maglasang CervantesChief of Mission, Class I DFA (ad interim)

5. Mardomel Celo Domingo Melicor-Chief of Mission, Class I DFA (ad interim)

6. Giovanni Endencia Palec Chief of Mission, Class I DFA (ad interim)

7. Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio-Chief of Mission, Class I DFA (ad interim)

8. Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos Chief of Mission, Class II DFA (ad interim)

9. Shirlene Chiu Mananquil Chief of Mission, Class II DFA (ad interim)

10. Maria Elena Cristina Delfin Maningat Chief of Mission, Class II DFA (ad interim)

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE country’s farm trade deficit expanded by 1.5

value of agricultural imports reached $4.99 billion or 71.6 percent of the total agricultural trade.

“The country’s total agricultural trade in the third quarter of 2024, which amounted to $6.96 billion, posted an annual increase of 12.1 percent. In the second quarter of 2024, the

“In the third quarter of 2024, the total balance of trade in agricultural goods was recorded at -$3.01 billion, which reflects a deficit with an annual increment of 1.5 percent. In the second quarter of 2024, the trade deficit registered an annual increase of 13.8 percent, while an annual decrease of 10.6 percent was recorded in the third quarter of 2023.”

Cereals, including rice and wheat, were the country’s top food imports at $1.05 billion or 7.8 percent higher than

the $969.89 million recorded last year. It accounted for 21 percent of the total value of agricultural imports in the third quarter. The top five sources of cereals for the Philippines were Vietnam, Australia, the United States, Thailand, and Myanmar. Among the other major agricultural imports during the period were meat and edible meat offal, residues and waste from the food industries, miscellaneous edible preparations, and dairy produce.

A gricultural exports during the period were higher by 21.8 percent compared with the $1.62 billion recorded in 2023.

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14. KIM, HOBIN General Trade Marketing Specialist Consultant

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45. XIAO, XIAOLIN Mandarin Marketing Associate

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47. CAI, JIAYAO Marketing And Sales Agent

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas. Basic Qualification: Able to contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies. Able to help detail, design, and

48. CAI, TAILIN Marketing And Sales Agent

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76. DIALLO, AMADOU OURY French Operations CSR II

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77. EBI

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins, but uncertainty looms over future stability

By Josef Federman, Kareem Chehayeb & Bassem Mroue The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—The

ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants began early Wednesday as a region on edge wondered whether it will hold.

The ceasefire announced Tuesday is a major step toward ending nearly 14 months of fighting sparked by the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has said it will attack if Hezbollah breaks the ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire calls for an initial two-month halt to fighting and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the border. An international panel led by the United States will monitor compliance.

The ceasefire began at 4 a.m. Wednesday, a day after Israel carried out its most intense wave of airstrikes in Beirut since the start of the conflict that in recent weeks turned into all-out war. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities.

The ceasefire does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable.

There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of

the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected.

Israel’s security Cabinet approved the US-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. US President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how.

Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year.

Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce NETANYAHU presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in

Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran.

“If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.”

The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance.

Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.”

Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the US efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.”

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people.

Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form.

“After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network.

“We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the

expense of the sovereignty of the state,” he said, referring to Israel’s demand for freedom of action.

“Any violation of sovereignty is refused.”

Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs

EVEN as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border.

An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut—the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown.

At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Israel also struck a building in Beirut’s bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties.

Ukraine reports record 188 drones launched by Russia in nighttime blitz

By Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Russia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, the Ukrainian air force said Tuesday, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. Most of the drones were intercepted, according to the air force, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions.

The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, issued a rare official acknowledgement of its assets recently being hit on its own soil by US-made ATACMS missiles, after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use the longer-range weapons to strike deeper inside Russia.

Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks since the middle of the year.

At the same time, Russia’s army has largely held the battlefield initiative for the past year and has been pushing hard in the eastern Donetsk region where it is making significant tactical advances, according to Western military analysts.

Ukraine faces a difficult winter, with worries about the reliability of the electricity supply amid Russia’s attacks and how much US sup -

port it can count on next year after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

The Russian Defense Ministry said five US-made Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, missiles were fired at one of its air defense missile systems in Russia’s Kursk border region on Saturday. It said three of the missiles were downed by the Pantsyr short-range air defense systems protecting the position but that two other missiles hit it, injuring an unspecified number of servicemen and damaging the system’s radar.

In another attack with ATACMS on Monday, eight of the missiles were launched at the KurskVostochny military air base near Khalino. Seven of them were shot down and one hit the facility, injuring two servicemen and causing minor damage, the ministry said.

“Preparations for retaliatory action are under way,” the ministry said without elaborating.

A US official said Nov. 19 that

ATACMS had been fired at targets inside Russia for the first time.

As Russian Shahed drones spread out across Ukraine late Monday, the air raid alert in the Kyiv region overnight lasted more than seven hours. Russia is trying to unnerve civilians and wear down their will to resist in the almost 3-yearold war, military analysts say.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that each Shahed has 85 foreign components and that Russia obtained them by circumventing international sanctions. He said on the Telegram messaging app that “we need more joint effort so that the sanctions work and force Russia to stop this war.” Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said Tuesday that over the past 24 hours roughly half of the clashes along the about 1,000-kilometer (600 mile) front line occurred near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in the Donetsk region.

Ukraine has a critical manpower problem on the front line, and

though the Russian army’s gains have been incremental its momentum is adding up as the Ukrainians yield ground.

The Russian advance is threatening important supply routes in Donetsk, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said late Monday.

Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk are not in danger of being overrun, however, the think tank said. It also noted that Russia would need to capture more than 8,000 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) of territory to achieve the Kremlin’s goal of seizing the whole of Donetsk.

In other developments, a court in Russia’s Kursk region has ordered a British national fighting with Ukraine to be held in detention pending an investigation and trial.

The ruling on the Briton, identified by state news agency Tass and other media as James Scott Rhys Anderson, was announced Tuesday by court officials, who said in an online statement that it was handed down the previous day.

The hearing took place behind closed doors in the Leninsky District Court in the city of Kursk. It wasn’t clear from the statement what charges Anderson is facing and whether he is considered a prisoner of war by the Russian authorities.

The Briton reportedly was captured in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have seized territory following a lightning offensive in August.

The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah’s financial arm.

The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. Residents fled. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate.

Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon

THE Israeli military also said its

ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border.

Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on October 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since.

Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes.

More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members.

Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon.

Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed.

ICC seeks arrest warrant for Myanmar military leader over Rohingya crimes

By Molly Quell The Associated Press

HE HAGUE—The

TInternational Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor asked judges on Wednesday to issue an arrest warrant for the head of Myanmar’s military regime for crimes committed against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who took power from elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in 2021, is accused of crimes against humanity for the deportation and persecution of the Rohingya.

Nearly a million people were forced into neighboring Bangladesh to escape what has been called an ethnic cleansing campaign involving mass rapes, killings and the torching of homes.

From a refugee camp in Bangladesh, the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, said in a statement that he intends to request more warrants for Myanmar’s leaders soon.

“In doing so, we will be demonstrating, together with all of our partners, that the Rohingya have not been forgotten. That they, like all people around the world, are entitled to the protection of the law,” the British barrister said. The allegations stem from a counterinsurgency campaign that Myanmar’s military began in August 2017 in response to an insurgent attack. Hlaing, who heads the Myanmar Defense Services, is said to have directed the armed forces

of Myanmar, known as the Tatmadaw, as well as national police to attack Rohingya civilians. Khan was in Bangladesh where he met with members of the displaced Rohingya population. Myanmar does not belong to the global court, but Bangladesh does. In 2018 judges at the court ruled the prosecutor could look into crimes that were “completed” on the territory of a member state, such as forcible deportation.

In 2019, Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, formally requested to open an investigation into the situation and judges gave the green light for investigations into “any crime, including any future crime” committed at least partly in Bangladesh or another court member state and linked to the Rohingya. The move paved the way for Khan to pursue crimes beyond forcing men, women and children over the border and into refugee camps. The request comes days after a powerful rebel group seized a key trading town in northeastern Myanmar on the Chinese border, taking control of a lucrative rare earth mining hub in another setback for the military-led government.

The military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021, triggering intensified fighting with long-established armed militias organized by Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups in its border regions which have struggled for decades for more autonomy.

SMOKE rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. AP/BILAL HUSSEIN

IN this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a Russian T-80 tank rolls in Donetsk region in Ukraine. RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP

Trade war looms: Mexican president warns of retaliation against Trump’s tariff threats

MEXICO CITY—President

Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 percent import duties on Mexican goods if the country doesn’t stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border.

Sheinbaum said she was willing to engage in talks on the issues, but said drugs were a US problem.

“One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” Sheinbaum said, referring to US automakers that have plants on both sides of the border.

She said Tuesday that Mexico had done a lot to stem the flow of migrants, noting “caravans of migrants no longer reach the border.”

However, Mexico’s efforts to fight drugs like the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl—which is manufactured by Mexican cartels using chemicals imported from China— have weakened in the last year.

Sheinbaum said Mexico suffered from an influx of weapons smuggled in from the United States, and said the flow of drugs “is a problem of public health and consumption in your country’s society.”

Sheinbaum also criticized US spending on weapons, saying the money should instead be spent regionally to address the problem of migration. “If a percentage of what the United States spends on war were dedicated to peace and development, that would address the underlying causes of migration,” she said.

Sheinbaum’s bristly response suggests that Trump faces a much

different Mexican president than he did in his first term.

Back in late 2018, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was a charismatic, old-school politician who developed a chummy relationship with Trump. The two were eventually able to strike a bargain in which Mexico helped keep migrants away from the border—and received other countries’ deported migrants—and Trump backed down on the threats.

But Sheinbaum, who took office October 1, is a stern leftist ideologue trained in radical student protest movements, and appears less willing to pacify or mollify Trump.

“We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here, because we are a great nation,” Sheinbaum said, while adding, “I think we are going to reach an agreement.”

But Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis of the financial group Banco Base, fears the personality clash could escalate things into brinkmanship; Trump clearly hates to lose.

“Trump may have just tossed the threat out there, as he does,” Siller said. “But Mexico’s response, that we’re going to respond to you with tariffs, that will make Trump really impose them.”

It’s not clear how serious

Trump’s threat is. The US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement forbids just imposing tariffs on other member countries. And it’s not clear whether the economy could even tolerate sudden levies on imports: Auto plants on both sides of the border rely on each other for parts and components, and some production lines could screech to a halt.

“It is unacceptable and would cause inflation and job losses in Mexico and the United States,” Sheinbaum said, while offering to talk about the issues. “If tariffs go

Canadian officials blast Trump’s tariff threat, prepare for potential trade war

By Rob Gillies The Associated Press

TORONTO—Canadian

officials on Tuesday

blasted President-elect

Donald’s Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs, as the leader of the country’s most populous province called Trump’s comparison of Canada to Mexico “the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard.”

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office in January as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.

“To compare us to Mexico is the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard from our friends and closest allies, the United States of America,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. “I found his comments unfair. I found them insulting. It’s like a family member stabbing you right in the heart.”

Ford said Canada will have no choice but to retaliate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will convene an emergency meeting with provincial leaders on Wednesday. The Canadian dollar weakened sharply in foreign exchange markets.

Trudeau said he spoke with Trump after his threat of tariffs. “We talked about the intense and effective connections between our countries that flow back and forth. We talked about some of the challenges that we can work on together. It was a good

call,” Trudeau said.

Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though apprehensions at the southern US border have been near four-year lows.

Apprehension numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison.

“We shouldn’t confuse the Mexican border with the Canadian border,” Canadian Industry Minister FrançoisPhilippe Champagne said.

The US Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October—and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024, up from 10,021 the previous 12 months.

“It’s the equivalent to a significant weekend at the Mexico border,” Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, adding that Canada is considering a number of border measures including additional resources.

Quebec Premier François Legault acknowledged that the issue along the Mexican border

is far worse but called Trump’s concerns legitimate, citing the recent increase in illegal immigrants entering the US from Canada.

“A 25 percent tariff would mean tens of thousands of jobs lost,” Legault said. “We cannot start a war. We have to do everything we can to not have these tariffs.”

Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77 percent of Canada’s exports go to the US.

Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60 percent of US crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 percent of US electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is investing in for national security.

“The fact is, we need them and they also need us,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. “Canada is the

largest market for the US in the world, larger than China, Japan, the U.K. and France combined. It is also the case that the things we sell to the United States are the things they really need.”

When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term, countries responded with retaliatory tariffs. Canada announced billions of dollars in new duties in 2018 in response to new US taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Many of the US products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact.

For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the US annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10 percent duty.

Now, again, Canadians are particularly worried about auto tariffs. The North American auto industry is highly integrated, and parts made in Canada often go to cars manufactured in the US and sold back to Canadians.

“To try and undo it with a tariff would be like trying to separate the yolks from the whites in an omelet. You cannot,” said Flavio Volpe, president of Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association.

“You cannot hurt Canadian automotive without immediately hurting American automotive.”

The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico that replaced NAFTA. It is up for review in 2026.

up, who will it hurt? General Motors,” she said.

“Dialogue is the best path to achieve understanding, peace and prosperity for our two countries,” Sheinbaum said. “I hope our teams can meet soon.”

Late Monday, Trump said he would impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10 percent tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders.

The tariffs, if implemented, could dramatically raise prices

for American consumers on everything from gas to automobiles to agricultural products. The US is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent US Census data.

Trump made the threats Monday in a pair of posts on his Truth Social site in which he railed against an influx of illegal migrants, even though apprehensions at the southern border have been hovering near four-year lows.

“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 percent Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” he wrote.

He said the new tariffs would remain in place “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power,” he went on, “and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!” AP

Thanksgiving travel rush in US strains airports as millions fly

By David Koenig Ap Airlines Writer

THE Thanksgiving holiday rush neared its full stride at US airports Tuesday, putting travelers’ patience to the test.

The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday and 2.9 million on Wednesday after handling more than 2.5 million people on Monday.

Things appeared to be going relatively smoothly at most airports, given the big crowds.

By early evening Tuesday on the East Coast, only about 70 US flights had been canceled but more than 3,200 had been delayed. Airlines averaged about 4,500 daily flight delays during the previous three days, according to tracking service FlightAware. On the ground, there were a couple slowspeed collisions at Boston Logan International Airport. An American Airlines plane pulling into a gate touched wingtips with a parked Frontier Airlines plane on Monday, but no injuries were reported. On Monday night, a tug towing an empty JetBlue plane struck a Cape Air plane, and two Cape Air pilots were taken to a hospital as a precaution, according to an airport spokesperson.

Eyes on the sky

AN Arctic blast in the Midwest and wet weather in the Eastern US could disrupt travel over the next several days.

A storm system that moved across the West Coast was forecast to bring heavy snow Wednesday to the Intermountain West, including the Rockies in Colorado, the Bitterroot Range in Idaho and Montana, and the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For Thanksgiving Day, forecasters expect clear weather over the western two-thirds of the country but a mix of rain and snow from Michigan and Ohio through New England. Temperatures were in the high 30s in Chicago on Tuesday, but that was fine with Kristy Vincent of Houston, who landed at O’Hare Airport.

“I’m so excited. There’s not snow. I’m not going to freeze to death,”Vincent said, adding that she was “a little worried” about weekend forecasts calling for highs in the 20s.

Thanksgiving, by the numbers AUTO club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices. The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.07 a gallon on Tuesday, down from $3.25 at this time last year. Airfares, however, are about 4.1 percent higher than they were a year ago, according to government figures.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at US airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6 percent more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024. The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next-busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week.

NEWLY-SWORN in President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses supporters in the Zócalo, Mexico City’s main square, on October 1, 2024. AP/FERNANDO LLANO

PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau, left, responds to a question as Ontario Premier Doug Ford looks on following an announcement of plans to turn Nokia’s Ottawa facility into a research and development technology center in Ottawa, Ontario on October 17, 2022. ADRIAN WYLD/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Australia poised to become first country to ban kids under 16 from social media

By Rod Mcguirk The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia—

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law.

The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts.

The legislation passed 102 to 13. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to imple -

ment the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced.

Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses, nor could they demand digital identification through a

government system.

“Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament.

The bill was introduced to the Senate late Wednesday to be debated at an unspecified time.

The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will pass in the Senate, where no party holds a majority of seats.

Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children.

Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media,

Brazil’s Bolsonaro accused of leading coup plot in 2022 to remain in power

By Mauricio Savarese & Eléonore Hughes

The Associated Press

SÃO PAULO—Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday.

Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. The unsealed document provides a first glimpse of several testimonies that describe the former president as one of the key leaders of the plot, and not a mere observer.

“The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that thenPresident Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’état and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said.

At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.”

Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country’s electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators.

The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation’s electoral court.

The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators.

Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action.

Federal Police say the former president and his allies at first expected to launch the coup d’état on Dec. 15, 2022. The document also said that top military personnel who stood in the way became targets of online attacks by a proBolsonaro digital militia group.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

“No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday.

“If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.”

The top court has passed the report to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investi -

gation. The former president was formally accused of three crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup d’état and forming a criminal organization.

Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Bolsonaro could face at least 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

“A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Rios told The Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.”

In the Jan. 8, 2022 riot, his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power.

João Pedro Pádua, a law professor at the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaro’s defense could argue that actions of planning for a coup d’état, as many described in the document, shouldn’t be prosecuted as if the group had acted.

“There’s a distinction between preparatory actions and execution actions. Planning is typically a preparatory action,” Pádua said. “Of course there are some execution actions here, too. Pressure on key military agents is one. But there will be a debate about that.”

Pádua added that Bolsonaro faces the biggest risk of conviction on the count of forming a criminal organization, as the document shows evidence that he held several meetings with key allies to discuss the plot.

drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered, and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer.

Independent lawmaker Zoe

Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms

Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030.

Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race.

Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring it and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ Covid-19 vaccination statuses.

Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot.

Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and awaiting the uprising that took place a week later.

Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, one of the former president’s sons, said Tuesday evening that “the only path for some normalcy and some balance between the powers is amnesty” for the far-right leader, his allies and his supporters.

“It has to be wide-ranging, general and unrestricted amnesty. I am very convinced of that. It has to include Justice Alexandre de Moraes, too,” Flavio Bolsonaro said during a session at the Senate. He and his allies claim de Moraes has overstepped in the investigations of the former president and want him impeached.

Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro.

that are inherent to social media.”

“The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament.

“There is a reason why the government parades this legislation

as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added.

The platforms had asked for the vote to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could be enforced.

Melbourne resident Wayne Holdsworth, whose 17-year-old son Mac took his own life last year after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, described the bill as “absolutely essential for the safety of our children.”

“It’s not the only thing that we need to do to protect them because education is the key, but to provide some immediate support for our children and parents to be able to manage this, it’s a great step,” the 65-year-old online safety campaigner told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

“And in my opinion, it’s the greatest time in our country’s history,” he added, referring to the pending legal reform.

Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised immigration crackdown

By Sarah Parvini, Garance Burke & Jesse Bedayn The Associated Press

PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration— among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status.

While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools—some of them powered by AI—help make decisions over whether an immigrant should be detained or surveilled.

One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision.

The letter, sent by DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen to the immigrant rights group Just Futures Law, revealed that the score calculates the potential risk that an immigrant—with a pending case—will fail to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The algorithm relies on several factors, he said, including an immigrant’s number of violations and length of time in the program, and whether the person has a travel document. Hysen wrote that ICE officers consider the score, among other information, when making decisions about an immigrant’s case.

“The Hurricane Score does not make decisions on detention, deportation, or surveillance; instead, it is used to inform human decision-making,” Hysen wrote.

Also included in the government’s tool kit is a mobile app called SmartLINK that uses facial matching and can track an im -

migrant’s specific location. Nearly 200,000 people without legal status who are in removal proceedings are enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, under which certain immigrants can live in the US while their immigration cases are pending.

In exchange, SmartLINK and GPS trackers used by ICE rigorously surveil them and their movements. The phone application draws on facial matching technology and geolocation data, which has been used before to find and arrest those using the app. Just Futures Law wrote to Hysen earlier this year, questioning the fairness of using an algorithm to assess whether someone is a flight risk and raising concerns over how much data SmartLINK collects. Such AI systems, which score or screen people, are used widely but remain largely unregulated even though some have been found to discriminate on race, gender or other protected traits.

DHS said in an e-mail that it is committed to ensuring that its use of AI is transparent and safeguards privacy and civil rights while avoiding biases. The agency said it is working to implement the Biden administration’s requirements on using AI, but Hysen said in his letter that security officials may waive those requirements for certain uses. Trump has publicly vowed to repeal Biden’s AI policy when he returns to the White House in January.

“DHS uses AI to assist our personnel in their work, but DHS does not use the outputs of AI systems as the sole basis for any law enforcement action or denial of benefits,” a spokesperson for DHS told the AP. Trump has not revealed how he plans to carry out his promised deportation of an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally. Although he has proposed invoking wartime powers, as well as military involvement, the plan would face major logistical challenges—such as where to keep those who have been detained and how to find people spread across the country—that AI-powered surveillance tools could potentially address.

AUSTRALIA’S Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, introduces the Online Safety Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, November 21, 2024. MICK TSIKAS/AAP IMAGE VIA AP

Securing our energy future: Harnessing partnerships amidst climate challenges

THe recent devastation wrought by five consecutive storms in the country has laid bare the vulnerabilities of our electric cooperatives (eCs) and highlighted the vital role of established distribution utilities like Meralco in enhancing energy security. The National electrification Administration’s (NeA) report of more than P100 million in damages to power distribution infrastructure starkly reveals the energy sector’s vulnerability.

The recent storms—Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito—have severely impacted 27 ECs across 21 provinces, forcing them to temporarily shut down operations. This disruption not only left countless homes and businesses without power for days but also underscored the limitations of our ECs in managing crises of this magnitude. Unlike larger distribution utilities, many ECs struggle with inferior infrastructure and lack the technical expertise necessary for rapid recovery, illustrating a critical gap in our energy security framework.

In contrast, Meralco, the country’s largest electric distribution utility, has demonstrated exceptional resilience and capability. With its extensive resources and experienced workforce, Meralco was able to restore power quickly in its franchise areas, minimizing downtime for customers.

While the NEA provides essential financial and technical support to ECs, these efforts have yet to yield the resilience necessary to withstand severe weather events. With 83.51 percent of municipalities covered by affected cooperatives experiencing partial or no power a week after the storms, it is evident that the current support mechanisms are insufficient.

This critical circumstance necessitates a strategic collaboration between Meralco and the ECs, especially in provinces aiming to strengthen their power distribution networks. Meralco’s willingness to extend its technical expertise and financial resources can significantly aid ECs in building robust infrastructures that can withstand the impacts of natural disasters. Such collaboration could improve not just the reliability of power supply but also enhance customer service across the board.

Meralco’s involvement is not merely about profit; it’s about contributing to national resilience. By sharing its expertise through partnerships and collaborations, Meralco can help ECs upgrade their infrastructure, train their personnel, and implement better disaster preparedness strategies. This collaborative model would not only benefit the communities served by the ECs but also contribute to a more robust and secure national energy system.

We are facing increasingly frequent and severe weather events as a direct result of intensifying climate change. Preparing for these challenges requires a cohesive strategy that leverages the strengths of both large distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.

As the country grapples with the aftermath of these storms, it is imperative to recognize the importance of strengthening our national energy security. Strategic partnerships with electric cooperatives, coupled with infrastructure investment and the sharing of technical expertise are crucial for building a more resilient and secure national energy sector.

The recent typhoons serve as a wake-up call. Enhancing the resilience of the entire energy sector, which involves bolstering the capabilities of ECs, is essential for fortifying our energy security. Meralco’s willingness to engage with ECs offers a pathway towards achieving this vital goal, ensuring that consumers, regardless of location, have access to reliable power even in the face of extreme weather events. The government should actively encourage and facilitate these partnerships to bolster the nation’s energy security and foster sustainable development.

It’s your strategy that counts

IJohn Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

N less than two months, Donald Trump will be inaugurated the 47th president of the United States of America. That is, assuming all goes according to schedule. But then again, supposedly, in a letter to his wife during the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong said “everything under heaven is in utter chaos; the situation is excellent.”

We read, “Nato chief warns Europe to brace for TOTAL WAR with Putin.” And “The administration of current President Joe Biden focused on helping Ukraine. This includes returning nuclear weapons to Ukraine, according to The New York Times.” Utter chaos.

I passed a bit of a personal life milestone last week as I celebrated my 74th birthday, making me the first male member of my direct fam-

ily for several generations to make it to that age. It is said that being younger is more difficult than being older, but that is not necessarily true. For example, at 20 you can ask an older sibling for advice on how to successfully navigate your next decade. What am I supposed to do? Find some guy who made it to 90 for life-hacks on how to enjoy and profit from my late 70s? Nonetheless, I must say that I

If you have access to and read the analysis of the genuine experts at financial institutions such as JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, or Deutsch Bank, this is what you discover. You do not make money figuring out what will happen. You make money by formulating strategies for all the reasonably possible scenarios.

am grateful to have witnessed the worst global economic catastrophe since the 1920s and the worst global health crisis also in 100 years. But then again, I am a child of Cold War when neighbors were building bomb shelters in their back yards. Once a month in elementary school, we had a lecture and practicum on what to do when the Russkies dropped the Big One.

I think we will all survive this latest Battle of the Global Politicians. However, it is kind of a shame that dueling with pistols at 40 paces has

gone out of fashion. Rizal Park in front of the Monument would certainly make a good venue to settle local political disputes. Further, there are other issues that we need to deal with. Last week a Brandon University (Canada) study of global male circumcision (2016 data) revealed that men in both the Philippines and Indonesia are “cut” in the high 90 percent while Chile and Uruguay are both under one percent. Apparently a “His body, his choice” movement is building. No word yet if “his choice” applies to Mandatory Military Service for the 66 nations where it is a requirement. As happened when Trump was elected in 2016, there is much “wailing and gnashing of teeth” around the world. With Bitcoin booming since the election, one local stock pundit called the relationship between Trump and Elon Musk an “unholy union” with the potential pro-crypto policies that might come

See “Mangun,” A27

Germany’s Merkel recalls Putin’s ‘power games’

BT. Anthony C. Cabangon

Lourdes M. Fernandez

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

Inc., with

on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque,

By Geir Moulson | The Associated Press

eRLIN—Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalls Vladimir Putin’s “power games” over the years, remembers contrasting meetings with Barack Obama and Donald Trump and says she asked herself whether she could have done more to prevent Brexit, in her memoirs published Tuesday.

Merkel, 70, appears to have no significant doubts about the major decisions of her 16 years as German leader, whose major challenges included the global financial crisis, Europe’s debt crisis, the 2015-16 influx of refugees and the Covid-19 pandemic. True to form, her book— titled “Freedom”—offers a matterof-fact account of her early life in communist East Germany and her later career in politics, laced with moments of dry wit.

Merkel served alongside four US presidents, four French presidents and five British prime ministers. But it is perhaps her dealings with Russian President Putin that have drawn the most scrutiny since she left office in late 2021.

Putin’s power games MER k EL recalls being kept waiting by Putin at the Group of Eight summit she hosted in 2007—“if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s unpunctuality.” And she recounts a visit to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi that year in which

Putin’s labrador appeared during a photo opportunity, although Putin knew she was afraid of dogs. Putin appeared to enjoy the situation, she writes, and she didn’t bring it up—keeping as she often did to the motto “never explain, never complain.”

T he previous year, she recounts Putin pointing to wooden houses in Siberia and telling her poor people lived there who “could be easily seduced,” and that similar groups had been encouraged by money from the US government to take part in Ukraine’s “Orange Revolution” of 2004 against attempted election fraud. Putin, she says, added: “I will never allow something like that in Russia.”

Merkel says she was irritated by Putin’s “self-righteousness” in a 2007 speech in Munich in which he turned away from earlier attempts to develop closer ties with the US. She said that appearance showed Putin as she knew him, “as someone who was always on guard against being treated badly and ready to give out

Merkel served alongside four US presidents, four French presidents and five British prime ministers. But it is perhaps her dealings with Russian President Putin that have drawn the most scrutiny since she left office in late 2021.

at any time, including power games with a dog and making other people wait for him.”

One could find this all childish and reprehensible, one could shake one’s head over it—but that didn’t make Russia disappear from the map,” she writes.

A s she has before, Merkel defends a much-criticized 2015 peace deal for eastern Ukraine that she helped broker and her government’s decisions to buy large quantities of natural gas from Russia. And she argues it was right to keep up diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow until she left power.

Obama and Trump

MER k EL concluded after first meeting then-Sen. Obama in 2008 that they could work well together. More than eight years later, during his last visit as president in November 2016, she was one of the people with whom she discussed whether to seek a fourth term.

Obama, she says, asked questions but held back with an opinion, and

that in itself was helpful. He “said that Europe could still use me very well, but I should ultimately follow my feelings,” she writes.

T here was no such warmth with Trump, who had criticized Merkel and Germany in his 2016 campaign. Merkel says she had to seek an “adequate relationship...without reacting to all the provocations.”

In March 2017, there was an awkward moment when Merkel first visited the Trump White House. Photographers shouted “handshake!” and Merkel quietly asked Trump:

“Do you want to have a handshake?” There was no response from Trump, who looked ahead with his hands clasped.

Merkel faults her own reaction. “He wanted to create a topic of discussion with his behavior, while I had acted as if I were dealing with an interlocutor behaving normally,” she writes. She adds that Putin apparently “fascinated” Trump and, in the following years, she had the impression that “politicians with autocratic and dictatorial traits” beguiled him.

Could Brexit have been avoided?

MER k EL says she tried to help thenPrime Minister David Cameron in the European Union as he faced pressure from British Euroskeptics, but there were limits to what she could

See “Germany’s,” A27

Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

South Korea eyes $10 billion in support for chipmakers in 2025

By Sam Kim

SoUTh Korea plans to bolster its fiscal support for domestic chipmakers next year, shoring up an industry that may face unfavorable policies from the incoming Trump administration and more intense challenges from Chinese rivals.

Financial support made up of loans, insurances and guarantees from state-affiliated organizations are set to amount to 14.3 trillion won ($10.2 billion) next year in an elevation of continued policy stimulus, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. Separately, the government plans to cover “a significant share” of the 1.8 trillion won needed to bury power cables underground in chipmaking clusters south of Seoul, it said in a statement.

South Korea had already kicked off a 26 trillion won aid package in July, part of which will be reflected in next year’s support amount. Separately, the government will seek to increase the tax credit rate for semiconductor-related firms by 10 percentage points and build a national “artificial intelligence computing center” worth 4 trillion won by 2030, it said Wednesday.

South Korea is stepping up its support for the crown jewel of its economy at a time when President-elect Donald Trump vows to bolster US manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. While the nation has continued to funnel fiscal support into chipmakers, Trump’s election has added urgency to safeguarding the growth of the industry. In its statement the ministry said there is potential for economic uncertainties to grow after the new US administration is inaugurated, even though US-South Korean ties in defense and shipbuilding could still benefit.

South Korea’s biggest company, Samsung Electronics Co., in particular is building a semiconductor fac-

South Korea is stepping up its support for the crown jewel of its economy at a time when President-elect Donald Trump vows to bolster US manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. While the nation has continued to funnel fiscal support into chipmakers, Trump’s election has added urgency to safeguarding the growth of the industry.

tory in Texas with subsidies promised under the Biden administration’s Chips Act. Trump’s camp repeatedly criticized that funding program during the election campaign. China may also ratchet up its pursuit of South Korea in supply chains, raising the need for Seoul to help shore up the competitiveness of its tech industries, the Finance Ministry said. A rising wave of protectionist polices may also dent South Korea’s trade-reliant economy, it said.

Technology exports account for roughly a third of South Korea’s shipments abroad. The economy is expected to be on course to grow at least 2 percent this year compared with 2023, particularly on the back of strong demand for semiconductors, including memory chips used in artificial intelligence development.

Forecasts among economists for next year are turning less optimistic after the export rally has softened in recent months. Officials also worry Trump could get tougher on US trading partners after he assumes office in January. With assistance from Yoolim Lee and Shinhye Kang /Bloomberg

China defense minister investigated for corruption, FT reports

US officials believe China has placed its current defense chief under investigation for corruption, the Financial Times reports—in what would be the latest shocking development roiling the world’s largest military by number of personnel.

Admiral Dong Jun faces the inquiry “as part of a broader probe into graft,” in the People’s Liberation Army, the newspaper reported, citing current and former US officials familiar with the situation whom it did not name.

Dong attended a gathering of military leaders from around the world last week in Laos, where he declined to meet with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. China placed the blame on the US, urging it to “immediately correct mistakes” on Taiwan and to respect Beijing’s core interests. China’s Defense Ministry didn’t immediately reply to a faxed request for comment.

forward. Sounds like someone who did not buy BTC below $60k. But this is a lesson that I have learned. My personal likes and dislikes, what I want and do not want have absolutely no effect on the world. In other words, my opinion means less than nothing. More importantly then, I will not let my personal desires get in the way of my surviving and thriving.

If you have access to and read the analysis of the genuine experts at financial institutions such as JP Mor-

Trump’s threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief

By Tom Krisher & Christopher Rugaber AP Business Writers

DETRoIT—If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25 percent tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation.

Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods.

The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10 percent taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the US. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior.

High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further.

For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt US farmers when other countries retaliate.

“Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president.

Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the US. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51 percent of fresh fruit and 69 percent of fresh vegetables imported by value into the US, while Canada supplied 2 percent of fresh fruit and 20 percent of fresh vegetables.

Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters.

“We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store.

The US is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent US Census data.

People looking to buy a new ve-

Vietnam

Admiral Dong Jun faces the inquiry “as part of a broader probe into graft,” in the People’s Liberation Army, the newspaper reported, citing current and former US officials familiar with the situation whom it did not name.

Dong’s two predecessors have also gotten into trouble due to graft probes. Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched a sweeping purge of the military in the summer of 2023 that was partly focused on the Rocket Force, which manages the nation’s expanding nuclear arsenal. Bloomberg

gan, Morgan Stanley, or Deutsch Bank, this is what you discover. You do not make money figuring out what will happen. You make money by formulating strategies for all the reasonably possible scenarios. Interest rates always go higher during a war. Therefore, I do not see the BSP lowering rates on December 19. But, so what? If rates are lowered, I will hold my USD. If not, I will sell USD. Either way I am prepared and that is all that matters.

Vhicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000.

About 15 percent of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the US last year came from Mexico, while 8 percent crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data.

Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, US automotive sector leader for PwC. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out,” Finn said.

Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors.

“A 25 percent tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the US auto industry,” he said.

The tariffs would hurt US industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said.

The tariff threat hit auto stocks on Tuesday, particularly shares of GM, which imports about 30 percent of the vehicles it sells in the US from Canada and Mexico, and Stellantis, which imports about 40 percent from the two countries. For both, about 55 percent of their lucrative pickup trucks come from Mexico and Canada. GM stock lost almost 9 percent of its value, while Stellantis dropped nearly 6 percent.

It’s not clear how long the tariffs would last if implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the US, which could create more jobs in the long run.

However, Morningstar analyst David Whiston said automakers probably won’t make any immediate moves because they can’t quickly change where they build vehicles.

Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with

High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further.

Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the US imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, it said.

“Tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt US consumers and lead to job losses across the US hospitality industry,” it added.

Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned last week that tariffs could force it to raise prices.

Tariffs could trigger supply chain disruptions as people buy goods before they are imposed and companies seek alternate sources of parts, said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at north Carolina State University. Some businesses might not be able to pass on the costs.

“It could actually shut down a lot of industries in the United States. It could actually put a lot of US businesses out of business,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about working together. “This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump’s threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s

fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico, and seizures have increased. Trump has sound legal justification to impose tariffs, even though they conflict with a 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former Clinton administration trade official. The treaty, known as the USMCA, is up for review in 2026. In China’s case, he could simply declare Beijing hasn’t met obligations under an agreement he negotiated in his first term. For Canada and Mexico, he could say the influx of migrants and drugs are a national security threat, and turn to a section of trade law he used in his first term to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum.

The law he would most likely use for Canada and Mexico has a legal process that often takes up to nine months, giving Trump time to seek a deal. If talks failed and the duties were imposed, all three countries would likely retaliate with tariffs on US exports, said Reinsch, who believes Trump’s tariffs threat is a negotiating ploy.

US companies would lobby intensively against tariffs, and would seek to have products exempted. Some of the biggest exporters from Mexico are US firms that make parts there, Reinsch said.

Longer term, Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the threat of tariffs could make the US an “unstable partner” in international trade. “It is an incentive to move activity outside the United States to avoid all this uncertainty,” she said.

Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the US. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own. Sheinbaum said she was willing to talk about the issues, but said drugs were a US problem. Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D’Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.

tycoon told to repay $11 billion to avoid execution

By Francesca Stevens & Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen

IETnAMESE prosecutors have told property tycoon Truong My Lan she must repay an estimated $11 billion if she wants to avoid execution by lethal injection.

Lan, 68, is appealing her death sentence after being convicted in April of embezzling $12.3 billion from Saigon Commercial Bank. She was also found guilty of bribing government officials and violating bank lending rules.

Prosecutors have so far argued against leniency at her hearing in Ho Chi Minh City unless she finds a way to return a significant chunk of the 415.7 trillion dong ($16.4 billion) she was found guilty of embezzling in two separate trials, according to her lawyer.

“We are now trying to help her to avoid the death penalty,” Lan’s lawyer Giang Hong Thanh said. “There is a group of overseas investors who have agreed to lend Lan $400 million and they are working on the documents required to send the money in,” he

Germany’s. . .

continued from A26

do. And, pointing to Cameron’s efforts over the years to assuage opponents of the EU, she says the road to Brexit is a textbook example of what can arise from a miscalculation.

A fter Britons voted to leave the EU in 2016, an outcome she calls a

said. That’s one of a number of potential investments or loans her legal team says is in the works to help Lan clear some of her debts. Thanh said he believes Lan can meet the payback requirement to avoid the death penalty. Under Vietnamese court law, if Lan can return three-quarters of the embezzled assets, the jury can consider a reduction in her sentence.

The real estate mogul’s trials have grabbed global attention due to the severity of the sentence. The Communist government is showcasing that her cases are the kind of highlevel corruption it wants to go after. Tycoon shocked L A n earlier this month appeared shocked and her voice trembled in court when prosecutors proposed that

“humiliation” for its other members, she says the question of whether she should have made more concessions to the U.K. “tortured me.”

“I came to the conclusion that, in view of the political developments inside the country at the time, there would have been no acceptable possibility for me to prevent Britain’s way out of the European Union from outside,” Merkel says.

the death sentence remain. She said she was psychologically disturbed by the decision, according to news website VnExpress. The panel of judges asked her to calm down and said she had permission to continue her defense while seated, though she declined.

In a second trial in October, she was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of illegally transporting roughly $4.5 billion across international borders, laundering some $17.5 billion in pilfered assets from Saigon Commercial Bank, and misappropriating about $1.2 billion from investors via bond issuances.

The former chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Group is one of the highest-profile targets of the government’s years-long anti-corruption crackdown, known as the “blazing furnace” campaign. It was spearheaded by the late Communist Party General Secretary ng uyen Phu Trong and his successor, To Lam, has said he will “resolutely” continue the aggressive push that has touched all aspects of society and led to the de-

Giving up power

M E RKEL was the first German chancellor to leave power at a time of her choosing. She announced in 2018 that she wouldn’t seek a fifth term, and says she “let go at the right point.”

tention of scores of senior officials and business executives.

In the most recent example, disciplinary measures were taken against well-known political figures including the former parliament chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue, who was given an official warning for violating anticorruption regulations on nov. 21. It’s the first time one of the holders of the nation’s top four political positions has been publicly disciplined in this way.

The appeal hearing was initially expected to end on november 25, but the drive for Lan to return as much cash as possible extended the process. The court has now adjourned to consider its decision, which is expected on Tuesday, according to Lan’s legal team. “We really hope that the court will give her a chance to live so she can manage to settle all the debt,” her lawyer Thanh said.  Forty seven other defendants are appealing their sentences during the same hearing, according to local media. Bloomberg

S he points to three 2019 incidents in which her body shook during public engagements as proof. Merkel says she had herself checked thoroughly and there were no neurological or other findings. An osteopath told her that her body was letting off the tension it had accumulated over years, she adds. “Freedom” runs to more than 700 pages in its original German edition, published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch. The English edition is being released simultaneously by St. Martin’s Press.

2nd Front Page

BOC inspects 168 mall for P7-B suspected counterfeits

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has found after its inspection of the storage and warehouses at a mall in Divisoria, Manila, that there may be P7 billion worth of suspected fake goods which bear the marks of Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, Dior, among others, that could be confiscated.

In a briefer issued by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the BOC on Wednesday, the BOC divulged that after its initial inspection of the warehouses or storage units, the current fair market value of these stored products on the 7th floor of the 168 mall is P7 billion.

tification of non-authenticity to be issued by the concerned brand owners for the suspected counterfeit goods before they can be confi scated.

According to the briefer issued by IPOPHL and BOC, the certification of non-authenticity will be one of the bases in the request for the issuance of the Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the goods stored at warehouses located at the 7th floor of the 168 mall in Binondo, Manila.

Moreover, the P7-billion value is considered a “continuing estimate,” as the value of goods is equivalent to the goods from the 7th floor of the 168 mall.

e comment fl agged 168 Mall and 999 Mall in Binondo, Manila as markets of concern, identifying them as “locations facilitating the sale of counterfeit products, affecting a range of well-known US and international brands.”

In response, the BOC conducted surveillance and verification of these claims.

Based on the fi ndings, the IPRD formally requested a Letter of Authority (LOA) on November 5, 2024, authorizing an inspection of the storage and warehouses located at the 7th Floor, 168 Mall, Binondo, Manila and 5th, 6th, and 7th Floors of 999 Mall, Binondo, Manila.

As to the basis for considering these goods as “counterfeit,” IPOPHL said the BOC reached out to concerned brand owners to determine if the goods “appear to be counterfeit based on the quality.”

IPOPHL explained that in essence, these P7 billion worth of products stored at the 7th floor of the 168 mall in Divisoria are already seized.

However, these products are still waiting for the “positive” cer-

Initial inspection of the warehouses/storage units revealed products bearing the following marks: Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, YSL, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Longchamp, Marc Jacobs,Valentino, Lacoste, Balenciaga, Versace, US Polo, Dolce & Gabbana, Tory Burch, Coach, Valentino, Kate Spade, Karl Lagerfeld, Barbie, Prada,Bottega Veneta, Kipling, Guess, Vans, Spiderman, Nike, Converse, Disney, Marvel, Sofi a, Coco Melon, Fendi, Creed, Victoria’s Secret, Lululemon, Oaklestimateey, Ray-Ban and Adidas.

e BOC inspected the warehouses after the Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) of the Bureau of Customs was notified last October 8 by the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) of IPOPHL about a public comment from the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

e request was signed by Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio on November 14, 2024.

e LOA that allows BOC to inspect the 7th floor, 168 Mall, and 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of 999 Mall, Binondo, Manila was granted last November 14, 2024.

Following the actions implemented at the Greenhills Shopping Center where the stalls selling counterfeit items have been “significantly” reduced, the agencies

BAHRAIN Minister of Tourism Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi (left) and Philippines Tourism Secretary

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

B1 Thursday, November 28, 2024

ACEN Vietnamese affiliate acquires stake in BIMEH

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, is expanding its renewable energy (RE) footprint in Vietnam with the acquisition of a 49-percent stake in BIM Energy Holding Corp. (BIMEH).

BIMeH currently has ownership interest in the following operating renewable energy assets: Ninh Thuan Solar (405MW) and Ninh Thuan Wind (88MW).

On Wednesday, ACeN said its affiliate, ACeN Vietnam Investments Pte. ltd. (ACeV ) signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) with Huntington Renewable Investments

ltd. to acquire a 49-percent stake in BIMeH. Under the SPA, ACeV paid $70.5 million for the acquisition.

“The acquisition will allow ACeN to increase its pipeline projects in Vietnam,” ACeN said in a disclosure.

AC eN has been increasing its presence in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, l ao PdR and the United States.

The company said it is expecting 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of new R e projects to deliver close to fullyear output this year. With 1.6GW of renewables that will be completed this year, ACeN ’s R e portfolio is expected to reach “close to six gigawatts,” ACeN President er ic Francia said.

Including the 1.6GW, the company’s total portfolio is 4.7GW. Of which, 1.9GW of projects are in the Philippines. Francia said these are already operating or are under construction. ACeN aims to provide clean, reliable and affordable energy in the Asia Pacific and grow its renewables capacity to 20 GW by 2030. The company has been pioneering initiatives in early coal retirement and committed to becoming a Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.

The company reported that its net income rose by 24 percent year-

on-year to P8.14 billion at end-September on the back of the strong performance of its new power facilities.

“ACeN ’s new renewable energy plants, operationalized earlier in 2024, continued to contribute significantly to year-to-date growth in generation output and in turn financial performance.

New plants in the Philippines supported ACeN ’s improving net seller position in the Wholesale electricity Spot Market [W eSM] and allowed ACeN Renewable energy Solutions [R eS], the company’s retail electricity supply unit, to expand its contracted customer base,” it said in a filing with the stock exchange.

The net income, it added, included a P1-billion gain in the third quarter from the full acquisition of shares in Ayala l and’s Real estate Investment Trust in exchange for ACeN ’s 276-hectare property in Zambales.

AIC: Bohol airport upgrade to start in ’25

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

ABOITIZ InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) said on Wednesday it plans to begin upgrading the Bohol-Panglao International Airport by 2025, following its receipt of the notice of award (NOA) from the department of Transportation (dOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).

Cosette V. Canilao, President and CeO of Aboitiz InfraCapital, said the company anticipates that the concession agreement will be officially signed by end-2024.

The official turnover of the air-

PLDT launches ‘hybrid’ modem

PldT Inc. said it launched the world’s first “always on” broadband service, pioneering a hybrid modem that ensures uninterrupted connectivity. The device, one of the first of its kind globally, automatically switches from fiber to lT e in the event of downtime, keeping users seamlessly connected. Called the Always On modem, the device delivers speeds of up to 1 Gbps and features unlimited lT e as a backup, ensuring minimal disruption during fiber service interruptions. Jeremiah de la Cruz, SVP and Head of Home Business Group at PldT, the company started working on developing the product before the pandemic, partnering with several manufacturers to build the device.

“We’ve partnered with many partner vendors in this journey,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday, referring to WiFi modem providers Green Packet, FiberHome, and Prolink. The modem is also designed to streamline customer service. Once the device detects downtime and activates lT e backup, it also automatically files a service repair ticket. This eliminates the need for customers to manually report issues, enhancing user convenience. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Meralco unit awaits DOE certification for coal plant projects

SINGAPOR e—Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), the power generation arm of the Manila electric Co. (Meralco), said on Wednesday it awaits a certification from the de partment of energy (dOe) for its coal power plant projects that are not covered by the 2020 moratorium on new facilities.

MGen President e m manuel Rubio told reporters that the company’s request for confirmation on the coal plants’ non-coverage to coal moratorium is expected to be out “very soon.”

These are the 1,200 megawatt (MW) ultra-super critical coal-fired power plant in Quezon, to be carried out by MGen subsidiary Atimonan One energy Inc. (A1e) , and one unit of 800MW from Global Business Power Corp., (GBPC), another unit of MGen.

“The original construction permits of the Toledo are for two units of 80 megawatts. Toledo Power Corp. is under GBPC. It’s also outside of the moratorium,” said Rubio, who clarified that one unit of 800MW is already operating while the other 800MW has yet to be put up.

if it could be viable and competitive then if you can do that, probably go for a board approval by February and we look for a CSP where we can participate,” he said.

Funding may be sourced from a combination of internally generated cash and borrowings. As a rule of thumb for coal plants, one MW may cost $1.6 million.

“Actually, so far we have like four local banks who expressed interest to participate and we have two foreign, Indonesian. Can we actually do a 75:25? I don’t know yet,” said Rubio. Apart from Toledo Power Co.’s existing 82 MW coal-fired power plant, MGen’s other coal power projects include the San Buenaventura Power ltd. Co.’s 500 MW in Mauban, Quezon; Cebu energy development Corp.’s 246 MW also in Toledo, Cebu; and Panay e nergy d e velopment Corp.’s 164 MW and 150 MW in Iloilo City.

port’s operations, meanwhile, is scheduled for 2025, with upgrades under a 30-year concession agreement set to transform the country’s ninth-busiest airport into a modern gateway aligned with global standards.

The project, valued at P4.53 billion, will expand the passenger terminal, modernize airside and landside facilities, and increase passenger capacity from the current 2 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 2.5 mppa within the first two years of operation. By 2030, capacity is projected to grow to 3.9 mppa.

“Our commitment to modernizing the Bohol-Panglao International

Airport underscores our vision of creating world-class infrastructure that enables progress in key growth areas of the Philippines. This project is not just about upgrading facilities but also about boosting economic opportunities, enhancing tourism, and improving connectivity in the Visayas region, and we are excited to be a part of this initiative,” Canilao said.

Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which serves as a vital gateway to the Visayas region, is a critical part of AIC’s strategy to expand its footprint in Philippine aviation.

The Bohol-Panglao International Airport is the third major airport under the portfolio of the infrastruc-

ture arm of the Aboitiz Group, joining the award-winning Mactan-Cebu International Airport and l aguindingan International Airport, the latter of which will officially come under AIC’s management by April 2025.

“Bohol-Panglao International Airport is a fast-growing gateway to one of the Philippines’s most emerging and iconic tourism destinations, and we are honored to play a role in elevating its stature. Through this project, we aim to bring the same level of excellence and innovation that we are demonstrating with Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” said AIC VP and Head of Airports Business Rafael Aboitiz.

Federal Land to hand over units at second tower of Taguig project

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Ty-led property developer

Federal l a nd Inc. said it will handover to homeowners their units in the second tower of the Seasons Residences in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig after company saw a “rapid uptake” of its first three towers.

The company said it has now turned its attention to the preselling of its fourth tower, dubbed Fuyu, which is set for completion by the end of 2027.

The company said there are only a few units remaining, consisting of two- and three-bedroom configurations.

“Among its range of unit configurations, the two and three-bedroom units stand out for their spacious layouts and breathtaking high-level views overlooking the vibrant Bonifacio Global City.”

The two-bedroom units range from 60 to 108 square meters, while the three-bedroom units will have 116.5 to 177.5 square meters.

The company said both configurations are ideal for growing families, professionals seeking extra space, or anyone looking for a balance of comfort and functionality.

The Seasons Residences was developed in partnership with Japan’s Nomura Real e s tate d e velopment Co., l t d. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings lt d. Federal l a nd said it has tapped

the renowned Japanese firm Nikken Sekkei to create the masterplan and conceptual design to fuse Japanese culture into the Filipino setting.

“As an offshore consultant for the Seasons Residences, Nikken Sekkei was guided by its vision of providing the residents a convenient, ecological, stylish and safe lifestyle,” the company said.

The four towers of the development was named after the seasons: Haru (spring), Natsu (summer), Aki (autumn) and Fuyu (winter).

Haru Tower, at 45 storeys high, was the first of four residential verticals. It offered over 304 units.

e a ch unit across the four towers have optimized storage solu-

tions and a sunken slab below-floor drainage system for easy maintenance. Kitchens were equipped with space-saving sinks, range hoods with Japanese oil filter technology and air-washing tiles that minimize humidity and odors. It has low e-glass windows help reduce heat transfer, enhancing energy efficiency and comfort year-round.

The said development was at Federal l a nd’s township called Grand Central Park. It has a direct link to its own four-storey mall called Mitsukoshi BGC.

The development is near the five-star hotel Grand Hyatt Manila, upscale commercial centers and international schools.

For A1 e , the power project faced construction delays due to a 2019 Supreme Court ruling that all power supply deals entered on or after June 30, 2015 must undergo competitive selection process (CSP). l ater on, A1 e considered converting the coal power project to natural gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine power plant. Now, the plan is to proceed to develop it as a coal power plant.

Rubio said there are already interested contractors to bid for the engineering, procurement, construction (ePC) contracts for the Atimonan and Toledo coal power projects.

“In parallel, we are talking to potential ePC and equipment suppliers. We have two candidates in Atimonan and so far we have one sure candidate for Toledo which was the original supplier , Formosa Heavy Industries Corp.,” said Rubio.

Once the dOe certification is out, MGen will proceed to seek board approval in February next year and engage in a competitive selection process (CSP) thereafter.

“We have budgetary numbers, we’re running the numbers to see

The dOe for its part, has clarified the scope of its coal moratorium policy. The agency said the policy does not cover the following: n existing and operational coalfired power generation facilities; n any coal-fired power projects considered committed power projects; n existing power plant complexes that already have firm expansion plans and existing land site provisions; and n indicative power projects with substantial accomplishments, particularly with signed and notarized land acquisition or lease agreements for the projects, and with approved permits or resolutions from local government units and the Regional development Council where the power plants will be located.

The dOe noted that these parameters were explicitly provided under Item 2 of the Coal Moratorium Policy.

“Following a thorough review and verification by the Power Bureau, the dOe issues at the request of a project proponent a certification that a project is not covered by the moratorium,” the agency said.

“Several proponents of coalfired power projects have requested the d O e s confirmation on non-coverage and these were ministerially issued after verification.” Lenie Lectura

Young Filipinos jittery over healthcare costs

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

FILIPINOS, particularly those belonging to the Generation Z, are very concerned with healthcare costs, revealed results of a poll held by The Boston Consulting Group-Philippines (BCG-PHL).

According to the survey, 58 percent of respondents ranked financial security for health scares as a top dream, “a clear reflection of concerns over healthcare costs and access.” Meanwhile, 56 percent expressed aspirations to start their own businesses.

These were some of the results of the firm’s latest research study titled “The Filipino Dream,” which polled a market-representative sample of nearly 1,500 Filipinos to explore what dreams unite this nation and where barriers to those aspirations lie.

In a news briefing held last Tuesday, Lance Katigbak, BCG-PHL executive, said these dreams emphasized a prevailing sentiment across Filipino society—a desire for resilience, self-sufficiency, and progress that reflects the Filipino spirit.

Katigbak added tjat BCG’s analysis further reveals that while Filipinos share common values, distinct demographic segments have unique approaches and challenges in realizing their dreams. By employing advanced clustering techniques, BCG identified four main segments of Filipino dreamers, each with distinct motivations and challenges: providers; guardians; trailblazers; and, rebuilders.

Providers are made up of workingclass millennial women who focus on providing stability for their families. Trailblazers are predominantly younger, single Gen-Zs who dream of personal growth and financial independence.

Guardians are older Filipinos, mostly from rural areas, who seek stability to retire comfortably after fulfilling family responsibilities. Rebuilders are Millennials with diverse backgrounds who aim to bounce back financially after setbacks, especially post-pandemic.

“We think the findings of our study will surprise many people,” said BCG-PHL Managing Director and Partner Julian Cua. “But we think it presents a clear picture of the barriers Filipinos face and their resilience in overcoming them. By understanding both the dreams of different Filipinos and their motivations behind them, we believe corporations in the Philippines will be able to support and empower them

THE

Asia United Bank Corp. (AUB) intends to expand the existing customer base of its electronic wallet to increase its market share.

In a speech last Tuesday, AUB President Manuel A. Gomez said the bank’s e-wallet, HelloMoney, already have six million customers on its fifth year of operation. Gomez said their plan to increase market share is helped with its latest partnership with MWM Terminals Inc., the operator of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

“This collaboration marks the beginning of an important mission to digitalize public transportation of payments,” the AUB executive added. “Together, we are embarking on a journey to modernize how Filipinos pay for their daily commute.”

Gomez said AUB, through HelloMoney, will soon offer microinsurance; digital savings solutions; and expand its global reach via Alipay+, enhancing its connectivity with existing Japan and Korea corridors while forging more Southeast Asian country partnerships and offering more competitive crossborder rates.

The AUB also intends to widen HelloMoney’s acceptance network; introduce

at every stage of their journey.”

Despite a shared resilience, Cua said Filipinos shared that they are facing considerable obstacles to realizing their dreams.

About 53 percent of respondents expressed optimism that they are closer to achieving their primary dream than last year, with 68 percent expressing optimism about the coming year. But while optimism remains strong, particularly among rural respondents, significant challenges exist.

Cua said four of the top six dreams in the survey relate to financial security, underscoring that rising living costs, healthcare expenses, and institutional distrust are major hurdles. Only 46 percent of Filipinos feel financially prepared for emergencies, with many turning to traditional savings methods, such as the paluwagan system, to create a safety net outside of formal institutions.

BCG’s research also highlights a gap between Filipinos’ trust in themselves and their trust in institutions. Respondents expressed greater reliance on self-sufficiency due to perceived limitations within public and private institutions, reflecting a notable sentiment that financial freedom is largely a personal responsibility.

Achieving dreams ACCORDING to Katigbak, their study can provide key insights for businesses, policymakers, and leaders aiming to help Filipinos achieve their dreams.

With the knowledge that Filipinos perceive starting a business to attain financial security to better address health scares, financial institutions, for instance, Katigbak said the government and the private sector could develop accessible financial products that respond to immediate needs and long-term aspirations.

For healthcare providers, he said there is an urgent call to improve accessibility and affordability, particularly in preventive care and insurance offerings. Meanwhile, businesses can strengthen micro-entrepreneurship support, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with pathways to financial independence. Cua, meanwhile, emphasizes the importance of collaboration.

“Our hope is that these findings serve as a rallying point for leaders across sectors. The Filipino Dream is not just an individual goal; it’s a collective vision for progress. Together, we can empower every Filipino to achieve their fullest potential and address the barriers that hold them back.”

S&P credit-outlook upgrade brings PHL closer to an ‘A’

ABy Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

MID the political noise generated by the Vice-President’s assassination threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., lawmakers listened more to the lilting of a ratings upgrade.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said the recent upgrade of the Philippines’s credit outlook from “stable” to “positive” by S&P Global Ratings Inc. highlighted the effective governance of the Marcos administration.

Romualdez and Salceda both agreed that the upgrade is a crucial step toward achieving an “A’ sovereign rating for the Philippines.

“The upgrade of our credit rating outlook is a testament to President Marcos’s strong leadership. Despite the numerous challenges our society faces, the administration remains focused on improving the lives of every Filipino,” said Romualdez.

The Speaker also emphasized that the improved rating “reflects the nation’s sound fiscal management and economic reforms, which have created a policy environment conducive to sustainable growth.”

“This recognition from S&P shows that our country is on the right track. The international community now sees the Philippines as a stable and thriving economy under Presi-

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

WITH Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. (SLC-PHL) posting a net income of P7.161 billion as of the third quarter, the life insurer leverages on its client-focused insurance products to sustain growth amid economic uncertainties.

SLC-PHL CEO Benedict C. Sison told the BusinessMirror last Tuesday that their focus on quality sales contributed to their financial performance.

“We just don’t sell for the sake of selling. We sell because it is what the clients need. If you address the client’s need, they’ll be persistent; they’ll stay with you,” Sison said.

Amid economic uncertainties

more enhancements in user experience; and further simplify features such as easier transaction flows, smart transaction categorization, and one-tap frequent actions.

In July 2024, AUB became the first Philippine bank to integrate with the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) eVerify system to authenticate a person’s registration with the National ID System. This means AUB customers need only to show their face when opening an account on HelloMoney with eVerify’s advanced facial recognition technology for real-time matching of an individual’s face, among other registered information, with the National ID registry.

Aside from enabling users to open an account without going to a physical branch and perform bank-to-bank fund transfers, HelloMoney can also be used to buy prepaid load, remit money through PeraPadala, pay via QR code, settle bills, withdraw via ATM, and shop online using the HelloMoney’s very own virtual Mastercard.

The e-wallet also enables members of state-owned Pag-IBIG Fund to manage their account and perform banking transactions through the “Hello PagIBIG” app. Cai U. Ordinario

CBy Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AGAYAN De

Oro City—

The renewal of an agreement between the deposit insurance systems of the Philippines and Indonesia is expected by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) to birth a “stronger” cross-border cooperation on risk management.

Signed in October 2015 in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the agreement was renewed by PDIC President and CEO Roberto B. Tan and Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, chairman of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corp. (IDIC). The signing of the new deal was done at the sideline of the 23rd IADI Annual General Meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on November 12.

dent Marcos’s leadership,” he added. The leader, however, has been addressing lately more what was described a public threat by the vice president to have him killed by an assassin.

Big 3 upgrade

THE Marcos administration’s “prudent economic policies” and implementation of “significant” fiscal reforms are the factors that Salceda said placed the Philippines on track to achieving A-level credit ratings by Fitch Ratings Inc., S&P Global Ratings Inc. and Moody’s Investors Service Inc. (the “Big 3” in ratings services).

“I attribute this to key policy reforms to expand our fiscal space, in the case of the long-overdue Digital Economy Taxation Act, and the expansion of our investor base through [the] ‘Create More’ [law],” he said.

The lawmaker added he also believes that the Big 3 “will eventually upgrade our rating to A-levels once we pass fiscal reform in mining and the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, which will also expand our capital base.” According

arising from US President-elect Donald Trump’s signaling to impose tariffs, Sison said the insurer remains optimistic as their view on politics is “very apolitical.”

He said they tell clients that volatile markets “should not matter” when making investment decisions, “but what should be your financial goals, risk appetite and time horizon.”

The US Federal Reserve echoed uncertainties and volatility in the market, which could affect its decision to reduce interest rates.

As for the Philippines, Sison said there is clear indication that interest rates will go down after it was reduced to 6.25 percent in August and to 6 percent in October, cutting by 25 basis points, respectively.

“We’re confident that interest

The PDIC and the IDIC are active members of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) and the IADI Asia-Pacific Regional Committee.

According to documents provided by the PDIC, the agreement “involves sharing of information, staff, exchange, joint research, sharing of expertise and best practices on core deposit insurance operations namely on receivership and liquidation, risk management, and public awareness.”

The state insurer added that the agreement “recognizes the interconnectedness of the global financial system.”

“The PDIC and IDIC emphasized the critical role of such cooperation in safeguarding depositors and promoting financial stability, citing that the partnership underscores both jurisdic-

to Salceda, the Senate has already advanced both measures, and might agree on versions for both before Christmas.

Romualdez also underscored Congress’s role in supporting policies that foster economic growth and job creation.

“Congress has actively collaborated with the executive branch to pass laws aimed at strengthening our economy and generating more jobs for our people,” Romualdez said. He reiterated Congress’s commitment to passing laws that strengthen the economy and enhance the nation’s creditworthiness.

No lame duck period

SALCEDA also highlighted the country’s improving economic conditions, which he believes will pave the way for more credit upgrades in the near future.

“We enter 2025 with even more favorable macro conditions: low inflation, stable employment levels, and gradually declining interest rates. So, more upgrades are coming,” Salceda said. He also expects the credit-outlook upgrade would reduce average government borrowing interest rates.

Salceda noted that every rating upgrade tends to reduce rates by as much as 0.25 basis points compared to baseline.

“Every rating upgrade would save the Filipino taxpayer as much as P29 billion in interest payment costs in the budget. That is money for as many as 1,160 classrooms, about 30 new provincial hospitals, and as much as 1,414 kilometers of concrete roads. These are very real impacts on the Filipino family,” he added.

rates will go down. And obviously, with interest rates going down, it will benefit the equities market. I think it will continue [to go down],” Sison said.

Data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed that SLCPHL’s invested assets amounted to P330.735 billion as of September 2024.

Meanwhile, premiums paid by policyholders to SLC-PHL reached P41.926 billion from January to September 2024. Sun Life leads among 31 life insurance companies and expects to maintain the momentum this year.

Sison said their clients consistently contribute premiums after getting to know their goals and better addressing their needs by providing tailor-fit insurance products.

Particularly, Sun Life released

tions’ commitment to upholding global deposit insurance standards and principles, particularly on the core principle on crossborder issues of the IADI Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems,” read documents provided by the PDIC.

“It aims to enhance the effectiveness of both agencies’ deposit insurance systems and enable them to better carry out their mandates to protect depositors through bilateral and technical cooperation; and informationsharing,” the state insurer added.

The renewal seeks “more effective carrying out the mandates of depositor protection and financial stability in both jurisdictions.”

“Key initiatives under the MOU include information exchange, prompt responses to technical inquiries, expert and

Salceda, meanwhile, assured the public that the House Committee on Ways and Means remains committed to pushing for necessary tax reforms until the end of the current congressional term.

“On the part of the House Committee on Ways and Means, where the Constitution has left the role of originating tax reforms, I assure you that there will be no lame duck period, and we will work until the very last day of this term,” he concluded.

Invest more

HOUSE Majority Leader Manuel Jose M. Dalipe said the positive outlook is glaring proof to our efforts in steering the country towards economic resilience and growth,” he said.

“The House has been proactive in enacting legislation that fosters economic stability and growth. Our commitment to passing laws that encourage public-private partnerships has been instrumental in funding major infrastructure projects,” Dalipe stated.

Among the significant legislative measures is the Public-Private Partnership Act, which facilitates collaborations between the government and private sector.

“These partnerships are crucial in building roads, schools, and hospitals that directly benefit our communities,” Dalipe explained.

The improved credit outlook is expected to lower the country’s borrowing costs, enabling the government to allocate more resources to essential services.

“With reduced interest payments, we can invest more in healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation programs,” Dalipe said.

in October this year Sun Life Secure Income, which provides a 6 percent yearly guaranteed cash payout until the age of 100.

“We want our clients to be with us for the longest time and that will make us sustainable,” Sison added.

SL-PHL’s earlier parent said the Toronto-domiciled multinational firm continues to expand “capabilities to make it easier for clients to do business with us.”

“In the Philippines, we implemented a new automated underwriting platform, resulting in a 50 percent increase in straightthrough-processing by [the third quarter], enhancing the client experience through faster turnaround times while also delivering operating efficiencies,” read a statement the Sun Life Financial Inc. issued on November 4.

staff exchanges, bilateral meetings, and other joint deposit insurance-related research projects on matters of common interest,” the two parties said through a joint statement.

The MOU also highlights the agencies’ dedication to sharing technical expertise and fostering regional collaboration to address emerging challenges in an increasingly globalized financial landscape.

The PDIC and IDIC are members of the 99-member strong IADI, an organization of deposit insurers, central banks and nonprofit groups. Based in Basel, Switzerland, the organization aims to set standards for deposit insurance systems and serves as the principal forum where deposit insurers from around the world meet to share knowledge and expertise.

28, 2024

Clearance fees on alternative sweeteners eyed

TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE government is keen on imposing import clearance fees on other alternative sweeteners being used by local industries, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said a draft order that will mandate the imposition of the fees has been drafted and is currently being reviewed. The government is targeting to issue it before the end of the year. “This effort is not aimed at regulating (the entry but) to gather accurate data; to determine the volume and types (of alternative sweeteners) that enter

‘Abandoned

Ithe country,” Azcona told reporters on the sidelines of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Expo last Tuesday.

He noted that industrial users had been consulted regarding this measure and that the SRA had allayed their concerns over the impact of the order on the entry of their shipments.

“They thought that we would immediately regulate the volume. SRA explained to them that this is not geared toward regulation but more for data gathering. After we have gathered the data we need, then we will talk again.”

Azcona said the draft order would require importers of items under Harmonized System (HS) code 1702 to secure an import clearance from the regulatory

agency before their shipments are released by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Currently, he said the SRA imposes import clearance fees only on high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a liquid sweetener made from corn. The government slaps P30 per equivalent bag of sugar for HFCS imports.

Under the draft order, the government wants to impose an import clearance fee of P10 per equivalent bag for “other sugars” classified under HS 1702. Some of these include lactose, glucose and maltose.

The SRA had said that the country imported some 200,000 metric tons (MT) of products under HS 1702.

shipments may beef up emergency food supply’

NDUSTRY groups called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to consider a pact that will allow them to recover smuggled or abandoned frozen meat and seafood products to boost the country’s emergency food supply.

The Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Board of the Philippines (FAB) urged the two agencies to forge a Memorandum of Understanding for the initiative.

“The DA should attempt to salvage all frozen meat and seafood seized by the Bureau of Customs or abandoned by importers. They should likewise be declared wholesome if tested and found to be fit for human consumption,” the groups said in a statement.

Mita President Emeritus Jesus Cham and FAB chair Chingling Tanco noted that since properly frozen and stored meat and seafood products “do not pose any health concerns,” these can be a reserve stock of protein to be tapped and used in emergency situations.

“This will increase food security and reduce food waste at the same time,” they added.

The groups also noted that products should be tested and taken out of the port within two months of seizure or abandonment.

“In this manner, port congestion can be avoided, and costs of electricity, storage and demurrage can be lessened.”

The DA recently called on the BOC to release 580 metric tons (MT) of seized frozen mackerel

JICA unveils Japanese

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

AJAPANESE technology

that effectively prevents soil erosion has been introduced in Infanta, Quezon, through a grant by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA said it collaborated with the Department of Public Works and Highways and a Japanese private firm, Takino Filter Inc. to undertake a survey to verify a project for soil erosion control and vegetation mat for slope protection in the Philippines. The Philippines and Japan are some of the countries that are considered most vulnerable to landslides, volcanic eruptions, earth -

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it officially turned over a sustainable drying facility to local seaweed production firms in Coron last November 20.

Awarded by the Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) and the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the greenhouse-type solar dryer uses advanced technology to produce higher-quality dried products. The technology was designed to address the unique needs of the sea-

The agency assured that it would continue to verify the data. Azcona noted that the importation of alternative sweeteners “has been happening as far back as 10 years.”

“This will give us an accurate view and determine whether these other sugars have caused the demand for sugar to decline in the past few years.”

In August, the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) raised the alarm over the volume of “other sugars” entering the country, which they claimed could be the reason behind the tepid demand for local sugar in the past decade. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/08/08/group-government-must-regulate-all-sugar-

ucts are deemed fit for immediate release and can be utilized to address food security needs, especially in relief operations,” he said.

“This initiative would support the DSWD and the DA’s ongoing efforts to provide essential aid to victims of the recent typhoon.”

In a letter addressed to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the agriculture chief noted that laboratory tests by the National Fisheries Laboratory Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed that the frozen fish is fit for human consumption with no signs of spoilage or contamination.

to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after tests confirmed that these are safe for human consumption.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that the shipments, which were earlier confiscated due to the absence of an import permit, can be used to aid relief operations and boost food security efforts.

“Consequently, the fish prod -

The confiscated shipment worth around P178.5 million consisting of 21 container vans loaded with frozen mackerel arrived at the Manila International Container Port in early October without the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs).

An SPSIC would certify that an inbound shipment is safe for human and animal consumption and would not bring in any pests that could jeopardize the local agriculture sector. Ada Pelonia

mat technology that aims to stop landslides

quakes, tsunami, and typhoons.

The country is also on the verge of economic growth with the construction of infrastructures such as railways, bridges, and roads. In areas where such infrastructure projects, engineers encounter sloping geographical challenges.

Japan shared its experiences in its discovered solutions.

“To assist the Philippines in this regard, JICA introduces the Takino Filter technology as it is extremely effective in preventing massive erosion and failure of slopes caused by disasters,” JICA said in a statement.

The Takino Filter uses mat made of water repellant non-woven polyester web with a poros -

weed sector and meet quality standards for both domestic and international markets. To achieve this, the technology draws on studies of greenhouse drying. These studies show that greenhouse-dried agricultural products are healthier and of better quality than those dried using traditional methods.

The facility benefits the Marcilla Seaweed Growers Association (MSGA) and Calamianes Seaweed Marketing Cooperative (CSMC). In addition to the facility, KIPA and KIPO will provide

ity of 98 percent. This makes the Takino mat “very light and flexible, and can be evenly mounted even on uneven slope surfaces.”

Moreover, with this technology, rainwater drains smoothly due to its high porosity, as evaluated by the American Association for Corrosion Control, Takino Filter Inc. said in its report to the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

JICA said the technology is “aligned” with the Product Accreditation Scheme of the DPWHBureau of Research and Standards (BRS). It undertook its pilot project in Infanta.

“We look forward to contributing to the realization of innova -

both organizations with branding assistance, including logo design and brand messaging.

“This marks our fourth year of partnership with KIPA and KIPO, and we are extremely grateful to the Korean government and the Korean people for helping MIMAROPA entrepreneurs by promoting innovation through the protection of intellectual property and introducing brand identity to our MSMEs,” Regional Director Mariposque said in a statement.

He also urged all stakeholders

tive and effective slope protection method, which is necessary for an eco-friendly, sustainable, and resilient economic development,” JICA Senior Representative Oshima Jiro said.

Oshima boasts of the Japanese private sector for their “brand of very reliable business and innovative ideas with social impacts.”

“By bringing their business to countries like the Philippines, they create a win-win scenario where pressing development challenges are addressed, economics are boosted, and jobs are created, while foreign direct investment or Japanese companies’ business deployment will be ignited,” he added.

to take part in creating a sustainable food future for communities in Mimaropa.

The ceremonial turnover was attended by Regional Director Mariposque, Yeon Hayoung of KIPA, Doyum Kim of Shinhan A-tec, Gio Kisang of Fenomeno, Chairman Rolando Lizando of the MSGA, Chairman Laurencio De Lima of CSMC, and other members of the organizations.

This project is the second solarpowered facility launched by the DTI Mimaropa following the success of the fish processing facility in Bogtong, Busuanga, Palawan.

products/)

UNIFED asked the government to regulate all imported sugar products, including premixes, which “threaten the viability of the local industry.”

The group said it urged Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to investigate the “alarming” volume of other sugars entering the country during a consultative meeting.

“This volume of sugar premixes represents about 4 million bags of sugar amounting to roughly P10 billion and the continued lack of regulation for these sugar-based products is highly detrimental to the sugar industry,” UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said in a statement.

Bird flu virus was found in raw milk. What to know about the risks

PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump’s nominee for the nation’s top health job, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has vowed to allow wider distribution of raw milk across America.

But the detection of bird flu virus in unpasteurized milk sold in California stores underscores what health experts say are the known and potential risks.

“You have to assume that raw milk, unpasteurized milk, has potential infectious agents that can cause serious illness in the people who drink it,” said Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota infectious disease researcher who has investigated foodborne illness outbreaks.

Raw Farm LLC, of Fresno, California, voluntarily recalled one lot of “cream top” whole raw milk after Santa Clara County health officials found the bird flu virus in a sample last week. State health officials said the county has been testing raw milk sold in stores as “a second line of consumer protection.”

No illnesses have been traced to Raw Farm products, which have a lot code of 20241109 and a best-by date of Nov. 27. But officials with California’s health department warned consumers not to drink the milk and said retailers should remove it from their shelves. On Tuesday, Los Angeles County health officials warned that “many retailers” there may have sold recalled raw milk contaminated with the virus.

Here’s what else you need to know about raw milk and bird flu:

What do we know about bird flu virus and milk?

IT’S not a surprise that the virus was found in raw milk sold in stores, Osterholm said.

Bird flu, also known as Type A H5N1 influenza, was first confirmed in US dairy cattle in March and has been spreading widely. In California, more than 435 dairy herds have seen infections—more than all other US states combined. And high levels of the virus have been found in the milk of infected cows.

About 20 percent of samples of pasteurized milk sold in stores were found to contain viral remnants of the virus, according to tests conducted earlier this year by government scientists. Pasteurization, or heat treatment, kills the bird flu virus and also bacteria such as E. coli, listeria and salmonella, which are known to make people sick.

Officials with California’s Department of Food and Agriculture have been conducting weekly tests of raw milk in bulk tanks from the state’s dairies. Additional tests conducted at Raw Farm sites in California were negative for the virus, but officials said they would begin testing for bird flu twice a week.

Few tests of unpasteurized milk products from stores have been conducted, so it’s possible that other raw dairy products may contain the virus, Osterholm said.

“It is still really unclear how much testing is going on,” said Osterholm. “We’re flying blind.”

Can bird flu in raw milk make people sick?

TO date, there’s no evidence that people have been infected with the bird flu virus by drinking raw milk. At least 55 people in the US are known to have been infected by the virus this year, but nearly all were dairy or poultry workers who developed mild illness after close contact with infected animals.

Tests have shown that mice fed raw milk contaminated with bird flu became very sick and barn cats on farms that drank milk from infected cows suffered brain damage and died, noted Nicole Martin, a microbiologist and associate director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program at Cornell University.

“I don’t think we know yet whether people can contract H5N1 from consumption of raw milk, but we have enough evidence that would suggest that folks need to be a little more cautious right now,” Martin said.

Who drinks raw milk and why?

NEARLY 4.4 percent of US adults, or about 11 million people, report that they drink raw milk at least once each year. About 1 percent of adults say they consume raw milk each week, according to a 2022 FDA study.

Proponents of raw milk cite perceived health benefits and better taste as key reasons for consumption. Raw Farm advertises its products as “unprocessed and complete” with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and beneficial bacteria.

Fans include Kennedy, who has said he only drinks raw milk. Kennedy has criticized agriculture departments for cracking down on raw milk and promised that the Food and Drug Administration’s “ aggressive suppression “ of unpasteurized milk would end under Trump.

Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, has appeared several times on podcasts hosted by Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s former running mate. Both Kennedy and Shanahan are customers, McAfee told the Associated Press.

“They want that same level of differentiating, wonderful, tested, gorgeous, safe, delicious raw milk for everybody,” McAfee said.

What do health experts say about raw milk?

HEALTH officials have warned for years that raw milk can cause illnesses that range from mild to life-threatening. Between 1998 and 2018, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented more than 200 illness outbreaks traced to raw milk, which sickened more than 2,600 people and hospitalized more than 225.

Before the US adopted safety standards in 1924 under what was called the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, about 25 percent of foodborne illnesses were related to dairy consumption, according to the Center for Dairy Research. Now, dairy products account for about 1 percent of such illnesses. AP

WWW.DA.GOV.PH

Seaweed firms in Palawan get solar dryer from DTI

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS MORE MEANINGFUL THIS YEAR

CHRISTMAS is an exciting season that’s filled with vibrant traditions and celebrations. While it’s always great to follow your usual customs for the holidays, it’s also nice to add something new to make it a little different and more meaningful this year. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, suggests some worthwhile practices or traditions you can add to celebrate the upcoming holidays: Give the gift of time for your loved ones or someone in need. We can all get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we sometimes forget that the holidays is not only about shopping for or receiving gifts—it’s also about being present and giving our loved ones, or someone in need the precious gift of time. If you have something planned with family or friends, resist the urge to constantly check your phone for social media or email updates. Be in the moment and sincerely talk to the people present.

Practice kindness daily. It’s easy to absorb negativity and stress in a world that is constantly filled with so much noise. While this will entail conscious effort and commitment, it’s still possible to turn a negative mindset around through little acts of kindness daily. Compliment others, offer encouragement to someone who needs extra motivation, volunteer, give hugs, or practice gratitude. Studies have indicated that showing acts of kindness can improve mood, increase our self-esteem, and enhance our relationship with others.

Bring hope to other people’s homes. This season of gift-giving, we can give hope to other people’s homes by donating to another family’s Noche Buena. This can be possible through World Vision’s Christmas Hope in Every Home Campaign where you can give a one-time donation of at least Php1,000. The amount provides a Christmas pack for the sponsored child and another child without a sponsor yet so they can share it with their families on Christmas Eve. For this year, World Vision hopes to raise funds to provide Noche Buena Gifts to at least 24,000 children.

“More than giving gift packs, this campaign aims to bring hope to the homes of those who need it most,” said World Vision interim national director Jun N. Godornes. “We want to reinforce the spirit of family and togetherness, especially this Christmas to show the vulnerable children and their families that they are remembered and loved.”

So keep the spirit of Christmas alive with these heartwarming practices that you can follow long after the season is over.

To know more about World Vision, visit www.worldvision. org.ph and follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.

By Katherine Roth The Associated Press

TRAVEL can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear that travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves.

Travel pros say there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make for a happier and less-stressful holiday journey.

MAKE A LIST AND CHECK

THINGS OFF

A WEEK before you leave, write down things you need to bring and tasks you need to do before the trip.

“This can include essential packing items, as well as simple tasks, like cleaning out old food from the fridge or watering the plants,” says Jess Feldman, special projects editor at Travel and Leisure magazine.

“The key is to leave the list out for the entire week before you go. I cross the to-dos off throughout the week, and it helps me feel extremely prepared, lessening the stress every time.”

CARRY YOUR COMFORT

ZONE WITH YOU

NOISE-CANCELING headphones can go a long way toward blocking out annoyances during travel, although if you use them you should keep an eye on display boards or your phone for any flight or gate changes.

Spotify, YouTube and other sites offer music playlists with name,s like “Relaxing Chill Out Calming Music for Airports” and “Perfect—Music Travel Relax.” Or try “Music for Airports,” a groundbreaking album that launched the ambient music genre in 1978. It’s also good to carry extra medications, a change of clothes, a toothbrush and a phone-charging cable, just in case.

Bringing along some snacks or a sandwich from home can feel comforting and be a great alternative to

Parentlife BusinessMirror

Let’s have healthier Filipino holidays

FOR Filipinos, the holiday season is all about joyful celebrations and family reunions around dinner tables. Gathering with family and friends is a cherished tradition. As you indulge in the season’s festivities, why not embrace a healthier lifestyle that lets you enjoy every moment—without compromising your well-being?

Findings from the recent Herbalife’s Asia Pacific Holiday Eating Survey revealed that 60 percent of Filipino respondents agreed that they find themselves being less healthy than usual as the end of the year approaches, with over 40 percent agreeing to not eating balanced meal and having unhealthy food. This year, Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company and community, shares practical tips to help you make mindful choices and stay energized throughout the holidays.

n MINDFUL EATING AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY FEASTS. Big feasts are a vital part of Filipino holiday gatherings, but learning to enjoy them mindfully is key. You can learn to savor your favorite festive dishes in moderation by being conscious of portion sizes and eating slowly. When you take time to enjoy each bite, you can keep unnecessary weight gain at bay. (tinyurl.com/4fu6cr2z) You can also transform your holiday favorites with healthier alternatives. (tinyurl. com/5btxkv4s) Choose leaner cuts of meat for dishes like lechon, replace refined sugar with natural sweeteners in desserts like kakanin, or use low-fat coconut milk in ginataang recipes. These simple swaps enhance the nutrition of your beloved dishes while keeping their flavors intact. When serving yourself at family gatherings, fill half of your plate with vegetables for fiber and healthy carbs. (tinyurl.com/53d7f6wr) Make fish your go-to protein choice, as it’s rich in Omega-3 which supports healthy cholesterol levels while being satisfying and flavorful. (tinyurl.com/4t2tpy8t)

Susan Bowerman, senior director of worldwide nutrition education and training at Herbalife, recommends: “Enjoy your holiday favorites, but be mindful of portions. By making small changes to traditional recipes like choosing leaner cuts of meat and less salt, you can still enjoy the holiday dishes without compromising your health.” (tinyurl.

com/5btxkv4s)

n HYDRATION AND BALANCED NUTRITION. Filipino celebrations often feature a range of sweets and beverages like soda and coffee. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking water between sweet treats and cups of coffee. Keeping up your water intake helps maintain energy and prevents dehydration symptoms like fatigue and headaches. (tinyurl.com/ms649zbr)

In some gatherings, the holidays are an opportunity to enjoy a drink or two with your loved ones. If you enjoy the occasional drink, pace yourself by alternating alcoholic beverages with caloriefree drinks. Sparkling mineral water with a slice of lime can be a festive and refreshing option. (tinyurl. com/5btxkv4s)

In between the big meals, family members often share lots of sweet treats and snacks. When those cravings hit, reach for fresh fruits or healthier options like nuts and vegetables. Balance indulgent treats with nutritious choices to get essential vitamins and nutrients while enjoying the celebrations.

n STAYING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AS A FAMILY. The holiday rush can make it challenging

pricey airport offerings.

STAY HYDRATED TO counter the dry air on flights, bring along an empty water bottle (fill it after you go through security) and a small pouch with lip balm and travelsize moisturizers. Hallie Gould, editor in chief of Byrdie, a digital site for beauty care, recommends “loading up on skin hydration before your flight. That means drinking extra fluids and applying moisturizing skin products to boost hydration, so you’re covering your bases inside and out.” And don’t forget your hair.

GET APP-Y AND KNOW THE RULES “EVERY airline has different requirements when it

comes to the boarding process, paying for perks in advance, or seat upgrades,” Feldman says. “It’s best to understand all of the above before getting to the airport so that you are not taken off guard.”

Having the airline’s app lets you know about gate changes, flight delays or cancellations sooner and allows you to more quickly find alternative flights or connections if needed.

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF EXTRA TIME SECURITY lines can be much longer—and slower— than expected, and so can the walk through a large airport. So giving yourself plenty of extra time can reduce stress. The general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

to stay active. According to the Herbalife Holiday Eating Survey, more than 45 percent Filipinos find themselves not exercising regularly as the end of the year approaches. As you indulge in the season’s festivities, why not embrace a healthier lifestyle that lets you enjoy every moment—without compromising your well-being?

Fit in quick workouts during quiet mornings or use the holidays to start new habits with your family. Staying active doesn’t have to be complicated—focus on movement that everyone can enjoy.

Start new holiday traditions to introduce healthy habits for your families for the new year. Encourage your family to take walks around your local parks, and to find activities that encourage getting in touch with nature. These are simple habit-forming activities that can encourage our family members to stay active well beyond the holidays. (tinyurl.com/54sre5dt)

This season, Herbalife (www.herbalife.com/en-ph) invites Filipino families to celebrate with balance, joy and good health. By adopting simple yet effective habits, you can create lasting traditions that prioritize well-being without losing the spirit of the season. n

If you’re too early, you can always explore the airport shops and lounges or settle in with a good book somewhere.

“I always confirm whether or not there is a lounge I have access to in my departing gate ahead of time,” Feldman says. But even without lounge access, she says, “I like to know what the restaurants and waiting areas [near] the gate are like.”

TRY TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF YOUR ANXIETY

“IF you have a sense of why you are feeling stressed, it can help to figure out ways to reduce that stress,” says Lynn F. Bufka, head of practice for the American Psychological Association. “So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, are there things that you can outsource? Is there someone in your family who can help with parts of the planning?”

Recognize that crowds, bad weather and canceled flights are beyond your control.

And some people just don’t like to travel far or to fly.

“If it’s fear, like fear of flying, it’s important to know that it can be treated, and that treatment can really improve the quality of your life,” Bufka says.

PREPARE TO WELCOME YOURSELF HOME

A LITTLE extra time tidying your home and making sure you have some easy-to-prepare food ready in the freezer or pantry will make for a much more welcoming return.

“Always, always, always clean your space before leaving for a trip. You are inevitably going to feel a bit off after a long travel day, and coming home to an unorganized space will make it so much worse,”

WORLD Vision’s Christmas Hope in Every Home Campaign hopes to raise funds to provide Noche Buena Gifts to at least 24,000 children and their families on Christmas Eve.

APRI, SDEPCI sign contract for new hybrid BESS project in Laguna

Sun Ligang, ARI President Jimmy Villaroman, ARI COO Alex Coo, and APRI President Jeffrey Estrella sign the EPC contract for the pioneering Bay BESS Project, the first-ever BESS and geothermal hybrid system in the Philippines.

ON November 7, 2024, AP Renewables Inc. (APRI), the geothermal arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation, together with Aboitiz Renewables Inc. (ARI), signed an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute Co. Ltd (SDEPCI) to build the Bay Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Barangay Bitin in Bay, Laguna, introducing a powerful new storage system to APRI’s existing portfolio of energy assets.

The Bay BESS Project will add crucial battery storage to APRI’s Makban geothermal plant through a specialized hybrid system, allowing it to quickly support the Luzon Grid during peak demand periods and power disruptions.

“We are excited to be the host of this new investment. It contributes to the country’s energy transition and brings additional value to our host communities,” said APRI

President Jeffrey Estrella in his welcoming remarks.

He was joined in by Alex Coo, ARI’s COO, who emphasized that “the Bay BESS Project is a groundbreaking milestone, being the firstever BESS and geothermal hybrid system in the Philippines.”

SDEPCI Vice President Sun Ligang responded, saying that his company “commits to provide a good performance guarantee for

the Bay BESS Project as it also marks a significant project for the Philippines.”

As a closing message, ARI President Jimmy Villaroman presented the other renewable energy projects of AboitizPower, saying that the company “recognizes that the energy transition is not a solitary endeavor.” Rather, “it demands collective action and dedication to overcome hurdles and achieve our shared goals.”

SDEPCI is a well-known leader in engineering and power plant system design, leading EPC projects in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Cuba and Mexico.

The Bay BESS Project has the potential to uplift the regional economy by promoting industrial growth and business development. This project could help encourage commerce, create jobs, and sustain the local economy. The project also aligns with the continuous need for dependable power in the region, which is crucial to support Luzon’s trade and industry sectors.

Through the economic activity that is supported by reliable power, the Bay BESS Project will help enable a higher tax base, supporting public services and more local infrastructure development. The Bay BESS Project represents a comprehensive investment in the community’s economic growth and quality of life, aligning with APRI’s goal of building long-term partnerships with its host communities.

Celebrate the Holiday Spirit, Filipino Creativity at DTI Christmas Village Fairs

GET into the holiday spirit with the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Fairs, a series of vibrant events hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to honor Filipino entrepreneurs and spread holiday cheer. These festive bazaars will transform select locations into lively marketplaces where visitors can explore a variety of unique gifts, holiday treats, and handcrafted products, each made with heart by local artisans and entrepreneurs. It’s the ultimate destination to make your Christmas merry and bright.

DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque remarked, “We are thrilled to launch the first-ever DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Fairs, an initiative designed to empower our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them with a dedicated platform to reach a broader audience during the holiday season. This event not only connects MSMEs with consumers and institutional buyers but also strengthens their presence in the local market by celebrating the distinct charm of Filipino-made products. We invite everyone to join us at the Christmas Village Fairs to celebrate the season and support the incredible talent and creativity of Filipino entrepreneurs.”

Christmas Village Fair Schedule and Venues

■ Megatrade Halls 2-3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City: November 30 to December 4, 2024

■ Filipino Village, Ayala Malls Manila Bay: December 1 to 22

What to Expect at the Christmas Village Fairs

SHOP Local, Support Local: Carefully curated vendors from across the country bring an array of high-quality, oneof-a-kind items, from handmade fashion accessories and apparel to eco-friendly home décor and delightful food and beverages. Each product reflects the diversity and creativity of Filipino culture, offering gifts rich in heritage and heart. Sustainable Gifts for a Greener Christmas: Many vendors focus on eco-friendly products, so shoppers can choose sustainably sourced and thoughtfully crafted items, including reusable gifts, organic beauty products,

and upcycled décor, all committed to environmental responsibility.

Flavors of a Filipino Christmas: Enjoy Filipino delicacies offered by local food entrepreneurs. Discover artisanal treats and beverages that are perfect for gift-giving or sharing with loved ones during the holidays.

Personalize Your Holiday Gifts: Make your gifts truly unique with items not commonly found in stores, showing thought and care in the selection and making each present extra meaningful.

Holiday Wonderland Vibes: Step into a holiday wonderland! Each fair will be adorned with festive decorations and twinkling lights, creating an inviting, picture-perfect setting for cherished moments with loved ones and Instagram-worthy captures.

Celebrate Filipino Creativity at the National Fiesta Haraya

RUNNING alongside the Christmas Village Fairs, the DTI-Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO) will also host the National Fiesta Haraya (Philippine Creative Industries Festival). This festival celebrates the diversity and brilliance of Filipino creativity across regions in fields such as art, media, fashion, and technology.

Each day, regional representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will showcase immersive experiences across creative clusters like Digital Creative Services, Performing Arts, Cultural Heritage, Music, Digital Animation, and more. From interactive exhibitions and performances to educational workshops, Fiesta Haraya invites attendees to engage with the dynamic world of Filipino artistry and innovation.

Celebrate the Season, Support Filipino Small Businesses

THE DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Fairs highlight the dedication and craftsmanship of local artisans and small businesses, offering a unique opportunity to support the Filipino community through thoughtful holiday shopping. By choosing local, fairgoers contribute to the growth of small businesses, bolstering the economy, and

spreading the spirit of community.

Simultaneously, National Fiesta Haraya enriches the holiday celebration with its dynamic events, performances, and exhibitions, adding a creative and educational layer to the overall experience. This festive fusion of commerce and culture celebrates the heart of Filipino creativity while complementing the holiday ambiance of the Christmas Village Fairs.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating a truly Filipino Christmas this year,” says DTI-BMDPO Director Marievic Bonoan. “The Christmas Village Fairs, enhanced by the National Fiesta Haraya, offer a joyful way to come together, support local artisans, and make lasting memories. It’s an opportunity to experience the best of the Philippines during this special season.”

For more information about the trade fairs and other DTI-BMDPO programs, please follow DTI-BMDPO on Facebook (DTI.BMDPO), Instagram (dti.bmdpo), and Twitter (@DTI_BMDPO). For inquiries, you may also email BMDPO Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bmdpo@dti.gov.ph.

SHERATON Manila Hotel officially ushered in the holiday spirit and concluded its milestone 5th anniversary celebration on November 12, 2024, with the enchanting “Let’s Light Up Together: The Share-A-Ton Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration.”

This heartwarming event brought together esteemed guests, families, and community members in a joyous gathering that emphasized unity, gratitude, and giving.

As attendees arrived, they were greeted with festive instrumental music and a selection of signature holiday drinks provided by S Kitchen. The welcome set the stage for an evening that celebrated connections and the spirit of community, essential values that Sheraton Manila has upheld over the past five years.

General Manager Anna Vergara expressed her gratitude during her opening remarks, reminding everyone of the pivotal role that community plays in enriching the Sheraton Manila experience.

“We are more than just a hotel; we are a gathering place

The Ultimate Gift Choice for the Holiday Season

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and your shopping list is growing. You may still be contemplating on the perfect present for a friend, work colleague, and loved one. Look no further, as SM Store offers the ultimate gift choices this holiday season: the SM Gift Pass, SM Gift Pass Choice, and SM Gift Card.

Gifting SM Gift Passes, SM Gift Pass Choice, and SM Gift Cards to family and friends has countless benefits. These gifts offer flexibility, allowing recipients the freedom to choose what they want, making them perfect for anyone. They also provide convenience, as they’re easy to purchase and redeem. Ideal for last-minute shoppers or those unsure of what to buy, they make gifting simple and thoughtful. Giving a gift card or pass shows consideration without the risk of giving something that might go unused. It’s a practical present that’s often more appreciated than a specific item that may not align with someone’s current lifestyle or taste. SM’s gift options allow recipients to pick something they genuinely need or want. Another great feature of SM Gift Passes and Gift Cards is that they have no expiration

make your holiday shopping stress-free and spread cheer with SM Gift Passes, SM Gift Pass Choice, and SM Gift Cards. Thoughtful, practical, and universally appreciated, these gifts bring joy to everyone. With the gift of choice, you’re not only giving something valuable— you’re

Iba Rotary Club, Wyeth Nutrition’s Ascenda Kid, tackle child stunting

IN a joint initiative to help tackle malnutrition causing stunting among preschoolers in Iba, Zambales, the municipality’s Rotary Club recently partnered with Wyeth Nutrition Philippines through its new premium product, Ascenda Kid, to host a Pre-School Readiness Program attended by 185 children aged three to five years old, along with 171 parents and caregivers.

Stunting is impaired child growth and development due to poor nutrition, repeated infection, and lack of psychosocial stimulation. Among the damaging functional consequences are poor child mental processes and educational performance, eventually leading to low adult earnings, and lost productivity. If followed by excessive weight gain later in childhood, stunting increases risks of adult chronic diseases.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute - Department of Science and Technology, stunting is the most common form of malnutrition in the country, affecting about 27 percent of children three to five years old. Operation “Timbang Plus” in Iba this year showed 563 children aged zero to 59 months to be stunted or severely stunted. Even while maternal and child health is improving given the local government’s focus, more help is needed. Thus, the Iba Rotary Club seeks to increase access to quality healthcare and nutrition for mothers and children.

The program featured a pediatrician and a nutritionist sharing information on how stunting hinders child development, and what to do to better prepare them for school, such as ensuring good nutrition for preschoolers.

Interactive booths gave children the chance to express their dreams by drawing pictures of what they want to become as grownups. Parents captured their kids’ milestone of entering formal education for the first time, as they put on school uniforms. Towards its purpose of unlocking healthier and happier lives through the power of nutrition, Wyeth Nutrition implements advocacies tackling urgent nutrition and health challenges, especially among children. These advocacies involve raising awareness and partnering with other stakeholders.

for friends, families, and partners. Your presence tonight adds tremendous value to our celebration. Together, we can inspire hearts, enrich communities, and build lasting partnerships,” she stated.

The highlight of the evening was the eagerly anticipated ceremonial lighting of the Marriott Bonvoy Lantern and the hotel’s magnificent Christmas Tree. Joined by distinguished guests including Tourism Undersecretary Sharlene Zabala-Batin, attendees participated in an exciting countdown that culminated in festive cheers, symbolizing hope and the spirit of togetherness.

In connection with this year’s celebration, the hotel also unveiled “Crafted by S Kitchen,” a new initiative focused on transforming culinary experiences through creativity and sustainability. Director of Food and Beverage Czats Lopez elaborated on the mission to create carefully curated dining experiences aimed at

“At Wyeth Nutrition, we believe that every child deserves the best start in life, beginning with the right nutrition. We have been pioneering children’s nutrition in the country for more than 100 years. Through research and innovation, we deliver nutrition products that meet the evolving needs of Filipino families. Our belief drives our advocacies and products, including Ascenda Kid as a scientifically formulated solution of choice for lagging growth, sharing our passion for child development and nutrition. We aim to help kids grow today, for their advantage tomorrow,” said Mea Gabunada, consumer marketing manager of Wyeth Nutrition Philippines. She emphasized that Ascenda Kid milk is clinically proven to result in growth in as early as three weeks.

“Children in rural areas, particularly from low-income households, often face challenges in obtaining an adequate intake of nutrients due to limited access to affordable and diverse food sources. Additionally, a lack of knowledge and awareness among families about the importance of consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods can contribute to this limited nutrient intake. Nutrients, when not obtained in proper amounts will affect the overall growth and development of a child, and one of the manifestations is falling behind on growth,” Gabunada added.

“I am delighted that the Rotary Club of Iba has partnered with Wyeth through Ascenda Kid. This collaboration allows us to provide even more support and resources for our children and community. With Wyeth we share the goal of enhancing child health and education, and bringing useful services to people,” said Dottie Huang Contreras, Rotary Club president.

MARKING a major milestone in the Philippine renewable energy space, from left to right, SDEPCI Vice President

THE ultimate Christmas gift

Sheraton Manila Hotel Celebrates Holiday Spirit with Tree Lighting Ceremony

B8 Thursday, NovemBer 28, 2024 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Vargas, other NSA leaders full force behind Tolentino

DOZENS of national sports associations (NSAs) officials attended the celebration party of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Secretary-General Atty. Wharton Chan on Tuesday night for his newborn baby boy—the event doubled as a show of support to POC chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Tolentino, the PhilCycling head, is seeking a fresh four-year term as president of the POC on Friday at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City. NSA leaders—led by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) vice president Ricky Vargas—celebrated as Chan welcomed his youngest son, Drake. But the get-together also mimicked a POC General Assembly with Tolentino earning the commitment of dozens of NSAs—61 of them eligible to cast their votes for president, first and second vice presidents, treasurer, auditor, and members of the Executive Board. Vargas, also chairman of the boxing association and top honcho at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group, was most vocal in supporting Tolentino’s bid to head the POC and add to the three gold medals won in the Olympics under his watch—weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s in Tokyo 2020 and gymnast Carlos Yulo’s two titles in Paris 2024.

“I’m solidly for the continuation of the programs of Bambol [Tolentino],” Vargas said. “He’s been able to help not only the POC stature, but bring up the stature of the POC and he also helps many athletes.”

“ We need a man like him especially in the POC where politics is painful,” he added.

It was a who’s who of NSA leaders— Vargas, Tolentino’s second vice president bet in his “Working Team” ticket Rep. Richard Gomez and treasurer Dr. Jose Raul Canlas and board member candidate Lenlen Escollante, Paolo Tancontian, Joebert Yu, Ting Ledesma, Epok Quimpo,  Geourgina Avercilla, Karen Tanchiangco, Nikki Cheng, Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Ricky Lim, Mico Vargas, Mariano Araneta, Chan, Jarryd Bello and Bones Floro. The POC Elections Committee, meanwhile, junked a petition filed by presidential candidate Chito Loyzaga’s group to disqualify Tolentino from running on grounds bordering from a potential conflict of interest for his being mayor of Tagaytay City to failure to file annual financial statements.

The committee chaired by Atty. Teddy Kalaw with members Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Bong Coo and Colegio de San Juan de Letran President and Rector Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, OP, also decided to disqualify only one from Loyzaga’s group—Executive Board candidate Rommel Miranda who’s no longer the secretary-general of kurash. Also in Tolentino’s ticket are Al Panlilio for first vice president, Don Caringal for auditor and Aguilar of wrestling, Ferdie Agustin of jiu-jitsu, Escalante of canoe kayak, Alexander Sulit of judo and Leah Gonzales of fencing for members of the Executive Board. Josef T. Ramos

Uy shines as order restored in TCC Ladies Match Play

THE ladies side of The Country Club Match Play Invitational saw a return to form after an upsetladen opening round, with Daniella Uy scoring a huge win on Wednesday to lead the semifinalists at the TCC course in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Showcasing a mix of precision and power, Uy followed up her Round of 16 win over Apple Fudolin with a commanding 7 and 6 victory over Kayla Nocum, who had eliminated top seed Harmie Constantino.

Uy set up a showdown in the last four with Florence Bisera.

The fifth-seeded Bisera, the highestranked player left in the draw after the shocking eliminations of the top four seeds—Constantino, Sarah Ababa, Chihiro Ikeda and Gretchen Villacencio—secured her place in the semis with a solid 4 and 3 triumph over Rev Alcantara.

Bisera’s sharp play and tactical approach have positioned her as a serious contender for the title. On the other side of the draw, defending champion Mikha Fortuna once again proved her grit to get to within two wins of the title. She clinched the crown last year in lopsided fashion over Laurea Duque. Following a nail-biting win over teen pro Jiwon Lee on the 19th hole in the first round, Fortuna edged Kristine Fleetwood with a narrow 1-up victory. Her path to back-to-back titles faces another stern test as she takes on a determined Marvi Monsalve, who dispatched Pamela Mariano, 3 and 2. Uy, the 2023 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, overwhelmed Nocum with a strong start and sharp putting. She fired three straight birdies from No. 7 and was two-under through 12 holes, leaving her opponent no room for recovery.

Ramos clinches gold for Rizal, Team Hidilyn

By Josef T. Ramos

UERTO PRINCESA—Adonis

PRamos shrugged off a blister on his left hand and put up a fine performance to bag gold in the 2024 Batang Pinoy Nationals Championships weightlifting competitions on Wednesday.

R amos was proud to deliver for Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and husband Julius, lifting 85 kgs in the snatch and 100 kgs in the clean and jerk for 185 kgs total.

It was the fourth gold in the sport for Rizal Province, which also has six silver and one bronze medal in the multisporting competitions organized by the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) for athletes below 12 and 17-year-old.

“L ast year, I was not that strong. But today, I proved myself that I am stronger, and I deserved to win the gold medal,” Ramos told BusinessMirror on

Wednesday. “It has been two years since I started training in Jala-Jala under ma’am Hidilyn and Sir Julius.”

R amos had the blister earlier in the competition, but he fought on.

“I do not play other sports except for weightlifting. I am hoping to become a national weightlifter soon, compete abroad, and bring home glory to our country,” the 16-year-old senior high from Jala-Jala High School added.

He beat City of Zamboanga’s Jeffre Julli, who posted 71 kgs in snatch and 90 kgs in clean and jerk for 161 kgs total to bag the silver medal at the Sepaktakraw gym inside the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.

City of Pasig’s Knykolai Ortega finished with a bronze with 30 kgs in snatch and 46 kgs in clean and jerk for 76 kgs total.

Diaz-Naranjo congratulated all the medalists from Rizal Province including her own students in the HD

Weightlifting Academy in Jala-jala for doing their absolute best in the competition with still one day to go.

We are proud of Adonis and the rest of our weightlifters. We have a lot of success and heartbreaks too. But it is all part of being an athlete. They really put a lot of works in training for the past few months,” Diaz-Naranjo said, who had at least 20 weightlifters under their watch in her academy.

A side from Ramos, Maybelle Briones (girls’ 35 kgs category 12-13), Reynadine Marie Jimenez (girls’ 40 kgs 12-13) and Matthew Diaz (boys 43 kg 12-13) also won gold each for Rizal.

Team HD’s camp in Jala-Jala and the club in Angono also joined forces in giving Rizal province six silver medals—Dan Angelo Forcadilla (boys 37kg 13-under), John Cadag (boys 43kg 15-under), Victoria Anosa (girls 40kg 15-under) and Mary Joy Beralde (girls 45kg 15-under).

Joining them on the podium are silver performers Frendean Cabrera (boys 49kg 13-under), Christian Papiona (boys 49kg 15-under) and bronze medalist Stephanie Mandigma (girls 35kg 13-under). In c ycling’s individual road race girls’ 16-17, Baguio’s Jasmine Kaye Vinoya captured the gold in 46 minutes and 45 seconds. Chai Ortigoza of Tagum City and Gwennielle Francisco of Quezon City also had the same time with the gold winner for silver and bronze after an exciting bunch finish. Kent Zambrano of Sultan Kudarat won the gold in boys’ 16-17 individual road race with a 1:03:20 time also in a bunch finish with Santa Rosa’s Marvin Mandac and South Cotabato’s Adrian Dorado settling for silver and bronze medals, respectively. At the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex pool, Malabon’s Sophia Rose Garra won the100-meter backstroke, clocking 1:08.77 for her third gold medal.

Cheerdance Wars

CHEER up, collegiate sports enthusiasts. That great time-out, that colorful, joyous, frenetic package of grace and strength called the Cheerdance Competition (CDC) is near.

Although it is not hardcore sport like football or baseball or basketball, it is exciting and as competitive as heck.

If you’ve watched movies like Step Up and Feel the Beat, you know competing in dance, hip-hop for that matter, is a complicated thing that assesses performance based on technical

and artistic criteria. Synchronicity, musicality, variety, accuracy, execution, finesse, showmanship and audience appeal all have to be considered. The same goes for cheer dancing. But first let’s be clear about the difference between cheerleading and cheer dancing. Cheerleading has simpler movements and is focused on boosting teams and leading the crowd in cheers, chants and shouts. Cheerdancing is at its core, dance. But it’s dance with jumps, stunts and dynamic choreography. It’s sport!

Besides flawless execution and visual appeal, Pinoy cheerdance fans always look for the “wow factor” – a stunt or move that makes the audience gasp or shake its head in disbelief. The tallest pyramid, maybe. Fantastic tosses, aerials, thigh stands. Gee, I wish I knew more cheer dance terms.

But then, staying safe while dazzling the crowd with fantastic, high-energy moves is the balance that cheerdance teams aspire for. It can be quite a challenge.

In a nutshell I would say that the cheerdance competition in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is the must-watch aesthetic event of the sports league. It’s something to marvel at – much like synchronized swimming in the Olympics. Cheerdance’s more graceful cousin, the Ballroom or Dance Sport Competition, also packs a similar appeal in the UAAP. However, this other highly entertaining event is not as

consistently staged by the league as the CDC.

RICO DEPILO continued his inspiring run at the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational, dominating 17th seed Art Arbole, 6 and 4, to secure his spot in the quarterfinals of the P2 million championship at the TCC course on Wednesday in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Depilo, a 52-year-old veteran from Davao, displayed composure following his shocking win over top-seeded Tony Lascuña the previous day.

Capitalizing on early birdies at the par-5 second hole and the tight No. 4, Depilo built a comfortable lead that proved insurmountable.

Another lucky day,” Depilo said, brushing off praise for his performance. Despite his growing confidence, Depilo acknowledged the unpredictable nature of match play. “ Tough to say how long we can last but the wins have boosted my confidence,” Depilo added. Depilo’s victory highlights a trend in this year’s tournament, where five lowerseeded players advanced through eight matches under the scorching heat. His next challenge will be 18-year-old Hyun

In the UAAP, cheerdancing has had quite a long and very competitive history. Starting in the 90s and helped along by brands that eagerly sponsored this most-watched coming together of the crowds of the eight member universities, the rivalry in this UAAP event can be almost as rabid as, if not more so than, the classic rivalries in the hardcore sports events.

If there are eras of domination in, say, the basketball world, there are “weather-weather” reigns of teams that last for decades too in the Cheerdance Competition.

Look, the University of the East, Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas ruled basketball in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Then, UST had its 5-peat in the early 90s. De La Salle had its thing in the early 2000’s and Ateneo de Manila almost totally owned the second half of the 00’s down to the beginning of the 2020’s. We have that kind of “it’s our time” complex too in cheerdance.

The UAAP cheerleading competition started off with a clash of the nobility of cheerdance: UST and UP. If there is a Blue vs. Green classic in basketball, in cheerdance, it was a War Between Church and State. The UST Salinggawi Dancers immediately scored a three-peat from 1994 to 1996. Far Eastern University snatched the crown in 1998 (there was no CDC in 1997), but after that, the University of the Philippines (“State U”) staged a

Grand Slam of its own from 1999 to 2001. UST and UP persisted in their ding-dong, rabid rivalry that spilled out into the then social media precursor of Pinoyexchange. com through fans’ vitriol. Both universities sport an identical 8 titles apiece to this day, with UST getting its last title in 2006 and UP in 2012. They seem to have eased up on their rivalry now though. Their exciting era seems to be on hold,

ADONIS RAMOS, eyeing a spot in the Philippine team, makes his mark in the

championships. ROY DOMINGO

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino with Ricky Vargas, Rep. Richard Gomez, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, Lenlen Escollante, Paolo Tancontian, Joebert Yu, Ting Ledesma, Epok Quimpo, Geourgina Avercilla, Karen Tanchiangco, Nikki Cheng, Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Ricky Lim, Mico Vargas, Mariano Araneta, Atty. Wharton Chan, Jarryd Bello and Bones Floro.

Envoys&Expats

Canada-Philippines cooperation: ‘Comprehensive, robust, strategic’

IT is indeed exciting times ahead for the bilateral relations of Canada and the Philippines.

For one, a trade mission will cap the year off that will gather highlevel officials from both countries, which is seen to further enhance economic activity between the two governments for years to come, built on the strength of Canada’s robust Indo-Pacific Strategy.

In this exclusive interview, Amb. David Hartman outlines the dimensions of the dynamic ties that span the various layers of cooperation with the Philippines, as well as priority elements of his tenure and current immigration matters, as his country marks its milestone 75th anniversary with its Southeast Asian partner.

ENVOYS&EXPATS: We learned that there will be a “Team Canada” trade mission this December. Please give us a rundown of what will transpire then.

HARTMAN: Let me begin by stating that, though our commercial ties with the Philippines are strong, there is so much more that we can do

together to bolster trade and investment. That’s what the Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) is about: A coordinated effort involving Canadian government officials, business leaders, and industry representatives aimed at promoting Canadian trade and investment opportunities abroad.

The mission is a key focus of our Indo-Pacific Strategy. It is led by our Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, focusing on specific sectors or industries where Canada has expertise that aligns well with the needs of the local market. In the Philippines, areas of focus or priority sectors are agriculture and processed foods—including fish and seafood; clean technologies, clean energy, green mining; information and communications technologies; as well as infrastructure spanning nuclear energy and smart cities.

The TCTM to the Philippines will provide an excellent platform for

Canadian and local companies, not to mention other business organizations, to explore new avenues, gain insights into their respective business cultures and landscapes, and establish valuable connections with key government and industry representatives. It will also help Canadian exporters position themselves in the local market, and hopefully find strategic partners by showcasing their capabilities and solutions toward long-term trade and investment opportunities.

For Philippine businesses, partnering with Canadian businesses means collaborating with companies that are looking at true “win-win” outcomes. Here are some interesting facts about our commercial ties:

• There a re 28 Jollibees in Canada (we do love C hickenJoy!) a nd conversely, there are over 50 Tim Hortons in the Philippines;

• Canada is t he l argest foreign investor in the Philippines’ mining sector. Our companies uphold the highest environmental, social and governance standards, or ESG;

• Canadian companies l ike Sun Life and Manulife have been operating in the Philippines since the 1890s—now that’s a long-term partnership!

• Over P8 billion of Philippine money in circulation today were made by Canada’s Royal Canadian MINT; and • Helicopters t hat t ransport Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were built in Montreal, Canada by Bell.

Your thoughts on the current state of Philippine-Canadian ties?

The current state of CanadaPhilippines relations can be best described as comprehensive, robust and strategic. Our connections run deep, rooted in family and kinship ties that have flourished over the decades.

Our two nations share a rich history, as many of my compatriots with Filipino descent contribute significantly to Canadian society. From coast-to-coast-to-coast, the contributions of over 1 million Filipinos in Canada have enriched our nation, infusing it with the warmth, resilience, and vibrant culture “Pinoys” are known for.

But it’s not just people-to-people ties: With Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, where the Philippines is a key partner and stakeholder, our relations continue to strengthen comprehensively across various

dimensions. These include political dialogue, trade, defense, education and development cooperation, among others.

Economically, our trade relations have seen impressive growth, with opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as technology, education, defense, aerospace, agriculture, infrastructure and of course, renewable energy. Canada is committed to supporting the Philippines’ development goals in all of these sectors.

On the global stage, both share common values, including commitments to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We look forward to working together on issues involving regional security, maritime stewardship and sustainable development.

I believe the future of our bilateral relationship is tremendously positive and promising, and we remain dedicated to building on this foundation for the benefit of both our peoples. I consider myself to be profoundly fortunate to be representing Canada here, at this particular moment in our bilateral relationship.

Indeed, it is an immense honor to be Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines, as our two countries

celebrate our milestone 75th anniversary of diplomatic engagements.

As of late, the topic of migration to Canada has gained considerable media attention. What’s your outlook with regard to your country’s acceptance of Filipinos wishing to settle there through studying, working or seeking citizenship?

Canada has long been recognized as a welcoming destination for individuals all over the world, and Filipinos hold a special place in our multicultural society. Our commitment to inclusivity and diversity is reflected in our immigration policies, which aim to aid those seeking to study, work, or establish permanent residence in Canada.

Filipinos have contributed significantly to Canada’s social and economic landscape, enriching our communities and workforce. We recognize the valuable skills and perspectives they bring. The Philippines is currently the second source country for new immigrants to Canada, and one of the top sources of foreign students studying there.

Envoys&

Prague’s Oriental Institute welcomes new book on Philippine ‘soft power’

ANEW book on Philippine ‘soft power’ has been added to the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Oriental Institute (OI) collection and expanded its Filipiniana section.

Ambassador of the Philippines to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin R. Meñez turned over a copy of his co-edited anthology Frontiers of Foreign Policy: Essays on Philippine Soft Power to the institute’s director

Táňa Dluhošová PhD and East Asia department head Jakub Hrubý PhD on November 12. Meñez visited the organization to learn more about its research thrusts and projects.

The handover preceded the upcoming official launch of the book and the Department of Foreign Affairs’ new publication The Philippine Soft Power Roadmap: The Filipinos’ Place in the World in December 2024. Frontiers… was also among the featured titles in the Philippine country stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. The Filipino envoy said it “provides a glimpse on the value of ‘soft power’ that our country can gain by recognizing our strengths,” then added that it “considers how we can harness our rich culture, values and policies that other nations can learn to appreciate.”

“The Philippines already has a rich resource of attributes that can raise the profile and stature of the country—we must learn how to recognize our strengths, and work

as one to raise our profile within the community of nations,” he explained. “I hope that these books will mark a turning point in our foreign policy toward our rapid ascent to middle ‘soft power’ status.”

Bringing Phil. Studies to Europe

THE century-old institute is among the foremost research institutions in the Central and Eastern European Region focused on studying Asia and the Middle East. While OI’s library comprises more than 280,000 resources, its materials related to the Philippines is limited to only a “few hundred items,” according to head librarian Reysa Alenzuela PhD.

“As an added resource to our Filipiniana collection, [Frontiers…] aligns with our commitment to decentering perspectives, emphasizing the unique ways of Asian societies,” Dr. Alenzuela said.

Beyond its welcome addition to OI’s archives, the book presents an opportunity for Czechs to understand the Philippine stance on cultural diplomacy.

In its “Indo-Pacific Strategy,” the Czech government looks at the region as a “world trade hub” with “strategic, economic, demographic,

political and security importance to directly influence developments in Europe.”

“Generally speaking, we still don’t know, sadly, much about countries, governments, and cultures [in the said region—and that’s a very important reason we need] to study it,” Dr. Dluhošová said.

“We have scholars looking into the soft power possibilities of a country, and how these are being reflected in Asia and Europe,” she furthered, referring to the institute’s interdisciplinary project investigating structures and systems that inform power in visible and

Japan CDA highlights ASPIRE initiatives at Bangsamoro community engagement

THE Embassy of Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires Kenichi Matsuda attended the opening for the project, “Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration, and Recovery for Advancing Human Security in BARMM (ASPIRE)” in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte.

Launched in late 2022, the Japanese government provided a ¥579-million grant aid for the ASPIRE project to be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to establish a system for the management and reduction of privately owned small arms and light weapons (SALWs) and support the residents’ socioeconomic development in target communities selected jointly by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government.

According to the embassy, Maguindanao del Norte was an identified pilot site after a series of discussions among stakeholders since last year. Due to a long history of conflict, the province has struggled with poverty, instability and SALWs proliferation. Through this project, the two target communities of Kabuntalan and North Upi will receive capacity-development assistance for sustainable livelihoods related to fishing, farming and entrepreneurship. Additionally, residents will undergo educational sessions on the risks of owning SALWs, while promoting their management and reduction.

Following the successful implementation of the ASPIRE project in Basilan, Matsuda expressed his con-

fidence in “our collective capability to bring about a future in the province of Maguindanao del Norte heralded not by the roar of gunfire, but by the bustle of a happy and prosperous people.” Japan has been contributing to the Philippine peace process for more than two decades. To date, more than $515 million in more than 100 projects have been undertaken under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development or JBIRD. Japan remains committed to its support for the progress of the Peace Process and furthering development

in Mindanao. Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity presidential assistant David B. Diciano; Gov. Abdulraof Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte; Peace Implementing Panel GPH co-chair Cesar Yano; Bangsamoro Parliament and PIP MILF member Ali Salik; Joint Normalization Committee co-chairs Akmad Brahim and Ariel Hernandez; Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran of UNDP as well as relevant stakeholders joined Matsuda in the November 13 event.

invisible ways. “In that case, [Frontiers…] is very valuable.”

Model community for Fil. diaspora

DURING the book turnover, Meñez and Consul-General Indhira C. Bañares shared that there is an effort on the Philippine government’s side to “extend the knowledge” and “broaden the discussion and interest” about the country through the establishment of dedicated Philippine studies programs at various academic institutions in Europe.

This comes as the number of Filipino migrants seeking employment

in Europe has steadily increased following the government’s signing of labor agreements with the Czech Republic and other neighboring states.

According to Meñez, the number of Filipino migrants in the country now stands at 10,000, many of whom work in factories. Some others are family members of migrant workers, or students in Europewide scholarships and exchange programs.

For Dr. Alenzuela, who has been OI’s head librarian since 2021, the anticipated Filipino population growth in the Czech Republic leads to “a need [for providing] resources

that reflect the full breadth of Filipino identity, culture and history.”

The library official said Filipino students, scholars and researchers can contribute to knowledge sharing between the two countries through publishing in the OI journal Archiv Orientální, which covers a wide range of Asian studies topics.

“Filipino scholars can collaborate on research related to Southeast Asia, share findings, or engage in scholarly discussions facilitated by the institute,” she added.

Dr. Dluhošová said the OI welcomes students and researchers from the Philippines by applying for fellowships or study grants. At the same time, she said the institute also explores setting up “infrastructure [that] will allow for a more regular exchange between the two countries.”

Meñez remarked that the Philippine Embassy in Prague “is committed to working with the institute for possible work in the fields of migration, foreign-policy challenges, and on cultural and humanities issues as well—possibly within the next year, or two.”

He also expressed his vision for the Filipino community in the Czech Republic, including “helping stimulate avenues for dialogue and interaction on important issues both within the community and with the Czech government in order to make the transition into Czech society and workplaces as smooth as possible.”

“In this manner, I would like to see a model Filipino community develop over the years for the benefit of our kababayans, and ultimately for the benefit of our nation as well,” the ambassador remarked.

Canada-Philippines cooperation: ‘Comprehensive, robust, strategic’

Continued on C2

For Filipinos specifically, the pathways to Canada remain promising. Our visa programs for temporary and permanent residence are designed to attract talented individuals, and family reunification will also continue to play a key role in immigration policy-making that will benefit them.

The past two years saw the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization program, allowing hundreds of thousands of Filipinos to secure visitor travel authorizations online, in just minutes, for a fraction of the price of a regular visa. We also opened a new global processing center in Manila to reduce visa-processing times and launched the “CANWork Philippines” initiative to streamline work-permit processing for Filipinos going to Canada to work in key industry sectors.

I’d also like to highlight that the strong ties between Canada and the Philippines foster a supportive environment for newcomers. Community organizations and support networks play a vital role in helping Filipinos transition and thrive in their new homes.

During your tenure and in the long term, what will be the Canadian Embassy’s development priorities and areas of focus?

Our countries share a long-standing partnership in global assistance cooperation. Since 1986, my government has provided more than CA$1 billion in official development assistance or ODA. And I’m pleased to share that between 2022 and 2023, the fis-

cal year coinciding with the launch of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, our international assistance allocation to the Philippines has reached CA$94.2 million, or some P3.9 billion.

So, what are we working on?

First, we are making significant investments in supporting climate action and disaster resilience. These include supporting terrestrial and marine ecosystem restoration, reforestation and soil protection for enhanced livelihoods; assisting local governments to better assess, plan for, and implement disaster resilience and climate-adaptation measures; as well as providing technical assistance and financing to support clean energy transition.

Second, we are supporting the development of the agricultural sector, notably by supporting value-addition and building economies of scale. Working with cooperatives as well as small and medium enterprises, we ultimately want to ensure that revenue growth benefits smallholder farmers, improving their incomes.

Third, we are expanding our footprint in health. Building on the ongoing work to support sexual and reproductive health and rights, we are supporting governance systems for health-services delivery.

Finally, we are making strategic investments in supporting the peace process in the Bangsamoro Region. These include ensuring that women are full participants in peacebuilding and conflict mediation, promoting peace education, and lending our financial support for the normalization process.

Across the three main island regions, our development interventions engage with and respond to local community needs, address the differential impact on women and girls, and seek to model solutions that can subsequently be replicated and scaled while contributing to national development objectives as articulated in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Amid the rigors of diplomatic work, how do you enjoy your tour of duty in the Philippines?

My family and I try to take advantage of all that the Philippines has to offer. First and foremost, because Filipinos are so kind, generous and hospitable, we have been blessed to have made a number of close and dear friends since we’ve arrived in this most beautiful country. We celebrate the Filipino people by embracing local traditions and customs. By far and away, the Filipino people are this country’s greatest gift to the world. The power of positivity that flows throughout this country is simply amazing and certainly something to celebrate.

My family and I also like to enjoy the specular natural beauty that the Philippines has in such ample abundance. Did I mention your amazing beaches?

And finally, we love to appreciate Filipino arts, culture and cuisine. This country has such a rich, diverse and dynamic ecosystem of artistic creativity. My family and I take as much time as possible to explore all of the spectacular beauty, richness and splendor available all around this most magnificent country.

MRS. Marissa Meñez (from left), Oriental Institute’s head librarian Reysa Alenzuela PhD, Amb. Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, OI director Táňa Dluhošová

PhD and East Asia head department Jakub Hrubý, with Consul General Indhira C. Bañares.

CHARGÉ d’Affaires Kenichi Matsuda (left) and Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran

Story & photo by Andy Peñafuerte III

FROM ENHANCING OUR ECONOMIES, TO ENRICHING OUR CULTURES:

PHL can count on Poland’s support

By Charge

DISTINGUISHED guests; members of the Philippine government; excellencies; representatives of culture, media and businesses; all friends of Poland: Drodzy Rodacy!

November is a special month for us Poles. It is when we celebrate regaining our independence. On November 11, 1918, Józef Piłsudski assumed command of the Polish forces and became the de facto head of the reborn Polish State.

I said “regaining,” not declaring independence. Why?

Poland’s history spans over a thousand years. Our state experienced its greatest prosperity in the 16th and early 17th centuries—our “Golden Age.” Yet history, as we know, has its turns. Our powerful neighbors—Russia among them— exploited internal weaknesses in our country and carried out three partitions of our country. After the final one of 1795, my country was erased from the map of Europe for 123 years.

At home, we have a saying: “Appetite grows with eating.” The same

applies to powerful nations that seek to expand by consuming smaller neighbors. This is evident in Poland’s example and, regrettably, in recent history as well. When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, it came as a shock. Yet many in the international community hoped that the former’s appetite would end there. But it did not. In 2022, it launched an unjustified, illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We must all learn from this. There can be no tolerance for even the smallest violations of another country’s sovereignty. Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. rightly stated in his State of the Nation Address in 2022 that the Philippines would “not cede even one square inch” of its territory to any foreign power.

Once again: Appetite grows with eating. Poland experienced it in the

18th Century. Ukraine faces it now. Asia, too, has its own player with a “voracious appetite.”

Today’s world is different from that more than 200 years ago. Most civilized nations believe in a rulesbased international order, rejecting violence to solve disputes, and in cooperation and dialogue over war and aggression.

Poland and the Philippines both stand by these values. During his visit to Manila in September, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reaffirmed our pledge to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, and to the 2016

Austria and PHL: Sharing a rich history of partnership

MALIGAYANG pagdating sa pambansang araw ng Austria ngayong taon!

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to tonight’s reception on the occasion of Austria’s National Day. I know that the theme of tonight’s celebration is unique and special to all of you. Looking around and seeing you all dressed up to the occasion, I must say: Well done, Manila!

As you know, the Austrian National Day commemorates the adoption in 1955 of the constitutional law on the permanent neutrality of Austria. While global tensions are on the rise and we find ourselves in uncertain times, we must not be discouraged. We have to stand up for our values and democratic principles have consistently proven to be the strongest international forces for securing peace and prosperity through dialogue, cooperation, and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

But we also must not be complacent and speak out for our values and against intolerance. As Karl Popper has put it so succinctly, and I quote: “If we do not defend tolerance against intolerance, tolerance will vanish.” Tonight, as we also celebrate 78 years of exceptional diplomatic relations, we see ourselves on the very same page with our friends in the Philippines in upholding these values so dear to us.

Austria and the Philippines share a rich history of partnership, with over 30,000 Filipinos now calling Austria home. End of September, our dear friend Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac from the Department of Migrant Workers visited our country and not only opened a Migrant Workers Office in Vienna—a big milestone—but also attended a ball at Vienna’s Historic Rathaus that celebrated 50 years of Filipino health-care excellence, exceptional care and paid tribute to Filipino nurses and midwives’ batch of 1974 who uphold the highest standards! Austria is enormously grateful for that.

(Read in the BusinessMirror

Envoys&Expats: “PHL, Austria presidents hail long-time Filipino nurses and midwives in Vienna;” October 31, 2024)

Our business relations are getting

stronger and more diversified with a major investment in Davao as the latest addition by HEAD: the world’s largest manufacturer of tennis balls. In just two years, the company is projected to produce an impressive 14 million dozen tennis balls annually. What makes this partnership even more special is that raw materials will be sourced locally from provinces such as Cotabato, Zamboanga and Davao de Oro, providing key opportunities for local producers and suppliers in Mindanao generating much needed sustainable jobs.

Rich fabric of cultural, artistic cooperation I CONTINUE to be amazed by the incredible richness and diversity that the Philippines has to offer. I recently traveled to Northern Mindanao, particularly in Iligan City and Marawi City, to launch our docu-dance-theater residency “Peace-Building with Performance Arts” workshop, in partnership with the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. I found myself in awe of its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, warmth and hospitality of its people.

The region’s unique traditions, culinary delights, and artistic expressions truly reflect the spirit of the Filipino people, and I was privileged to witness first-hand how art and culture can play a transformative role in the peacebuilding process. And we will continue to work with our partners in the European Union and the Philippines on this process, and highlight Mindanao’s potential and its vital role in the country’s future.

As you already know from previous years, I feel privileged to be able to tap into the very rich fabric of cultural and artistic cooperation between the Philippines and Austria. So let me start with the recent victory of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra who won first

place at the “Summa Cum Laude Int’l Youth Music Festival” held at the prestigious Musikverein in Vienna—another significant milestone of this friendship this year. Congratulations! Well done! This remarkable achievement not only showcased the exceptional talent of our young musicians, but also highlighted the Philippines’ growing presence in the global cultural landscape.

Since arriving in 2022 to your beautiful country, most of the Filipinos I have come across with have mentioned two things about Austria: The Sound of Music, and The Vienna Boys Choir. I’m fortunate to hail from Salzburg—the filming location of the 1965 movie, and I take pride in my hometown’s deep connection with the Filipino community through the musical. Not only tourism is on the rise, and many are going to my hometown… but it’s evident how strong that bond is.

I am also thrilled to announce that after almost 10 years, we are bringing back the Vienna Boys Choir to the Philippines for two concerts in October next year, in partnership with our friends from Ovation Productions! So watch the space!

That checks two boxes on my Filipino-Austrian checklist!

But we won’t stop there: Together with our dear friends from the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines, we have already begun laying the groundwork to upgrade the annual Strauss Concert and bring back the tradition of the Vienna Ball to the Philippines next year. Supported by the City of Vienna, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss with a conductor from Vienna.

As it is a tradition there, the ball will be opened with a Polonaise by young debutants, and I invite you now already to join the fun. We are looking for 10 to 12 couples between approximately the ages of 16 and 25. I see some young ladies and gentlemen here tonight already, or if you have children or grandchildren who might be interested, please let our ladies from the Johann Strauss Society, or my team at the embassy know. The date for the ball is set for June 25, 2025.

Please join me in a toast: To the health of His Excellency Pres. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., to the happiness and prosperity of the Austrian and Filipino people, and to continued close and friendly relations between our two nations.

Mabuhay! Prost! Cheers!

Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines can count on our support.

We look forward to enhancing political dialogue between our countries. We are glad that discussions initiated during Min. Sikorski’s visit will be continued during upcoming political consultations in Warsaw on November 13.

New avenues of collaboration POLITICAL cooperation is vital, but we can do more. There is an old Roman maxim: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” As a peace-loving nation, Poland aims to avoid war at all cost. That’s why our defense spending rose to 4.2 percent of gross domestic product in 2023, making us a leader among countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We plan to increase this further to 4.7 percent in 2024. The current administration of the Philippines is also committed to enhancing its military capabilities, recognizing this as the best means of protection and deterrence.

I am proud that Poland is a reliable partner in strengthening these capacities.

Polish-made Black Hawk and Sokół helicopters serve the Philippines today—not only for military purposes, but also for search-and-

rescue operations and disaster response, including those during recent typhoons.

We hope to broaden our cooperation beyond defense and establish a “Joint Commission on Military Cooperation” to address non-traditional security threats, such as hybrid warfare and cybersecurity. Poland, having faced such challenges primarily from our eastern neighbor, has gained valuable experience in countering these threats, and we are prepared to share our insights.

Covid-19 and Russia’s war against Ukraine have shaken the international order, disrupted supply chains and posed serious challenges to food security. In this area, Poland can also be a reliable partner, as a leading producer of meat and dairy products. If you order a latte or cappuccino in your favorite café here in the Philippines, there’s a high probability the milk used comes from Poland.

Thanks to the strong ties between our respective institutions, Polish poultry, pork, and beef have received accreditation for your market. But the choice of supplier is yours. Diversification is essential for true food security, and we recognize the importance of having multiple partners.

This is a principle that Pres. Marcos Jr.’s administration clearly understands as it forges partnerships with many countries, including Poland. Beyond defense and agriculture,

new avenues of collaboration are opening up. In early December, a delegation from the Polish Space Agency will visit Manila to conduct discussions with the Philippine Space Agency aimed at exploring potential joint projects in this advanced field. There are many other areas of cooperation that I could mention, but I promised myself to keep this speech as brief as possible. Coming close to the end of this brief address, I’d like to share a sentiment expressed by Min. Sikorski. While we were waiting in the VIP lounge before his departure, I asked him about his impressions of the visit. His response was immediate: “I should have come sooner!” This reflects the sentiments of many Polish visitors who are impressed by the Philippines and its people. Your openness, friendliness, creativity, and sincerity make Poles feel at home. Those who come here once often return to continue projects and collaboration. Each encounter boosts trust and deepens our mutual understanding. I am confident that by working together, we can continue enhancing our economies and enriching our cultures. And now, without further ado, let me raise a toast: To the good health and well-being of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.! To the prosperity and happiness of all the Filipino people! Mabuhay! Salamat po!

106th Czech Natl Day honors strengthened

bilateral relations, reaffirms shared values

SHORTLY after the end of the Great War, on October 28, 1918, the independent Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed and rose from the ashes of the collapsed Austro-Hungarian Empire. It gave the Czech and Slovak nations living in the historical lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia from prehistoric times their first-ever independent state.

This historic day marked the rebirth of the two nations: a testament to the courage and determination in realizing their dreams of sovereignty.

One hundred and six years hence, the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of freedom continue to resonate in a nation that has emerged stronger from its struggles and known by many names over the years: Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic, and more recently by its short version, or a nickname: Czechia.

This year, the Czech Republic celebrated its 106th National Day. The Czechs, having endured decades of foreign domination under Nazi Germany and a prolonged period of Soviet communism, emerged with a deep appreciation for liberty and self-determination. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which peacefully dismantled decades of totalitarian rule, the Czech Republic has flourished as a vibrant democratic state, committed to upholding the values of freedom and cooperation on the global stage, according to its embassy.

This story finds its reflection in the experiences of a nation separated by vast horizons from the Czech Republic, yet bound by collective struggle and the unyielding spirit of those who dare to dream of liberty and freedom. The Philippines has also forged its own path toward sovereignty and democratic governance, just as Czechia has transformed its struggles into a powerful narrative of resilience. This shared history of overcoming adversity has laid the foundation for a strong partnership between our nations, built on common values and mutual respect.

In today’s global landscape, this partnership is more critical than ever, said the embassy. Both nations,

it said, stand united against Russian aggression against Ukraine that undermines sovereignty and international law. The two’s support for international rules-based order comes from a shared understanding of the importance of defending freedom and democracy, in which every nation has the right to protect its territorial integrity all around the globe, including Eastern Europe and the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. Standing together on these critical issues, both countries’ resolve to confront shared challenges, for the deputation, has become more solid than ever.

During the national day reception of the Czech Republic on October 16, Amb. Karel Hejč highlighted how this enduring spirit of partnership has translated into significant milestones in Czech-Philippine relations over the past 50 years. He emphasized the recent visit of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the European country, which led to key bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing labor cooperation, as well as protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

Further, he highlighted some of past year’s achievements: notably, the increase in quota for Filipino workers in the Czech Republic, and the

opening of the Czech Trade Agency office in Manila to bolster businessto-business relations.

National Day message

THE Czech Republic, according to Hejč, is also committed to diversifying its engagement beyond Manila, with business missions exploring opportunities in Davao City and Cebu, covering various sectors from agriculture to defense.

These collaborative efforts, he said, lay the groundwork for a prosperous future, enhancing cooperation in technology, education and sustainable development in the years to come.

“As the Czech Republic marks its 106th National Day, it not only reflects on its own history, but also looks forward to a future of strengthened ties with the Philippines—a partnership and friendship as meaningful as the one shared between José Rizal and his Czech friend Ferdinand Blumentritt,” the diplomat remarked.

For his part, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shared: “We used to think that the Philippines and the Czech Republic are very far apart. Well, they still are, and that is not going to change. What has changed is the importance of this distance.”

By Amb. Johann Brieger

(On the occasion of the Austrian National Day 2024)

BRIEGER

AMB. Karel Hejč (from left) shares a light moment with the Apostolic Nuncio Rev. Charles Brown DD and Foreign Affairs undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus “Gary” Domingo.

d’Affaires Anna Krzak-Danel (Keynote message during Poland’s National Day)

NZ envoy witnesses signing of joint declaration on climate cooperation

NEW Zealand and the Philippines have forged a joint declaration to develop a climate cooperation framework, signed on November 18 by Environment secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga in Quezon City, and New Zealand’s minister of Climate Change Simon Watts in Baku, Azerbaijan where he is attending the Conference of Parties or COP29.

Ambassador of New Z ealand to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh witnessed the signing in Quezon City.

“It was a pleasure to be present at this important next step in the cooperative relationship between New Z ealand and the Philippines as our countries look to work together on a vital global issue,” McIntosh said. “Both our countries are committed to the Paris Agreement, and share ambitions to build climateresilient communities while accelerating the transition to a lowemissions economy.”

The declaration sets an 18-month timetable to formalize the cooperation framework for enhancing the partnership on climate change, focusing on innovation, cooperation and sustainable development.

The two countries will pursue the collaboration in a cross-cut-

DEC. 3: INTL. DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Australia and PHL: Jointly designing inclusive transport for empowered lives

PEOPLE with disabilities face barriers when using public transport all over the world: Narrow sidewalks that can’t accommodate wheelchairs, buses that don’t lower to street level, and trains that don’t announce their stops are a few examples.

ting way that will include conducting information exchange, encouraging business to business contacts, fostering research, development and deployment of renewable energy and zero-emissions transport technologies, as well as sustainable agricultural practices.

Israeli ambassador sends aid to typhoon-stricken Bicolanos

TOP envoy of Israel to the Philippines Ilan Fluss visited the Bicol Region on November 13 and 14 to provide relief assistance to typhoon-affected Bicolanos and officially turned over a livelihood project funded by MASHAV.

In Naga City, Amb. Fluss met with Mayor Nelson Legacion, as he extended his solidarity and sympathies to the residents affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name Trami). Legacion briefed him on the effects of the typhoon and their recovery efforts. They also discussed possible partnerships in many areas such as disasterrisk management using Israel’s modern technologies.

Through MASHAV, the Embassy of Israel donated school supplies and materials, which included printers, inks, bond paper, notebooks, pens, storage boxes, first-aid kits and hygiene supplies. These items will benefit 500 students and faculty members at Julian Meliton Elementary School.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation and saw the need to support the Bicolanos. We learned that the school and the students lost their school supplies and equipment due to flood-

THE United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional P196 million ($3.5 million) to support the Philippine government’s response to Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami). Through the assistance, USAID will support logistics and provide clean water, sanitation, shelter and cash assistance to help residents in the most affected areas of Bicol and Batangas meet their basic needs. It also supported communities that have been affected by subsequent disasters.

The new funding is in addition to the P84 million ($1.5 million)

ing,” Fluss explained. “We hope these new materials will assist the students with their studies and will inspire them as future young leaders.”

The Israeli diplomat also visited the Queen of Peace Children’s Home and Formation Center to

donate food and essential kits of diapers, laundry detergent, baby formula and adult diapers for the elderly. “Women, children—especially orphans—and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable during disasters,” he noted. “We hope this donation

disaster response to P280 million ($5 million). Amb. MaryKay Carlson said:

offers some relief as they recover from [recent] challenges.”

Other than the relief efforts, Fluss visited the Self-Help Group Community Enterprise site in Camarines Sur, where MASHAV has funded a livelihood project empowering local women. With Mayor Lilian Matamorosa of Lupi, he visited the “Missionary Oratorians” of Mary Convent where the donated equipment to produce cranberry wine and juice is stored. He also donated sacks of rice for SHeG members.

Through MASHAV, the embassy also donated handed out rice to Lupi residents. Fluss and Matamorosa helped with the repacking and distribution of relief packs to 250 affected families.

Accompanied by his wife Gila, Fluss emphasized during his visit to Bicol that Israel stands ready to support its Filipino friends, even amid the ongoing war in Gaza: “There are many Bicolano caregivers and hotel industry workers in Israel, and young farmers from [their region are in our agriculture internship program learning] modern farming techniques. Even in the middle of a conflict, the Bicolanos remained with us in Israel. Supporting their kababayans here is our way of expressing our gratitude.”

“As your friend, partner and ally, the US commits to working with the Philippine government and people as they rebuild and recover.”

USAID and the International Organization for Migration or IOM are working together to assist more than 4,000 families in the Bicol Region, Ilocos Region and Batangas by providing shelter-grade tarpaulins; shelter-repair kits; as well as water, sanitation and hygiene or WASH kits.

Through USAID funding, the United Nations World Food Programme also mobilized 92 trucks that supported the Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 150,000 family food packs and other relief items to Albay, Benguet, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte and La Union.

When public transport isn’t accessible, everyday tasks that many of us take for granted—commuting to work, attending school, going to the doctor—become major challenges for some.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 individuals, or 1.3 billion people globally, experience significant disabilities. In the Philippines, 12 percent of Filipinos aged 15 years or older experience some form of impairments, which include more females compared to males. People of their kind also face a higher risk of social inequality and exclusion.

The Philippine government has long recognized the importance of accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. However, just like in Australia, turning policies into action is challenging.

Australia has been a steadfast partner of the Philippines on gender equality, disability and social inclusion reforms over many years. In 1992, we supported the country to design and implement the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.” This legislation provides for the rehabilitation, self-development and selfreliance of people with disabilities. We are also building strong networks and linkages with the Philippine government, academia and civil society to further our mutual commitment to advancing accessible and inclusive public transport systems.

My country is making impressive progress in transport planning. Look at our northern state of Queensland, for example. Faced with rising demands on its transport network, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads decided to jointly design transport

THE United Kingdom stands ready to support the Philippines amid the impact of several typhoons in recent months, its embassy said in a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction of homes and livelihoods brought about by these typhoons,” said Amb. Laure Beaufils.

The British government has contributed £1 million (P74.14 million) to help those most affected by the successive strong typhoons. This will include funding to the World Food Programme to provide cash assistance to help people meet their immediate needs and rebuild their livelihoods.

The UK will aid the United Nations Childrens’ Fund or UNICEF’s provision of facilities on water, sanitation and hygiene or “WASH.” The assistance is expected to start

solutions with its customers and other key stakeholders. This means people with disabilities—as endusers with lived experience—are actively engaged at every stage: from planning to the design and implementation of projects. This linkage ensures that the physical conditions of Queensland’s public-transport systems—both existing and future—can accommodate everyone, regardless of their ability. The Philippines is well positioned to benefit from Australia’s experience. Together, our countries have established a partnership to promote policies and practices that advance accessible and inclusive public transport. With Australia’s “Partnerships for Infrastructure” initiative, officials from the Department of Transportation, National Council on Disability Affairs and civil society traveled to Australia in September 2024 to learn ways of ensuring that public transport meets commuters’ needs. Partnering with the Philippines to create accessible, safe and reliable public transport is something I’m immensely proud of. The potential economic benefits for both the country and the region are enormous: engaging people with disabilities in dignified employment could increase gross domestic product or GDP by as much as 7 percent, according to a 2018 report of the International Labour Organization and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

More importantly, by improving opportunities for employment, accessing health care and socializing with friends and families, we can ensure that all people with disabilities enjoy their right to a quality life.

December 3 of each year marks the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” in the Philippines. As we continue to elevate our efforts to empower people with disabilities, Australia remains a dependable partner and champion of accessible and inclusive public transport.

(Follow Amb. Yu on X: @AusAmbPH.)

reaching those affected by Severe Tropical Storms “Kristine,” “Pepito” (international names Trami and Man-yi, respectively) and others, plus their affected areas. It is aimed to augment government assistance for impacted communities.

On top of the £1 million bilateral contribution, the UK also supports centrally managed funds that have allocated funds to the response. This includes £595,000 from the “Start Ready” program providing rapid emergency assistance in Cagayan.

The UK has also supported the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ “Disaster Response Emergency Fund,” which contributed CHF900,000 to the Philippine Red Cross’ operations, and the UN’s “Central Emergency Response Fund” which has released $3.5 million to the latter.

AMB. Catherine McIntosh (from left) and Sec. Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga

MADAME Gila (from left) and Amb. Ilan Fluss distribute relief packages for affected Bicolanos.

USAID partners with IOM Philippines to deliver emergency tarps and shelter kits to families affected by “Kristine” in Camarines Sur.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Gaia longevity center wants you to live to a healthy 100

This

deluxe resort-like property is actually a medical center promoting longevity medicine

Story & photos by Francine M. Marquez

Wishing each other good health and long life is an oft repeated greeting on birthdays and the new Year. But wouldn’t it be more meaningful if people actually work on improving their health to exist a little longer to further enjoy life?

This thought played in Mike Chan’s mind when he was 47 years old and about to be a father for the first time. h i s wife, Alyssa, who was pregnant at that time called his attention, She said, “Daddy, you need to have a check-up.” I always thought I was healthy. I lived a happy life, ate well, and was a poster boy for health and fitness.

“I found out I was pre-diabetic and my cholesterol was sky high. And when our baby Mikhaela was born, everything changed. I told myself I had to take my health and fitness to the next level.” Chan signed up for a Nutrition Science course at the Stanford Center for h e alth e d ucation and during his studies and new interest in longevity medicine, he met the internationally known Dr. e v elyne Bischof, an inter -

nal medicine specialist who is doing AI-based research and digital medicine. Dr. Bischof is the Director of Sheba Longevity Department at Sheba Medical Center Israel and Founding Vice-President of h e althy Longevity Medicine Society.

“I learned that when you use science to track your ageing process, you can slow it down. You can continue living a productive and enjoyable life for as long as you are alive or at least in your senior years,” said Chan. “Going back to my ‘why,’ I became interested in this emerging field because of my inspiration, my baby.”

Rapidly growing field

L O NG e V ITY medicine is a rapidly growing field of Western medicine that is personalized and utilizes biomarkers of aging. Using advances in

artificial intelligence, biomarker research and drug development, early diagnostics and prevention can be detected and monitored to further avoid communicable diseases.

To further spread his advocacy and vision, Chan recently opened house of Gaia (www.houseofgaia.com), the first longevity medical center in the Philippines. It is located in a five-hectare forest paradise in Sto. Toribio, Lipa, Batangas. Gaia is the Greek goddess of e a rth.

“The goal is very simple. We now have the technology to get you to a strong 100 years. Some people are satisfied with 79, which is the aver -

age human lifespan. We want to show people how to program their body to last for 10 or 15 more years,” Chan explained.

Chan, h o use of Gaia C e O, tapped Dr. Bischof to be the center’s chief medical and longevity officer. And to start one’s longevity journey, the patient’s biomarkers and other tests are taken and submitted to an AI tool. The processed AI data is analyzed by Dr. Bischof, who in turn creates a highly personalized longevity protocol for the patient.

Wearable device

Th R OUG h an AI-powered wearable

device, the patient’s key health indicators are tracked for the patient’s better self-management and for the h o use of Gaia to remotely monitor and check in on the patient.

Designed like a complete luxury resort, it has modern tropical villas each with its own lap pool. Its Cibus Restaurant serves healthy cuisine developed by consultant chefs Gene Gonzalez and Gino Gonzalez. Other facilities include a gym; steam bath and massage area; and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, among others.

“It’s a hospital pretending to be a resort,” Chan said while letting out a smile. “This is a members-only facility

and unlike other wellness resorts that only offer weekend relief, the h o use of Gaia is about longevity. If you really want a long life, it’s something that you do every day. So, this is actually a bootcamp for the members who come here. They sleep and eat longevity here every day.”

Members work with medical doctors, fitness coaches, nutritionists, and resident life coaches to ensure the patient’s physical, nutritional, and mental well-being are nurtured. The price of a one-year program depends on the services and treatments. It ranges from P3.5 million for Platinum to P350,000 for Gold membership. At 54, Chan has the body of a college student. Chan’s body is lean and he feels energetic. Most of all, he said, he was able to reverse his pre-diabetic condition and high cholesterol. Now a proud father of two—Mikhaela Dannielle and baby Aiden Matthew— Chan said he’s thankful to have gone through such a life-changing journey.

“Our mission is to make healthy ageing the new normal for the Filipino people. The older you get, the more important it is for you to continue training. Young people don’t need to make an effort at it because they’re homeostasis. h e alth is a gift when you’re young. You lose it when you’re old. Now, you have to earn your health. It’s not a given anymore. It’s something that took me years to learn.”

Asian Hospital jumpstarts holiday season with Christmas lighting, facility launch, research week

H A PPY f amily. House of Gaia CeO Mike Chan, with wife Alyssa, daughter Mikhaela Dannielle, and son Aiden Matthew.

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November 28, 2024

BusinessMirror

Mapúa, Arizona State U launch tech-driven school of medicine

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

Mapúa University, in part -

nership with a r izona State University ( a S U), debuted its pioneering medical program on November 7, 2024, blending cutting-edge technology with a mission to address critical healthcare needs in the country.

Located at its Makati campus, this new School of Medicine aims to train future doctors to tackle healthcare challenges both locally and globally.  Students will have access to state-of-theart tech and modern teaching approaches, where they can gain skills that will prepare them for a complex, fast-evolving medical landscape.

“Our collaboration with a S U allows us to provide students with interprofessional training, global exposure, and access to cutting-edge technology,” Dr. Malaya Santos, Dean of the School of Medicine, said at the launch event.

Mapúa’s medical program will incorporate telemedicine, artificial intelligence ( a I ), virtual and augmented reality, and robotics into the curriculum, providing students with a suite of digital tools and simulations to prepare for high-stakes situations in real-world settings.

By using these innovations, the school hopes to equip its graduates with the skills to improve healthcare delivery not only in urban hospitals but also in rural communities

where healthcare access is limited.

A personalized learning experience at t he heart of Mapúa’s medical program is the innovative DISCOVER curriculum, an acronym which stands for diversity, inclusion, sustainability, compassion, ownership, volunteerism, equity, and respect.

Santos explained that this new curriculum is designed to allow students to personalize their learning journey with the help of a Idriven technology.

“We want to give our medical students the opportunity to shape their own learning journey. a I -driven techniques for personalized learning are something we’re working on, allowing students to tailor their education according to their specific interests and

LocAL food Group to source onLy 100 percent cAGe-free eGGs in support of sustAinAbLe food prActices

By Rory Visco Contributor

WHO would have thought that a chicken egg would have a significant contribution to help reduce poverty and combat malnutrition?

Nowadays, however, the talk is not just about ordinary chicken eggs but “cage-free” eggs, which is currently experiencing a robust demand for consumption in many countries in the world today.

Why cage-free eggs?

FROM a layman’s point of view, cage-free eggs are those harvested in chicken farms that are far less stressful for the chickens that lay them. These chickens are called “layer hens.” For egg farms to produce eggs that are cage-free, the farm environment requires that layer hens live in open indoor spaces and is assured of increased quality of life compared to their counterparts that live in tight spaces called cages.

And cage-free eggs are supposedly healthier compared to those from hens from cages. In an article that appeared in the knowledge sharing platform for the global poultry industry, https://www.thepoultrysite. com, the European Food Safety Authority analyzed data coming from more than 3,000 farms in European Union-member states, where it revealed that Salmonella Enteritidis, the bacterial disease found in eggs, egg products, and poultry, is “five times more likely to be found in cage systems compared to freerange systems.”

“The decreased risk of disease in cage-free environments is likely due to a combination of cage-free systems being cleaner; having fewer rodent and insect disease vectors; being easier to clean and disinfect; and hens on bedding acquiring more natural, healthy gut flora, being less stressed and therefore less susceptible to disease,” the article continued.

Furthermore, the article continued by showing that eggs from free-range or cage-free farms “also have lower levels of chemical residue from insecticides, lower levels of insect infestation, and a lower concentration of dioxin-like contaminants.”

It was also revealed that various studies found that cage-free eggs “have a healthier overall nutritional profile.” Among the benefits include “less saturated fat and cholesterol, and higher levels of protein. Free-range or cage-free eggs have also been found to have significantly more Vitamin A and Vitamin E; more omega 3s; higher levels of alpha tocopherol and alpha-linolenic acid; higher carotenoid levels; more lutein; a healthier ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids; higher bone mineral density; and more beta carotene.”

Growing demand for cage-free eggs

THE demand for cage-free eggs is flourishing not just globally but in the Philippines as well, mainly because many consumers are now aware of its numerous health benefits, plus the growing concern for animal welfare.

There have been many names in the restaurant, hospitality, retail and packaged foods brands that have expressed long-term commitment to use only cagefree eggs in their operations as they are less cruel to animals and safer for consumers.

In a recent nationwide survey, it was revealed that 83 percent of consumers believe eggs sourced by restaurants, supermarkets, packaged foods companies and the like should come only from hens living in cagefree environments, while 80 percent said they were more inclined to patronize a food brand that sourced only cage-free eggs. They are even willing to pay more, whether purchasing cage-free eggs in supermarkets, dining at restaurants or buying packaged food that offer or use cage-free eggs, since many believe safety and quality are worth spending a little bit more.

Just recently food and beverage company The Figaro Coffee Group was recognized by international nongovernmental organization (NGO) Lever Foundation because of its decision to source 100-percent cage-free eggs in its global operations by 2035.

This means that the company commits to implement this policy across all its brands. The Figaro Coffee Group operates 203 stores worldwide, with 64 Figaro Coffee outlets, 124 Angel’s Pizza branches, 10 Tien Ma’s Taiwanese cuisine restaurants, and one Koobideh Kebabs location. The company said this announcement “reflects its commitment to ethical sourcing on a global scale.

Home-grown brand

ANOTHER home-grown brand, Andok’s, which has over 70 dine-in locations nationwide, has also recently pledged to use 100-percent cage-free eggs across all its outlets, also by 2035.

“We are proud to support animal welfare and sustainable food practices with our new policy of sourcing only cage-free eggs and egg ingredients across The Figaro Coffee Group supply chain by 2035,” said Ace Azarraga, Marketing Director of The Figaro Coffee Group. “Our dedication to ethical sourcing reflects our broader mission to nourish our community, provide fair employment, and uphold responsible business practices.”

For its part, Lever Foundation’s Robyn Charisse del Rosario, Sustainability Program Manager in the Philippines, applauds the two company’s “dedication to promoting animal welfare and sustainability.”

“Their leadership highlights the growing importance of ethical sourcing in the food industry and sets a positive example for other regional companies to follow.”

Lever Foundation is a global NGO based in the United States and operates across southeast Asia.

It works with leading food companies in the Philippines and across the region to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on cage-free eggs and alternative protein.

needs,” she explained.

t h e university has also identified three core pillars for student success in its program: digital mastery, global readiness, and advanced immersive learning.

t h ese pillars give students access to tools like telemedicine platforms, electronic medical records, and virtual anatomy models.

By using realistic simulations, students can build their clinical skills long before they enter real-world medical settings.

“We have recognized that global readiness is a skill for the 21st century,” Dr. Santos noted. “With the groundbreaking collaboration with a r izona State University, we are able to expose our faculty and our students to a lot of the best practices globally.”

Interprofessional education will also play

a big role in the program as Mapúa’s medical students will have a chance to work alongside peers in nursing, medical technology, psychology, and pharmacy.

“Learning with, from, and about these other professions forms the basis for collaboration that will, in the end, prepare them to take their place as part of the when they eventually step into the clinical setting,” Santos said.

“We recognize that medical school does not exist in a vacuum, but rather that it is part of a learning continuum,” she added.

A balanced approach

E V EN w ith its high-tech approach, Mapúa’s School of Medicine keeps a strong emphasis on fundamental clinical skills.

Santos told BusinessMirror that while advanced simulations are a major feature, clinical competence remains the core goal.

“We ensure that clinical competence remains at the core. Students still have to learn how to diagnose and treat. t h ose foundational skills will always be part of the curriculum,” the dean explained.

Santos added that while the foundations will remain, digital tools like virtual anatomy stations will allow students to go beyond traditional methods.

For instance, because of technology, their anatomy classes include “sick stations” where students are able to learn and experience clinical applications as early as first year.

Mapúa’s program also goes beyond typical

hospital simulations by including setups that mimic rural health facilities.

Hands-on experience

t h IS h ands-on experience aims to inspire graduates to work in underserved communities where more primary care doctors are needed. “Universal h e alth Coverage needs more doctors willing to go to underserved areas. By giving them early exposure to rural health and community-based care, we aim to foster a sense of responsibility to serve beyond urban hospitals,” she added.

to s upport the integration of these advanced teaching methods, Mapúa has invested in faculty training, working with a S U and other institutions to ensure instructors are wellversed in simulation and digital pedagogy.  Faculty members also participate in the USa I D Upskill Capacity Building p r oject, where they are trained in designing and implementing simulation scenarios.

t h e learning curve is steep, but we are committed to mastering these methods to provide the best possible education for our students,” Santos assured.

Mapúa University’s School of Medicine is now accepting applications for the inaugural academic year, set to begin this December.  a s p art of its expanded health sciences education, the university also offers undergraduate degrees in  psychology, nursing, medical technology, biology, pharmacy, and physical therapy.

2,000 Cabalens participate in three-day Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair

DBy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

IA b ET ES can lead to severe complications if left unmanaged.

U ncontrolled diabetes can result in hypertension and kidney disease due to the damage it causes to blood vessels.

It can also lead to amputations and blindness, consequently impacting the mental health of the patients.

In time for the celebration of World Diabetes Day on November 14, Unilab, Inc., the most trusted and leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company in the country, kicked off its nationwide Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair in Pampanga.

Close to 2,000 Cabalens in Mabalacat, Porac, and San Fernando benefited from the services and interactive lectures offered in the three-day event supported by local officials, the health departments, and barangay health workers.

ncd s P R E - I DENTIFIED p atients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes under the care and monitoring of the local health departments received vital medical services, including blood pressure checks, glucose level monitoring, testing for anemia, bone scanning, and consultations with healthcare professionals, all aimed at improving their understanding and management of their health conditions.

Dr. Rowena Salas of the San Fernando Health Office emphasized the need to regularly remind the community about NCDs and to disseminate information regarding diabetes and other related conditions.

“It is essential to monitor these patients closely to help reduce their medication needs. If their con -

Sk I NS tat ION, a t rusted name in advanced skincare, recently introduced the 4D QuattroWave Laser. t h is latest innovation harnesses not one, two, or three but four wavelengths to target hair at multiple depths, delivering effective and comfortable results across a wide range of skin tones and hair types.

the fut ure of Laser Hair rem oval

t h e 4D QuattroWave Laser hair removal machine is designed with advanced features, making it ideal for diverse hair removal needs:

4-Wavelength te chnology:

n a l exandrite wavelength of 755nm: pe rfect for lighter skin and fine hair

n Diode wavelength of 808nm: Effective for all skin types, especially brown tones

n Infrared wavelength of 940nm: Cuts off blood supply to hair follicles and inhibit fu -

ditions are controlled, we can potentially eliminate some medications,” she stated.

The highlight of the November 12 to 14, 2024 fair was the interactive lecture that raised the awareness of the participants on hypertension and diabetes and allowed them to gain valuable insights into managing their conditions, understanding their medications, and making healthier food and lifestyle choices.

San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag, Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo, and Porac Mayor Myla Clarete attended the event to show their support and appreciation to the services provided by Unilab to their constituents.

“This activity is a big help to our Cabalens,” Caluag noted.

“Let me convey the gratitude of the whole town of Porac to Unilab and its management for holding this Health and Wellness Fair,” Clarete added.

Addressing health challenges

T HE r ecently-held Alagang Unilab Health and Wellness Fair is a collaboration between p ublic and private sectors, and is deemed vital in addressing health challenges at the community level.

“It is crucial to reach out to communities and provide services that the public sector may not be able to offer on its own. We, from the private sector, aim to fill these gaps. Together with the public sector, we can provide more comprehensive services to the people,” Alexander S. Panlilio, Corporate Vice President of Unilab, explained.

yo unger individuals becoming prone

R A ISING awareness about the incidence of diabetes is essential, especially as the age of onset appears to be going down.

ture hair growth

n Nd:Y aG w avelength of 1064nm: p r ovides the deepest penetration and best for darker skin types

Advanced p r ecision for c o mfort: t h e 4D QuattroWave laser technology can simultaneously emit different energies to meet the needs of different types of hair and can adjust the wavelength depending on different skin tones, which greatly increases comfort during the procedure.

fa ster tr eatment with f e wer s e ssions:

t h e four-wavelength enables larger areas to be treated in shorter sessions, saving time for busy clients while still delivering fast, effective results.

s u itable for All sk in and Hair ty pes: With

“ We are seeing younger individuals becoming more prone to conditions like diabetes and other NCDs due to their lifestyle choices,” Panlilio noted, adding that continuous observation and intervention are necessary to improve health outcomes in the community.

For his part, Mabalacat Mayor Garbo expressed gratitude for the partnership o f his area w ith Unilab. Thank you for this program. It is essential for our community, and we appreciate the support in addressing these pressing health issues,” he said.

Long-term

health conditions

T HE p articipants were also encouraged to engage with various game booths and informational stations, which offered a more interactive way to learn about preventive health measures.

In this way, people who have long-term health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes would know more about their non-communicable diseases and would feel more secure that they have a community that will help them take better care of themselves and their families.

“Our goal is to foster a sense of community and provide essential healthcare services, especially for those dealing with long-term conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Through initiatives such as Alagang Unilab community engagements, we hope to empower Filipinos to take charge of their health and lead fulfilling lives,” Panlilio added.

With the event’s success in Pampanga, Unilab plans to expand the Alagang Unilab activities to other parts of the country, making it a nationwide initiative. This will be part of Unilab’s 80th anniversary celebration next year, further reinforcing its commitment toward a healthier Philippines.

the combined power of four wavelengths, the machine is safe for all skin tones—from the lightest to the darkest—and effective on various hair colors, including light and dark hair.

4d QuattroWave Laser versus diode Laser t h E D iode laser, considered the gold standard, uses single wavelength with reliable results, especially for lighter to medium skin tones. Meanwhile, the 4D QuattroWave Laser combines four wavelengths to target hair at multiple depths, making it ideal for all skin and hair types.

Availability and pr icing in formation

t h E 4 D QuattroWave Laser h a ir Removal is available in over 50 SkinStation branches this month, and in all 112 branches before the year ends. For detailed pricing and availability, visit SkinStation clinic or check the SkinStation website. https://webstore.skinstation. ph/#/search?q=4D%20QuattroWave

& Fitness

Why a hospital-based cancer registry matters

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

Medical experts define a Hospital-Based cancer Registry (HBcR) as a vital system that tracks cancer patients treated or diagnosed at a specific hospital. By collecting and analyzing patient data, HBcRs can improve patient care and assess healthcare quality. They can also be used to guide critical decisions such as resource allocation, policy development, and cancer control program evaluation.

Dr. Beatrice J. Tiangco, member of the n a tional Integrated Cancer Control Council, Co-Founder of Cancer CAR e Registry and Research Philippines Foundation, Inc., and Consultant Director of the Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute of The Medical City, underscored the importance of pushing for a localized, hospital-based cancer registry in the country instead of relying on data from other regions.

Kailangan po tayong gumamit ng sarili nating data para makilala po natin nang mas maigi ang sariling nating mga pasyente [We need to use our own data to better understand our patients],” said Dr. Tiangco, who also pushed for a harmonized

registry that spans the entire nation as this can elevate treatments through precision medicine.

“We want to give treatments that are truly personalized for each individual patient, and we cannot do that if we do not have data,” added Dr. Tiangco who was one of the speakers during a recent forum for cancer patients and their caregivers. Unite influential voices

The forum, dubbed “Courage in Cancer: Patients, Caregivers, and Advocacy Groups Unite to Strengthen Cancer Care Community,” aimed to unite influential voices in the healthcare community to champion collective efforts towards advanc -

ing cancer care in the Philippines.

Also present during the forum were health advocates from Philh e alth, Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCPh), ICanServe Foundation, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), Cancer Warriors Foundation, AstraZeneca and Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO).

Dr. Tiangco related some of the sections of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act n o . 11215 otherwise known as the n a tional Integrated Cancer Control Act or n I CCA pertaining to cancer registry.

“Section 28 establishes the n at ional Cancer Registry and Monitoring System, which is populationbased and which is also being established now through the n a tional Cancer Control Council, working with the Philippine Cancer Society. Section 29 says that every hospital, including clinics, shall have its own cancer registry, and the registry must record the personal identification of cancer patients, cancer type, treatment received, and its results, and other data that the DO h will prescribe,” said Dr. Tiangco.

NICCA mandate She explained that those are the mandate of the n I CCA regarding hospital-based cancer registries.

“Section 30 stipulates that cancer is now a reportable disease, and so your hospitals, or doctors, or caregivers, are required to report to the DO h that this particular patient has cancer. And it’s probably

best done through a hospital-based cancer registry,” added Dr. Tiangco. She mentioned Cancer CAR e R egistry Philippines, or CAR e Ph , a non-profit, non-stock, non-governmental foundation, that created a website application used as a tool to facilitate a system of hospital-based cancer registries in the Philippines. The Care P h h B CR System started functioning in 2017.

Also under the n I CCA, the Philippine Cancer Center (PCC) shall be “the primary repository of all registries in the country related to cancer, and to generate data and analysis to be used for research and to influence policy making and planning.”

“Perhaps the best thing that CAR e P h can do is just serve as a proof of concept, or maybe if the government can learn from our shortcomings or mistakes,” said Dr. Tiangco.

“And the biggest limitation or gap is our realization that hospital systems are not integrated,” Dr. Tiangco pointed out adding that C AR e P h , t he Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine Cancer Center, and Phil he alth are collaborating for them to come up with a harmonized cancer registry database which hospitals can utilize.

Better care and policy change

The gathering also sought to advocate for better care and policy change.

Walter Bacareza, Phil h e alth’s Area Vice President for n or thern and Central Luzon and Concurrent Vice President for n C R and South -

ern Luzon, discussed the agency’s nationwide cancer care plans, such as the Z Benefits package that covers treatments for catastrophic illnesses.

h e r eiterated earlier announcements from Phil h e alth about increasing the “Z Benefit Package” for prostate and cervical cancer.

Bacareza also emphasized the importance of working with the rest of the healthcare ecosystem.

n o s ingle entity can solve the complexity of cancer care alone, that’s why collaboration is the key.

We need the joint effort of the government, healthcare providers, n G Os, the academic sector, and patients themselves,” he said.

Patient-centric programs

The event also provided a platform for patient advocacy groups to share their patient-centric initiatives.

Dr. Rogelio Velasco highlighted how the PSMO is bringing cancer care closer to the communities through their Outreach Committee.

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Founding President of ICanServe Foundation, elaborated on their own community-focused program called Ating Dibdibin. Both the PSMO and ICanServe initiatives are focused on teaching early breast cancer intervention techniques.

Karen Villanueva, President of PAPO, touted their organization’s vision anchored on pushing for patient rights, pushing for a more effective implementation of the Universal he althcare Law, and amplifying patient voices in policymaking.

Alistair White, Deputy h e ad of Mission of the UK e m bassy, shared their nation’s breakthroughs as they focused on early intervention.

Johan Lennefalk, Commissioner of Business of the Swedish e m bassy, shared the esteemed Cancer Care System of Sweden that the Philippines can aspire to emulate. Sweden is among the best worldwide in terms of five-year cancer survival rate: 90 percent in breast cancer, 95 percent in prostate cancer, and 70 percent in bowel cancer. Lennefalk attributed this to their nation’s screening programs backed by their government’s prioritization of health. “We made significant investments into cancer care, as 11 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product) is spent on health.”

Commitment to patient care

F OR h is part, AstraZeneca Medical Affairs Director Dr. Cyril Tolosa emphasized AstraZeneca’s commitment to patient care.

“Our relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs and patientcentric approaches forms the cornerstone of our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer,” said Dr. Tolosa. h e a dded that they are eager to partner with patient groups and policymakers to accelerate their vision of transforming cancer care, especially by aligning with the 12 promises of the n I CCA Law and improving access to screening, diagnosis, and innovative treatments for all patients.

Paint inventor finds new ally in healthy home advocacy

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

When inventor Derrick A. Tan, President and C e O of Magna Prime Chemical Technologies and maker of Sinclair the n e w Generation Paints, launched the country’s first antimicrobial paint called Dr. Paint back in August, it was his way of helping the community.

“When Covid-19 happened and as the owner of a chemical company, you think of how you can help the community and we have always been focused on listening to the wants and needs of our customers,” Tan related.

In partnership with BASF, a global leader in chemical manufacturing renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, Magna Prime developed Dr. Paint, a waterbased antimicrobial paint that is engineered to denature the protein cells of viruses and bacteria, effectively eliminating harmful microorganisms on wall surfaces.

It offers enhanced defense against diseases such as influenza A viruses, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and Covid. It is the ideal paint for hospitals and other healthcare settings, childcare facilities, food processing areas, salons, health and sport facilities and other hygiene-critical environments.

“With Dr. Paint, we are not just adding color to walls, we are adding a layer of protection. We are offering our customers added value. This partnership with BASF allowed us to bring a product to the market that aligns with our vision of combing aesthetics with advanced functionality,’ he said. Designing for Wellness

L A ST n o vember 23, 2024, Tan was able to find a group that not only listens to the wants and needs of the customer but is actually doing something about it. h e w as one of the speakers

at the Annual Conference 2024 of the International h A L e Building Council (I h B C) with the theme “Designing for Wellness: e n hancing h e alth in h o mes, h o tels and Townships.”

The h A L e in I h B C stands for h e althy Active Lifestyle e s tate which is a system developed to allow the assessment of all the main potential built-environment related health and safety hazards. By focusing on potential hazards, it places emphasis directly on the risk to health, wellbeing or safety.

This system takes into consideration the different aspects of the community in relation to the built environment. Guidelines by the World h e alth Organization (W h O ) have been used by the International h A L e B uilding Council Inc. as a primary source referral in the development of the certification system.

The h A L e concentrates on threats to health and safety. It is generally not concerned with matters of quality, comfort and convenience. The system focuses on critical points in lifestyle, architecture, structural engineering and planning that influences the cumulative risk to health, safety and wellbeing of prospective occupants.

h o wever, in some cases, such matters could also have an impact on a person’s physical or mental health or safety and so can be considered.

Collaboration of doctors, architects

Wh AT i s interesting about the I h B C is that it is a collaboration of doctors, architects and other experts. The group’s main advocacy is to build a healthy home for everyone by providing environments centered on health promotion and the minimization of adverse health outcomes.

According to Dr. Jan Dipasupil, I h B C President and a Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner at The Medical City, he has been seeing patients who have been complaining about allergies, allergies which he later attributed to the home environment.

“I have been prescribing them with antihistamines. And when they come back after a week or two, they still have the same problem. And since it was a recurring health issue with them, it would be safe to say that their allergic reaction is coming from where they live,” Dr. Dipasupil said.

In his presentation titled “Medical Insights: The Role of e n vironment in

h e alth and Disease Prevention,” Dr. Dipasupil pointed out that according to the World h e alth Organization, 22 percent of the global disease burden is linked to environmental factors. For instance, poor air quality increases risk of asthma and respiratory diseases while noise pollution contributes to hypertension and stress disorder.

“Under the h A L e p rescription, architects and doctors must work together in order to advocate health centric environments. One recommendation would be to install he PA filters in bedrooms and living areas and maintain a humidity of 30 to 50 percent to improve air quality,” he said.

Enough sleep

I T i s also important to get enough sleep as sleep deprivation increases the risk of chronic diseases and mental health issues.

“We would recommend soundproof, dark and cool bedrooms and ergonomic mattresses and pillow. A collaborative approach is needed

when it comes to sleep,” Dr. Dipasupil added.

h i s views were echoed by Architect Marie Grace Patadlas who spoke about “Real e s tate for the Future: Marketing h e althy h o mes to h e alth-Conscious Buyers.” According to Patadlas, for a house to be considered healthy, it should have pure air, pure water, efficient drainage, support cleanliness and should be well-lit.

“We should promote biophilia, which means the human’s innate tendency to connect with nature and other living things. hu mans are wired to respond to living things, seeing life makes man feel alive so we should be seeing green walls, larger windows,” she said.

Emerging issue

PATADLAS a dded that an emerging issue in real estate is the warming conditions with regards to climate change. She pointed out that the year 2023 was the world’s warmest year on record and the Philippines was ex -

posed to 123 days of health threatening high temperatures. In short there were more hot days than flood days.

“This will mean a significant increase in the purchase of air conditioning units, higher electrical costs, increased interest and investments on solar panels. This means that there is a need for deeper design thinking and better interventions,” she said. She added that It would be wiser to adopt a less is more approach in terms of design.

“We should go for sustainable building materials, particularly reinforced concrete which will outlast and outlive humans,” Patadlas said. Other speakers included Architect Carmelo Casas who spoke about “ h ol istic h o spitality: Designing h o tels for Wellness;” Dan Tan who tackled “Marketing he alth ho es: Social Media Trends and Strategies for Real e s tate Success;” and “Green and h e althy Townships: Urban Planning for the Future by Architect William Ti, Jr. Other products In addition to introducing Dr. Paint, Tan also presented other products like the na no Shield na nocomposite Clear Film, the first nano-composite paint in the Philippines designed to set a new standard in surface protection. This clear film paint offers exceptional UV resistance and self-cleaning properties, ensuring that surfaces stay fresh and clean. n a no Shield’s hydrophilic nature keeps surfaces pristine and protected from the elements, significantly extending the paint’s lifespan and maintaining its quality over time.

“I am very happy that I came across I h B C and we share the same advocacy to help provide healthier homes for Filipinos. They can count on my support as they work on coming up with the standards to achieve these healthy homes,” Tan said.

Health& Fitness

Achieve balanced, healthy meals by adding dairy products, says study

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

While there are more food and beverage options for Filipino families, providing balanced meals is still a challenge. Busier and time-constrained lifestyles are apparently complicating healthy eating options.

t h is was just some of the findings of a recent study, which focused on middle to upper-income households, commissioned by the US Dairy e x port Council (USDe C ). t hese findings were shared with local food and beverage manufacturers at USD e C ’s US Dairy Ingredients Seminar titled “Markets tr ends and Formulation Insights for Nourishing Innovation” held earlier this month.

USD e C i s a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of US dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders.

a t t he seminar, a n oo Pothen, Director for Consumer Insights for USD e C S outheast a s ia, pointed out that approximately 40 percent of surveyed Filipino parents find it difficult or only somewhat easy to provide balanced meals for their children.

Social media driven food trends

aDDI t IO N a llY, t he influence of social media-driven food trends further complicated efforts to maintain a balanced diet suitable for diverse ages within a family. a l though most Filipino parents believe that the main meal they provide their children are excellent or have very good nutritional value, this drops when it comes to snacks. Of the total, 59 percent of parents say finding healthy snacks that children like is among the top challenges.

“Our research revealed that 62 percent of Filipino parents surveyed say serving balanced meals are among the most important measures to ensure their child is healthy. a d ditionally, the top three health aspects desired for their child are having a strong immune system, age-appropriate weight and a sharp brain/memory,” said Pothen.

“However, despite their recognition of the importance of balanced

meals, many parents still struggle with providing their children with nutritious snacks,” she added. to h elp achieve a balanced meal, 84 percent of parents surveyed indicated that dairy and dairy ingredients can play a key role in enhancing the nutritional value of packaged food and beverages.

High-quality protein source

Da I RY i s a nutritionally high-quality source of protein offering all nine essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair and growth. a c cessible and nutritious dairy options like low-sugar beverages and yogurt and proteinfortified snacks can provide a convenient way to support family health.

Dr. Cecilia a c uin, an adjunct professor at the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food at the University of the Philippines l o s Baños, underscored dairy’s vital role in Filipino diets at the seminar.

“Dairy is a cornerstone of a healthy diet, offering nutrients that are difficult to replace with other foods. Its complete protein, rich in essential amino acids, is one of the most efficient ways to support the nutritional needs of Filipino families, especially children. Regular inclusion of dairy can improve overall health and nutrition, benefiting individuals across ages,” she said.

One dairy product that can help fill this nutritional gap is yogurt. t h anks to its versatility, convenience and nutritional profile yogurt has become a popular and convenient option for busy families, offering a simple way to provide essential nutrients to both children and adults.

“Yogurt offers a tasty, versatile and nutritious option for families with a variety of formats and flavors that cater across ages and dietary needs,” Pothen said. “Its convenience, available in spoonable cups, or as a beverage, makes it perfect for busy families.

Yogurt can also be used in cooking, enhancing smoothies, dips, soups, sauces and baked goods.”

Lactose intolerant

W H I le Southeast a s ians are known to be lactose intolerant, Dr. a c uin pointed out that it is less common than perceived. Continuous consumption of dairy products can help manage it. Dali g h azalay, Regional Director – S e a , U SD e C S outheast a s ia, added that to make dairy products more palatable to a s ians, USD e C w ill present innovative ideas and provide solutions for the different markets.

“We focus on the versatility and the adaptability of the US dairy ingredient in local applications, so we focus a lot on whatever formulation and whatever format based on understanding consumer behavior,” g ha zaly said.

She also pointed out that while most Southeast a s ians are lactose intolerant, the region is USD e C ’s second largest markets with dairy consumed in various forms. In fact, the Philippines is the largest export market for US dairy in Southeast a s ia with nearly half of its dairy imports

Makati Medical Center Institute of Neurological, Neurosurgical, and Behavioral Sciences now open

BUI l DIN g o n over 50 years of excellence in NeuroSciences, Makati Medical Center recently announced the establishment of the Makati Medical Center Institute of Neurological, Neurosurgical, and Behavioral Sciences (M.I.N.D.S) through the unveiling of a commemorative marker at the hospital’s auditorium last November 19, 2024.

Dedicated to delivering unparalleled services and achieving transformative patient outcomes, the Institute aims to redefine the landscape of Neuroscience care in the Philippines.

Rooted in the pioneering work of the Department of NeuroSciences, which was founded in 1973 by Neurosurgeon Dr. Romeo H. g u stilo†, M.I.N.D.S. unites the expertise of three clinical departments: Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. e ac h department operates independently but works collaboratively under the shared discipline of Neuroscience to provide comprehensive and specialized care.

t he

edge technology. g u ided by its core values of Mindfulness, Integrity, Nurturance, Dedication, and Service e x cellence, the institution promises a holistic approach to healthcare for

MEnInGOCOCCAL SEROGROUP B IS THE MOST PREVALEnT SEROGROUP In THE PHL–ExPERTS

Healt H e xperts are raising concerns over meningococcal disease in the Philippines, with Serogroup B as the leading cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and accounting for approximately 68 percent of cases over the recent years.

coming from the US.

Dairy exports I N 2023, US dairy exports to Southeast a s ia reached 460,300 metric tons, valued at $1.1 billion with the Philippines playing a key role in this trade being the number one export market for the US dairy in Southeast a s ia and the number two market globally for US skim milk powder products after Mexico.

to f urther support local dietary needs, USD e C h as invested in the Us Center for Daily e x cellence in Singapore, collaborating with Southeast a s ia-based manufacturers to innovate with high-quality US dairy ingredients to create healthful food and beverage products tailored to local tastes.

t he US dairy industry’s strong and committed presence in the Philippines and Southeast a sia is backed by a steady, year-round supply of highquality dairy ingredients. t h is ensures that Filipino food and beverage manufacturers and the families they serve have consistent access to nutritional ingredients supporting healthy, active lives and long-term well-being.

the mind and body.

Dr. e d gardo Juan l to lentino, Director of M.I.N.D.S., stated that the Institute’s mission “reflects our commitment to integrate holistic and compassionate care into every patient interaction based on our Malasakit culture. It also underscores our drive to stay at the forefront of advancements in medical knowledge, technologies, and practices.”

t h rough ongoing professional development and pioneering research, M.I.N.D.S. ensures it stays at the forefront of medical excellence. By upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and competence, it continues to earn the trust and confidence of patients and the broader healthcare community.

MakatiMed Interim Co-President and C e O D r. Saturnino P. Javier also took pride in the newly launched Institute, “I have no doubt that M.I.N.D.S. will translate to better services for all our patients in Makati Medical Center, providing the kind of care that Makati is known for. Compassionate, patient-centered, ethical, professional, evidence-based, and certainly provided by experts and competent individuals.”

Pediatric infectious disease specialists Dr. l u lu Bravo and Dr. a n na Ong- l i m emphasize that IMD poses a severe health risk, particularly if left untreated. In the Philippines, one in every two or 50 percent of IMD cases may result in death. Young children are at the highest risk, and the disease can progress rapidly, often proving fatal within just 24 hours. Symptoms can escalate from nonspecific early signs to a critical state in a very short time frame.

Life-threatening disease IMD is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis commonly found in the nose and throat. It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can also be transmitted through salivary exchange, such as sharing utensils or drinking from the same container.

Dr. Ong- l i m explained that “Symptoms of IMD typically include fever, headache, stiff neck, and nausea. a s the infection progresses, individuals may develop a rash, sensitivity to light, and confusion. IMD manifests as either meningitis, which causes inflammation around the brain and spinal cord, or meningococcal sepsis, where the bacteria enter the bloodstream, leading to fever and rash. Both conditions require immediate medical attention, as IMD is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening illness with a high mortality rate if untreated.”

t h e Neisseria meningitidis is the most common cause of disease. a key concern with meningococcal bacteria is that different types are more severe

than others, and these patterns can change over time. More international travel to areas where certain types are widespread can bring these rarer types into new places.

Serogroup B

I N t he Philippines, all laboratoryconfirmed cases of IMD, including those linked to Serogroup B, are monitored through the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (PIDSR) System,” said Dr. Bravo. “a s ymptomatic carriers or those who carry the bacteria without showing symptoms can spread the disease, underscoring the need for more data to strengthen prevention programs. By doing so, we can give more than half of young children who contract this disease a chance to avoid the lifealtering effects of IMD,” she stressed. Prevention possible IMD can progress rapidly, often within hours. “IMD requires immediate medical attention, as it can quickly become a life-threatening illness with a high mortality rate if left untreated,” Dr. Ong- l i m adds. “Prevention is our best line of defense against the devastating effects of meningococcal disease.”

Vaccines targeting different meningococcal serogroups play a vital role in prevention. Conjugate vaccines are available for multiple serogroups, such as a , C , W, and Y. Meanwhile, Serogroup B, due to its distinct bacterial structure, requires a separate vaccine. Health experts strongly urge parents to consult with their healthcare providers on how to best protect their children against invasive meningococcal disease. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and prevention options can be lifesaving. a s k your healthcare provider about how you can safeguard young children who are at higher risk against this serious and fast-acting disease.

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) continues to lead in advanced neurosurgical care with its state-of-the-art Epilepsy Surgery Center. a s p art of this commitment, the center recently introduced a new intraoperative neuromonitoring system in its operating room, a key tool that enhances the precision of epilepsy surgeries.

d r Karen Mabilangan, a pediatric neurologist/epileptologist and clinical director of the Epilepsy Surgery Center, emphasized the importance of this technology in improving surgical outcomes for drug-resistant epilepsy patients.

“We are fortunate to have the intraoperative EEG system, which is a big help,” d r Mabilangan shared. “ i t a llows the epileptologist and surgeon to tailor the surgery to each patient, which is crucial because epilepsy surgery is not a one-size-fits-all solution. d i fferent patients require different approaches, and this technology ensures the best possible outcome for the patient.”

The monitoring system is just one part of the comprehensive care services offered at the Epilepsy Surgery Center, which is part of one of the hospital’s Centers of Excellence, the Brain and Spine i nstitute. a c cording to d r. Mabilangan, it complements the other key components of the center, such as the epilepsy monitoring unit and neuropsychologists, with advanced neuroimaging technologies like M ri and PET Scan. Together, these tools enable the center to thoroughly assess and treat patients who may be candidates for epilepsy surgery.

“Many epilepsy patients here in the

Philippines go through a long and difficult journey, often trying multiple medications without success. a bout one-third of epilepsy patients have drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning they don’t respond to medications. This is where the importance of having an epilepsy monitoring unit and all the necessary tools, including the intraoperative EEG, comes in,” d r. Mabilangan explained.

She also highlighted the significance of empowering neurologists across the country, noting that any physician can refer a patient to the Epilepsy Surgery Center for comprehensive evaluation. “We need to ensure that physicians are aware of the services available at the Epilepsy Surgery Center so that more patients can benefit from the treatment options we provide.”

The Epilepsy Surgery Center at CSMC represents a critical advancement in the field, offering hope to patients who previously had limited options within the country. “We used to send patients to other countries like Singapore, Thailand, and i ndia for surgeries that required this kind of technology, d r Mabilangan concluded.

With this new equipment and the expertise of specialists like d r. Mabilangan, CSMC’s Epilepsy Surgery Center is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy, bringing world-class neurosurgical care closer to home.

For inquiries about the CSMC Epilepsy Surgery Center’s

In the photo are, from left, Kristi Saitama, USDEC Vice President, Global Ingredients Marketing; Martin Teo, USDEC SEA Senior Director, Food Applications and Innovation; Dr. Cecilia Acuin, MD, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Institute of Human nutrition and Food; and Dr. Ryan Tay, PhD, Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology.

DA IR y product innovations featuring US dairy ingredients by US dairy suppliers.

AT the ribbon cutting ceremony of the commemorative marker were, from left, Dr. Anna Marie G. Lantano, Consultant, Department of Psychiatry; Dr. Edgardo Juan L. Tolentino, Director, M.I.n D.S.; Dr. Saturnino P. Javier, Interim Co-President & CEO and Medical Director; and Dr. Cymbeline PerezSantiago, Chairperson, Department of neurology.

Dr. Anna Ong-Lim

Dr. Lulu Bravo