BusinessMirror October 11, 2023

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

FEARS that global economic growth will slow spooked foreign investors this year, causing the country’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to contract 14.7 percent between January and July 2023 despite the growth in FDIs in July, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

Data showed FDIs settled at $4.7 billion, slower than the $5.5 billion in the same period last year.

“FDI declined amid concerns over slowing global growth,” BSP said in a statement released on Tuesday.

In July, FDIs reached $753 million, higher by 35.7 percent than the $555 million recorded net inflows in the same month last year.

BSP traced the growth in FDI to the 108.4-percent increase in nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments to $575 million in July 2023 from $276 million in July 2022.

This, the central bank said, more than offset the decrease in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital other than reinvestment of earnings by 52.6 percent to $65 million from $137 million; and their reinvestment of earnings by 20.1 percent to $114 million from $142 million.

“By country of source, equity capital placements during the month came mostly from Japan, the United States and Singapore. Said investments were channeled primarily to the manufacturing; real estate; and financial and insurance industries,” BSP said.

The BSP explained that statistics on FDI are compiled based on the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th Edition (BPM6).

FDI includes investments by a nonresident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investments made by a nonresident subsidiary/associate in its resident direct investor. FDI can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings.

Israel-Hamas

IN an economic note, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said

MORE Filipinos are expected to join the ranks of the unemployed next year, according to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF said the country’s unemployment rate is expected to average 4.7 percent this year, which will rise to 5.1 percent next year. If the unemployment rate breaches 5 percent next year, this will be the highest since 2022, when the unemployment rate averaged 5.4 percent.

“The task for central banks is complicated by the difficulty of estimating with confidence levels

of neutral rates of interest and of unemployment, as well as by lags in policy transmission uncertainties associated with forecasting inflation in this environment, and the differing potency of the transmission mechanism across economic sectors,” the report said.

“Calibrating monetary policy will require weighing the costs of lowering nominal rates prematurely versus those of delaying too much.”

IMF said the unemployment for 2024 is also expected to grow by an average of 0.1 percentage point over 2022–2024 in advanced economies.

The report said the increase in unemployment is expected

to be higher in Canada with a 1-percentage-point increase; the United Kingdom, 0.9 percentage points; and the United States, 0.2 percentage points.

“With wage growth slowing [in the United States], savings accumulated during the pandemic running out, and the Federal Reserve maintaining tight monetary policy, growth is expected to slow in the second half of 2023 and in 2024,” IMF said in its report.

“The unemployment rate is forecast to rise from 3.6 percent in the second quarter of 2023 to a peak of 4 percent by the last quarter of 2024—a lower peak than previously projected [5.2 percent

in the April 2023 WEO and 5.6 percent at the time of the October 2022 WEO], consistent with a softer landing than earlier expected for the US economy,” it added.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed the country’s unemployment rate slowed to 4.4 percent in August from the 4.8 percent in July 2023 and 5.3 percent in August 2022.

The PSA said there were 2.21 million unemployed Filipinos in August. This represented a decrease of 468,000 from August 2022 and 60,000 decline from July 2023.

See “IMF,” A2

THE “unlimited entry” of “untested imported pork” at the port of first entry will continue to pose difficulties to the local hog sector, according to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag).

The farmers’ group also accused the Department of Agriculture (DA) of having “a continuing bias” for pork imports.

“[They removed] insurance and compensation for local hog raisers while [DA] pushed for the tariff reduction of imports that remain untested for African swine fever [ASF],” Jayson Cainglet, Sinag executive director, said in a statement.

The group said the government should impose firstborder protection measures to protect the domestic hog population from ASF, which has devastated a number of farms in the Philippines.

“The ASF is a global phenomenon, and yet the impact and devastation is longer and more destructive in our country. This is so because we continue to be the only country without first-border inspection facilities,” it said.

“It will not matter if we impose the strictest movement protocols and biosecurity measures for local hog raisers and in the transport of live hogs, but continue to have unlimited

entry of untested imported pork at the port of first entry,” the group added.

It noted that local producers are bearing the cost of increased biosecurity at the farm level, continued regular testing of pigs for ASF and related diseases, stricted ordinances on pig movement yet there is no inspection of imported pork.

First case in Oriental Mindoro

THE group issued the statement after the local government of Oriental Mindoro said Monday it detected the first ASF cases in the province.

See “Pork,” A2

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE country’s trade deficit in August narrowed to $4.13 billion, from the previous year’s $6.01 billion, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Figures from the PSA showed that the trade gap shrank as exports during the month grew by 4.2 percent while import payments contracted by 13.1 percent. Export sales in August reached $6.7 billion, higher than last year’s $6.43 billion.

“The commodity group with the highest annual increase in the value of exports in August 2023 was electronic products with $221.73 million,” the PSA said.

“This was followed by cathodes and sections of cathodes, of refined copper with an annual increase of $127.92 million and gold

US AIRLINES PULL BACK FROM ISRAEL FLIGHTS AS STATE OF WAR DECLARED

PHL govt checking ‘likely death’ of Filipino caregiver in Israel

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

The Filipina was earlier reported missing in one of the attacked kibbutzim. Israeli forces have found a dead body, Asian-built, and in “advanced state of decomposition.”

The sister of the missing Filipina, who is also working as caregiver in Israel, will provide DNA samples to Israel forensics authorities.

The Embassy’s labor attaché and welfare attaché is assisting the sister in identifying the dead body.

Other developments:

n One Filipina earlier reported missing has been found in a safe area.

n The number of Filipinos missing has been reduced to 6.

n “Coordinating with Israeli

authorities and local contacts, the Embassy is exhausting all available means to ascertain the condition of the still missing Filipinos,” the DFA said.

n The number of rescued Filipinos rose to 23—22 females, 1 male. Some were evacuated to hotels, and MWO-OWWA teams have been providing assistance to them

n MWO-OWWA teams are also checking hospitals for possible admitted nationals.

“The Embassy is deeply grateful to the Israeli security forces risking their lives to rescue our kababayan caught in the combat areas, as well as to the Israeli emergency services and kibbutz authorities who included Filipino nationals in their evacuation operations,” the Department of

Foreign Affairs said.

Meanwhile, to 50 Filipinos and Palestinians living in Hamascontrolled Gaza Strip have asked the Philippine government for help to be extracted from the war zone.

Israel has been bombarding Gaza after Hamas militants launched massive air strikes on Israel Saturday, the deadliest since Yom Kippur. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 770 Palestinians in Gaza were killed, including 140 children and 120 women.

The nine families consisting of 38 Filipinos and 11 Palestinian spouses of Filipinos have sought repatriation to the Philippines.

Among the 38 Filipinos, 11 are children aged 2-15 years. They are considered Filipino citizens under jus sanguini principle of Philippine citizenship laws.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said the Philippine embassies in Tel-Aviv, Cairo and Amman are working on the repatriation of Filipinos from Gaza.

Pending deployment

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said there are

now signs the deployment of Filipino hotel workers in Israel could resume soon as the situation in the country improves following the massive attack by militant Hamas forces during the weekend.

But in the Gaza strip, which served as the staging point of Hamas in launching their devastating strikes in Israel, the situation continues to deteriorate due to Israeli interventions, prompting the government to consider institutionalizing the deployment restriction in the city.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, DMW Officerin-charge  Hans J. Cacdac said they have received reports the operation in the Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel may normalize shortly after being disrupted since last Saturday following the Hamas attacks.

“But what we’ve heard so far are press releases so we need to officially confirm,” Cacdac said.  Aside from the airport, he said they are also waiting for the go-ahead from the Israeli authorities before they can continue sending Filipino hotel workers to Israel.

IMF. . .

Continued from A1

However, higher public sector spending and better external trade would improve the country’s economic growth next year, according to the IMF.

In a statement distributed during the briefing on the 2023 Article IV Mission to the Philippines on Tuesday, the IMF raised its growth forecast for the country to 6 percent from 5.5 percent estimated in July 2023.

“We are in close coordination with the Israeli PIBA [Population and Immigration Authority]— that’s the name of the government agency counterpart that we have and at a proper time deployment will resume especially for our G2G [government to government arrangement] hotel workers for Isr ael,” the DMW official said.

DMW has an existing G2G arrangement with Israel for the deployment of Filipino hotel workers and caregivers.

Travel advisory DESPITE the improved conditions in Israel, the DFA issued a travel advisory discouraging any unnecessary travel to that country since it is currently at a state of war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas after its strikes in southern Israel killed over 1,200 people.

DFA also disclosed it is now seeking to place the war-torn Gaza strip under Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase as Israeli forces continue its offensive in the Hamas-controlled city. With a report by Samuel P.

Medenilla

For 2023, IMF cut its growth projection to 5.3 percent for this year from the 6.2 percent estimate in July 2023 based on the weakerthan-expected second-quarter growth forecast.

The IMF move is in contrast to the lower projection made by the World Bank on Tuesday. In its latest East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Economic Update for October, the Bank said the Philippine economy is expected to grow by 5.8 percent next year, down from the initial estimate of 5.9 percent in April. Cai U. Ordinario

exports during the period.

the Israel-Hamas war “partly weighed on global market sentiment amid geopolitical risks that could involve Iran, which is a major global oil producer and finances/ supports Hamas.”

Ricafort said if Iran will become involved in the conflict, it could block the Strait of Hormuz, an important passage for international oil tankers.

Thus far, Ricafort said, the IsraelHamas war led to some flight to the safest havens/investments such as US Treasuries and other safe sovereign bonds. This is consistent when there are geopolitical uncertainties and will hold until the situation stabilizes.

However, Ricafort sad there would be minimal adverse effects on the economy, provided there are no evacuations or repatriation of OFWs back to the country, as seen in recent years.

“The effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the financial markets and economy remain manageable, as long as the conflict does not escalate and spread to other areas/ countries in the Middle East, especially in major oil producers that are also host countries for many OFWs,” Ricafort said.

On Sunday, the President announced all concerned government agencies have been mobilized to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Israel after it suffered surprise attacks from militant Hamas forces during the weekend.

There are around 450 Filipinos in south Israel and Gaza Strip where intense fighting is happening between the renewed war between Israeli forces and the Hamas group.

Pork.

.

Continued from A1

A Philippine News Agency report indicated that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Monday night placed the towns of Roxas and Mansalay under a state of calamity, on the request of Governor Humerlito Dolor, following confirmation of an ASF outbreak.

with an annual increase of $78.24 million,” it added.

By major type of goods, exports of manufactured goods contributed the largest to the country’s total exports in August 2023 amounting to $5.48 billion or a share of 81.8 percent.

This was followed by mineral products with a share of $672.12 million or 10 percent of total; and total agro-based products, which contributed $389.13 million at 5.8 percent of the total.

“By commodity group, electronic products continued to be the country’s top exports in August 2023 with total earnings of $3.88 billion or 57.8 percent of the country’s total exports during the period. This was followed by other manufactured goods with an export value of $365.37 million and other mineral products with $310.16 million,” the PSA said.

In August, the top destination of Philippine goods was the United States, which bought $1.1 billion worth of products. It accounted for 16.4 percent of country’s total

Completing the top five major export trading partners for this month with their export values total exports were Japan, $917.98 million; Hong Kong, $870.91; People’s Republic of China, $838.04 million; and Singapore, $347.28 million.

Total export earnings in January to August, however, fell by 6.6 percent to $47.81 billion from the previous year’s $51.18 billion.

Meanwhile, import payments in August reached $10.83 billion, lower than the previous year’s $12.46 billion.

“The commodity group with the highest imported value in August 2023 was electronic products, which amounted to $2.24 billion or a share of 20.7 percent to the country’s total imports,” the PSA said.

By major type of goods, the agency said imports of raw materials and intermediate goods accounted for the largest share to the country’s total imports in August amounting to $3.86 billion. Imports of capital goods ranked second with a share of $2.73 billion, followed by consumer goods with an import value of $2.24 billion.

The top sources of imports for the Philippines in August were China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the US.

The country’s import bill in January to August was also lower at $84.12 billion. This represents an annual decline of 9.6 percent from last year’s total import value of $93.05 billion.

“The SP passed a resolution in a regular session this afternoon, October 9, declaring a state of calamity in Roxas and Mansalay, Provincial Board Member Roland Ruga said in an email.

In a social media post, Dolor said he also signed Executive Order 66 banning pork or pork products from leaving the two towns to prevent the spread of ASF to other parts of the province.

In his letter to the SP on October 9, Dolor cited Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which empowers the SP to declare a province under state of calamity when two or more of its towns are affected by a natural or man-made disaster, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Enough supply DESPITE the ASF outbreak in Oriental Mindoro, Sinag said there is no cause for alarm as local hog raisers “expect” sporadic cases of the fatal hog disease.

“We have enough pork supply as evidenced by the huge volume of pork stocks in cold storages across the country, the large numbers of pork imports, and in the decline in the farmgate prices of live hogs,” the group said.

Data from the National Meat Inspection Service showed that the inventory of frozen pork in accredited cold storage facilities reached 87,338.57 metric tons (MT) as of September 18, or 2 percent higher than the previous year’s inventory of 85,606.6 MT.

The figure, however, is lower than the September 11 inventory of 105,054.41 MT.  Cai U. Ordinario

THE Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv is “looking into reports of the likely death” of a Filipino caregiver in Israel.

PHL, US Navies hold MDA war drill in

Southern Luzon waters

By Rex Anthony Naval

FILIPINO and American warships and naval aircraft conducted maritime domain awareness (MDA) during the ongoing “Exercise Samasama,” the Philippine Navy (PN) said Monday.

It added that the MDA exercise was the “initial scenario” prior to the visit board search-and-seizure (VBSS) exercise conducted by the joint boarding force from the PN provided by BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG902) and from the US Navy (USN).

“During the MDA, navy ships performed the appropriate protective formation while understanding the maritime domain, vessel movements, and environmental conditions,” the PN noted.

It also said that a US Navy P-8 and a PN King Air C-90 maritime patrol aircraft also took part in the MDA to demonstrate the sharing of information for maritime security.

“Exercise Samasama” started October 2 and will end on the 13th. It is now taking place in Southern Luzon waters.

“After detecting a vessel of interest, the joint boarding team of the PN and the USN

DFA explains Locsin’s joining PHL boats in resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal

boarded the designated vessel of interest to conduct the proper boarding process in adherence to international legal standards,” the PN said.

After the VBSS exercise, USS Dewey (DDG-105) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF1-51) performed replenishment at sea approaches with supply ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8), respectively.

“The ship’s crew was able to familiarize their taskings in their particular stations, and the conning officer was able to maneuver the ship accordingly during the approach to USNS [Wally] Schirra,” the PN added.

In addition, other participating Navy ships performed passage exercises that developed mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as command, control, and communication among these naval vessels.

“To enhance the anti-submarine warfare [ASW] capabilities of the participating Navy ships, an expendable mobile anti-submarine warfare training target [EMATT] was used to mimic the acoustic signature of submarines, enabling the naval forces to practice and refine their ASW tactics,” the PN added.

Should they stay or leave: PNP position seen to bolster calls for POGO expulsion

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday said he expects the Philippine National Police (PNP) publicly declare support for the expulsion of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the “urgency for the Marcos government to address the issue.”

“This is one compelling factor that is hard to ignore,” the senator stressed, adding, “This only goes to show that the particular course of action of terminating POGO operations is imperative,” Gatchalian said.

At a recent Senate hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda also aired support for the termination of POGO operations in the country.

“B ased on crimes being reported, the crime statistics are alarming to my appreciation. It should be properly regulated and monitored. Kung hindi naman talaga properly regulated and monitored, mas magandang wala na,” Acorda said.

This, as he noted that while the number of crimes attributed to POGOs has been decreasing, the number of victims has increased exponentially.

According to PNP data, there were a total of 4,039 victims in four POGO-related crimes in the first six months of the year. In comparison, there were only 128 victims in 39 reported crimes in 2022.

House shifts P194B in ‘24 budget to food, WPS, health

Continued from A18

In lieu of c onfidential funds, several agencies will receive additional allocations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE):

n P30 million for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

n P25 million for DICT.

n P30 million for DFA.

n P50 million for the Office of the Ombudsman.

n P150 million for DepEd’s Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).

A ccording to Co, this realignment of confidential funds reflects the committee’s commitment to prioritize national security and intelligence gathering in light of the volatile situation in the West Philippine Sea.

For her part, Senior Vice Chairperson of the Appropriations Committee Stella Luz Quimbo explained that the reallocation was based on the agencies’mandates, with confidential funds intended for surveillance activities aligned with their principal functions.

Q uimbo added that the committee considered previous budgetary allocations and utilization levels in making these decisions.

By Jim Gomez The Associated Press

ASENIOR Filipino diplomat known for his past expletive-laced tirade against China joined a Coast Guard trip to the disputed South China Sea (SCS) last week and saw Beijing’s ships block and nearly collide with Philippine vessels, including one he was on.

Teodoro Locsin Jr. was on one of two Philippine Coast Guard vessels that escorted two Philippine boats to deliver food and other supplies to a Filipino marine territorial outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal on Oct. 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear why the public disclosure of his participation in the trip was delayed.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Locsin, 74, as a special envoy to China in August, in addition to his role as the Philippine ambassador to the United Kingdom based in London.

“There are fewer crimes but the intensity of the crime is much greater now. We are talking about thousands of human trafficking victims being rescued and who were forced into scamming activities. The level, intensity, and magnitude of these crimes are significant just this year alone,” Gatchalian pointed out.

Acorda mentioned that the PNP has been intensifying its capacity-building efforts for police authorities to combat the rising cybercrime activities associated with POGOs.

“Admittedly, there is an alarming increase in incidents, especially in cybercrimes. That’s why we are intensifying training, and capacitating local police through the anti-cybercrime group,” the PNP Chief said.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, has been pressing for the expulsion of POGO operators in the country, citing rising criminal activities attributed to the industry, including human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, grave coercion, investment scam, cryptocurrency scam, and love scam.

“Nakakabahala. It’s really bringing international shame to our country as the victims come from different countries. The burden and pressure on the police to arrest and stop these crimes is getting heavy and the attention being diverted to this industry is depriving attention to other sectors. POGO has no place in our country, just looking at the statistics alone. If we want a peaceful country, then POGOs should not remain in our country any longer,” Gatchalian concluded.

Challenge ASSISTANT Minority Leader and Gabriela

Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, meanwhile, commended this decision of the House but challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to follow suit and give up the Office of the President’s confidential funds.

The overwhelming public clamor to remove and realign confidential funds has prompted Congress to realign such corruptionprone allocations. This is a huge win for the vast majority of Filipino people calling for transparency and accountability in government spending,” Brosas said.

“H owever, we still have a long way to go. As the Senate deliberates the proposed 2024 national budget, we will strengthen our call to completely remove all confidential funds and realign them to social services and programs,” Brosas added.

Last year, Brosas noted that the bicameral conference committee restored the controversial P150-million confidential fund of the DepEd as well as the P10-billion funding for the government’s anti-communist task force, which was previously realigned.

The lawmaker said that instead of allocating these funds for undisclosed purposes, they should be realigned to address the pressing needs of our society, particularly in basic social services such as education, healthcare, housing, and livelihood programs.

in our own waters,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said, using the Philippine name for the SCS waters nearer the country’s western coast.

“We are confident that this firsthand information will allow him to effectively convey our concerns to China,” Daza said.

As the Philippine foreign secretary under Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, Locsin often lashed out with blunt language on social media at China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters.

When a swarm of Chinese boats converged in a Philippines-claimed reef in 2021, the then-foreign secretary demanded in a tweet that the Chinese get out, using an expletivelaced critique.

western Philippines, the shoal has been occupied by a small Philippine military contingent but surrounded by China coast guard and militia vessels in a decades-long territorial standoff and has been the scene of recent face offs between China and the Philippines.

Two supply boats manned by Navy personnel and escorted by two larger Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels breached a Chinese coast guard blockade and succeeded in delivering food, water and other supplies to Filipino Marines and Navy personnel stationed on a longmarooned but still actively commissioned Navy ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, at the shallows of the shore.

have been violating international law, particularly the collision regulations,” Tarriela said at a news briefing Friday.

It’s “the closest dangerous maneuver” by any Chinese coast guard ship against a Philippine patrol ship, he said.

The incident was witnessed by several journalists, including from The Associated Press, who were invited by the PCG to join the trip as part of a strategy aimed at exposing aggressive Chinese actions in the SCS.

“As special envoy, he is expected to be up to date on the matters that he will discuss with China and there is no better way to understand the West Philippine Sea issue than to see, for himself, what is happening

“What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province,” Locsin, a journalist, Harvard-educated lawyer and politician, said in a separate May 2021 tweet.

Locsin has not issued a statement since he witnessed firsthand eight hours of hostilities on Wednesday at the Second Thomas Shoal.

A rich fishing area off the north -

Chinese coast guard and militia ships, however, blocked and surrounded the two PCG escort vessels, including the BRP Cabra, which carried Locsin, from approaching the Second Thomas Shoal.

A Chinese coast guard ship came within a meter (3 feet) of colliding with the other PCG, the BRP Sindangan, whose crewmembers averted a collision by abruptly reversing the engine’s thrust and then turning it off, according to PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela.

“We condemn the behavior of the Chinese coast guard vessel. They

A major clash in the SCS, one of the world’s busiest trade routes, could potentially involve the United States, which has vowed to defend the Philippines, its treaty ally, if Filipino forces, ships or aircraft come under armed attack.

China claims virtually the entire waterway on historical ground but this was invalidated by a 2016 arbitration tribunal ruling. China refused to participate in the arbitration sought by the Philippines, rejected the ruling as a sham and continues to defy it.

Aside from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have been involved for decades in the territorial disputes, a long-feared flashpoint in Asia.

Garin calls for allocation of confi funds for distressed OFWs in Israel

ALAWMAKER called on the government on Tuesday to allocate the contingency funds to assist Filipinos in Israel following the recent attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, even as another lawmaker pushed for the creation of a crisis management and response task force.

Deputy Majority Leader Janette L. Garin, in a statement, emphasized the need for contingency funds to address emergency situations.

She said that these funds could be utilized for the repatriation of affected Filipinos and to generate employment opportunities for them.

“Contingent funds may be used for their repatriation and to generate jobs for affected Filipinos. The government must come up with economic plans to cushion their abrupt termination of work,” Garin said, adding that contingency funds are necessary for emergency situations.

Additionally, Garin called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to prioritize the safety and well-being of Filipinos in Israel, saying safeguarding their interests should be the government’s foremost concern.

The Overseas Workers Welfare

We call on President Marcos Jr. to give up his P4.56 billion in confidential and intelligence funds, which is almost half of the total CIF [48.9 percent]. These funds should be redirected to basic social services, especially amid the high prices of food and meager wages,” said Brosas.

Co: Budget bill to Senate by Oct.25

IN a separate interview, Co announced that the lower chamber will submit the national budget to the Senate by October 25.

The budget bill will be printed within two weeks,” said Co.

“I nterestingly, when we mentioned realigning the confidential fund, the Senate quickly agreed, marking the first time they’ve shown such alignment with the House’s stance. I heard they had an executive meeting immediately, and it seems like it’s already a done deal based on their decision,” said Co.

PSA: FORMULA FOR RICE SSR FOLLOWS

Continued

Administration (OWWA) reported that 24,807 Filipinos are currently in Israel, with 200 based in the Gaza Strip, which is currently under attack by Hamas.

Garin also cautioned that conflicts in distant regions like this could lead to the global spread of diseases, referencing previous instances in Syria, Lebanon, and Pakistan where outbreaks affected the Philippines. She s tressed the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to ensure herd immunity against potential outbreaks.

“Interruption of clean water, hygiene, and congestion creates a petri dish for various outbreaks that can spread globally. Our main defense is to have herd immunity via high vaccination coverage,” Garin added.

In response to the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza and the reported capture of Filipino nationals by Hamas militants, Kabayan Party list Rep. Ron P. Salo filed House Resolution 1369, urging the Executive Department to establish a crisis management and response task force to aid Filipinos in Israel and Gaza.

Salo, chairman of the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said the task force, jointly led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant

the Philippine population.

Tolentino said the increase in the country’s population affects the self-sufficiency in commodities, including rice. However, he said what is more important to consider is food security rather than self-sufficiency.

“ When the Philippines achieved marginal self-sufficiency for a year or two around 1979, population was just around 40 million. Now, how many are we feeding? Moreover, as rice prices become affordable, consumption will grow. One way to ensure self sufficiency is to allow rice prices to increase so much that Filipinos will not be able to afford it,” Tolentino said.

On Tuesday, Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio S. Sebastian said it is important to check the formula used by the PSA in calculating the rice SSR.

S ebastian pointed out that the PSA’s formula takes into account importation as part of the country’s overall supply base, and does not consider the local demand in a given year.

The PSA’s formula for SSR in any commodity is as follows: local production divided by the total supply (production plus imports minus exports) multiplied by 100 percent.

“Hence, if you have more rice imports, the rice sufficiency will go down. The formula is not local production minus exports divided by local demand,” Sebastian told the Business Mirror

Workers (DMW), would closely monitor the situation, ensure the safety of Filipinos, and be prepared for contingencies.

“The Crisis Management and Response Task Force will work diligently to closely monitor the ongoing conflict and establish effective systems to track the whereabouts and conditions of Filipino nationals in the affected areas, providing around-the-clock updates and assistance as may be necessary,” Salo added.

T he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that 20 of the 26 Filipinos who were abducted and kidnapped have been rescued.

To ensure a decisive, holistic, and coordinated response from the Philippine government, Salo said the members of the task force will include pertinent agencies, including the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA), and our dedicated diplomatic representatives led by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel and the Labor Attaché

in Israel.

The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs is set to conduct a meeting today, Wednesday, on the current situation of overseas Filipinos in Israel.

Meanwhile, OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino has filed House Bill 9388 to amend Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, to expand the usage of the Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) to better support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Currently, the ERF, administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), is designated for repatriation purposes during events, such as war, epidemics, disasters, and similar situations. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the necessity for a more versatile approach to assist OFWs during challenging times.

The bill provides OWWA greater flexibility in the utilization of the ERF, particularly for the establishment of temporary shelters abroad and halfway houses in the country in line with its repatriation mandate. This initiative aims to reduce government expenses on commercial accommodations, while ensuring the safety and comfort of OFWs during their stay.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

DepEd orders 90-day suspension of teacher accused of slapping Grade 5 Antipolo pupil

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Department of Education (DepEd) imposed a 90-day preventive suspension order to the teacher who allegedly slapped a Grade 5 pupil, who later died due to reported brain swelling.

The victim, Francis Jay Gumikib, 14, a pupil of Peńafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City, died on October 2 after he reportedly lapsed into a coma in a hospital a few days after the slapping incident.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) was saddened by the said decision.

“Hinditalagapatas,kapagteacherang naakusahan ay napakabilis gumulong ng kaso,” the TDC said in a statement.

While expressing their sympathy to the victim’s family, TDC chairperson Benjo Basas is also asking not to immediately judge the teacher, saying the investigation of the case is still ongoing.

Hintayin natin ang resulta ng malalimang imbestigasyon,” Basas said.

According to Basas, the accused teacher is now placed under a 90-day preventive suspension following the motu proprio case

initiated by the DepEd.

But the DepEd clarified that the suspension is part of the preventive measures while the investigation continues and not a form of punishment.

According to the TDC’s sources, Basas said, the DepEd, after a swift investigation, found the existence of a prima facie case for violation of certain provisions of DepEd Child Protection Policy, Anti Child Abuse Law and even the Family Code, among others. “Yungteachernasobranaringna-stress, hiniya sa publiko, nakararamdam ng takot at pangamba at walang masandalan ay suspendido pa ngayon, lalong ibinaon at dinikdikanggurongmismongahensiyang kanyang pinaglilingkuran,” Basas said.

B asas added that this case shows the prevalent situation in the field and is one of many in which teachers accused of child abuse in many different ways suffer humiliation, physical threat, sensationalization, bullying, and even extortion, despite the provision of Magna Carta for Teachers that ensures the confidentiality of cases involving a public school mentor and the observance of the due process of law.

DMW reveals main discussion points for upcoming Saudi visit

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

which will be held on October 20, 2023 in KSA.

“We will be there to meet out Saudi counterparts to discuss Saudi claims and other measures to enhance the protection of OFWs,” Cacdac said in a news briefing last week.

He made the remark when asked about the updates about the unpaid claims of over 10,000 OFWs who were displaced from construction firms in KSA from 2015 to 2016.

49th PBC&E brings education, future of work force to the spotlight–PCCI

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

The delegates from DMW, which will include DMW Officerin-Charge Hans J. Cacdac, and DMW Undersecretaries Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan, and Bernard P. Olalia, will fly to Riyadh, KSA during the weekend ahead of

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who will also be traveling to the Middle Eastern country this month.

The Chief Executive will be attending the 2023 Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit,

Also to be discussed in DMW’s forthcoming talks with Saudi officials, Cacdac said, will be the implementation of the Philippines-KSA bilateral agreement for the welfare and protection of Filipino domestic workers.

This comes days after the reported death of Marjorette Garcia, a 32-year-old household service worker (HSW), who was found dead with stab wounds in KSA last week.

Sen. Poe urges DOTr to freeze PUVMP until LTFRB corruption issue resolved

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

Senator Grace Poe, noting reports on alleged corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to halt the

implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until all issues hounding it are resolved.

“We want to modernize our PUVs, but it should be one that is progressive, just and humane,” said Poe, long time chairperson of the Committee on Public Services screening congressional

grant of public franchises.

The lawmaker lamented recent reports of corruption, ruing, “Hindi na nga makausad nang maayos ang PUVMP dahil sa iba’t ibang isyu, nabahiran pa ng korapsyon.”

Poe pointed out that it is unfair for PUV drivers if the corruption accusation proved to be

Last November, the Saudi government committed to allocate 2 billion Saudi Riyals to finally settle the said unpaid claims of the OFWs.

“For now, we have yet to be given a time when the claims will be released except [we have been informed] that there will be a Saudi minister of finance, who will become a part of the inter-agency committee from the Saudi side, who will oversee the transfer of funds to the proper account for the release,” Cacdac said in Filipino.

He added they already relayed this to the representatives of the claimants in their recent meeting.

The DMW chief said they also discussed the possible assistance for the said claimants, including medical treatment from the OFW Hospital in Pampanga, and financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

true, saying, “These drivers lost their livelihood just to favor the alleged bribe givers.”

She stressed that “erring officials must be held accountable for bungling a very critical program of the transportation sector, even as she conveyed her expectations.

“Umaasa tayo na habang iniimbestigahan ang mga sangkot, inaayos din ang modernization program na magpapabuti sa kabuhayan ng mga drayber at magbibigay ng maayos na serbisyo sa mga commuter,” the lawmaker said.

Bishop Santos urges faithful to pray for peace amid Gaza bombardment

By Patrick V. Miguel

It is urgent to pray and hope for peace amid the Israel-Hamas war, given that peace is “what the world needs,” said Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo on Tuesday.

“We turn to God for the change of heart, for conversion that they renounce violence and give peace a chance,” said Santos.

On Saturday, a surprise attack took place in Israel as Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched 5000 rockets in an initial barrage. In response to the attack, Israel had its jets bomb the Gaza Strip.

Santos expressed his objection against the raging violence in the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

“Conflicts are resolved through

dialogue,” the prelate said. “Violence only begets violence.”

Meanwhile, there are 450 recorded Filipinos in South Israel and Gaza Strip, where the epicenter of the war takes place. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/10/09/450-pinoys-in-israel-war-zone-govtorders-full-ops/)  Santos is the vice-chair of the Episcopal Commission on Migrants

and Itinerant People by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Santos further expressed concern over Filipinos, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) residing in the war zone.

“We appeal to our OFWs to keep themselves safe, follow our government instructions and pray with us for peace and harmony,” he said.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said education and the future of the workforce will be “brought to spotlight” in the upcoming 49th Philippine Business Conference & e x po (PBC& e ) , amid the need for the country’s educational system to keep up with the rapid development in technology.

In a statement released on Tuesday, PCCI President George T. Barcelon underscored that the country’s education system should be able to keep up with the “rapid advances” in technology and innovation in order to create a future of skilled and technologysavvy work force.

“We need to review and upgrade our competencies and skill sets to be able to compete with neighbors in the region,” Barcelon said.

PCCI said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chair, Second Congressional e d ucation Commission, will lead the session on e d ucation Forum: Shaping the Minds and Skills of the Future Leaders and Workforce.

According to one of the major business groups in the country, the session will initiate discussions on the various ways the public and private sectors can contribute to shaping the future of earning and learning in the country.

Barcelon said the session would also discuss the policies that need to be crafted to provide “safety nets” to those affected by the upskilling and reskilling revolution.

For his part, Felino Palafox Jr., 49th PBC chairman, underscored the future of education as “vital” in building a nation with fair opportunity at work, alleviating poverty and enhancing communities.

“ e d ucation is a long-term investment for the growth and prosperity of the country. There is an unmistakable correlation between access to quality education and economic and social progress,” he said.

Citing a 2019 survey conducted by

Southeast Asian Ministers of e d ucation Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNIC e F ), the PCCI said the Philippines is “slipping behind” its Southeast Asian neighbors in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Further, it noted that the impact of school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic has only “further exacerbated” the country’s educational disparity.

PCCI said the “abrupt shift” to online learning disrupted the accessibility of education across the regions.

“The biggest obstacles stem from the inability to adapt to online learning, owing to a lack of resources, as well as access to digital equipment and Internet connectivity, particularly in remote regions,” the PCCI statement read.

With this, the business group noted that institutions and businesses must “redesign, rethink, and invest in present and future work force education and training.”

For his part, Barcelon said PCCI, through its e d ucation Committee and the PCCI h u man Resources Development Foundation, are “working hard and continuously collaborating with the government and other private organizations to assist the Philippines in meeting the changing demands of the labor market.”

According to PCCI, this year’s PBC&e carries the theme: Vision 2050: The Philippines, A First-World economy. The business group said this conference aims to discuss, analyze, and present “actionable” recommendations on the various issues that support the agenda of making the Philippines an industrialized country in 27 years.

Aside from Gatchalian, PCCI said experts and practitioners from the industry would share insights in the area of education and the future of the work force. The line-up of speakers include: Justine Raagas, e x ecutive Director, Philippine Business for e d ucation; Thirso A. Ronquillo, President, Batangas State University; Carmencita Padilla, Chancellor, University of the Philippines.

Atty. Paras Leynes named LTFRB officer-in-charge

tran S p ortat I o n Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday designated Atty. Mercy Paras Leynes as officer-incharge-chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Leynes, concurrent LTFRB member, will assume her position from October 10, 2023 to October 9, 2024.

“As such, she shall perform and discharge all the functions and responsibilities of the office, unless otherwise earlier

amended or superseded,” LTFRB said in an order released on Tuesday, October 10. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday suspended LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III amid allegations of widespread corruption at the regulator.

Before Guadiz, lawyer-journalist Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil was the chief, but she stepped down as LTFRB chairperson as she accepted “the offer to help in the Office of the Press Secretary as its Undersecretary and OIC.” Lenie Lectura

Better working conditions and settlement of unpaid benefits of over 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) will be among the issues to be raised by senior officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during their upcoming visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

By Rex Anthony Naval

MAINTAINING that China’s claims are just mere propaganda, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday stressed that no Filipino naval vessel will be chased or driven out of Scarborough Shoal should one be deployed there.

Brawner made the comment when sought for a reaction after the China coast guard claimed that it drove away a “Philippine Navy gunboat” it found intruding in the waters adjacent to Huangyan Island (the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal).

“Sabihin mo na propaganda ng Chinese ’yan [that is Chinese propaganda], it’s not true, and if ever kung may barko tayo dun [at] palalayasin [and we have a ship there and they will try to drive or chase it

China claims of driving away Navy gunboat from shoal mere propaganda, Brawner says

away], we will not [allow it],” the AFP chief added. He also stressed that it is the duty of the AFP and its services to ensure that Filipino fishermen can fish in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Hindi tayo papayag na palalayasin [we will not allow ourselves to be driven out of our] exclusive economic zone, it is our duty, it is our right to make sure that our fishermen can fish in our

economic zone,” the AFP chief stressed.

Also, Brawner said that they already have the purported incident verified but this proved naught.

And as of this time, the AFP chief said only the Philippine Coast Guard has a presence off Scarborough Shoal and these are located south of this feature.

Brawner also theorized that this bit of propaganda from China is aimed at showing their

“internal audience” that they are doing something about this issue and “look good” in return.

However, in another interview at around 5 p.m.

Tuesday, the AFP chief confirmed that a Navy ship was in the vicinity of Bajo De Masinloc (the Philippine name for Scarborough Shoal) and that it was challenged by the China Coast Guard while doing a maritime patrol at around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

H owever, the AFP chief said that the Filipino naval vessel, which he did not identify, proceeded on its mission.

“So umaandar siya ngayon, nandun yung

Coast Guard ng China, tsinallenge ito naman Navy ship tuluy-tuloy lang [the ship was steaming when the Chinese Coast Guard challenged it, the Navy ship, however, proceeded

with its mission],” Brawner who also emphasized that the Filipino vessel was not driven off. B rawner also maintained his original statement that Chinese claims of driving of the Navy vessel as propaganda.

“So ang stand pa rin natin is propaganda pa rin ng China yun [Our stand on that claim is still a propaganda of China],” he added.

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

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this

Office application/s for

Barrio Mapandan, San Juan, Cainta, Rizal

3 ASIA SCOPRO OPTICS CO., INC. Unit 2, 114 Integrity Ave., Carmelray Industrial Park I, Special Economic Zone, Canlubang, City of Calamba, Laguna

4 BELTONTOTOKU PHILIPPINES, INC.

Lot B1-3, Road 6, Carmelray Industrial Park II, Milagrosa, City of Calamba, Laguna

CHEN, HAN-JUNG Vice President - Operations

Brief Job Description: Manage the business operations of the company and ensure its stability

TANAKA, KENJI General Manager

Brief Job Description: Oversee the company’s overall operations to ensure production efficiency, quality, service, safety costeffective management of resources

Basic Qualification: In-depth knowledge in production operations and strategic planning

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have relevant experience as General Manager

Salary Range: Php90,000Php149,999

5 BIGMATE PHILIPPINES, INC. 1st Street, Bldg. C1 & C3, First Philippine Industrial Park, Santa Anastacia, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

MACHIDA, KYOICHI Marketing Manager

Brief Job Description: Develop strategies for new products

Basic Qualification: Must be Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Marketing Business or related fields Salary Range: Php150,000Php499,999

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

110 NIPPON PREMIUM BAKERY INC. Lot 10, Block 2, First Philippine Industrial Park II, San Rafael, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Basic Qualification: Must have knowledgeable in developing and implementing corporate strategic planning and monitoring

111 PROCTER & GAMBLE PHILS., INC.

10 Main Avenue, Light Industry and Science Park 1, Diezmo, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

112 TECHNO MOLDPLAS (PHILS.), INC.

Lot C4, 7B Tagaytay Ridge Drive St., Carmelray Industrial Park II, Punta, City of Calamba, Laguna

113 VENETO QUARTZ, INC.

Lot 4, First Industrial Township, Pagaspas, City of Tanauan, Batangas

corporate strategic plan and monitoring system

ALI, TARIQ Cabuyao Dry Laundry Packing Maintenance Planner

Brief Job Description: Review and prioritize notifications within 24 hours of generation

SUZUKI, MASASHI

Assistant Manager Sales and Planning

Brief Job Description:

Assist on Sales and Planning Program

GAO, XIAOMING

Maintenance Supervisor

Brief Job Description:

Ensure that the facilities are operating smoothly by monitoring and reporting on equipment performance, maintenance needs and employee performance

Salary Range: Php90,000Php149,999

Basic Qualification: Must have multi region/ cultural work experience

Salary Range: Php150,000Php499,999

Basic Qualification: With experience on sales and planning

Salary Range: Php60,000 - Php89,999

Basic Qualification: Must have Bachelor’s degree with good moral character and excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

114 VENETO QUARTZ, INC.

Lot 4, First Industrial Township, Pagaspas, City of Tanauan, Batangas

115 ZIORCA INC.

Lot 5, Block 6, Vista Rosa, Soro-Soro, City of Biñan, Laguna

YANG, GUOLONG Production Assistant Manager

Brief Job Description: Review work orders, checklist and other documentation to ensure that the work was performed correctly.

WANG, QIANJU Mandarin Marketing Associate

Brief Job Description:

Manage administrative tasks to ensure marketing department runs smoothly

Basic Qualification: Must have Bachelor’s degree with good moral character and excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Must have relevant experience as marketing associate

Salary Range: Php60,000 - Php89,999

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE Regional Office IV-A located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Parian, Calamba City, Laguna, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE Regional Office IV-A if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

By authority of the Regional Director:

ATTY. MARION S. SEVILLA, LL.M. Assistant Regional Director

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

Israel strikes downtown Gaza City and mobilizes 300,000 reservists as deadly war enters 4th day

By Josef Federman & Issam Adwan The Associated Press

The 4-day-old war has already claimed at least 1,600 lives, as Israel saw gun battles in the streets of its own towns for the first time in decades and neighborhoods in Gaza were reduced to rubble. Hamas also escalated the conflict, pledging to kill captured Israelis if strikes targeted civilians without warning.

Israel’s military said it had found the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants in Israeli territory as it gained effective control in the south and “restored full control” over the border. It was not immediately clear if those numbers overlapped with deaths previously reported by Palestinian authorities.

Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians snatched from inside Israel after the attack caught its vaunted military and intelligence apparatus completely off guard.

As the Israeli military activated 300,000 reservists in a massive

mobilization, a major question was whether it will launch a ground assault into the tiny Mediterranean coastal territory. The last ground assault was in 2014.

The moves, along with Israel’s formal declaration of war on Sunday, pointed to Israel increasingly shifting to the offensive against Hamas, threatening greater destruction in the densely populated, impoverished Gaza Strip.

“We have only started striking Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a nationally televised address. “What we will do to our enemies in the coming days will reverberate with them for generations.”

The Israeli military said it struck hundreds of Hamas targets in Gaza’s City Rimal densely populated neighborhood, an upscale district of Gaza City that’s home to Hamas ministries, as well as universities, media organizations and the offices of aid organizations.

After hours of nonstop strikes

US airlines pull back from Israel flights as state of war declared

By Siddharth Philip & Charlotte Ryan

THE three major US airlines halted flights with Israel after the country was attacked by Hamas over the weekend, while some Middle Eastern and European carriers continued to give passengers an exit route from the developing war.

D elta Air Lines Inc., United Airlines Holdings Inc. and American Airlines Group Inc. canceled services to Tel Aviv, as did European counterparts Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Air France-KLM and budget specialist Wizz Air Holdings Plc.

Operators are advised to exercise caution,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice telling US airlines to review the security situation before resuming operations. “Delays are expected, operators should calculate fuel accordingly.”

In all, airlines suspended fewer than half of all flights to Tel Aviv as of Sunday, based on data from Flightradar24.com. El Al Israel Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier, expanded its schedule over the weekend to repatriate countrymen, according to Ynet News. Turkish Airlines and its local rival Pegasus also continued to offer flights, providing options for those seeking to leave. Israel declared a state of war following the surprise attack by Hamas, with fighting continuing on Monday.

B ritish Airways and Dubai’s Emirates and FlyDubai were among the airlines still flying to Tel Aviv on Monday. BA plans to adjust its schedule so flights leave London Heathrow in the morning rather than late afternoon, according to a spokesman.

That would suggest to me what they’re doing is an out-and-back crew rotation” with no stopover rest requirement, said aviation consultant John Strickland. US carriers don’t have that option because the length of the

flights require a minimum 24-hour rest period, he said in an interview.

Delta on Monday suspended Tel Aviv flights through October 31, calling it a “difficult decision.” The carrier will assist customers trying to get out of or into the city to secure seats with partner carriers that can be booked on its website, Delta said in a statement. It will also work with the US government to aid the repatriation of citizens seeking to return home.

BA introduced a flexible booking policy allowing customers to change their travel dates free of charge. American Airlines, which operates a daily service to Tel Aviv from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, is doing the same over the coming days. Lufthansa on Monday suspended flights to Tel Aviv through October 14 after a security review.

Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv typically handles about 300 departures a day, according to data on FlightRadar24.

The most popular service is to Istanbul with 105 flights a week, followed by Larnaca in Cyprus and Antalya in Turkey. Dubai, Athens, Rome, Paris and Vienna are all among the top 10, the flight tracking website showed.

North American routes to Israel include Air Canada from Toronto and Montreal; Delta from New York, Boston and Atlanta; United from Washington Dulles, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco—some indirect—and American Airlines also from New York.

The UK’s Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. canceled some services and said its flying program to Tel Aviv remains under “constant review.”

Airline shar es dropped. The Bloomberg World Airlines Index fell 2.6 percent on Monday. The conflict is driving up the price of oil and thereby aviation fuel, the singlebiggest expense for airlines. Wizz slid 6.2 percent in London, leading declines among European stocks. Its

overnight, some Rimal residents left their homes at daybreak to find some buildings torn in half by strikes, while others were reduced to mounds of concrete and rebar. Cars were flattened and trees burned out in moonscapes that had been residential streets.

The devastation in Rimal signaled what could be a new Israeli tactic: warning civilians to leave certain areas and then hitting those areas with airstrikes of unprecedented intensity.

The heavy bombardment began in areas of Gaza bordering Israel over the weekend, and overnight shifted to the center of Gaza City. If these types of bombardments continue, Gaza civilians will have fewer and fewer places to shelter as more neighborhoods become uninhabitable.

The UN said Tuesday that more than 187,000 of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have left their homes—the most since a 2014 air and ground offensive by Israel uprooted about 400,000.

UNRWA, the UN agencies for Palestinian refugees, is sheltering more

exposure to Israel is the highest among a selection of airlines tallied by analysts at Raymond James. The Hungarian carrier had several planes stuck for a time in Kyiv after war broke out with Russia.

They will have probably learned from that to be a bit more cautious from day one as no one really knows how this is going to go,” said Bernstein analyst Alex Irving.

British Air ways parent IAG SA dropped 6.1 percent, while Lufthansa fell 4.5 percent. In New York, American, United and Delta each lost more than 4 percent.

Avoiding Israeli’s relatively small airspace will add complications for airliners crossing into major hubs in the Persian Gulf and beyond. Syria to the north has remained shut to many operators for years amid the country’s civil war, while Russian and Ukrainian fly zones have also been off limits to many airlines for more than a year.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a so-called Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for Israeli air space. “Air operators are recommended to ensure that a robust risk assessment is in place together with a high level of contingency planning for their operations and to be ready for short notice instructions from the Israeli authorities,” EASA said.

‘Not prudent’

SEVERAL Asian carriers said they would suspend services to Israel, including Air India Ltd. and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., after attacks erupted around the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning. Israeli forces have hit more than 1,000 targets in Gaza, including rocket launching sites, and four combat divisions have been mobilized.

Iberia Expr ess is flying its two scheduled return flights to Tel Aviv on Monday, after cancellations on Saturday and maintaining flights on Sunday. The Spanish airline, also owned by IAG, introduced service to Israel in March. It will most likely fly only one return flight for the foreseeable future, according to a spokesperson. With assistance from Danny Lee, Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Will Davies and Mary Schlangenstein/Bloomberg

of the hostages, saying, “This war crime will not be forgiven.” Netanyahu appointed a former military commander to manage the hostage and missing persons crisis.

The Israeli military said more than 900 people already have been killed in Israel. In Gaza and the West Bank, 704 people have been killed, according to authorities there; Israel says hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides.

The surprise weekend attack by Hamas left a death toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria. That fomented calls to crush Hamas no matter the cost, rather than continuing to try to bottle it up in Gaza. Israel is run by its most hard-right government ever, dominated by ministers who adamantly reject Palestinian statehood.

than 137,000 people in schools across the territory. Families have taken in some 41,000 others.

In a briefing Tuesday, Hecht suggested Palestinians should try to leave through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. A short while later, the Israeli military said the Rafah crossing was closed, but Hamas officials later said Palestinians who had previously registered to enter Egypt would be able to do so.

Asked if Israel considered Hamas’ civil government, such as parliament and ministries, legitimate targets, Hecht said “if there’s a gunman firing rockets from there, it turns into a military target.”

In response to Israel’s aerial attacks, the spokesman of Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Obeida, said Monday night that the group will kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza “without prior warning.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen warned Hamas against harming any

Hamas, in turn, says it is ready for a long battle to end an Israeli occupation it says is no longer tolerable. Desperation has grown among Palestinians, many of whom see nothing to lose under unending Israeli control and increasing settler depredations in the West Bank, the blockade in Gaza and what they see as the world’s apathy.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have razed 790 housing units and severely damaged 5,330, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said early Tuesday. Damage to three water and sanitation sites have cut off services to 400,000.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” on Gaza, saying authorities would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel.

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council aid group, warned that Israel’s siege would spell “utter disaster”

for Gazans. “There is no doubt that collective punishment is in violation of international law,” he told The Associated Press. “If and when it would lead to wounded children dying in hospitals because of lack of energy, electricity and supplies, it could amount to war crimes.”

The Israeli siege will leave Gaza almost entirely dependent on its crossing into neighboring Egypt at Rafah, where cargo capacities are lower than other crossings into Israel.

An Egyptian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press, said more than 2 tons of medical supplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent were sent to Gaza and efforts were underway to organize food and other deliveries.

Hamas has ruled Gaza since driving out forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007, and its rule has gone unchallenged through the blockade and four previous wars with Israel.

Meanwhile in the West Bank, Palestinians entered a fourth day under severe movement restrictions. Israeli authorities have sealed off crossings to the occupied territory and closed checkpoints, blocking movement between cities and towns. Clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces in the territory since the start of the incursion have left 15 Palestinia ns dead, according to the UN.

Adwan reported from Rafah, Gaza Strip. AP writers Isabel DeBre and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem; Wafaa Shurafa in Gaza City; Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel; Bassem Mroue and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samy Magdy in Cairo; and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

UN airs concerns for civilians as Israel steps up military response in Gaza Strip

By Jamey Keaten

The Associated Press

GENEVA—The United Nations, aid groups and public health experts expressed growing concerns Monday about humanitarian needs in Palestinian areas as Israel ratchets up a muscular military riposte and a lockdown of Gaza, after the weekend attack by Hamas militants who killed and kidnapped hundreds of civilians in Israel.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres led the clarion call, endeavoring to put the focus on civilians in both Israel and Gaza and renewing his condemnation of the fatalities and hostage-takings by Hamas. He also warned of the prospect of more innocent lives lost.

In a statement to reporters in New York, Guterres said that more than 137,000 people in Gaza—or about 6 percent of its population—were now sheltering in sites run by UNRWA, the aid agency for Palestinians. He cited reports of Israeli missile strikes on places like schools, health facilities and high-rise apartment buildings.

“I am deeply distressed by today’s announcement that Israel will initiate a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, nothing allowed in—no electricity, food, or fuel,” he said.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities. Now, it will only deteriorate exponentially,” Guterres said.

The UN chief was careful not to underplay the devastation and intense suffering among Israelis since Saturday, decrying the launching of “thousands of indiscriminate rockets that have reached central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem” and how hundreds of Israelis were killed and many more wounded.

“I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians,” Guterres said. He also noted how Israeli airstrikes had

“pounded Gaza” and cited reports of hundreds of Palestinians killed and thousands injured.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, or OCHA, said damage to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Gaza has hindered services for more than 400,000 people—or about onesixth of the total population.

Israel controls most water resources in the Palestinian territories, in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions. Experts say the bombing and destruction of Gaza’s already weak water infrastructure will only make matters worse in an area where gastrointestinal, liver and skin problems exist already due to a severe lack of clean water.

“Every drop of water counts,” said Amira Aker, a postdoctoral fellow of environmental health at the University of Laval in Quebec City, Canada, who has researched water issues in the Palestinian territories. She noted health issues such as rising rates of infectious disease and gastrointestinal, liver and skin problems due to a severe lack of clean water.

With Israeli air strikes cutting off power in Gaza, taps running dry are an “immediate problem,” Aker said. “There is literally no way for them to clean their water.”

Dr. Wael Al-Delaimy, a professor of public health at the University of California, San Diego, said that as Gazans are forced to consume water of lower quality, more disease will follow.

“It’s the common people who suffer,” Al-Delaimy said.

As of late Sunday, OCHA said that Israeli authorities had halted supplies of electricity to Gaza, cutting power to no more than four hours per day.

The Gaza Power Plant was the only source of electricity in the area, and it could run out of fuel “within days,” OCHA said in a brief statement on Monday, adding that cash assistance was “urgently needed” for Palestinians.

“Humanitarian relief and essential supplies must be allowed to reach people

in need, rapidly and without impediment,”

OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke said in a text message. “All parties must ensure freedom of movement for humanitarian workers.”

The agency also noted displacement in Israel because of the violence and damage to civilian homes and infrastructure.

Separately, the World Health Organization said that a 16-year-blockade of Gaza had already left its medical system underresourced, and the increased hostilities are “compounding an already dire situation.”

The UN health agency reported Monday a total of 11 attacks on health care—which included medical facilities, ambulances and care providers—in the first 36 hours of the new conflict in Gaza.

“There is an urgent need to establish a humanitarian corridor for unimpeded, life-saving patient referrals and movement of humanitarian personnel and essential health supplies,” WHO said.

Many humanitarians voiced a simple hope: An end to the violence.

“These unprecedented hostilities—and rapidly mounting death toll—underscore the urgency for all parties to stop the violence and ensure civilians are protected,” says Ana Povrzenic, country director in Palestine at the Norwegian Refugee Council.

In a statement, the Norwegian organization said the humanitarian situation “continues to deteriorate” in Gaza and Israel’s announcement of a “siege” of the area “represents a grave violation of international law.”

Access for humanitarians to Gaza is on many UN minds.

“I urge all sides and the relevant parties to allow United Nations access to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians trapped and helpless in the Gaza Strip,” Guterres said. “I appeal to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort.”

Suman Naishadham in Washington and Melina Walling in Chicago contributed to this report.

JERUSALEM—Israeli warplanes

pounded downtown Gaza City, home to Hamas’ centers of government, with relentless bombardments into early Tuesday, after Israel’s prime minister vowed retaliation against the Islamic militant group that would “reverberate for generations.”

ISRAELIS evacuate a site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel on Monday, October 9, 2023. AP/OHAD ZWIGENBERG

How to make LGUs comply with EO 41

MOr E than a decade ago, poultry producers belonging to the United Broiler raisers Association (Ubra) asked the government to suspend the collection of “toll fees” from vehicles transporting live chicken. In 2006, the pleas of Ubra and other agricultural producers led the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to issue a memorandum directing local government units (LGUs) to refrain from collecting toll fees. Ubra made the appeal after the local government of Pangasinan imposed a 25-centavo transport fee for every live chicken that is ferried through the municipality.

Other local governments had even imposed “inspection fees” for live chicken that pass through their municipalities, according to Ubra. The collection of these fees prompted the group to warn in 2006 that its members will incur huge losses if all municipalities will impose charges for transporting live chicken within their jurisdiction. The imposition of the measure, they said, was ill timed as it was rolled out while poultry raisers were grappling with the high cost of feeds.

Since then, the cost of producing food continued to go up and various factors, including climate change and shrinking agricultural areas, put added pressure on prices. The current prices of food, particularly of imports, reflect not only the rising cost of inputs but also the fact that demand had skyrocketed in recent years because of the growth in global population. Compounding the situation for many nations that depend on other countries for their staples are export bans and conflicts in areas like Eastern Europe.

Because of more expensive food and other essential commodities, governments had to devise ways to enable their citizens to cope with price surges. The Philippine government, for one, had put in place a policy that called for the suspension of local governments’ collection of pass-through fees on national roads and other fees. President Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) 41, which mandated LGUs to stop collecting those fees. (See, “Marcos halts collection of passthrough fees for vehicles transporting goods,” in the BusinessMirror, September 29, 2023).

While the order is a welcome development as it seeks to cushion the impact of costlier transportation and logistics, it is also disheartening as it confirms that the collection of those fees continued even after poultry raisers raised an outcry about it nearly two decades ago. Despite the efforts of previous administrations to encourage local governments to stop collecting fees that would be passed on to consumers, appeals by both the national government and food producers to put a stop to it apparently fell on deaf ears.

We hope that the national government would succeed this time in dissuading LGUs from collecting pass-through fees, particularly from those that traverse on national roads. We urge the administration to consider the recommendation of trade groups to put in place “definitive sanctions” against LGUs that will not comply with the measure. (See, “Trade groups want LGUs violating ban on fees sanctioned,” in the BusinessMirror, October 4, 2023). It would do well for the administration to show its resolve to implement EO 41, which seeks to help consumers cope with inflation.

Since 2005

Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

Founder

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for president as an independent

By Skylar Woodhouse & Gregory Korte

rOBErt F. KEnnEDy Jr., the scion of one of America’s most prominent Democratic families, is dropping out of the race for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination and instead running as a third-party candidate.

“I’ve come here today to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption, which robs us of affordable lives, our belief in the future, and our respect for each other,” Kennedy told supporters Monday at an event in Philadelphia.

“But to do that, I must first declare my own independence—independence from the Democratic Party and from all other political parties. I haven’t made this decision lightly. It’s very painful for me to let go as a party of my uncles, my father, my grandfather and both of my great grandfathers.”

The move gives the 69-year-old attorney and activist a more certain lot in next year’s general election. But it will still be tough for Kennedy to qualify for state ballots without a party apparatus behind him.

With an independent presidential bid, Kennedy occupies an increasingly crowded field of big-name al-

ternatives to a two-party system that appears likely to nominate President Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a rematch of the 2020 election.

American Values 2024, the super political action committee that supports Kennedy’s campaign, has raised about $17 million so far and expects that number to grow after the announcement, said Tony Lyons, the super PAC’s co-chair and co-founder.

Cornel West, an academic and progressive activist, said last week he was abandoning his bid for the Green Party nomination to run as an independent. And the centrist group No Labels is laying the groundwork for a bipartisan “unity ticket” to run against Biden and Trump.

All of those independent candidacies would be a long shot, but any one of them could risk playing spoiler in an unpredictable election. Under the Electoral College system,

By Sheryl Tian Tong Lee, Selina Xu

Isabel Kua

&

DUrInG a half-century of independence, Singapore has fought to expand its territory, inch by hard-won inch. On the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, the island city-state piled up sand to expand its coastline and reclaim land from the sea.

In that time, Singapore has grown by one-quarter, adding landmass more than twice the size of Manhattan. At 284 square miles, Singapore is now approaching the size of all five boroughs of New York City. It plans to grow an additional 4% by 2030. It’s a striking accomplishment, given that many other coasts are receding because of rising sea levels, a result of climate change.

“We are not planning to lose any inch of land permanently,” says Ho Chai Teck, a deputy director at PUB, the government agency coordinating the effort to save the nation’s shores.

“Singapore will build a continuous line of defense along our entire coast. This is something that we take very seriously.”

Roughly one-third of Singapore is less than 16 feet above sea level, low enough for flooding to cause punishing financial losses. Some of its most prized property sits on vulnerable land: the skyscrapers overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront, known for its luxury mall and casino, and the towers that house giant banks such as Singapore-based DBS Group Holdings Ltd., Southeast Asia’s largest, and UK-based Standard Chartered Plc.

Assuming 1.5C of warming, prime real estate in the city worth S$70 billion ($50 billion) faces a high risk of flooding, according to Bloomberg estimates using data from real estate company CBRE Group Inc. Another endangered, and vital, part of the country is Jurong Island, where Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. have oil and petrochemical operations.

“You’ve got small island nations, but they don’t have this much economic wealth,” says Benjamin Horton, a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore who studies sea-level change. “The actual value of every square meter in Singapore is off the charts. This is a country more susceptible to sealevel rise than virtually any country in the world.”

In 2019, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore would need to spend S$100 billion over the next 100 years to protect against rising sea levels. The government has since put S$5 billion toward a coastal and flood protection fund. “Both the Singapore Armed Forces and climate change defenses are existential,” he said then. “These are life-and-death matters. Everything else must bend at the knee to safeguard the existence

an independent candidate might only need to tip the balance in one or two states to change the outcome of a close election.   Kennedy is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, the former New York senator and US attorney general whose own presidential ambitions were cut down by an assassin’s bullet in 1968. His uncles—President John F. Kennedy and Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy—were just the most prominent members of a clan that has also produced congressmen, ambassadors and other top government officials—always serving as Democrats or in Democratic administrations.

Four of Kennedy’s siblings—Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend—said they were saddened by the announcement. “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment,” they said in a statement.

But in mounting a challenge to Biden from within the Democratic Party, Kennedy found that the rules were stacked against him. Biden used his influence to change party rules to punish candidates who campaign

of our island nation.”

A day’s bike ride along Singapore’s coastal paths will take you past glittering skyscrapers and scenic dams, beaches and mangrove swamps— diverse scenes that make clear how the country must carefully tailor its approach. What Singapore does will be keenly watched by other populous coastal cities such as Bangkok, Miami, New York and Shanghai.

Fortifying the city

ON a recent weekday, tourists and locals fly kites on a towering structure with dazzling views of Singapore’s skyline. But what they’re standing on is much more than an attraction. It’s a S$226 million dam called the Marina Barrage. Inside, seven giant pumps drain excess water into the sea during high tide and extreme rainfall. Currently, some kind of human-made barrier protects 70% of Singapore’s coastline. But the city-state will have to reinforce and improve those shields as tropical storms increase and sea levels rise.

The Hydroinformatics Institute and National University of Singapore are working with PUB to build a computer model simulating the combined effects of sea-level rise and rainfall on the country’s coastlines. When completed in 2025, it will help assess which areas are most vulnerable, based on the predicted depth and duration of floods. “We have to look at this in a very dynamic way,” Grace Fu, minister for sustainability

in New Hampshire—a state where Kennedy’s libertarian-tinged brand of New England liberalism might have an appeal—in favor of South Carolina, a Biden stronghold.  Kennedy’s idiosyncratic positions on issues didn’t neatly fit in the Democratic Party, and he found much of his support coming from Republican and independent voters. A Messenger/HarrisX poll last month showed Biden leading Kennedy 61% to 16% among Democratic voters nationally. But the poll also found that Republican and independent voters view Kennedy more favorably than Biden, perhaps giving him more room to grow his support outside the Democratic Party.

“The country is sitting on top now of a powder keg,” Kennedy said Monday. “Americans are angry at being left out, left behind, swindled, cheated and belittled by a smug elite that has rigged the system in its favor.”

The Republican National Committee responded to the announcement by calling Kennedy “a typical Democrat politician” who was trying to fool Republican voters.

“He’s not even close to an ‘independent,’” said RNC Rapid Response

See “Robert,” A17

and the environment, said at a September event launching a new coast and flood protection institute. “Protecting us too much, you waste a lot of resources. If you build the coastal protection solution too low, then you will find that, several generations later, you’ll need to enhance it.”

Government authorities are already considering storm surge barriers on Singapore’s waterways. The barriers would generally be open, so ships can travel to their destinations. But during a big storm, they would close, encircling the city’s industrial areas. Other possible measures: raising the height of current coastal reservoir dikes; tide gates, which block water; and more embankments, typically raised piles of earth. Singapore is also building a huge additional terminal at its airport on higher ground, 18 feet above average sea level. More than 6 miles of drainage are planned to keep runways clear of water. Businesses are getting into the act, too. Real estate company City Developments Ltd. has built barriers and water-level sensors at the St. Regis Singapore hotel, Palais Renaissance shopping mall and Republic Plaza skyscraper. In the business district, Frasers Property’s 38-story tower has added floodgates. “More still needs to be done,” says David Fogarty, CBRE’s head of ESG consulting services for Singapore and Southeast Asia. “Companies are thinking about rising sea levels, but they aren’t acting fast enough.”

See “Singapore,” A17

Taiwan says keeping status quo is critical to peace with China

By Sing Yee Ong

TaIwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said maintaining the status quo is critical to seeking a peaceful coexistence with China as she delivered her last national Day speech before voters choose her successor in January.

She highlighted her administration’s accomplishments over two terms, including dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and launching the first domestically developed submarine aimed at strengthening the island’s defense. Taiwan has also reduced its over-reliance on a single market by boosting exports to the US and deepening connectivity with Europe, she said.

“We can now face the world with confidence and resolve,” Tsai said. “We can also be calm and self-assured in facing China, creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and future developments across the Taiwan Strait.”

With the presidential election looming, Tsai’s deputy, Vice President Lai Ching-te, is currently the leading candidate to replace her and manage one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flash points. In a TVBS poll released on September 26, Lai took the top spot with 36 percent support, followed by Ko Wen-je from Taiwan’s People Party, Kuomintang’s hou Yu-ih and Foxconn founder Terry Gou.

Tsai’s successor will shape the island’s ties with its giant neighbor China, which has dialed up the pressure on Taipei over the past seven years.

Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party reject China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan, insisting the island is an already de facto independent nation.

In mid-September, Taiwan asked China to stop what it called destructive unilateral actions after over a hundred PLA aircraft were detected in the areas around Taiwan, saying it

. . .

continued from A16

Enlisting nature

AT the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, the roots of mangrove trees have all kinds of configurations. They can look like a pencil, a bent knee or a stilt. The tropical trees flourish in salty tidal waters. Their thick aboveground roots and trunks break waves and trap sediment—forming a natural barrier to rising seas.

To protect shorelines properly, mangrove forests should sprawl for hundreds of yards. In neighboring Indonesia, they can even stretch for miles. In Singapore, mangroves can reduce storm wave heights by more than 75 percent. Mangrove forests also soak up to four times as much carbon as rainforests.

But mangroves alone aren’t enough. Singapore is studying whether it can combine the trees with other barriers, called revetments, often made of stone or concrete. Experiments involving combined mangrove-rock revetments are underway at Kranji Coastal Nature Park, near the wetland reserve, and Pulau ha ntu, an island off the southern coast.

Singapore’s existing sea walls and revetments limit one possible solution, encouraging the growth of more mangrove habitat, says Daisuke Taira, a mangrove researcher at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions. The country should preserve the current habitat of tropical trees, and their protective roots, researchers say. But it will likely have to rely more on barriers and other feats of engineering.

When it comes to cultivating mangroves to keep the seas at bay, Taira says, “Singapore is one of the most challenging places.”

Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party reject China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan, insisting the island is an already de facto independent nation.

posed serious challenges to security across the strait. Later that month, Taiwan unveiled its first domestic submarine to stave off a potential invasion by China. The submarine is set to officially enter into service in 2025, Tsai said.

Tsai has been unable to talk to Beijing during her stint as president. Both Tsai and Lai have made it clear that they would not affirm the “92 consensus,” a tacit agreement between the Chinese Communist Party and Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang that says Taiwan is part of China. Beijing insists that the 92 Consensus must be affirmed before talks can take place, indicating that the communication freeze will likely continue should Lai win January’s election.

Ko has expressed he would not reject the consensus outright, while hou and Gou indicated they would support it.

In her speech Tuesday, Tsai said her administration has kept its promises and maintained the status quo since 2016. It deepened cooperation with democratic nations and worked to maintain regional peace and stability, she said.

“Let me reiterate that peace is the only option across the strait,” Tsai said. “Maintaining the status quo, as the largest common denominator for all sides, is the critical key to ensuring peace.” Bloomberg

Borrowing from the Dutch ON Pulau Tekong, an island northeast of Singapore, giant machinery whirs and clanks as workers stabilize soil and lay out a network of intricately designed drains and pumps. The equipment collects and channels rainwater into a pond. Excess can then be pumped into the ocean. This system, along with sea walls, enables Singapore to do something extraordinary: reclaim land that’s below sea level.

Singapore is taking a page from the Netherlands, a third of which is below sea level. The Dutch built sea walls beyond their coastline, creating new tracts of land they call polders. A bean-shaped plot of land on Pulau Tekong is the first polder in Singapore. At 3 square miles, it will add 1% to Singapore’s landmass once it’s completed at the end of 2024 and will be used for military training.

Polders use less sand than the kind of reclamation Singapore has used in the past. That’s a huge advantage because it’s one of the world’s biggest importers of sand, which is expensive.

Singapore is adapting Dutch methods to the tropics. Its corner of the Pacific is calmer than the North Atlantic, so sea walls don’t need to be as high as in the Netherlands, according to JanJaap Brinkman, a director at Dutch water research institute Deltares, which is advising Singapore.

Still, Singapore has more intense rain, so its ponds, drainage canals and pumps are designed to cope with more water. Brinkman says the government is learning on its own and starting relatively small on Pulau Tekong: “Singapore wants to see if the technology is safe, and ensure everything is working well, before it takes the next step.” Lee, Xu and Kua reported this story from Bloomberg’s Singapore bureau.

RSA’s commitment

to mitigate flooding in NCR deserves our full support

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

Ramon ang’s san miguel Corp. (smC) has committed to rehabilitate the Pasig River and Tullahan-Tinajeros River system by continuously removing millions of tons of silt and solid waste. In about two years since smC launched its ambitious P2-billion Pasig River cleanup initiative, the company reported that it already removed over 1.3 million tons of waste from the historic but polluted waterway.

On the other hand, the company’s efforts to clean up and rehabilitate the 27-kilometer Tullahan-Tinajeros River system will certainly help mitigate flooding in Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and other flood-prone areas north of Manila. This is a most welcome help from the private sector that will benefit all residents of the National Capital Region.

I salute SMC President and CEO Ramon Ang for his undying commitment to rehabilitate the Pasig River and the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system, which will help ease flooding in the metropolis. SMC has already used so much of its resources, both financial and technical, in the dredging and clean-up activities of the two rivers. Let’s not allow this huge effort to go to waste. We can all show our appre-

Metro Manila residents also have a big role in helping reduce flooding from river systems that run through the metropolis. As we give our support to Mr. Ang’s commendable project, let’s also do our part to truly feel the longterm impact of SMC’s multibillion-peso project to rehabilitate the historic Pasig River and the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system.

ciation to SMC’s efforts to mitigate flooding by doing our part as conscientious citizens.

We know the positive effect of the SMC project in helping solve the NCR’s perennial flooding problem. We know that Mr. Ang is firm in his commitment in this endeavor. But it’s important to emphasize that all Metro Manila residents can help reduce flood risks in the metropolis. We all have a role to play in helping solve this problem. We can all help mitigate the effects of the solid waste problem. But we need to point out that the government agency in charge of solid waste management failed miserably in performing its mandated task.

To show my appreciation and support to what Mr. Ang is doing, I want to float an idea that I believe

can bolster SMC’s efforts to mitigate our flooding problem in Metro Manila. My proposal involves all the local government units in the metropolis to pass a local legislation penalizing those caught in the act of throwing garbage into creeks, rivers and waterways.

The campaign should involve the citizenry, who are encouraged to take a cell phone photo of the offenders. As there are fines involved, whoever took the photo should be given a corresponding share of the fines collected. This could help encourage the people living near creeks, rivers and waterways to be more vigilant against violators of the law. If the offender can’t pay the fine involved, he or she should be required to do community service.

I believe this is a win-win solution that benefits city residents, the community, and the city governments because they need not allocate huge funds for the campaign. In the end,

this may not only partly solve the flooding problem in Metro Manila, but it could also galvanize Metro Manila residents to throw their full support behind the campaign against solid waste pollution.

Imagine if you have millions of citizens helping you unclog the drainage systems of Metro Manila just by using their cell phones!

This will definitely complement the SMC initiative to undertake a longer term solution to the flooding problems in Metro Manila. A pre-emptive action to prevent irresponsible community members throwing garbage into the creeks and rivers will help sustain the long term impact of Ramon Ang’s commitment to rehabilitate the historic Pasig River and the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system.

As I said earlier, Metro Manila residents also have a big role in helping reduce flooding from river systems that run through the metropolis. As we give our support to Mr. Ang’s commendable project, let’s also do our part to truly feel the long-term impact of SMC’s multibillion-peso project to rehabilitate the historic Pasig River and the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

Xi reaction to Hamas attack exposes China’s limits as peacemaker

By Bloomberg News

Ch I NESE leader Xi Jinping spent the first part of this year seeking to play global peacemaker, proposing a cease-fire in Ukraine and helping long-time rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran reach a diplomatic truce.

Yet his government’s reaction to the Israel-hamas conflict is exposing the limits of Xi’s ability to bring lasting solutions to some of the world’s most intractable clashes. Much like his proposal on Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s initial statement on Sunday sought to avoid naming an aggressor and failed to offer any specific offer of immediate assistance.

After hamas launched a shock incursion into Israel, killing hundreds, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated a call for an independent Palestinian state while making no mention of the attacks on civilians. “All parties” should act with restraint, according to the two-paragraph statement, which did not mention hamas by name. The ministry later said it was a “friend to both” sides, and that it was “saddened” by the casualties.

Israel pushed back, with Yuval Waks—deputy chief of the nation’s mission in Beijing—saying China’s failure to condemn the violence as “terrorists are holding children” was regrettable from a country with friendly ties to Israel.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday directly confronted Xi about Beijing’s position, telling the Chinese leader in a rare meeting that he was “disappointed” the Asian nation showed “no sympathy” for the Israeli people. Xi didn’t address those criticisms, only saying publicly during a meeting with Schumer: “We have a thousand reasons to make US-China relations better, and no reason to make them worse.”

Robert

continued from A16

Director Jacob Schneider. “RFK Jr. knows full well he’ll ‘take more votes’ from the Republican nominee; that’s why he’s running.” Kennedy said he hoped to take votes from both parties. “The Democrats are frightened that I’m going to spoil the election for President Biden. And the Republicans are frightened

The attacks on Israel by the militant group hamas have handed Xi an “awkward moment,” according to Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

“Beijing has moved to paint itself as a global player,” he said. “You would expect them to offer some ideas or thoughts about how to resolve this situation, and yet we do not really see them offering anything.”

Peace player X I first waded into the Middle East peace process in March when he took credit for a detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia, after providing the physical site in Beijing for representatives from both sides to talk. That deal came shortly after Xi met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, and held talks with Iranian leader Ebrahim Raisi.

While there was widespread skepticism the pact would last, and of Beijing’s extent in brokering the deal, its existence put Washington on notice that the Middle East had alternative diplomatic partners.

The Chinese leader followed up that win by hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing in June, saying he was willing to “play an active role” in resolving the conflict. Expectations Xi could play a part in peace talks that have been stalled since 2014 were bolstered by subsequent reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was planning his first trip to China in six years.

Xi’s engagement in the Middle East gave him credibility as a global statesman, as the Chinese leader faced pressure from the US for failing to condemn Russia’s war, and providing Moscow with diplomatic and economic shelter. China’s 12-point position paper on ending the war has been criticized by Ukraine and

that I’m gonna spoil it for President Trump. The truth is, they’re both right. My intention is to spoil it for both of them.”

Kennedy describes himself as prounion, pro-environment and antiwar. But some of his positions are more aligned with the post-Trump Republican Party. he was a vaccine skeptic long before Covid-19. he has advocated a more isolationist foreign policy, railed about the influence of tech companies and embraced cryp-

Western democracies for handing Russia territorial gains.

China’s efforts on Middle East diplomacy worked to “offset pressure on its inaction on Ukraine-Russia,” according to Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China hub.

Beijing’s recent moves in the Middle East, though limited, also handed Arab Leaders some bargaining power against Washington while giving China a diplomatic boost, Sung said.

“But when the chips are down, the Middle East looks to Washington, not Beijing,” he added.

President Joe Biden’s administration has already dispatched the first tranche of a security aid package for Israel, with more assistance to come. Furthermore, the US said Monday it wanted to press ahead with its push to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which inflamed tensions in the Middle East.

Balancing ties

ChINA has reasons to balance its relationships on both sides of the conflict, with Beijing’s bilateral trade with Israel totaling some $22.1 billion last year, according to International Monetary Fund figures. More than half of Israel’s exports to China are electric components including microchips, according to a June paper by Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.

That trade with Israel is crucial as the US urges its partners to implement curbs on Beijing’s access to cutting-edge technology. Intel Corp. abandoned a $5.4 billion deal in August to acquire Israel’s Tower Semiconductor Ltd. after failing to win Chinese regulatory approval in time as rising geopolitical tensions slow down that process.

Xi’s attempts to counter US constraints have seen him increasingly

tocurrencies.

“I think it will work 100% to his favor,” Bren Logan, a Philadelphiaarea supporter who attended Monday’s event, said of the independent bid. “Now is the time for an independent candidate who could win, and he is definitely the candidate of a lifetime.”

Kennedy has often espoused conspiracy theories—about vaccines, gender dysphoria, AIDS and the assassinations of his father and

embrace Middle Eastern nations. In August, he presided over the BRICS bloc’s expansion to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The month before, China announced Iran — a nation suffering from punishing US sanctions — would join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

China’s decision to skip naming hamas, which is backed by Tehran, as the aggressor in its response to the weekend’s violence sent a message to “Iran and other authoritarian regimes in the region that China recognizes their regional interests,” said Mercy Kuo, a geopolitical risk adviser at Pamir, a global risk consultancy in metro Washington DC.

“China essentially seeks opportunities to project an image of peace builder but has no intention of tarnishing it with the complexities and vicissitudes of peacemaking in the Middle East,” she added.

Leaders of Global South nations, including from the Arab world, are set to descend on Beijing next week for Xi’s flagship Belt and Road Forum. The Israel-hamas conflict that has roiled oil prices and markets will likely color conversation at the event, which will also be attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

China’s position of neutrality might help make those conversations slightly smoother. But it could also just reflect a simple reality: Beijing knows it has limited ability to influence Israel.

“Unlike Iran and Saudi Arabia, where both parties were willing to go to China to achieve a mutual goal,” said William Figueroa, assistant professor of history and theory of international relations at University of Groningen. “Israel has no interest and no incentive to invite Beijing to broker any kind of agreement.” With assistance from Yihui Xie/Bloomberg

A18 Wednesday, October 11, 2023

House shifts ₧194B in ‘24 budget to food, WPS, health

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE House of Representatives announced on Tuesday that it realigned a total of P194 billion in the proposed 2024 General Appropriations Act to combat inflation and, at the same time, removed confidential funds from several agencies.

To address the high cost of rice and enhance food production, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy S. Co said the small committee introduced several changes to the 2024 proposed budget, including significant allocations to the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and vaccine initiatives to combat the African swine fever (ASF).

T he small committee was tasked by the House plenary to receive and resolve individual amendments to House Bill 8980, or the proposed 2024 General Appropriations Act.

A ccording to Co, substantial funds were allocated to agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospi -

tal (UP-PGH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to support various critical programs, including healthcare, social welfare, and education.

T he amendments provide additional budget to DA (P20 billion) for the rice subsidy program to help sell rice at subsidized prices; NIA (P40 billion) to install solar-driven irrigation pumps and subsidize communal irrigations; PCA (P2 billion) for massive planting and replanting of seedlings; P1.5 billion for vaccines against ASF; and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (P1 billion) to construct

Zero

fishery and post-harvest facilities in Palawan and the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

To invest in people and the country’s future, Co said funds were also allocated to the following: P43.9 billion to DOH for Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP); legacy and specialty hospitals; cancer assistance; communicable diseases program; and health facility enhancement; P1 billion to UP-PGH for MAIP; and P35 billion for the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and sustainable livelihood program.

Co added that the chamber also allocated P17.5 billion to the DOLE for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers/Government Internship Program; P10.4 billion for the DOLE-Tesda Training for Work Scholarship Program; and P17.1 billion for the CHED Tertiary Education Subsidy and Tulong Dunong Program.

Co said this comprehensive set of amendments reflect the committee’s commitment to addressing pressing national issues and optimizing the allocation of resources for the benefit of the Filipino people and the nation’s future.

MEANWHILE , Co said the Office of the Vice President (OVP), along with the Departments of Education (DepEd), Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Agriculture (DA), and Foreign Affairs (DFA), are set to receive “zero” confidential funds.

Co added that the House of Representatives is also getting zero confidential funds.

I nstead, Co said the majority of the allocated funding will be directed towards agencies responsible for safeguarding national security, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

A s part of the small panel’s recommendations, a total of P1.23 billion in confidential funds has been reallocated to frontline agencies responsible for monitoring and protecting the country’s territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.

T hese reallocations include:

■ P300 million for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

■ P100 million for the National Security Council (NSC).

■ P200 million for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for intelligence activities and ammunition.

■ P381.8 million for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to support the development and expansion of the Pag-asa Island Airport, a project with a total allocation of P3 billion.

Continued on A3

PSA:

FORMULA FOR RICE SSR FOLLOWS GLOBAL STANDARDS

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

AMID concerns expressed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the computation of the country’s Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) in rice, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the formula is consistent with international standards recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

O n Tuesday, BusinessMirror published a story on the Philippines’s SSR in rice which fell to 77 percent in 2022, the lowest in more than two decades, as the country remained one of the world’s largest importers of the staple (full story: https://businessmirror com.ph/2023/10/10/ricesufficiency-level-falls-to-24year-low/).

The SSR measures domestic production as a share of domestic utilization. (It) indicates the extent to which a country relies on its own production, i.e. the higher the ratio the greater the self-sufficiency,” PSA said in a message to BusinessMirror on Tuesday.

P SA explained that the SSR indicated the extent to which a country relies on its own production, i.e. the higher the ratio the greater the self-sufficiency.

T his means, if the SSR is less than 100 percent, there is an inadequacy of production to cope with demand and if the SSR is equal to 100 percent, there is just enough produced to support

population food needs. If the SSR is higher than 100 percent, there is more than enough to support domestic requirements.

“ Further, last 02 February 2021, a tripartite meeting among Department of Agriculture represented by Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian; National Economic and Development Authority (represented by) former Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua; and PSA (represented by) Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa to discuss Harmonization on Agriculture and Fisheries data. In this meeting, the PSA clarified and explained the procedures and data being used for the computation of SSR for rice,” the PSA said.

A griculture Undersecretary Mercedita A. Sombilla agreed that there have been discussions between DA and the PSA regarding the SSR formula. But the main concern of DA was the use of the Supply Utilization Accounts (SUA) of Selected Agricultural Commodities.

T he SUA is based on production or supply and treats rice consumption as merely a residual after computing for the rice stocks and removing exports and waste, among others. This is because of their SUA methodology where residuals are added to food use. Food use is therefore food availability, no food demand. So if imports are huge and residual is huge, then the SSR is lowered. PSA SUA should not be used to compute SSR,” Sombilla told BusinessMirror

Continued on A3

OSG to SC: Local court ruling against fisheries order imperils PHL exports

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE government through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to reverse and set aside the decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 170 on June 1, 2021, declaring Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 unconstitutional.

D uring oral arguments on the petition filed by the government, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra also asked the Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or a writ of preliminary injunction to immediately stop the implementation of the said ruling, as the resources in the country’s fishing grounds have declined following the trial court’s decision.

He also warned that US$320 million worth of fish products bound for Europe every year are in danger of being rejected if the Philippine  government fails to certify that such fish products were not caught through illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUUF).

G uevarra explained that the country is a state party to various treaties and agreements recognizing the right and duty of states to adopt conservation and management measures for the protection of the marine environment and the long-term sustainable use of living marine resources.

“A declaration of unconstitutionality of FAO 266 frustrates the State’s effort to honor its international commitments and render it powerless to uphold the shared goals these commitments represent,” the OSG said.

“ For failure to honor such commitments, the country may lose access to foreign markets for its fish exports,” he added.

He noted that the value of Philippine exports of fishing products amounted to around US$1 billion

in 2021, but significantly declined over the years.

“ Many of our fishing grounds have gone beyond sustainable fishing levels as a result of intense fishing pressure. As owner of these natural resources, the state is bound to protect the nation’s marine wealth,” Guevarra pointed out.

FAO No. 266 mandates fishing vessels to report their catches through a vessel monitoring system (VMS) and an electronic reporting system (ERS)  in order to curb IUUF.

Guevarra added that VMS and ERS serves as a globally recognized management tool for conservation of marine resources.

T hese tools, according to the government chief counsel,  aid state implementors and enable them to monitor all registered commercial fishing vessels to ensure that they operate within authorized fishing grounds and guide them in the prosecution of violators of fisheries law.

“Irresponsible use of marine resources endangers their very existence. Enjoining FAO 266 removes one of the most effective tools of the government against IUUF,” Guevarra told the justices.

He maintained that  in issuing FAO 266, BFAR acted pursuant to duty  under the Fisheries Code to ensure a healthy marine environment, using its technical expertise and based on scientific findings.

T he OSG also denied the claim of the respondents that FAO 266 violates their right to equal protection of the law and is tantamount to a deprivation of life, liberty or property under the Constitution.

G uevarra stressed that commercial fishing puts a greater burden on marine resources due to use of larger vessels and fishing gears.    “Municipal fishing uses light vessels and is carried out in shallow waters and regulated primarily by the local government units …These substantial distinctions germane

to the purpose of the law justifies differential treatment of municipal and commercial fishing,” Guevarra said.    Gue varra denied the claim of the respondents that FAO 266 violated their right to privacy and unreasonable searches.

He said a fishing vessel’s  fishing area, fish catches and spoilage, landing points and estimated quantity and value of fish caught have long been required to be recorded and reported to BFAR upon the completion of its fishing trips.

He said the respondents have no basis to claim illegal intrusion into their fishing activities and unlawful search of data, since FAO 266 merely seeks “to digitize and report in real time ” their activities.

T he OSG also asked the Court to make a ruling that would guide the court and the public in future environmental cases as he maintained that the trial court’s June 1, 2021 decision has no legal basis.

Guevarra also accused the Malabon RTC of committing “jurisdictional tresspass” in declaring FAO 266 unconstitutional.

A regional trial court arrogated upon itself a power reserved exclusively to this Honorable court… Though the issue of prelim injunction has been mooted by the issuance of judgment by the trial court, it behooves this court to make a ruling in order to guide the bench, the bar and the public in future environmental cases that may arise,” Guevarra said.

A mong the petitioners being represented by the OSG in the  consolidated cases are the Department of Agriculture, BFAR, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and Oceana Philippines International.

Named respondents were commercial fishing operators such as the Royale Fishing Corporation, Bonanza Fishing and Market Resources Inc., RBL Fishing Corporation.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Alternergy reallocates IPO proceeds for wind projects

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Alternergy Holdings Corp. (Alternergy) said its board approved the reallocation of the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) for the immediate development of its two wind power projects, which won in the green energy Auction 2 (geA-2) of the Department of energy (DOe)

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock exchange (PSe) on Tuesday, the listed firm said the Tanay and a l abat wind power projects need to be completed “at the soonest time possible.” “Tanay and a l abat Wind Power Projects are following a specific development timeline under gea2 a lternergy is fully intent to proceed with the activities leading to immediate construction by first quarter of 2025, and thus, the reallocation of the IP o proceeds,”

The amount that is supposed to be utilized for the lamut run-of-river hydro power project and the offshore wind power projects would now be applied to the Tanay and a l abat wind power projects. a f ter the reallocation, there will be an additional P63 million for Tanay and additional P80 million for a l abat.

Pérez assured that the predevelopment activities for the l amut runof-river hydro power project and the Calavite and Tablas offshore wind projects would continue despite the decreased allocation.

B1

Flexible workspace to open in Makati

from all walks of life who have a shared goal of promoting sustainability investments,” Perez said.

“We are excited to meet with them and provide updates on the company’s milestones. a s we have mentioned during the IP o process, investing in sustainability initiatives such as greenfield renewable energy projects are long gestation but the return of investment will certainly come in time and are sustainable.”

a l ternergy Chairman Vicente S. Pérez Jr. said. g e rry Magbanua, a l ternergy president, added that the reallocation of proceeds will be “a boost” for now while the project funding for construction is being finalized.

a lternergy has tapped three leading investment banks—bPI Capital, rCbC Capital and Sb Capital—as lead arrangers to raise P12 billion for the Tanay and a l abat wind power projects.

“Permitting and securing endorsements and clearances as well as conduct of initial technical studies would proceed. We are already on the ground in l amut, Ifugao engaging the local community while we are in more detailed technical studies for the offshore wind projects. a s t hese activities progress, additional funds will be channeled to support the work programs.”

a lternergy will hold its first ever annual stockholders’ meeting (a SM) on December 13, 2023.

“We are looking forward to the a SM to meet all our stockholders. a lternergy’s IPo last March brought together foreign and local investors

a lternergy aims to develop up to 1,370 MW of additional wind, offshore wind, solar and run of river hydro projects.

Meanwhile, a lternergy Tanay Wind Corp. and the r i zal provincial government signed a long-term lease agreement of the provincial property as project site for the 100-MW Tanay wind power project.

“The signing of our lease agreement from the r i zal provincial government is a positive development for our Tanay Wind Power Project,” Pérez said. “This will allow us to proceed with the construction of the project by 2024.”

negotiations for the long-term lease under a competitive process were suspended due to the pandemic.

Hotel 101 opens Singapore office

By VG Cabuag @villygc

DoubleDragon Corp. on Tuesday said its unit Hotel101 global Pte. ltd. has opened its global corporate office and global sales hub in Singapore.

DoubleDragon has purchased a prime office space located at the 4th floor of PluS bu ilding, 20 Cecil Street in r affles Place in Singapore for Hotel101 global corporate office. The global sales hub is also located in the same building at the ground Floor of PluS bu ilding.

The Hotel101 global Sales Hub in Singapore has the newest version of Hotel101’s signature 21-square meter Happyroom equipped with its standard features, such as the queen bed and single bed using em ma

Sleep mattresses, and internet of things app.

For its signature look, Hotel101 has chosen the banig, the traditional handwoven mat of the Philippines. banigs are where Filipino families would gather, form lasting bonds and shape memories.

“If there is one hotel chain that can optimize the use of modern technology in the global hospitality space, we believe it will be Hotel101, given its pioneering standardized signature 21 sqm Happyrooms and asset-light concept globally,” DoubleDragon Chairman edgar Sia II said.

“The Hotel101 global corporate office functions as the hub for our team members that are based in different countries as we form the right mix of experienced team members that will efficiently lead the

expansion of the Hotel101 unique and asset-light business model simultaneously in various countries,” Hotel101 global Ceo Hannah Yuloluccini added.

The company said Hotel101’s hybrid condotel business model comes with having only one type of room unit type across its global ecosystem making it “extraordinarily efficient” to build and operate. The Hotel101 concept also allows it to expand and create the uniform worldwide inventory through direct development, joint venture and licensing.

Hotel101’s asset-light concept allows DoubleDragon to generate revenue and income twice—first from the preselling of the condotel units, and then after the project is constructed, it generates long-term recurring revenue from the enrolled

units in operating the hotel.

Its rooms are intended to be typical or similar in size and look catering to the mid-end market.

The concept patent of Hotel101’s pioneering condotel concept has already been filed and the Hotel101 trademark and country specific domains have been secured in various countries globally.

The first three overseas Hotel101 projects will be in niseko Hokkaido Japan, Madrid in Spain and in California in the united States.

The target under the near-term expansion roadmap for Hotel101 is to be in 25 countries by 2026, including Japan, Spain, uS, united Kingdom, un ited a rab em irates, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi a rabia, Singapore, Cambodia, bangladesh, and Mexico.

Fertilizer stocks jump Mercedes unveils long-haul electric truck

FerTIlIzer makers jumped after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel raised concerns over how the conflict could impact global supplies of nutrients used to grow crucial food crops.

Israel’s Port of a shdod, just north of gaza and a key hub for the country’s potash fertilizer exports, is in emergency mode amid the deadly conflict. That’s putting as much as 3 percent of global potash supply at possible risk, ben Isaacson, a Scotiabank analyst, said in a note Monday.

Further, if Iran, a critical nitrogen exporter in the region, is drawn into the conflict, Isaacson said prices of the nutrient needed for grain production could spike due to limited supply and potential premiums in benchmark Dutch TTF natural gas, a commodity used to make nitrogen-based fertilizers.

nutrien ltd., the world’s biggest potash maker, rose as much as 4.2 percent, the most since July.

CF Industries Holdings Inc., the leading nitrogen producer, gained as much as 6.2 percent, the most in more than a month. Mosaic Co., climbed as much as 6.7 percent, the stock’s biggest intraday gain in almost a year. BloombergNews

MerCeDeS-benz TruCKS revealed a heavy-duty electric truck to take on Tesla Inc.’s battery-powered Semi, the latest move in the intensifying race to decarbonize road logistics.

The eactros 600, which can travel 500 kilometers (311 miles) on a single charge while hauling up to 22 tons in cargo, is set to go on sale toward the end of this year, the unit of Daimler Truck Holding ag said Tuesday. It’s aimed at taking on Tesla’s truck, which has already scored orders from Walmart Inc. and united Parcel Service Inc.

Mercedes-benz said the eactros 600 can charge from 20 percent to 80 percent, a threshold considered the best for maintaining battery life, in 30 minutes provided the customer has access to a one megawatt charging device, equivalent to the electricity needed to power around 1,000 homes.

electrifying heavy-duty vehicles is one of the biggest challenges in making road transport green. The lack of charging infrastructure remains a key barrier to adoption, even though around 60 percent of freight routes in europe are shorter than the 500-kilo-

meter range of the eactros 600.

With emissions regulations tightening, the region’s biggest truckmakers are working together to build the charging network. The eu ropean Commission last year approved a joint venture between Volvo, Daimler Truck and Traton that plans to invest €500 million ($527 million) to set up 1,700 charging points across europe in the coming years.

TH e International Workplace g r oup (IWg) is opening in 2024 the second Spaces Center in the Philippines, in partnership with Pn b Holdings Corp. (PHC), a property developer backed by the lT g r oup Inc. a c cording to PwC’s latest study, 51 percent of Philippine respondents prefer the hybrid work model. IW g is planning to add 1,000 new locations worldwide next year amid the increasing demand for hybrid workspaces.

l o cated at the Penthouse of the P n b Makati Center along ay ala av enue in Makati City, the Spaces Center is set to open in May 2024.

IW g said the 2,050-square meter workspace is “well-positioned” to cater to the requirements of the addressable market with its signature co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and creative, sustainable spaces.

IWg noted that companies will opt for hybrid work solutions as a long-term arrangement due to its significantly lower overhead cost, saving them an average of $11,000 per employee. b e cause of this, flexible workspaces are expected to comprise 30 percent of all commercial real estate by 2030.

“In the face of changing worker preferences, flexible working arrangements are proving to be a key competitive advantage,” said IW g Country Manager for the Philippines l a rs Wittig.

a s businesses strive towards greater flexibility, sustainability,

and productivity through the hybrid work model, IWg is facilitating businesses to make the most of professional and convenient flexible workspaces whenever they need it.”

IW g partners who invest in its platform are able to maximize the return on their real estate space by capitalizing on the fast growing need for hybrid working.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with PHC, which we expect will transform Makati City into a multifunctional center for local community life and bring significant benefits to the economy. We’re confident that this location will help locally based companies and hybrid workers to elevate productivity through unrivaled access to cutting-edge hybrid work,” said r o wena b r avon a tividad, IW g head of partnership growth for the Philippines.

“This strategic partnership between PHC and IW g not only addresses the surging demand for co-working spaces but also underscores our shared vision of building adaptable, sustainable, and future-ready developments,” added PHC President Karlu Tan-Say.

The Spaces is one of the flexible workplace brands of IW g , whose global network covers over 120 countries and 3,500 locations. The group has added 400 locations to its international portfolio in the first half of 2023. The new Spaces at the P n b Makati Center will be IW g s 33rd location in the Philippines. Roderick L. Abad

Royal Air starts Davao City-HK route

DaVao City—a Clark-based budget airline started on Sunday its twice weekly direct flight between this city and Hong Kong, according to the staterun Philippine Information a gency (PI a)

The royal a i r Philippines formally opened the direct air route with the inaugural flight from Hong Kong with 142 passengers.

“We are very excited for this new route as it opens up convenient and direct access between Davao and Hong Kong. We hope that it will not only bring in leisure tourists but also for business and MICe [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions],” said Director Tanya r abat Tan of the regional office of the Department of Tourism.

Tan said the connectivity between

the two destinations would enable travelers coming from Davao and Hong Kong to explore their tourism offerings and experiences.

“This air connectivity will allow Hong Kong travelers to explore the rich cultural heritage, natural wonders, eco-adventure pursuits, and warm hospitality of Davao, and immerse themselves in the beauty of our region’s diversity,” Tan said.

nicole Hao bian l edesma, president of the Davao Tourism a ssociation, said the new flight would link Davao to an international hub bringing in new opportunities. “We urge our stakeholders to heighten initiatives in exploring collaborations and partnerships with fellow Hong Kong tourism stakeholders to maximize this direct connectivity,” l edesma said. Manuel T. Cayon

While there are few megawatt chargers available at present, the european union has put forward targets for the expansion of electric-truck charging infrastructure. by 2030 at the latest, rules require that the eu’s main road network be equipped with charging pools every 60 kilometers, a density that should allow battery-powered trucks to better compete with diesel equivalents. Bloomberg News

When the going gets tough: MICE player survives turn of events during pandemic

By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

This works for former hotelierturned-business owner Abi Padiernos, who has managed to break into the tough meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry after more than a decade of experience working in the equally-competitive hospitality sector—thanks to those who have been instrumental to her foray into the events field.

“I’ve been in the industry of hotel for almost 10 to 15 years. And then last 2015, I got the opportunity to work with the biggest global promoter, which is Ovation Productions, so that’s how I came to the production side, concerts, etc. There, I handled the road management and hospitality of all international artists coming from Ovation,” she told reporters in an online interview.

After her freelance work in that company, she decided to put up in October 5, 2018 a full service production company together with her business partner, Marie Valencia. Hence, the company’s name is Abrie Events and VIP Services.

“Since I’m handling convention or events in the hotel [companies I worked with], I see the need for my clients because sometimes they get suppliers that were not hands-on to them,” she said. “So that’s where it

started. I wanted to help the clients to have a good and successful event.”

Starting from scratch WITH just P50,000 personal savings from her previous works that she infused as part of their initial capitalization, Abrie Events survived for at least three months looking for potential clients.

Fortunately, Padiernos’ friend who owns a travel agency entrusted to her start-up firm the handling of its 20th anniversary celebration that took place at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in October 2019.

“I’m very lucky to have good friends and connection,’” Padiernos recalled. “That’s why I don’t believe in the quote that says, ‘You don’t expect your family or friends to support you in business.’”

From then on, the company handled small birthday parties and weddings, as well as corporate events and concerts. It’s first big break came when it was commissioned by an established events provider to help handle the activities of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) Games in Clark, Pampanga. During this regional sports competition hosted by the Philippines, Abrie Events was involved in the opening ceremony

topbilled by international band Black Eyed Peas.

“What I’ve realized is that there are big events agency who will really help you. They will not consider you as competitor,” she noted.

‘Learning curve’

WITH small and corporate events coming in after its successful SEA Games gig, however, the Covid-19 pandemic happened that spared no industry, including the MICE, from its adverse impact.

Because face-to-face events were banned due to social distancing protocols imposed by the government during the lockdown periods that started in March 2020, almost all their events for that year were cancelled, according to her.

“So I was at rock bottom for around two years. But I didn’t change my routine,” she said of her constant sales calls and networking even at the onset of this international health emergency. “It was a learning curve from us on how to deal with the pan-

demic. That’s when I realized that I really like doing events because I didn’t give up amid the pandemic.”

Unfazed by the crisis, the business partners were innovative and bold enough to change their business model to survive. So they just focused on still doing corporate events but online, as well as intimate gatherings for weddings and birthdays, while strictly adhering to health protocols.

“We did some other businesses on the side,” she shared of their diversification to marketing for start-up businesses and selling of specialty meats.

The main lesson that the entrepreneur learned from the pandemic is “not to undersell your company” just to gain customers. She, likewise, realized the importance of building a good relationship wherein “you slowly plant the seed and after that, you will realize the value that you can give to your clients.”

Reaping what they sow, eventually, Abrie Events’ bounced back a year

Enterprising Pinoys, MSMEs urged to join digital economy

BUSINESS-MINDED Filipinos and startups are encouraged to start small today in fulfilling their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and scale up their entities, respectively, with the emergence of digital technologies that enable them to do so efficiently and economically.

“In recent years, the world has witnessed a rapid evolution in digitalization driven by the integration of technology-based processes that are reshaping traditional business operations. This transformation has brought significant advantages for both merchants and customers, making transactions more accessible and efficient, while enhancing the overall customer experience,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in his message read by DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba during Go Negosyo’s Digital Sign Up 2023 summit held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City recently.

Such development would not have been possible without the Covid-19 crisis—with its associated restrictions that acted as catalyst for the adoption of digital innovations across various sectors, notably industries, such as agritech, healthtech and edtech.

This global health emergency, though very challenging, has seen remarkable entrepreneurial innovations emerged as a response to this unprecedented circumstances, according to Go Negosyo Founder and Private Sector Advisory Council Lead for Jobs Sector Joey Concepcion.

“Digitalization is the biggest blessing that this pandemic has given the Philippines,” he said of the immense growth in the adoption of e-commerce, e-wallet, transport and delivery apps, among others during the time. “That is a game changer.”

In South East Asia, digitalization is poised for substantial growth, with an anticipated annual increase of 6 percent. This growth can be attributed to the region’s youthful and tech-savvy population, which boasts over 460 million digital consumers.

According to the e-Conomy Southeast Asia 2022 report jointly published by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, the region is well on its way to becoming a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030. Notably, the Philippines and Vietnam are leading the charge as the fastest-growing digital economies within

the Asean bloc.

Domestically, there are a total of 1 million business establishments in the country, and an overwhelming 99.5 percent of them fall under the category of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as 63 percent contributed significantly to the country’s workforce.

“The extent to which MSMEs can integrate digital threads and embrace technology will play a crucial role in determining success in today’s dynamic business landscape,” Pascual said.

With all the innovations going on in today’s digital era, HBO Southeast Asia Regional Director Alexander De Leon believes that “now is the most exciting time ever” for enterprising individuals to start a small business anywhere in the country to sell and market here and even abroad with the availability of digital technologies that are borderless in reach.

For owners of an existing business, on the other hand, he said that digital and social media must be a core part of their business to expand online. He said: “You must be doing this yourself. That means you also have to put in the work to understand the tools that are available to you.”

Even if more and more MSMEs are shifting their operations online given that there

are 69 million digital consumers nationwide, they still face persistent hurdles in breaking into the digital economy due to lack of digital infrastructure and financial support.

With this in mind, Maya Bank President Angelo Madrid advised MSMEs to “make your data and transactions work for you.” Doing so, he said that they have to engage with reliable apps or digital banks to be able to create that data for themselves that in turn could gain them access to capital for expansion.

To allay fears or apprehensions of newbies, Pick.A.Roo CEO Eric Bataga reminded aspiring entrepreneurs and MSMEs not to be “afraid of digitalization” to put their products or services on the web.

PropTech Consortium start-up champion Olivier Bariou suggested that they need to “try to be as much connected to the present reality” by doing their homework to study the market and competition, as well as stay updated with global and technology news.

Above all, Angkas Head of Metro Manila Operations Andre Chavez said that they ought to “make sure that their product or service is really there to solve a problem” in order to “provide value to all consumers and scale up from there.”

after when the situation improved with the easing of quarantine and other health measures due to the declining infection rates nationwide during the time. That’s when it opened the concert scene in the country, mounting the biggest local music affair called the Aurora Music Festival in Clark and Hot Air Balloon Display on June 12, 2021 that was attended by at least 100,000 people for two days.

Current status

JUST this year, Abrie Events became a sole proprietorship owned by Padiernos. Compared to a few years ago, the company’s business is now more stable, catering to all clients needs, from full coordination and production for concerts (lights and sounds, stage design, technical team to styling, and concept planning that includes scriptwriting) to hosting

company events and occasions, as well as road management and VIP services.

For the CEO, the latter is what separates them from the competition. She said: “I’m one of the VIP services [provider] that started in concerts, and then I’m the only one that has it for corporate accounts.”

Contribution-wise, concerts comprise 60 percent of her business, as corporate accounts’ share is 40 percent. On the average, the company works on at least five concerts annually, as it hosts company events at least once a month.

”We’re not into the quantity of events that we have every month. We’re on the quality of clients,” the owner said, while attributing the firm’s success to value for money, transparency, and return on investment that it gives to its clients.

“That’s what they appreciate from us because instead of just mounting [an event], we know their target on why they do it, and we bring them good results that they expect.”

As the country returns to the “old normal” post-pandemic, Abrie Events is slowly heading into the direction of becoming an international events player. It also plans to hold big online gaming events by next year. Doing so, the CEO bared the expansion of her five-man team to 20—composed of 15 account managers and 5 graphic artists—in order to handle well their strategies in the pipeline for 2024.

“We want to continue to grow as an events agency, meaning having more regular clients and regular employees on our way to becoming a medium enterprise. That’s what I want to achieve in three years time,” Padiernos said.

The truth about selling and leading

THIS may come as a s urprise to many, but the truth is that selling and leading are just labels. That’s right, these words are simply used to differentiate the environment where you operate and the audience that you work with.

If you’re in the marketplace tasked with getting people to purchase goods and services, you’re referred to as a seller. But if your responsibility is to get people to embrace an idea, mission, vision, goals or specific directions, then you’re a leader. But how come some people seemed to abhor being labeled as a seller? And on the other hand, why is it that there are also sellers who feel unworthy to be referred to as leaders?

If you’re not in the sales profession, you know that there’s prejudice over it. Non-sales people will always try to distance themselves from being labeled as a seller whenever they’re trying to convince people towards a certain advocacy. They will advocate whatever they fancy, but will immediately remind everyone else (and sometimes even apologetically) that they’re not selling.

If you ask me, that’s a typical hard sell approach of “selling the idea that you’d not a seller.” It’s probably because they’re not the stereotypical image of a fast-talking salesman, or perhaps they’re trying to distance themselves from the age-old image of scheming soapbox, snake-oil sellers.

The prevailing logic is that if you’re honestly trying to influence people to do what you feel is right, then you must be a thoughtful friend—but never a salesperson.

Newsflash! Self-respecting sales professional are actually not fast-talkers but instead are good listeners. Also, I personally know of many sales professionals who are introverts, hence a far cry from the oversimplified image of sellers as fast talkers.

And by the way, they also avoid selling products, which will not benefit you. At the core, real sales professionals will influence

people in order to help them get to where they want to be, and by adding value to what people value the most.

On the other hand, how come many sellers find it difficult to admit that they’re leaders? The impression I gathered is that they feel unworthy for such a label.

For them, leadership is a title they should earn, a badge of honor if you must, and not something that you carry lightly. They also equate “leadership” with a position of having people placed directly under their supervision.

For most, leadership is only achieved once they are given people-management tasks. However, leadership is not exclusively about directly managing people.

At the core, genuine leaders influence people in order to help them get to where they want to be by adding value to what people values the most.

In reality, the core of both selling and leading is one and the same—influence. This refers to the capacity to get people to do what they want them to do.

So, basically, both selling and leading is in the business and profession of influencing others. And the principles applied for each one is actually interrelated, reinforcing, and interchangeable... because they are but one and the same.

So if you want to enhance you’re acumen in either selling or leading, and become very effective in what you do, apply to selling and leadership the principles and skills that you once thought were exclusive to the other.

In other words, practice “sales leadership.” And that’s how you get from where you are to where you want to be.

Alexey Rola Cajilig is the President of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc. and Executive Director of ARC DOCENDI. He is a Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, Human Ecologist and Author of The effective Seller. If you have questions and suggestions, you may send an e-mail to salesleadershipcoachlex@gmail.com

AYANIHAN” is the greatest attribute of Filipinos that enables them to always rise in face of challenges.

Roderick L. Abad

ACTOR Dingdong Dantes, who is also the entrepreneur behind Dingdong PH powered by Riderko, gives the signature thumbs-up alongside Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion at the Digital Sign Up 2023 held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay last September 23, 2023. Joining them are Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry and Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, as well as leading content creators, popular social media influencers, and top executives from the country’s most innovative technology companies.

BIR extends estate tax amnesty, issues rules on filing, payments

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

The RR was issued in response to the recent passage into law of Republic Act (RA) 11956, which extended the period for availing of the amnesty to June 14, 2025.

The BIR also expanded the coverage to those who passed away on or before May 2022, regardless of whether assessments had been issued or not, provided the estate taxes remained unpaid or had accrued as of the date.

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said that with the issuance of RA 11956 and its implement-

ing rules and regulations (IRR), he hopes that more citizens will avail of the estate tax amnesty “considering that its deadline has been extended and its coverage has been expanded.”

The amended regulations also outline changes to key aspects of the tax amnesty filing and payment process. Per RR 10-2023, the “Estate Tax Amnesty Return” (ETAR) can be filed and paid electronically or manually, by the executor or administrator, legal heirs, transferees, or beneficiaries, within June 15, 2023 until June 14, 2025.

The bureau said taxpayers can file and pay at any authorized agent bank (AAB), through the Revenue Collection Officer (RCO) of Revenue District Offices (RDOs) or authorized tax-software providers. Installment payment is also allowed within two years from the statutory date of its payment without civil penalty and interest.

The BIR said the regulations also specify the necessary documents for the processing of applications for estate tax amnesty.

This includes the mandatory requirements, such as a certified true copy of the Death Certificate, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the decedent and heirs, and government-issued identification card of the executor/administrator of the estate.

Specific requirements for real properties and personal properties, if applicable, are likewise specified in the regulations, together with other applicable requirements.

The BIR also said the requirements include the proof of settlement of the estate, whether judicial or extrajudi-

Total volume of T-bond series at ₧300B on Tue

cial and need not accompany the ETAR if it is not yet available at the time of its filing and payment of taxes.

However, the BIR said it will not issue an electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR) unless such proof (such as Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate or copy of the Court Order) is presented and submitted to the concerned RDO.

One eCAR shall be issued per real property, including any improvements, if any. For personal properties included in the estate, a separate eCAR will be issued.

Estates covered by the estate tax amnesty, which have fully complied with all the requirements/conditions set forth in the regulations, including payment, shall be immune from the payment of all estate taxes.

The BIR said also exempted are any increments and additions thereto, arising from the failure to pay any and all Estate Taxes for the period ending May 31, 2022 and prior years, and from all appurtenant civil, criminal and administrative cases, and penalties under the 1997 Tax Code, as amended.

Govt warns vs re-sharing of leaked Philhealth data

By Andrea San Juan

THE National Privacy Commis-

sion (NPC) has warned the public anew to refrain from resharing leaked personal data from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

A statement issued last Tuesday read that the government’s privacy body became aware that the personal data “exfiltrated” from PhilHealth is being shared “illicitly.”

“We want to emphasize the gravity of this situation and the severe consequences that await anyone involved in processing, downloading, or sharing this data without legitimate purpose or without authorization,” read the statement of the NPC.

Citing Section 25 of the Data Privacy Law of 2012 or Republic Act (RA) 10173, the country’s privacy body said those found guilty of “unauthorized processing of personal information” will face penalties that include imprisonment for one to three years and a fine ranging from P0.5 million to P2 million.

The NPC emphasized that unauthorized processing of “personal

sensitive personal information” carries even more substantial penalties: imprisonment for three years to six years and a fine ranging from P0.5 million to P4 million.

The NPC said that sharing such leaked data exposes affected individuals to a range of risks, including identity theft, fraud, extortion, blackmail and other malicious activities.

“We urge you, as responsible citizens, to refrain from resharing this data and to promptly report its presence to the relevant authorities, including the NPC and law enforcement agencies,” the privacy body said.

The agency also called upon personal information controllers and processors to “strengthen” their data protection measures.

It also noted that compliance with the RA 10173 and other relevant laws and regulations is “not just essential; it is a collective responsibility to protect the rights and privacy of every Filipino.

In a message sent to reporters, the NPC said its investigation team is in the process of conducting a full

briefs➜ Lender awarded for corporate governance

CHINA Banking Corp. (China Bank) recently won for the second time the Five-Golden Arrow Award, the highest recognition given by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) to publicly-listed companies and insurance firms in the Philippines that excel in corporate governance. “This recognition is a testament to [our] ‘beyond-compliance approach’ to corporate governance and our unwavering commitment to do what is right and to do right by our stakeholders,” China Bank Chief Finance Officer Patrick D. Cheng was quoted in a statement as saying. The basis for the award was the 2022 Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS). These mechanisms evaluate a listed company’s adherence to the following key corporate governance principles: rights and equitable treatment of shareholders; role of stakeholders; disclosure and transparency; and, the responsibilities of the board.

Rizal Raoul Reyes

➜ CBS China Bank fetes teachers

CBS China Bank Savings honored teachers at the culmination event of the National Teachers Month last week. A statement issued by the lender read that the event aimed “to give recognition to the passion and dedication of the Filipino teacher community.” The bank said it allocated P8-million worth of prizes and giveaways for event participants. The bank said it also on-boarded and opened free basic deposit accounts for 32,000 public school teachers via its app. “Given the challenges of our teachers’ profession, they truly deserve appreciation, admiration, approval and attention from the community whose children they continue to mold into upright citizens of the nation,” First Vice President Niel C. Jumawan was quoted in the statement as saying. Rizal Raoul Reyes

➜ LandBank named ‘best bank’

The Land Bank of the Philippines announced it was recognized by Kantar Philippines Inc. as one of the “2023 Best Philippine Brands” under the banking category “for providing convenient, accessible and innovative banking services to unbanked and underserved Filipinos nationwide.” LandBank said it was conferred the award for its “strong brand of service, decades of empowering the underserved and for advancing financial inclusion in the country through the accessibility of its integrated physical and digital banking services.” Kantar also highlighted the bank’s “efficient delivery of cash grants to beneficiaries of the National Government’s social amelioration programs. “This recognition is a testament to [our] unwavering pursuit to reach and serve more Filipinos nationwide,” LandBank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz was quoted in the statement as saying.

inventory of the number of compromised personal information. The privacy body said it might take “several days” to examine the entire 734 gigabytes (GB) worth of compromised data.

In the meantime, the privacy body has advised the public to: create a “strong password, multi-factor authentication if available; monitor accounts; be extra cautious of unexpected calls/texts/emails; ask PhilHealth if your personal information has been compromised and to what extent; do not click on links from unknown senders.”

Last September 25, the NPC said it was notified by PhilHealth regarding an alleged ransomware attack.

According to a story published by the BusinessMirror last Thursday, PhilHealth could pay up to P5 million in administrative fines if it is found to be “negligent” in protecting its members’ data amid the Medusa ransomware attack it faced a week ago.

Michael R. Santos, chief of the NPC Complaints and Investigation Division, said they are now investigating whether or not there was

a “possible negligence” in the processing of personal information by PhilHealth.

“If there are security lapses and if PhilHealth will not report that personal data were compromised then that is possible concealment,” Santos said in an earlier televised interview.

Aside from administrative fines, criminal charges and fines can also be slapped against PhilHealth. Santos pointed out that members and even employees of the state health insurer can file cases against PhilHealth in relation to their data privacy.

In a separate statement issued last October 4, the NPC said it identified that “certain” documents containing personal information such as IDs and photographs, were affected by the ransomware attack against the state health insurer. The NPC is now verifying whether the information were owned by individuals affiliated with PhilHealth either as employees or members. (Full story here: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/10/05/philhealthfaces-%e2%82%a75m-in-adminfines-for-negligence/)

Malaysia to probe Roger Ng on Goldman’s bond deals in sovereign wealth fund

MALAYSIA is investigating how former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker Roger Ng helped arrange billions of dollars in bond sales for sovereign state fund 1MDB, according to the police.

Malaysia’s police are counting on Ng’s cooperation to recover as much as possible from the billions looted from the fund during the previous decade. Ng, a Malaysian, is under police protection after arriving from the US last Sunday, Inspector General of Police Razarudin Husain said on October 10.

“We hope that he will cooperate on the asset recovery,” Razarudin told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. “There is a lot of assets to be returned.”

Goldman made $593 million working on three bond sales that raised $6.5 billion for 1MDB in 2012 and 2013. Under a July 2020 settlement, Malaysia dropped all criminal charges against the bank over its role in the scandal in exchange for a $2.5 billion cash payment and for the guaranteed return of $1.4 billion of seized 1MDB assets.

THE national government has raised P30 billion from its latest auction of Treasury Bonds (T-bonds), according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The Auction Committee fully awarded the reissued 10-year Treasury Bonds at the auction. The Tbonds still have a remaining term of 5 years and 3 months.

“With its decision, the committee raised the full program of P30 billion, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P355 billion,” BTr said.

BTr said the reissued bonds fetched an average rate of 6.512 percent. The highest interest rate reached 6.625 percent while the lowest was at P6.35 percent.

The auction was 1.4 times oversubscribed with total tenders reaching P40.8 billion. The auction committee rejected P10.828 billion of these tenders last Tuesday.

In September, the auction committee decided to fully reject bids for the T-bonds with a remaining term of 2 years and 11 months.

The average rate for the reissued T-bonds reached 6.482 percent had it been awarded, with P27.6 billion in total tenders.

The BTr earlier said the national government failed to raise its full programmed domestic borrowing for September as it faced high yields in certain tenders, particularly for long-term government securities.

The state was only able to raise 67.25 percent or about P121.064 billion out of its target P180 billion from the tender of Treasury bills (T-bills) and T-bonds this month.

BTr data showed that about half of the amount or about P61.064 billion came from awarded T-bonds while the remaining P60 billion was raised from sold T-bills. Cai U. Ordinario

The pervasiveness of artificial intelligence

IT’S the season of conferences and conventions for the country’s business and industry groups. In each and every conference I attended last week, AI or artificial intelligence was the hottest topic among bankers, insurers, financial executives and even retailers.

Last October 2, the Ethics Committee of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) held a webinar on “Ethics in Technology.” Headlining the online seminar were: Dr. Benito Teehankee, professor of business ethics at De La Salle University; data scientist Dominic Vincent D. Ligot, executive director of online community Data Ethics PH; and, lawyer Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre, deputy commissioner of the National Privacy Commission. This was the opening salvo of the annual Finex Week celebration with the theme of “Navigating Global Uncertainties Toward Sustainable Growth.”

Singapore-based Charlton Media Group organized a series of international conferences on October 3-5, 2023. First was the “2023 Asian Banking and Finance Forum” with Patricia Nichol, partner of Bain & Co., as keynote speaker on generative AI opportunities in financial services. Dr. Adrienne Heinrich, head of AI and innovation at Union Bank of the Philippines, then spoke about how to leverage AI to revolutionize banking products for a digital world.

A session on driving customer engagement and loyalty through digitization featured a panel of experts including Ernst & Young (EY) Partner Anurag Mishra, The Collinson Group Vice-President James Ellis, Security Bank Corp. Head of Retail Banking Rahul Rasal, China Banking Corp. Head of Consumer Banking Aloysius C. Alday Jr. and RCBC Bankard Services Corp. President and CEO Arniel Vincent B. Ong.

A Brooklyn federal jury convicted Ng of conspiring with his former Goldman boss Tim Leissner and financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, in the looting of 1MDB. Prosecutors said Ng received millions of dollars in kickbacks from the bond deals Goldman Sachs arranged for 1MDB.

Ng was scheduled to begin a 10year prison sentence on October 6, but US officials allowed the sentence to be deferred so that he could return to the Southeast Asian country and help with its investigation.

Malaysia will also seek Ng’s assistance in locating Low, said the country’s police chief. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has accused the fugitive businessman of stealing $1.42 billion from the bond transactions that Goldman arranged for 1MDB. Low faces criminal charges in Malaysia’s court.

Investigations with Ng have just started and the police have yet to determine the value of the assets they could recover, according to Razarudin. Police had received intelligence that the former banker’s safety was under threat, he added. Bloomberg News

This was followed by the presentation of SB Finance Co. Inc. President Abigail Marie D. Casanova and a fireside chat with Bank of the Philippine Islands President Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco. Capping the conference was the session on disruption and innovation in banking headlined by Tonik Digital Bank Inc.

Founder Greg Krasnov, GoTyme Bank Corp. President Nate Clarke and Maya Bank Inc. President Angelo Madrid.

Next was the 2023 Insurance Asia Forum with keynote speaker Charisse Rossielin Cruz, consulting partner of EY, whose topic was on next-wave life insurance. Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Philippines) Inc. (Manulife)

CEO Rahul Hora talked about resilience and adaptability in navigating the challenges of the insurance industry in the post-pandemic era, while Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. (Sun Life) Chief Distribution Officer Al Quitangon spoke on building a purpose-driven agency force in the digital age.

Panelists for the session on driving innovation and customer centricity in insurance were Manulife Head of Strategy Prahlad Agarwal, Allianz PNB Life Insurance Inc. Chief Marketing Officer Gino Carlo Riola and Sun Life Chief Human Resource Officer Michelle CorderoGarcia. Etiqa Life & General Assurance Philippines Inc. President Rico T. Bautista provided key updates on the life

insurance industry.

Another panel session dealt on cybersecurity and data privacy in the digital insurance era. It featured FWD Life Insurance Co. Inc. Chief Risk Officer Angela Rowley, AIA Philippines Life & General Insurance Co Inc. Head of Enterprise Digital Transformation Samson Kenneth A. Radovan and AXA Group President Pradeep Bhanotha, while ZA Tech Country Manager Tyler Thuy Long shared his journey toward the digital future.

Finally, there was the 2023 Retail Asia Forum with Boston Consulting Group Partner Julian Cua as keynote speaker on reinvention and revolution in the Southeast Asian retail sector. Cegid Group Asia-Pacific Commercial Director Marco Lim talked about finding the right strategic omnichannel platform for retail leaders and a fireside chat with Ace Hardware Philippines Inc. CEO Bernard L. Ong followed regarding brand relevance in the time of digital.

Strategies for thriving in the retail renaissance were tackled at a panel session with Megaworld Corp. First VicePresident Graham Coates, HMR Philippines Inc. CEO Sam Powell, Watsons Personal Care Stores Philippines Inc. Director Jared Ernest M. De Guzman and Suyen Corp. Head of Retail Operations Marcela Dragoiu-Luca. The state of Philippine retail was analyzed by Wilcon Depot COO Rosemarie B. Ong, while the net promoter scores of Philippine retailers were discussed by Yukiko Tsukamoto and Gina Yu-Aquino of Bain & Co.

Another session on disruptive technologies and emerging trends shaping retail had the following panelists: Havas Chief Digital Officer Shayne Madamba, Oddefy & Proddhouse CEO Frankie Primavera and Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia Chairman Charlie P. Villaseñor. The last panel session focused on strategies of effective customer engagement, highlighted by the presentations of SariSuki Stores Inc. Head of Strategy Pavan Powar, H&M Southeast Asia Media Manager Gino N. Cruz and Unilever Southeast Asia Digital Hub Lead Wence Wenceslao.

In all of these sessions, AI was extensively touched upon as the business community becomes more and more fascinated with the proliferation of generative applications such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. We are indeed entering a new era of pervasive intelligence with smart devices that are getting better, while those who can’t get going will be left behind.

Joseph Gamboa is the vice-chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror . #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Regulations (RR) 10-2023 that effectively extended the estate tax amnesty and covered the estate of individuals who died on or before May 31, 2022.

Joseph Araneta Gamboa

A PR book for all professions

SeaSoned PR professionals, media, and communication leaders gathered on September 27, 2023, at XO 46 Heritage Bistro, S Maison, Pasay City, for the book launch of PR Matters by IPRA Philippines.

The book is a compendium of 70 various articles on PR, communication, leadership, marketing, manners and ethics, and other topics relevant to different fields and professions, written by 18 authors, all members of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

Keynote speaker, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Gov. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, lauded the publication that showcases the insights of some of the brightest minds in the Philippines’ PR industry on various topics on PR and communications, adding:

“The BSP recognizes that proactive communication is vital to building and maintaining stakeholder awareness, knowledge, satisfaction, and trust” and that “stakeholder trust—along with awareness and satisfaction—is important to us.”

She also stressed the importance of communication across different disciplines and professions, citing BSP’s thrust: “Central bankers are the architects of financial stability, and communication is the blueprint that guides their designs,” adding that the BSP strategic communication framework “states that our communication initiatives, besides being evidenceinformed and results-oriented, should also be stakeholder-centric.”

“With IPRA’s thrust to promote the discipline of public relations, we consider this as our chapter’s contribution to the global task as it can now be easily accessed by students and professionals alike. This book can be an inspiring reference for all things related to communications as a course and a career,”

‘PR MATTERS’ A new book on PR and communication features 70 articles written by members of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) members with deep insights from their wide experiences in diverse fields, a keepsake book for all professions by IPRA Philippines. Authors are Joy LumawigBuensalido, Richard Burgos, karen Alparce-Villanueva; Millie Dizon, edd Fuentes, Jingjing Villanueva-Romero; Malou espina, Abi Ho-torres, Claire de Leon-Papa; Rene nieva, Bong osorio, Butch Raquel; Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, Charisse Garcia-Chuidian, Margarita Locsin-Chan; kane errol Choa, Ma. Amylyn Sison-de Quiros, and Philippe Borremans.

said Noel Rene Nieva, IPRA Philippines chair at the launch. BusinessMirror editor in chief Lourdes

“Chuchay” M. Fernandez recalls that “in the darkest days of the pandemic, one of the most important partners of BusinessMirror in navigating an uncertain crisis was IPRA Philippines. Their PR Matters column helped us journalists cull the truth from trash at a time when wrong information could spell great harm to people’s well-being.”

Effective team prioritization

SOMEONE once said that if everything is important, then nothing is. As a team manager, when you do not know what to prioritize, everything becomes important. This happens when you take in more work than what your team can handle. If you do not know how to set boundaries of what your team can and cannot do, your team will always be given projects and tasks which eventually will overwhelm them. It will force them to multitask and juggle several projects simultaneously.

Wrong prioritization also happens when team members are placed in roles they are not equipped for which will stretch them thinly. They will also be forced to work beyond work hours to catch up with the demands of the workload. If your team increasingly spends their weekends and holidays working, it means you have not effectively managed their workload.

Sometimes, the problem is not the workload itself but in allowing other managers to intimidate your team with new projects and tasks. Your role as a manager is to protect your team from toxic managers by stepping in when a team member is bullied to do a task you have not assigned. Depending on your organization’s culture, your manager might also go directly to your team. When this happens, your team will be forced to prioritize tasks assigned by your manager and deprioritize tasks you have assigned.

If you do not learn how to prioritize the different projects and tasks that your team should be doing, you will end up overworking your team and forcing them

to focus on so many things that they will lose sight of what is really important for the team. You need to stop and carefully consider what your team needs to prioritize.

The first thing you need to do is to take charge of your team’s workload. You need to know what everyone is doing and the timelines for those deliverables. Your team should also understand what their ultimate goal is and how each task contributes to the overall goal of the team. And when they are given tasks that go contrary to the team’s goal, they should be given the opportunity to challenge it and make recommendations on how to properly handle it.

If your manager goes directly to your team for tasks, ask your team to inform you right away so that you can reprioritize their other tasks. You also need to sit down with your manager on the rules of engagement when they need to go directly to your team so that you can properly allocate tasks assigned

to your team and negotiate on deliverables and timelines. The always-on culture is another indicator of work inefficiencies and wrong prioritization. When you constantly message your team beyond office hours, this could indicate that you have not properly prioritized tasks that could have been done earlier. Sporadic times of lull and frantic scrambling to finish tasks could also be an indicator of not just lack of prioritizing, but lack of planning altogether. Forcing yourself to not message your team on weekends and beyond office hours forces you to properly plan what you need from your team. Additionally, have shorter meetings so your team can have more time to actually do their work.

I have never been a fan of long meetings because the human brain can only focus so much on so much information at once. Remember that the longer the meeting, the more time you take away from your team’s productivity. A former mentor has taught

The book is for comrades in PR, students and professionals who want to go into the PR profession, or anybody who wants to learn the rudiments on how to use better and effective communication in our everyday life, in the workplace, and in our personal interactions even with family and friends. For orders or book reservations of the limited edition of the PR Matters book, e-mail books@buensalido. com.ph or call or send a Viber message to 09209542980. n

me to calculate the cost of meetings based on how much each attendee makes in an hour. You would be surprised to discover that some meetings should have been shorter because of how much it costs. As a people manager, you need to discover how much your team meetings cost and how much work is not being done because of a meeting. You need to strike a balance between meeting your team regularly for work allocation and updates, but it should not take a lot of time away from their work.

You might be surprised to discover that the word priority is first used in the singular because a priority is the single most important thing you need to do. Its plural form only came about in the 1900s to refer to tasks that were all equally important. But in reality, when you prioritize tasks, one will significantly stand out as the most important. This means that when new tasks are given to your team, your role is to identify what your team needs to focus on, and which ones they can put on hold. For time-sensitive tasks, you need to act and decide quickly so that your team can plan ahead and identify which of their tasks can be deprioritized.

And of course, saying “no” is a significant indicator that your team knows their priority. When you push back, you are effectively guarding what your team should focus on. Creating a healthy boundary indicates that before anyone can make a request to your team, they need to ascertain that their request is necessary. You need to learn how to protect your team because if you do not know how to say “no”, other managers will take advantage.

John C. Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert, said, “Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.” If you want your team to focus on what is really important and get the work done in time, you need to sit down and prioritize those tasks and projects that ultimately help the team achieve its goals. Otherwise, your team will prioritize tasks assigned by other people.

MetRoBAnk Foundation’s Chito Sobrepena and the Diarist’s Anna Sobrepena with PR Matters contributing authors and IPRA Philippines members Charisse Chuidian, Jingjing Villanueva-Romero and Claire De Leon-Papa

IPRA Philippines members and contributing authors Claire Papa of Unilab, Abi Ho-torres of Maynilad, Jingjing Villanueva-Romero of Stratos, and Charisse Chuidian of City of Dreams with Jun de Leon, BusinessMirror publisher C. Anthony Cabangon, Peachy Guioguio, Ivy Mendoza, and Leah Salterio

ISentIA S Lady ochel espinosa, Grupo Agatep’s norman Agatep, and Michele AgatepBayhon, Megaworld’s Harold Geronimo, ogilvy’s Leah Huang, Comm & Sense’s Charlotte Reyes, DDB Group’s Jerome Bayhon

Top Tourism Officials, Diplomats attend Travel Sale Expo 2023 Grand opening

THE Travel Sale Expo 2023 had its grand opening recently at the Megatrade Hall, Bldg. B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The organizer, One Klik Events laid out a red carpet reception for Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar; Rep. Michelle Singson, Malay, Aklan Mayor Frolibar Bautista and Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. Members of the Diplomatic community were also present and they include H.E. Hoang Huy Chung, Ambassador, Embassy of Vietnam; H.E. Ilan Fluss, Ambassador, Israel Ministry of Tourism; H.E Ahmed Shehabaldin Ibrahim Abdul, Ambassador of Egypt;

H.E. Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia; H.E Shambu S. Kumaran, Ambassador of India; H.E. Agus Widjojo, Ambassador of Indonesia; H.E. Megawati Manan, Ambassador of Brunei; H. E. Ahmed Saad N.A. AlHomidi, Ambassador of State of Qatar; H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay, Ambassador of Laos; Yoray Ofek, President, Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; Hyunchong Joseph Um, President and Mr. Hyok Robert Choi, Vice President, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines

The Travel Sale Expo 2023 opened its door to the public with a full house of exhibitors, occupying Halls 1 and 2. The expo hosted 150 exhibitors representing different sectors of the travel industry like travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, cruise liners, travel insurance, travel accessory retailers among others.

The event offered a variety of options

Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 presents PAPEL

for visitors who are planning their next travel in and out of the country.

Loads of cash prizes and trips to local and international destinations were given away to guests. On-the-spot gifts, gift checks, raffle prizes, and freebies were allotted to lucky visitors. Highlights of the travel fair were the various travel fares and tour packages on sale during the threeday event.

What is Your Enchanted Story? PHL‘s World Class Theme Park Enchanted Kingdom celebrates its 28th anniversary this October

ENCHANTED Kingdom (EK), the first and only world class theme park in the Philippines, officially launched its 28th anniversary roster of events this October at the Eldar’s Theater in EK, October1. The year-long celebration with the theme “What’s Your Enchanted Story?” places the spotlight on recreating enchanting stories from the past and creating new magical experiences for every guest.

“Enchanted Kingdom remains to be part of our guests’ personal milestones throughout its 28 years. We are very excited to capture these enchanting stories from our past and present guests, and celebrate these magical experiences with the future generation,” said Nico Mamon, 28th Anniversary Celebration Wizard and the Head of Organization Development and Corporate Planning.

Due to popular demand, the main anniversary highlight will be the Sky Wizardry Fireworks Competition, returning eight years after its last spectacle and happening every Saturday in October. “Apart from entertaining and dazzling the guests, Enchanted Kingdom has collaborated with Filipino fireworks manufacturers to showcase their products and creativity. As a proud Filipino company, we highlight local artistry with pyrotechnics and music, enchanting Filipinos for the past 28 years,” Mamon shared.

Aside from the fireworks competition, Enchanted Kingdom has so much in-store for all types of guests:

On October 14th, EK will conduct Storytime with Eldar, An Enchanting Kids Event to start off the kids

activities, followed by its very own Grand Storybook Characters Parade to introduce other Enchanted Kingdom characters.

On October 21st, Eldar’s E-Kreators will host, dance and perform for loyal park goers and fans as part of the worldclass theme park’s collaboration with social media influencers and content creator partners.

Lastly, on October 28th, the Grand Finale of the Sky Wizardry Fireworks Competition will dazzle guests, and the Be Enchanted! Concert will headline Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan together with other best local acts to cap off the anniversary month.

EK will also re-launch its nostalgic menu items from the past 28 years from its restaurants and the launch of new merchandise to commemorate the 28th anniversary.

During the launch, EK also unveiled their newest offerings and developments at the theme park in line with its 28th year of creating and providing magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime. These include the: EK mobile app which features the park’s interactive map as well as ride and show schedules. Through the mobile app, guests can also access the EK online store (EKOS). Anna Mamon-Aban, EK’s Head of Business Development & Digital Transformation, encouraged everyone to download the app for a more seamless and magical guest experience.

STARBOOKS, the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) interactive kiosk system and digital library in a box, containing thousands

of carefully-curated knowledge content. Two units will be installed at the park’s Agila the EKsperience in partnership with DOST.

Guests can also expect a new and improved Fun Kart, EK’s 800-meter gokart race track; andMThe official launch of EK’s new partner tenants: Tater’s, Fortune Bakeshop, and Dash Premium Ice Scramble. EK also launched their own food offerings, Tropical Coolers and Princess Cookies.

Finally, EK’s President and Chairman Mario Mamon teased that Enchanted Kingdom is working its magic in bringing their guests an enhanced and dining experience with branded dining outlets planned. Furthermore, EK announced that starting December 17, the theme park will open its gate every day of the week and continuously provide wholesome family leisure and entertainment especially during the holiday season.

The year-long celebration is made possible by the following sponsors: CocaCola, VIVA, Communications Inc. (VIVA One), Dirt Bug Sun Anti-Mosquito Lotion (Unilab), Dayzinc, Jack’nJill, Swiss Miss, Lexus, Good Day, Great Taste, Tony and Jackey, Vitamilk, Chupa Chups, Eurotel, Honey C, Juan Carlo The Caterer, Inc., Gardenia, Philadelphia, Salonpas, Seda Nuvali Hotels, and MPower.

For more information about this celebration and other upcoming events, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ and EK’s official social media accounts @ enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.

“PAPEL,” is this year’s title of the Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 annual exhibit. The exhibit, held at the second floor of UpTown Mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig opened with a by-invitation only activity with Shigehiro Matsuda, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan as guest of honor. He represented Madame Yuko Koshikawa. The following day, the exhibit was opened to the public.

Guests and visitors viewed arrangements that incorporated the exhibit’s theme of PAPEL or paper. An Ikebana demonstration was also held with Ikebana teachers Marc Tomas, Margot Perez and Evangeline Cheng showing the audience the art of arranging flowers under the Sogetsu school.

Ikebana, the ancient art of floral arrangement, dates back to the 13th century. Three schools of Ikebana are popular in the Philippines namely: Ikenobo, Sogetsu and Ohara.

“Amon Banwa sa Lawud” is Best International Feature Film

“AMON Banwa sa Lawud” (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons), co-produced by the Erehwon Center for the Arts and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies of Notre Dame University, USA, was chosen as the Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Louth International Film Festival. The film was directed by Anton Juan, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

The film focuses on the efforts of the island people of Suyac in Negros in the Visayas region of the Philippines, to resist foreign threats to their livelihood and their way of life. It shows the story of island communities who are facing annihilation, because of power plays by foreign nations usurping territories beyond their legal boundaries.

The Louth International Film Festival was established in 2019 and is located on the

East Coast of Ireland, on the County of Louth which is imbued with a long and rich history of arts and music, culture and folklore. It was founded to support emerging filmmakers and celebrate creative, challenging and evocative cinema from around the globe. The Festival enjoys a diverse patronage with guests from the local community, film industry representatives, visiting filmmakers, students and film enthusiasts from all walks of life. Dundalk, Ireland native and Hollywood director, John Moore, had this to say about the fourth edition, “Everyone is from somewhere: but we like to reach out to everywhere. Local film festivals do this. They bring the wide world to us all and add their own special local magic. Louth is a small county with a huge sense of magic, of history of story: I wish them continued success with their world-class festival and continue to support them and cheer them to the rafters.”

It is pouring helles, dunkels at Newport World Resorts

ON the menu for Newport World Resorts’ first Oktoberfest is a meister in the realm of world-class beers.

All the way from Bavaria, Germany, the Weihenstephan Brewery stands as the oldest brewery in the world and the official beverage partner for the beer festival happening from the October 19 to 20, 2023 at The Ballroom, Hilton Manila.

“We are more than pleased to supply Newport World Resorts with premium quality beers this Oktoberfest,” Larelen

Go Dagondon, Managing Director of the distributors of Weihenstephan Brewery products shared. With nearly 1,000 years in the industry, the brewery’s seasoned brewmasters fuses traditional processes with state-of-the-art technology to craft Premium Bavaricum, the brewery’s highest standard of quality.

From pallets of barrels and bottles, three types of award-winning German beer are coming to Oktoberfest, all bringing Bavaria’s rich history and art of brewing to Newport World Resorts.

Capturing the classic Bavarian drinking experience, the Weihenstephaner Original Helle evokes a light and refreshing flavor with a dash of spice. Still, this beer carries a strong character to be enjoyed with any hearty dish.

The Hefeweissbier or Yeast White Beer shines as the star of the Weihenstephan Brewery. This elegant, white-foam beer boasts a balanced and creamy taste from the harmony of bananas and cloves, ideal at the end of a busy day.

Last but not the least, the Hefeweissbier Dunkel is a sparkling, full-bodied drink with a note of caramel and a perfect partner to German desserts. This Dark Wheat Beer elicits a velvety mouthfeel and a sweet aroma, winning its spot among locals’ favorites and global beer awards.

Indulge in a free-flow of these Weihenstephan beers, stronger than the average local beer, on tap and by the bottle

across the three nights of the Oktoberfest celebration. “This festival marks the gettogether of masterminds, from our renowned chefs to expert Bavarian brewmasters, for an unparalleled authentic experience,” shares David Jorden, Newport World Resorts Chief Marketing Officer.

The festivities also spotlight German sausages and dishes prepared by the integrated resorts’ global culinary team. Topping it all off are live performances by the AnTon Showband and a flurry of drinking games and special prizes. For P5,200 nett per head, join the party on October 19 to 21 at The Ballroom, Hilton Manila. Doors open at 6:00 PM. For tickets and inquiries, contact the Hilton Manila Sales Team: Arianne Mae Rodelas at 0917 848 6404 and Jhocar San Mateo at 0917 811 0731; or email hiltonmanila_events@hilton.com; and Newport World Resorts Sales Team: Jimmy Iglesias at 0917 872 8734 and JD Dionio at 0917 878 8568.

PHOTO above shows, from left, Malay, Aklan Mayor Frolibar Bautista; H.E. Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia; Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco; Michelle Taylan, Chairperson Travel Sale Expo 2023; H.E. Ahmed Shehabaldin Ibrahim Abdul, Ambassador of Egypt; Jagmohan Singh Tamber, Managing Director, BLS International and H.E. Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Taiwan Ambassador

IN the photo are, from left, Evangeline Cheng, Vice Directress Ikebana Sogetsu School Manila; Camille Elvina, General Manager, UpTown Mall BGC; Shigehiro Matsuda, 1st Secretary, Embassy of Japan; and Margot Perez Directress, Ikebana Sogetsu School Manila. ARRANGEMENT by Neny Regino

Editor: Tet Andolong

FLI launches first North Luzon project

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

As

Aven Valderrama, FLI First Vice President, Medium-Rise Buildings (MRBs) Brand and Product Head said the project is the company’s manifestation of building sustainable communities in Dagupan City.

“We are thrilled to kick-start construction on Futura One, our first project in North Luzon, right here in Dagupan City—‘The Diamond City of the North.’ With Futura One, we reaffirm our commitment to provide exceptional living spaces and create communities that reflect our ‘Dreams Built Green’ vision. Together with the local government and the community, we look forward to fostering a prosperous and sustainable future for Dagupan City,” said Valderrama in a press statement.

Further, Valderrama pointed out that Futura One represents FLI’s firm commitment to Dagupan City—Pangasinan province’s only independent component city that is best known for its pondraised bangus (milkfish), making it the so-called “World’s Bangus Capital.”

At a recent groundbreaking ceremony, FLI officials along with Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez and Barangay Lucao Captain Marcelino Fernandez signed Futura One Building A’s blueprint, buried a time capsule, and posed for an onsite ceremonial dig at the Futura One site in Barangay Lucao, Dagupan City.

Futura One is a 2.3-hectare low-density condominium com -

Damosa Land’s Mindanao projects continue to make strides

By Roderick L. Abad

DAMOSA Land Inc. (DLI)

makes significant strides in property development as it reported three milestones on the progress of its township, residential and office projects in Mindanao.

As of July 2023, Ameria, its residential village within Agriya township in Panabo, Davao del Norte, has further inched up to the full occupancy level with 95.48 percent of its 177 units already sold.

DLI has just completed the first phase of a Clubhouse built on a 3,174-square-meter lot within this first premier high-end subdivision in the area. It includes new facilities, such as the main pavilion and open space decks for Ameria’s homeowners.

Agriya’s commercial area, likewise, opens diverse offerings, making the lives of residents more easy and convenient while attracting visitors to explore further this mixed-use development set to be launched next month.

On the other hand, the homegrown real estate and agro-industrial developer’s condominium project, Bridgeport Park, has already sold more than half of its inventory of 274 units amounting to P2.6 billion during the same period.

Now that the first concrete pouring is done, construction is officially underway. This residential tower is targeted for completion by 2025.

“By focusing on further enhancing our properties, we are prepared to meet the growing demand for both townships. Through these milestones, we can attract more potential homeowners and investors as we showcase the best of Davao through the modern ag -

ropolis in Agriya and the lifestyle of a seaside township in Bridgeport,” DLI President Ricardo Lagdameo said.

Meanwhile, its flexible office workspace Regus CDO Downtown Tower, in partnership with International Workplace Group, is 98 percent occupied at present.

Seated on the top floor of SM CDO Downtown Tower in Cagayan De Oro City, the 1,136-square-meter center will give locals and visitors access to versatile spaces that can open growth opportunities for

new businesses and bolster employee productivity for established entities.

“As we strive for further progress in Mindanao, it is essential that we maintain a strong social awareness of how we can better support our local communities. We are confident that this initiative will not only create more employment opportunities for the Mindanaons but also adapt to the evolving working conditions in the post-pandemic era,” Lagdameo said.

munity under the Futura by Filinvest brand, with seven (7) MRBs each eight (8) storys high and strategically located within Fora Dagupan, FLI’s up-and-coming dynamic business hub along the Dagupan-Binmaley Road.

Locating to Futura One will offer residents a lot of conveniences because it gives them a front seat of the action in Dagupan City, with landmarks such as CSI Mall Dagupan, Rufina Square, Dagupan Orthopedic Center, Dominican School, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Akia Superstore, and

Luzon Medical Center all less than two (2) kilometers away.

FLI assured the local government unit of Dagupan City that it will pursue a green agenda which is aligned with its commitment to Dreams Built Green, or building developments that are green and promote health and life Tech, 69 percent of Futura One is dedicated to open spaces (one of the highest among FLI properties) and refreshing amenities such as a clubhouse, adult and kiddie pool, fitness center, and children’s play areas.

Futura One’s stylish and Internet-ready units are available in studio (22 square meters) and two-bedroom (32 square meters) layouts and priced as low as P3.09 million and P4.33 million, respectively.

This makes Futura One a truly smart investment, a first step toward independence and new normal living with accessibility to modern conveniences, refreshing environs, and outstanding connectivity.

Located within Fora Dagupan, Futura One is being dubbed as Dagupan City’s newest lifestyle destination. Plans are on the way to complete FLI’s signature township offering of generous multi-use parks, open spaces, playgrounds, community retail, greenways, and transportation terminal—Fora Dagupan provides amenities for the entire family, friends, and community to enjoy. Estimated completion date is April 2025.

Ortigas Land previews Maple at Verdánt Towers’ production floor

PASIG CITY, Philippines— Premier property developer, Ortigas Land, unveils the completed mock-up units of Maple at Verdánt Towers granting selected clients an exclusive tour on Saturday, September 23.

Maple at Verdánt Towers— which earned the award for Best Upper Mid-End Condo in Metro Manila at the 2021 Philippine Property Awards—is the developer’s first residential tower to rise in Ortigas East. Set in an emerging urban address and designed with upscale features, Maple at Verdánt Towers will foster a vibrant livework-play community for young professionals and families.

During the one-day tour, clients of Ortigas Land were able to view Maple’s ninth floor, and actual Corner 1-bedroom, Inner 1-bedroom, and Studio units.

Future residents will be able to enjoy upscale amenities, such as an outdoor pool, fitness facilities, a lounge, and play areas for children, as well as green open spaces, spacious walkways, and bicycle-friendly roads in the surrounding estate. Retail spaces on the ground floor of the tower will make essentials easily accessible for residents. In addition, they will also have access to a revitalized community with ongoing improvements in Ortigas East.

Set for completion in Q4 of 2024, Maple at Verdánt Towers will stand at 42 storys and house 692 units with offerings for studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom units, with the option of bi-level units with private gardens or a townhouse unit. While the next exclusive tour is in the works, interested clients may drop by the Maple at Verdánt

part of beefing up its presence in northern Luzon, the Gotianun family-controlled Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), has started the construction of its first North Luzon residential project—Futura One—within the Fora Dagupan hub in Dagupan City. Through Futura One, FLI aims to capture a growing and thriving real estate market in a booming region.

Artist’s render of Futura One in Fora Dagupan

tHE Clubhouse in Ameria within the township of Agriya in Panabo, Davao del Norte

Ortig A s Land hosts an exclusive preview of the Maple production floor for its clients

M APLE at Verdànt towers’ upscale amenities, set in a master-planned, mixed-use development, Ortigas East

DAMOsA Land inc. Assistant Vice President for residential Operations Danilo A. Manlangit (left) and Arch. Luis Nakpil, principal architect of Nakpil Architecture, lead the concrete pouring ceremony at Bridgeport Park.

(Fr O M left) Dennis A. Dioso, Filinvest Land inc. (FL ) Cost structure and Project Development Manager; Mark V. Delegencia, FLi re gional s ales Head; Marcelino D. Fernandez, Barangay Lucao Captain; Aven Valderrama, FLi First Vice President, Medium-rise Buildings (MrB) Brand and Product Head; Belen t. Fernandez, Mayor of Dagupan City; Ariel D. reyes, FL MrB Head, Project Management/Construction Management g r oup; and Lauro B. Cruz Jr. LBC Cruz Builders Corp. CEO

Sports

B8 Wednesday, OctOBer 11, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

19th Asian Games: Hosted, dominated by who else, China

HANGZHOU—The Asian Games closed their 16day run on Sunday at the 80,000-seat Olympic Sports Center Stadium with host nation China again in command as Premier Li Qiang ended a show aimed partly at winning the hearts of Asian neighbors.

They’re officially called the Asian Games, but the more accurate description would be the “China Games,” illustrative of the country’s four-decade domination of the continental, multi-sports championships.

The 19th Asian Games—they began in 1951 in New Delhi, India— were a celebration for Hangzhou, a city of 10 million, the headquarters of Alibaba and a sprawling metropolis overshadowed by an even larger metropolis—neighboring Shanghai.

We have achieved the goal of a streamlined, safe and spectacular games,” spokesperson Xu Deqing said on Sunday. State media reported the spending to prepare for the games at approximately $30 billion.

V inod Kumar Tiwari, the acting general secretary of the Olympic Council of Asia, called them “by far the largest ever Asian Games.”

The secretary general of the organizing committee, Chen Weiqiang, characterized this version of the Asian Games as a “branding” campaign for Hangzhou.

The city of Hangzhou has been fundamentally changed,” he said. “It is fair to say the Asian Games are a key driver for the takeoff of the city.”

These were bigger than any previous Asian Games with almost 12,500 competitors. Next year’s Paris Olympic will have about 10,500, similar to the Asian Games in 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the forecast for 2026 when the games move to Nagoya, Japan.

O ne of the few records China didn’t break this time was its overall medal haul of 416 when the 2010 Asian Games took place in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

This time, China won 201 gold medals and 383 overall. The next two teams—Asian powers Japan and South Korea—had fewer overall medals combined than China. Of course, their combined population is about one-eighth of China’s.

Japan won 52 gold, and South Korea 42. Combined, this was less than half of China’s gold total.

Twelve of the 45 nations or territories that entered had five medals or fewer and four—Bhutan, Maldives, Yemen, and Macao—failed to win a single medal.

How can we rate the performance of the Hangzhou Asian Games?’’

Wei Jizhong, the 87-year-old vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia, asked rhetorically in a news conference. We don’t rank Asian Games against others. But in terms of hosting games in China, let’s compare them with ourselves. I will give a 99 score. I always believe there is room for further improvement.”

The games offered all the traditional Olympic sports, and also a glimpse of one sport that’s previewing next year in Paris—breaking, or breakdancing. And another, cricket, which will be included in either the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, or in 2032 in Brisbane. AP

Bianca-big hitter from Philippines-hits it big time

THE COLONY, Texas—Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea started with a five-shot lead and didn’t give anyone much of a chance Sunday, closing with a two-under 69 to win The Ascendant Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) by four shots.

t was the second straight week for a wire-to-wire winner on the LPGA Tour, following Hae Ran Ryu in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

Bianca Pagdanganan, the big hitter from the Philippines, closed with a 65 to tie for second with Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, who also shot a 65.

“A five-shot lead feels like a comforting lead, but I did my best to just keep that edge until the end,” Kim said.

I t was Pagdanganan’s career-best joint finish that netted her a prize check of $143,411 (P8.1 million) in the $1.8 million tournament. She overshadowed the her $83,765 prize when she shared ninth place in the Women’s PGA Championship in 2020.

The International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed Pagdanganan is on the reserve list for the $2.1 million Buick LPGA Shanghai at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai.

Dottie Ardina closed out with a 73 for joint 24th and 284 worth $16,746.

Lexi Thompson could only manage a 70 in her final found on the LPGA Tour before she tests her game on the PGA Tour in Las Vegas next week. She finished six shots behind in fifth place and never seriously challenged Kim.

E ven so, Thompson said she was happy with the progress. This was her second straight top 10 after going the entire season without such a finish. Her last LPGA victory was more than four years ago, though she did win in a Saudi-funded event last year on the Ladies European Tour.

Nothing but positives to take from it,” Thompson said.

A sked what aspects of her game needed to work for her in the Shriners Children’s Open, Thompson said, “Everything, really.”

Thompson and Sarah Kemp of Australia were the closest to Kim going into the final round. Kemp closed with a 69 and finished fourth.

This was the Kim show at Old American Golf Club. She exchanged birdies and bogeys on the front nine, and then picked up two birdies on the back to keep everyone at a distance.

S he finished at 13-under 271 and earned $270,000,

moving her past $2 million for the year for the first time in her career. Kim first earned an LPGA Tour card when she won the Evian Championship for her only major. This was her sixth career LPGA victory, to go along with 14 titles on the Korean LPGA. She now has won three straight seasons on the LPGA.

“ My results this year wasn’t bad, but there was some disappointment because I didn’t have a win,” Kim said. “I had a lot of the time to think just for myself, and before this year passes I really want to win. This week I was able to accomplish that and it was just a really happy week for me.”

Pagdanganan made a late charge with a 30 on the back nine to at least have hope. Thitikul birdied five of her last seven holes. But Kim didn’t buckle over the back nine. “Just being in contention this week, it really means a lot to me,” Thitikul said. “Obviously it boosts the confidence more and more.”

Katherine Muzi closed with a 68 in her LPGA Tour debut as a Monday qualifier. She tied for seventh, eight shots behind. She won just over $45,000. Now I’ll have some extra spending money on the side, and then I can use it to build my dream and then hopefully I can play some more tournaments, get better, and then play in some more LPGA tournaments,” Muzi said. AP

EJ GETS RICHER BY THE DAY

ERNEST JOHN “EJ”

OBIENA is in a distinctive red t-shirt as he is flanked by industry leaders from the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. headed by its president, Dr. Cecilio Pedro, who’s seated to the pole vault champion’s left, with a replica check of his P5 million bonus displayed prominently in

ERNEST JOHN “EJ”

OBIENA has yet to realize his ultimate Olympic dream but he’s gotten richer by the day in bonuses from various sectors since he set a new Asian Games men’s pole vault record to win the gold medal in Hangzhou two weeks ago.

H is latest bonus? P5 million from the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) whose officers and members came dressed to the occasion in black suits and ties to honor Obiena in their headquarters in Binondo, Manila, at noon Tuesday.

O biena then motored to a restaurant in Greenhills at midafternoon where he auctioned several of his training and competition jerseys and shoes to raise funds for his grassroots pole

vault advocacy in the provinces.

A nd in the evening, Obiena was at the Allianz PNB Life main office at the Makati Business District where the major player in the industry reiterated its guaranteed life insurance support for Obiena, its brand ambassador. No amount was announced but whispers that the insurance is worth millions were too loud to ignore during formal presentations.

I’m very grateful to the people for giving me financial bonuses. I will spread it to my team because they also deserve this,” Obiena said. “I will use this money to fund my Olympic campaign starting this off season.”

H is team is composed of renowned Ukrainian pole vault trainer and coach

Vitaly Petrov and physiotherapist Anton Guglietta.

The figures at the bottom of the sheet indicating Obiena’s bonuses were so far pegged at P12 million— P3 million from his alma mater Chiang Kai-Shek College, P5 million from the FFCCCII, P1 million each from businessman Anton Tam and Ambassador Carlos Chan and the Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes Trust Fund.

Soon, the figures would go up to P14 million once he receives P2 million through the Philippine Sports Commission as mandated by Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes Benefits and Incentives Act and another P1 million from the FFCCCII Honorary President Ambassador Francis Chua.

FFCCCII President Dr. Cecilio Pedro also guaranteed Obiena full support for his Paris Olympics bid.

EJ Obiena is our Filipino-Chinese community’s contribution to the Philippines, exemplifying our being ‘Dugong Tsino, Pusong Pinoy’ of cherishing our ethnic Chinese heritage and at the same time being full-pledged Filipino citizen helping Philippine progress,” Pedro said.

Obiena is on vacation from his hectic indoor and outdoor season that netted him a world championships silver medal in Budapest, Hungary, last July for the world No. 2 ranking; Asian Games gold medal; membership in the elite 6.0 meters club, a height he cleared twice; and 22 podium finishes in 24 tournaments he competed in, winning 10 gold medals along the way.

Obiena is the first Filipino athlete to gain a berth to Paris after making the Olympic standard of 5.82 meters last July 2 in Bauhaus Galan at the Norway Diamond League.

He’ll fly to Dubai on October 15 for an extended vacation before heading to his training base in Formia, Italy, to start his vigorous campaign for Paris.

The Olympics are set July 26 to August 11. Josef Ramos

DIE IS CAST: PSC COUNTERS VS. POC

By Josef Ramos

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard

“Dickie” Bachmann denied on Tuesday an accusation from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) that the government sports agency intended to disrupt the country’s focus in the 19th Asian Games that ended Sunday in Hangzhou.

In a press conference at the agency’s offices in Manila, Bachmann said the PSC had nothing to do with the agency’s in-house Commission on Audit (COA) letter to the POC demanding for an immediate liquidation a P10 million financial assistance given the organization 25 years ago for athletes’ training and preparation for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok.

The PSC does not believe that COA intended it to be a distraction, and neither was PSC,” said Bachmann waving a copy of COA’s demand letter to the POC. “We have nothing to do with that letter.”

“All our Asian Games participating athletes, medalists or non-medalists, themselves can hopefully attest to this,” he said. “No wedge has been driven anywhere, and no back has been stabbed.”

POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino slammed the PSC for having sent the letter last September 20—three days before the official opening ceremony and the same day Hangzhou organizers welcomed the Philippine delegation in a formal flag-raising ceremony at the Asian Games Village.

Tolentino described the timing of the letter as malicious and distractive and done in bad faith.”

“ Why send the letter on that date?” Tolentino said. “Why not after the Games.”

Tolentino said he opted to wait until after the Philippines won its fourth gold medal to reveal the PSC act he also described as “distractive.”

The POC chief stressed that the malicious intent borders on the POC having to liquidate the P10 million first in order to be reimbursed of more than P16 million which the organization, through Tolentino’s personal fund, advanced to

Gold that shone brightest

WE won four gold medals in the just-ended Asian Games. Not that bad as it tied our output in 2018 Jakarta.  O ur four gold medals in 2018 came in weightlifting

through Hidilyn Diaz, in skateboarding through Margielyn Didal and in golf through Yuka Saso in individual play and Bianca Pagdanganan, LK Go and Saso in team golf event.

D iaz, our golden girl in 2020 Tokyo Olympics, could only finish fourth this time but only because she was in a different weight limit of 59 kilograms—her comfort zone of 55 kgs scrapped for Chrissakes.

D idal had embarrassingly crashed out, finishing seventh out of eight entries.  But why did she compete when she knew she wasn’t completely healed from a Brazil accident in October 2022? It was insanely uncalled for.  An aberration of the first degree.

In Hangzhou, China, our four gold medals came from three sports: pole vault through EJ Obiena, jiujitsu through Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez and, yes, men’s 5x5 basketball.

But come to think of it. Had Diaz, Didal and Saso repeated their golden feats in 2018 Jakarta, we could have easily amassed seven golds in 2023 China. Diaz was stonewalled by her new weight event, Didal was foolish

enough to fall prey to an illusion and Saso was barred to play after having elected Japanese citizenship in 2020.

Still, while we proudly celebrate the golden feats of Obiena (new Asiad pole vault record of 5.90 meters) and both Ochoa and Ramirez (nobody expected them to win in a sport almost alien to Filipinos), the gold that shone brightest was the one in basketball.

A lmost everybody thought—save for basketball chief Al Panlilio—that our Gilas team was doomed after it lost by 25 points to Jordan (87-62) early in the series.

A nd after eking out next an 84-83 win over Iran, that one was deemed a miracle as Gilas squandered a 20-point lead.

A nother miracle came up when Gilas grabbed another one-point, 77-76 win over China after being down by 20 points. With China up 76-71 with mere ticks remaining, Justin Brownlee buried back-to-back threes for the marginal shots that gave us our ticket to the Finals.

M iracles do happen?

For, stunningly after that, it was all Gilas show in its

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann presents a copy of the letter during Tuesday’s press conference. ROY DOMINGO Cathay Pacific for the plane tickets of the closed to more than 500 athletes and officials in the Asian Games. B achmann stressed that it’s the COA, and not the PSC, which issued the demand letter.

The timing and issuance of letters to the POC by the COA are therefore not within the purview of the PSC,” said Bachmann, who’s two months short of his first year as head of the PSC. “These demand or confirmation letters are routinely sent to entities with unliquidated balances, and the POC is no exception.” COA maintains an office in the PSC, just like in all other government agencies, to safeguard public funds through post-audit procedures.

In the case of the PSC, unliquidated funds to national sports associations (NSAs) and the POC are sourced from its Accounting Department, which then forwards the findings to the Executive Director, who then submits the same findings to the PSC chairman’s office and commissioner-in-charge of a certain NSA or the POC.

From the PSC chairman’s office, the findings are then submitted to the COA for scrutiny and action.

B usinessMirror , meanwhile, learned from previous POC officials that the PSC has called the POC’s attention on the 1998 P10 million unliquidated financial assistance but the effort was only as mere reminder about the obligation and that it was “once in a blue moon.”

basketball battle for the gold against Jordan. The tormented became the tormentor itself as Gilas played with no traces at all of its 25-point loss earlier to Jordan.

A fter the incredible 70-60 Gilas victory over Jordan, fashioned behind the brilliant coaching of Tim Cone, the gold that glittered seemed to have overshadowed the whole haul of 201 gold medals won by runaway champion China.

Nothing compares with this drought-ender, reliving the glory of our last Asiad basketball gold won 61 years ago in Jakarta behind the late, legendary Hall of Famer Caloy Loyzaga, whose exploits helped fuel four successive Asiad golds from 1951 to 1962.

C ’mon, let the horns honk till the “seas run dry.”

THAT’S IT Ramon S. Ang paid tribute to what he called as Manuel V. Pangilinan’s “stupendous role” of supporting Gilas Pilipinas “up to the very end.” Bitter business rivals that they are, basketball has made them the best of friends for quite some time now.  Cheers!

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN books her best finish in the Ladies Professional Golfers Association tour. AP

GOVERNOR of Aichi Prefecture Hideaki Omura

(left) and Deputy Mayor of Nagoya Hideo Nakata wave following the handover of the next host of the Asian Games to Nagoya at the closing ceremony in Hangzhou Sunday.

the foreground. ROY DOMINGO