BusinessMirror September 11, 2023

DOF WANTS ZERO TARIFF ON RICE TO EASE PRICES

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said reducing the rice tariffs temporarily to zero or up to a maximum of 10 percent would help in “arresting” the surge in local rice prices.

Diokno pointed out that the proposal is part of the DOF’s slate of

recommendations to ensure that the country would have sufficient rice supply at “reduced prices.”

The tariff reduction proposal will cover both the Asean and most favored nation (MFN) rates for rice imports, Diokno added.

Lowest-paid Pinoys belong to poorest classes–PSA

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE lowest paid workers in July are also the poorest Filipinos nationwide based on the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Per the PSA data, skilled agricultural forestry and fishery workers received an average daily basic pay of P363 per day in July 2023. This is lower than the P392 recorded in April 2023 but higher than the P308 posted

in July 2022.

These workers also belong to the poorest sector in the economy. Based on the 2021 data from the PSA, the poverty rate among farmers reached 30 percent while the rate for fisherfolk was higher at 30.6 percent.

“These sectors [farmers and fisherfolk] had the highest proportion of individuals belonging to families with income below the official poverty thresholds compared to the other basic sectors of the population,” PSA earlier said.

ASIAN TOURISM RECOVERY SEEN SLOWING DOWN IN H2

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

TOURISM recovery in Asia is projected to slow down in the second half of the year as arrivals from major markets are seen moderating.

According to the latest paper by Oxford Economics, this is one of the reasons the group is forecasting economic growth in the region to sputter in the second half of the year, although Chinese tourists “should continue to provide some impetus.”

EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT THE GLOBAL SOUTH. BUT WHAT IS IT?

“Growth in tourist numbers from elsewhere is likely to ease. First, the boost purely from pent-up demand may soon run its course. Second, consumers in advanced economies, particularly the US, will likely moderate their spending plans in the face of an uncertain economic environment. Others may follow as their home economies catch a cold,” the group said.

The independent economic advisory group has projected a “mild recession” in the US toward yearend as consumers use up their Covid-era savings and companies slow down their hirings.

Arrivals in Vietnam, SG up 80% of 2019 levels

The group also noted “capacity constraints of travel destinations,” despite the limited data

it has gathered on this front.  “But we suspect constraints are already biting well before tourist arrivals reach their pre-pandemic level and will continue to do so until supply readjusts to meet demand.”

Growth in the Philippine economy in the first half of the year was still driven by the “large business process outsourcing sector, although tourism certainly helped.” The local economy, as expressed in the gross domestic product, grew by 5.3 percent in the first half of the year.

Recovery of the tourism sector in Asia remains spotty, with Vietnam and Singapore the “most advanced, with arrivals at over 80 percent of 2019 levels in [July]. Much of the rest of Southeast Asia is near 75 percent. Taiwan is least advanced at about 50 percent.” No data was available for China.

The group noted that as of June 2023, Macau and Hong Kong were still the main beneficiaries of China’s outbound travel market

EXPLAINER »B4

THE Department of Finance (DOF) is pushing for the reduction of rice tariffs to as low as zero percent to cushion the impact of rising world market rice prices and temper the increase of the price of the staple locally.

MOROCCO QUAKE A man

stands next to a damaged hotel after an earthquake in Moulay Brahim village, near the epicenter of the earthquake, outside Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, September 9, 2023. The rare and powerful earthquake claimed the lives of more than 2,012 people and caused extensive damage to buildings, affecting villages in the Atlas Mountains and the historic city of Marrakech. The full extent of the tragedy remains unknown as rescuers grapple with the challenge of navigating boulder-strewn roads to reach the remote mountain villages that were hardest hit. The magnitude 6.8 quake on Friday was the most significant to rock the North African country in 120 years. Story in World,

page A10. AP PHOTO/MOSA'AB ELSHAMY

House vows to curb price spikes amid better ratings

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez made a statement following the high rating of the House of Representatives in the recent OCTA Research poll.

He said lawmakers will continue to pass necessary legislative measures to support the prosperity agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and exercise their oversight power to fight

In terms of subsistence incidence, the farmers and fisherfolk were also considered the poorest. The subsistence incidence of farmers was at 10.7 percent while that of the fisherfolk was at 10.8 percent.

“This indicates,” said PSA, “that around one in every 10 fishermen belongs to a family that is food-poor or a family with income that is not

inflation and keep prices down so that basic goods will be affordable to the people, especially the poor.

The Speaker added that the House would remain focused on stabilizing the prices of rice, onions, and other staples and helping those adversely affected by government measures to keep commodity prices low, such as retailers, small traders,

Continued from A1

sufficient to buy its minimum basic food needs.”

Apart from workers in the agriculture and fishery sector, the other lowest paid Filipinos are those engaged in elementary occupations and service and sales workers.

Those engaged in elementary occupations received an average daily basic pay of P392 while service and

and market stallholders.

He said they would also address the supply and production side of the commodity prices issue in terms of supporting agriculture and other related sectors with appropriate funding in the national budget and overseeing program implementation by relevant agencies.

The recent OCTA Research survey showed that 54 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the performance of the House of Representatives.

Only 9 percent were dissatisfied, while 36 percent were undecided. Trust in the House was at 55 percent, while distrust was at seven percent.

Paid off

EFFORTS by the leadership to lessen the burden on Filipinos by

sales workers received P491 per day.

The average daily basic pay of Filipinos in elementary occupations in July increased from the P369 in April 2023 and P356 posted in July 2022.

In terms of service and sales workers, their average daily basic pay in July was also higher than the P478 posted in April 2023 and P457 recorded in July 2022.

Managers’ pay

MEANWHILE , the top paid Fili-

helping lower the prices of rice in the market, including onions and other basic commodities, have paid off, according to Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

“This simply means the Speaker—and that includes us representatives of our institution—is on the right track. Regardless of what naysayers have been saying, the people have apparently started appreciating the work that he did, and of course with us as a support group,” Barzaga remarked.

“The 54 percent satisfaction rating tells us that we started on the right path. And so it’s also a continuing challenge for us to do more and reach a level where a larger majority of our people will benefit from government initiatives,” Barzaga said.

pinos, composed of managers, received an average daily basic pay of P1,199 in July 2023. However, this was lower than the P1,236 average posted in April 2023 but higher than the P1,151 posted in July 2022.

This was followed by professionals who received an average basic pay of P1,073 per day and the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who received P1,021 daily.

The average daily basic pay of professionals in July was lower than the P1,128 they received in April 2023 but higher than the P1,066 in July 2022.

As for the armed forces, their average daily basic pay in July was lower than the P1,153 they received in April 2023 and the P1,034 in July 2022.

Continued from A1

in the first half of the year, with arrivals from China recovering to 70 percent and 54 percent, respectively, of pre-pandemic 2019 levels.  Malaysia (47 percent), Vietnam (45 percent) and Singapore (43 percent) were the next best. For the rest, Chinese arrivals were about 15 percent-35 precent of 2019 levels.

The problem with China

AS per the group, “The China story is still one of a pick-up. Arrivals from China will likely increase more quickly in the [second half of 2023] than they did in [first half] in many countries, given easing outbound capacity constraints. There are risks to that view, though, given Chinese consumers appear to be rapidly losing their gusto,” due to expensive outbound airfare arising from the higher fuel prices.

It added that China’s high unemployment, “negative wealth effects from the troubled property sector, and weak wage growth do not make a strong backdrop for splashing out on foreign holidays.”

The Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes the launch of the electronic visa platform by the Department of Foreign Affairs, initially in Shanghai, will help boost the arrivals of Chinese tourists in the Philippines. Prior to the pandemic, there were 1.7 million Chinese visitors in the country, making China the second largest source market for tourists, following the South Koreans. From January to August 30 this year, China was in fourth place, contributing 173,319 visitors to the total 3.63-million foreign tourists that arrived.  (See, “DOT lauds e-visa for Chinese tourists; but will they come?” in the BusinessMirror , July 31, 2023.)

“It is crucial that the government continue to adopt a comprehensive approach to help ensure that rice supply remains sufficient at reduced prices,” he told reporters in a recent press briefing.

The reduction on rice tariffs would bring the “greatest good to the greatest number” of Filipinos in the country, he stressed.

Diokno said the earliest possible time that the executive branch would be able to modify the tariffs on rice would be next month, when Congress is no longer in session. Congress is set to adjourn session by the end of the month.

Under existing laws, the President can modify tariffs when Congress is not in session, upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The Neda had earlier signaled that the state could implement a calibrated reduction in rice tariffs to reduce the price of imported rice. (Related story: https:// businessmirror com.ph/2023/09/06/neda-eyescalibrated-cuts-in-rice-tariffsto-ease-prices/)

Diokno explained that the tariff reduction on rice imports is “forward looking” since global rice prices continue to increase.

15-year high in prices

THE United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization reported that global rice prices in August reached a 15-year high driven by the domino effect caused by India’s export restrictions on rice.

Diokno also pointed out that given the current market conditions, he sees the price ceiling imposed by the state on rice to be lifted after just a month. He noted that rice farmers are already harvesting, which would boost domestic supply and influence price movements.

He also pointed out that the price ceiling can be removed earlier prior to lowering of rice tariffs.

Nonetheless, he said that the proposed further reductions on rice tariffs could last for at least a year, citing previous tariff reduction durations.

“If the increase in rice prices is drastic, then the reduction [in tariffs] should be drastic,” said Diokno, noting that the DOF is okay whether the rice tariffs are at zero or 10 percent, whichever the Tariff Commission (TC) recommends.

The Philippines currently slaps a uniform 35 percent tariff on rice after reducing MFN rates as part of the national government’s anti-inflation measures.

The 35-percent MFN rate on in-quota and out-quota imports would expire by end of this year and shall revert to 40 percent (in-quota) and 50 percent (outquota), respectively.

The DOF’s disclosure came on the heels of a petition by the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) before the TC, asking it to reduce the country’s rice tariffs to 10 percent.

FEF was one of, if not the first, to lobby for the reduction of tariffs on rice imports as a measure to temper and eventually pull down domestic rice prices.

The rise in imported rice prices, FEF argued, has been the “main cost push” for the increase in domestic rice prices.

“This tariff decrease would tackle the demand-supply gap for rice, address food inflation, and ease the rice prices that hurt the everyday Filipino consumer,” the group said in a recent statement.

“The high cost of imported rice with the tariff is causing traders to scramble for scarce palay stocks, leading to high prices cascading down the value chain,” the group added.

Based on its calculations, the FEF said the landed cost of imported rice at zero tariff—even at a quotation of $600 per metric ton—would be at P39 per kilogram.

This, the group claimed, would allow retailers of imported rice to meet the P45 per kilogram price ceiling on well-milled rice.

Nonetheless, FEF has thrown its support behind deeper rice tariff reductions, arguing that the closer the tariffs are to zero, the greater the impact it would have on the local market.

“FEF submits that reducing tariffs will bring significant relief to the domestic rice market. The greater the reduction—down to zero or close to it—the greater the relief. A cut down to a 10-percent rate will have a significant impact,” the FEF said.

FFF objects

MEANWHILE , the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) is opposing the reduction in rice tariffs, claiming that it would not have a significant impact on domestic prices.

“A tariff reduction will only further discourage our farmers from redoubling their productive effort,” the group said.

“It will make our food security even more dependent on external players and factors nor is there any guarantee that importers and traders will pass on any tariff savings to consumers,” it added.

The FFF explained that domestic rice prices are bound to fall since harvest season has started, which is expected to pick up in the coming months.

“There is still some time to prepare for this contingency.  We should provide our farmers with the right price incentive in the coming harvest season, so that they will scale up production during the next production cycle,” it said.

Of these 12, Pascual said four have already been approved for green lane services. These are under the following industries/sectors: renewable energy, digital infrastructure, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and electricity.

Meanwhile, in a message sent to reporters also in July, the BOI said the projects that were issued Green Lane Certificates by BOI amounted to P183 billion, which it said represent a “significant investment” in various sustainable projects, ranging from floating solar projects to data centers and common towers.

According to BOI, these projects include: SunAsia Energy Inc.’s P66-billion 1300 megawatt (MW) floating solar project in Laguna de Bay; NK Solar One Inc.’s P15-billion 250MW floating solar project in Caliraya, Laguna; Philtower Consortium Inc.’s P52-billion 7,907 Built-to-Suit Common Towers; and Narra Technology

Development Park’s P50-billion Hyperscale Data Center in New Clark City, Tarlac.

Additional projects worth P78.5 billion were reported to be under evaluation. Among the projects being evaluated are five more floating solar projects, a micro-hydro electric plant, a reinforcing steel bars producer, and a section mill project.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. together with Pascual led the official launch of the green lanes for strategic investments in July.

The green lanes for strategic investments were established through Executive Order No. 18 (EO 18) issued on February 23,2023.

According to BOI, EO 18 is a government-wide response to enhance the ease of doing business in the country by “expediting, streamlining and automating” government processes for strategic investments.

THE leadership of the House of Representatives on Sunday vowed to continue to “work hard” on measures fighting inflation and keeping prices down so that basic goods will be affordable to Filipinos, as the lower chamber received a high survey rating.

HONORING THE FALLEN This Sunday, September 10, 2023, photo shows members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the annual Marikina Police Memorial Day at the Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City. City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro (not in photo) led the commemoration of the 36th Marikina Police Memorial Day and offered flowers at the Marikina Police Memorial Monument inside Loyola Memorial Park. “Let us take inspiration from their courage, their loyalty and their commitment to service. They have left a legacy in the hearts of all of us present here,” the Mayor said during the ceremonies. MARIKINA LGU PHOTOS

CA: Minors cannot intervene in custody battle of parents

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

MAY the minor children intervene in the same custody proceeding instituted by one of their parents against the other?

This question was answered in the negative by the Court of Appeals (CA) Ninth Division in a decision on August 31, 2023, which affirmed the ruling by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Taguig City denying the motion filed by two minors seeking to intervene in the custody case lodged by their father against their mother following their separation in 2019.

The minors through their counsel invoked their direct legal interest in the case as the affected parties in their parents’ custody battle.

They also prayed that technicalities in the Rules of Court be set aside in resolving the issue for their best interest.

However, the CA ruled that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court in denying the plea for intervention of the two minors.

The CA noted there is nothing in the Rule on Custody of Minors and Writ of Habeas Corpus in relation to Custody that allows intervention of minor children in custody suits.

Likewise, the CA said there is no existing jurisprudence, doctrine or pronouncement from the Supreme Court to serve as basis for minors to intervene in custody suits of their parents.

“Clearly, the absence of jurisprudence regarding the intervention of minor children in custody suits speaks volumes against its procedural propriety,” the CA said in a decision penned by Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal.

“At best, grave abuse of discretion may only be ascribed to a tribunal for its failure to follow, or for going against, prevailing jurisprudence; and not in a situation where there is as yet no precedent on the subject matter, as in this case,” it added.

The case stemmed from the November 19, 2019 custody petition with ex-parte motion for the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) filed by Andrew Douglas John Colquhoun against his estranged wife Zarema Colquhoun to regain custody or establish visitation rights and communication rights with his children and to prevent his wife from leaving the country with them.

Prior to the filing of the petitioner, Andrew filed for divorce in the United Kingdom, where they got married. This was eventually granted by the court on March 19, 2019.

On November 19, 2019, Andrew filed the custody case with motion for the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) against Zarema, who has been based in the Philippines since 2018 after landing a job at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Despite several summons compelling her

Govt asked to address various issues in health, public works

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation on Sunday called on the national government to address the unfilled positions, the annual shortage of health care workers, the nondisbursement of Covid-19 allowance and the allocation of the health budget per region, as these will contribute significantly to the issues confronting the health system of the country.

to participate in the legal proceedings, Zarema refused to appear before the court, prompting Andrew to file a motion to declare her in default.

Consequently, the Taguig RTC issued an order declaring Zarema in default for failing to file her answer to the custody petition and her comment to the motion to declare her in default.

On July 22, 2020, Zarema attempted to leave the country together with her two children.

However, they were not permitted to leave due to a pending HDO which had been granted and issued by the trial court.

On June 21, 2021, Zarema filed an urgent motion to travel for purposes of Covid-19 vaccination either in the UK or in Hong Kong, which was denied by the court.

She also filed a manifestation and motion to allow her and her children to leave the Philippines on the ground that her employment contract with ADB had ended and that she already secured employment in Hongkong.

This was also denied by the court and scheduled the main case for custody for pre-trial on November 22, 2021.

However, the pre-trial did not push through after their two children through counsel filed a motion for intervention.

On February 28, 2022, the trial court denied the motion, noting that the children, being minors, have no legal capacity to do actions on their own and cannot even enter into contracts without the assistance of their parent guardian.

In upholding the trial court’s decision, the CA noted that the motion for intervention “is nothing but an afterthought and a desperate attempt on the part of Zarema to maintain her participation in the proceedings despite an earlier declaration of default against her.”

“It does not likewise escape this Court’s attention that aside from the fact that the motion for intervention filed by the petitioners unduly caused delay in the proceedings, it echoed the same arguments and reliefs prayed for by Zarema in her other pleadings before the RTC. To our mind, Zarema is trying to do indirectly what she can no longer do directly, i.e., to participate in the proceedings, by circumventing her default status. This We cannot permit,” the CA stressed.

The CA further explained that allowing the minor children to intervene in the same case that determines who has the right of custody over them would be “absurd.”

It pointed out that Section 2 of the Rule on Custody of Minors and Writ of Habeas Corpus in relation to Custody of Minors, states that a petition for custody of minors may be filed by any person claiming such right.

Thus, the CA stressed that only those who exercise parental authority over the minor child have the right of custody over him or her.

“Common sense dictates that a minor child may not exercise a parental authority over himself or herself,” it added.

Coast Guard, Marina execs ink deal for EU-funded Indian Ocean project

THE office of the diplomatic service of the European Union (EU) announced recently that the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) entered into a collaborative agreement with the Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean project (Crimario II).

In a statement, the European External Action Service (EEAS) explained that Crimario II concerns the use of the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (Ioris) platform. Funded by the EU, the project is “a neutral and secure, web-based maritime coordination and information sharing tool for national and regional multi-agency use.”

The agreement allows the Coast Guard and Marina to access Ioris functionalities and satellite services in exchange for effective and regular use of the platform, according to the EEAS.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz was quoted in the statement as saying that “through the

Speaking to Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa during a budget hearing, Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo S. Momo Sr. zeroed in on the agency’s proposed personnel budget services vis-à-vis the number of unfilled positions.

According to Momo, the personnel budget services of the Department of Health (DOH) will increase by 6.8 percent from P78.5 billion in 2023 to P83.9 billion in 2024.

“And yet, your records show that, under the Office of the Secretary (OSEC) in 2022, you have 21,438 unfilled positions and 19,850 in 2023. How do you reconcile this?” Momo asked Herbosa during deliberations

of the P311.3-billion budget for 2024 proposed by the DOH.

Raising concern on how the issue “seriously affects the effective performance of your (DOH) function,” Momo lamented that allocations given to DOH would be a waste if these were returned to the treasury department as “savings.”

The failure of the health department to fill critical positions, the lawmaker stressed, could also “contribute to another issue confronting the health system of the country and that is, the migration of health care workers.”

Momo said that the Philippines has an annual shortage of 127,000 nurses and 114,000 doctors.

“How do you plan to address this migration of Filipino health workers and the relative issue of a shortage of nurses and doctors?” he asked Herbosa.

Emergency allowance

MOMO also questioned Herbosa on the non-disbursement of health emergency allowance (HEA), the “One Covid-19 Allowance” (OCA), special risk allowances and other Covid-19-related benefits to health care workers,

especially those in private hospitals.

Momo underscored the need to regionalize the DOH’s procurement process so purchasing vaccines, medicines and other materials by regional hospitals won’t need to pass through the head office.

“Don’t you think this practice contributes to slow and low disbursement of funds, as compared to regionalizing (or empowering your regional offices) the process of procurement?” he asked the Health official.

Coming from Caraga region, the lawmaker was also concerned with the allocation of the health department per region.

Based on the 2024 proposed budget, Momo said that CARAGA was allocated 0.9 percent compared to other regions.

Restore DPWH’s IN separate budget deliberations, the House Committee on Appropriations vice chairman also urged his colleagues to restore the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the maintenance of national roads and highways.

As a former DPWH undersecretary,

Momo delivered a manifestation during the DPWH budget hearing attended by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan.

Noting that the deterioration of the Maharlika Highway, the Pan-Philippine Highway and other highways was “because of poor maintenance,” he asked the appropriations committee for “basic maintenance allocation” for such a task.

In 2022, the proposed budget for the maintenance of national roads and bridges was P16.4 billion. The lawmaker lamented that only P2.4 billion was approved.

“How can you expect a high level of maintenance if this will continue to exist in the coming years? And if this is not restored to the requested amount, then I would assume there will be a rapid deterioration of our national highways, not only Maharlika but all other highways in the country,” Momo said.

“Can we be assured by the honorable secretary that these proposals for the basic maintenance allocation will be maintained and should not be touched so that we can expect a high level of maintenance in the near future or in the coming years?” to which Bonoan expressed his concurrence.

PHL, Australia ink MOU on ‘work and holiday’ visa arrangement

THE Philippines and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a “Work and Holiday” visa arrangement, allowing nationals of both countries to seek employment while on a holiday to supplement the cost of their stay, the Palace said on Sunday.

In a 7-page MOU signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, the Palace said both countries agreed to issue multiple entry visa allowing their citizens to work during their stay in the host country for a non-extendable period of not over one year.

Under the MOU signed during the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malacañang on Friday, both countries will grant eligible participants from both countries “Work and Holiday” visa which permits them to stay and work in the host country for 12 months.

“The Participants mutually decide to establish a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa arrangement, to allow nationals of both Participants to stay in the territory of the other Participant for the primary purpose of a holiday, during which they may undertake work to supplement the cost of their stay,”

the MOU stated.

The work and holiday visa arrangement is open to Filipino and Australian nationals who are 18 to 31 years old at the time of the application and are graduates of tertiary education or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study or postsecondary education. They must meet health, character and national security requirements and have medical and health insurance for the duration of their stay.

All nationals under the arrangement will be required to comply with the respective laws and regulations of the

host country during their stay.

“Each participant may deny any particular application for a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa it receives, in accordance with its domestic laws and regulations,” the MOU said, referring to the Philippines and Australia as participants. Applicants must pay any fees associated with the visa application.

The MOU will take effect on a date mutually determined by both parties and will be valid for an indefinite period unless terminated by written notice through diplomatic channels.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Solons seek end to harassment after last AFP resupply mission

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

WHILE no untoward incidents marred the latest resupply mission for Filipino soldiers at Ayungin Shoal, the Philippine government should keep pressing on China to respect international laws and allow future missions to proceed unhampered, according to the chairman of the Senate Defense committee, who has called for a hearing on Tuesday (Sept 12).

“We hope that such missions can proceed without interruption, allowing our military personnel to carry out their duties without unnecessary obstacles. We call upon all parties involved to prioritize peaceful resolutions and respect for international law,” Sen. Jinggoy E. Estrada said in a statement following reports by authorities that the third resupply mission in five weeks went well “despite reports of 12 Chinese vessels spotted in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, seemingly obstructing

the area.”

Estrada found it “reassuring to note that no untoward incidents were reported during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) resupply mission to its military outpost on BRP Sierra Madre.”

This, he said, “underscores the significance of upholding international agreements and promoting peaceful coexistence in disputed areas. It also demonstrates the dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of our troops to meet the needs and maintain operational readiness in remote and challenging locations.”

Estrada said his Senate Committee on National Defense and Security will conduct a hearing on Tuesday, in hopes of ensuring that the continued harassment and bullying tactics of the Chinese Coast Guard will finally stop.

For his part, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri thanked and congratulated the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard as they

completed another resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal, making it the third successful mission in five weeks.

Once again, I salute our men and women of the AFP and PCG for fearlessly staying on track to complete their mission, despite intimidation from the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels.

“This is a humanitarian resupply mission.

Only barbarians at the gate will delight at seeing soldiers on a peaceful mission denied of food,” Zubiri said.

Despite the recent successes of the resupply missions, “we know that China continues to block our vessels on our waters, so we remain absolutely cautious and vigilant.

And we in the Senate are prepared to assist our AFP and PCG with their budget, in aim of developing a credible self-defense posture that will allow them to continue protecting our country and our people.”

Earlier, the Chinese Coast Guard accused the Philippines of entering Ayungin Shoal

BARMM assures adherence to interfaith peace studies

Crimario project and the Ioris), the EU has been building maritime capacity of partners in the Indo-Pacific so that they can better address threats to maritime safety and security, respond to disasters, protect the marine environment and manage fish stocks sustainably.”

“The EU and the Philippines share a vision of the Indo-Pacific as a space of peace, stability and prosperity,”Sanchez Ruiz added.“Contributing to ocean governance and maritime security through cooperation with partners in the region is one of the pillars of this shared vision.”

Crimario II Project Director Martin Cauchi Inglott welcomed the formal entry if Marina and the Philippine Coast Guard into the Ioris community.

According to Inglott, that communited counts more than 40 civilian and military agencies from over 20 countries across the Indo-Pacific, from the Western Indian Ocean, through Asia and Southeast Asia and across the Pacific Ocean.

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

DAVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim assured a visiting Korean peace group that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ( BARMM ) would support and adhere to interfaith dialog, including the recently offered Religious Peace Academy (RPA) for the region’s interested students and professionals.

Ebrahim said there is a pivotal role for religious figures to “nurture and uphold peace and harmony,” citing the peace studies of the Korean groups “Heavenly Culture” and “World Peace and Restoration of Lights” (HWPL–Philippines) as important to sustain the ongoing peace efforts in the region.

“The launch of [the RPA] is a manifestation

of our unwavering commitment to continuing the peace initiatives in the region,” the BARMM official said.

He expressed his confidence in the academy’s ability to produce advocates of religious peace globally.

Ebrahim and other Bangsamoro officials attended the inauguration of the RPA on August 1 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Cotabato City.

The RPA aims to establish connections, alleviate tensions, and foster harmonious relationships among individuals, irrespective of affiliations, faith, or beliefs.

John Rommel Garces, chief branch manager of HWPL Philippines, said the academy offers a lecture series comprising 33 lessons, each lasting a maximum of 45 minutes. These lessons, accessible through an online platform,

aim to facilitate an in-depth study of diverse religious scriptures, fostering global peace and harmony.

According to Garces, lectures at the RPA are offered free of charge. He also anticipate registrations to hit between 500 and 1,000 or more individuals. The lecture began on August 7 and would conclude on December 3, followed by a graduation ceremony.

More than 300 participants, primarily Bangsamoro youths, participated in the launching of the program last month.

“As we write the new chapters of the religious academy of HPWL, we will continue to work to promote understating among religions, prevent conflicts caused by religious dogma, identify the role of religious organizations in promoting peace, and create the safe space for enhancing

illegally, “without the permission of the Chinese government.”

“The China Coast Guard strictly warned the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, tracked and monitored the vessels all the way and effectively regulated them,” the spokesperson of the Chinese Coast Guard said in a statement on Friday.

Beijing insisted that the Philippine resupply ships carried construction materials to fortify the grounded World War II vessel BRP Sierra Madre.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, and its adjacent waters, and firmly opposes the illegal transportation of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegal grounded warship,” the Chinese Coast Guard said.

“The China Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the sea areas under China’s jurisdiction according to law,” it added.

comparative scripture knowledge,” Ebrahim said.

Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, affirmed that all religions, be it Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, or indigenous beliefs, “are inherently oriented towards peace.”

“We are all working for peace and our creature and the sources of all also trying to bring about this peace in the world,” the Bangsamoro Information Office quoted Ledesma as saying.

Ledesma, also archbishop-emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro, urged the continuation and strengthening of dialogue, partnership, and common humanity through the said academy.

Dr. Muhammad Nadheer Ebil of Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, said the academy was a crucial step towards promoting peace and understanding of different religions.

“The academy will help to elevate the discourse on religious peace and contribute to a more peaceful world,” Ebil said.

DTI exec: FTA with So. Korea to boost PHL as regional hub

By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan

TRADE and Industry officials

see the free trade agreement

(FTA) between the Philippines and South Korea as an “important pillar” in terms of positioning the Philippines as the regional hub for “smart” and sustainable manufacturing and services as the world’s 13thlargest economy is a good source for technology.

The chief negotiator for the agreement, Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG) Ceferino S. Rodolfo, said the FTA is expected to generate investments particularly in futureoriented industries in the country, like electric vehicles (EVs).

The trade official explained it was “future-oriented” at the time the negotiations for the FTA began, which was in 2019.

“At that time, future-oriented pa ang electric vehicles; pero ngayon, nandiyan na talaga si EVs,” Rodolfo said at a news briefing last Friday. [But now, EVs are really here.]

“By way of securing investments from Korean companies for futureoriented industries initiated through technical cooperation between our governments,” the DTI executive added.

Rodolfo explained that Chapter 7 of the FTA (“Economic and Technical Cooperation” chapter) states that “the parties, on the basis of mutual benefits, shall explore and undertake cooperative activities focusing on the following areas: industrial development including health and life sciences-related manufacturing and cooperation on processing of technology metals.”

Drawing from this chapter in the trade agreement, he said the Philippines is currently negotiating, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an agreement on processing of critical minerals.

“There are two countries that are really very good when it comes to EV batteries,” Rodolfo said citing China at the top, followed by South Korea. Nonetheless, he said these countries source their minerals from the Philippines.

“That’s why we want to focus on processing (of minerals), not just merely exporting it to China, and then China exports battery precursor materials to Korea.”

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the signing of the FTA with South Korea in late 2022, Rodolfo said the DTI launched “intensive” promotional campaigns for investments.

Last December, a delegation from Central Luzon proposed South Korean

investors to consider Region 3, including New Clark City, as an ideal investment destination.

The delegation was joined by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Authority of the Freeport of Bataan and the local government units of Aurora, Bataan, Tarlac and Zambales.

During the trade mission, Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap pitched to South Korean firms the region’s “centrality of location.”

According to Yap, Region 3 is “easily accessible within 2-hour to 4-hour air travel from Korea.”

“It’s on its way to becoming a single, contiguous geographic and economic growth corridor providing world-class logistics, infrastructure and services,” the official added noting that the region has several freeport zones.

Rodolfo explained that while the Calabarzon region was developed mainly by the Japanese, Central Luzon is being positioned more for Koreans.

Last Thursday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. reported the signing of the much-awaited PhilippineRepublic of Korea (PH-KR) FTA during the sidelines of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Summit in Indonesia.

NEA loans to electric co-ops hit ₧846.71M

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) announced it has extended P846.71-million worth of loan assistance as of end-August this year to support the operations of 23 electric cooperatives (ECs).

The NEA’s Accounting Management and Guarantee Department reported that 16 ECs borrowed a total of P411.86 million for their capital

Church group: Reduction of royalty rate will hurt mining communities

By Patrick V. Miguel

THE social arm of the Roman Catholic Church is opposing a legislative proposal that seeks to reduce the royalty fee of mining communities.

House Bill 8937 will lower royalty on gross output for large-scale metallic mining operations within mineral reservations from 5 percent to 3 percent, Caritas Philippines said through the “CBCP News,” a publication of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The bill “is a clear betrayal of the people, especially the communities affected by mining,” Caritas Philippines President Jose Colin M. Bagaforo was quoted in the article as saying.

Bagaforo, the current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kidapawan, said that mining companies should give the royalty shares to the communities “to repay the damages” these firms caused to the natural ecosystems.

“With the lower royalty rate, mining companies are incentivized to comply less with environmental and social regulations. This will put the welfare of the communities and the ecosystems at risk,” the Church official added. The reduction of royalty rate will make it challenging for mining companies to be accountable, Bagaforo said.

The Church official is urging lawmakers “to defend the people and the environment, and to reject all proposals to open up new mines or expand existing mines.”

DHSUD forms TWG to craft housing programs for poor

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

expenditures. These were: First Lagu -

na Electric Cooperative Inc.; Quezon

I Electric Cooperative Inc.; Sorsogon

I Electric Cooperative Inc.; Iloilo III Electric Cooperative Inc.; Northern Negros Electric Cooperative Inc.; Camotes Electric Cooperative Inc.; Bohol II Electric Cooperative Inc.;

Leyte V Electric Cooperative Inc.; Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc.; Misamis Oriental I Ru -

ral Electric Service Cooperative Inc. (Moresco I); Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc.; Davao del Sur

Electric Cooperative Inc.; Siasi Electric Cooperative Inc.; Basilan Electric Cooperative Inc.; Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc.; and, Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative Inc..

Meanwhile, a total of P372 million worth of loans were utilized for the working capital of the following: Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative Inc.; Aurora Electric Cooperative Inc.; First Laguna Electric Cooperative Inc.; Antique Electric Cooperative Inc.; Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative Inc.; Lanao del Norte

“The FTA will strengthen our bilateral trade and investment relations with the Republic of Korea, especially as it generates jobs and contributes to the Philippine value proposition as an ideal regional hub for smart, sustainable investment,” Marcos said.

For agricultural goods, Rodolfo said the Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination for 1,532 lines, of which 1,417 lines are for tariff elimination upon entry into force (EIF) of the Agreement.

Under the PH-KR FTA, the Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination in five years for bananas, elimination in seven years for processed pineapples and elimination at EIF for the said remaining lines.

Meanwhile, for industrial goods, the Philippines was able to secure tariff elimination for a total of 9,909 lines of which 9,747 lines are for tariff elimination upon EIF of the Agreement.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, South Korea is the fifth-largest trading partner of the Philippines.

In terms of exports, South Korea is the Philippines’s 8th-export market, with exports to the said country valued at $2.57 billion. On the other hand, South Korea ranks third as the Philippines’s import supplier, with imports valued at $9.35 billion.

Electric Cooperative Inc. (Laneco); and, Misamis Oriental II Electric Cooperative Inc.

The NEA said Moresco I borrowed P12.85 million for its modular generator set while P50 million worth of short-term credit facility loan was availed by Laneco.

The NEA has been offering financial assistance to ECs through its enhanced lending program, which consists of regular, calamity and concessional loans, stand-by and short-term credit loans, single-digit system loss, renewable energy and modular generator set loans.

The NEA oversees 121 ECs nationwide.

San Juan gives ₧5k to rice retailers hit by price cap

STARTING this week, the San Juan city government will be releasing P5,000 for rice retailers who have stalls in the city to help augment for the losses they incur during the strict implementation of Executive Order 39, which mandates temporary price caps on regular-milled and well-milled rice to P41.00 per kilogram and P45.00 per kilogram, respectively.

Last Saturday, employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) distributed P15,000 financial aid to a total of 24 out of 48 registered small rice retailers in San Juan City.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, DSWD Assistant Secretary Ada A. Colico and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa were present to represent their

respective agencies. San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier “Francis” M. Zamora oversaw the distribution of the financial aid to the affected retailers.

Another payout will be scheduled for those who were not able to claim financial assistance.

San Juan City is one of first local government units (LGUs) in the country to have its affected rice retailers receive cash assistance from the National Government under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

De Mesa said the price cap and the provision of aid is temporary with the coming of the harvest season.

“We are all here because we are happy that San Juan will be one of the first to receive the assistance from the national government,” Zamora said

Zubiri vows bigger intel funds for WPS defenders

Continued from A14

In reviving the SOCCIF to review the CIFs of 30 government agencies, Zubiri said they will determining if their respective funds were properly used in the past.

“If in our assessment their request for such budget allocations is justified, then we will approve it.”

But if they are not convinced, then he said, they will adjust the amounts accordingly.

The Senate President added that if the committee finds out that the use of the CIFs can be allocated in an agency’s regular budget in a line item, then they will move to recommend it during the budget deliberations.

He said they will give the recommendations in plenary. “We have to vote in the committee if this or that agency needs to have its intelligence funds reduced or withdrawn,” Zubiri said, speaking partly in Filipino. Butch Fernandez

THE Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) formed a technical working group (TWG) to craft housing programs for the urban poor.

Apart from DHSUD, the TWG will include representatives from the Urban Poor Action Committee (UPAC), National Housing Authority and Social Housing Finance Corp.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar said the TWG will “focus on issues that remain unresolved for decades now” with regard to urban poor housing.

“The creation of this TWG was in response to the clamor of urban poor groups,” Acuzar said. “I can see complexities in the concerns but by uniting and helping each other, we can find ways to appropriately address gaps in the sector.”

In a recent meeting led by DHSUD Assistant Secretary Daryll Bryan L. Villanueva, the agency said the discussion identified functions of each group to move toward effectively resolving various housing resettlement concerns.

The TWG also tackled UPAC’s People’s Plan that proposes a more participative and solutionbased housing plan involving the beneficiaries from planning to program sustainability plans.

UPAC members include informal settler families, residents living near danger zones especially in river banks and coastal areas, and beneficiaries of government housing programs.

“We also see challenges on the implementation of previously issued presidential proclamations and NHA [National Housing Authority] housing projects. But with this TWG and our working relationship with involved agencies, we can tell that concrete solutions are underway,” Acuzar said.

Earlier this year, the housing czar engaged leaders and members of UPAC in an open

dialogue to tackle concerns of different urban poor organizations and align their recommendations to the “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH)” program.

UPAC, which represents 205,000 families from various groups, headed by lead facilitator Alice Murphy, vowed to work closely with the government to properly implement any approved provisions under 4PH.

For next year, the DHSUD is requesting for an additional budget of P15.9 billion to finance its various programs in 2024 including the recent executive orders for the inventory of idle lands and Pasig River Rehabilitation issued this year. The additional budget will be on top of the P5.405 billion that was appropriated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the agency and its key shelter agencies for next year.

For the DHSUD, the additional requested amount is P975.7 million, for the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), P6.919 billion and for the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), P3.33 billion.

Additional budget, the DHSUD said, would also cover the Executive Order 34 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 17, allowing the use of idle government land for the administration’s housing program and also provides a significant boost in efforts to address the country’s housing backlog.

A budget of P50 million is being requested to finance the efforts mandated by the EO. While the land to be used is all government land, therefore at no cost to DHSUD, the survey and other administrative costs that would allow them to follow the EO would be needed.

Further, adjustments in the budget will include EO 35 signed by the President last July 25, creating the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development and designating the DHSUD as the head.

Bong Go aids poor students in Puerto Princesa City

Continued from A14

If enacted into law, the measure mandates the Commission on Higher Education and the public HEIs, through their Mental Health Offices, to initiate and sustain a heightened campaign to raise a collective consciousness about mental health.

The mayor also thanked rice dealers.

“Maraming salamat po sa pagtalima sa EO 39. Maraming salamat po dahil dito sa Agora Market, walang nag-violate sa price ceiling,” Zamora said during the event. [Thank you very much for complying with EO 39. Thank you very much because here at Agora Market, no one violated the price ceiling.]

The mayor told rice retailers that the local government unit will add an additional P5,000.

Colico said they will be distributing cash assistance to rice retailers in various areas until next week.

The DTI organized the list of beneficiaries collated from the registered retailers of the Agora Market and the Business Permit and Licensing Office of the city government. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

It also proposes to mandate educational institutions to raise awareness on mental health issues, identify and provide support and services for individuals at risk, and facility access by developing necessary mechanisms to further empower educational institutions in promoting the mental health and wellness of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel.

Go is also a co-author of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s SBN 379, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level.

Held at Ramon V. Mitra (RVM) Sports Complex and in coordination with Councilor Elgin Damasco, Go’s team provided snacks and shirts to 689 students. There were also select

recipients of shoes and balls for basketball and volleyball.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended financial assistance to help the students with their educational needs.

“Maraming maraming salamat po kay Senator Bong Go at ganun din po kay Councilor Elgin Damasco. Salamat po sa ayuda ng DSWD na para sa educational assistance. Yung pera po ay ipangbibili ko ng kailangan ng aking anak para sa school at para sa uniforms din po,” Connie Arsadon, a parent of one beneficiary, said.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered to assist those with health issues as he encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, Culion Sanitarium Hospital in Culion, and Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point.

“We have 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for four government agencies in a typical  hospital: PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Health and DSWD and is ready to help everyone,” explained Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

BIR amends provisions in line with PERA Act of 2008

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Regulations (RR)

7-2023 to amend certain provisions of RR 17-2011 and RR 2-2022 in relation to the implementation of the “Personal Equity and Retirement Account (Pera) Act of 2008.”

Per RR 7-2023, the maximum annual Pera contributions per calendar year have been increased to P200,000.00 (if the contributor is a non-overseas Filipino) or P400,000.00 (if the contributor is an overseas Filipino or represents an overseas Filipino).

According to a statement issued by the BIR, contributions to the Pera amounting to more than P200,000.00 or P400,000.00, as the case may be, shall not be accepted by the Administrator under the Pera Account. “However, they may be accepted by the

Administrator as other ‘savings/investment account’ after appropriate advice given to contributor but shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Pera Act.”

A Pera-Tax Credit Certificate (Pera-TCC) issued in accordance with the pertinent provisions of RR 17-2011, as amended, that remains unutilized after five years from the date of issuance shall be considered invalid and shall not be allowed as payment for internal revenue tax liabilities of the Pera contributor. The amount covered by the certificate issued shall be automatically cancelled by the ePera System. In case of damaged or lost certificate, reissuance of certificate will not be available after five (5) years from the date of issuance of the original certificate.

The Pera-TCC refers to the document evidencing the amount of tax credit equivalent to five percent (5%) of the total amount of qualified PERA contributions made in a year. The application for Pera-TCC shall be filed online through the PeraSys by the PERA Administrator within 60 days from the close of the calendar year.

Per RR 2-2022, the Pera-TCC shall be used only for the payment of income tax liabilities of qualified employee and selfemployed contributors, while for qualified overseas Filipino contributor, the Pera-TCC can be used in the payment of any internal revenue taxes.

For more details on the amendments introduced by RR 7-2023, read the full text at the BIR Website.

‘Contract growing will help boost rice output’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

The chairman of the house Committee on Appropriations said implementing a mechanism called contract growing will result in stable domestic rice prices.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep.

e lizaldy Co said in a statement that contract growing will benefit both consumers and farmers because it would not only result in steady rice prices but also ensure a profitable market for farmers.

h e said contract growing should involve large agricultural corporations managing vast tracts of farmland.

The lawmaker proposed that a portion of the farmers’ yield—possibly 50 percent—would be contracted at a pre-agreed price under the scheme while the remaining

yield would be sold at market rates to allow farmers to still capitalize on price surges.

however, he noted that while the contracted portion of the total yield may provide a sure profit for local farmers, the remaining yield outside the contract may also result in losses.

Co said farmers would not be shortchanged under the contract growing arrangement.

“It won’t be bad [for farmers] because we can calculate how much the investment is per kilo of rice. We know that palay is only P9 maximum or P7 to P9 per kilo,” he said.

Co said local farmers have sometimes adjusted their prices to match the rates of imported rice.

Apart from the contract-growing approach, he also proposed controlling the cost of important farming inputs like fertilizers.

Global rice, sugar prices higher in August–FAO

INT e RNATI o NA l quotations for rice and sugar went up in August mainly due to the adverse impact of weather on crops and trade restrictions imposed by exporters, according to the latest report published by the Food and Agriculture o rganization of the United Nations (FA o ) last Friday.

Based on its monthly Food Price Index, FA o noted that the All Rice Price Index rose by nearly 10 percent in August to reach a 15-year nominal high.

“[This reflects] trade disruptions in the aftermath of a ban on Indica white rice exports by India, the world’s largest rice exporter,” FA o said.

“Uncertainty about the ban’s duration and concerns over export restrictions caused supply-chain actors to hold on to stocks, re-negotiate contracts or stop making price offers, thereby limiting most trade to small volumes and previously concluded sales.”

FA o ’s Sugar Price Index, meanwhile, rose by 1.3 percent from July, averaging in August as much as 34.1 percent higher than its value a year ago.

“The increase was mainly triggered by heightened concerns over the impact of the el Niño phenomenon on sugarcane crops, along with below-average rains in August and persistent dry weather conditions in Thailand,” FAo said.

“The large crop currently being harvested in Brazil limited the upward pressure on international sugar quotations, as did lower ethanol prices and the weakening of the Brazilian Real.”

Despite the increases in rice and sugar prices, the general food price index fell in August. It averaged 121.4 points in August, down 2.1 percent from July and as much as 24 percent below its March 2022 peak.

FA o said the Vegetable o il Price Index fell by 3.1 percent in August, partly reversing a sharp 12.1 percent upward move in July.

“World prices of sunflower oil declined by nearly 8 percent during the month amid weakening global import demand and abundant offers from major exporters,” its report read.

“World quotations for soy oil dropped owing to improving soybean crop conditions in the United States of America, while those for palm oil fell moderately amid seasonally rising outputs in leading producing countries in Southeast Asia.”

FA o said the Cereal Price Index declined by 0.7 percent from July.

International wheat prices fell by 3.8 percent in August amid higher seasonal availabilities from several leading exporters, while international coarse grain prices fell by 3.4 percent amid ample global supplies of maize from a record harvest in Brazil and the imminent start of the harvest in the United States.

The Dairy Price Index was also lower by 4 percent from July led by international quotations for whole milk powder and abundant supply from o ceania. International butter

According to Co, farm inputs have also been subject to price manipulation, which may contribute to unstable rice prices.

Co suggested the need for targeted use of palay varieties and better irrigation, as well as increased production through solar fertigation, to help address rice

supply problems in the country.

e ven before the recent surge in rice prices that prompted the Marcos administration to implement price caps via e xecutive Order ( eO) 39, Co had been advocating for the contract growing model as “a proactive solution” to stabilize the market and support local farmers.

e O 39 puts a price cap on regular milled rice at P41 and wellmilled rice at P45. It took effect on September 5.

Production estimates

By the end of September, the initial palay harvest is expected to reach 2 million metric tons (MMT), and up to 3 MMT in October, for a total of 5 MMT, based on estimates by the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) using satellite data as of August 14.

The figures were indicated in Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian’s report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“In all, for the second semester, or July to December, we estimate to produce more than 11 million metric tons, and barring strong typhoons in the remaining months of the year, we hope to hit

the 20-million MT level for 2023 national palay output,” Sebastian added in a statement released by the Palace.

For the month of September, Sebastian said the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) has reported that the bulk of the 2.3-MMT harvest would come from 12 provinces, namely: Isabela, Cagayan, Iloilo, Nueva e cija, North Cotabato, Leyte, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Palawan, Bukidnon, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao del Norte.

By end of October, most of the estimated 2.9-MMT palay yield would come from 15 provincesNueva e cija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Isabela, Occidental Mindoro, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Bulacan, Iloilo, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Ilocos Sur, Leyte, and Camarines Sur.

Manila lifts ban on chicken imports from South Dakota

and cheese prices also dropped, due in part to lackluster market activities associated with the summer holidays in e urope.

“The FA o Meat Price Index dipped by 3.0 percent. World ovine prices fell the most, underpinned by a surge in export availabilities mainly from Australia and weaker demand from China. Robust supplies also nudged downwards the prices of pig, poultry and bovine meats,” the UN agency said.

Global cereal supply

FA o also released a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, which forecasts that world cereal production in 2023 will increase by 0.9 percent from the previous year to reach 2 815 million tons, on par with the record output realized in 2021.

“While global wheat production is set to decline by 2.6 percent from 2022, coarse grains total output is forecast to rise by 2.7 percent, with maize production seen reaching a new record of 1 215 million tons, buoyed by strong yields in Brazil and Ukraine,” it said.

Despite a slight downward revision since July, world rice output in 2023/24 is still seen recovering by 1.1 percent from the previous season.

World cereal utilization in the season ahead is forecast at 2 807 million tons, 0.8 percent above the 2022/23 level.

FA o said world cereal stocks at the close of 2023/24 marketing seasons would reach 878 million tons, a 2.2-percent annual increase, pointing to a world stocks-to-use ratio for cereals of 30.5 percent, which it deems an “overall comfortable global supply level from a historical perspective.”

World rice stocks are forecast to reach an all-time high of 198.1 million tons, driven up by India which together with China are estimated to hold nearly three quarters of this volume, like in previous seasons.

“Aggregate rice reserves held by the rest of countries are seen ending the year with a second successive contraction to a four-year low pegged at of 51.4 million tons.”

FA o lowered its forecast for world trade in cereals in 2023/24 to 466 million tons, a 1.7-percent drop from the previous marketing season. Traded volumes of wheat and maize are all predicted to decline, due to a mix of reasons, including falling exports by Ukraine due to trade disruptions associated with the ongoing war.

It has also lowered its forecast for world trade in rice from the July figure considering the stepped-up export restrictions by India. Although the duration of these restrictions and their extent of application are uncertain, if protracted and if e l Niño induces production constraints in other Asian exporters, they could keep the predicted recovery in 2024 trade in rice modest, FA o said.

MANILA has lifted the temporary ban on poultry imports, including day-old chicks and eggs, from South Dakota in the United States.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Memorandum Order (MO) 61, which authorized the lifting of the ban, last September 6.

“Based on the evaluation of the DA, the risk of contamination from importing poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen is negligible,” MO 61 read.

The DA based on its evaluation on the official report of the US to the World Organisation for Animal health (WOA h ) which indicated that all h 5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza ( h PAI) reported events in South Dakota have ended and that there were no additional outbreaks.

“In accordance to the provisions of Chapter 10.4 of the WOA h terrestrial Animal health Code, the

State of South Dakota, USA, is now free from h PAI,” MO 61 read.

Manila issued MO 29 banning the importation of importation of domestic and wild birds and poultry products, including poultry meat, from South Dakota and other US states in April 2022. The numerous outbreaks of h5N1 hPAI affecting domestic birds were confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, according to the DA.

“[T]he rapid spread of h 5N1 h ighly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the United States of America [USA] in a short period of time since its first laboratory detection necessitates a wider coverage of trade restriction to prevent the entry of h PAI virus and protect the health of the local poultry population,” MO 29 read.

The lifting of the ban means that the DA would start the processing and the issuance of sani -

tary and phytosanitary import clearance for poultry from South Dakota.

The US was one of the Philippines’s top suppliers of chicken meat last year, according to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

In 2022, the Philippines imported a record volume of 1.356 billion kilograms of meat products as the government banked on foreign supplies to temper price increases caused by supply concerns.

BAI data showed that total meat imports went up by 191 million kg, higher than the 1.165 billion kg recorded in 2021.

The agency attached to the DA reported that the increase in overall meat imports was driven by the 28.06-percent hike in pork imports to 710.362 million kg last year.

The country’s chicken meat imports last year went up by 1.57 percent to 411.069 million kg from 404.711 million kilograms in 2021.

BAI data indicated that mechanically deboned meat (MDM) accounted for more than half of the total chicken meat imports last year. The country’s imports of chicken MDM, a vital raw ingredient used by meat processors to manufacture processed goods like hotdogs, rose by 2.74 percent year-on-year to 243.219 million kg.

The Philippines imported 102.686 million kilograms of chicken leg quarters last year and 51.717 million kilograms of chicken cuts.

BAI data showed that Brazil was the country’s top meat supplier as it accounted for 28 percent of the total meat import volume last year.

Brazil exported 384.095 million kg of meat products to the Philippines, bulk of which were chicken meat. Brazil was the country’s top supplier of chicken meat products at 235.256 million kg followed by the US at 122.931 million kg.

‘Delivery of avian flu vaccine to revitalize poultry industry’

The Marcos administration will hasten the acquisition of avian flu vaccines to revitalize the country’s poultry industry and ensure affordable chicken meat and egg prices, h ouse Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Thursday.

Romualdez issued the statement after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture, met late Tuesday with leading Indonesian animal health firm PT Vaksindo Satwa Nusantara.

According to the h ouse leader, Vaksindo intends to cooperate with its local partner, Unahco Inc. (Univet Nutrition and Animal h ealthcare Company) Philippines, on veterinary vaccines and plans to invest around $2 million this year. h e said this plan would soon provide the Philippines with an avian flu vaccine.

“The early delivery of Vaksindo vaccines could spur the revitalization of our country’s poultry industry, which has faced serious challenges due to the continuing threat of the avian flu,” Romualdez said.

Among others, he noted that egg producers recently confirmed a 20 percent drop in their production due to the culling of at least 10 million chicken layers due to the effects of the avian flu, first reported in the country in 2017.

As a result, Romualdez added that prices of eggs spiked early this year, with the average cost of a medium-sized egg in Metro Manila markets rising from P6.90 to P8.70. In some markets, prices even reached P10 just for a regular-sized egg. h e said the price of whole chicken in Metro Manila ranged from P150 to P200 as of June this year, which could be partly attributed to the threat of the avian flu.

“The President is keenly aware of the plight of the poultry industry sector, and the engagement with Vaksindo is a positive step towards addressing the problem of avian flu that continues to beset this sector,” Romualdez said.

“Making avian flu vaccines available to our poultry sector, along with the adoption of best practices, would help ensure we could sustain the encouraging signs of recovery in the industry.”

Virology institute

The Speaker expressed hopes for the enactment of a law that would establish the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines, which would focus on applied research and studies to develop diagnostic kits and vaccines not only for humans but also for animal and plant diseases.

In December 2022, the h ouse of Representatives approved, on third and final reading, its version of the measure, h ouse Bill 6452. The Senate has yet to pass the counterpart bill.

Meanwhile, Romualdez said the Marcos administration is likewise attending to similar challenges facing the livestock industry, noting that the President earlier stressed the “urgent need” to revitalize the livestock and poultry industries in pursuit of food security and global competitiveness. Marcos had vowed to address the challenges besetting the two sectors and forge partnerships for their development.

“The sector not only puts food on the table for millions of Filipinos, it also provides a means of livelihood for countless farmers and other ancillary service providers,” Marcos said. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Govt must provide more support to small farmers–Go

SenaTor Christopher “Bong” Go calls on government to provide more support to small farmers as they are the backbone of the nation’s economy and play a crucial role in maintaining the country’s food security.

Go, member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has been supportive of legislative efforts aimed at uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers, particularly in these challenging economic times. he contributed to the passage of Republic Act No. 11953, known as the New Agrarian e mancipation Act, which he co-sponsored and co-authored in the Senate.

This landmark legislation condones loans, including inter -

ests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries. By doing so, it aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by over 600,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries across the Philippines, thereby enhancing their economic resilience.

In addition to this, Go also authored and co-sponsored RA 11960, or the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. This law decentralizes economic opportunities by empowering each town and province to develop and promote their unique products.

By doing so, it not only fosters community-led innovation but also bridges the urban-rural economic divide, providing small

farmers with more avenues to market their produce.

Go also emphasized the importance of encouraging end users to directly purchase from producers. This not only helps the farmers but also ensures that consumers get fresh and affordable produce.

“It’s not only about us not needing to import from other countries. It’s about recognizing and supporting our local farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries,” Go added.

As the nation navigates through economic challenges, Go reiterated that the most important thing is that no one goes hungry.

“Dapat po, walang magutom.

Importante po dito tiyan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, inflation rate rose to 5.3 percent in August, up from 4.7 percent in July. The increase in inflation was primarily due to the faster rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Specifically, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages accelerated to 8.1 percent in August. The year-on-year growth rate for rice prices rose to 8.7 percent from 4.2 percent. The government has implemented a cap on rice prices to reduce costs and penalize hoarding, although this measure has sparked discussions about its impact on both farmers and consumers.

Farmers in Palawan are preparing to plant rice in this BusinessMirror file photo.

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

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

3 ANOC99 CORPORATION POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

LE SY DONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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NGUYEN THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

6 IBIDEN PHILIPPINES, INC. Road 1, First Philippine Industrial Park, Santa Anastacia, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

YAMAMURA, SHINICHIRO Director

Brief

- Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Japanese language; strong leadership and decisionmaking skills; familiarity with latest technologies and methodologies

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite JHONE NAW Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 8 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite MAY PAN SOE Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 9 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite MOE ZAW HTWE Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 10 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite MYO ZIN TUN Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 11 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite NAN HLA KHIN Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 12 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite SAI AUNG KYAW KYAW Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 13 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite SAI AUNG NAING HTOO Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 14 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite ZHOU, GUISHUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 15 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite CHEN, JIANGKUN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 16 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite CHEN, KANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 17 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite CHEN, PEIXIN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 18 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite DENG, HONGFENG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 19 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite DUAN, LIANGLIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 20 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite FAN, XIANGCHEN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 21 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite FU, YINHUI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 Monday, September 11, 2023 BusinessMirror A6 www.businessmirror.com.ph

Powerful quake in Morocco kills more than 2,000 people; damages historic buildings in Marrakech

By Sam Metz & Mosa’ab Elshamy The Associated Press

More than 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise as rescuers struggled Saturday to reach hard-hit remote areas.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years, sent people fleeing their homes in terror and disbelief late Friday. One man said dishes and wall hangings began raining down, and people were knocked off their feet. The quake brought down walls made from stone and masonry, covering whole communities with rubble.

The devastation gripped each town along the High Atlas’ steep and winding switchbacks in similar ways: homes folding in on themselves and mothers and fathers crying as boys and helmet-clad police carried the dead through the streets.

Remote villages like those in the drought-stricken Ouargane Valley were largely cut off from the world when they lost electricity and cellphone service. By midday, people were outside mourning neighbors, surveying the damage on their camera phones and telling one another “May God save us.”

Hamid Idsalah, a 72-year-old mountain guide, said he and many others remained alive but had little future to look forward to. That was true in the short-term — with remnants of his kitchen reduced to dust — and in the long-term — where he and many others lack the financial means to rebound.

“I can’t reconstruct my home. I don’t know what I’ll do. Still, I’m alive, so I’ll wait,” he said as he walked through the desert oasis

town overlooking red rock hills, packs of goats and a glistening salt lake. “I feel heartsick.”

In historic Marrakech, people could be seen on state TV clustering in the streets, afraid to go back inside buildings that might still be unstable. The city’s famous Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century, was damaged, but the extent was not immediately clear. Its 69-meter (226-foot) minaret is known as the “roof of Marrakech.” Moroccans also posted videos showing damage to parts of the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At least 2,012 people died in the quake, mostly in Marrakech and five provinces near the epicenter, Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported Saturday night. At least 2,059 more people were injured — 1,404 critically — the ministry said.

“The problem is that where destructive earthquakes are rare, buildings are simply not constructed robustly enough to cope with strong ground shaking, so many collapse, resulting in high casualties,” said Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London.

In a sign of the huge scale of the disaster, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI ordered the armed forces to mobilize specialized search and rescue teams and a surgical field hospital, according to a statement from the military.

The king said he would visit the hardest hit area Saturday, but despite an outpouring of offers of help from around the world, the

Moroccan government had not formally asked for assistance, a step required before outside rescue crews could deploy.

The epicenter of Friday’s tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.

Police, emergency vehicles and people fleeing in shared taxis spent hours traversing unpaved roads through the High Atlas in stopand-go traffic, often exiting their cars to help clear giant boulders from routes known to be rugged and difficult long before Friday’s earthquake. In Ijjoukak, a village in the area surrounding Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak, residents estimated nearly 200 buildings had been leveled.

Couch cushions, electric cords and grapes were strewn in giant piles of rubble alongside dead sheep, houseplants and doors wedged between boulders. Relatives from the town and those who had driven from major cities cried while they wondered who to call as they reckoned with the aftermath and a lack of food and water.

“It felt like a bomb went off,” 34-year-old Mohamed Messi said.

Morocco will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-staff on all public facilities, the official news agency MAP reported.

World leaders offered to send in aid or rescue crews as condolences poured in from countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Group of 20 summit in India. The president of Turkey, which lost tens of thousands of people in a massive earthquake earlier this year, was among those proposing assistance. France and Germany, with large populations of people of Moroccan origin, also offered to help, and the leaders of both Ukraine and Russia expressed support for Moroccans.

In an exceptional move, neighboring rival Algeria offered to open its airspace to allow eventual humanitarian aid or medical evacuation flights to travel to and from Morocco. Algeria closed the airspace when its government severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021 over a series of issues. The countries

Russia turns to old ally North Korea to resupply arsenal for Ukraine war

By The Associated Press

After a year and a half of fighting in Ukraine, r ussia needs to replenish its supplies of ammunition for what could be a long war of attrition. Along with ramping up its domestic arms production, Moscow is turning to an old ally with a vast arsenal—North Korea.

e stimates say the reclusive and isolated Asian country has tens of millions of artillery shells and rockets that could give a huge boost to the r ussian army.

United States officials expect North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit r ussia in the coming days to seal a possible deal on munitions transfer with President Vladimir Putin. t hat would be a remarkable reversal from the 1950-1953 Korean War, when the Soviet Union provided the communist North with weapons and ammunition.

“We know that r ussian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has visited recently for artillery shells predominantly, and most likely that will be discussed between Putin and Kim Jong Un,” said Alexander Gabuev, head of the Carnegie r ussia eurasia Center.

Shoigu became the first r ussian defense chief to visit North Korea since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Images of him at a massive military parade in the capital of Pyongyang in July, alongside Kim and the medal-laden North Korean

military brass, was a strong sign of a vigorous effort by Moscow to reach out to the North. Shoigu said joint military drills were possible.

Asked about a possible visit by Kim and a deal that would see North Korean arms supplies to r ussia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment.

But he emphasized that Moscow cherishes ties with Pyongyang, adding: “North Korea is our neighbor, and we will further develop our relations without looking back at other countries’ opinion.”

Kim made his first visit to russia in 2019 and held talks with Putin that included pledges of closer cooperation but weren’t followed by any visible breakthroughs. While the bulk of the Korean People’s Army arsenals are dated, their enormous size would offer the r ussian military a potential key lifeline amid e urope’s largest land conflict since World War II.

Hong Min, an analyst at Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification, said r ussia could seek to establish North Korea as a “rear base” for its war efforts, providing a massive flow of munitions.

r ussia is hoping that North Korea could swiftly establish support channels to provide it with war materials like ammunition, bombs and other supplies,” Hong said.

t he US said North Korea sold some munitions to r ussia’s private military

have a decadeslong dispute involving the territory of Western Sahara. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m. (22:11

GMT), with shaking that lasted several seconds. The US agency reported a magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a

relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Ahmed Hatem in Cairo, and Brian Melley and Hadia Bakkar in London contributed to this report.

contractor, Wagner, in November. Both r ussian and North Korean officials have denied that Pyongyang has shipped any weapons or munitions to r ussia or intends to do so.

US officials have cast Moscow’s reach for North Korean weapons as a reflection of r ussian military problems. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the quality of North Korean weapons was an “open question.”

“It says a lot that r ussia is having to turn to a country like North Korea to seek to bolster its defense capacity in a war that it expected be over in a week,” Sullivan said. While Washington has warned Pyongyang against sending weapons to r ussia, which would violate a United Nations embargo on any arms shipments to and from North Korea, observers say there is little the US could do in response.

t hey note that Moscow could share advanced nuclear, missile and submarine technology with Pyongyang in exchange for arms supplies, a move that could embolden Kim and raise major threats to regional security.

t he United States and its allies have limited policy options in addressing this new challenge,” Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in an analysis. Associated Press writers Emma Burrows in Tallinn, Estonia, and Kim Tong-Hyung in Seoul contributed

MARRAKECH, Morocco — A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco, sending people racing from their beds into the streets and toppling buildings in mountainous villages and ancient cities not built to withstand such force.

G-20 agreement reflects sharp differences over Ukraine and the rising clout of the Global South

By Adam Schreck & David Rising The Associated Press

NEW DELHI—The Group of 20 top world economies added the African Union as a member at their annual summit Saturday, and host India was able to get the disparate group to sign off on a final statement, but only after softening language on the contentious issue of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In the months leading up to the leaders’ summit in New Delhi, India had been unable to find agreement on the wording about Ukraine, with Russia and China objecting even to language that they had agreed to last year at the G-20 summit in Bali.

The final statement, released a day before the formal close of the summit, highlighted the “human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine,” but did not mention Russia’s invasion.

It cited the UN charter, saying “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.”

By contrast, the Bali declaration had cited a U.N. resolution condemning “the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine,” and said “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine.”

Nazia Hussain, an associate research fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the statement showed a “softening of the language on the war in Ukraine.”

“However, for New Delhi, getting out a joint statement with some reference to Ukraine, or a joint statement at all especially with both the United States and its western allies as well as China and Russia toughening their stance on the war, is a win.”

Many had been skeptical that there would be a final communiqué, which would have been the first time one was not released and have been a blow to the prestige of the G-20.

Western delegations applauded the agreement, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling it a “success of Indian diplomacy.” He told reporters it was significant that in the end Russia had “given up its resistance” and signed on to the agreement that mentioned the sovereignty and territorial integrity

of Ukraine.

A senior European Union official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to be candid about the discussions, said the EU had not given up any of its position, and the fact that Russia had signed on to the agreement was important. “The option we have is text or no text, and I think it’s better text,” he said. “At least if they don’t implement, we know once more that we cannot rely on them.”

Russian negotiator Svetlana Lukash described the discussions on the Ukraine-related part of the final statement as “very difficult,” adding that the agreed text had a “balanced view” of the situation, Russian media reported.

She said Ukraine wasn’t the only point of contention in reaching a statement, and charged that Western powers had tried to enforce the idea that “it’s the Ukrainian conflict that provokes all the crises in the world now.”

By contrast, there was widespread support for adding the AU to the G-20, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the EU and adding momentum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive to give a greater voice to the Global South.

The continent was thrust into the spotlight as well by the earthquake in Morocco, which happened while most of the delegates gathered in New Delhi were asleep. Modi offered condolences and support in his opening remarks.

“The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance,” he said.

He told leaders they must find “concrete solutions” to the widespread challenges that he said stemmed from the “ups and downs in the global economy, the north and the south divide, the chasm between the east and the west,” and other issues like terrorism, cybersecurity, health and water security.

Modi addressed the delegates from behind a nameplate that listed his

country not as India but as “Bharat,” an ancient Sanskrit name championed by his Hindu nationalist supporters. India had made directing more attention to addressing the needs of the developing world a focus of the summit. at the summit—though it proved impossible to decouple many issues, such as food and energy security, from the war in Ukraine.

The summit came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said a landmark deal brokered by the UN and Turkey allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea will not be restored until Western nations meet his demands on Russia’s own agricultural exports.

The G-20 urged the resumption of grain, foodstuffs and fertilizer shipments from Russia and Ukraine, saying it was necessary to feed people in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

Russia has been attacking Ukrainian port facilities, and the G-20 in its final statement also called for an end to attacks on infrastructure related to the grain exports, and expressed “deep concern” about the effect of conflicts on civilians.

The G-20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. Spain holds a permanent guest seat.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s leader Xi Jinping opted not to come this year, ensuring no tough face-to-face conversations with their American and European counterparts.

Participants arriving in the Indian capital were greeted by streets cleared of traffic, and graced with fresh flowers and seemingly endless posters featuring slogans and Modi’s face. Security was intensely tight, with most journalists

IAEA warns of threat to nuclear safety as fighting spikes near Ukraine plant

and the public kept far from the summit venue.

Hundreds of Tibetan exiles held a protest far from the summit venue to condemn Chinese participation in the event and urge leaders to discuss SinoTibetan relations.

The G-20 agenda featured issues critical to developing nations, including alternative fuels like hydrogen, resource efficiency, food security and developing a common framework for digital public infrastructure.

Human Rights Watch urged the G-20 leaders not to let international disunity over Ukraine distract them at the summit from the other issues.

In addition, Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of the organization’s Asia division, said members should not “shy away from openly discussing challenges like gender discrimination, racism and other entrenched barriers to equality, including with host India, where civil and political rights have sharply deteriorated under the Modi administration.”

On Friday evening, before the meeting got formally underway, Modi met with US President Joe Biden. White House aide Kurt Campbell told reporters afterward that there was an “undeniable warmth and confidence between the two leaders.”

As India’s regional rival China has become growingly assertive in the AsiaPacific region, the U.S. has been seeking to strengthen ties with India and others.

The US, India, the EU and others unveiled ambitious plans Saturday to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe that aims to strengthen economic growth and political cooperation.

“This is a really big deal,” Biden said. Associated Press writers Krutika Pathi, Sheikh Saaliq, Aamer Madhani, Josh Boak in New Delhi, and Jill Lawless in London, contributed to this report.

Biden finds new friend in vietnam as american cEos look for alternatives to chinese factories

By Josh Boak & Aamer Madhani

The Associated Press

NEW DELHI—President Joe

Biden goes Sunday to a Vietnam that’s looking to dramatically ramp up trade with the United States— a sign of how competition with China is reshaping relationships across Asia.

The president has made it a point of pride that Vietnam is elevating the United States to the status of being a comprehensive strategic partner. Other countries that Vietnam has extended this designation include China and Russia. Giving the US the same status suggests that Vietnam wants to hedge its friendships as US and European companies are looking for alternatives to Chinese factories.

Biden said last month at a fundraiser in Salt Lake City that Vietnam doesn’t want a defense alliance with the US, “but they want relationships because they want China to know that they’re not alone” and can choose their own relationships. The president decided to tack a visit to Vietnam on to his trip to India for the Group of 20 summit that winds up Sunday.

With China’s own economic slowdown and Chinese President Xi Jin -

ping’s consolidation of political power, Biden sees an opportunity to bring more nations—including Vietnam and Cambodia—into America’s orbit.

“We find ourselves in a situation where all of these changes around the world are taking place,” Biden explained about the Vietnam trip last month. “We have an opportunity, if we’re smart, to change the dynamic.”

US trade with Vietnam has already accelerated since 2019. But there are limits to how much further it can progress without improvements to the country’s infrastructure, its workers’ skills and its governance. Nor has increased trade automatically put the Vietnamese economy on an upward trajectory.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that the CEOs she talks with rank Vietnam highly as a place to diversify supply chains that before the pandemic had been overly dependent on China. Raimondo has been trying to broaden those supply chains through the IndoPacific Economic Framework, an initiative that Biden launched last year.

“Whether it’s Vietnam or Malaysia, Indonesia, India, companies are really taking a hard look at those countries as places to do more business,” Raimondo said. “It is also true that they need to

improve their workforce, housing, infrastructure and, I’d say, transparency in government operations.”

Vietnam’s economic growth slipped during the first three months of 2023. Its exporters faced higher costs and weaker demand as high inflation worldwide has hurt the market for consumer goods.

Still, US imports of Vietnamese goods have nearly doubled since 2019 to $127 billion annually, according to the Census Bureau. It is unlikely that Vietnam, with its population of 100 million, can match the scale of Chinese manufacturing. In 2022, China, with 1.4 billion people, exported four times as many goods to the US as did Vietnam.

There is also evidence that China is still central to the economies of many countries in the Indo-Pacific.

A new analysis from the Peterson Institute of International Economics found that countries in IPEF received on average more than 30 percent of their imports from China and sent nearly 20 percent of their exports to China. This dependence has increased sharply since 2010.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan saw an opening to broaden the US relationship with Vietnam when one of its top officials,

Lê Hoài Trung, visited Washington on June 29.

After talking with Trung, Sullivan walked back to his office and decided after consulting with his team to issue a letter to the Vietnamese government proposing that the two countries take their trade and diplomatic relations to the highest possible level, according to an administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss the details.

Sullivan picked the issue back up on July 13 while traveling with Biden in Helsinki, speaking by phone with Nguyen Phú Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

At a fundraiser in Maine a few weeks later, Biden went public with the deal to a group of donors assembled in a barn.

“I’ve gotten a call from the head of Vietnam, desperately wants to meet me when I go to the G-20,” Biden said. “He wants to elevate us to a major partner, along with Russia and China. What do you think that’s about?”

To answer Biden’s question, it’s all about anxieties concerning an expansive and assertive China, according to Gregory Poling, director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

By Samya Kullab The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—The United Nations atomic watchdog warned of a potential threat to nuclear safety from a spike in fighting near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, whose forces continued pressing their counteroffensive on Saturday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said its experts deployed at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported hearing numerous explosions over the past week, in a possible indication of increased military activity in the region. There was no damage to the plant.

“I remain deeply concerned about the possible dangers facing the plant at this time of heightened military tension in the region,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned in a statement issued late Friday. He noted that the IAEA team was informed that staff at the nuclear power plant had been reduced temporarily to minimum levels due to concerns of more military activity in the area.

“Whatever happens in a conflict zone, wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening,” Grossi said.

The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concern that the fighting could cause a potential radiation leak from the facility, which is one of the world’s 10 biggest nuclear power stations. The plant’s six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs power and qualified staff to operate crucial cooling systems and other safety features.

As Ukrainian forces pressed to expand their gains after recently capturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, the UK Defense Ministry noted in its latest report that Russia has brought in reinforcements to stymie the Ukrainian advances.

“It is highly likely that Russia has redeployed forces from other areas of the frontline to replace degraded units around Robotyne,” it said. “These redeployments are likely limiting Russia’s ability to carry out offensive operations of its own along other areas of the front line.”

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian military has made notable changes to its command and control structure to “protect command infrastructure and improve information sharing.”

Russian forces have continued their barrage across Ukraine. The regional authorities in the northeastern region of Sumy that borders Russia said that the latest Russian shelling left four people wounded, one of whom later died in a hospital. The Kremlin reaffirmed Satur -

day that Russia will not extend a landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea until the West fully meets Moscow’s demands regarding its own agricultural exports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on reports that Western powers were allegedly discussing a deal that would allow the Russian Agricultural Bank to open a subsidiary that would be reconnected to the SWIFT payment system and meet other Russian demands. He said that Moscow expects the West to fulfill the original agreements to facilitate Russian agricultural exports that were reached in July 2022.

“For instance, they are now saying that the West is allegedly ready to promise to open SWIFT for a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank, but the thing is that the agreements envisage SWIFT access for the Russian Agricultural Bank, not its subsidiary,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

He added that “because they have already made a lot of promises, we considered ourselves entitled and obligated to wait first for the implementation before resuming the deal.”

Russia refused to extend the deal in July, complaining that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadn’t been honored. It said restrictions on shipping and insurance hampered its agricultural trade, though it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year.

Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the Kremlin’s demands as a ploy to advance its own interests.

On Saturday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi arrived to Ukraine for an official visit and prayed at a church in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where some of the worst atrocities of Russia’s war occurred early during the invasion.

“I am grateful to Japan for remaining our key partner in Asia and supporting Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Speaking after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Hayashi pledged that “Japan will go hand in hand with Ukraine until peace returns to its beautiful land.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that while Japan cannot provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, it has “already demonstrated that it can do many other important things to improve our security.”

Japan has given Ukraine more than $7 billion in assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion. As part of its assistance, Tokyo provided two transformers to help Ukraine restore its energy systems after relentless Russian strikes, and donated 24 trucks to help Ukraine clear unexploded ordnance.

a Russian attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine on Friday, September 8, 2023.

SaU d I arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, left, US President Joe Biden, right, and Indian Prime Minister narendra Modi talk on the day of the G-20 summit in new delhi, India on September 9, 2023. a P Photo/Ev E lyn h ock S t E in

editorial

A return engagement no American voter wants

AS the political divide in the United States gets wider, a Pew Center poll showed 65 percent of Americans believe that the country’s democratic system needs major reforms, while 57 percent of respondents believe the US is no longer a model of democracy.

“American politics is consumed by nonsensical farce and entertainment, and cannot focus on things that really matter,” according to a political observer. While politics and politicians in the US can also be entertaining, Americans would rather consume other forms of entertainment. Most of them do not fancy re-runs.

Unfortunately for the 332 million citizens of the most powerful country in the world, they are about to watch one of the biggest re-run in the nation’s political history. They are about to see two interesting old hands square off in 2024: The man who said “America is a nation that can be defined in a single word—Asufutimaehaehfutbw” will battle it out against the one who disclosed an anatomical anomaly that surprised the medical community when he claimed that “the kidney has a very special place in the heart.”

From the Associated Press: “Whether voters like it or not, a Trump-Biden rematch may be on the horizon, raising the prospect of a deeply uncertain election season that only intensifies the nation’s political divide. Already, Trump is skipping his party’s presidential debates and his court appearances are sometimes drawing more attention than his campaign stops. And Biden has barely begun to campaign as he grapples with questions about his age and his son’s legal challenges.”

This would be a return engagement that American voters do not want. “Voters are looking for change, and neither of them is the change that they’re looking for,” a pollster said. A new AP-NORC poll asked US adults: “What words come to mind when you think of Joe Biden or Donald Trump?” The top terms respondents used for Biden are “old” and “bumbling”; for Trump, the top terms are “corrupt” and “dishonest.”

Pew Research said should a Biden-Trump sequel come about, it would be the seventh presidential rematch in US history, and the first since the 1950s. In the first four rematches, the outcome was different the second time around; in the most recent two, the outcomes were the same as the first match-up.

“A Trump-Biden rematch would be a disaster for the country. I’m very depressed about it,” Bobbie Kilberg, a prominent Republican donor who is supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, told the AP. She said it’s “scary” that so many voters in her party continue to support the former president. “I refuse to believe that Trump is our inevitable nominee.”

Trump is facing 91 felony charges in criminal proceedings in Atlanta, New York, South Florida, and Washington. Barring legal hitches, Trump could be a convicted felon before the presidential election. But most party leaders have vowed to support him even if he is convicted. The US Constitution does not bar felons from assuming the presidency.

Last week, Presidential Foundations and Centers across the US, for the first time, have issued a joint statement regarding the future of America. The joint statement emphasized the need for compassion, tolerance and pluralism while urging Americans to respect democratic institutions and uphold secure and accessible elections.

“As a diverse nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs, democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount. At the same time, we live among our fellow citizens, underscoring the importance of compassion, tolerance, pluralism, and respect for others,” the statement said.

It is undeniable that partisan antipathy is getting deeper and more extensive in the US. For example, there’s no evidence that widespread fraud affected the outcome of the 2020 election, but Trump and allies have spent years undercutting the election’s legitimacy. A recent Monmouth survey found that 3 in 10 Americans (30 percent)—including two-thirds (68 percent) of Republicans—believe that Joe Biden only won the presidency because of voter fraud.

Given the mercurial nature of American voters today, how would the 2024 presidential elections pan out? Is American democracy still vulnerable to interference by foreign adversaries in 2024? Will the world again see a loser attacking the foundations of American democracy? Will a third party, led by either the group No Labels or some other candidate, field a presidential candidate?

Pundits say it is improbable that a popular presidential bet that is both anti-Trump and anti-Biden may emerge. So, brace yourself for a dreary rematch in 2024.

Preparing for the unexpected

RISING SUN

The recent earthquake in Morocco underlines the fact that disasters can strike anytime and anywhere, and that preparedness may spell the difference between life and death. It is the nature of disasters, they are almost always unpredictable and they are more common than we think. It’s precisely why preparation for any type of disaster—be it flooding, earthquake, fire, and so on—is very important. every person and every household must be ready at all times for the unexpected. It also reduces the burden on rescuers, especially if the community’s resources are limited.

One of the things we can do on this very day—if we haven’t done so already—is to prepare a go-bag. Experts suggest the following inclusions for every go-bag (one for each person in a household): food that doesn’t spoil, drinking water for at least three days, a first aid kit, and specific items depending on one’s location or circumstances. For example, maintenance medicines, sup-

We offer our prayers for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco, as well as to their loved ones, the caregivers and rescuers, and the whole nation as they start the long and arduous work of rebuilding what was destroyed.

plies for pets and children, personal documents, some cash, etc.

When the go-bag has been prepared, experts also suggest the preparation of an emergency plan. Let everyone in your household know what to do in case of emergencies. Have critical phone numbers ready, tell them where to meet in case people get lost, and who to call for help. Aside from this, make sure you

have photocopies and digital copies of important documents. Keep them safe in waterproof and fireproof containers, if possible. Examples would be land titles, birth/marriage/death certificates, passports and identification cards, bank documents and bank cards, insurance policies, and so on. We offer our prayers for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco, as well as to their loved ones, the caregivers and rescuers, and the whole nation as they start the long and arduous work of rebuilding what was destroyed.  n n n

SEPTEMBER is book fair season in the Philippines with the annual run of the biggest book event in the country, the Manila International

Book Fair (MIBF). It’s happening on September 14-17, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

There will be more than a hundred exhibitors this year, ranging from mainstream and independent publishers to international and academic publishers, bookstores, and distributors. Workshops, author visits and book signings, talks, and demos will be happening, as well. MIBF is also bringing School World to the attendees this year. It’s a one-stop shop for teachers, students, parents, school administrators, young professionals, and working adults providing a wide selection of products and services to all as we transition into the “new normal” mode of learning.

The MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. , Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Overseas Publishers Representatives’ Association of the Philippines. For details, call +63 917 899 3463 or e-mail info@manilabookfair.com or follow @ManilaBookFair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Pagcor chairman finds odd suit filed on e-sabong bond

Mr. Tengco also said that while the agency has not received any formal complaint from the Ombudsman, they are already looking into the matter.

LITO GAGNI

PhIlIPPIne Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman Alejandro h. Tengco has vowed to get to the bottom of a supposed disappearance of P75 million e-sabong bond that was the subject of a suit filed before the Ombudsman, even though he found it odd that he was sued when the matter happened before he even assumed office.

Tengco, also Pagcor Chief Executive Officer, said he has already ordered an audit of the money trail and promised to get to the bottom of the case regarding the alleged disappearance of a P75 million-performance bond posted by an e-sabong company, even though it occurred during the previous administration.

“While we find it strange that we are included in the alleged charges, we nevertheless will pursue our investigation and determine what really happened, and bring the perpetrators to justice if indeed there was any anomaly,” Mr. Tengco said.

The Pagcor chief was reacting to reports that a certain Joaquin Sy, who claims to be the chairman and chief finance officer of Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings, Inc., filed charges of malversation of

public funds, qualified theft, and falsification of private and commercial documents before the Ombudsman.

Aside from Mr. Tengco, named respondents were former Pagcor chief Andrea Domingo and former board members Gabriel Claudio, Carmen Pedrosa, Reynaldo Concordia, and James Patrick Bondoc, and current Pagcor officer Dianne Erica Jogno. Not included in the complaint was former Pagcor President and COO Fred Lim.

Two of the former board members, Pedrosa and Concordia, already passed away when the alleged disappearance of the P75 million took place sometime in July 2022, while Mr. Tengco assumed office only in August of the same year.

Mr. Tengco also said that while the agency has not received any for-

mal complaint from the Ombudsman, they are already looking into the matter.

“We have launched an internal investigation and we are trying to recreate the sequence of events since the department allegedly involved, the E-Sabong Licensing Department, has already been disbanded,” he said.

“Former President Duterte outlawed e-sabong in May 2022, and the people in the E-Sabong Licensing Department have since been reassigned to other units, so now we are trying to retrace the supposed anomalous transaction,” the Pagcor chief said.

“While this happened before we came to PAGCOR, the public can rest assured that we will get to the bottom of this and that we will respond to the accusations against us in the proper venue once we receive a copy of the alleged charges from the Ombudsman,” he added.

Earlier, Tengco terminated the consultancy contract of Global ComRCI, which was mandated as the third-party auditor of the gaming agency for its licensed offshore gaming operations, and is now pursuing the recovery of the P800 mil-

lion that had been released to the audit company.

Revelations in the past Senate hearings on the said third-party auditor showed that Global ComRCI presented a bogus certification from a global bank for which it was able to secure the consultancy contract worth P6 billion from the previous management.

The Pagcor head noted that no less than Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla certified that the purported bank certification, on which hinged the third-party auditing contract of Global ComRCI, was fraudulent.

Medalla wrote the Senate, confirming that the global bank was in no position to issue any certification on behalf of any local entity, as it had no operations or branch office in the Philippines.

Thus, the certification given by Global ComRCI is, on its face, fraudulent, according to a Pagcor statement. Pagcor has now endorsed the matter to the Office of the Solicitor General “for the possible filing of administrative, civil, and criminal cases against Global ComRCI and is now exploring the legal remedies available for the restitution of more than P800 million out of the partial amount released to Global ComRCI prior to the assumption of the current administration, as well as damages it has caused to the Corporation.”

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Engaging with the global tax community

Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

The Secretary General of the Organization for e conomic Co-operation and Development submitted a Tax Report to the Group of 20 (G-20) leaders this September 2023 during their summit meeting in India. This Tax Report contained updates on tax issues and developments prioritized by OeCD and the leaders of 20 of the world’s largest economies.

These issues include such topics as the Two-Pillar International Tax Package, Work on Indirect Tax, Tax and Development and Capacity Building, Tax Transparency, Tax and Crime, Tax Administration, Tax Policy and Climate Change, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project Implementation. This Tax Report can be accessed in this link https://www. oecd.org/tax/oecd-secretary-general-tax-report-g20-leaders-indiaseptember-2023.pdf

Most of the issues contained in the Tax Report have relevance to our tax situation in the Philippines and our interaction with the global community. Our own Bureau of Internal Revenue has its programs on capacity building of revenue personnel, tax administration enhancement, curbing tax crimes, fostering tax transparency and several others. There are insights and practices in the said Tax Report and the various OECD projects that the BIR can assess and implement.

While not too many taxpayers in the Philippines are aware of the Two-Pillar International Tax Package and the BEPS initiative, it is important that our tax administrators and policy formulators, and our large taxpayers with global businesses, assess the developments on these. The directions of OECD and country signatories to the various measures on BEPS are clear and defined. These shall address the ills of tax avoidance, improve the fairness of international tax rules, ensure a more transparent tax environment and mitigate the tax challenges arising from the digitalization of the economy.

Definitely, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the BIR should be focused on the issues contained in the Tax Report, which impact the way our tax system operates. Furthermore, the global tax rules that will govern the more than 141 participating countries will affect even the non-signatory countries, whether they like it or not. I was surprised that the Philippines is not one of the signatories to a landmark document on the Outcome

Statement OECD/G-20 Inclusive

Framework on BEPS as of July 11, 2023. ( https://www.oecd.org/ tax/beps/outcome-statement-onthe-two-pillar-solution-to-addressthe-tax-challenges-arising-fromthe-digitalisation-of-the-economy-

Most of the issues contained in the Tax Report have relevance to our tax situation in the Philippines and our interaction with the global community. Our own Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has its programs on capacity building of revenue personnel, tax administration enhancement, curbing tax crimes, fostering tax transparency and several others. There are insights and practices in the said Tax Report and the various OECD projects that the BIR can assess and implement.

july-2023.pdf ). A number of our Asean neighbors have signed the document. Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Brunei Darussalam were among the 141 countries that signed this document. This is an indication that the Philippines is lagging behind in its participation in the community of tax nations.

I was informed that for some time in the past years, the DOF and BIR have attended these OECD meetings. I am not aware if our government tax officials have recently been participating. It gives me comfort that this lack of participation may be a thing of the past.

It is good to note that BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui has a sense of participating and learning from international tax events. I hope that his attendance in August 2023 in the Comparative Tax Policy and Administration Course in Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States is an indication that the BIR will be more active in international tax events, such as the OECD meetings.

It is high time that the BIR and DOF assume their respective place in the global tax community.

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax practice with his firm JL2T Consulting. He can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com

Unite for peace in the world and Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN

By Jaushieh Joseph Wu

RuSSIA’S invasion of ukraine is a reminder of how autocracies care little about causing death and destruction. The war is a gross violation of human rights and the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes as codified in the united Nations Charter, which has helped maintain the rules-based international order and kept the world in relative peace since the end of the Cold War.

The war’s humanitarian and economic fallout has also shown that in a globalized world crises cannot be contained within national borders. It is therefore imperative to deter similar threats to global security from happening elsewhere. Taiwan—a democracy that is home to over 23 million people and that I proudly represent—continues to confront enormous challenges posed by China.

Since the mid-20th century, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has vowed to take control of Taiwan and refused to renounce the use of force, despite never having ruled Taiwan. For decades, the people of Taiwan have remained calm in safeguarding the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. However, as China’s economic and military might has grown stronger, it becomes increasingly aggressive in flexing its military muscle to intimidate Taiwan, thereby threatening our democratic way of life. This includes sending warplanes and ships across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and encroaching into our air defense identification zones. It has also intensified gray-zone tactics, such as

disinformation and economic coercion, in an attempt to wear down our will to fight.

The PRC’s expansionism does not stop at Taiwan. China’s use of gray-zone activities in the East and South China Seas are designed to expand its power and substantiate its hawkish territorial claims. In addition to signing a security agreement with Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, the PRC has been securing ports for future military use in the Indian Ocean. All of these maneuvers are causing grave concerns that peace is becoming more difficult to maintain.

Ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in everyone’s best interest. Half of the world’s commercial container traffic passes through the Taiwan Strait each day. Taiwan produces the majority of the world’s semiconductors and plays a key role in global supply chains. Any conflict in the area would have disastrous consequences for the global economy.

In recent years, bilateral and multilateral forums have repeatedly emphasized that the peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait is indispensable to global security. While we can

By Issam Adwan | The Associated Press

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip—Israeli fighter jets bombed the Zorob family’s two-story home in the Gaza Strip in 2019, leaving nothing but a pile of debris and despair.

Four years later, the 10-member family lives in a 20-square-meter (215-square-foot) hut covered with nylon sheets as they wait to move into a permanent home.

A sprawling housing project, part of a $500-million Egyptian-funded renewal effort in Gaza, has raised hopes for hundreds of needy families like the Zorobs who have lost their homes in the conflict with Israel.

But weeks before the spotless white buildings are set to be completed, there is no word on who qualifies for the 1,400 apartments—or even how to apply for one, as Gaza’s Hamas rulers and the rival, internationally recognized Palestinian Authority bicker over who will be in charge.

“No one cares,” said 31-year-old Mohammed Zorob, blaming both sides for the delays. “They are sitting under air conditioners with their children and they don’t care about us.”

The Zorobs are among an estimated 2,000 families, or roughly 12,000 people, whose homes have been destroyed in fighting with Israel

in recent years, according to Gaza’s Housing Ministry. An additional 90,000 people live in damaged homes that have not been repaired, it said.

A sputtering economy weakened by an Israeli-Egyptian blockade, Hamas’ international isolation and a lack of funding from the fatigued international community have all combined to hinder reconstruction efforts. But looming behind all of these problems has been the ongoing rivalry between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

In 2007, Hamas, an Islamic militant group that opposes Israel’s existence, seized control of Gaza from the PA a year after winning parliamentary elections. The violent takeover left the PA in control only of semi-autonomous areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, even as it claims to be the legitimate international representative of both areas.

Israel considers Hamas a terrorist group and immediately imposed a blockade with Egypt in what it says is a measure to prevent Hamas

all agree that the war must be avoided, how to best do so requires inclusion, dialogue, and, most of all, unity.

The United Nations remains the best platform for global discourse. UN officials speak often of joint solutions, solidarity, and inclusion in tackling the pressing issues of our time. Taiwan is more than willing and able to take part in these efforts.

However, Taiwan continues to be excluded from the UN due to China’s distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. This resolution neither states that Taiwan is a part of the PRC nor gives the PRC the right to represent the people of Taiwan in the UN and its specialized agencies.

In fact, the resolution only determines who represents the member state China, a fact that the international community and China itself recognized following the relevant vote in 1971. The subsequent misrepresentation of Resolution 2758 contradicts the basic principles upheld by the UN Charter and must be rectified.

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly, which will center on the theme “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity,” is timely in light of a number of broad global challenges. For example, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were designed as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity.

Yet the most recent SDG progress report showed that just 12 percent of SDG targets were on track, while progress on 50 percent has remained insufficient. And on more than 30 percent, we have stalled or even re-

gressed.

While there are no easy answers, the first step is dialogue. As a truly global institution, the UN can serve as a champion of progress. We call on the UN to uphold its principle of leaving no one behind by allowing Taiwan to participate in the UN system, rather than excluding it from discussions on issues requiring global cooperation. A good first step would be to allow Taiwanese individuals and journalists to attend or cover relevant meetings, as well as ensure Taiwan’s meaningful participation in meetings and mechanisms regarding the SDGs.

Ukraine’s incredible bravery and resilience have inspired countries around the globe. The war there has forged a new sense of togetherness in the world. Unity is crucial to pushing back against Russia’s aggression and to preserving universal values, such as human rights and global peace, more broadly.

It is vital to make China and other authoritarian governments aware that they will be held accountable and to urge them to settle differences through peaceful means. Allowing Taiwan to meaningfully participate in the UN system would benefit the world’s efforts to address pressing global issues. This would also demonstrate the UN’s determination to unite for global peace at a critical juncture when the future of the world is at stake.

We are stronger together. Now is the time to act on this fundamental principle by including Taiwan. Jaushieh Joseph Wu is the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

out

from arming. The closure has devastated Gaza’s economy and helped fuel four wars and numerous smaller rounds of violence. Repeated reconciliation attempts by Hamas and the PA have failed.

The project marks the first Egyptian-funded infrastructure project in the enclave following a series of Arabfunded developments meant to ease Gaza’s housing crunch. Egypt, which often mediates between Israel and Hamas as well as between the rival Palestinian factions, announced the aid after an eight-day war in 2021.

Two senior Egyptian officials confirmed the Cairo government is working with the rival Palestinian factions on the project. They said Egypt has called on the sides to form a joint committee to oversee the distribution of homes, but little progress has been made.

“Unfortunately, each side wants to control the process,” said one official, noting that the matter had come up in discussions during a recent visit to Egypt by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “This is not a project for either Hamas or Fatah. It’s for the Palestinian people.”

Both Egyptian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Jawad al-Agha, the deputy housing minister in Gaza’s Hamas-led government, said his office has submitted a proposal to Egypt on how the apartments should be allocated. But he gave no details and said no decisions have been made, pending a meeting between the sides. The PA’s Housing Ministry in the West Bank did not return messages seeking comment.

The deadlock has left thousands of families in limbo. Most have been waiting for nearly a decade, after losing their homes during a 50-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2014.

The Zorob family home was struck during a 2019 battle between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group. Moments before the airstrike, Israel called the family and ordered them to evacuate. No one was hurt, but the home was destroyed. The family said it has no connection to any militant group and does not know why their home was targeted.

Mohammed Zorob, father of a 2-month-old, said he had spent five years building an apartment on the second floor of the building. “Imagine spending five years of your life building your home, and in a blink of an eye, Israel targets the building,” he said. AP correspondent Samy Magdy contributed from Cairo.

Kremlin hones Putin reelection tactics in regional voting as war rages

By Bloomberg News

RUSSIA’S ruling party is likely to claim a resounding victory in local elections that end Sunday and act as both a dry run for President Vladimir Putin’s reelection next year and an attempt to strengthen the country’s grip on four occupied areas in Ukraine.

Voters in 85 regions are casting their ballot in an election for a range of regional and municipal offices. Russian authorities also are staging local elections in the occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions—Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson — which Moscow annexed a year ago in illegal referendums.

The election offers authorities an opportunity to hone voter turnout and messaging as they aim to deliver Putin a decisive victory when

he’s on the ballot in March 2024. A resounding win would demonstrate that he retains the full support of his country amid the ongoing war next door and after a mutiny that posed the biggest challenge to his almost 25-year rule.

“These elections are important” and offer authorities a way to test voting systems and probe which issues and narratives appeal to voters, said Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The Kremlin needs to check it works well ahead of the 2024 reelection of Putin, where the goal would be to showcase the societal unity around Putin despite the war and the economic cost through high electoral numbers.”

Putin, 70, is reasserting control

after an armed revolt by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in June. Prigozhin and top Wagner aides died on Aug. 23 in a plane crash north of Moscow that US officials said bore the hallmarks of a Kremlin-approved execution, which Moscow denied.

The Russian leader, who unleashed the worst armed conflict in Europe since World War II when he invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, will be poised to overtake Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s almost three-decade rule if he secures a new six-year mandate. While Putin hasn’t yet announced if he will stand for reelection, he has the right under the constitution to two more terms, which would keep him in power until the age of 83.

In total, 65 million people out of Russia’s electorate of 108 million are

eligible to vote for the 21 regional leaders, including Moscow mayor, four seats in the lower house of the country’s parliament and other offices on the ballot.

Putin’s also using the elections in the four annexed Ukrainian regions that he partly controls to cement his territorial claim, as Kyiv’s counteroffensive has yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough, despite billions in US and European weapons supplies. Regional voting also is taking place in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

In May, Russian lawmakers passed measures to permit elections to take place in regions under martial law. That includes the occupied areas in Ukraine. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the elections in those areas would have “no validity under international law.”

The voting in those territories is “a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Ukrainian laws and international law—in particular the UN statute,” the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “Pseudoelections by Russia on temporarily occupied territories are legally void. They will not change the status of Ukrainian territories seized by the Russian army.”

The unprecedented armed rebellion by Prigozhin reflected rising nationalist discontent, including within security structures, at the stalled invasion of Ukraine. Russia has suffered high casualties, with tens of thousands of Russians killed in the fighting, according to western estimates.

“The very fact that elections are being held is important,” given there

was a legal opportunity to cancel them amid the ongoing war, said Mikhail Vinogradov, the founder and head of the St. Petersburg Politics Foundation. “The authorities are trying to confirm the perception that nothing terrible is happening inside the country and that they still enjoy significant support from the population.”

Opinion polls show about half of Russians support peace talks, but daily drone attacks now occurring in various Russian regions mean that “everyone is used to the fact that war is routine,” said Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Still, the Russian president is likely to secure a convincing reelection next spring because “people tend to support the leader who wages war,” said Kolesnikov.

Families in Gaza have waited years to move into new homes. Political infighting is keeping them

BOI INVESTMENT APPROVALS AT P720B AS OF END-AUGUST

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Board of Investments (BOI) is close to hitting the P729-billion mark of investment approvals recorded in 2022 as it has approved P720 billion worth of investment projects as of August 2023.

“In August of 2023, the BOI approved P720 billion investment projects. This actually amounted to 72 percent of our original P1 trillion investment target, which so far will be the highest in the history of BOI,” Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego, governor of BOI said at a recent forum.

In January, the BOI adjusted its 2023 investment approvals target for 2023 from P1 trillion to P1.5 trillion.

With this, the P720 billion worth of investment approvals recorded as of August is now equivalent to 48 percent of the revised P1.5-trillion investments target for 2023. In 2022, the BOI recorded P729 billion of investment approvals.

Ramos-Samaniego said with the amendment of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Renewable Energy Act, which now

allows 100 percent foreign ownership in renewable energy projects such as wind, solar, hydro, tidal and ocean energy, “With the recent registrations with BOI, we see now that the opening up of these early projects actually contributed in the growth of our investment projects.”

In fact, the BOI governor also revealed that last week, the investment promotion agency just awarded one of the certificates of endorsement to an 835-kilowatt solar floating panel for green lane services, which she said has over P35 billion in investments. This project, she added, would help reduce the power costs in the country.

In June, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, who also chairs the BOI, said renewable energy projects are seen to account for a third of the BOI’s P1.5trillion investment approval target for 2023.

Last July, the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments revealed it has received 12 applications for the Green Lane in the renewable energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and electricity sectors.

Solons press Executive to restore SUC budget cuts

for SUCs and the education sector.

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

Education—for free tuition and other fees in SUCs at LUCs [local state universities and colleges] —and P20.48 billion for Tertiary Education Subsidy for other costs of tertiary education in public and private HEIs like room and board, etc.,” said Castro.

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said learning loss will worsen given big cuts to education institutions.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro made a statement as the lower chamber is deliberating the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024, which is higher by 9.5 percent compared to the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), corresponding to 21.8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Castro pointed out that a significant increase in the education budget is necessary to fund these vital initiatives.

“Education is a right, and every Filipino should be given the chance to be educated. It also

should not be just elementary and secondary education, but students should be given the chance to have free state university education,” said Castro.

“According to the Constitution, all citizens have the right to education, but with the reduction in the budget of the SUCs, it seems that they don’t want the poor to go to college and are content with senior high school to become cheap labor in factories or OFW,” she added.

“As it is, the budget for Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education from P44 billion in 2021 is now just P5.5 billion for Free Higher

“Marcos Jr. announced free education in the last SONA, but he continues the annual cut in the State Universities and Colleges fund. There is a 5.8-percent SUCs budget cut despite a 9.5-percent increase in the national budget for FY 2024,” he said.

“The overall allocations for the Free Higher Education Program have been increased, which means there is an intention to increase the number of colleges, but at the same time, there is a 62 percent budget cut for the capital outlay [or the budget for infrastructure construction and purchase of facilities] of SUCs, amounting to P9.1 billion,” added Manuel.

Manuel vowed to push for the realignment of confidential and intelligence funds to social services, including supplementing the budget

Meanwhile, the top 10 SUCs that will suffer the biggest budget cuts in 2024 are: the University of the Philippines system with P2.9 billion; Mindanao State University with P2.3 billion; Mariano Marcos State University with P1.5 billion; Eastern Visayas State University with P1.3 billion; Central Bicol State University with P1.2 billion; West Visayas State University with P852.9 million; Cebu Normal University with P176.6 million; Aurora State College of Technology with P130.7 million; Northern Bukidnon State College with P100.5 million; and Philippine State College of Aeronautics with P89.7 million.

According to the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the 117 SUCs are set to receive a total budget of P100.9 billion for 2024. This is a P6.2-billion decrease from this year’s P107-billion budget. SUCs’ maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) will also face a budget cut next year of P25.9 million.

The Marcos administration granted a total of P924.7 billion for the education sector, equivalent to 16 percent of the P5.768 trillion FY 2024 NEP.

Zubiri vows bigger intel funds for WPS defenders Bong Go aids poor students in Puerto Princesa City

AMID the controversy on the granting of big confidential and intel funds to civilian agencies, the Senate vowed to push for higher intelligence funds for the “defenders of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Navy (PN).” They should be “entitled to full logistical and operational support from the government, including an increase in their confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) in the 2024 national budget,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said over the weekend.

Zubiri vowed to fight for the augmentation of the CIF allocations of the two agencies responsible for patrolling and protecting Philippine territory from China’s illegal activities and encroachment.

“Because of what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea, we want to augment the budget our our soldiers and Navy personnel, especially the  Navy and coast guard, to strengthen our external defense capabilities so we can have a credible defensive posture,” Zubiri said in a radio interview.

He talked about the recent decision of the Senate to revive the Select Oversight Committee on CIFs (SOCCIF), to review the use of CIFs

of some 30 agencies and determine if there is a need to realign some of the funds to better use.

The Senate chief lamented that the CIFs of the PCG and PN, tasked to protect the national territory in the WPS from China’s aggressions, are at a measly P10 million and P39.74 million, respectively.

“Imagine, the Coast Guard only has P10 million in confidential funds. Other government agencies,  hundreds of millions. So, I would suggest that we transfer intelligence funds to those that really need them...to protect us both internally and externally,” Zubiri said.

He assured that once the Senate receives the 2024 national budget from the House of Representatives, they will push for realignments or changes in the CIFs to boost the intelligence capabilities of the PCG and PN.

“And I think it will be reflected in the outcome of the Senate hearings of the budget,” the Senate leader said.

The PCG’s intel funds remained at P10 million since 2022, though the agency’s proposed total allocation in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) increased to P24.01 billion from P21.92 billion in 2023.

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go stressed the need to address mental health concerns of Filipino youth as he pushed passage pf Senate Bill No. 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions (HEIs) to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses.

In a message during his team’s relief activity in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Friday, Go cited the pressing need for comprehensive support systems for students facing mental health challenges. He said the bill is aimed at creating a supportive and nurturing environment for students’ mental health.

“Mental health is very important to address, just like any other health concern. It is for this reason that I also filed Senate Bill No. 1786, which mandates public Higher Education Institutions to establish Mental Health Offices, because it is important to ensure available mental health care services for basic education and higher education,” he said, partly in Filipino.

AS30 out of 117 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines are set to receive less funding for 2024, lawmakers appealed to the national government to give students the chance to have a free state university education.

ROTARY FUND RAISER Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) led by officers Avelino “Billy” Andal, director; Michael Albaña, director; Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay, secretary; Herminio Esguerra, IPP (wearing a vest 5th from left) ; Raymond Davis, Reginald Yu, vice president, and Philip Ong, past director with Sister Martha Abejero Gamolo (4th from left), Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and other officials of Hospicio de San Jose and Children of Rendu pose for a group picture after a press conference at the weekend announcing the holding of an art exhibit to benefit Hospicio De San Jose Rendu ward, held at the HDSJ main office in San Miguel, Manila. BERNARD TESTA

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Monday, September 11, 2023

ACEN to hike investments in Australian renewables

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

“I met e ric Francia, the C e O of AC e N, an energy company focusing on renewables. They currently have AU$2 billion of investment in Australia. They have a large presence in New e ngland region, in Tasmania, as well as investment coming in Western Australia in the Pilbara.

They expect that investment to increase to AU$6 billion in three years—a substantial investment

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK

LAST wEEK

in Australian renewables, putting online something like 3 gigawatts of additional capacity,” said Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to the Philippines last September 8.

The highlight of the meeting was the signing of a strategic partnership between Albanese and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The new strategic partnership establishes an enduring frame -

Share prices gained for the second straight week, with the main index closing at the 6,200-point level, but investors remained cautious especially after the government released the august inflation data.

The benchmark Philippine Stock exchange index gained 41.88 points to close at 6,222.94 points.

The main index was up almost all week long, except on Thursday when it gave up 58.62 points.

august inflation rose to 5.3 percent. While this is within the BSP’s [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] range of 4.8 percent to 5.6 percent, the print being at the high end of the already revised range is concerning and speaks to the level of both push and pull issues in third quarter,” broker 2Tradeasia said.

“The silver lining is that excluding volatile food and fuel, core inflation eased to 6.1 percent from 6.7 percent in July, which shows that the other basket items are showing predictability relative to last year.”

Volume of trade was still anemic, except on Monday when it had some P11 billion worth of trades, but it was at P3.2 billion to P3.5 billion for the rest of the week. average for the week reached P4.83 billion, with foreign investors taking just more than a third of the trades. Foreigners were net sellers at P3.59 billion.

For the week, losers slightly edged gainers 109 to 102 and 29 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers for the week were Forum Pacific Inc., a Brown Co. Inc., araneta Properties Inc., Monde Nissin Corp., LBC express holdings Inc., atok-Big Wedge Co. Inc. and Pacifica holdings Inc.

Top losers, meanwhile, were IPM holdings Inc., Seafront resources Corp., Metro alliance holdings and equities Corp. a, Philippine Infradev holdings Inc., Fruitas holdings Inc., Solid Group Inc. and Grand Plaza hotel Corp.

ThiS wEEK

ShareS may continue to be range-bound this week as investors are still cautious due to the current macroeconomic conditions.

The main index could trade within the 6,150 to 6,350-point area, with investors taking a more cautious stance ahead of the release of august inflation data in the United States, according to Juan Paolo Colet, managing director at China Bank Capital Corp.

“a higher than expected rise in US consumer prices would be unwelcome news for the equities market as it would pile pressure on the Federal reserve to raise interest rates and prolong a hawkish monetary policy,” he said.

“Traders will also anticipate the FTSe rebalancing, which takes effect on Friday, as that could influence the movement of certain local index heavyweights.”

Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said the sustainability of the market’s rise is in question as investors’ confidence is seen to remain tepid amid the recent negative economic developments and the lack of a positive catalyst.

“Investors are still expected to be on the lookout for a positive catalyst. Without such, the local market could move with a downward bias. Investors are expected to watch out for the US’ upcoming august inflation data as this may give clues on the Federal reserve’s next policy move. Investors may also take cues from our upcoming June foreign direct investments and July overseas Filipino cash remittance data.”

The market’s support is seen at 6,150 points and resistance is seen at 6,400 points. STOCK piCKS

PhILSTOCkS has advised clients to go for listed firms in the property sector that have hotel and mall segments due to the recovery of the tourism sector.

“The hotel segment across various property companies rebounded notably due to the resurgence in tourism, after facing pandemic-related setbacks. In addition, we believe that the mall segment will also be fueled by the recovery of tourism in the country. We see this rebound to continue for the rest of the year for the hospitality sector,” it said.

“The high-interest rate environment may temper the growth of the property sector’s other segments like the residential and the office space.”

The residential sector’s momentum might taper off due to elevated mortgage rates, as high interest rates could discourage potential homebuyers. The overseas Filipino workers’ remittances might prioritize essentials given the persistently high inflation.

The office segment, meanwhile, could experience a deceleration in growth, as businesses may show reluctance to expand in a high-interest environment, it said.

It has recommended the purchase of the stock of SM Prime holdings Inc. (SMPh), the target price of which is seen at P44.90. SMPh shares closed Friday at P30 apiece. VG Cabuag

work for closer cooperation with the Philippines, one of Australia’s key partners in Southeast Asia, based on a strong alignment of strategic interests.

At the sidelines of the signing ceremony at Malacañang Palace, Albanese briefly met with Francia.

Francia reiterated the company’s commitment to expand in Australia. “AC e N fully supports Australia’s energy transition, and the company is gearing up to triple its Australia investments in the next three years.”

AC e N is a significant participant in the Australian electricity market with over 1,000 megawatts of solar capacity in operations and under construction in New South Wales.

“AC e N appreciates the government’s efforts to augment the much-needed transmission capac -

ity to enable the growth of renewables. Our projects are particularly reliant on the Central West Orana renewable energy zone and the Marinus link transmission projects, among others,” Francia added.

The Albanese government is currently rolling out the AU$20billion Rewiring the Nation Plan to upgrade and modernize the electricity grid and enable significant growth in renewables capacity.

The strategic partnership comes on the back of Australia’s Southeast Asia e conomic Strategy to 2040, which the Prime Minister launched during his recent visit to Jakarta. It encompasses mutual trade and investment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture and food, education and skills, resources, and the clean energy transition.

B1

SEC to firms: Meet reporting deadlines or pay steep fines

The Securities and exchange Commission (S e C) said it is directing corporations to comply with their reportorial requirements on time, as the agency is set to raise basic penalties on the late and non-filing of reports by as high as 19 times the current rate.

The SeC is set to release within the month or by October a new scale of fines and penalties for the late and non-filing of the general information sheet (GIS) and annual financial statement (AFS), as well as noncompliance with SeC Memorandum Circular (MC) 28, Series of 2020, by corporations and associations.

The submission of reportorial requirements is required under Republic Act 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code.

“With the stricter penalties, we hope corporations will be more mindful of submitting their annual reports on time, as these are vital in ensuring the efficient functioning of the Philippine corporate sector,” S e C Chairman e milio B. Aquino said.

“Faithful compliance allows the

SeC to manage our corporate database better and determine which companies are active or not, in turn allowing us to purge inactive corporations and protect the public from fraudulent entities.”

Under the proposed rates, domestic stock corporations with retained earnings of not more than P100,000 will incur a basic penalty of P5,000 for the late filing of their GIS or AFS, plus P1,000 for every month of continuing violation. This represents a 900-percent increase from the current rate of P500.

The same penalty applies to domestic non-stock corporations with a fund balance or equity of not more than P100,000, a jump of 19 times from the current penalty of P250.

Meanwhile, non-filing of GIS or AFS by domestic stock corporations and non-stock corporations with retained earnings and fund balance/equity, respectively, of not more than P100,000 will be slapped with a basic penalty of P10,000, plus P1,000 per month of continuing violation. VG Cabuag

ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, has pledged to increase its investments in Australia’s renewable energy (RE) market to AU$6 billion in 3 years.

Perspectives

The art of continuous transformation

TRANSFORMATION is no longer a choice for businesses. It is a necessity. To keep up with rapid changes in their markets and with new ways of doing business, companies in every industry are transforming both internal and go-to-market functions. Transformations are significant change programs that require substantial resources, expertise and leadership commitment—and they are a fundamental part of the top leadership agenda.

In a recent KPMG survey of transformation leaders, 82 percent of respondents said the pace of transformation is accelerating. The survey also found that organizations are typically running multiple change programs simultaneously and 60 percent of respondents said transformations have essentially become continuous; never or rarely are there no transformations under way.

Running multiple and continuous transformations is a complex challenge. It requires the ability to orchestrate multiple massive projects and sustained leadership that keeps each transformation focused on clear strategic objectives. When companies don’t do this well, it is much more likely that these costly and time-consuming efforts will not deliver the expected value. Indeed, in the same survey, more than 80 percent of executives who have been involved in transformations said that the No.1 reason for failure is lack of alignment between transformation efforts.

Chances are your company is already experiencing continuous transformation CHANCES are your organization has multiple transformation programs under way. Executives in many areas may already be looking at the transformative power of generative AI. Technology and risk teams are executing cloud modernizations, cyber security initiatives and digitization programs. Marketing and sales are re-imagining the customer experience and rethinking customer segments and operations teams are re-engineering their functions and supply chain. The constant evolution of industry regulations and compliance requirements further increases this complexity; decarbonization may require a change in your logistics strategy, for example.

Each of these initiatives probably has a program established to drive a specific outcome. Yet all need to be aligned to a broader set of goals such as fueling growth, improving cash flow, driving operational efficiencies, reducing risk, improving employee experience, or re-skilling the workforce. Complicating matters, each team and function are on a different journey with unique complexities, using a different approach and impacting a wide range of stakeholders. Keeping all these projects on track, getting buy-in for the changes they require and consistently capturing the value of transformation constitutes a massive management challenge.

Four capabilities needed to manage transformationcontinuous

THERE are four capabilities you need to get right to succeed in continuous transformation:

1. Tracking value. Given the current economic environment, it is probably no surprise that organizations are under significant pressure to realize value quickly (68 percent of respondents in our survey said there is an increased focus on shortterm ROI). If you have successfully navigated a multi-year program, you have likely experienced the inevitable question of whether the program delivered the expected outcomes, both in terms of cost savings and performance improvement. Measuring and quantifying impact is fundamental. Yet, we hear time and time again how organiza-

tions fail to validate the benefits once an investment is complete.

2. Building roadmaps. Most business leaders know the importance of having a clear vision and building a compelling case for change when embarking on any transformation. What sets leading organizations apart is their ability to break down the strategic vision into quick, measurable outcomes and develop a meaningful sequence of releases that are prioritized by potential value. Such a roadmap requires understanding the target state, business and technology blueprints and the desired customer or employee experience. And since roadmaps are helpful at every level (technology, solution, function, or enterprise), it is essential to have compatibility and consistency in how they are all built. Combined with lean but effective governance, these roadmaps provide the foundation to seamlessly orchestrate one comprehensive, fully integrated approach that enables better, faster outcomes and helps mitigate transformation risks.

3. Orchestrating multiple initiatives. We no longer have the luxury of executing major change initiatives sequentially or independently. So, organizations need to manage the many moving parts and evolving goals of multiple, simultaneous initiatives and ensure connectivity across programs, without forcing unnecessary conformity. Previously disparate initiatives have become increasingly interconnected. Multiple initiatives may focus on customer journeys or aim to improve integration between functions or create multi-purpose technology platforms. The resulting complexity requires a more thoughtful approach to driving transparency beyond simply tracking dependencies.

4. Guiding people on the journey. Anyone who has worked on transformation initiatives knows the importance of leadership buy-in and alignment. The stresses of continuous and multi-threaded transformation elevate people and culture issues. Transformation burnout is a real risk: our research shows turnover is higher in organizations with multiple transformations that add hours to the work week. By carefully managing the people experience, you can avoid burnout. Start by understanding the capacity for change in the organization and how transformation initiatives interact with each other. Think about a company that is redesigning its HR operating model and employee experience in parallel with updating sales performance metrics, adding new services and moving to a cloud-based CRM platform. In this case, different initiatives will likely impact sales reps multiple times. If you provide communication and training at the individual project level, you risk disjointed and confusing messaging or, worse, conflicting requests that impact productivity. By aggregating various data points from each initiative (impacted roles, impacted groups, type of change, the magnitude of change, etc.), you can better assess the risk of change fatigue and incorporate all changes across the enterprise into a coherent change journey for each stakeholder.

The excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://advisory. kpmg.us/articles/2023/art-continuous-transformation.html.

© 2023 KPMG Int’l

Diokno: MIC should always be led by a citizen of PHL

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

Diokno said in a recent press briefing. [It cannot be that the PCEO is not Filipino. It should be Filipino under the GCG’s fit and proper rule.]

The GCG serves as the regulatory oversight body of all GOCCs nationwide.

Under GCG Memorandum Circular 2012-05 (“Fit and Proper Rule for appointive directors and CEOs of GOCCs”), the minimum qualification for both directors and CEOs of GOCCs is that they must be a Filipino citizen.

Under the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, the MIC is a GOCC.

The Maharlika Secretariat has started accepting applications and nominations for the PCEO and board seats of MIC last week. The application period will close on September 27. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/09/07/ applications-for-mic-ceodirectors-being-accepted/)

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the PCEO of the MIC, which is mandated to manage the country’s sovereign investment fund, should be Filipino under the fit and proper rule of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).

Furthermore, since MIC is owned

and controlled by the Philippine government, then it is only fitting that its head should be a Filipino, Finance Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan-Tiuseco said.

“Hindi puwedeng hindi Pinoy (ang PCEO). Dapat Pinoy ka because of the fit and proper rule of the GCG,”

Nonetheless, Diokno pointed out that the independent directors of the MIC, however, can be foreign citizens. He cited the case of Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, who sits in the board of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Ltd., which manages the city-state’s sovereign wealth fund.

“A lot of people are inquiring already, seeking clarifications with the requirements,” Monetary Board Member Rosalia V. De Leon said. De Leon, who was part of the group that drafted the Maharlika Investment Fund’s implementing rules and regulations, disclosed that there will be a panel interview for the applicants of MIC positions.

The MIC is eyed to be operational before the year ends. Diokno said the priority is to complete the MIC’s board of directors, get an office, create a logo and hire a staff of about 50 people to hit the ground running.

RE firm bags $100M from debt-financing company

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. (Crec) announced two days ago it has secured a $100-million financing from Pentagreen Capital Pte. Ltd. (PCPL), a Singapore-based debt financing company and a joint venture between HSBC and Temasek Holdings (PVt) Ltd.

Of the $100-million mezzanine construction green loan facility, an initial tranche of $30 million will finance six solar power projects across Luzon. This initial tranche will provide funding for the construction of four greenfield projects and two more that have been recently completed.

The four greenfield solar projects are the 125-megawatt (MW) Lumbangan, 72MW Luntal, 72MW Bol-

bok1, and 100MW Bolbok2. These are all located in Batangas. The first two are already under construction while construction will start in the fourth quarter for the other two solar projects. The 36MW Arayat 1 and 22MW Arayat 2, both in Pampanga, are already operational. These projects are expected to add around 691 gigawatt hours (GWHs) of renewable electricity (RE) supply into the Luzon grid annually and result in avoided greenhouse gas emissions of 430,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, as estimated in accordance with the methodology established by the International Financial Institutions Technical Working Group on Greenhouse Gas Accounting.

Crec currently has 680MW in its portfolio.

According to Crec President and

More than 1k receive Local Treasurer Eligibility–CSC

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced it is set to confer the Local Treasurer Eligibility to 1,018 individuals who passed the Basic Competency on Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE) held on June 11. This figure represents 18.09 percent of the 5,626 total number of examinees, the CSC said through a statement.

Jenny B. Sagario from Region IX topped the BCLTE with a rating of 92.62.

The list of the exam’s highest achievers is completed by the following individuals and their respective scores: Charlie C. Bastida (Region X) with a rating of 92.31; Leynette Joy A. Lepaopao (Region X) with a score of 92.00; Neil R. Dacoylo (Region VII) and Marianne S. Irabagon (Region III), both earning a rating of 91.69; Janine F. Giltendez (Region VII), Niña L. Alviar (Region IV), and Romiel P. Mariñas (Region II) with 91.38; Jerome D. Estores (Region IV) with a rating of 91.08; and Denis Y. Maguiwe, Jr. (Cordillera Administrative Region), Jonathan S. Advincula (Region XII), and Flor Mae R. Gahi (Region VII), all achieving a rating of 90.77.

“Congratulations sa ating mga bagong local treasurers at assistant treasurers. Kami ay nasasabik na maging bahagi kayo ng serbisyo sibil tungo sa mas mahusay at de-kalidad na local treasury ng bansa,” CSC Chairman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles was quoted in the statement as saying. [Congratulations to our new local treasurers and assistant treasurers. We are excited to have you as part of the civil service towards a better and quality local treasury of the country.]

The CSC Examination, Recruit -

ment, and Placement Office (Erpo) further revealed that Region V secured the top position with an impressive passing rate of 28.95 percent in terms of regional performance. Additionally, noteworthy passing rates were attained by other regions such as Region IV with 26.71 percent, Region II with 24.62 percent, Region III with 23.99 percent, and Region I with 23.87 percent.

Meanwhile, Nograles also delivered an encouraging message for those who fell short in the exams, offering support and motivation.

Para sa mga hindi nakapasa, hindi pa ito ang dulo ng inyong pangarap. Ang isang maaasahang kawani ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa husay kundi pati sa sipag at dedikasyon. Hihintayin namin kayo sa serbisyo publiko.” [For those who did not pass, this is not the end of your dream. A reliable staff is not only measured in skill but also in hard work and dedication. We will wait for you at the public service.]

The CSC said that examinees may generate their test result using the Online Civil Service Examination Result Generation System, which may be accessed at the CSC web site at www. csc.gov.ph.

Passers may claim their Certification of Eligibility at the CSC Regional Office concerned. Related Examination Advisory 7 (s. 2023) has been issued and posted on the CSC website.

The Local Treasurer Eligibility is a second level eligibility appropriate for appointment to Local Treasurer and Assistant Local Treasurer positions, and to positions under the Financial Services that do not involve practice of profession and are not covered by Bar/Board or special laws.

CEO Oliver Y. Tan, their partnership with PCPL is “a vote of confidence in our ability to scale up, enabling us to achieve our planned 1GW (gigawatts) project roll out this year.” Tan added the target is in line with their roadmap of 5GW in five years.

The executive said the Singaporean firm’s support for Crec’s solar projects “unlocks the development of our [RE] capacity pipeline in an accelerated manner.”

These projects will sell green electricity to a combination of long-term and spot market customers, “supporting the goal” of the Department of Energy (DOE) of generating 35 percent of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

Crec was recently awarded 916.58MW of RE capacity in line

➜ EW’s credit card feted

with the competitive selection process for the DOE’s “Green Energy Auction” program.

PCPL’s commitment is the first international institutional investment and is designed to enable mobilization of additional debt funding to support the construction of Crec’s “ready-to-build” projects.

PCPL’s commitment comes with a greenshoe option to increase the committed amount to $100 million to fund additional greenfield solar projects and the expansion of the portfolio to over 1GW.

“We are delighted to partner with Citicore Renewables to support its ambition of becoming a leading green electricity provider in the Philippines and are honored to welcome them as the first addition to our own portfolio,” PCPL CEO Marat Zapparov said.

THE TAB International Pte. Ltd. has named JCB Credit Card of East West Banking Corp. (PSE: EW) as the “Best Credit Card” in the Philippines in the “Excellence in Retail Financial Services and Technology Innovation” category in the “The Asian Banker Award for 2023” organized by the Singapore-based firm. “In less than a year, we were able to see good traction, which goes to show that we were able to anticipate customer preferences and needs,” EastWest President Jacqueline S. Fernandez was quoted in a statement as saying. Executive Vice-President Lawrence L. Lee said the lender’s partnership with JCB Co. Ltd. “came at the right time and this award only goes to show that EW really puts a premium on focusing on our customers’ dreams.”

➜ Sun Life execs win awards

SUN Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. (Sun Life PHL) announced on August 29 that Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. (SLIMTC) President Michael Gerard D. Enriquez and Sun Life PHL General Counsel Edgar S. Tordesillas achieve acclaim in their respective fields. The insurer said Enriquez was dubbed as among the Top 25 Asean Selectors, an honor given to the most influential product gatekeepers and investment professionals in the Asean region by a financial publishing and data group. Tordesillas joined the roster of the vaunted members of the Philippines’s top in-house lawyers as evaluated by publisher Legalease Ltd.

➜

SSS taps LBP for payroll disbursement

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) announced it has been tapped by the Social Security System for the disbursement of payroll for the pension fund manager. Through the signing of the Service Level Agreement between SSS and LandBank, the state-run bank’s ATM-payroll facility will service the direct crediting of salary, allowances, bonuses and provident fund and loan proceeds to the Landbank accounts of more than 6,300 SSS employees. Under the agreement, LandBank will automatically deduct monthly SSS payments from the payroll of Bank personnel who opted for voluntary contribution and directly remit to SSS. SSS employees can transact and withdraw cash from LandBank’s 606 branches and branch-lite units and 2,941 ATMs, as well as 2,699 ATMs of 7-Eleven convenience stores in selected areas in the country.

THE citizenship of the President and CEO (PCEO) of the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) must always be Filipino in compliance with existing rules and regulations governing government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), finance officials said.

EvEryonE’s talking about thE global south. but what is it?

By David Rising The Associated Press

IndI an Prime Minister narendra Modi says his country is “becoming the voice of the Global South,” and that at the upcoming Group of 20 meetings being held in new delhi, that voice will be heard.

At the August summit of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa— current chair South Africa declared its goal was to “advance the agenda of the Global South.” And ahead of this May's summit of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in Hiroshima, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that the guest nations he had invited reflected the importance of the Global South.

The United Nations, the World Bank, US President Joe Biden— everyone seems to be talking about the Global South these days. But what, exactly, is it?

What constitutes the Global South?

Despite how it sounds, it's not really a geographical term. Many countries included in the Global South are in the northern hemisphere, such as India, China and all of those in the northern half of Africa. Australia and New Zealand, both in the southern hemisphere, are not in the Global South.

Most cite the so-called Brandt Line as the border; a squiggle across the globe running from the north of Mexico, across the top of Africa and the Middle East, looping around India and China before dropping down to encompass most of East Asia while avoiding Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The line was proposed by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt in the 1980s as a visual depiction of the north-south divide based upon per-capita GDP.

“The Global South is a geographical, geopolitical, historical and developmental concept, all at the same time—with exceptions,” says Happymon Jacob, founder of the New Delhi-based Council for Strategic and Defense Research.

Which countries make up the Global South?

It’s complicated, and often depends upon who is using the phrase.

Most commonly the term refers to the countries belonging to the Group of 77 at the United Nations, which, confusingly, is today actually a coalition of 134 countries. They’re primarily considered developing countries, but also include China—about which there is some debate—and several wealthy Gulf states.

Though the G77 is a group at the UN, the UN itself does not use that as its own definition, according to Rolf Traeger, who is with the UN’s trade and development office.

For the UN, Global South is something of a shortcut to refer to developing countries in general, Traeger said. The UN currently lists 181 jurisdictions as developing countries or territories, and 67 jurisdictions as developed, he said.

In January, India’s Modi hosted a virtual “Voice of the Global South Summit.” It only included 125 countries, however, with India's regional rivals China and Pakistan among the notable absentees.

Some use different criteria, such as whether a country was

previously colonized or whether a nation’s per-capita GDP is above $15,000.

There is also a Global North, though the term is not regularly used. That is defined basically as not the Global South.

Should we use the term Global South?

The term Global South first

appeared in the 1960s, but took time to gain traction.

Following the end of the Cold War, the terms First World, Second World and Third World started to fall out of favor, partly because with the fall of the Soviet Union the Second World ceased to exist, and also because the use of Third World came to be seen as derogatory.

No matter how you define it, the Global South accounts for such a vast majority of the world's population and broad swath of territory that some argue it’s impossible and misleading to use the label.

How can countries like China and India, each with about 1.4 billion people and GDPs of about $18 trillion and $3.4 trillion respectively, be lumped together

with the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, with a population a little over 300,000 and a GDP of $984 million, or the southern African nation of Zambia with 19 million people and a GDP of $30 billion?

Some also fret that China, which is assertively seeking to expand its global influence, could misuse the grouping to push its own agenda while giving the impression that it speaks for the majority of the world.

It has been speculated that that was behind the decision in May of the G7 nations—all Global North countries—to refrain from using “Global South” in their final summit communique, even though Kishida himself favors it.

“There is every danger that the Global South will end up becoming a weapon in the hands of revisionist states, like China, who would want to use the voice of the Global South to promote their great power interests,” says Happymon Jacob.

For his part, Modi has stressed the commonality of many issues facing the Global South, such as emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, rising debt, and food and energy security.

Ian Lesser, vice president of the German Marshall Fund and director of its Brussels office, notes that most discomfort with the term comes from Global North countries, and that “Global South” is widely used by the countries that make it up.

Even though the Global South is not a group with a monolithic view or widespread uniformity, he says what’s important is that it reflects how the group sees itself.

“There is embedded in it a notion that not all strategies need to be made in the West,” Lesser said.

“For some this is simply a way to assert a degree of historic independence and distance on key issues…and it is affecting the way Europe and the United States think about foreign policy, and the idea that we need to live in a world where not everyone will be on the same page with us on every issue.”

From left, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China’s President Xi Jinping, South Africa's President Cyril ramaphosa, India’s Prime minister Narendra modi and russia's Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a group photo during the 2023 BrICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 23, 2023. modi says his country is “becoming the voice of the Global South,” and that at the upcoming Group of 20 meetings being held in New Delhi that voice will be heard. At the recent summit of the BrICS nations, current chair South Africa declared that the grouping's goal was to “seek to advance the agenda of the Global South.” aL e T Pre T orius/Poo L Pho T o via a P

A m AN rides a cycle rickshaw past a billboard featuring Indian Prime minister Narendra modi ahead of this week’s summit of the Group of 20 nations in New Delhi, India, Thursday, September, 7, 2023. a P/aLTaf Qa D ri

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Monday, September 11, 2023

Third time’s the charm for Samsung and Thom Browne

THE first Samsung collaboration with designer Thom Browne was for the Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, and the first person I saw carrying the phone on Instagram was EXO’s Suho—or RM of BTS also had the phone, which featured the fashion brand’s clean, multicolored stripe logo going down the middle.

JOSHUA INVITES EVERYONE

INTO HOUSE OF PREP

A NAME synonymous with the aesthetic and purveyor of the iconic topsider, Sperry (www.sperry.com.ph) leads the charge with three new preppy propositions this fall—ranging from clubhouse to 1960s retro with its latest collections including chunky casual loafers, sneakers and, of course, the boat shoes. Last August 23, the iconic shoemaker showcased Modern Prep in new exciting ways in a fashion presentation which featured the house’s newest brand ambassador, actor Joshua Garcia.

n CLUBHOUSE PREP. Preppy dressing has always been tied to country clubs and the tennis courts that feature prominently in their manicured grounds. Think knit cardigans, crisp polos, khakis, visors, and lots of leg-baring pieces. These days, rugby stripes, rich jewel tones, berets and oversized sleeveless sweater-vests are the norm. To complement this bold new proposition, Sperry puts forward its reinvented classics like the Halyard and the Bahama in neutral shades of bone and ivory to provide much-needed contrast. Athletic stripes, chunky outsoles, and pops of tennis court green add a touch of playfulness to the shoes. Available in men’s and women’s styles.

n ACADEMIA PREP. The TV classic Gossip Girl has undoubtedly made its mark in fashion: forever engraving in our minds a trendy private school-inspired wardrobe that we all wanted to wear. A 2023 modern prep interpretation sees oversized blazers, plaid, argyle, and varsity details popping up in runways and in GRWM (Get Ready With Me) TikTok videos. Sperry is a brand whose heritage and design has been intertwined with the preppy set and aesthetic for generations.

The 1960s are having a moment in fashion this fall with psychedelic patterns, earth tones, and mod-inspired details making a comeback. Floral motifs, paisley prints, ascots, round glasses, page-boy hats, and crochet are all hallmarks of this retro revival. These fanciful touches combined with preppy details produce a unique spin on the trend that is rooted in the past but is unmistakably modern in its approach, much like Sperry’s brand identity and collection represents.

The international brand is now collaborating with actor Joshua Garcia as the brand’s face for this new era of Modern Prep, fully capturing the spirit of the brand’s storied heritage intertwined with its bold adventurous steps forward to the future. Joshua, whose film and TV roles have garnered numerous awards and accolades, reflects the brand’s ethos of making waves in one’s endeavors. His beginnings as a fresh-faced teen star and subsequent transformation into a respected dramatic actor today coincides with his style evolution—trading in boyish basics for more refined looks and Sperry’s iconic footwear. It’s no surprise that Joshua is now making waves in Manila’s fashion scene too, thanks to his bold and playful approach to his personal style, not to mention his emergence as a pioneer in the preppy trend.

Thom Browne is what’s known as a quiet luxury brand. The brand, which has defined the modern “uniform,” has no logo with stripes acting as a distinctive tool. There are four evenly-spaced horizontal white stripes on the left sleeve or leg of his button-downs and bottoms. For suits and other pieces, Thom Browne uses a tri-color red, white, and blue grossgrain.  There was another collaboration in 2021, this time for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, along with other tech gadgets.

Sadly, both collaborations were not available in the Philippines so I would only see it on social media.

The third Samsung-Thom Browne collaboration will finally be available in the Philippines tomorrow, September 12, and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek a week before the launch at Univers in Greenbelt 3, where a Thom Browne boutique is located.

The grandeur and luxury of a black-tie event is the inspiration for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 Thom Browne Edition.

The special edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 features Samsung’s latest foldable technology and Thom Browne’s signature design elements with black pebble leather and grosgrain details. The sleek exterior includes a number of design elements: Thom Browne’s signature red, white and blue stripes; fabric texture etched on the back glass; a black frame and gold hinge; and gold rings around the camera lenses. The limitededition Galaxy Z Fold 5 also comes with two leather pouch cases and a special edition of the S Pen.

“Our longstanding work with Thom Browne is rooted in a shared commitment to pair iconic style with advanced innovation and this collection is no exception,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP and head of marketing of mobile experience business at Samsung Electronics.

The packaging of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 Thom Browne Edition is the iconic Thom Browne briefcase so a typical unboxing turns into an enhanced experience. Included in the collaboration is the Galaxy Watch 6, which features a gold tone body, a special complementary watch face, and the Thom Browne logo engraved on the side. This limited-edition Galaxy Watch 6 comes with two leather straps: a black pebble leather and a red, white and blue striped leather. These colors are also used on the 25W travel adapter, the coin-style watch charger and an exclusive fabric USB-C to USB-C cable, all with Thom Browne’s trademark influence.

This limited edition is as striking as it is inviting, with each piece featuring expert craftsmanship and

Maxine Misa: Maxim of beauty

cosmetic and plastic surgeons. The clinic also employs highly trained nurses, aestheticians, facialists and technicians.

A pretty enterprising young woman at only 27, Misa is the best spokesmodel for her company. A Communication Arts graduate at Southville International School and Colleges in Las Piñas, she widened her horizon and pursued trainings in aesthetics at the Bangkok Beauty Academy and in Korea and Europe.

n ORIGINS: “Our company was named after me. However, ‘max’ generally has a lot of meanings but for us it’s going beyond the ‘beaut’ that you already have. For men and women at any age, when it comes to health, well-being and beaut, we like to always put a premium and the maximum on taking better care of ourselves.

WITH the pace becoming more frantic as the holiday season nears, we must pause and relieve ourselves of some stress. Especially stress that manifests in our face. Add to this the harmful impact the haze in Metro Manila is causing, which may or may not accelerate our aging process.

“While youth is a blessing, technology and new aesthetic treatments enable women and men to experience aging with more sophistication. To age gracefully is to now welcome change and take on new aesthetic treatment adventures,” says Maxine Misa, the most exciting aesthetician currently creating waves in town.

Misa is the founder and CEO of Max Beaut, a multiawarded face and body advanced aesthetic clinic. It has internationally qualified and well-trained and experienced board-certified dermatologists, aesthetic physicians, and

“Our company was founded in 2021 during the pandemic. We started with semi-permanent makeup services. From there, it opened us up to all other health, beauty, and skincare, aesthetic services that we still provide.”

n EXPERTISE: “Our aesthetic physicians and practitioners are leaders in body reshaping, anti-aging and aesthetic nonsurgical procedures and laser procedures. We offer stateof-the-art cosmetic technology offering minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments, personalized patient services and treatments—all within competitive rates to help our clients feel and look their best.

n DIFFERENCE: “Max Beaut constantly looks for newer machines, the latest technologies and nonsurgical breakthroughs so we can always provide better sufficient

premium details. The Thom Browne edition will be available in select markets, including Korea and the Philippines, starting on September 12. As for the pricing, let’s just say you need to be prepared to pay the peso equivalent of $3,000 for it.

For more information on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 Thom Browne Edition, go to www.samsung.com. It will also be available starting September 12, 10 am, at Univers and www.samsung.com.

AVEDA’S INVATI LINE ADDRESSES HAIR LOSS

I’VE often talked about how I have hair and scalp issues and that I go to Svenson for Scalp Corrective Treatment. I also use Svenson’s shampoo and Morning and Evening Tonics.

Not-so-fun fact: I have been to Svenson before and after the pandemic, and let me tell you that there are more people there now. They aren’t just older people dealing with hair loss. There are also teenagers and millennials who go to Svenson regularly.

Thanks to Svenson and Aveda, I know that to have beautiful hair, your scalp needs to be healthy.

Aside from Svenson, Aveda is another haircare brand I trust and I was so happy to see that it’s now back in Greenbelt 5.

Aveda is a high-performance vegan and crueltyfree haircare brand with a wide range of products. The Botanical Repair is for damaged hair, Nutriplenish is for dry hair, Color Control is for colored hair, the Scalp Solutions for scalp care, and the Invati Advanced is for hair loss.

Aveda’s new pop-up store in Greenbelt 5 carries its own advanced hair and scalp analysis technology where customers can find the best personalized solution for their hair concern.

“This analysis does what we can’t do on a dayto-day basis,” said Justine Qui, Luxasia Philippines

results for the patients and, of course, us having that personal touch to each and every patient that we have.

“We also ensure that we have a wide range of beauty, health and skincare services. I believe that our clients feel the love and care we have for each of them. We are also active in social media marketing so that our patients/clients can easily reach out to us.”

n PRODUCTS: “I make sure that I am very hands-on, and that we take extra steps/tests before we actually introduce new products and new services to clients. We put a lot of effort and study in our field so we can make each premiere treatments/services unique and we make sure that they are effective, safe and relevant.”

Some of Max Beaut’s bestselling products are Intimate Whitening Deo Spray, MB Sweet Berry Feminine Wash, MB Glutaberry Bleaching Lotion, MB Snail White Facial Wash, MB Skin Niacinamide Soap, MB Scar Remover Soap, andMB Bleaching Whipped Lotion.

n PROMOS: A visit to Max Beaut clinics in BF Homes Parañaque City (Unit I, #28 JLA Watchtower Building Elizalde Street) or Mandaluyong (4F #168 Luna Mencias Street, Barangay Addition Hills) can be a life-changing experience. This September, promos are ongoing such as the Ice Diode Hair Laser Removal (a form of laser hair removal treatment that offers a gentle touch, removing hair while protecting the skin) and the Hiko Nose With Diamond Tip procedure at P11,999 from P30,000 (nose is subtly reshaped and enhanced, resulting in a more balanced and harmonious

assistant brand manager. “There are so many external factors that contribute to hair loss. At Aveda, we’ve discovered a plant-powered solution that not only prevents further hair loss, but rejuvenates the scalp and thickens the hair’s diameter using biotech natural ingredients. With proper hair care, like using the Invati Advanced three-step system, we never have to worry about thinning hair anymore.”

The Invati Advanced line has been proven to help reduce hair loss by 53 percent. The three-step system starts with the Invati Advanced Exfoliating Shampoo that exfoliates the scalp by removing build-up that clogs pores. This can be followed by the Invati Advanced Thickening Conditioner, a gentle conditioner which can instantly thicken hair and provide fullness that lasts all day. Lastly, the Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer can be used as a daily leave-in treatment, which can result in thicker, fuller and healthier-looking hair.

All Aveda products are vegan and free of petrolatum, paraben, mineral oil, synthetic oil, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrance, gluten and talc.

The Invati Advanced products can be purchased as a set or individually, starting at P2,400 for the full-sized shampoo. Admittedly, Aveda products aren’t inexpensive but they really work. Aside from the Invati Advanced line, I also love the Nutriplenish line. A staple in my vanity is the Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner, which I apply on the hair after I shampoo and condition.

Customers get a free deluxe travel duo for every P6,000 minimum purchase. This promo is valid instore only at the Greenbelt 5 pop-up until Septembe 30, 2023.

Aveda products are also available via Lazada and through partner retailers Rustans.com, Zalora, and LOOK stores. n

facial appearance).

Some of the sought-after services are the Sweat Botox injections (FDA-approved to treat excessive sweating. In the skin, botox selectively turns off the sweat glands resulting in a normal appearance without wetness.); Under Eye Filler, also known as dermal filler (a procedure done to improve the appearance of sunken or discolored under-eye areas using Hyaluronic Acid Injection to be performed by Dr. Pat Lao);

Premium Mesolipo (involves the injection of a customized mixture of vitamins, minerals and amino acids just millimeters under the skin into the problematic area through a series of tiny and almost painless microinjections); and Laser Wart Removal (said to be the fastest, pain-free, and surefire way to remove unsightly flat warts; using a skin-safe, intense beam of light, this laser treatment heats up the blood vessels under the flat wart).

n EXPANSION: “We are planning to open our new Max Beaut Clinic early next year. It is going to be the third, hopefully, after the BF Homes Parañaque and Mandaluyong clinics. We are also expanding Max Beaut Skin by introducing new skincare products and having a broader reach nationwide.

“I am taking steps one at a time, as our main goal is to make sure our existing branches are fully operational and our doctors are hands on, and most importantly, our patients are happy.”

For more information, message (0935) 885-6400 or (0908) 893-9788.

THE special edition of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 features both Samsung’s latest foldable technology and Thom Browne’s distinctive style (left). EXO’s leader Suho had the Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne in 2020.

PHOTO

BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ

JOSHUA GARCIA and models wearing their Modern Prep ensembles.

ValuePlus Auto Service Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Celebration

VALUEPLUS Auto Service, a premier provider of automotive services, is thrilled to announce the kickoff to its 10th anniversary celebration this coming November. For a decade, ValuePlus has steadfastly served as a reliable and resilient alternative to traditional car dealerships, consistently delivering high-quality service and creating unyielding trust among its loyal customers.

“Reflecting on our journey, we take immense pride in the resilience that has been our guiding force,” said Normann Chiu, President of ValuePlus Auto Service. “Our unwavering commitment to serve as the trustworthy casa alternative has shaped our story, driving our success over these ten fruitful years.”

In celebrating this significant milestone, ValuePlus Auto Service has planned a host of exciting initiatives. As

a token of gratitude, the company will be giving away one-year complimentary

Preventive Maintenance Services (PMS) to its select loyal customers who have been availing services since 2013. Additionally, both current and past customers stand a chance to win in a raffle draw featuring service packages as prizes.

In the spirit of giving back and fostering growth within the broader auto service community, ValuePlus’ franchising arm, VPX, will spearhead an exclusive mentorship program for independent auto repair shop owners and aspiring technicians. “Over the years, we have successfully navigated the intricacies of this industry, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience,” said Mark Saberola, General Manager of ValuePlus.

“To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are extending this knowledge beyond our own operations. Through VPX, we will offer

10 mentorship slots to independent auto shop owners, providing them with the insights we’ve gleaned and the experiences we’ve encountered, in a concerted effort to uplift the entire industry.”

ValuePlus Auto Service’s journey over the past decade has been marked by continuous adaptation, overcoming industry challenges, and changes to further solidify its position as a resilient casa alternative. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the company reaffirms its commitment to its core principles and to serving its customers’ automotive needs.

“We are excited about the future and are committed to continuing to serve as a trusted, resilient casa alternative,” said Chiu. “Our 10th anniversary is not only a celebration of our past achievements but also a stepping stone towards a future filled with further growth and service to our customers.”

MPIF head highlights urgency of climate change mitigation in Dive Resort Travel show

DURING the Dive Resort Travel show international held in Manila last August 18 to 20, 2023, Melody del Rosario, the President of Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), delivered an impassioned talk on the reality of climate change and the critical role that nature-based solutions and science can play in mitigating its effects. Del Rosario’s talk presented the vulnerability of the Philippines, a country located in the typhoon belt and the ring of fire, as well as the various risks it faces.

The talk, titled “Shoring Up Coastal Communities in the Protection of Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems,” explored the devastating impacts of climate change, such as intensifying typhoons, rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, and drought. Del Rosario emphasized that these impacts are becoming increasingly

frequent and destructive, necessitating urgent action by supporting coastal communities through its environmental program called Shore it Up.

During her talk, Del Rosario mentioned the crucial role of the Shore it Up Board of Advisors in setting the direction of science-based approaches and nature-based solutions. Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, renowned for her studies on mangroves, provides expertise on mangroves and the reef-to-ridge approach in mitigating climate change. Biologist

Dr. AA Yaptinchay, founder of Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, is an expert on endangered and threatened marine species. Romy Trono, a respected figure in the field, helps in coastal resource management and biodiversity conservation. Jake Miranda, Co-Founder of the Filipino Cave Divers, assists in

NEA administrator lauds Zambo Electric Coop for improved services, overall performance

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has recognized the various innovative improvements introduced and implemented by the management and Board of the New Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO), especially in terms of its overall performance and service to its member-consumers in providing reliable power service.

NEA Administrator Antonio “Nani” Almeda noted that ZAMCELCO has improved in its key performance-indicators (KPI) such as lowering its systems loss, increasing collection efficiency, and sound fiscal management.

Almeda was recently in Zamboanga City to meet with ZAMCELCO’s board and management to personally inspect and audit the state of affairs in the franchise territory. “The figures won’t lie,” Almeda said. “The figures of its key performance standard landed ZAMCELCO to category B. We are happy on that note. And that only proves that ZAMCELCO has been improving its key performance indicators and lots of factors have to be considered from lowering of its systems loss, other improvements need to be done, collection efficiency, ensure soundness of management with collaboration of Crown Investment and ZAMCELCO is working,” he continued.

The NEA official also noted how the

previous local power cooperative was ailing and nearing bankruptcy, which suddenly took a turn for the better when Crown took over ZAMCELCO in 2018 through the Investment Management Contract (IMC).

“Remember, ZAMCELCO was an ailing cooperative and the entrance of Crown and the infusion of P2.5 billion enabled ZAMCELCO to address the technical deficiencies. Hopefully, it will soon be upgraded to category A,” he pointed out.

Almeda also said NEA records with regards to the power rates of different cooperatives in Mindanao show that ZAMCELCO is in fact the second lowest when it comes to power rate. “Admittedly, Crown has boosted the capacity buildup of ZAMCELCO in terms of performance and service,” he commented. “ZAMCELCO has gone a long way in improving its services.”

Currently, ZAMCELCO has embarked on further improving its power facilities by upgrading its equipment in all substations, including the consistent training of its technical personnel. According to ZAMCELCO Chief Management Officer Rommel Agan, its engineers and technical personnel are now more professionally qualified, equipped, and empowered.

Residents are also attesting to the improved services, with some saying that the difference from before “has been felt.”

protecting wet caves, springs, and aquifers including search and rescue operations. Finally, Caloy Libosada, who is the expert in tourism planning.

The use of nature-based solutions, such as mangrove propagation and information centers, was a central theme of Del Rosario’s talk. These strategies harness the power of nature to combat climate change while also enriching biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and benefiting local communities. By implementing these solutions, not only can global temperatures be limited, but climateresilient communities that flourish alongside nature can also be built.

Del Rosario also highlighted the importance of Marine Protection Inspection and Conservation Guardians, a program under Shore it Up, which monitors pollution, overfishing, and unsustainable tourism practices. Additionally, the talk emphasized the need to support RAMSAR sites and marine protected areas, which play a vital role in mitigating climate change by acting as significant carbon sinks.

As the Philippines faces increased risks from climate change, Melody del Rosario stressed the significance of five key pillars: conservation and restoration of marine habitats, strengthening local capacity and awareness through education and training, implementing sustainable tourism practices, diversifying livelihoods to reduce dependence on unsustainable practices, and fostering partnerships and policy advocacy for long-term impact.

Del Rosario ended her talk by urging individuals and organizations to embrace and adopt sustainable solutions to protect coastal communities and build a more resilient future.

LUMINISCE Holistic Skin Innovations proudly introduces Syndeo HydraFacial, an advanced non-invasive facial treatment that cleanses, extracts, and hydrates the skin in one procedure.

Hydrafacial is known for cleansing, extracting and hydrating the skin using patented hydradermabrasion and vortex technology alongside unique serums. At Luminisce, a trained HydraFacial expert operates the device and ensures a safe, soothing, and effective experience for clients throughout the 30- to 60-minute procedure.

The sleek new system also has a digital focus. Through a smart interface, therapists can personalize treatments according to a client’s skin needs and preferences and access protocol guidance on screen. This is all done through touchless gesture control features, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene with less hand-to-surface contact.

In addition, Syndeo HydraFacial’s cloudbased software allows therapists to keep track of a client’s treatment history and skin concerns. The aim is to provide clients with a

deeply customized and effective treatments

Customizable with skin types, Syndeo HydraFacial covers three procedures that make it unique from other treatments:

Cleanse: It deeply cleanses and exfoliates with a gentle peel to uncover a new layer of skin.

Extract: It removes impurities from pores with painless gentle suction.

Hydrate: It saturates the skin’s surface with intense moisturizers and nourishing, personalized ingredients.

The device acts like a vacuum to open pores for a deep cleanse and easy extraction of impurities and dead skin cells. In particular, Syndeo HydraFacial benefits individuals who wear makeup, removing the buildup of sebum and debris and unclogging pores. HydraFacial also allows the active ingredients in our boosters to penetrate deeper, for the most effective treatment possible.

Book a consultation with a Luminisce dermatologist today by calling 0977-804-4601 or email patientsupport@luminisce.com. Visit Luminisce’s website at www.luminisce.com.

CREBA HOLDS LAND USE FORUM. The Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) tackled salient issues surrounding proposals to pass a National Land Use Act which has been part of its five-point agenda on housing in a bid to attain its vision of ‘a home for every Filipino’. The event is the 3rd in a series of policy discussions in the lead up to the 50th CREBA founding anniversary National Convention & Housing Expo slated from Sept. 26 to 28, 2023 at the SMX Mall of Asia and Conrad Hotel Manila. In the photo, from left, are CREBA Vice-Chairman Jerry M. Navarrete, past President Dr. Jaime A. Cura, Rep. Howard Ivan Guintu of Ang Pinuno Party-list, former Mindoro Governor and Rep. Rodolfo G. Valencia and CREBA national president Noel Toti M. Cariño.

NORMANN Chiu (middle), President of ValuePlus Auto Service, along with his family and General Manager Mark Saberola (2nd from right), celebrate a milestone with local officials during the grand opening of a ValuePlus branch. This memorable moment, captured during the past decade, symbolizes the shared commitment to provide unyielding trust and resilient service as a casa alternative in the automotive industry.

For glowing, radiant skin, try Luminisce‘s new and advanced, non-invasive Syndeo Hyrafacial

MPIF President, Melody del Rosario speaking on nature-based solutions at the DRT Show

The amazing power of hobbies

WE are always busy, aren’t we? Is anyone in public relations ever not busy? As things are, it is difficult to even find time to sleep, let alone do anything else. But it’s those other things outside of work— those things we call hobbies—that may spell the difference between burnout and productivity in the workplace.

A study published in March 2020 on the Journal of Vocational Behavior highlighted the importance of engaging in leisure activities, especially for those people in high-stress jobs. The positive impact of having hobbies is reflected in the various psychological resources that people need to have to be productive at work and to maintain career sustainability.

One such psychological resource is self-efficacy, or “the strength of your conviction in your abilities,” researchers Ciara Kelly, Karoline Strauss, John Arnold, and Chris Stride noted in their paper titled “The relationship between leisure activities and psychological resources that support a sustainable career: The role of leisure seriousness and work-leisure similarity.”

Self-efficacy contributes to a sustainable career, which the researchers defined as “one in which the employee is healthy, productive, happy, and employable throughout its course, and that fits into, rather than takes over, an employee’s life as a whole.”

While engaging in any kind of hobby may help give you a sense of balance, not all hobbies are cre -

Truelogic’s podcas T reveals encouraging economic landscape in T he philippines for 2023

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—In a recent episode of the Truelogic DX podcast titled The State of the Philippine Economy 2023, Truelogic Managing Partner Bernard “Berns” San Juan provided a comprehensive analysis of the country’s economic landscape, highlighting the positive trends and growth prospects.

Berns shared valuable insights and data, emphasizing the need for a more optimistic perspective on the Philippines’ economic future.

One of the key highlights of the episode was the remarkable growth of the Philippines’ GDP, which crossed the $400 billion mark in 2022, surpassing ASEAN and global averages. Berns emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “The Philippine economy grew to over 400 billion dollars. That’s a big deal.”

Despite the impressive economic growth, Berns discussed the Con -

sumer Confidence Index, which stood at -15.1, suggesting room for improvement in public sentiment regarding the economy. He noted the disparity between economic growth and consumer confidence and aimed to provide a more positive perspective on the nation’s economic standing.

The episode also delved into per capita income growth, revealing that the average Filipino’s income had increased over the years. Berns highlighted, “The average Filipino is wealthier by about 25, 29,000 pesos annually,” reflecting an improvement in the standard of living.

Another significant point of discussion was the reduction in the poverty rate. Berns presented data from the World Bank, revealing that the poverty incidence had decreased from 23.1 percent in 2017 to 16.6 percent in 2022. He acknowledged the progress made in addressing poverty while acknowledging that there is more work to be done.

Berns also discusses the thriving automotive and real estate sectors, with vehicle sales on the rise and an increase in the sale of housing units, indicating strong economic activity.

He noted, “Filipinos have money. You wanna know why it’s traffic on EDSA? Because we buy 200,000 cars every year. And in 2022, that

ated equal in terms of their positive effects on self-efficacy and career sustainability. The best hobbies, according to the study, are those that were either high in seriousness and low in similarity to the individual’s job, or low in seriousness and high in workleisure similarity.

a good mix

ONE example of a good work-leisure mix is that of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. He has been a prolific musician, composer, arranger, conductor, and music mentor for decades. He has written countless OPM (Original Pilipino Music) classics, ad jingles, movie and TV theme songs, and theater musicals throughout his career, and has served as mentor and coach of many of the country’s finest musical artists.

What not many people know is that he also has a talent in the visual arts. He took up painting as a hobby during the pandemic, churning out artwork after artwork after realizing how happy it made him to paint. Just last month, Landbank of the Philippines unveiled a painting that they commissioned Cayabyab to make as part of its 60th anniversary celebration.

Mr. C remains passionate about music—his career—but admits that he gets a different kind of high when he paints. He has found himself lost in his brush strokes numerous times, often losing track of time. He has posted many of his paintings on his social media account, prompting friends to encourage him to hold an exhibit.

His hobby obviously carries a

was much larger. And the estimate is that this will grow by 20 percent year on year on year until we beat the peak of 2017.”

The podcast also delves into the growth of the Philippine digital economy, driven by ecommerce, food delivery, online education, online health services, and online gaming. Berns said, “The Philippine digital economy is roughly almost about 10% of the total economic activity of the country.”

In conclusion, the episode projected an optimistic future for the Philippine economy, with forecasts suggesting further growth, potentially reaching a $600 billion economy by 2028. San Juan encouraged listeners to consider their role in contributing to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity.

“We are growing at a pace or better than our ASEAN neighbors and definitely ahead of the global average. The global economy grows at about 2% to 3%. So we’re doing well. Poverty is down. Nominal per capita GDP is up. We’re buying more cars. We’re buying more homes. We’re buying more stuff online. We’re ordering in more frequently. We are paying for our streaming. We’re no longer stealing our neighbor’s cable. We’re studying online. We’re buying health products online and so on,” he said.

high degree of seriousness, as evidenced by the amount of time and effort it takes to finish one artwork, the calls for the conduct of an exhibit, and the artwork commission that he recently fulfilled. On the other hand, the skills he uses when engaging in this hobby are low in similarity to those he uses for his day job.

Let’s go back to the formula for leisure activities that contribute positively to self-efficacy and career sustainability: high in seriousness + low similarity to line of work = a seriously good workleisure mix.

Some hobbies may not produce the same results, given the formula that the research identified. For example, a journalist who maintains a blog as a hobby may not derive the same benefits as a chef that engages in the same activity.

This is because blogging requires the same set of skills that the journalist needs and uses in their day job. The chef, on the other hand, employs an entirely different skill set when they write their blog posts. I tested this for -

“You are part of this growing economy. The questions you should ask yourselves are ‘How do you participate in growing this economy?’ and we do this by growing our economies. How do you help the business, the organization, and the institute that you work in that puts food on your table, capture more of this economic activity, and help bolster this economic activity? Because I think together, you know, we will be able to buy more homes, buy more cars, get more people out of poverty, and grow the economy faster,” Berns finally said.

fuji T su acquires i nnovaT ion consulT ing s ervices

To acceleraT e capabili T ies in a sia pacific MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Thailand Limited announced the acquisition of Thailand-based SAP consultancy Innovation Consulting Services (ICS). The acquisition strengthens Fujitsu’s capabilities in SAP consulting and managed services across the Asia Pacific region. This marks the seventh acquisition by Fujitsu Limited since 2021, as part of its programmatic M&A strategy to realize its ambition of becoming a global leader in Digital Transformation.

Founded in 2002, ICS will direct -

mula myself, just to have a gauge of how accurate it is when applied to real life.

I remember a time when I would read every night before I sleep. It was part of my nightly ritual. At one point, I was able to read more than 40 books in a year, including a few that were more than 600 pages long. But I eventually got too busy to read, so much that reading just 12 books in a year became too difficult to manage. I tried to pick up the habit again early this year, and found that reading did make a huge difference in my overall disposition, including at work. I somehow felt lighter after reading a few chapters of a good book.

It is true that finding time to engage in a hobby is tough, especially for us who work in an alwayson industry. The short- and longterm positive benefits of doing so, however, should be enough to convince us—yes, including me—to deliberately carve out some time, even just a few minutes a week, to do something that makes us feel happier, lighter, and less stressed.

Just be more deliberate in your

ly support Fujitsu’s portfolio transformation and will bolster future offerings for “Business Applications,” one of seven Key Focus Areas (KFAs) under Fujitsu’s global Uvance portfolio. The acquisition will further strengthen Fujitsu’s SAP capabilities in the Uvance cross-industry vertical areas of Sustainable Manufacturing, Consumer Experience, Trusted Society, and Healthy Living.

The acquisition draws on Fujitsu and ICS’ shared wealth of SAP experience, expertise and professional track records to enhance competitiveness and strengthen SAP business capabilities in the region. These synergies will make it possible to quickly deliver comprehensive SAP offerings to new customers and further contribute to SAP business by leveraging our respective strengths, as well as to continue providing each company’s existing SAP offerings to current customers.

Graeme Beardsell, CEO of Fujitsu Asia Pacific, said, “I am delighted that Fujitsu is investing in an ASEAN-based technology company, supporting ICS’ business expansion. ICS has highly skilled SAP consultants in Thailand, Singapore, and other ASEAN countries, further cementing Fujitsu’s position in the APAC SAP services market.”

“SAP is a key pillar of our growth

choice of leisure activities, too.

If you want to engage in serious activities, choose those that are not too similar to the things you do for a living. If you want to still use your career-related skills, engage in hobbies that are lighter. Whatever formula you choose to follow, you will surely end up thanking yourself when you feel the positive effects on your career and personal life.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is AVP and Head of Customer Experience of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. She spent more than a decade as a business journalist before making the leap to the corporate world.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

strategy and our global KFAs, significantly contributing to our customers’ Digital Transformation (DX) and Sustainability Transformation (SX) journeys. This acquisition will also allow Fujitsu to accelerate the establishment of our Asia Pacific SAP Community of Skills and enhance the capability of our Global Delivery Centres (GDC) in the ASEAN market. I would like to welcome ICS into the Fujitsu family,” Graeme continued. Kanokkamon Laohaburanakit, Managing Director of Fujitsu Thailand, said, “We are excited to welcome ICS to Fujitsu Thailand. The combined entity of Fujitsu Thailand and ICS will enable us to address our customers’ and societies’ greatest challenges faster than we could have otherwise achieved organically.”

Panadda Promwongsak, CEO at ICS added, “The acquisition by Fujitsu will help us expand our endto-end cloud capability, consulting and managed services to new markets and geographies. We believe that by combining our strengths, we can extend our expertise and provide our customers with more value. The acquisition will also bring new professional development opportunities for our employees with access to a global network. We look forward to an exciting future as a Fujitsu company.”

COTTONBRO PEXELS.COM

HIDI, EJ PERFORM IN CONTRAST

TWO world class Filipino athletes—Olympic champion Hidilyn DiazNaranjo and Ernest John “EJ” Obiena— competed in different parts of the world over the weekend and yielded contrasting results.

Obiena clinched bronze on Saturday behind Armand Duplantis and Sam Kendricks in Brussels to show consistency in his sport that in the world of elite pole vaulters, beating each other is more mental rather than physical.

Diaz-Naranjo was in Riyadh and finished outside of the podium in her second competition at 59 kgs, lifting weights way below the gold medal winner from China.

But that’s no cause for alarm for the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist.

“It’s still a good performance for Hidilyn because she lifted her Olympic record of 127 kgs in clean and jerk and she finished the competition to keep her rankings,” national weightlifting coach

Newsome heeds call for Hangzhou

CHRIS NEWSOME was informed over the weekend by his mother team Meralco that he’s been called to show up for practice on Monday at the PhilSports Arena. Call time is 11 a.m. and, boy, Newsome is fired up—the call is for flag and country.

If healthy and available, I will be there,” Newsome, who was cut for the final 12 to the FIBA World Cup that wrapped up Sunday night, told BusinessMirror Sunday. “Right now, we need players and I want to make sure I am available—that’s my promise to the program.”

Newsome will be one of at least 12 players who will cram in practice for the Asian Games that starts with the opening ceremony in Hangzhou on September 23. Basketball action starts three days later with the Philippines facing Bahrain in

Group C action.

The former Ateneo Blue Eagles ace is a two-time Southeast Asian Games champion—3x3 in Philippines 2019 and 5x5 in Cambodia 2022.

Newsome was born in San Jose, California, to Filipina mother Carmelita Duque from Paranaque City and African-American Eric Newsome, and played college ball with NCAA Division II team New Mexico Highlands University before being recruited by Meralco head coach Norman Black. Josef Ramos

OBIENA DIAZ-NARANJO

tournament,” he said. “The good thing is she didn’t exhaust herself.”

Diaz-Naranjo had a total lift of 224 kgs—97 kgs in snatch and 127 kgs in clean and jerk—to finish seventh behind champion and world No. 1 Shifang Lou of China whose total of 243 kgs was built on 107 in snatch and 136 in clean and jerk.

Ukraine’s Kamila Konotop, the world No. 2, was a far silver medalist at 236 kgs and further back for the bronze was another Chinese, Pei Xinyo, at 232 kgs.

Despite the result, Diaz-Naranjo remained at No. 7 in the rankings for the chase for a berth in the Paris 2024 Olympics—after Lou and Konotop, Colombia’s Yenny Alvarez at No. 3, Chinese-Taipei’s HsingChun Kuo at No. 4, Canada’s Maude Charron at No. 5 and Mexico’s Janeth Gomez at No. 6.

Only the top 10 in each weight category will qualify for the Olympics.

“She’s good at seventh right now, she’s not dislodged but unless she doesn’t compete in three remaining Olympic qualifying tournaments, she won’t qualify for Paris,” said Solis, a national coach since 2002.

“I expect Hidilyn to improve,”

added Solis, who’s also in Riyadh with fellow national coaches Richard Augusto and Tony Agustin and DiazNaranjo’s husband and coach Julius.

Obiena? His father, former national pole vaulter and now coach Emerson Obiena is awed by his son’s consistency.

“It’s something extraordinary.

I never expected that nine years ago [when the younger Obiena was starting his career], but it’s happening now,” Emerson Obiena told BusinessMirror Sunday.

Obiena cleared 5.92 meters for consecutive gold medals in Berlin and Aacehn in Germany last week and in Brussels where he clinched bronze.

He’s bound for the Diamon League final in Eugene, Oregon, where he bagged a bronze medal at last year’s world championships.

“I believe EJ can do more than 6.02 meters hopefully in upcoming tournaments because of his improvement and willingness,” Emerson Obiena said. “During my time, nobody was clearing that kind of height.”

The elder Obiena’s personal best was 4.95 meters, more than a meter below his son’s 6.0 meters which he already cleared twice. Josef Ramos

Que, Go back in hunt in PGT South Pacific Classic in Davao

ANGELO QUE and Lloyd Go

return to the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) toughened by overseas stints and ready to rekindle their rivalry with the local top guns in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) South Pacific Classic starting Tuesday at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates in Davao City.

Both came up short in their last PGT campaigns with Que finishing tied for second with Dino Villanueva at Forest Hills ruled by Clyde Mondilla and Go sharing runner-up honors with Mondilla in the Valley leg topped by Reymon Jaraula, both last June.

The duo vied in the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour during the PGT break and skipped the justconcluded Del Monte leg, also won by Mondilla, with Que, a three-time Asian Tour winner, placing tied at 56th in the Indonesia Open, sharing 65th in the International Series England and ending up joint 64th in the St. Andrews Bay Championship in Scotland.

Go, who finished No. 7 in the Asian Developmental Tour Order of Merit last season, shared 37th place in his last ADT sortie in the BRG Open in Vietnam. He also tied for 58th in Indonesia. Those stints should fortify Que and Go’s bid in the

Caceres, Mangrobang reign in 5150 Dapitan

P2 million event serving as the ninth leg of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and supported by official apparel Kampfortis Golf.

Also making a comeback of sorts in the 72-hole championship held simultaneously with the P1 million Ladies PGT are Keanu Jahns and Joenard Rates, along with Cebu-based Japanese Gen Nagai.

Tony Lascuña, who has never figured in the title race since winning the Caliraya Springs leg last April, hopes to snap the spell at South Pacific where he reigned when the latest of Sta. Lucia Development, Inc.’s top championship courses hosted a first PGT event in 2019.

The par-72 course inside the vast South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates in Catalunan Pequeño features long par-4s and sleek surface with the menacing bunkers and roughs also expected to come into play in most holes, ready to punish even the slightest of mistakes.

Meanwhile, title-hungry Marvi Monsalve, former amateur standout Mikha Fortuna, Monica Mandario and top amateur Laurea Duque spice up the chase in the 54-hole women’s championship bannered by three peat-seeking Daniella Uy, who matched Mondilla’s title romps at Forest Hills and Del Monte.

Also gunning for a third victory in the season about to end is Luisita and Villamor leg winner Harmie Constantino, while amateur Mafy Singson hopes to build on her joint runner-up effort at Del Monte in chase of a follow-up to her three-shot triumph over Uy at Valley.

Also expected to contend are Davaoeñas Chihiro Ikeda, Sarah Ababa and Yvon Bisera, Del Monte’s Pamela Mariano, Korean Seoyun Kim and junior golfer Velinda Castil, who tied for second with Singson and Kim at Del Monte.

FIBA World Cup hosting halo effect

WHEN the plan for the hosting of the FIBA World Cup came up, I was still with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). Everyone was excited about the possibility of hosting.

During one meeting, I remember SBP Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan saying that this high profile event will do wonders for the country as a sports destination site for many many years to come.

While I am no longer part of the SBP and didn’t even get accreditation to the games (I am doing something completely different to my old sports coverage), I am happy for the hosting and its buzz and platitudes it has received in spite of the national team not achieving its objectives.

I think that breaking the FIBA attendance record (one of the objectives) will linger in the memories of FIBA. The gate receipts were excellent and the stars (even those not participating) came out.

FER CASERES outdueled John Chicano in a thrilling clash of Southeast Asian Games gold medalists while Kim Mangrobang dominated Samantha Corpuz in the women’s race in the first 5150 Dapitan Philippines in Zamboanga del Norte Sunday.

Casares, the SEA Games reigning back-to-back gold medal winner, clocked one hour, 57 minutes and 19 seconds to beat by two minutes recent Bohol 5150 tillist Chicano (1:59:33) over the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km

bike and 10-km run race that passed by heritage houses and historical landmarks in Dapitan City.

Satar Salem, also a former Sun Life 5150 titlist, stalked the duo in swim and pulled ahead in bike but slowed down in the closing run and missed the silver medal by the slimmest of margins with a 01:59:35 clocking.

Mangrobang, on the other hand, flashed top form from start to finish and secured the women’s tiara in 02:11:40 in a victory that somewhat made up for her failed “four-peat” drive in the SEA Games in Cambodia.

Corpuz timed 02:18:30 for second while Erika Burgos fell short of her bid for a second 5150 diadem after topping the Bohol race last July, finishing with a 02:21:45 clocking in the event that marked the historic city’s hosting of the ever-popular tri-racing organized by The Ironman Group/Sunrise Events Inc.

Other winners in the event, which also featured a new category in Bagong Bayani, were Matthew Hermosa (1:01:43) and Raven Alcoseba (1:08:38), who shared top honors in the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint (750-meter open water swim, 20-km bike and 5-km run).

Casares, a Spanish-Filipino, also

went on to top his age-group (2529) while Chicano ruled the 30-34 division of the event put up by the city government led by Mayor Seth Jalosjos and backed by Lungsod ng Dapitan, Go for Gold, Active, Rudy Project and Santé.

Casares, who carries the TRI SND Barracuda/The Next Step Tri colors, came out on top of the opening swim leg in 00:22:23 with Chicano, who also bagged the SEAG gold in 2019, and Satar right behind in 00:22:32 and 00:22:51, respectively.

Satar actually took charge in the bike stage with a fast 00:56:37 clocking with Casares and Chicano virtually matching times of 00:58:43 and 00:58:47, respectively.

But the Lanao del Norte ace failed to match Casares and Chicano’s big strides and staying power in the heat and struggled with a 00:38:14 clocking in the run.

In contrast, Casares saved the best for last, churning out a 00:34:36 time to beat Chicano by over two minutes after the latter closed out in 00:36:10.

Mangrobang, meanwhile, took command in swim (00:21:54) and never looked back, posting a 01:06:56 clocking in bike and a blistering 00:41:04 in run to match Casares’ winnings of P175,000.

Gauff, 19, rules US Open for 1st Grand Slam title

NEW YORK—Coco Gauff is still a teenager, after all, and so it should surprise no one that she was on her phone in the locker room, scrolling through social media, right up until 10 minutes before heading out on court for the US Open final.

What the 19-year-old from Florida was reading, she would say later, were various comments, negative ones, “saying I wasn’t going to win today; that just put the fire in me.”

used to visit as a kid to see her idols, Serena and Venus Williams, Gauff is a Grand Slam champion herself and a certified star.

Setting aside a so-so start Saturday, Gauff surged to a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over the soon-to-be-No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, delighting a raucous crowd that backed her from start to finish.

NOW, at a tournament she used to visit as a kid to see her idols, Serena and Venus Williams, Coco Gauff is a Grand Slam champion herself and a

As a pro athlete from a young age, as someone of whom greatness has been expected by some and doubted by others, Gauff has always taken it all in and kept moving forward, trying to learn from each setback.

And now, at a tournament she

It helps that the matches were fantastic. That made me think of Russia and Qatar that were roundly scored for their hosting of the FIBA World Cup but the matches were so great and memorable that it did have that sports washing effect that critics decried.

But people who otherwise will not go to the Philippines will have been here for two weeks and that’s enough time to savor some really good food and hospitality. Their impressions will filter out to even more people. That helps the country in the short and long term.

Perhaps, the only thing that put a damper on these games was the weather (outside the traffic and the classless booing of Chot Reyes).

While the weather was terrible for the most part, for the teams that caught the tail end of the tourney, they also got the sun… and tropical humidity. Talk about extremes, right?

Hosting the FIBA World Cup, Rio Olympics Qualifiers

When Gauff walked into her news conference—phone in hand, of course—she noticed that a large screen on the back wall was rotating pictures of her from the match. So she tucked her new silver trophy under one arm and used the other hand to snap a selfie with those photos in the background. AP

and FIBA Asia are definite feathers under the cap of the SBP and local sports leaders.

Outside basketball, we have begun hosting international football tournaments, and the taekwondo Asian Qualifiers for the Olympics. If you want to go back from more than a decade ago, the Ironman Triathlon was brought over here by Fred Uytengsu.

As the Philippines continues to open up to the world, bringing our food, music and culture, travel destinations and mania for sports, it can only help the country break new ground.

While some will recall this FIBA World Cup for a failed gold and even Olympic bid, I do hope that this tournament will also be recognized for what it is doing and what it will continue to do for the long run.

You lose some, you win some. And the wins will be bigger than anyone can imagine in the next decade or so. That’s not such a bad thing.

CATCHING A HIGH BALL? Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho makes a jumping catch on a hit by Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez during the first inning of the Major League Baseball match the Blue Jayes won, 5-4, in Toronto Saturday. AP

KIM MANGROBANG wins almost unchallenged.