BusinessMirror September 14, 2023

House wraps up hearings on P5.77-T budget

LEADERS of the House of Representatives assured the public on Wednesday that there will be no reenacted budget next year as the House Committee on Appropriations ended its deliberations for the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget on time.

is, after the committee fi nished scrutinizing all the budget allocations for government agencies for 2024 late Tuesday.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co said the next phase of the budget process involves consolidating all

recommendations and amendments before they are brought for deliberation in the plenary. Co assured his colleagues and the public that the committee is working overtime to move forward in the legislative process.

“ e work is far from over, but the completion of these budget briefi ngs marks a critical milestone in our journey towards a more prosperous and equitable Philippines,” Co said.

“We have taken significant strides towards fi nalizing the 2024 budget, which promises to be a landmark budget focused on national growth and the welfare of the Filipino people,” said Co.

House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice

Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo assured taxpayers that the lower chamber would pass the budget on time without compromising its quality.

“We are on target; we started on August 10. By the grace of God, we fi nished it on time. It is expected that the plenary debates will start on September 19, and hopefully we fi nish this on September 27,” said Quimbo.

“We need to fi nish on time; we don’t want a delay, we don’t want a reenactment budget, and we don’t want any form of delay,” she added. According to Quimbo, an executive committee meeting will be conducted before the approval of the committee report on the 2024 national budget on ursday.

“We need to scrutinize it very carefully; at the committee we reached five rounds of interpellations. But so far we are very happy; the chairman of the appropriations [Elizaldy Co] is happy because members are active [at the committee level discussion],” she said.

Right now, Quimbo said she cannot say which agencies will be affected by the budget cuts or will be granted an additional budget due to pending deliberations at the plenary.

Moreover, Co said this year’s budget briefi ngs have been marked by transparent and rigorous discussions, aiming to cover all S “H,” A

MARCOS PITCHES MIF, TECH AT ASIA SUMMIT

TRONG economic fundamentals, the soon-to-be implemented Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), and a thriving tech ecosystem headlined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. call for new investments during the 10th Asia Summit of the Milken Institute in Singapore on Wednesday.

He particularly pitched the MIF, the country’s fi rst sovereign fund, which he said will help draw investments and build additional supporting infrastructure for manufacturing without drawing additional government borrowings.

e chief executive urged the participants to consider the country as an investment destination with its fast-growing economy based on last year’s GDP data, strong domestic demand, skilled workforce and investor-friendly policies.

“ e Philippines is open for business. We invite you to join us in shaping a brighter future for us all,” Marcos said in his keynote address at the summit. He said among the country’s top sectors open for investments are on renewable energy, tourism as well as digital services.

“We are the number one country of choice for the delivery of customer support and to healthcare services. And one of the top destinations for outsourcing overall second only to India,” Marcos said.

“Several data centers are already operating in the Philippines including Google, Microsoft, Amazon

HAVE you noticed that the Philippine maps sold in bookstores or published in government websites do not indicate the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise?

Well, the National Security Council said they will soon remedy that.

NSC spokesman and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (Namria) will soon publish an updated map that will consolidate the sea or ocean areas where the Philippines have maritime entitlements as well as all land territories.

“We will soon update our maps to show our EEZs and continental shelf including the West Philippine Sea and the Benham Rise [Philippine Rise],” Malaya said.

Namria’s current version of the administrative map of the Philip-

MARITIME and academic experts from India have suggested that Manila and New Delhi explore possible joint oil and gas exploration offshore, possibly in the West Philippine Sea.

Fellows from the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) of India are in Manila to identify with their Philippine counterparts ways on improving maritime cooperation between both countries.

Non-government think tank Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute hosted the Track 2 forum in Manila. One of the suggestions for areas of cooperation during the forum was the conduct of joint oil and gas offshore exploration, similar to India’s arrangement with Vietnam.

Vietnam has allowed Indian oil fi rm ONGC Videsh to drill in the Block 128 off Vietnam in the South China Sea.

Wire reports said the VietnamIndia oil and gas exploration deal overlaps China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. However, Vietnamese Ambassador to Manila Hoang Huy Chung who was also present at the forum said the concession to India to drill and explore oil is within Vietnam’s “continental shelf” and not in the disputed South China Sea.

Commodore Debesh Lahiri, executive director of NMF and head of the Indian delegation, said there is an international body called International Seabed Alliance which identifies and controls areas where

pines includes the Kalayaan Island Group, Scarborough Shoal, Macclesfield Bank. West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise Region. It also shows

Sabah, which the Philippines claims but is not actively pursuing against

oil and gas exploration can be done.

“I don’t see any hurdles or problems between India and the Philippines cooperating [in] your EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. We can always reach out as friendly partner of the Philippines,” Commodore Lahiri said.

India and Vietnam, Ambassador

Hoang said, have already established a comprehensive and strategic partnership.

The bilateral relationship between Manila and New Delhi has yet to reach that stage, though recently, foreign ministers of both countries committed to “expand and strengthen” their partnership to wide range of areas such as health, agriculture, digital economy, defense and security. During a Philippine delegation’s visit to India in June, both countries agreed to hold maritime dialogue and increase cooperation on hydrography.

“The Government of India wisely suggested that the Track 2 precede the Track 1 by several months, so that in preparing the agenda for the government level discussion, we can be guided by the discussions of those from other sectors, to ensure that the Track 1 will be responsive to the needs of our expanding relations,”

DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce said in a prepared speech.

The Philippines has been holding maritime dialogues with Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom and South Korea. Later this year, Manila will also hold a separate maritime dialogue with the European Union.

Gibo gets CA nod as DND chief

DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday got the nod of the Commission on Appointments after enduring a long grilling on, among others, plans to secure Philippine maritime rights and joint exploration for oil and gas with other countries.

Teodoro Jr. faced the bicameral congressional Commission on Appointment’s Committee on National Defense, which deliberated on his ad interim appointment as head of the Department of National Defense.

During the hearing, Sen. Cynthia Villar asked Teodoro Jr. whether it is possible to develop Recto Bank for the country’s energy security. Recto Bank is an underwater reef formation that reportedly contains huge reserves of oil and natural gas in the West Philippine Sea.

“I have read that we will lose our source of gas in a few years from the Malampaya and I have also

read that there is gas in the Recto bank. Do you think we can develop the Recto Bank based on your opinion as the Department of National Defense chief?” Villar asked the defense chief, who replied that it is the country’s “sovereign right” to conduct gas exploration in Recto Bank.

The Commission on Appointments also deliberated on the nominations and ad interim appointments of 11 generals and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Teodoro was first appointed as defense secretary during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The CA panel approved his ap pointment along with the nomina tions and ad interim appointments of 11 generals and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philip pines for plenary confirmation.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri manifested his support for Teodoro Jr. as the sec retary of National Defense. Zu biri said he had known Teodoro for over 30 years, even before he entered politics and had known the latter’s wife even longer since Teo doro’s mother-in-law was the best friend of his parents.

“We were together in the 11th, 12th and 13th Congresses. When it comes to his reputation, I can tell you it has never been besmirched in any category. No issues of cor ruption,” Zubiri said. He said he campaigned for Teodoro when he ran for vice president in 2010 and that Teodoro, a brilliant man, could draft a resolution extemporaneously when he was in Congress.

“If there is a man that is fit for the job of defense secretary, I think he is just not qualified but he is over qualified for he job. He has my full 1,000 percent support,” Zubiri added.

Sen. Imee Marcos also supported the confirmation of Teo -

doro. Marcos cited Teodoro’s decades-long experience in public service, starting with his stint at the Kabataang Barangay in Central Luzon. “Time, certainly, has not dimmed his brilliance,” Marcos said. Butch Fernandez

Marcos pitches MIF, tech at Asia Summit

Continued from A1

and Meta amongst others. Yours could be the next one,” he added.

‘Working’ investment

TO help boost the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector, the Marcos administration is now eyeing to draw more investments and build infrastructure for it.

On the MIF, “I think you are familiar with the concept that money cannot sit in the bank and do nothing. It must work. And so that is our way of putting that to work and partnering with private sector partners or even G2G [government to government] partners without a worrisome increase of our borrowings and with hopefully a sufficient fund,” Marcos, when interviewed by Steven Ciobo Stonepeak managing director at the summit.

The MIF will be managed by the Maharlika Investment Corporation, which is currently being formed and will be “professional fund managers.”

“It will be run as a fund. It is not run by the government,” Marcos said.

Business incentives

THE President assured companies that will operate in the country of several advantages, including access to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agree -

ment.

This is on top of the country’s tax breaks and robust legal frameworks that safeguard the interests of foreign investors.

Marcos also said the country is currently expanding its electricity supply, which includes renewable energy, to bring down the prices of power and it is also in the process of a frenetic digital transformation.

“The Philippine tech ecosystem is thriving, marked by a dynamic startup culture and advancements in e-commerce in fintech, in digital services, which have flourished during the pandemic,” Marcos said.

He noted the 85.16 million internet users in the Philippines, which represents a high Internet penetration rate of 73.1 percent.

“The growth of the country’s digital economy bodes well for international companies who wish to tap into our increasingly digital digital economy,” Marcos said.

The President delivered his speech in the summit organized by the Milken Institute before chief executives officers, top investors, thought leaders and influencers, who participated in the event.

The Milken Institute is an American non-profit and nonpartisan think tank that publishes research and hosts conferences that apply market-based principles and financial innovations to social issues.

PHL TO PUBLISH NEW MAP SHOWING WPS, BENHAM RISE–NSC

Continued on A1

Asean neighbor Malaysia. Namria’s current map has a qualifying note on the upper corner saying, “This map does not depict the full extent of the maritime domains of the Republic of the Philippines.”

The Philippines calls the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) west of the archipelago “West Philippine Sea.” Beyond the 200 nautical miles, it is still officially referred to as “South China Sea.”

This is the first time the Philippine government will publish an updated map showing the country’s maritime entitlements, seven years after the United Nations-backed Arbitration Tribunal ruled some rock features in the Spratlys form part of the EEZs. The UN Commission on the Lim-

sectors adequately and meet the nation’s priorities.

The Bicolano lawmaker emphasized the importance of timeliness in passing the budget to ensure that government programs and services do not experience any disruptions.

“I remain committed to my promise to expedite the passage of the 2024 GAA. It is our moral and civic duty to ensure that the budget is enacted efficiently, but also effectively, so as to better serve our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

Earlier, the leadership of the House of Representatives vowed to approve in a “transparent manner” the proposed P5.768trillion 2024 national budget before the congressional break on September 29. Compared to the current year’s P5.268 trillion in appropriations, the projected budget for the next year is 9.5 percent higher.

its of the Continental Shelf earlier also approved the Philippines’s application to extend its continental shelf limit beyond 200 nautical miles from the base shorelines east of the Luzon island. The 13-million hectare continental shelf, called Benham Rise by mariners, was renamed Philippine Rise.

Recently, China published its own map showing 10 dashes that form a U-shape in the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and India protested the map.

Malaya said Namria updated the map, but they will have to undergo many layers of approval process to ensure that it is consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Arbitral Award.

“We are just finalizing it. We will announce it when it’s out,” Malaya said.

CORRUPTED and lowquality biometrics data could hamper the full rollout of the digital version of the Philippine Identification System Cards (PhilSys ID) this year, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday,

DICT Secretary Ivan John E. said they have identified issues in some of the biometrics data collected by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which he attributed to “poor data collection.”

He said some service providers of PSA appeared to have used webcams with low resolution, resulting in poor-quality images.

“If those [images] in our database will be linked with our system requiring biometrics, it will not work since the biometric system will look for [facial] features, which were not captured on camera,” Uy explained.

In such cases, the affected Philsys registrant must “revalidate” their biometrics data before they can get their digital IDs, which can be accessed via the eGov Super App. Uy said they plan to notify those who need to undergo the process by SMS.

DICT is also studying the possibility of providing a feature in the eGov Super App to allow PhilSys registrants to choose a better picture for their digital IDs.

It is now fast-tracking the deployment of the digital IDs, upon instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“The President has expressed his impatience because a lot of things needed to be done and it’s all dependent on the deployment of a national ID,” he added.

DICT plans to roll out all of the digital IDs for the 80 million people who enrolled under the PhilSys, before the end of the year.

It said PSA will still be printing and distributing physical copies of the PhilSys ID.

Once fully implemented, Uy said the digital IDs will help “plug” gaps in the implementation of government programs, including social amelioration packages.

“The government loses money from fake claimants, for those who will make double or triple claims using multiple identities,” Uy said. Samuel P. Medenilla

GILBERT TEODORO JR.

Philippines eyes to deploy more maritime patrols in WPS–Malaya

By Rex Anthony Naval

Group says land-reclamation activities persist in Navotas despite Palace order

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

DESPITE an order issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend all land-reclamation activities in Manila Bay, dump-and-fill activities continue for a land-reclamation project in Navotas City, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) reported.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Pamalakaya said local members of the group reported seeing vessels engaged in reclamation activities in Navotas on Wednesday morning. Pamalakaya also shared photos of the alleged ongoing land-reclamation near the shore in Navotas.

Days after President Marcos’ verbal order, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) said the order was dutifully enforced, reporting that all 22 land-reclamation projects are not allowed to operate pending the result of a cumulative impact assessment by the state environment agency.

According to Pamalakaya, upon inquiry, fishermen in the

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) may no longer be a “toothless tiger” soon following the filing of bill by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla strengthening the commission with an “effective and expanded structural, organizational and functional independence.”

Padilla’s Senate Bill 2440 guarantees full fiscal autonomy to the CHR “to ensure prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions.”

The Padilla bill also pointed out that the commission has “endured its limitations in rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction.”

“Hence, it is imperative to further strengthen its mandates, powers, and functions and clearly establish its cardinal role in cultivating a culture of human rights in the country,” the senator stressed.

The Padilla bill affirmed, “A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent national human rights institution.”

“Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of human rights other than those involving civil and political rights,” he said, suggesting, “We need a CHR that can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society.”

As provided in the bill, the CHR will have “full authority to act on

area reported that the vessels only briefly ceased operations following the President’s order last August 7, but immediately resumed after a few days.

The land-reclamation activity, they added, is being undertaken daily with dumping activities even extending until dusk.

Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said they are expecting the President to issue an executive order completely terminating reclamation in Manila Bay and across the archipelago.

Navotas fishermen, meanwhile, complained their daily earnings have plummeted by 80 percent since the reclamation project began in the city.

Starting September last year, the local government has been enforcing the removal of mussel farms (tahungan) and stationary fishing traps (baklad) in the area, which has adversely impacted over 1,000 individuals, including fishers, fish workers, and fishing structure operators.

This is to make way for the 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project, which is one of the 22 projects authorized with an environmental permit issued by the DENR.

As Chinese vessels continue to gather in large numbers in WPS, one of the options being looked into is the deployment of more Filipino vessel patrols in the area.

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General

Jonathan Malaya, in an interview with CNN Philippines Wednesday, said the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS), of which he is also the spokesperson, said.

“There are many options on the

table [and] one option of course is [also to] increase our number of ships patrolling in the WPS, both gray ships and white ships.”

Aside from this, there are other options being looked into which Malaya said he cannot reveal at the moment, citing security reasons.

“There are a lot of options that are on the table, which I cannot disclose right now but we are also considering a change of strategy but let me just state for the record that we will not stop fighting for what is ours and we will continue of course to supply our troops of needed supplies and provisions in Ayungin Shoal,” Malaya stressed.

When asked if China also appeared to have shifted its strategy in the WPS by using smaller ships to dog Filipino supply boats and

PPCRV vows support to Comelec’s anti-vote buying body ahead of polls

By Patrick V. Miguel

that comes with it.

elections, said PPCRV chairman Evelyn Singson in Filipino.

their escorts, the NSC official said this is likely as Chinese are on the losing end in the so-called “David vs. Goliath” scenario.

“To counter this scenario, which is being played all over the world, now the entire world has seen what’s happening in the WPS, they decided to reduce the number of ships from what it was before and utilize smaller ships,” he noted.

But Malaya added that the Chinese still deployed a large ship during the September 8 resupply as back up its smaller vessels as this allowed them more maneuverability to block Philippine ships.

“[They were able to] effectively…block one of our Coast Guard ships but nonetheless our supply [boats were] able [complete] their mission,” he noted.

to file a formal complaint, said Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

“Just throw at the committee their complaint and the committee will be the one to investigate and gather evidence,” said Garcia.

a complaint or motu proprio, in all cases of human rights violations and vest it with the power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures.” Its independence shall be respected and upheld, even as appropriations for it shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and regularly released.

The CHR will be regarded as a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and other UN resolutions and instruments.

The also bill allows the CHR to provide safety to witnesses and human rights defenders under threat and to implement and manage a witness protection service.

Further, the CHR shall develop and implement a human rights information campaign program for the public and establish a Human Rights Institute (HRI) for the promotion and education of human rights and related fields. The HRI shall serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, lawyers and other human rights workers.

Meanwhile, the bill provides that the CHR will maintain a legal assistance program for underprivileged victims of human rights violations and prepare and make public an annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities.

It shall also undertake measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos abroad, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, or deputized Philippine embassy or consulate officers.

THE Parish Pastoral Council for

Responsible Voting

(PPCRV) has expressed its support to the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) anti-vote buying and selling committee ahead of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) polls.

The poll body’s “Kontra Bigay” committee is significant towards ending long-time practice of vote buying and selling during

“Vote buying has always been part of our elections. It is a welcome development that the Comelec has officially acknowledged that it is a problem and they have to do something to discourage the practice,” said Singson in a Radio Veritas report.  Singson said she understands that selling votes is rooted in poverty, but urged the electorate to understand the importance of their votes and the responsibility

“Quite apart from poverty that entices people to sell their votes, we need to convince our voters of the value of their votes and their responsibility to choose competent and well-meaning leaders who will govern rightly to benefit them and the country,” she said.

Comelec launched on September 8 the committee on Kontra Bigay, which will manage reported complaints on vote-buying incidents.

Complainants are not required

He added that the complainants might even be protected under the government’s witness protection program.

The BSKE is scheduled on October 30, while the campaign period will run from October 19 to 28.

The poll body has stated before that candidates caught buying votes may face imprisonment and disqualification. Electorates selling votes may also face similar punishment.

No major damage after Cagayan quake–OCD

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said that it is yet to receive any report of major damage following a 6.3-Magnitude earthquake that shook Dalupiri Island, Calayan, Cagayan on Tuesday, September 12.

“No major damage [for] infrastructures are reported as of this time,” OCD added.

The OCD also said that no families or persons were displaced or staying in any evacuation centers due to the earthquake.

And as of 11 p.m. of September 12, the agency said it is still to receive any reports of fatalities attributable to the tremor.

However, the agency noted that it has received reports of five injuries, which were reportedly caused

by a collapsed wall in Calayan, Cagayan.

Of this, three sustained minor injuries while the other two, which are undergoing confirmation, reportedly sustained brain trauma and head concussions.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto

C. Teodoro Jr. earlier said that public support is needed to

ensure that the government’s disaster mitigation programs will succeed. He issued the comment after noting that the government has a lot of projects to mitigate the effects of disasters. However, these will be only effective and successful if the citizenry will participate and learn to be prepared.  Rex Antony Naval

Bill calls for upgrade in earth balling method to save trees

ALAWMAKER has called for an upgrade of the government’s earth-balling system, or the method of transferring full-grown trees from one place to another, amid the country’s bid for full economic development amid growing risks of climate change.

Leyte Rep. Richard I.

Gomez filed House Bill No. 9124, proposing the annual appropriation of funds to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the procurement, maintenance, and use of at least one set of machinery known as “earth balling equipment” per region to be used in road improvement and other developmental projects.

Earth balling is defined as “the process of moving a tree by digging out the earth and the roots in a circular shape and leave most of the root system undisturbed and intact.”

An earth-balling machine, on the other hand, is defined

as a mechanized apparatus, specifically designed to relocate trees that obstruct road-widening efforts.

Gomez said the earthballing method “guarantees the survival and continued growth of the transplanted tree, thereby maintaining the environmental balance and ecological integrity of the area, adding this process is essential as it allows for the coexistence of infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.”

In a privilege speech to highlight the importance of passing HB 9124, Gomez said a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) memorandum issued in November 2009 states that the cutting of trees that obstruct road-widening projects is only allowed when earth-balling is already impractical.  However, the former mayor of Ormoc City noted that the DPWH is still undertaking “manual” or

“traditional” earth balling because “there was no budget for [the purchase of] earth balling machines.”

“This is a laborious and expensive process. I believe that it is because of this complication that tree-cutting permits are methodically granted to DPWH for road-widening projects. Let us bring down the number of trees cut to the barest minimum,” he said.

Gomez noted that there have been advances made in earth-balling procedures in the past few years.

In 2022, he said 228 trees were earth-balled in Cebu City because they were on the path of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project. The cost of earth-balling to save the trees was pegged at P17 million.

The local government unit of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, for its part, purchased an earth-balling machine in 2019 for P16 million to save Balayong

trees from road-widening projects. The trees were successfully replanted in a 7.3-hectare park, which is now poised to be another tourist attraction for the city.

Gomez underscored that “automating the earthballing process is crucial due to its labor-intensive nature. Traditional manual transplantation requires a significant workforce and often leads to delays and increased costs. By integrating mechanization, we can enhance the efficiency of our road-widening projects while minimizing the environmental impact.”

“And we can do this by simply mechanizing the process of earth-balling trees. I have filed a bill to mandate the purchase and use of earth balling machines by the DPWH, appropriating funds for the purchase of said equipment per region. I hope to get your support for this measure,” he said. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

THE Philippines is mulling over the option of increasing its maritime patrols in response to the continuous “swarming” of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

A SNAPSHOT shared by fishers’ group Pamalakaya shows residents on the shore of Navotas oblivious to the presence and activity of a nearby land-reclamation vessel.

Senate bill strengthens CHR in upholding rights mandate

Thursday, September 14, 2023

DICT sets 70 percent budget utilization rate by year-end

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is targeting a 70 percent utilization rate of its budget before the end of the year by ramping up its digitization efforts.

In an interview with reporters after a news briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy disclosed they completed a catch-up plan to fast track agency spending of their remaining P7.1-billion budget for this year.

“We have a catch-up plan.

So we’ll be hitting by, end of the year, we’ll be hitting about 70 percent [utilization rate] or more,” Uy said partly in Filipino.

The DICT chief noted that one of the highlights of the said plan is the full roll out of their Electronic Local Government Unit System (eLGU) and

the Peoples Feedback Mechanism (eReport), which was launched last July.

The e-LGU allows its users to process online their business permits and licenses, local tax, local civil registration, real property tax, and barangay clearance.

Meanwhile, the eReport will enable its users to report any concerns to the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Also part of DICT’s catch up initiative, Uy said, is the evisa program to help increase tourist arrivals.

“So this year, the remaining part of this year and next year, is what we call scaling, meaning it will be rolled out to more and more areas. We have [many more projects] in store there,” Uy said.

During a budget hearing

last month, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) flagged DICT’s low budget spending rate of only 5.6 percent.

Despite their low budget utilization rate this year, Uy said they are requesting for an additional P300 confidential funds next year to boost their campaign against online scammers.

“As I explained earlier, the cyber criminals are very well funded, very well-organized and very highly technical,” he explained.

“We need all the resources possible and all the tools possible in order to go after them.

So, the confidential fund is essential in order to conduct intel and investigation in order to go after these criminals,” he added.

DBM said DICT has the third highest intelligence fund request for next year next to the Office of the Vice President (P500 million) and the Department of Justice (471.29 million).  Samuel P. Medenilla

DOE targets interested MSPs in govt’s electrification drive

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

“We have 120 islands that are not connected to the grid. We have to determine first the list of the areas that would be placed under the microgrid auction. We will issue a notice of auction within the year,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara on the sidelines of the Giga Summit organized by the Meralco Power Academy. “We have to do this because there is a micro grid law,” she added.

Under Republic Act no. 11646 entitled “An Act Promoting the Use of Microgrid Systems to Accelerate the Total Electrification of Unserved and Underserved Areas

Nationwide,” also known as Microgrid Systems Act, the DOE was tasked to issue the implementing rules and regulations.

“We will auction this year the candidate areas for the micro grid,” added Guevara. Based on the draft rules, the DOE de -

fines a microgrid system as an integrated power generation and distribution system whether or not connected to a distribution or transmission system.

Prior to the planned auction, the DOE will release the unserved areas, which will then undergo a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) wherein an entity would be awarded the contract to provide integrated power generation and distribution services to an unserved or underserved area through a transparent and competitive procedure, such as, but not limited to, an auction, unsolicited proposal, or Swiss challenge, taking into consideration the requirements of the Microgrid Systems Act and other applicable laws. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his second State of the Nation Address, said full energization of the remaining unenergized areas should be completed by 2028.

Central Visayas workers get ₧33 minimum wage increase

BELOW IS THE UPDATED MINIMUM WAGE RATE IN CENTRAL VISAYAS:

By Patrick V. Miguel

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Visayas has approved a minimum wage increase of P33 for sectors in agriculture, non-agriculture, and establishments with less than 10 workers.

Issued through Wage Order No. ROVII-24, the wage increase of P33 will apply in Class A to C areas in Central Visayas, and will take effect on October 1, according to an advisory released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Agriculture and establishments with less than 10 workers in Class A areas could now implement a minimum wage of P458, and P468 in the

non-agriculture sector.

In Class B areas, a minimum wage of P425 applies to agriculture sector and establishments, while P430 in

non-agriculture sector.  A P415 minimum wage will be given to agriculture and establishments with less than 10 workers in Class C, and P420 in the non-agriculture sector.

According to DOLE, the new rates translate a 7.6 to 8.6 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region.

The minimum wage hike was the result of “several petitions filed by various labor groups seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage due to escalating prices of basic goods and commodities,” according to DOLE.

IN a bid to accelerate the government’s electrification program, the Department of Energy (DOE) is now crafting the best way to auction unserved areas to interested microgrid system providers (MSPs).

CDA seeks ₧160-M budget hike to perform quasi-judicial mandate

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE chief of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday expressed the need to increase the agency’s budget by P160 million to be able to exercise its functions as a regulatory, developmental and quasi-judicial body.

CDA Undersecretary and Chairman Joseph

Encabo said that as CDA received the proposed budget from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), he said the bulk of the allocation goes to the regulatory functions, while no budget was allotted for the quasijudicial function of the agency.

“Meaning to say, our lawyers, our legal division cannot fully perform as what is expected based on the powers provided by law, which is the quasi judicial function. So in that aspect, we requested for additional funding,” Encabo said at a media briefing in Quezon City.

For the developmental function of the agency, the CDA chief described the budget as “lean,” saying, “We cannot even expand these developmental programs for co-operatives especially for micro and small.”

T hat’s why, even with the “technical” increase of the budget of the agency in 2024, compared to 2023, Encabo stressed, “We are still asking for an additional of approximately P160 million in that case to cover all facets and functions and powers of CDA.”

Under the National Expenditure Program for 2024, CDA, as an attached agency to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is set at P1.26 billion. This is 15.93 percent of the DTI’s expenditure program of P7.91 billion.

E ncabo emphasized that the agency cannot just purely function as regulatory agency because, as clearly stated in the agency’s mandate and even in the Philippine Cooperative Code, CDA is “regulatory, developmental, and quasi-judicial” in nature.

“So we have three main powers and functions that we need to cover and the absence of those two, the CDA is not complete in that mandate or responsibility. So I hope the Congress will grant it,” Encabo added.

Meanwhile, the CDA chief unveiled the agency’s efforts and recommendations in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to speed up the creation of cooperatives to spur the development of the agriculture sector in the country.

E ncabo said that to expedite the creation of co-operatives, there is a need to review CDA’s existing regulations and the guidelines on how to establish a co-operative. “ We need to streamline that’s why there’s a need to review the guidelines, the regulatory mandates of CDA and as a response to it, we have already submitted to the Office of the President our plans on how to address and respond to this directive,” the CDA chairman said.

H e also noted that CDA has already submitted to both chambers of the Congress the proposed amendments for the Republic Act No. 9520 or the “Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008” as well as the CDA’s future plans of amending its charter or the Republic Act No. 11634, which Encabo said there are areas that have to be amended in order to comply with the directive of the government.

As of D ecember 2022, CDA said there are 20,105 co-operatives. Of these, there are 12.1 million members and 334,000 employees.

A ccording to its website, CDA is a government agency mandated to promote “sustained growth and full development of the Philippine co-operatives for them to become broad-based instruments of social justice, equity and balanced national progress.”

Among the objectives of the agency is to “allow the lower income and less privileged groups to increase their ownership in the wealth of nation.”

Sen. Go pushes more investment for public healthcare, funding for cancer aid programs

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong”

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, is pushing for increased funding for Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) under the Department of Health, particularly for the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

He intends to seek support from his fellow legislators to double the amount designated for this purpose to strengthen the fund and provide more substantial assistance to cancer patients across the nation. This appeal comes after the reports of an alarming increase in cancer cases, not only in the Philippines but around the world, demanding more comprehensive support from the government to battle this life-threatening disease.

Go, in a heartfelt tribute to the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, also supported the proposed cancer fund intended to support Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

T his initiative, which was championed by Ople, who passed away recently while battling breast cancer, highlighted the urgent requirement to offer aid and compassion to the modern-day heroes who are confronting cancer while working far away from their homes.

“Dapat patuloy na pataasin ang budget

PPP option for Manila-Albay railway line project pushed

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

ALAWMAKER called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to pursue the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode in implementing the revival and modernization of the “Bicol Express,” the once-famed rail line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) that ran from Manila to Albay, which would create thousands of jobs and lead to the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Bicol region.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said he was assured by DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez that the revival of the Bicol Express or the PNR South Long Haul Project remains a priority of the administration of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

But with no clear direction yet from China on whether it would continue to fund the project, Yamsuan said the DOTr should instead push through with its option of employing the PPP mode to ensure project implementation under the current administration.

“Many Bicolanos await the day when the Bicol Express chugs back to life with fast, modern trains. Our dream is for the Bicol Express to provide affordable, safe, and comfortable service for commuters and make Bicol’s economy the fastest-growing in the country,” Yamsuan said.

The South Long Haul Project, which is included in the list of the President’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program, has a P3 billion allocation this year under the DOTr’s proposed budget.

“Based on my discussions with Undersecretary Chavez, going the PPP route to implement the civil works aspect of the project is the best way to ensure that the Bicol Express project gets off the ground,” said Yamsuan, who has long been advocating for the revival of the Manila-Albay rail line.

“When the Bicol Express is reconstructed and fully operational, every station it passes along its line will be a busy hub of economic activity. Micro and small enterprises will be sprouting in every station, providing jobs for tens of thousands of Bicolanos,” Yamsuan said.

The lawmaker said he agrees with

Chavez’s “PPP modality” of tapping foreign funding institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide financing for the electromechanical system of the project, while the government funds the right-of-way acquisition and rolling stock and partners with the private sector for the civil works aspect of the project.

During the budget deliberations of the House Committee on Appropriations on the DOTr’s proposed budget for 2024, Chavez said that if the government cannot get a definitive commitment from the Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank) this year for the P142 billion loan to implement the first phase of the project, he would recommend that the Department of Finance (DOF) seek other foreign partners or employ the “PPP modality” to get the project up and running.

The government currently has an ongoing P14-billion management-consulting contract with China Railways Design Corporation (CRDC) for the project. But with China Eximbank giving no clear direction as to whether it would approve the loan application

Remulla orders probe into ‘fake’ memo directing transfer of PDLs involved in de Lima drug case

By Joel R. San Juan   @jrsanjuan1573

(DOJ) and the BuCor might be behind the release of the fake memorandum.

para sa cancer assistance fund. In fact, during the last year’s budget deliberation, pinondohanitongKongresongP250 million, pagdating naman po sa Senado dinagdagan din po natin, naging P500 million po ang pondoparasacancer assistance fund for 2023,” said Go in an interview after his visit to Quezon City on Saturday, September 9. “Ngayon po isinusulong natin na madoble po ito na maging P1 bilyon at sa pagkaalamkokulangtalagaitosadamipo ng mga nagkakasakit ng cancer. Talagang pipilayanangpamilyatuwingnagkakanser ka, pilay na po ang inyong pamilya, halos hindinaponakakatrabaho‘yan,nakafocus na po sa pagpapagamot,” he added.

Go fur ther stressed that the rise in cancer cases necessitates a proactive response from the government. He said bolstering the CAF will ease the financial burden of cancer patients and their families, ensuring that they have access to the essential treatments and support required to battle this disease.

F urthermore, the above-mentioned is also in line with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), under Republic Act No. 11215, which was signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019. Within NICCA, the CAF plays a pivotal role as an indispensable component, offering vital financial support to cancer patients across the nation.

DND welcomes BIAF-MILF order vs ‘peace disruptors’

THE Department of National Defense (DND) hailed the directive of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF), which cautioned its members from engaging in activities that disrupt peace and order “at the expense of the civilian populace.”

“The DND welcomes Memorandum No. 25-2023, issued by Sammy Al Mansoor, Chief of Staff of the BIAF-MILF [that] strongly cautions its officers and members against engaging in activities that disrupt peace and order at the expense of the civilian populace,” Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The directive, dated August 18, 2023, also denounced the involvement in conflicts by its members arising from family

feuds and/or political rivalries, and warned of automatic termination from the roster of the BIAF-MILF if found guilty.

“The directive manifests the commitment of the MILF leadership to upholding and sustaining the Bangsamoro peace process and its attendant mechanisms. This move by the BIAF-MILF, likewise, allows the security sector to stay on track in the implementation of peace and development programs, especially in Mindanao,” Andolong pointed out.

He also said the DND, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and all its partners will continue to collaborate with and support the Bangsamoro Government in attaining and maintaining genuine and lasting peace in the region.

Rex Anthony Naval

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday to determine the identities and file charges against those responsible for the release of a “fake” memorandum purportedly issued by him directing Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General (DG) Gregorio Catapang to transfer 12 prisoners back to the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) in Occidental Mindoro.

At a news briefing, Remulla said his signature was “forged” by those responsible for the memorandum that was received by Catapang.

Catapang, who got suspicious of the authenticity of the memorandum, informed Remulla about it who confirmed that it was a fake.

Remulla expressed the possibility that erring employees of the Department of Justice

Remulla added there is also the possibility that the said inmates could also be involved in the fake document as they stand to benefit from it.

“It’s possible that somebody had done this before so we need to be alert,” Remulla said.

H e warned that the inmates that they risk additional prison sentence if they are found to be the involved in the issuance of the fake memorandum.

On the other hand, government employees who will also be found involved in the forgery could be charged with falsification of public documents and could also be sentenced to prison, aside from being removed from their posts.

“That is falsification and what the law mandates to be the penalty, we will impose through the courts. We will prosecute them,” he added.

Remulla stressed that the DOJ and

the BuCor has not issued a memorandum ordering the return to the national penitentiary of the 12 inmates who were previously linked to former senator Leila de Lima to the illegal drugs trade at NBP when she was still the DOJ chief.

“We believe that certain government employees are in connivance in the issuance of that memorandum circular. I have instructed the NBI to find those responsible,” he added.

The fake memorandum dated September 8 was also emailed to various officials of the DOJ, according to Remulla.

In the said memorandum, Remulla urged Catapang to consider the return to the NBP in Muntinlupa City of inmates Noel Martinez, Jerry Pepino, Herbert Colangco, Tomas Donina, Jaime Patio, Rodolfo Magleo, German Agojo, Hans Anton Tan, Joel Capones, Peter Co, Engelberto Duran, and Nonilo Arile since the national penitentiary has been designated by the DOJ-administered Witness Protection Program (WPP) as one of the “custodial facilities” for the purpose of safekeeping

After 7 long years, SC clears ‘Cavite 4’ of charges for undue trial delay

THE Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted four persons, collectively known as “Cavite 4,” of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and inflicting damage on a telco terminal charges for violation of their constitutional right to speedy trial.

In an eigh t-page resolution made public on September 12, 2023, the Court’s Third Division reversed and set aside the January 15, 2019 decision and April 12, 2019 resolution of the Court of Appeals junking the petition filed by the relatives of George Bruce, Jose Nayve, Romel Nuñez and Armando Matres questioning the denial by the Regional Trial Court of Trece Martires City of their motion to dismiss the criminal cases filed against them due to violation of their right to speedy trial under Article III, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution.

“After conscientiously sifting through the records of this case, the Court discerns adequate basis to reverse the challenged issuances of the CA,” the SC declared. “Criminal Case Nos. TMCR-1096-15, TMCR1097-15, and TMCR- 1120-17, pending before the Regional Trial Court of Trece Martires City, Branch 23, are dismissed for violation of the petitioners’ right to speedy trial. Petitioners George B. Bruce, Jose C. Nayve, Romel M. Nuñez, and Armando T. Matres are acquitted and are ordered immediately released from custody…” it added. The SC also directed the jail warden of the

Bureau of Jail Management and PenologySpecial Intensive Care Area (BJMP-SICA), Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig to implement its resolution immediately and to submit the action it has taken within five days from receipt of the resolution.

Bruce, Nayve, Nuñez and Matres were accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were allegedly responsible for firing guns at a fair at Barangay Manggahan in General Trias, Cavite on November 23, 2015.

The four admitted being at the vicinity when they heard the gunshots nearby but denied that they were responsible for the incident.

H owever, the four were arrested by the police and allegedly interrogated and tortured to admit being members of the NPA.

Nayve at the time of their arrest was a coordinator of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) in Cavite while Nunez and Matres were construction workers and Bruce was a utility vehicle driver.

T he SC pointed out that under Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8493 or the Speedy Trial Act of 1998, as implemented by Rule 116, Section l (g) of the Rules of Court, the arraignment of an accused should be held within 30 days from the time the court acquires jurisdiction over his or her person.

In the case of the Cavite 4, the SC noted that two out of the three informations

for the project, Chavez said the DOTr would have to terminate the contract with CRDC to be able to look for other possible funding sources.

Connecting Manila to Bicol, the first package of the Bicol Express, or the PNR’s South Long Haul Project, is expected to reduce travel time between the two points from the current 14 to 18 hours to just 4 to 6 hours.

It is among the big-ticket rail projects included in the list of priority infrastructure projects under House Bill 8078, which provides for a 30-year national infrastructure program for 2023 up to 2052. The bill was approved on third and final reading by the House last May.

The first package of the Bicol Express project, which Chavez said spans 386 kilometers from Calamba, Laguna, to Daraga, Albay, was previously awarded to a joint venture of Chinese railway firms by the administration of former President Duterte.

However, in July 2022, the loan agreement for the project was considered “withdrawn” after the Chinese government failed to act on the funding requests by the Duterte administration, according to the DOTr.

inmates who are under the program and considered as high value or high risk.

“ The leadership of the BuCor is strongly advised to consider all factors, such as any active threat to the life and safety and or risk of potential retaliation or intimidation, in deciding whether the confinement of the above-mentioned persons deprived of liberty [PDL] requires the extraordinary security measures and protocols being provided,” the memorandum said.

It can be recalled that the said inmates were transferred from NBP to a military facility during the term of former President Duterte after they testified against de Lima.

The move, according to Duterte’s camp, was intended to protect them since de Lima still has some “allies” in the national penitentiary.

Remulla said he has reminded Catapang to be careful of suspicious directives, especially if no discussion happened before about an issue.

“I ha ve talked to DG Catapang and told him to be careful about all communications. I told him to validate when he is in doubt, especially when there were no discussions on the issue and suddenly there appears an order,” Remulla said.

80% OF TESDA GRADS GET JOBS BUT PAY LOW

against petitioners were filed on December 18, 2015.

Their arraignment was initially scheduled on May 27, 2016 but did not push through due to various reasons, such as the failure of the jail warden to bring petitioners to court and that the public prosecutor was either on leave or absent.

“Ultimately, petitioners were arraigned on September 13, 2018, or more than two years from the filing of the first two Informations in 2015, and after a total of eight postponements...” the SC noted.

The prosecutors, according to the Court, also failed to provide reasonable explanation for the postponements of petitioners’ arraignment.

“However, it is not amiss to point out that an arraignment takes, at most, 10 minutes of the court’s business and does not normally entail legal gymnastics. It consists simply of reading to the accused the charges leveled against them, ensuring their understanding of those charges, and obtaining their plea to the charges,” the SC said.

“Upon this poin t, it is axiomatic that a dismissal predicated on the right of the accused to speedy trial upon his motion or express consent, amounts to an acquittal, which will bar another prosecution of the accused for the same offense. Perforce, the acquittal of petitioners from the charges must follow,” it added. Joel R. San Juan

Continued from A14

Officials of the agency explained that there are a number of programs where there are no training regulations (TRs) yet. TRs are required to create competency assessment tools for a particular program. The programs were allowed, even without TRs because they are in-demand, Tesda officials noted.

Villanueva and Gatchalian also questioned the steady decrease in the targets of the agency with regards to the percentage of TVET graduates that undergo assessment for certification, when the goal must be to increase the number of graduates that are assessed and certified. Under the 2024 National Expenditure Plan (NEP), the baseline of TESDA is 80 percent. However, the 2023 target is 70 percent, and the 2024 target is 60 percent.

In previous meetings, the Education Commission also pushed for the assessment and certification of senior high school students who are under the technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) track. Edcom 2 analysis shows that, to cover the assessment and certification of SHS-TVL students, about P1 billion would be needed in the 2024 budget. Butch Fernandez

Govt forms team to monitor rice prices in NCR

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban issued Special Order (SO) 1125 series of 2023 which authorized the 48 personnel from the DA and the National Food Authority (NFA) to monitor the imple-

mentation of Executive Order (EO) 39.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is also concurrently the country’s agriculture chief, issued EO 39 which imposed a price ceiling on regular-milled

rice at P41 per kilogram and wellmilled rice at P45 per kg.

“The following personnel from the DA operating units are hereby directed to conduct monitoring activities on the implementation

Panganiban said in the SO published recently.

Under the SO, 29 of the inspectors would come from the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) while 8 are from the DA Field Operations Service (FOS). An additional 11 NFA personnel will join the team as deputized by the DA’s Memorandum Order 62 series of 2023.

The monitoring team would conduct its activity daily from Monday to Sunday. The team would be exempted from their regular official time of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from using biometric bundy clocks, according to the DA.

of EO No. 39 including monitoring and investigation of abnormal price movement in all public and private markets, supermarkets, and grocery stores in the National Capital Region [NCR],”

Manila begins review of anti-dumping duty on flour

The government’s review of the anti-dumping duties it imposed on Turkish wheat flour got underway on Wednesday.

The Tariff Commission (TC) held the first of five public hearings on Wednesday regarding the expiry review of the anti-dumping duty the Philippines imposed on Turkish wheat flour.

The TC is undertaking the expiry review following the petition made by the local flour milling sector to extend the anti-dumping duty imposed on Turkish wheat flour for a second time.

The anti-dumping duty on Turkish wheat flour is set to expire on October 27, nearly eight years since the Philippine government had determined the necessity of implementing the trade remedy to protect the local flour milling industry.

Petitioner Philippine Associa-

tion of Flour Millers (Pafmil) was represented by its counsel Rodolf Britanico. The petitioner presented three witnesses: Joseph Bippert of the United States Wheat Associates, Ricardo Pinca and Mario Banag of Pafmil.

The witnesses of the petitioner argued that Turkey is continuing its anti-dumping practices and that the Philippine wheat flour milling industry could suffer injury once the anti-dumping duty expires.

Meanwhile, the oppositor, the Southeast Anatolian Exporters’ Association, was represented by Gülden Bozdeniz and Bülent Hacıoğlu of Trade Resources together with Mert Erkoyuncu of the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye.

The association argued that the Philippine flour milling industry will not face any threat from Turkish flour anymore since

Turkey’s exports to the Philippines have drasticallly declined in recent years due to the antidumping duty.

The oppositor noted that the Philippines is no longer a significant market for Turkey since there are “more attractive markets,” such as Iraq, Yemen, and Somalia.

It also maintained that the first extension of the anti-dumping measure was inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and jurisprudence, claiming that it was “unlawful.”

The TC has scheduled the following dates for the public hearings— September 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19.

However, the TC suspended the hearing for September 14 to give the petitioner ample time to scrutinize the information and data presented by the oppositor on Wednesday, which the petitioner claimed were not part of

the affidavit first submitted by the oppositor.

The petitioner sought for continuance instead of making a motion to strike out the information presented by the oppositor.

The Philippines first imposed the anti-dumping duty on Turkish wheat flour in 2015 which lasted until 2020. It was extended for another three years or until later this year.

Anti-dumping, a trade remedy allowed under WTO agreements, permits a state to impose additional duties on products that are being exported at a price that is lower than the prevailing market price in the country of origin.

Under the extended measure, the Philippines imposed antidumping duties on Turkish wheat flour of up to 29.57 percent depending on the exporter.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

COMP exhibit to feature coco coir, activated carbon–DTI

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) will feature non-food coconut products such as coco coir, coco geotextile, and activated carbon in the upcoming Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) 19th Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition.

The event will be held on September 19-20 at the EDSA ShangriLa Hotel Manila in Mandaluyong City with the theme “Seeing Green: Shaping a Sustainable Minerals Development Industry.”

As part of this initiative, 7 coconut-based companies will showcase their products during the Mining Philippines 2023 exhibition. These companies are 3 Kings Export, Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Agrisolution Marketing

Cooperative, Coco Technologies Corp., Gubat Agritech Industries Co., Hung Coconet and Hydroseeding Inc.

Their products include a variation of coconut-based products like twines, ropes, logs, nets/geotextiles, and pot mats. These products are used in civil engineering, erosion control, landscaping, and horticulture, all playing essential roles in mining operations and rehabilitation efforts.

Moreover, Mapecon Green Charcoal Philippines Inc. (MGCPI) will also highlight activated carbon. Activated carbon boasts versatile applications, including its use in gold recovery processes and water treatment. Its significance extends to gold mining operations and community development, making it integral to the mining

industry’s sustainable practices.

“This collaborative effort between the coconut and mining industries aligns with the Philippines’s strategic objectives to bolster the economy, create job opportunities, and foster cooperation among stakeholders among various sectors,” DTI-EMB said in a statement.

During the event, stakeholders from the mining industry are invited and encouraged to engage with experts in coconut coir/geotextile and activated carbon to explore possible collaborations and partnerships on current and future projects locally or internationally.

“Furthermore, this event serves as a platform to raise awareness and generate interest among the general public and mining stakeholders regarding non-food coconut-based

products,” DTI-EMB said.

“These products can be used in a wide range of consumer and industrial settings, and their use encourages the use of locally sourced natural materials and promotes alternatives and solutions that are better for the environment.”

The DTI said the participation of coconut-based firms was made possible through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan launched by the Department of Agriculture, through the Philippine Coconut Authority in June 2022.

“This initiative aims to harness the P11.25-billion coconut levy trust fund to enhance farmers’ productivity and income. As part of this effort, the DTI has been allocated 5 percent of the coco levy funds to promote coconut-based products.”

Poland to extend Ukraine grain-import ban, pressuring EU

l A ND w ill extend its ban on imports of grain from Ukraine unless the eu ropean Union allows its own restrictions to stay in place beyond Friday—a move that raises tensions with both Kyiv and Brussels.

The government in Warsaw approved the plan Tuesday, effectively issuing an ultimatum to the e U three days before the scheduled expiration of the bloc’s measures. Meanwhile, h u ngary and Romania reiterated that e U i mport restrictions should be extended until at least the end of the year.

“We’re convinced that the e U is wavering and will allow for the extension” of the current restrictions, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said in a radio interview on Tuesday. “If it doesn’t, then we’re going to act tough because it’s in the interest of Polish farmers.”

Ukraine has sought alternative export routes for its grain after Russia blocked most

shipments via the Black Sea shortly after its invasion last year. Some eastern eu ropean countries have since restricted grain imports from Ukraine, on grounds that the flows are undercutting their own farming sectors. The collapse in July of a deal to facilitate exports from the Black Sea has heightened tensions.

e a rlier this week, Ukrainian Deputy e c onomy Minister Taras Kachka warned that Kyiv will file a complaint at the World Trade Organization if Poland introduces a unilateral ban on Ukrainian grain. The government in Warsaw will still allow for the transit of Ukraine grain through its territory to the ports on the Baltic Sea or to be sold elsewhere in the e U

The decision comes little more than a month before a parliamentary election in Poland on Oct. 15. Farmers are an important constituency for the ruling law & Justice party,

which is fighting to stay in power for a third term. The glut of grain imports on the domestic market sparked protests earlier this year.

Poland, h u ngary and Slovakia have each pushed for an extension of the ban. Romania and Bulgaria have expressed more flexibility on the arrangements at e U -wide talks and avoided mentioning a potential unilateral ban. h u ngarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy is holding talks on the matter with his counterparts from Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, he said in a video on his Facebook page.

The e u ropean Commission—the e U ’s executive arm—should extend restrictions on grain imports from Ukraine at least until the end of 2023, Nagy and his Romanian counterpart, Florin Barbu, said in a joint statement following their meeting Tuesday. Romanian farmers have threatened to

“They are entitled to compensatory time offsetting for work rendered during the weekend,” the SO read.

SO 1125 stipulated that the

monitoring team is entitled to a travelling allowance amounting to P350 per day per staff or P150 per day per staff if they will use government vehicles for their monitoring activities.

The budget would come from the funds of DA-AMAS or the Office of the Secretary, subject to budget availability and usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations, according to the document.

The SO will only be revoked upon the lifting of EO 39, according to the DA.

The agriculture chief earlier said the implementation of the rice price ceiling is “going well.” (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/09/13/after-initialsupply-crunch-rice-price-capeo-going-well-pbbm/)

FAO: More public, private investments needed to transform agrifood systems

The Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is urging more public and private investment in the massive task of transforming global agrifood systems to feed a growing population, while guarding against adverse environmental impacts.

“We need to accelerate the pace of agricultural growth, while paying attention to issues of environmental sustainability, natural resource degradation and the impacts of the climate crisis in the region, and beyond,”

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in opening remarks at the 1st Uzbekistan Agrifood Investment Forum held recently.

The forum is part of the International Conference on Food Security, organized by the government of Uzbekistan with the technical support of FAO.

“We need to create an enabling environment for unlocking both public and private investments,” in order to finance the necessary changes in how our food, fiber and feed are produced and delivered by the deadline of 2030, set for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Qu said.

FAO has estimated that this would cost $4 trillion in low- and middleincome countries.

It is also necessary to invest in national agrifood control systems that will help make food safer and which is vital to food security and nutrition. Qu further underlined the need for welldesigned public on-farm investments, such as for rural roads, irrigation, electrification and warehousing, among others, to increase overall investments in agriculture.

FAO has long argued that public investment in agriculture often does not reflect its importance in the economy, with farmers frequently forced to finance investments—usually small—out of their own savings or from informal sources of credit.

One way to help small-scale farmers optimize costs and be competitive is through reliable and timely knowledge and data provided by digital tools, such as digital advisory services to rural communities, tailored to local contexts and needs, with easy access to key data, information and statistics.

Qu encouraged Uzbekistan to use the tools and approaches of FAO’s h a nd in h a nd Initiative, for identifying and optimizing agrifood investments, and to participate in the h a nd-in- h a nd Investment Forum from October 17 to 20 in Rome as part of the World Food Forum 2023.

The Initiative, launched in 2019, currently supports 63 countries worldwide. Projects carried out under it include: developing value chains for priority commodities, building agro-industries and efficient water management systems, digital services and precision agriculture, reducing food loss and waste, and addressing climate challenges and weather risks. It uses advanced geospatial modeling and analytics, as well as a partnershipbuilding approach.

The Agrifood Investment Forum was co-organized by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture and its Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It was aimed at increasing understanding of how to promote onfarm investment through innovative financing schemes; achieving a better understanding of the size and structure of investments in Uzbekistan’s agriculture; identifying win-win options for farmers and governments to enhance investments for agricultural growth and making policy recommendations centred on the needs of farmers and agribusinesses.

Among the attendees were ministers from e u rope, Asia and Central Asia as well as representatives of UN agencies and international financial institutions.

block ports and border checkpoints used to aid the transit of Ukrainian grains if the ban isn’t extended.

Spain’s olive oil

A S URG e in the price of olive oil in top grower Spain has increased the cost of making a traditional paella to its highest in five months.

Bloomberg’s monthly index, which calculates how much Spanish households need to spend on ingredients to make the Mediterranean rice dish, jumped 18.3 percent in August from a year ago, accelerating from a 15-percent rise the previous month.

This compares with an uptick in the rate of headline inflation to 2.4 percent and a slight slowdown in the pace of overall food price increases to 10.5 percent.

Olive oil led the spike, shooting up 53 percent in August from a year ago as Spain reels from devastating droughts. Prices have risen so much that thieves are targeting olive oil mills in the south of the country, and supermarkets have started to place security tags on bottles.

While inflation in Spain has slowed sharply from double-digit levels last year,

the cost of making paella is a reminder of lingering price pressures on everyday items that continue to hit consumers in the euro zone’s fourth-biggest economy. The e u ropean Commission forecasts year-end inflation of 3.6 percent in Spain, one of the lowest rates among major economies in the region and below the euro area’s average. Bloomberg News

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formed a 48-person team that would monitor the implementation of the mandated price ceiling on rice in wet markets and supermarkets in the National Capital Region (NCR).

A mAn checks rice at a store in Quezon City, Philippines, on monday, August 14, 2023. AP/AARON FAv lA/F le

A wheAt harvest in the Lisowice district of torun, Poland. BARTeK SADOWSKI/BlOOMBeRG

Putin, Kim sit down for talks at Russia’s biggest rocket launch facility in Siberia

By Kim Tong-Hyung & Dasha Litvinova The Associated Press

McCarthy directs House to open impeachment inquiry into Biden

By Lisa Mascaro & Farnoush Amiri

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday he is directing the US House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his family’s business dealings, launching historic proceedings ahead of the 2024 election.

McCarthy said that House investigations so far “paint a picture of a culture of corruption” around the Biden family as Republicans probe the business dealings of the president’s son, Hunter Biden, from before the Democratic president took office.

“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives,” McCarthy, R-Calif., said at the Capitol, announcing he was directing the House led by the Oversight Committee “to open a formal impeachment inquiry.”

The White House shot back, calling the action in the midst of the presidential campaign “extreme politics at its worst.”

“House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing,” said spokesman Ian Sams.

Acting on his own, the Republican speaker McCarthy faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job—while he also is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the month.

McCarthy is launching the inquiry without a House vote, and it’s unclear if he would even have enough support from his slim GOP majority. Some lawmakers have panned the evidence so far as not reaching the Constitution’s bar of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The White House and others pointed to McCarthy’s past statements when he insisted a speaker acting unilaterally to launch an impeachment inquiry would have no legitimacy. McCarthy “flipflopped because he doesn’t have support,” Sams said.

An inquiry is a step toward impeachment, which used to be rare, and McCarthy essentially outlined the potential charges ahead. With Donald Trump now the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in next year’s election, GOP allies are working to detract attention from the indicted former president’s legal challenges and turn a negative spotlight on Biden.

The inquiry will be led by Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, in coordination with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith. They are heading across the Capitol Wednesday to brief the Senate.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has warned House Republicans off the effort, but said Tuesday, “I don’t think Speaker McCarthy needs advice from the Senate.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it an “illegitimate impeachment inquiry” and said Democrats will defend Biden “until the very end.”

“There is not a shred of evidence that President Joe Biden has engaged in wrongdoing,” Jeffries said. “President Joe Biden is a good man. He’s an honest man. He’s a patriotic man.”

The Republican speaker is once again at a political crossroads—trying to keep his most conservative lawmakers satisfied and save his own job. It’s a familiar political bind for McCarthy, who is juggling the impeachment inquiry and a government shutdown threat with no clear end game.

Government funding is to run out on Sept. 30, which is the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress must pass new funding bills or risk a shutdown and the interruption of government services.

Minutes after McCarthy spoke a chief Republican critic stood on the House floor deriding the inquiry as merely “a baby step” and reviving the threat of ousting the speaker. “We must move faster,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

The White House has insisted Biden was not involved in his son’s business dealings. And Democrats are stepping up to fight against what they view as unfounded claims against him ahead of the 2024 election as Republicans attempt to blur the lines with Trump.

Former President Trump was twice impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate. He now faces more serious charges in court, indicted four times this year, including for trying to overturn the 2020 election Biden won.

House Republicans are probing the business dealings of Hunter Biden but so far have not produced hard evidence linking them and the president. They have shown a few instances, largely during the time the elder Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president, when he spoke by phone with his son and stopped by dinners his son was hosting with business partners.

An impeachment inquiry would provide more heft to the House investigation, especially as the Oversight Committee battles in court for access to Biden family financial records.

Republicans contend the Justice Department has not fully probed the allegations against Hunter Biden, and say he received preferential treatment in what they call a sweetheart plea deal that recently collapsed. The Department of Justice has appointed a special prosecutor in that probe.

“We will go wherever the evidence takes us,” McCarthy said.

Comer, the Oversight chairman from Kentucky, is digging into the Biden family finances and is expected to seek banking records for Hunter Biden as the panel tries to follow the flow of money.

On Tuesday, Comer demanded the State Department produce documents about the work Biden did as vice president during the Obama administration to clean up corruption in Ukraine.

Comer wants to understand the State Department’s views of former Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whom Biden and many Western allies wanted removed from office because of allegations of corruption.

As a government shutdown looms, conservatives who power McCarthy’s majority want to slash spending, and the hard right is unwilling to approve spending levels the speaker negotiated with Biden earlier this year.

McCarthy is trying to float a 30-day stopgap measure to keep government running to Nov. 1, but conservatives are balking at what’s called a continuing resolution, or CR, as they pursue cuts.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said late Monday exiting McCarthy’s office she has “red lines” against any new money being spent for Covid-19 vaccines or mandates or the war in Ukraine.

And Gaetz, a top Trump ally, said if McCarthy puts a continuing resolution up for a vote, he will face blowback from conservatives with a motion to vacate the chair and oust him from office.

At the start of the year, Gaetz and other Republicans secured agreements from McCarthy as he struggled to win their votes to become House speaker, including a House rule that allows opponents to call a vote to try to remove him from the speaker’s position.

The Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Kevin Freking and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

The talks, which included their delegations, began shortly after Putin and Kim toured various facilities at the cosmodrome, including two launch pads.

The leaders met at the remote Siberian rocket launch facility for a summit that underscores how the two leaders’ interests are aligning in the face of their separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States.

The two men began their meeting with a tour of a Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility, at which the North Korean leader peppered a Russian space official with questions about the rockets.

Kim’s meeting with Putin came hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles toward the sea, extending a highly provocative run in North Korean weapons testing since the start of 2022, as Kim used the distraction caused by Putin’s war on Ukraine to accelerate his weapons development.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff didn’t immediately say how far the North Korean missiles flew. Japan’s Coast Guard, citing Tokyo’s Defense Ministry, said the missiles have likely already landed but still urged vessels to watch for falling objects.

The decision to meet at Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important domestic satellite launch facility, suggests that Kim is seeking Russian technical assistance for his efforts to develop military reconnaissance satellites, which he has described

as crucial in enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. In recent months, North Korea has repeatedly failed to put its first military spy satellite into orbit.

Official photos showed that Kim was accompanied by Pak Thae Song, chairman of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and navy Adm. Kim Myong Sik, who are linked with North Korean efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry.

Asked whether Russia will help North Korea build satellites, Putin was quoted by Russian state media as saying “that’s why we have come here. The DPRK leader shows keen interest in rocket technology. They’re trying to develop space, too,” using the abbreviation for North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Asked about military cooperation, Putin said “we will talk about all issues without a rush.

There is time.”

Putin welcomed Kim’s limousine, brought from Pyongyang in the North Korean leader’s special armored train, at the entrance to the launch facility with a handshake that lasted around 40 seconds. Putin said he was “very glad to see” Kim. Kim’s translator thanked Putin for the warm welcome, “despite being busy.”

The two leaders will sit down for talks after the tour

of the cosmodrome, Russian state media reported.

For Putin, the meeting with Kim is an opportunity to refill ammunition stores that the 18-monthold war has drained. North Korea may have tens of millions of aging artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs that could give a huge boost to the Russian army in Ukraine, analysts say.

Kim also brought Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of munitions policies that joined him on recent tours of factories producing artillery shells and missile, according to South Korea.

Kim said his decision to visit Russia four years after his previous visit showed how Pyongyang is “prioritizing the strategic importance” of its relations with Moscow, North Korea’s official news agency said Wednesday.

Kim is expected to seek economic aid as well as military technology. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia may discuss humanitarian aid with the North Korean delegation, according to Russian news agencies.

An arms deal would violate international sanctions that Russia supported in the past.

Lim Soo-suk, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Seoul was maintaining communication with Moscow while closely monitoring Kim’s visit.

“No UN member state should violate Security Council sanctions against North Korea by engaging in an illegal trade of arms, and must certainly not engage in military cooperation with North Korea that undermines the peace and stability of the international community,” Lim said at a briefing. The United States has accused North Korea of providing Russia with arms, including selling artillery shells to the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Both Russian and North Korean officials denied such claims.

Speculation about their military cooperation grew after Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, visited North Korea in July. Kim subsequently toured his weapons factories, which experts said had the dual goal of encouraging the modernization of North Korean weaponry and examining artillery and other supplies that could be exported to Russia.

Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Associated Press journalists Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia; Aamer Madhani and Matthew Lee in Washington; Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Dake Kang and Ng Han Guan in Fangchuan, China; Haruka Nuga and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed.

Crimean shipyard

on fire after Ukraine attack with 2 ships damaged

By The Associated Press

THE Sevastopol Shipyard in Russian-annexed Crimea was on fire early Wednesday after a Ukrainian attack with two ships that were being repaired there sustaining damage and 24 people injured, Russian authorities reported.

and 24 people injured

The attack on the shipyard appeared to be one of the biggest in recent weeks, even though the Crimean peninsula, annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target in the 18-month old war.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine launched 10 cruise missiles at the shipyard and three

sea drones at Russian ships in the Black Sea. Seven missiles were shot down and all the sea drones have been destroyed, the military said, but some of the missiles damaged two ships that were being repaired in the shipyard.

There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials, who almost never acknowledge

Kyiv’s responsibility for attacks on Crimea or Russian regions that have become regular in recent months.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, Moscowappointed governor of the port city of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula, said on Telegram on Wednesday that 24 people were injured in the fire. He posted a photo of the fire with smoke billowing over it. The Sevastopol Shipyard is of strategic importance to Russia as vessels in its Black Sea fleet are being repaired there. AP

Japan PM keeps economy team, boosts women in cabinet revamp

By Isabel Reynolds & Yuki Hagiwara

JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

kept his finance and trade ministers in place while adding more women to his cabinet in a reshuffle aimed at freshening his government’s image.

The premier kept his core policy team in place in the Wednesday revamp, as he seeks to work quickly to introduce new economic stimulus measures, something he has cited as a priority.

P rice gains continue to outpace wage increases, eating into household spending power and weighing on approval for Kishida’s cabinet. Support crept up by three percentage points to 36 percent in a poll conducted by NHK between Sept. 8-10, after he expanded and extended subsidies for gasoline.

W hile Kishida need not face a national election until 2025, a further fall in

popularity could see him struggle to stay on as leader of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party in a vote due a year from now.

“I want to carry out bold economic measures,” Kishida told reporters in India on Sunday where he was attending the Group of 20 summit. “This must be done with all haste, so when the new structure is in place, I want to get off to a running start.”

T he premier appears to have prioritized balancing the interests of the various factions within the LDP, said Tomoya Suzuki, economics researcher at NLI Research Institute. That leaves doubts about how far the reshuffle will help promote his policies, he added.

Kishida r etained Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki as well as Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshikazu Matsuno told reporters. He

appointed a new minister for economic revitalization, Yoshitaka Shindo, in what could be a pointer to the cabinet’s budgetary stance, according to Takuji Aida, chief economist at Credit Agricole Securities Asia.

Shindo , a former vice minister at METI, replaces a former bureaucrat from the Finance Ministry, known for its fiscal conservatism.

“R ather than reining in spending, this brings efforts to expand the economy through investment to the fore,” Aida said, adding Shindo could work in tandem with the like-minded Nishimura, conveying a positive impression to markets previously held back by Kishida’s reputation for favoring a more austere line.

Don’t expect major changes in economic and fiscal policy after this cabinet reshuffle as the key ministers are staying in place. Rising interest rates are a headache for the cabinet, so the cost will likely remain on a

reasonable scale,” said Bloomberg economist Taro Kimura.

Among the executives in his ruling party, Kishida kept Toshimitsu Motegi, a potential rival for the party leadership as LDP No. 2. Party policy chief Koichi Hagiuda also remained in his post.

Minoru Kihar a, a five-term member of parliament, will take over as defense minister for his first cabinet posting.

Previous prime ministers have seen support jump after appointing more women to their cabinets. Kishida’s latest line-up includes five women, equaling a previous record, with the most prominent being former Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa as foreign minister.

Women will also be allotted positions covering policy on children, regional revitalization and reconstruction, while Sanae Takaichi will retain her seat as minister in charge of economic security. Bloomberg News

SEOUL, South Korea—Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un began on Wednesday at the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russian state news agency Tass reported.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. VLADIMIR SMIRNOV, SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP

editorial

‘Beijing penetrated every sector of UK’s economy’

The high-altitude Chinese spy balloon shot down by the US Air Force in February was reportedly able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites, despite the Biden administration’s efforts to block it from doing so, according to senior US officials. The intelligence China collected was mostly from electronic signals, which can be picked up from weapons systems or communications from base personnel, rather than images, the officials said.

China, naturally, got angry after the US shot down the huge balloon, because it was “a civilian airship.” Beijing insisted that the US Air Force behaved so irresponsibly by shooting down a Chinese civilian weather balloon. And China is telling the truth.

From the Associated Press: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chastised China’s premier on Sunday for “unacceptable” interference in British democracy, after a newspaper reported that a researcher in Parliament was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of spying for Beijing. Sunak said he raised the issue with Premier Li Qiang when the two met at a Group of 20 summit in India. He told British broadcasters in New Delhi that he’d expressed “my very strong concerns about any interference in our parliamentary democracy, which is obviously unacceptable.”

The Sunday Times, September 10, 2023: “A British parliamentary researcher has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China in what is alleged to be one of the most damaging breaches of security involving a hostile state at Westminster. The male suspect, who is in his late twenties, is understood to be linked to a number of senior Tory MPs, including several who are privy to classified or highly sensitive information. They include Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, and Alicia Kearns, the chairwoman of the Commons foreign affairs committee.”

“Counterterrorism police arrested the researcher and another man in his thirties on suspicion of espionage-related offences in March. The researcher is a Briton who held a parliamentary pass and has worked with MPs on international policy, including relations with Beijing, for several years. He previously spent time living and working in China, where security officials fear he may have been recruited as a sleeper agent and sent back to Britain with the intention of infiltrating political networks critical of the Beijing regime,” the report said.

In July the Commons intelligence and security committee published a report claiming that China is targeting the UK “prolifically and aggressively,” but that government departments did not have the “resources, expertise or knowledge” to tackle the threat. The committee, which is made up of a powerful group of crossparty MPs, said Beijing had managed to “successfully penetrate every sector of the UK’s economy.”

The Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party’s official tabloid, said “the declining UK uses a self-staged ‘Chinese spy’ farce to gain attention.”

“The trivial matters in the British Parliament aren’t worth China’s efforts and risks of ‘planting spies.’ Those extremist politicians who gain attention by criticizing China are not highly regarded by today’s Chinese people. Moreover, with Sunak, of Indian origin, becoming Prime Minister and India surpassing the UK in GDP, the decline of the former empire is evident. Yet, they persist in clinging to their past glory and treating everything in their house as treasures,” the tabloid said.

Responding to China’s argumentum ad nauseam, Neil O’Brien, a Member of Parliament, said in a September 10 post on X: “ When the free world criticises China’s unfair economic policy, international aggression and human rights abuses, Beijing claims that’s a ‘Cold War mentality.’ Now we learn they’re spying on MPs and subverting people in Parliament: waging a Cold War on us.”

A Chinese Embassy statement called the allegations “completely fabricated and nothing but malicious slander.” And China is telling the truth.

Indeed, the US and the UK should stop fabricating charges against China. In fact, other countries should stop maligning China. Published articles that said “China may have meddled in Australian politics, and tried to do the same in Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, Canada and other countries during election seasons” are just blatant lies. China has never interfered in other countries’ affairs nor does it have any interest in doing so. And, yes, China is telling the truth.

As a proud member of the global community, China may refuse to comply with international law when doing so suits its interests. The 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations, which invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea, is a perfect example. China does not like the decision, so the ruling is illegal, null and void. That’s because it owns the entire South China Sea. And China is telling the truth.

My market ‘theory’

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

One of the significant lessons that I learned about “The Market” came from being involved in the oil business. In the 1970s exploration was done off the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Millions were spent on the geology and in theory there was a huge offshore oil field worth mega-millions. It all looked good enough that large investors were brought in to drill several test wells.

There was not any oil to be found. Not one drop. A petroleum geologist working the site explained it to me this way. “Some time several million years ago, all the oil leaked out.” Theories should always look good on paper but must eventually reflect and work in the real world.

In 2013, Eugene Fama, Lars Peter Hansen and Robert Shiller won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, honoring the three “for their empirical analysis of asset prices.”

Simplistically, Fama is the father of the “Efficient market hypothesis” that asset prices reflect all available information, and that “strange” price movements are the result of new information. Shiller firmly believes that markets are inefficient, and

I invest in individual issues that are moving higher and hold until the trend turns negative. That’s my market “theory.”

price movement. Sure, I might say I think that the market is going to go up—or down—but that is purely an intellectual exercise for fun. Check my interview with Michelle Ong on ANC Market Edge ( youtube.com/ watch?v=WQLrnLO2L0k). I do not invest in my or anyone else’s predictions.

When the ball stops going up, that is the “top.” The same is true for stock prices. There is no need to “pick the bottom.” Buy when prices start going higher and if it is a “dead cat bounce,” take a loss if it goes below your entry price or support.

prices reflect the bipolar disorder of investors swinging between the extremes of irrational exuberance and manic depression. This was like giving the Noble Prize for religion to two people, one an atheist claiming there is no God and the other the Roman Catholic Pontiff. So, this “Nobel Prize in Economics” was given for their “analysis” rather than their conclusions from their analysis. However, both Fama and Shiller believe that accurate short-term stock market price prediction is not possible.

I have earned most of my income for the past 40 years trading the markets, primarily the stock markets. I do not care about either Fama’s or Shiller’s theories because I do not make any attempt to “predict”

Bright, hazy, angry

STREET TALK

Three key items on the road that caught my attention last week are worth mentioning. All have to do with our commuting life in Metro Manila that definitely affect all of us and hopefully have our policy-makers pursue the proper direction to strengthen policies for or against these items.

Bright lights

PA SS by the Ayala underpass nowadays and you will be greeted with the brightness of the tunnel lights that are now there. The once dreary and drab feeling you have entering those tunnels, especially during the bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic, are now a thing of the past. It may be a minor change, but an important one that should have happened administrations ago— I did try when I headed MMDA, but the challenge then was who would foot the bill (the MMDA, DPWH or the local government

units along the Edsa line). I guess that was resolved, especially now with the advent of cheaper solar powered lights. But going back to this welcome change. Streetlights are basic ingredients in road safety, not just for aesthetics or a medium for corruption as what was infamously accomplished years ago south of Manila where the acquisition price of the streetlights were three times the retail offer.

Street lighting, by the way, is a science. There are measurements as to its brightness and usage. I do hope that our government

Stockbrokers are never going to say they can predict the market. But, they will never tell you to stay away. Therefore, they look for reasons for you to invest regardless of market movement. The most common “analysis” is that stock prices are cheap. This means that prices are lower in comparison to the past. But cheap prices today do not mean that prices will necessarily be higher in the foreseeable future, and that is all that matters. Prices might become even “cheaper,” the result of “new information” or because investors have become more “manic-depressive.”

“You should buy now because no one can pick the bottom and you might miss out when the bull market finally begins.” That advice could murder your bank account.

If you throw a ball into the air, how can you pick the top? Easy.

But going back to the newly lighted tunnels, I can only say kudos and congratulations to the MMDA for this move. Last year, the MMDA did well with the solar streetlights on the Edsa curbside. I was even told these were self-cleaning solar lights, which allows them to maintain their brightness. We do hope this bright initiative continues in other tunnels and unlit streets in Metro Manila. Congrats MMDA.

officials who are responsible for the money behind the purchase of streetlights have this in mind. But going back to the newly lighted tunnels, I can only say kudos and congratulations to the MMDA for this move. Last year, the MMDA did well with the solar streetlights on the Edsa curbside. I was even told these were self-cleaning solar lights, which allows them to maintain their brightness. We do hope this bright initiative continues in other tunnels and unlit streets in Metro Manila. Congrats MMDA.

The stock market is not a horse race where you place a bet and have to wait for the horse to cross the finish line. It would have been nice to buy the PSEi at 2,000—from a bottom of 1,870—on the way to 8,700. But buying at 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, or even 8,000 would have been profitable also. Much better to bet on the horse when it is in the lead at any point in the race.

Finally, stock brokerage companies often talk about some event, a spark that is going to change price movement. A market turning higher is a process not unlike falling in love. Unless, of course, your “true love” won the P50 million PCSO Lotto last night. Confidence in the future of stock prices grows over time until you reach that point of putting money on the table and pushing the “Buy” button. I invest in individual issues that are moving higher and hold until the trend turns negative. That’s my market “theory.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

The haze JUST as the Philippine Christmas season began last week, we were greeted with the feeling of the holiday atmosphere, literally, as a metro-wide haze enveloped the metropolis. Unfortunately, we should not be rejoicing because the haze, or more appropriately, the smog, was a product of the air pollution present in the atmosphere that was trapped because of what PAGASA terms as a “temperature inversion” of cold and hot air, including aerosols from air pollutants. With regards to carbon emissions, ours in Metro Manila is not a byproduct of manufacturing, such as those in other countries, as we have virtually no running factories in this area. The pollution we have around comes from the motor vehicles we have that apparently remain to be generally unchecked despite the assurances of the concerned government agencies that we have in place the necessary protocols to reduce carbon emissions. If this is left unchecked, then expect haze, smog or air pollution to be part of the Metro Manila landscape in the succeeding years to come. This will take its toll on

“Orbos”

Thomas M. Orbos

By Tia Goldenberg | The Associated Press

HeRZlIYA, Israel—They contended with bloody uprisings, destabilizing wars and even the assassination of a prime minister during their service. But for dozens of former Israeli security commanders, the policies of Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government are the biggest threat yet to the country’s future.

In unprecedented opposition, more than 180 former senior officials from the Mossad, the Shin Bet domestic security agency, the military and the police have united against steps they say will shatter Israel’s resilience in the face of mounting threats from the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran.

“We were used to dealing with external threats,” said Tamir Pardo, a former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency and a leader of the new group. “We’ve been through wars, through military operations and all of a sudden you realize that the greatest threat to the state of Israel is internal.”

Netanyahu’s government, made up of ultranationalist and ultrareligious parties, was formed last year and immediately pressed ahead with a contentious plan to reshape the country’s judiciary. Senior government ministers have proposed a litany of steps critics view as undemocratic, including increased gender segregation in public spaces and giving an outspoken homophobe control over some educational content.

Critics say the overhaul will change the very foundation of Israel and remove the checks that would prevent the government’s more radical policies from becoming law. The government says the overhaul is meant to restore power to elected lawmakers and curb an overly interventionist and liberal-leaning judicial system.

The plan has sparked mass protests and opposition from a broad swath of Israeli society. Top legal officials, business leaders, the country’s booming high-tech sector and military reservists have spoken out against it.

Former security chiefs have too, as individuals. But now, dozens, some of whom were appointed by Netanyahu, have banded together against the government’s intentions, hoping their chorus of widely respected voices will bolster their case.

“We are the people who were there, who fought all the wars,” said Noam Tibon, a retired military major general. “We decided there needs to be a strong, ethical and clear voice that calls for and works to stop the process of destruction of the country.”

In a country familiar with wars and armed conflict, Israel’s Jewish majority holds its security establishment in high regard. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish males, which has fostered intimate ties between ordinary Israelis and the armed forces.

The group of former officers, dubbing itself the “Generals’ Protest,” reads like a who’s who list of wellknown figures. Former military chief of staff and defense minister Moshe Yaalon and former Shin Bet director Carmi Gillon, who served when Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, are among the prominent names.

While former security officials have in the past largely remained above the political fray, these are extraordinary days, said Idit Shafran Gittleman, a senior researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.

“Just as they protected the country physically,” she said, “now they are fighting over the character of the state.”

The movement says it draws members from various political leanings but has no political aspirations itself. Its leaders say they will disband once they feel the looming threat to Israel’s security is removed.

The former generals, like the broader protest movement, have not taken a clear stand on the Palestinian

issue and Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank. While individual members have spoken out, including Pardo, who told The Associated Press that Israel’s rule in the occupied West Bank amounts to apartheid, the group says it isn’t its focus.

The Palestinians and other critics say this is a significant blind spot for a movement that says it is defending democracy. But Israeli anti-occupation activists joining the protests believe the pervasive talk about democratic values and the ultranationalist makeup of the government is prompting an awakening over Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

The commanders say Israel’s cohesion as a society is crumbling and that it won’t be able to withstand the volley of challenges it’s now facing: surging fighting with the Palestinians, tensions with the Lebanese Shiite militant Hezbollah or Iran.

“Israel didn’t win wars because of its planes or its batteries or its tanks. It won mainly because of its human capital, its social cohesion, its brotherhood,” said former Israeli police chief Moshe Karadi, a group member. “That is breaking down. That is collapsing.”

The overhaul has exposed longstanding divisions in Israeli society, between those who support maintaining a liberal, Western-facing character and those who prefer to see Israel as more religious and conservative.

The disagreements have most immediately and perhaps destructively affected the military, the group of retired generals says. Not only have reservists, the backbone of the country’s armed forces, pledged to refuse to serve if the overhaul moves forward. The divide has seeped into the regular ranks.

The ex-commanders also oppose a draft bill that could grant blanket exemptions from the military draft to all ultra- or thodox Jews. If the bill is passed, it would expand a current system of more limited exemptions that critics already say is unfair. They say government ministers are unraveling the country’s social fabric by publicly lambasting security services or soldiers who appear to oppose the government.

Karadi said the government’s steps are affecting all aspects of Israeli security, including the police.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been promised a national guard force that critics have likened to a personal militia that would undermine the already overburdened police force.

Ben-Gvir, who oversees the police, has drawn accusations that he is politicizing the force. He has called on police to take a tougher stance against anti-government protesters, and a popular Tel Aviv police commander who regularly clashed with Ben-Gvir over the protests resigned in July under what he said was political pressure.

Pardo, who was appointed by Netanyahu in 2011, said the prime minister was once attentive to the counsel of his security chiefs. He says Netanyahu is now focused on political survival, especially since he was charged with corruption.

The generals group has its own critics.

Amir Avivi, president and founder of Israel Defense and Security Forum, a hawkish group of former military officers, said the generals are obsessed with Netanyahu’s downfall and misusing their security credentials to further a political message that itself may harm Israel’s security.

“We see a discourse that is very shallow, full of slogans and political. This is not the type of speech that is expected from officers,” he said.

Welcome to the crazy world of China’s lithium mine auctions

By Annie Lee

Welcome to the world of china’s lithium auctions, where vast numbers of bids are placed, firms end up spending over a thousand times the opening price, and buyers promising hundreds of millions of dollars have walked without paying.

China is the biggest producer of electric vehicles and lithium is a key element in the batteries that power them. But the country holds just a fraction of the world’s identified reserves, which means it has to import over half of what it needs.

The latest sales of licenses to mine the critical mineral will take place in the southwestern province of Yunnan next month. The local government has put five-year exploration rights to two projects in the cities of Kunming and Yuxi up for grabs, underscoring Beijing’s determination to accelerate the domestic development of one of the most crucial resources for the global transition away from fossil fuels.

The auctions will be closely watched after heated competition drove up the price of two mines in neighboring Sichuan in August. A unit of Inner Mongolia Dazhong Mining Co. won the rights to the province’s Barkam mine with a winning bid of 4.2 billion yuan ($580 million), which was over 1,300 times the starting price. The auction drew more than 11,000 bids. The second

mine in Jinchuan county fetched 1 billion yuan, with a subsidiary of Sichuan Energy Industry Investment Group paying nearly 1,800 times the opening price.

Sotheby’s might sniff at how the auctions were conducted. The sales in Sichuan were “hot in the sense that there are so many bids,” Daiwa Capital Markets’ analysts Dennis Ip and Leo Ho said in an email. But that’s partly explained by the low opening price and the tiny increment—just 100,000 yuan—at which the bids proceeded, which inflated their number, according to the analysts.

In addition, some firms entered the contest to ensure their future eligibility for other auctions, they said.

But even if some of the drama surrounding the auctions seems concocted, it shouldn’t mask Beijing’s serious intent when it comes to marshaling the resources necessary to feed its world-leading electric car and battery industries.

“China has put more emphasis on the exploration and development of domestic lithium resources,” said Susan Zou, an analyst at Rystad Energy.

The plunge in prices may have accounted for the failure of an earlier auction in February, when a unit of Xinjiang Zhite New Materials Co. won the exploration rights to a mine in the autonomous region for 6 billion yuan, but then failed to follow through with payment.

It wants to expand both mining and processing as a dual insurance policy to counter geopolitical risks and protectionist moves around the world to secure the supply of critical minerals.

There’s a growing urgency for China to defend its dominance of the supply chain. The US has stepped up efforts to build its own networks with allies like Canada and Australia. Some nations are also seeking to keep more revenue at home by adding processing plants that can raise the value of their lithium exports.

Some Chinese firms that have expanded their global footprint— snapping up resources from Argentina to Zimbabwe—have started to meet setbacks due to political tensions and resource nationalism.

In recent weeks, Ganfeng Lithium Group Co.’s joint venture in Mali was ordered to suspend some operations while nine of its lithium concessions were canceled by Mexico. Last year, Canada ordered three Chinese com-

panies to divest stakes in firms listed in Toronto under tougher rules for foreign investment.

The backdrop is a roller coaster in prices. Lithium carbonate, a refined form of the metal, has collapsed to 189,500 yuan a ton after a two-year rally took it to a record of 597,500 yuan in November. Still, it remains about four times higher than the historic low hit in 2020. Global demand, meanwhile, is expected to grow nearly five times by the end of the decade, according to BloombergNEF.

The plunge in prices may have accounted for the failure of an earlier auction in February, when a unit of Xinjiang Zhite New Materials Co. won the exploration rights to a mine in the autonomous region for 6 billion yuan, but then failed to follow through with payment.

Prices probably fell too far for the project to be economical, according to Daiwa’s analysts.

And a sale in May last year for a firm with a controlling stake in another lithium mine in Sichuan initially fell through after the winner didn’t pay its 2 billion yuan bid. But the auction did attract nearly 1 million online viewers over the course of its five days.

The upcoming sales in Yunnan will require bidders to place deposits once offers reach a certain level to avoid a repeat of the failed auctions. Bloomberg

How Libya’s chaos left its people vulnerable to deadly flooding

By Jack Jeffery | The Associated Press

loNDoN—A storm that has killed thousands of people and left thousands more missing in libya is the latest blow to a country that has been gutted by years of chaos and division.

The floods are the most fatal environmental disaster in the country’s modern history. Years of war and lack of a central government have left it with crumbling infrastructure that was vulnerable to the intense rains. Libya is currently the only country yet to develop a climate strategy, according to the United Nations.

The north African country has been divided between rival administrations and beset by militia conflict since NATo -backed Arab Spring uprising toppled autocratic ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

The city of Derna in the country’s east saw the most destruction, as large swaths of riverside buildings vanished, washed away after two dams burst.

Videos of the aftermath show water gushing through the port city’s remaining tower blocks and overturned cars, and later, bodies lined up on sidewalks covered with blankets, collected for burial. Residents say the only indication of danger was the loud sound of the dams cracking, with no warning system or evacuation plan.

Here’s a look at why the storm was so destructive and what obstacles stand in the way of getting aid to those who need it most:

Two governments, two prime ministers SINCE 2014, Libya has been split between two rival governments, each backed by international patrons and numerous armed militias on the ground.

In Tripoli, Prime Minister Abdul

Orbos . .

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continued from A12

our health and that of future generations. And will result to huge health expenditures by the general public and the government. As we speak, respiratory diseases remain to be one of the highest causes of death in the Philippines. A shout-out to those in charge of smoke-emission policies: Looks like you need to step up on assuring us of more Christmas years with a healthy environment, rather than having a deadly atmosphere disguising as a “fake” Christmas haze, hovering above us.

Hamid Dbeibah heads Libya’s internationally recognized government. In Benghazi, the rival prime minister, ossama Hamad, heads the eastern administration, which is backed by powerful military commander Khalifa Hiftar.

Both governments and the eastern commander have separately pledged to help the rescue efforts in the flood-affected areas, but they have no record of successful cooperation.

Rival parliaments have for years failed to unify despite international pressure, including planned elections in 2021 that were never held.

As recent as 2020, the two sides were in an all-out war. Hifter’s forces besieged Tripoli in a yearlong failed military campaign to try to capture the capital, killing thousands. Then in 2022, former eastern leader Fathi Basagah tried to seat his government in Tripoli before clashes between rival militias forced him to withdraw.

The support of regional and world powers has further entrenched the divisions. Hifter’s forces are backed by Egypt, Russia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, while the west Libya administration is backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy.

The UAE, Egypt and Turkey are all helping rescue efforts on the ground. But as of Tuesday, rescue operations were struggling to reach Derna.

Claudia Gazzini, a senior Libya analyst at International Crisis Group, says the problem is partially logistical with many of the roads entering the port city having been severed by the storm. But political

Road rage

FoR some reason there is an uptick of road rage incidents recently that have caught public attention. This started with the much-celebrated gun-toting ex-policeman caught on video as he manhandled the hapless cyclist; then soon after were three or more similar incidents caught on video. Regular motorists and commuters know that road rage is the norm rather than exception. With the traffic congestion getting worse, and with the onset of the Christmas season, we have to expect more of these incidents. o f course, the politicians had their field day calling for investigations

The city of Derna in the country’s east saw the most destruction, as large swaths of riverside buildings vanished, washed away after two dams burst. Videos of the aftermath show water gushing through the port city’s remaining tower blocks and overturned cars, and later, bodies lined up on sidewalks covered with blankets, collected for burial.

strife also plays a role.

“International efforts to send rescue teams have to go through the Tripoli-based government,” said Gazzini. That means permissions to allow aid inside the most affected areas have to be approved by rival authorities.

She was skeptical the Benghazi government could manage the problem alone, she said.

Growing unrest and discontent

THE flooding follows a long line of problems born from the country’s lawlessness.

Last month, protests broke out across Libya after news broke of a secret meeting between the Libyan and Israeli foreign ministers. The demonstrations turned into a movement calling for Debibah to resign.

Earlier in August, sporadic fighting broke out between two rival militia forces in the capital, killing at least 45 people, a reminder of the influence rogue armed groups wield across Libya.

Libya has become a major transit point for Middle Eastern and African migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to seek a better life in Europe. Militias and human traffickers have benefited from the instability in Libya, smuggling migrants across borders from six nations, including Egypt,

on road rage—in aid of legislation, and have come out with their various versions of “anti-road rage” regulations. I agree that there is a need to craft laws to address this. But what can be done immediately is to have more boots on the ground. For some reason, we see less and less of our uniformed personnel on the streets nowadays. It could be due the advent of more CCTVs and no contact apprehension capabilities that have lessened basic manual traffic enforcement and patrolling. We still need the presence of traffic enforcers on our roads, just to deter future road rage incidents. Lastly, I received feedback from

Algeria and Sudan. Meanwhile, Libya’s rich oil reserves have done little to help its population. The production of crude oil, Libya’s most valued export, has at times slowed to a trickle due to blockades and security threats to companies. Allocation of oil revenues has become a key point of disagreement.

Tale of a neglected city

MUCH of Derna was constructed when Libya was under Italian occupation in the first half of the 20th century. It became famous for its scenic white beachfront houses and palm gardens. But in the aftermath of Gaddafi’s ouster in 2011, it disintegrated into a hub for Islamist extremist groups, was bombarded by Egyptian airstrikes and later besieged by forces loyal to Hiftar. The city was taken by Hiftar’s forces in 2019. Like other cities in the east of the country, it has not seen much rebuilding or investment since the revolution. Most of its modern infrastructure was constructed during the Gaddafi era, including the toppled Wadi Derna dam, built by a Yugoslav company in the mid 1970s.

According to Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow specializing in Libya at the London-based Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, Hiftar views the city and its population with suspicion, and has been reluctant to allow it too much independence. Last year, for instance, a massive reconstruction plan for the city was led by outsiders from Benghazi and elsewhere, not natives of Derna.

“Tragically, this mistrust might prove calamitous during the upcoming post-disaster period,” Harchaoui said. Associated Press writer Cara Anna contributed to this report from Nairobi, Kenya.

readers on my article last week regarding my thoughts on cycling on Edsa. I remain as a cyclist in body, mind and spirit. Asking to reconsider cycling on Edsa in its present form was borne out of my experience of the dangers of biking on that major stretch. Nevertheless, I would like to thank those who wrote to me for taking time to share their take on the matter. Rest assured, I fully respect their opposing views. We are on the same page for the common good of all of us who travel on the road.

The author may be reached at: thomas_orbos@ sloan.mit.edu

Former leaders of Israel’s security services are speaking out against Netanyahu’s policies

A14 Thursday, September 14, 2023

ADB OKs $303-M PHL infra loan vs floods, climate risks

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

80% OF TESDA GRADS GET JOBS BUT PAY

EIGHT out of 10 Tesda graduates are employed, but most of them earn below minimum wage, drawing concern from a senator who once headed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

LOW

often lauds the 80-percent employment rate of its graduates.

I n a statement on Wednesday, ADB said Phase 1 of the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project will upgrade and construct flood protection infrastructure in the Abra river basin in the northern Luzon region and the Ranao/Agus and Tagum-Libuganon river basins in southern Mindanao.

T he multilateral development bank said the infrastructure takes into account future “climate change impacts” and incorporates nature-based solutions such as restoring and reconnecting old river channels for natural drainage and reinforcing riverbanks

with mangroves and vegetation planting.

A DB Senior Water Resources Specialist Junko Sagara emphasized that the project will help lessen the risks from extreme weather events and improve income and livelihood opportunities, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

Climate change is expected to raise risks from extreme weather events. These river basin communities are highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, as we have seen in recent years when typhoons destroyed infrastructure, displaced families, and damaged

crops,” Sagara said.

Moreover, ADB said the project will help strengthen the Philippines’s capacity to perform flood risk management planning by providing training for government officials, installing equipment for weather and river flow monitoring and early flood warning, and introducing an asset management information system.

A ccording to ADB, the project also aims to boost communitybased flood risk management by supporting 22 local government units (LGUs) and about 150 barangays in updating their climate and disaster risk assessments and integrating flood risk management in local development plans.

Training activities will be conducted to build the capacity of communities in climate change adaptation and managing flood risks,” ADB said in a statement on Wednesday.

T he project, it added, will include civil society organizations and beneficiary groups in its planning and implementation.

A DB said the feasibility study and design for the project were supported by ADB’s Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, which has been helping Philippine government agencies access information on up-to-date technology and innovative designs in building major infrastructure projects since 2017.

If this trend will continue to go on, we’re only allowing them to land jobs below minimum wage and there’s no way that we can help them to get out of poverty”, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said during the hearing of the Senate Finance committee on Wednesday on Tesda’s proposed 2024 budget.  V illanueva, who is also a commissioner of Edcom 2, used to head Tesda during the Benigno Aquino III presidency.

A nalysis by Edcom 2 of the Study on Employment of TVET Graduates (SETG) for 2021 shows that most TVET graduates earn lower than the average minimum wage, except for those completing NC 3 and NC 4. According to the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018 to 2022, TVET graduates earned only P10,000 per month on average in 2010 to 2014.

E dcom 2 Co-Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian backed Villanueva, noting that, in consultations with Tesda, the agency

“We gave them NC 1, NC 2, they wasted their time going to Tesda, [attending Senior High School], but the jobs that they are landing are below minimum wage. So that’s not commensurate to the time they spent...not only their time, but also their money. And yet, they cannot even reap the rewards or get the returns of that investment,” Gatchalian said.  I think that is a very important point that Tesda needs to address. I know it’s a big challenge, but we need to address that. Eight out of 10 employment—we should not be happy with that. But with eight out of 10 who are employed and earning above minimum wage, then we will be very happy to see that,” he continued.

Better assessment, certification

GATCHALIAN also flagged the low assessment rate of Tesda graduates. According to the Tesda National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan (NTESDP) 2018-2022, a total of 907,244 students were assessed out of 1,231,284 graduates of Tesda programs.

Continued on A5

Livestock Usec: subsidy possible, but

vaccines vs ASF must hurdle trials

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

THE Philippine government is mulling over subsidizing the commercial rollout of African swine fever (ASF) vaccine in the future—assuming those under trial are proven effective, a high-ranking agriculture official said.

“ Dapat ’yung vaccine na sinasabi nila, dapat tapusin muna yung protocols. Ayusin muna lahat bago natin gawan ng proposal for additional benefits kung pwedeng tumulong yung gobyerno. (The vaccine must finish first the protocols. They must fix it first before we make a proposal for additional benefits if the government can help),” the newly installed Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday on the sidelines of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.’s general meeting.

S avellano also told reporters that the three major planks of the DA’s agenda for livestock are biosecurity measures, repopulation, and reducing the prices of feeds, even as  stressed the critical need to ensure the first measure.

W hen asked about the current situation of the biosecurity measures, he said they are consolidating every comment and suggestion of stakeholders, departments, and bureaus so that there will be a more coherent and cohesive direction.

Biosecurity ’yung kailangang tignan kasi ’yan ’yung magpoprotekta sa livestock industr y natin at dapat mas mahigpit (Biosecurity must be looked into because it will protect our livestock industry and it must be strict),” Savellano added.

S avellano told the members of NatFed that the DA will find ways and craft programs to persuade agribusinessmen, agripreneurs and rural farmer families to engage in any kind of livestock farming where it will be their primary or secondary form of livelihood.

T he DA’s directions, according to Savellano, are to produce more livestock products locally in large volumes; balance more productions with minimal importations as only necessary to keep consumer and market prices low; and ensure enticing profit for livestock farmers to create more livelihood and jobs for Filipinos nationwide.

These are inputs we need to work on together with your federa-

tion of swine farmers of our country, on how can we successfully inspire more federation members to repopulate amidst the continuing threat of ASF—until and unless the vaccines under trial can be proven to be safe, sterile, and effective following all standards and universally-acceptable protocols,” he added.

Under their watch, Savellano admitted it may look ambitious, but he expressed confidence it is doable. Together with other livestock groups, he said they “will make things happen for the increasing local livestock production toward a robust and sustainable growth by moving in one direction.”

The DA has been undertaking vaccine trials in its bid to salvage the country’s hog industry which has been devastated by the dreaded pig disease since 2019, when the first outbreak started in Rodriguez, Rizal.

D espite the lingering ASF, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) database for livestock and poultry, the production of swine has increased for the first half of the year at 860,712 metric tons compared to January to June of last year’s 835,125 MT in volume production.

THE Asian Development Bank

(ADB) said Wednesday it has approved a $303-million loan for an infrastructure project that is expected to reduce flood and climate risks and protect people and livelihoods in three major river basins in the Philippines.

DA

first,

NEWLY installed Agriculture Under-secretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano delivers his message during a “meet and greet” session with the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. which invited him as guest at their General Meeting at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on Wednesday. ROY DOMINGO

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

Thursday, September 14, 2023

SMC: Share sale proceeds for debt refinancing, airport

By VG Cabuag @villygc

The fundraising is part of the P65billion share sale under a three-year shelf registration program SMC filed with the Securities and exchange Commission (SeC).

San Miguel said the initial tranche of the share sale will be used to refinance peso-denominated short-term loan facilities, repayment of the Series b bonds and the Series H bonds, and funding of the company’s airport project in bu lacan.

The initial share sale covers 466.67 million Series 2 preferred shares, divided into a firm offer of

400 million shares and 266.67 million shares as its oversubscription option.

San Miguel said it plans to conduct the offer between November 6 and November 13, with listing on the Philippine Stock exchange targeted on November 20.

San Miguel has tapped bank of Commerce, bDo Capital and Investment Corp. and China bank Capital Corp., as joint-issue manager.

Asia United bank Corp., bPI Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., Sb Capital Investment

Corp., PNb Capital and Investment Corp., Union bank of the Philippines, l and bank of the Philippines, and RCbC Capital Corp., meanwhile, will join bDo Capital and China bank Capital as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners.

SMC reported last month that its income in the first half rose 18 percent to P23.3 billion from the previous year’s P19.8 billion, due to sustained performance improvements across its units.

SMC said its performance during the period was also supported by contributions from its new acquisition, eagle Cement Corp.

Consolidated revenues were down 4 percent to P685.2 billion from the previous year’s P711.41 billion, as declining crude oil prices continued to affect fuel subsidiary Petron Corp. while San Miguel Global Power contended with lower volumes.

San Miguel Food and beverage Inc.’s income was flat at P18.8 billion compared with the previous year’s

P18.75 billion.

Petron’s net income fell 20 percent to P6.14 billion from the previous year’s P7.7 billion. Net sales fell 8 percent to P367.03 billion from the previous year’s P398.51 billion.

San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.’s off-take volumes for the first semester ended at 10,685 gigawatt hour, 25 percent lower than last year’s level following the termination of its 670-megawatt power supply agreement with Manila e lectric Co.

Consolidated net income jumped to P5.9 billion, more than four times higher than last year due partly to the appreciation of the peso this year.

San Miguel’s cement business, composed of eagle Cement Corp., Northern Cement Corp. and Southern Concrete Industries Inc., registered consolidated revenues of P20.16 billion, tripling from last year’s P6.9 billion. operating income rose to P3.02 billion, from P398 million the previous year.

Globe fires up 356 new 5G sites

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

Globe Telecom Inc. said on Wednesday it fired up 356 new 5G sites in the Philippines in the first half, bringing its 5G outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region (NCR) to 97.44 percent and to 91 percent in key cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

This, according to Globe SVP Joel Agustin, supports the 5.2 million 5G devices that use the telco’s network. our relentless pursuit of expanding 5G technology is a testament to Globe’s dedication to innovation and our commitment to our customers. We believe in the transformative

power of 5G to enhance the digital lives of Filipinos,” he said.

5G offers faster data transfer rates, expansive reach, and steadier connectivity.

Globe claims to be at the forefront of “testing and pilot of several 5G technologies.”

“our continuous infrastructure investment is focused on uplifting customer experience, delivering a highly consistent and available network. These investments cover capacity and coverage expansion to improve service performance, network fortification to further improve service availability, and continuous optimization to improve service quality,” said Agustin.

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Re N e W A b le energy (R e )

In the first half of 2023, Globe spent P37.7 billion in capital expenditures, representing a 25-percent reduction from the outlays the year prior.

Globe said recently that the revenues of its mobile business grew by 1 percent year-on-year in the first half despite the mandatory registration of SIM cards.

Darius Delgado, the head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile business, said revenues of the mobile business reached P54.8 billion in the first six months of 2023, inching up from the P54 billion it reported the year prior.

He said the SIM registration mandate “filtered out inactive subscribers from its total base.”

Globe reported a 27-percent drop in net income to P14.38 billion in the first half from last year’s P19.68 billion mainly due to the one-time gain that the company recorded in 2022.

Core net income was also down by 10 percent to P9.95 billion from P11.02 billion, as the 3-percent increase in revenues to P89.52 billion cannot fully offset the 5-percent rise in cost and expenses to P49.03 billion and the three-percent rise in depreciation costs to P22.89 billion.

Globe has also revised its outlook for 2023, with service revenue guidance for the year changed to “midto-low single-digit growth” from “mid-single-digit growth,” citing “extended macroeconomic pressures.”

B1

Vista Land plans to raise ₧35B via sale of fixed-rate bonds

THe Manila electric Co. (Meralco) will conduct a small-scale trial of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program pending the approval of the energy Regulatory Commission (eRC) for the rollout of its AMI meters within its franchise area.

“Maybe we can have some sort of a significant pilot, maybe 5,000 at least so we can demonstrate our business case in which customers can realize the value of the smart meters,” said Meralco Head of Networks Ronnie Aperocho on the sidelines of the Giga Summit organized by the Meralco Power Academy.

eRC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta has advised Meralco to implement its planned AMI program on a trial basis first. “They made a courtesy call. We discussed with them if they can conduct a pilot test first so the costs can be managed and also see the reaction, usage of consumers,” she said.

Some parts of Manila and Pasig could serve as pilot areas. “We have an existing communication line there so those areas are ideal because it’s cost effective.

Sampaloc in Manila could be a good pilot area because the communications network there is concentrated,” said Meralco Chief Commercial of ficer and First Vice President Ferdinand Geluz.

Continued on B2

d eveloper GenWatt e n ergy Solutions Corp. is targeting an annual installation of one megawatt (MW) from the current 253 kilowatt (kW).

To achieve the goal, GenWatt C o o Conrado Generoso said the company is expecting to add 500kW soon from prospective clients.

“In the next few months, we have lined up around 500kW more of capacity from various clients that will include hospital, schools, residential, and others,” he said.

GenWatt, an all-Filipino firm specializing in rooftop solar energy systems, has signed up over 60 households and businesses across l u zon, from Pangasinan to Palawan. Its latest client is pharmaceutical firm Medicamenta Inc., which switched on its 30kW solar rooftop system on Wednesday.

“We have recently completed the installation of a 30kW system for one of our partners, Medicamenta, under our Healthcare e n ergy Alternative Solutions program. The system not only saves 40 to 50 percent of the company’s monthly electricity bill, but more importantly reduces the demand on the power grid to prevent supply deficiencies and lessens the carbon footprint.”

Medicamenta President Ismael Cabral, Jr. said the pharma firm intends to totally shift its electricity source to R e soon. “If our electricity savings would go beyond 40 percent of our billable energy consumption then probably we can add more solar rooftop panels but for now we don’t have space anymore.”

Generoso said GenWATT’s mission is to “democratize energy” and “empower people” through its programs. It manages the entire cycle of rooftop solar energy systems from conceptualization and design to installation and commissioning to recycling and

disposal.

“To realize our vision of an energy-secure Philippines, we pioneer and sustain programs under our Solar Programs for e c onomic and e n terprise Development. We carry out our business and establish partnerships with our clients through long-term programs that address unique needs of different sectors of the economy and the population.

e a ch program is comprehensive, ensuring technical soundness, efficiency and sustainability, as well as financial viability and profitability of every system we install,” said Generoso.

VISTA l a nd & l i fescapes Inc. on Wednesday said it will raise some P35 billion through the sale of peso-denominated fixed-rate bonds within three years.

The initial tranche involved the offer and issuance of up to P10 billion in fixed-rate bonds consisting of up to P6 billion with an oversubscription option of up to P4 billion, the company said.

Vista l and said its management has yet to determine the terms and conditions of the bond issuance.

The company said it has already issued a mandate for China bank Capital Corp., Sb Capital Investment Corp. and Union bank of the Philippines to serve as joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners for the offer.

“Picazo b u yco Tan Fider and Santos shall act as counsel to the company while Romulo Mabanta buenaventura Sayoc & delos Angeles shall act as counsel to the joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners,” Vista l and said.

l ast month, Vista l and said it closed the first half with a profit of P3.17 billion.

Revenue hit P18.3 billion, up 8 percent from P16.94 billion.

“Real estate revenue registered at P8 billion while rental income amounted to P7.9 billion,” the company said.

It launched a total of P24.3 billion worth of projects across the country during the first half.

Capital expenditures reached P12.2 billion, mainly for construction and land development. l a nd acquisitions remained muted as the company disclosed that it is looking at maximizing its existing land bank. Vista l a nd’s land bank currently stands at 3,085 hectares.

“We have been launching more projects this year compared to last year. These launches will form part of our huge project pipeline,” Manuel b Villar Jr. the company’s chairman, said.

“It’s also a big factor in our reservation sales performance which generated a total of P35.6 billion for the 1st semester which is 12 percent higher from same period last year. our overall strategy for the group remains to be maximizing our land to its best use.”

The company closed the period with assets of P335.4 billion, with equity at P129.3 billion. Net debt to equity was at 84 percent. VG Cabuag

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is targeting to raise as much as P50 billion through the issuance of Series 2 preferred shares.

‘GenWatt client base continues to expand’

Photo shows (from left to right) Medicamenta President and Coo Ismael M. Cabral Jr., GenWatt Coo Conrado I. Generoso, and Former Chief Justice and GenWatt Chairman Reynato S. Puno during the inauguration and ceremonial switch-on of the 25kW Solar Energy System at Medicamenta’s corporate headquarters in Quezon City. NONOY LACZA

GSIS sells 14k-sqm realty to govt builder for ₧258M

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

STATE-run Government Service

Insurance System (GSIS) said

it has sold its 14,000-square meter property in Manila for P258 million to the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) for the latter’s highrise condominium project.

The GSIS said the property in Santa Mesa, Manila, sold to the government agency would be used for the construction of high-rise condominiums. The pension-fund manager added the project is expected to benefit a thousand informal settler families living in “critical zones.”

These include members of the Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig at mga Tributaryo (Ulap-Manila).

GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said they sold the property to support the Marcos administration’s program of providing affordable housing to Filipinos. “Hindi po kami nag-atubili na ipagbili sa SHFC ang property sa Santa Mesa upang maibahagi sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng pabahay. Sa GSIS, walang ‘teka-teka,’” Veloso was quoted as saying in a statement the GSIS issued last Wednesday.

[We did not hesitate to sell our property in Santa Mesa to SHFC to

be used for the housing of our countrymen in need of housing.]

Veloso and SHFC President and CEO Federico A. Laxa signed the deed of absolute sale for the property on September 13 at the state pension fund’s headquarters in Pasay.

The GSIS recalled that in May, it introduced a “three-pronged” strategy to help in addressing the country’s housing shortage.

The government is eyeing to complete at least 100,000 constructed housing units under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program by next year, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). (See https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/07/03/ pbbm-housing-program-4ph-tobuild-100k-houses-by-next-yeardhsud/)

In a dialogue with various causeoriented groups on housing issues last December, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar presented the administration’s plan to address the 6.5-million housing need in the country through the 4PH program, which aims to build a million housing units per year or six million housing units in six years. (See https://businessmirror.com. ph/2022/12/27/dhsud-variousgroups-hold-talks-on-housingissues/)

RCBC prepping loans for renewable power plants

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) announced it is preparing a loan facility to finance renewable power plants.

In a statement issued last Tuesday, RCBC Trust and Investments Group (TIG) said that it is finalizing with an unnamed partner a P20-billion loan facility for 10 renewable power plants.

“As RCBC continues to drive sustainable development and promote clean energy solutions, our collaboration with major renewable energy players reinforces our commitment to supporting the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future,” Robert B. Ramos, the head of RCBC TIG, said.

The arrangement is similar to the one that RCBC TIG had with Alternergy Holdings Corp. (PSE: Alter), a renewable energy company that focuses on the development of wind, solar, and run-of-river hydro power projects.

In March 2023, Alter went public and had an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that raised as much as P1.6 billion. RCBC TIG was the lock-up escrow agent and use-of-proceeds escrow agent for this transaction.

Miners say taxes ‘regressive,’ hobble investments, growth

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Fiscal Affairs Department, in its June 2012 study on the Philippine mining tax commissioned by the DOF, said that “the current FTAA regime is not competitive internationally.”

Moreover, “the current FTAA regime is a ‘tough’ regime for investors compared to fiscal regimes of other countries,” the study said as cited by the COMP.

Should a higher tax for those outside MRs be unavoidable, an incomebased royalty with increasing tax rates at higher operating margins— as opposed to yet another revenuebased tax—is the preferred scheme.

panies, whether operating in MRs or not. Because it is like a “windfall,” it starts at an operating margin of 35 percent with the tax rate increasing as margins increase—another example of a progressive tax.

RCBC also has a partnership with ASA Philippines Foundation Inc., a microfinance non-government organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through financial inclusion.

This month, ASA issued the first gender bond of P5 billion to support women entrepreneurs for their microenterprises. RCBC TIG acted as the Notes Facility Agent and Security Trustee for this deal.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are used to assess the sustainability of companies and countries. These three factors are seen as best embodying the three major challenges facing corporations and wider society, now encompassing climate change, human rights/ poverty alleviation, and adherence to laws.

It is also described as a set of practices (policies, procedures, metrics, etc.) that organizations implement to limit negative impact or enhance positive impact on ESG recipients.

So far, RCBC has issued $1.4-billion in sustainable financing instruments that refinanced its eligible green and social assets since the implementation of its Sustainable Finance Framework.

The COMP used the results of these studies to flag the current mining tax regime as “regressive” and “not competitive.” Yet the industry continues to be faced with a clamor for higher taxes, particularly on those operating outside Mineral Reservations (MRs), according to the industry group.

The miners warned that any further increase in taxes threatens the Marcos administration’s plan to promote mining metals that are essential for the transition to renewable energy. The increase can also throw a monkey wrench on government’s plan to encourage investment in and strengthen the country’s downstream minerals processing capacity, added COMP.

The group that represents the industry’s major players noted that the increase was due to the doubling of the excise tax to 4 percent after the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 11534, or the Create law (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act), in 2018.

In a statement, the miners added the doubling is “on top of the local business tax and royalty to indigenous peoples if operating in ancestral domains.”

All of these are applied to gross revenues, the organization said through the statement.

“For those operating inside MRs, there is an additional royalty of 5 percent. In addition, the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) mining permit requires a top-up of taxes to 50 percent of income if all taxes paid fall below such threshold,” the COMP added.

The miners’ group cited a study commissioned by the DENR in 2022 that said “all three existing Philippine fiscal systems (on mining) were regressive, largely due to a significant number of taxes based on gross sales revenue or market value.”

The tax systems refer to those imposed on mining projects under the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), those operating inside MRs and those under the FTAA.

The miners’ organization noted that such mining tax regime is not unique to the Philippines as both Chile and Peru, the Number-1 and Number-2 top copper producers in the world, respectively, follow the formula. Canada, a top mineral producer, has a similar income-based royalty.

“These countries have no tax impositions on their mineral resource industries that are based on revenues. While Australia does have revenue-based royalties, the rates are tiered to metal prices such that the higher the price, the higher the rate,” the COMP explained through its statement.

According to the miners, these are examples of progressive tax regimes, in contrast to the country’s current mining tax regime that, apart from the income tax, is all based on revenues using static numbers and is, thus, considered a regressive regime.

The COMP further pointed out that the windfall-profits tax is yet another new imposition on the industry that applies to all mining com-

The proposed reduction in the 5-percent royalty rate to 3 percent for those operating in MRs is meant to encourage investments within such areas, already reserved for mining purposes. Equalizing the tax structure of the FTAA with that of the MPSA is also meant to encourage investments from large and responsible foreign mining companies. It should again be noted that the FTAA tax structure is inordinately expensive as pointed out by the IMF and the Deloitte studies. Only two companies are operating under the FTAA permit, COMP explained.

“The industry has already been hit with a moratorium on new mining permits that were in place for nine long years, as well as a ban on open pit mining, the most widely used mining method in the world. While these policies have since been reversed, investors are taking a wait-and-see attitude while yet another challenge of higher taxes is being resolved,” the COMP’s statement read.

The miners’ organization maintains that the industry cannot absorb any further tax impositions on revenues, or the indigenous mineral resources—particularly those metals that are critical to the energy transition and green economy—will not be developed.

Moreover, the government’s desire to develop further downstream processing and participate in the minerals value chain will not materialize, the COMP said.

Fintech bags $2.1M fresh infusion from investors

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

FINANCIAL technology (fintech)

firm Bayani Pay Inc. announced last Wednesday it has expanded its seed-round funding to $6.6 million with the fresh infusion of $2.1 million from its existing investors.

In a roundtable discussion on September 13, Bayani Pay CEO Winston Damarillo told reporters that existing investors Talino Ventures PBC and PTGB Partners LLC led the additional funding round, allowing the fintech to “further scale its operations and boost its momentum.”

“We decided to expand our seed round to support our faster-than-anticipated growth. We are grateful to our existing investors for providing BayaniPay additional funding, which will help us further expand our ser-

vices and reach more overseas Filipinos in other parts of the world,” said Damarillo, also the CEO of Manhattan Beach, California-headquartered Talino Ventures PBC.

Damarillo said the firm “is treading on a growth path” with its average transaction value reaching P100 million per month, triple than that of the P30.64 million in average transactions in 2022.

He attributed this to the strong demand for cross-border payment solutions, including remittances as well as bills payments. With this development, the fintech targets to reach P1 billion in total transaction value this year.

“We are on track to meet this milestone, as we continue to acquire more customers each month. The demand for BayaniPay [digital payment platform] continues to grow as more and more Filipinos see the value and benefit

BSP officials optimistic on Sukuk bonds’ gains

THE country’s plan to issue Sukuk bonds bodes well for the growth and development of Islamic banking and finance nationwide, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In a news briefing in Dubai, BSP Assistant Governor and Chairman of the Islamic Finance Coordination Forum Arifa A. Ala said the government issuing Sukuk bonds sends a strong signal that the country is ready for investments in Islamic banking. National Treasurer and Monetary Board Member Rosalia V. de Leon said the Sukuk bonds may be issued before the year ends or in the first quarter of 2024.

“The Sukuk issuance is a very good complement for the promotion of Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines. As we have mentioned, we have a clear legal framework for Islamic banking and finance and having a Sukuk being issued by our national government will send a strong signal that the Philippines is now ready to accept applicants, new players in the Islamic banking system,” Ala said.

De Leon said the government is now in talks with possible underwriters of the country’s Sukuk bonds on matters such as the tenor size. However, she said the “sweet spot” would be a 5-year or a 10year tenor that would be attractive to both small and institutional investors.

De Leon explained that before the country could float Sukuk bonds, the government needs a 12-week preparatory lead time. This may allow the country to issue the bonds this year or early next year.

“(That’s why) we’re here to present the credit narrative of the Philippines so that we’ll be able to reach out to more investors and learn more about the potential of the Philippine economy,” De Leon said.

Ala said since the enactment of the Islamic banking law, the BSP has issued the licensing framework while the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue issued tax regulations for Islamic banking products.

She said the new law allowed foreign Islamic banking players to operate in the Philippines while the tax regulations of the government provide that “Islamic banking products should not be taxed more heavily nor more lightly than their conventional counterparts.”

Ala added that the government has also established a Shariah Supervisory Board which is very important since it can provide a an opinion on Shariah compliance on these investment opportunities.

“There are 115 million Filipinos, 10 percent of which are Muslim, which reside in the Barmm and around 34 percent of cities and municipalities are unbanked. So there is definitely a market to

serve and you have a government that promotes the development of Islamic banking and finance,” Ala said.

Islamic banking, supported by the BSP, was introduced in the country in 1973 with the opening of the Philippine Amanah Bank. It has since become an important part of the banking industry.

In 2021, the BSP created its own Islamic Banking Supervision Group and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority on the creation of Halal ecozones.

The following year, BSP reconstituted the Inter-Agency Working Group on Islamic banking to Islamic Finance Coordination Forum. The BSP also created the Shari’ah Supervisory Board for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

Official government data showed that Islam is the most predominant religion in Barmm accounting for 4.49 million persons or 90.9 percent of the 4.94 million household population in the region in 2020.

It was followed by Region IX- Zamboanga Peninsula with 18.2 percent, Soccsksargen with 15.8 percent, Region X-Northern Mindanao with 8.5 percent and Region XI-Davao Region and Mimaropa Region with 3.5 percent each. Cai U. Ordinario

of convenience, while allowing them to enjoy zero fees and competitive foreign exchange rates,” Damarillo said.

He said fresh funds will allow the firm to strengthen its operations in its existing territories, namely California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Alaska, as well as explore new growth areas.

Damarillo mentioned that the company is looking at Canada as its next target.

“We follow where the Filipino money is,” he said, noting that Filipino immigrants in Canada recorded a population of almost one million.

He added that the fresh funds will allow the company to further acquire more customers, adding that BayaniPay is building on its program that provides new digital remittance with a $1:P60 foreign exchange.

“We aim to sustain this momentum and explore new territories. Our commitment towards improving and

growing our platform is driven by the desire to make the lives of Filipinos easier, wherever they may be found,” Damarillo said.

Launched in 2022, Bayani Pay allows overseas Filipino users to remit funds to the Philippines and make direct payments to service providers in the country. It collects zero fees and provides users with “market-leading” foreign exchange rates.

“Not only has [the] BayaniPay [platform] created intuitive solutions to make Filipinos’ payment journey a simple and cost-effective exercise, but we have also significantly contributed to solving the problems of existing remittance and bills payment methods for overseas Filipinos. Aside from benefiting our own customers, we also want to contribute to the overall economic growth of the Philippines by encouraging reinvestments in the Philippines,” Damarillo said.

NextPay operator targets non-govt organizations to increase client base

OPERATOR of Payment System (OPS)

NextEnterprises Inc. announced expanding its reach to non-government organizations (NGOs) to increase its client base.

A statement by the operator of the NextPay platform quoted its CEO and Co-Founder Don Pansacola as saying that NGOs can streamline collection and fund-raising if they acquire the firm’s product and service.

Pansacola said these organizations can digitally transform collection, management and sending of money to beneficiaries using the platform. He added that NGOs can also use the platform’s single QR code or payment link to accept donations from different payment methods: ewallets, direct debit, credit card or bank transfer. Donors may also opt for flexible installment payments and over-the-counter transactions.

NGOs can pay suppliers, disburse funds directly to beneficiaries in batches, and distribute employee salaries online.

Pansacola said the platform is not only for businesses but also for organizations with humanitarian and social projects.

He touted digitized payments, accounting and bookkeeping as more efficient. Pansacola said efficiency can also be seen in crisis-related donation drives and ensuring continuity of NGOs’ day-to-day operations, programs, and initiatives.

According to the statement, around P21.5 million from over-1,500 transactions for nonprofit organization clients has been processed through the platform.

NextEnterprises Chief Experience Officer and Co-Founder Aldrich Tan was quoted in the statement as saying that targeting NGOs is part of their “goal of supporting the promotion of inclusive growth in the country.”

Tan claims that the platform reduces friction between donors and beneficiaries, as donors and members don’t need to provide screenshots as payment evidence.

He added that when transacting a donation or collection, both NGOs and donors or members receive an SMS and an e-mail notification as proof of payment. The platform also provides a digital ledger that allows them to keep track of their financial transactions. Lorenz S. Marasigan

COMPANIES belonging to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) cited two studies commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Finance (DOF) that revealed the country’s mining taxes are already high.

Health& Fitness

Thursday, September 14, 2023 B4

BusinessMirror

Beat the flu among children with

vaccination, healthy diet

By Rory Visco Contributor

NOW that many are going out again to resume their lives’ normal routines, much focus is also placed on staying healthy and not being hit or infected by viruses, like the flu virus.

Because of the debilitating impact of Covid-19, many still opt to wear face masks as a prime mode of protection. Admittedly, many viruses are still out there, even Covid-19.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) from September 4 to 10, 2023 indicated that there were 894 new Covid-19 cases recorded for an average daily count of 128. This is 15 percent higher than cases recorded from August 28 to September 3. However, aside from Covid-19, other viruses are still present out there, one of which is the influenza virus.

Influenza and our health

THE World Health Organization (WHO) described influenza as a “sudden onset of fever, cough [usually dry], headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise [feeling unwell], sore throat and runny nose.” The global health agency noted that “though people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention, influenza can cause severe illness or death, especially in people at high risk.”

According to Dr. Kevin Bautista, Associate Professor at the UP-College of Medicine, Consultant at the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology

at UP-PGH and Associate Medical Affairs Manager for Respiratory and Vaccines of GlaxoSmithKline Philippines, influenza is one of the most common health issues people should look out for during the rainy season. Aside from the symptoms noted by WHO, influenza symptoms may also include vomiting and diarrhea, especially among children.

Vigilance and close monitoring of the child’s symptoms are required of parents, says Dr. Bautista. “While mild illness may not require a visit to the ER, certain warning signs should prompt immediate medical attention.”

These warning signs include fast or having trouble breathing, bluish nails, ribs pulling in with each breath, chest pain, severe muscle pain such as the child doesn’t want to walk, dehydration, seizures, over 40°C fever, any fever for children aged less than 12 weeks, and chronic worsening of medical conditions.

“If any of these warning signs are observed in a child, seeking medical care right away is crucial. Parents should contact their healthcare provider for advice or visit the emergency room, especially if the person is at higher risk of flu complications or if there are concerns about the illness,” Dr. Bautista explained.

Shielding children

IT is vital that kids are shielded from colds, cough and the flu during this season, Dr. Bautista emphasized. Encourage children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Parents should regularly

clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces at home like light switches and doorknobs to minimize the spread of the virus. Children should be taught about proper respiratory etiquette like avoiding touching their nose, mouth and eyes, or covering their mouth and nose with a piece of tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.

One way parents can help their kids build a tough immune system against influenza, Dr. Bautista said, is through an annual flu vaccination. Studies have shown that the flu vaccine can effectively reduce the incidence of flu-related illnesses and minimize the risk of severe complications, including hospitalization and potential fatalities. Preventive practices such as avoiding close contact with sick people, covering coughs and sneezes, and regular hand hygiene practice, he added, is also important to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus.

Receiving the flu vaccine is also important to prevent the onset of flu, especially for pregnant women. “If they receive flu vaccination, they not only protect themselves from flu during and after pregnancy but also safeguard their infants in the early months of life,” Dr. Bautista stressed.

Even food consumption and diet are vital body protectors against the flu. Dr. Bautista cited the Cleveland Clinic’s suggestion of incorporating immune-boosting food types in one’s diet and not just when sick. “By maintaining a proper diet, one does not only accelerate one’s recovery when one falls ill but also potentially re -

duces the risk of getting sick in the first place.”

He suggested Vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, kiwi, peppers, potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes, are among those food types that can support a strengthened immune system. It is also important to avoid, he said, certain food and beverages that can worsen symptoms or weaken the body’s ability to fight the illness.

He suggested refraining from drinking alcoholic beverages, caffeine-laced drinks like coffee, black tea, and soda since caffeine causes dehydration, milk and cheese which can thicken the mucus and worsen congestion, high-sugar food that can cause inflammation, or spicy food that can trigger a runny nose or worsen congestion. It is also best to limit outdoor activities during the rainy season and just stay at home and get plenty of rest, especially when feeling unwell, and keep constantly hydrated to support the respiratory system and help thin the mucus.

“Parents can tell their children that flu is not a mild illness, especially among the at-risk population, and guide them to understand the full benefits of being vaccinated against influenza. Influenza vaccine is a costeffective measure, ultimately saving families and entire healthcare systems. Hopefully, we can enhance the well-being and way of life for children, consequently lowering the chances of infections and the resulting complications that stem from influenza,” Dr. Bautista ended.

Back-to-back Bangkok trade shows to highlight nutraceuticals, food, beverage

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

NUTRACEUTICALS , f ood and beverage ingredients take center stage as Vitafoods Asia 2023 will be held back-to-back with Fi Asia Thailand 2023 from September 20 to 22, 2023 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok.

The nutraceutical industry has been undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the growing emphasis on health and wellness, coupled with the unprecedented advancements in nutrition knowledge.

Nutraceutical products are thus considered one of the elements to maintain a sound body and mind or even combat specific diseases.

Vitafoods Asia 2023, Asia’s leading event for functional ingredients and dietary supplement products and solutions, coincides with the booming nutraceutical industry in Asia which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6 percent and attain a value of USD229 billion by 2023 according to reports from

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Organ retrieval training to define future of organ transplantation in the PHL

THE P hilippine Society for Transplant Surgeons (PSTS) recently organized the firstever cadaver skills training in multiorgan donor retrieval in the country in order to pave the way for much-needed improvement in organ transplantation in the Philippines.

The “Deceased Donor Multi-Organ Retrieval Workshop” was held at the Philippine Center for Advanced Surgery (PCAS), the home of the country’s first minimally invasive surgery training center located at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and was led by PSTS President Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, the country’s first woman kidney transplant doctor and currently the Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). The venue was ideal since it offered a unique combination of surgical training equipment and unique access to resources vital to the topic.

Through the workshop, the stigma that organ donors will be subjected to mutilation and disfigurement instead of organ donation being seen as a noble act, which stifled the potential for life-saving transplants, was met head on, dismantled, and replaced with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

Almost 100 medical professionals including surgeons, transplant coordinators, and nurses from 13 hospitals, took part in this workshop whose objective is to help exponentially increase positive clinical outcomes for organ donation.

Skills training

T HE p ioneering training activity

aimed to equip surgeons with the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate the actual retrieval of various organs from potential deceased donors. By familiarizing surgeons with the chronological conduct of the steps of the operation and optimizing the quality of organs for transplantation, the goal is to enhance the availability and quality of donated organs for patients in need of life-saving transplants.

It also focused on the proper use of cadavers for education and surgical training purposes, a description on the current status of deceased organ donation in the country, introduction to the Deceased Donor Manual, Operating Room set-up, and the processes for organ retrieval surgery of various organ systems.

It also emphasized the vital role of deceased donation in expanding the organ donor pool and highlighted the importance of collaboration among surgeons from different organ systems, including heart, lung, liver, pancreas, small intestines, and kidney, and the essential role of organ procurement organizations.

“The scarcity of organ donors and organs for transplantation persists as a problem throughout the world. Because of this, many patients with end-organ damage who are on the waiting list succumb to their disease condition while eagerly awaiting an organ. By promoting deceased organ donation, we can supplant this problem by not letting viable organs from brain-dead donors go to waste,” Dr. Rosete-Liquete pointed out.

Rory Visco

Generika celebrates 20 years of offering generic medicines; eyes more outlets

Healthy Marketing Team.

“With more exhibit spaces, we are expecting more than 8,000 participants from around the globe to join the event. In addition to the product showcasing, Vitafoods Asia 2023 will allow participants to immerse themselves in a global hub of nutraceutical knowledge,” explained Rungphech Chitanuwat, Informa Markets regional portfolio for ASEAN and organizer of Vitafoods Asia 2023 and Fi Asia Thailand 2023. She was recently appointed the new Country General Manager of Informa Markets in the Philippines.

Insightful topics

T HE e vent will feature insightful topics by renowned experts and successful entrepreneurs, sharing market trends, technical and product presentations, and tips and ticks for business, keeping attendees informed and equipped with new tools, and know how to propel the business forward.

Vitafoods Asia 2023 will also have resource centers on Omega 3 and Probiotics. Other attractions include Innovation Tours, International Pavil -

ions that showcase the latest in nutraceutical products; New Ingredients and New Products Zone; NutraFocus and Tasting Bar.

“There will also be an ‘Innovative Health Hub’ that will showcase Asia’s top health and nutrition trends. You are all invited to join us and look into a world of innovation for a healthier tomorrow,” she said.

Meeting place

F I A sia Thailand 2023, on the other hand, has the reputation of being the primary meeting place for the food and beverage sector in Southeast Asia.

Over 600 international exhibitors from more than 40 countries, leading players, distributors and key decisionmakers are expected to make the trip to Bangkok.

“Fi Asia Thailand 2023 is not just a trade show; it’s a thriving community dedicated to inspiring and fostering growth in the ASEAN food and beverage industry. With an array of opp ortunities to network, learn and collaborate, it is an unmissable event for anyone looking to make their mark in

this sector,” she said. Those who visit Fi Asia Thailand 2023 will get the opportunity to attend international conferences that will help participants discover innovative products and applications. There will also be technical presentations and an innovation zone which is dedicated ne ingredients. For those who are into beverages, a must visit is the Bi Theatre which is touted as the hub for all things related to beverage ingredients.

Participants can also look out for the Sustainability Square where they can experience the authentic Thai delight called the Kanom Look Choup. This mung bean paste dessert used to be eaten only by Thai royalty but is now enjoyed by all. Learn the art of crafting this exquisite Thai sweet creation with the use of mung bean flour and natural food colorants.

“This is going to be a very informative and exciting three days for those who are into nutraceuticals, food and beverage ingredients. Come and join us and learn from the experts,” Chitanuwat said.

CEU Claims Victory in Makati Medical Center’s ‘Battle of the Nightingales’ Nursing Quiz

By John Eiron R . Francisco

n a groundbreaking intercollegiate nursing quiz competition hosted by the Makati Medical Center (MMC), Centro e sc olar University Makati (C e U -M) beat eight other nursing universities across Metro Manila in the first MakatiMed Battle of the n ightingales 2023.

Dr. Saturnino P. Javier, MMC Medical Director, described the event as a “collaborative competition,” emphasizing the importance of healthy competition and academic camaraderie. He encouraged everyone to strive for victory while also reminding them to savor the experience and have fun.

He expressed his confidence in the participating student nurses, considering them as the cream of the crop chosen by their respective institutions. He extended a warm invitation to these talented and brilliant individuals to consider a future with MakatiMed.

The Battle of the n i ghtingales (BOT n )

is a competition aimed at honoring nursing students, who represent the future of the healthcare system as well as foster active participation within the nursing community.

“You might be students at this point, but soon enough you will be full pledged registered nurses and will become members of healthcare and future leaders,” shared Dr. e d a Bernadette P. Bodegon, MakatiMed Director and Chief n u rsing Officer of n u rsing and Patient Care Services Division.

Participants

T H e participating institutions include a r ellano University - Pasay (aU -P), Centro e s colar University - Makati (C eU -M), De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences i nstitute (DLSMHS), Manila Tytana College (MTC), Medici di Makati College, San Beda University (SBU), St. Paul University Manila, University of Makati (UM), and World Citi Colleges (WCC). The heart of this contest lies in the battle

of wits, as each university is represented by three of its brightest minds.

These representatives engage in a challenging quiz that is split into two grueling rounds: the preliminary and final rounds. e a ch of these rounds is further divided into three sections, varying in difficulty from easy, moderate, to difficult.

at t he end of the preliminary round, only five institutions advanced to the Final round and these were Medici, San Beda University, Centro e s colar University, University of Makati, and De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences i n stitute.

The excitement reached its peak with a tiebreaker for the coveted third place between the University of Makati and the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences i nstitute.

Two third placers

H OW e ver, in a surprising twist, the board of judges decided to recognize both the University of Makati and the De La Salle Medical and

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor

Generika Drugstore Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Teodoro Ferrer never imagined that his company would grow to be a major name in generic medicines in the country.

Twenty years ago, Ferrer, a retired employee of ay ala Corp. and his business partner Julien Belo founded the company with the goal to provide quality and affordable generic medicines to communities. ay ala Corp. made the dream possible when it acquired 50 perent ownership of the company in 2015.

Teodoro is “grateful” when asked how he felt as the company he started celebrates its 20th founding anniversary this September.

“This is a realization of a dream. i never really expected us to grow to where we are now since back then, we were just a start-up,” he said in a recent briefing held in Makati City. Moreover, Ferrer recalled how he and Frenchman Belo started Generika Drugstore in 2003, with a vision to help alleviate the impact of the rising cost of medicines by giving people access to quality and affordable generic medicines. a y ear later, Generika Drugstore opened its first store in Montillano, Muntinlupa City, becoming a pioneering advocate and champion of generic medicines in the pharma retail space.

Growth

ful for the opportunity to be their healthcare partner over the years,” she said.

20 Years and Beyond

L OO k in G ah ead, Ferrer is confident that Generika Drugstore will continue to flourish and create a positive impact, especially with the support of aC H ealth.

aC Health President and C e O Paolo Borromeo pointed out the critical role of integration as a key strategy for aC H ealth, and Generika Drugstore’s pivotal role in the group’s ecosystem as it endeavors to broaden access to essential medicines.

“Our dedication to promote affordable and accessible generic medicines together with Generika remains a top priority. We believe that through our collective efforts, we can create a healthcare landscape where every Filipino has equitable access to the medicines and healthcare they need,” Borromeo shared.

a b arca said the company will continue to deliver their well-known Ginhawang Generika as it moves forward to serve the health needs of the Filipinos. “Our passion and commitment to our founding vision remains as strong as ever, as the need upon which it was anchored remains as pressing as it was 20 years ago, if not more. What Generika Drugstore has become inspires us to do more.”

Health Sciences i n stitute as joint third-place winners. Both teams were awarded P10,000 and a prestigious trophy for their remarkable performance.

a d ding to the suspense, a nail-biting tiebreaker round unfolded for the second-place position, pitting Centro e s colar Makati against San Beda University.

a s t he tension mounted, San Beda University ultimately clinched the second-place spot, securing a prize of P15,000 with a gleaming trophy.

But the champion of the BOT n was Centro e s colar University. Their victory not only earned them the honor of representing their cluster in the n at ional level of the Battle of the n ig htingales, scheduled for October 20, 2023 at SM Mega Trade Hall in Mandaluyong City, but also came with a significant reward.

C eU w as granted a generous prize of P25,000, a trophy, and an outstanding scholarship worth P100,000 for each of the contestants from the Mv P F oundation.

Fa S T f orward to today, Generika has grown by leaps and bounds with over 700 stores nationwide and targets to reach 1,000 by 2025 with the support of the ay ala Healthcare (aC Health) Group.

F or at ty. Yet a b arca, President and C e O of Generika Drugstore, the vision that was laid out by its founders has been the driving force of the company’s mission of delivering relief or ginhawa by making quality, affordable medicines and other healthcare essentials accessible to its customers. This has become the driving force behind the company’s growth.

Looking back, it has been 20 years of delivering the Ginhawang Generika promise to our customers and the communities we operate in. Through our portfolio of quality and affordable generic medicines, we have helped reduce their out-of-pocket spend for medicines. Our staple ‘Libreng ko nsulta’ program with partner doctors, along with our other plus services across our store network, have also helped empower communities to take better care of their health. We are grate -

Subsidiary Generika Drugstore is part of aC H ealth, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ay ala Corporation, that aims to provide Filipinos access to affordable, quality healthcare.

S ince 2003, Generika Drugstore has been championing access to affordable, quality generic medicines and has continued to expand access by putting up more branches not only in key cities and municipalities, but also in small towns and barangays.

e s tablished in 2015, ay ala Healthcare Holdings i n c. (aC Health) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ay ala Corporation that aims to provide every Filipino accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare.

i t s portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer in generic retail pharmacies, ie M edica and Med e t hix, a major pharmaceutical importer and distributor, Healthway and QualiMed, a network of multi-specialty clinics, ambulatory centers, and full-service hospitals, and k o nsultaMD, a healthcare aggregator app that offers online consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic and diagnostic booking.

Kids and social media: Here are tips for concerned parents

By Barbara Ortutay The Associated Press

WHEN it comes to social media, families are seeking help.

With ever-changing algorithms pushing content at children, parents are seeing their kids’ mental health suffer, even as platforms, like TikTok and Instagram provide connections with friends. Some are questioning whether kids should be on social media at all, and if so, starting at what age.

Lawmakers have taken notice. A bipartisan group of senators recently introduced legislation aiming to prohibit all children under the age of 13 from using social media. It would also require permission from a guardian for users under 18 to create an account. It is one of several proposals in Congress seeking to make the internet safer for children and teens.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Federal Trade Commission said Facebook misled parents and failed to protect the privacy of children using its Messenger Kids app, including misrepresenting the access it provided to app developers to private user data. Now, the FTC is proposing sweeping changes to a privacy order it has with Facebook’s parent company Meta that would include prohibiting it from making money from data it collects on children.

But making laws and regulating companies takes time. What are parents—and teens—supposed to do in the meantime? Here are some tips on staying safe, communicating and setting limits on social media— for kids as well as their parents.

IS 17 THE NEW 13?

THERE’S already, technically, a rule that prohibits kids under 13 from using platforms that advertise to them without parental consent: The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act that went into effect in 2000— before today’s teenagers were even born.

The goal was to protect kids’ online privacy by requiring websites and online services to disclose clear privacy policies and get parents’ consent before gathering personal information on their kids, among other things. To comply, social-media companies have generally banned kids under 13 from signing up for their services, although it’s been widely documented that kids sign up anyway, either with or without their parents’ permission.

But times have changed, and online privacy is no longer the only concern when it comes to kids being online. There’s bullying, harassment, the risk of developing eating disorders, suicidal thoughts or worse. For years, there has been a push among parents, educators and tech experts to wait to give children phones—and access to social media—until they are older, such as the “Wait Until 8th” pledge that

smartphone until the 8th grade, or about age 13 or 14. But neither social-media companies nor the government have done anything concrete to increase the age limit.

IF THE LAW WON’T BAN KIDS, SHOULD PARENTS?

“THERE is not necessarily a magical age,” said Christine Elgersma, a social-media expert at the nonprofit Common Sense Media. But, she added, “13 is probably not the best age for kids to get on social media.” The laws currently being proposed include blanket bans on the under-13 set when it comes to social media. The problem? There’s no easy way to verify a person’s age when they sign up for apps and online services. And the apps popular with teens today were created for adults first. Companies have added some safeguards over the years, Elgersma noted, but these are piecemeal changes, not fundamental rethinks of the services.

“Developers need to start building apps with kids in mind,” she said. Some tech executives, celebrities such as Jennifer

resorted to banning their kids from social media altogether. While the decision is a personal one that depends on each child and parent, some experts say this could lead to isolating kids, who could be left out of activities and discussions with friends that take place on social media or chat services. Another hurdle—kids who have never been on social media may find themselves ill-equipped to navigate the platforms when they are suddenly allowed free rein the day they turn 18.

TALK, TALK, TALK

START early, earlier than you think. Elgersma suggests that parents go through their own socialmedia feeds with their children before they are old enough to be online and have open discussions on what they see. How would your child handle a situation where a friend of a friend asks them to send a photo? Or if they see an article that makes them so angry they just want to share it right away? For older kids, approach them with curiosity and interest. “If teens are giving you the grunts or the single word answers, sometimes asking about

Unlock child’s potential by instilling essential learning habits

NOTHING beats parents as the best teachers a child could have. As they grow up, parents significantly influence their children’s development and shape their abilities, attitudes, and future decisions. And as their primary guardians, the most valuable gift a mother and a father can offer is to nurture them to become lifelong learners.

Filipino parents often tell their children that education is the greatest inheritance they can offer, and it’s true. Education can help make or break a child’s future and will carry them to better stations in life, but this will not be possible without the utmost support a parent can give.

That is why Quipper (www.quipper.com/ph), one of the best LMS in the Philippines, is here to help parents navigate their way into safeguarding their child’s future by instilling these essential learning habits.

n TEACH THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME. Children often waste time playing games or going out with their friends. While allowing kids to have their leisure time is okay, teaching them how to use time wisely is important. Parents can teach their kids the importance of time management by keeping tabs on their tasks.

n SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR YOUR CHILD. As a parent, what do you want for your child to achieve? You might want them to reach greater heights and have a successful future. But how can you help your child become one if you are setting unrealistic goals for them and cause them internal pressure? Parents should always set realistic goals for their children; part of this is accepting that sometimes, a child can make mistakes or fail. By accepting these, you are raising a child that has a healthy mindset in learning.

n ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ. Knowledge is power, and one can attain loads through reading. Parents should instill a love for reading in children from an early age. Encourage them to read various books and expose them to different genres. It doesn’t have to be novels or heavy non-fiction, but a simple children’s storybook or even a newspaper is

enough. Afterwards, allow your child to process what they have read and discuss among yourselves. This will enhance your child’s comprehension skills and make them a good observer.

n FOSTER COLLABORATION AND TEAMWORK. To build your relationship and bond with your child, you can ask them to work on small projects together, like building a puzzle or cooking together, to get them used to working with other people. They must realize the importance of working and learning from their peers and building their confidence. Teach them interpersonal skills that would make them effective classroom students.

n SUPPORT YOUR CHILD AT ALL TIMES. A good parent is the one who supports their child in all their endeavors. A parent should always be their no.

1 cheerleader for whatever interests or likes a child might get into. A parent should also be updated with

their child’s learning progress which Quipper’s Parent App offers. With Quipper’s Parent App, they can monitor their child’s progress in school and properly guide them on their assignments or activities. So, parents can assist their children in challenging work and foster their growth.

The education landscape is changing, and so is the learning dynamics of a child. That is why every parent should collectively reinforce these habits to create a healthy learning environment for their child. Quipper shares the same pursuit with parents of fostering strong learning habits in children. The LMS platform recognizes the parents’ vital role as teachers, mentors, and champions. Together, they can continue to empower children with the tools and habits they need to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers and compassionate contributors to society.

what their friends are doing or just not asking direct questions like, ‘What are you doing on Instagram?’ but rather, ‘Hey, I heard this influencer is really popular,’” she suggested. “And even if your kid rolled their eyes it could be a window.”

Don’t say things like “Turn that thing off!” when your kid has been scrolling for a long time, says Jean Rogers, the director of the nonprofit Fairplay’s Screen Time Action Network.

“That’s not respectful,” Rogers said. “It doesn’t respect that they have a whole life and a whole world in that device.”

Instead, Rogers suggests asking them questions about what they do on their phone, and see what your child is willing to share.

Kids are also likely to respond to parents and educators “pulling back the curtains” on social media and the sometimes insidious tools companies use to keep people online and engaged, Elgersma said. Watch a documentary like “The Social Dilemma” that explores algorithms, dark patterns and dopamine feedback cycles of social media. Or read up with them how Facebook and TikTok make money.

“Kids love to be in the know about these things, and it will give them a sense of power,” she said.

SETTING LIMITS

ROGERS says most parents have success with taking their kids’ phones overnight to limit their scrolling. Occasionally kids might try to sneak the phone back, but it’s a strategy that tends to work because kids need a break from the screen. “They need to an excuse with their peers to not be on their phone at night,” Rogers said. “They can blame their parents.”

Parents may need their own limits on phone use. Rogers said it’s helpful to explain what you are doing when you do have a phone in hand around your child so they understand you are not aimlessly scrolling through sites like Instagram. Tell your child that you’re checking work email, looking up a recipe for dinner or paying a bill so they understand you’re not on there just for fun. Then tell them when you plan to put the phone down.

YOU CAN’T DO IT ALONE

PARENTS should also realize that it’s not a fair fight. Social-media apps, like Instagram are designed to be addictive, says Roxana Marachi, a professor of education at San Jose State University who studies data harms. Without new laws that regulate how tech companies use our data and algorithms to push users toward harmful content, there is only so much parents can do, Marachi said. “The companies are not interested in children’s well-being, they’re interested in eyes on the screen and maximizing the number of clicks,” Marachi said. n

BY

EMPLOYERS

According to the recent survey conducted by online job search platform JobStreet by SEEK, STi college (www.sti. edu) ranks in the top 10 schools preferred by employers and hiring firms in the Philippines.

in addition to graduates’ skills and knowledge, the reputation of the educational institution where they came from is another influential factor that can set them apart in job applications and enhance their job prospects.

Aisa Q. Hipolito, STi ESg vice president for academics, emphasized the institution’s unwavering dedication to providing top-notch education and preparing their students and graduates to be well-rounded and futureready. “our inclusion in the list of top schools preferred by employers in the Philippines is a manifestation of our commitment to quality education,” she said. “We always strive to provide our students with the necessary skills and knowledge, real-life training, and exposures so they can keep up with the demands of the various industries.”

The survey showed that employers prioritize factors such as the schools’ alignment with their business sector, hard work and reputation. other factors they also consider include a candidate’s self-esteem, location and alumni status, among others.

The JobStreet survey was conducted in May with over 700 companies in 42 industries in the Philippines.

in the search for the right school, consider the brand of holistic education that STi college offers. its Enrollment to Employment (E2E) System aims to develop professionals through innovative learning and career planning methodologies.

With E2E, students get applicable education, job market skills, job preparedness, and job placement assistance to prepare them for the real world.

US, Korea to pilot climate resiliency projects in Iloilo City

Sheraton Manila Hotel offers irresistible array of gastronomic experiences to delight Pinoys

SHERATON Manila Hotel welcomes the start of the ber months with an exciting array of gastronomic experiences to tantalize taste buds and satisfy cravings. From delectable Filipino fare to international delights, the hotel’s dining outlets are ready to take guests on a culinary journey like never before.

The World’s Gathering Place invites guests to make the most of their week with the Feast for Free 4+1 Dining Treat at S Kitchen. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for lunch and dinner, Wednesday for lunch, and Sunday for dinner, patrons can take advantage of an enticing offer: dine in a group of five and pay for only four! The incredible offer starts on September 5, 2023 in time of the restaurant’s new weekday spread, International Indulgence, priced for P3,200 nett for both lunch and dinner, which features cuisine from across the country and all over the world.

Manila Hotel’s Executive Sous Chef Rosselle Carias. He will showcase his 23-year culinary experience in the Middle-East with highlights such as Ouzi Lamb or Arabic Lamb with Spiced Rice. The exclusive offer comes with a special rate of P2,900 nett per person and comes with signature cocktail to wrap up the exquisite affair.

Wrapping up the week is a craze perfect for the seafood lovers out there. Set to satisfy the seafood cravings is S Kitchen’s Friday and Saturday treat, Weekend CRABbings. Indulge in mouthwatering crabs cooked in various flavors and sauces with other seafood options to choose from. Available starting September 8, enjoy this seafood feast, along with the cocktail of the day, all for ₧3,500 nett per person.

ILOILO City has been selected as a pilot site of the Climate Resilience Cities Project (CRC) of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The metropolis is one of six cities of USAID-CRC connected by KOICA in a joint effort to assist cities in achieving climate resiliency and transforming into Philippine Climate Resilient Cities (PCRC) project.

Iloilo and the cities of Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Legazpi, and Zamboanga, signed on Aug. 30, 2023 the five-year PCRC to improve climate resilience by enhancing their capacity to understand and use climate adaptation technology.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas welcomed the latest Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) which will significantly contribute to the city’s initiatives in combating climate issues.

Assistant City Administrator

Noel S. Panaguiton and City Planning

and Development Office Assistant Department Head Arch. Dolly Anne M. Zoluaga represented the city during the signing ceremony.

KOICA Philippines Country Director Eunsub Kim said they will offer technical assistance through training opportunities and visits to Korea and adaptation project with the deployment of a Korean expert to the city.

USAID-CRC project on-going interventions in Iloilo City include preparation and updating of Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP).

They also aim to further strengthen the relationship of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the academe in formulating development plans.

The Philippine Disaster Relief Foundation (PDRF) will embark on City Resilience Challenge, a proposal design competition for resiliency among cities. They are in the process of formulating the detailed guidelines and is set to be

launched by September 12 tentatively.

KOICA noted the nation’s heavy reliance on climate-sensitive natural resources leaves it particularly susceptible to the far-reaching consequences of climate change, which encompasses factors such as sea level rise, heightened occurrence of extreme weather events, elevated temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns.

“These occurrences often lead to the displacement of communities, resulting in injuries, loss of life, destruction of vital infrastructure, disruptions to livelihoods, and hindrances to economic growth. The urban poor are most at risk due to their lack of resources to cope with the threats of natural hazards and effects of climate change,” stated KOICA. Comprehensive climate adaptation technology guidelines will be developed for the six designated cities based on their local circumstances to strengthen the Local Government Units (LGUs) understanding of technologies and facilitate their practical application.

Foundever™ beefs up stakeholder relations with University, Community Partnership Summit in Palawan

Oori, the Hotel’s signature Korean dining destination, is giving the Korean cuisine enthusiasts a treat this month with its special deal, the Nurungji Tongdak – a delectable deep-fried chicken paired with scorched rice, offering diners an authentic taste of Korea. Priced at P1,650 nett, the dish is made available daily from 12 pm to 10 pm. throughout September.

Sundays are definitely for family gatherings. Head on to S Kitchen for Filipino Fiesta Sunday Lunch - a collection of the best of the best in casual Filipino cuisine in a highly curated, one-stop food fiesta of the most delectable local and sustainable delights. For ₧3,500 nett per person, indulge in a flavorful journey with the featured signature local cocktail for a perfectly paired weekend dining experience.

Wednesdays will never be the same as Sheraton Manila Hotel’s all-day dining hub throws a sumptuous Babylon-inspired dinner party with Midweek Madness:

Babylon Wednesday - a carefully curated spread, featuring recipes from Sheraton

Embark on a culinary journey at Sheraton Manila Hotel where each dining experience is a masterpiece of flavors and a celebration of diverse cuisines. Special privileges await members and partners. To know more of Sheraton Manila Hotel’s offers, call (02) 7902 1800 or 0917 859 7496.

Visit www.sheratonmanila.com and follow the social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @sheratonmanila. Join the Viber community to be updated with the latest offers at Make It Marriott.

USAID, Seafood Industry Partners to Hold 1st Responsible Seafood Summit in the PHL

AGROUNDBREAKING event will bring together over 170 participants from various sectors to champion responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) and combat illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Philippines. The 1st Responsible Seafood Summit aims to foster greater awareness, recognition, demand, and support for responsible seafood sourcing across the seafood industry value chain in the Philippines.

Organized with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Fish Right Program, the Summit will be held today, September 14, 2023 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City and kickstart the official celebration of the 60th Fish Conservation Week in the Philippines.

and industry partnerships under the Better Seafood Philippines (BSP) Program, which was established through the USAID Fish Right Program.

BSP is led by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and aims to enhance supply chain development efforts and industry partnerships on RSS. This program seeks to transform market-based approaches to address IUU fishing through the seafood supply chain.

FOUNDEVER™, a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry, continues its mission in the Philippines to form collaborations with stakeholders as it completes its first University and Community Partnership (UCP) Summit in Palawan since the rebranding last March.

The summit brought together Foundever in Palawan’s partner institutions and community leaders in an effort to forge dynamic partnerships that drive progress and create lasting positive impact.

The UCP summit served both as an opportunity to introduce Foundever in Palawan, following the company’s global rebrand last March, and as a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange among participants in order to forge partnerships to strengthen the Palawan community.

“We adopted two key focus areas here in Palawan: education and environment, and as a company, we make sure to give back to the community where we belong,”

said Jen Joloc, Senior Site Director at Foundever in Palawan. She added, “The majority of our partners thought we only offer employment opportunities, but we also offer customized training based on the needs of their organization. Local leads have expressed their interest and have shared that they were looking forward in maximizing this partnership.”

Foundever in Palawan is currently partnered with organizations such as the city and provincial Public Employment Services Office (PESO), the Department of Labor and Employment, Palawan ICT Association, as well as esteemed institutions namely Western Philippines University, Palawan National School and Palawan State University.

The UCP summit brought on new partnerships with Holy Trinity University, STI College, and Divine Grace Institute, a TESDA accredited center. To further their reach, Foundever also partnered with the City Health and the City Youth and Development Department in Palawan.

Through the UCP, Foundever in Palawan has launched several programs with their partner organizations including Jobstart Partnership with DOLE, Coastal Clean-up in El Nido, Roxas, and Puerto Princesa, relief operations during Typhoon Odette, Alt + C Intensive Communications Training, Team Building & Stress Management Facilitation with Roxas city’s LGU and Day1@Work with leading universities in Palawan.

Following the summit, Palawan State University ‘s Human Resources office invited Foundever to lead their breakout sessions for their annual Faculty and Staff Conference last August 10.

A total of 24 participants from different local organizations and universities were present at the UCP summit, including Mr. Marcelino Porcal, Assistant Principal for Senior High School at Palawan National School.

“They approached us and offered their program. We don’t have any regrets,” he said of the school’s partnership with Foundever.

USAID Fish Right is a seven-year, $33 million initiative that promotes resilient and sustainable fisheries management across various regions in the Philippines. The program focuses on areas such as Palawan, Southern Negros, Visayan Sea, and Fisheries Management Areas 5 and 6 in the West Philippine Seascape. The Summit will feature a technical workshop on Responsible Seafood Sourcing principles and practices, followed by an afternoon session celebrating milestones

Attendees will include representatives from USAID Philippines, the Philippine government (Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Department of Science and Technology), private sector seafood industry, local government units (LGUs), communitybased organizations, USAID implementing partners, and other sectors.

Ryder Rogers, Director of the Environment Office at USAID Philippines, and Dr. Drusila Esther Bayate, Undersecretary for Fisheries at the Department of Agriculture, will deliver remarks during the Summit. Notable private sector participants include JT Solis, CEO and Co-Founder of Farm to Mayani Inc., and Nanette Cadutdut, President of the Bogtong Fish Processors Association.

BOLSTERING COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION. Foundever™ holds University and Community Partnership (UCP) summit to forge partnerships with various local government organizations and esteemed educational institutions. In the photo are the participants of the summit held at Foundever in Palawan.

OORI features another authentic Korean favorite this month with Nurungji Tongdak.

TOKEN of appreciation Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada receives a token of appreciation from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. (right) and his wife Melody (left) for hosting a fellowship dinner on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Camp Aguinaldo. Estrada sponsored the celebratory event for Brawner following the latter’s confirmation by the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) as the 60th Chief of Staff of the country’s military forces.

Envoys&Expats

Australian PM, PBBM enter accord for strategic alliance

This was formalized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia on September 8 during the latter’s state visit in Manila.

Albanese acknowledged the Philippines as “one of Australia’s key partners in Southeast Asia, based on a strong alignment of strategic interests.”

The prime minister expressed his honor “to have been invited by President Marcos to visit Manila and sign [the historic strategic partnership]. Australia and the Philippines enjoy a long-standing relationship based on close cooperation, enriched by the 400,000 Australians with Filipino heritage.”

He acknowledged the event as “a watershed moment for [AustralianPhilippine relations…] Our strategic partnership will facilitate closer cooperation between our countries, and contribute to an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.”

Australia’s top government official announced the following initiatives to boost its ties with the Philippines: Australia Awards Scholarships to the Philippines will be increased to more than twice the current numbers. In 2024, over 50 scholarships will be awarded to Filipinos to study Masters and Doctorate programs in the commonwealth state, building invaluable connections between both nations’ peoples.

Re-establishment of a Philippines Institute at the Australian National University as part of the Australian government’s commitment to boosting ties with Southeast Asia, building partnerships between institutions and deepening shared understanding of each others’ perspectives and interests.

A new reciprocal work and holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos, supporting stronger economic, cultural and people-to-people links.

A new $64.5 million contribution to peacebuilding in conflictaffected Mindanao is aimed at supporting regional stability. The five-year program will help to reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants, and support community development, particularly for women.

According to the government of Australia, the prime minister’s visit to the Philippines reflects the former’s deepening relations with the region, and follows his launch of the “Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040” in Jakarta.

The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, and represents substantial potential for Australia to deepen their trade and investment relationship. The Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 will help Australian businesses and investors take advantage of key local sectors, including agriculture and food, education and skills, resources and clean-energy transition.

Albanese is the first Australian prime minister to travel to the Philippines on a bilateral visit since 2003. He has invited the Chief Executive to Australia to attend a special summit in March 2024 that will commemorate the 50th anniversary of AseanAustralia dialogue relations.

PHL-Australia relations

THE Philippines and Australia established diplomatic relations in 1946. In November 2015, former president Benigno S. Aquino III and then-prime minister Malcom Turnbull elevated the relations to a comprehensive partnership where both countries committed to expanding cooperation in the areas of political and economic relations, defense, law and justice, education and development linkage.

Relations cover a wide and diverse range of areas from defense and security, economic cooperation and people-to-people cooperation.

Australia is the second-largest partner in defense security, and one

of the Philippines’s only two bilateral partners with a visiting forces agreement status.

The continental state is the Philippines’s 14th-largest trading partner in 2022, and 11th-largest source of total official development assistance amounting to US$180 million in December 2022.

The 400,000 Filipinos currently residing and working in Australia comprise the fifth-largest migrant community in Australia.

The commonwealth has been a top preferred study destination for Filipino students. In 2022, there were 17,825 Filipino students in Australia, ranked eighth as source, and accounting for 3 percent of the total population of global students.

On tourism, Australia ranked third in the top foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines out of 194 countries.

There are some 29,126 Australian nationals currently residing in the Philippines based on April 2023 data from the Bureau of Immigration.

SFA to embark on milestone official travel to Argentina

SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs

Enrique A. Manalo is currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina until September 16 to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the South American republic. Manalo is to be received by Argentine Minister for Foreign Affairs

Santiago Andres Cafiero on September 13, when they are supposed to discuss the deepening PhilippineArgentinian cooperation agenda. This includes: cooperation in science and technology—specifically in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and outer space; technical cooperation in agriculture; trade and investments; as well as cultural ties.

The secretary is also scheduled to speak about the long-standing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in the multilateral arena at the Consejo Argentino para Relaciones Internacionales—the foremost think-tank in Argentina; and the Universidad de Belgrano.

The Philippines was the first Asean country to establish relations with

Argentina. More than a decade since a Philippine foreign secretary was last in Buenos Aires, Manalo’s visit, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, demonstrates the country’s commitment to forging stronger and deeper bonds with Latin America— a region with which the Philippines shares many cultural and historical commonalities.

EU, World Bank, Napocor inaugurate solar-generation plants devt in VisMin

THE European Union (EU), the World Bank (WB), and the National Power Corporation (Napocor) have activated solar power plants of electric cooperatives (ECs) in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Said facilities were completed late in August in Samar, as well as South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

Napocor is currently performing the solar-power plants’ set up and linking to the ECs’ distribution networks under the “Access to Sustainable Energy” project administered by the WB, and funded by an EU grant. The project, which is part of the EU’s €66 million (P3.8-billion equivalent) “Access to Sustainable Energy Programme,” financed four 1-megawatt power greenfield solar photovoltaic power plants at a total cost of €4.6 million (P280-million equivalent).

The two plants connected to the distribution networks of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative or SOCOTECO II, and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative or SUKELCO, were switched on at the ceremony. The other two plants, which will be connected to the networks of Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives or SAMELCO I and SAMELCO II, are for activation by the end of this month.

According to the Embassy of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, these investments in solar energy will help

make energy consumption in the target locations more environmentally sustainable, contribute to diversifying energy supply, and ultimately help mitigate climate change. At the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Luc Véron stated that “we are very proud to have financed this action that provides sustainable and clean energy solutions to remote communities in Mindanao and [the] Visayas. Working on the transition to a greener society and climate-change mitigation is a global priority for the EU, and it will also remain at the center of our cooperation efforts with the Philippines.”

Véron added that the said efforts were confirmed a few weeks ago in the dialogue between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and European Commission president Ursula van der Leyen during her visit to the country.

“This project exemplifies the World Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions for inclusive growth in the Philippines,” said Ndiamé Diop, WB country director for Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. He also noted the importance of these solar power plants by setting practical examples and benchmarks for scaling up renewable-energy supplies among ECs.

“[We are proud to partner with] the EU and the WB in bringing renewable energy [RE] to far flung areas of the

Philippines, supporting the government’s endeavors in full electrification and scale-up,” noted Napocor president and CEO Fernando Martin Y. Roxas. “Under this partnership, [we also completed the installation of 30,500 solar-home system units for five ECs] in Mindanao in 2022.” Roxas thanked the EU and WB, as well as the Department of Energy, for

THERE ’ S no exact English translation for the word sayang , but it’s just the way business leader Datuk Edward Ling feels about missed business opportunities for the Philippines.

Ling said many foreign investors initially wanted to do business in this country because of the ideal investment climate. The consumer population is huge at 110.5 million, which is second to Indonesia in the region, socialmedia savvy Gen-Zs and millennials, plus the people are generally friendly and English speaking. But many foreign-business owners eventually packed up and left because of red tape.

In a meeting with foreign chambers of commerce, one recalled the case of a major engineering firm from Finland that tried to set up a business. But the Finnish got fed up because six months passed after they applied for business permits, and they failed to secure an approval from government agencies.

“[The firm’s board of directors] decided to move to Singapore and within less than two weeks, they are already in operation,” Ling lamented. “This is one of the typical, solid, [and] classic examples of “sayang.”

For Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries-Phils. Inc.’s (MCCI) chair, he hates to see investors snubbing its host country, as they were turned off by bureaucracy.

At the risk of being accused of interfering with domestic politics, the MCCI took the courageous step and teamed up with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) in aiding the Philippine government ease the process of setting up and maintaining businesses.

MCCI: ‘Sumbungan ng Bayan?’

ON September 7, the MCCI and ARTA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that designated the chamber and its 70 members as “ARTA champions.”

As such, MCCI became a partner-institution to facilitate the establishment of enterprises in the Philippines, and in delivering efficient government services.

race. But to some extent, Malaysians are naturally our competition. So why bother helping Filipinos to improve their way of doing business?

A distributor of wheatgrass food supplement, Ling has been conducting business in the Philippines for more than 25 years. As such, he wanted to give back to the country that helped him.

“My personal goal is to see the Philippines in the near future— maybe five years…seven years— to be at the level of Malaysia in ease of doing business,” he said. His country is currently 12th globally in the World Bank’s 2020 ranking of Ease of Doing Business. Of the top five considered having the “easiest,” four are from AsiaPacific: New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea. The Philippines is far below at 95th place.

Helping ARTA is not altogether altruistic. MCCI’s president How Han Hui hopes that by helping the agency, the chamber will be able to help members, as well as increase their number.

“We are not experts in this… thing, but I think we can. I just feel in my heart that it’s about time that we should be courageous enough to step up,” Ling remarked, as he acknowledged that achieving good governance is too difficult and needs consistency.

Aside from good governance, the other key to making business processing easier is to digitalize the system.

He believes the Philippines is ready to enter into digitalization of permits and work systems with the proliferation of businessprocess outsourcing, and being the “social-media capital” of the world. It also works to know the “right service providers,” and not engage “fixers” in government offices.

entrusting Napocor with the implementation of the project.

“This has been a fruitful collaboration. We are grateful to extend our technical expertise and at the same time, obtain inspiration in our own pursuit of [RE] technologies,” remarked Roxas. “We look forward to future engagements with our development partners.”

The agency has allowed the chamber to “receive complaints” from the business sector, professionals, and civil society for any violation of the Anti-Red Tape Act or Republic Act 11032. In effect, the latter has become the sumbungan of those who feel aggrieved by the bureaucratic red tape.

“MCCI shall assist the ARTA in enhancing government initiatives through timely reporting of information related to fixing activities and other forms of red tape,” the MOU stated.

The chamber is now tasked to tap a “focal person” who will be responsible in accepting complaints and reviewing them first before their endorsement to the agency. That focal person needs “due certification” by ARTA as well.

In return, ARTA shall “ensure that the complaints endorsed by MCCI are acted upon accordingly and promptly.” The former should also regularly update the chamber on the status of the said grievances.

In order to help the MCCI handle and process complaints from business owners, ARTA has committed to provide training sessions, orientations, seminars and/or webinars to the chamber and its members.

Why do Malaysians care?

THEY may be our brothers and sisters by blood, as we both trace our origins from the same Malay

“I've been here for so long. I apply my permits, pay my taxes. I have no problem because, you know why? You need to use the right service providers who are also honest, competent, transparent, professional, [and] Godfearing. These are the groups that we want to work together [with],” he pointed out.

Change in mindset

I HAVE heard many Filipino and foreign businessmen whine about the lack of transparency, corruption and inefficiency in the Philippines. They complain because these entrepreneurs equate time with money. That for every day they are waiting for their papers to be processed and approved, they lose money.

At first it was embarrassing, but then it numbed me. Our interview with MCCI leaders jolted me back to reality to never accept defeat in the face of hopelessness. These are foreigners who believe in us, that we can do better. Why can’t we believe in ourselves, too?

For what it’s worth, maybe ARTA can also tap other sectors in the society in changing the mindset of Filipinos. We need to bring back a sense of patriotism: that standing up against corruption should be the norm, and not accepting them as fact of life or as “standard operating procedure.”

We need to motivate Filipinos that we should have a government that we deserve—one that can help us put food to the table. Remember our end goal: Uplift the lives of all Filipinos.

If changing rules to accommodate business owners can bring food to the table, then we better hurry up.

ENVOY WELCOMED The new Singaporean ambassador to the Philippines Constance See was recently received by Department of Labor and Employment chief Bienvenido

THE Philippines and Australia have signed a new strategic partnership establishing an enduring framework for closer cooperation.

Malaysian chamber of commerce is ARTA's collaborator vs red tape

PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sign the strategic partnership between their countries. FB: AUSTRALIA IN THE PHILIPPINES

By Josef Ramos

IT took 12 years at the least before Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won for the country its first Olympic gold medal. It won’t take 24 months for her to summon the same strength in a heavier weight category to excel as she did in Tokyo. She [Hidilyn] still needs a bit more time settling in the category, but we now know what to expect and what needs to be done to keep us in contention to qualify and succeed,”

her husband and coach Julius Naranjo told BusinessMirror on Wednesday.

D iaz-Naranjo wound up seventh among 12 competitors in the world championships in Riyadh over the weekend—her third Olympic qualifying tournament—at 59 kgs. The 55-kg class where she won gold in Tokyo was scrapped from the Paris Olympics program next year.

She finished fourth in her 59-kg debut at the Asian championships last May in Jinju, South Korea.

Naranjo admitted his wife felt “a little bit of pressure” in Riyadh

Fortuna forges tie for lead in Davao as Bisera commits last-hole miscue

MIKHA FORTUNA battled Yvon Bisera shot-for-shot and putt-for-putt in a furious frontside duel then came out of a bungling backside skirmish as the steadier player to salvage a 71 and force a tie for the lead after 36 holes of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) South Pacific Classic in Davao City on Wednesday.

Fortuna matched the local ace’s three-birdie splurge in the first nine holes and was a shot behind but charged back from two-down after a bogey on No. 10 to equal Bisera’s 143 aggregate after she holed out with a bogey on the long par-five 18th for a 72.

T hat set the stage for a final 18hole shootout for the top P125,000 purse between two players in hot pursuit of a maiden Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) win with one-time winner Sarah Ababa lurking just three shots back at 146 after a second 73 at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates.

Seeing how Yvon and Sarah play, I think I have a big chance to get the title,” said Fortuna, without sounding too confident. “The goal is to win this week but I’m not thinking about it. I just have to stick to my game plan.”

So does Bisera, who despite her last-hole mishap remained upbeat of her chances not because of her familiarity with the course but due to her big drives that kept on finding their targets in the first two days.

LONG WAY TO GO FOR HD AT 59 KGS –COACH JULIUS

where she faced off with virtually same challengers for the gold in Paris—Asian champion Shifang Lou of China, Kamila Konotop of Ukraine and Pei Xinyo also of China who weer 1-2-3 in the world championships. As with all of our competitions, we set a high standard and expect more from ourselves,” Naranjo said. “But being a first timer in the world championships as a 59-kg lifter, there is a sense of nervousness in probably the most competitive weight category.”

But Naranjo knows his wife fully well and is confident she would immerse herself at 59 kgs with still three more Olympic qualifying tournaments in their calendar.

“ She has this ability to find herself

and set the tone she needs…a bit later than expected but [it’s] something you’ve come to expect from Hidilyn Diaz,” Naranjo said. “There are a lot of strong 59s, but we will keep working.”

Diaz-Naranjo has to compete at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Grand Prix from December 2 to 12 in Doha, Asian championships from February 20 to 26 in Tashkent and IWF World Cup from April 2 to 11 in Phuket, Thailand, to complete the requisites to compete in her fifth straight Olympics in Paris.

But she has to remain in the world’s top 10 to make the grade. We won’t know who qualifies until the last qualifier in Thailand in April 2024,” Naranjo said. “It’s

still a long way to go.”

The Naranjos are still in Riyadh but are ready to set up training camp in Japan before heading to the Asian Games in Hangzhou where DiazNaranjo eyes a second gold medal in her competition set on October 2.

T hey will again be accompanied by their protégé, Rosegie Ramos,

who’s competing at 49 kgs. “ We will train somewhere nearby [Hangzhou] that would help us acclimatize from a dry environment to a humid and cooler climate,” Naranjo said. “Rosegie [Ramos] will be joining us in all our qualifiers and is training with us for the unforeseen future,” she said.

I think my edge is on my driving, it’s pretty steady and I’ve been hitting the fairways the past two days,” said Bisera in Filipino. “I just hope to sustain my long game and for my putting to click.”

W hile admitting that the pressure to deliver at home is mounting, Bisera stressed: “I will just play my game, hit the fairways and greens and avoid three-putts.”

Truly, the outcome would most probably be decided on South Pacific’s last line of defense given its sloping surfaces and tough pin placements that continued to bedevil the games of the rest of the field.

They include Korean Seoyun Kim and Apple Fudolin, who carded 73 and 74, respectively, to share fourth place at 148 even as Daniella Uy’s bid for a third straight championship gained a slight boost after a 71.

Brownlee: Let’s put on a great show for fans in Asian Games

JUSTIN BROWNLEE takes his turn to anchor the men’s national team in the Hangzhou Asian Games and, man, he’s all fired up.

“ Let’s give Philippine basketball a great showing, keep ourselves prepared and play hard in the Asian Games,” Brownlee said Wednesday. “I’m excited for the team, excited for the country and the fans as well.”

B rownlee will be Gilas Pilipinas’s naturalized player in Hangzhou alongside Ange Kouame—the Asian Games only consider athletes’

passports for their eligibility to play for a particular country.

The resident import of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel underwent an ankle surgery but showed up in his usual explosive court demeanor during Gilas’s third straight day of practice at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Wednesday. The 35-year-old six-time champion import of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was second option to Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson in the recent FIBA World Cup.

Brownlee said he expects an improvement from the country’s fifth place finish in 2018 in Jakarta, where Clarkson

debuted in a Gilas uniform.

The biggest aim is to win the gold medal. We’re trying to work on that,” he said. W ith Brownlee in head coach Tim Cone’s team are Calvin

Abueva, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Scottie Thompson, Terrence Romeo, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo and Chris Newsome.

B asketball fans, meanwhile, are in for a double treat when the Asian Games-bound men’s and women’s national teams open the gates of their training facility to the public on Thursday.

The joint practice at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City starts at 4 p.m.

No tickets are necessary,” Cone said. “We just want the public to come and observe.”

Cone said Gilas men’s and the women’s team coached by Pat Aquino, “will share the court and have interactions between them.”

Gilas has been training religiously since Tuesday in the Pasig City facility from  11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The nationals will then move to the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba on Saturday, before wrapping up their preparation with a tune-up game against the Changwon LG Sakers of South Korea on September 22.

The team leaves for Hangzhou on September 23.

The Gilas Women, meanwhile, are coming off a remarkable performance in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney. Josef Ramos

Salahog, Quiban share 2nd-round; Dumandan lurks two shots behind

NILO SALAHOG  held sway in the face of fiery assaults from a band of pursuers then hit a clutch birdie to save a

68 Wednesday to again join Justin Quiban at the helm midway the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) South Pacific Classic that’s heading to a wild finish in Davao City.

Salahog, who showed up the Tour’s big guns with a superb 67 in stifling conditions Tuesday, kept his

Sights, sounds of FIBA WC 23

SUDDENLY the global event and colorful spectacle that is FIBA World Cup 2023 is over. And yet the sounds and sights of it stay alive, being played and replayed in memory and sometimes in dreams—so complete was its takeover of life and reality the past three weeks.

P utting the event together was long. The preparations were meticulous and tedious. Thousands of volunteers took time out from their day jobs and school to get steeped in knowledge and habits of how to be service champions. The goal was to make this hosting unforgettable. To make Filipino hospitality shine through.

Scores of walkthroughs, briefings, rehearsals, meetings, ocular inspections, preparedness seminars and a pep rally preceded the real thing. So when it all came together on opening day, August 25 at the Philippine Arena, the grandness was expected. The lights and colors were dazzling. The crowd and the celebrities in attendance were eye-popping. And the action on the court—the best basketball from the world’s best teams and countries—was riveting.

Canada hails PHL on FIBA WC hosting

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE Embassy of Canada praised the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the recent FIBA World Cup for successfully lead hosting the event where its team claimed a historic bronze medal at the expense of Team USA.

“ The Embassy of Canada congratulates the local organizers of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for a successful co-hosting of this popular sporting event, once again showing the world the Philippines’ brand of top-notch hospitality,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said Tuesday.

“ We commend them for a superb job in bringing the world’s top teams to the Philippines for some of the most exciting basketball games in history,” the embassy’s statement added.

The US Embassy felt the pinch caused by Canada’s 127-118 overtime win in the battle for third place over the weekend, but reserved it praises for their tormentors.

“ Wish the OT had yielded a different outcome, but I extend my congratulations to Canada for winning the bronze. Thank you, @FIBAWC,” said US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson on X (formerly Twitter). Carlson was one of the more than 10,000 fans who watched the third-place game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. She was also present in Team USA’s earlier games in the World Cup.

mastery of the South Pacific course and the stellar field with a fourbirdie run in the first 12 holes then rebounded from a miscue on No. 13 that momentarily dropped him off the lead with a birdie on the 17th as he tied an equally red-hot Quiban at the helm at nine-under 135.

Q uiban put in a solid 67 after a 68 in his steady pursuit of a second Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) victory following a third place finish at Del Monte last week ruined by a last-hole

Sixteen days of that, with a daily grind of two games each—one at 4 or 4:45 p.m. and another at 8 p.m. or

8:45 at Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall Of Asia Arena, respectively, practically guaranteed FIBA Basketball had become life for the journalists, volunteers and members of the Local Organizing Committee that were heavily invested in the ongoing elite basketball competition.

And yet even the sideshows and sidelights that accompanied the main event were just as fascinating. The presence of so many nationalities all in one place, all at one time for one, made me wonder at times if this was the same Smart Araneta Coliseum or

slip and he liked with the way he’d been churning out low rounds coming off a series of stints abroad.

“ I wasn’t expecting to lead but with the way I’m playing, I feel like I’m confident. I think I could hit the rounds that I’d like to shoot,” said Quiban, who first won in Binitin, Negros Occidental in 2018 then nailed a victory in PGT Asia at Luisita in the same year.

Salahog, chasing his maiden triumph on the Tour put up by ICTSI,

MOA Arena I watched games and concerts in.

also kept pounding the fairways with his booming drives, accurate iron play and putting but braced for a sterner test in the last 36 holes of the P2 million championship supported by Kampfortis Golf, the official apparel of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “ Driving, irons and putting, all’s well,” said Salahog, whose last birdie came after he holed out with a pitchin eagle on the par-4 penultimate hole in the first round.

Every group brought its trademark verve and culture to every game day. National flags were worn like cloaks and shawls. Paint and stickers in their nations’ colors brightened up faces. Colorful wigs blossomed. Unusual fashion rocked the scene as diehards stormed game venue corridors to express what’s in their hearts and shout out their pride of country.

The Lithuanians were one colorful and rowdy group. Dressed in yellow-green-and-red that reflected their flag, they occupied one solid section of the MOA Arena and cheered as one. They banged their drums. They were almost always on their feet. When Jonas Valanciunas, the most recognizable player for Filipinos, was in action, even Pinoy fans joined in the cheering.

The Latvians were just as enthusiastic, if not more so. Forming a foot soldier-like group clad in maroon and white—their national colors—they paraded inside and around the periphery of the MOA Arena, shouting Lat-viah! Lat-vi-ah! with gusto and chutzpah.

The Serbian crowd too was one of the most passionate, and the most numerous. Easily identifiable because of their light blue and red colors, they can take over the arena with

The Philippines, Okinana in Japan and Jakarta in Indonesia co-hosted the World Cup, a format adopted for the first time by the sport’s world governing body on the recommendation of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan.

The Canadian Embassy said the FIBA games in Manila was “more special” for Team Canada because they achieved their first bronze in FIBA World Cup in history.

“Canada and the Philippines share several common values, and the warm reception Filipino fans gave Team Canada showed us how basketball is a national passion Canadians and Filipinos mutually share,” the Embassy told the B usiness M irror

their unified fervor. Clearly the crowd favorite on final night, the pro-Serbian crowd was noisy and rabid. But the German crowd—with red, yellow and black flags and clothing themes—stood their ground and celebrated in the end as FIBA WC 2023 World Basketball Champions. There are other random observations I would like to include here.

1 I fi nd Euro ball fascinating and intelligent. It is system based, finesse ball and feels like a game of chess being played out in a basketball court.

2 Despite its 8-0 run throughout the group phase, the quarters and the semis, Germany was low key and sort of flew under the radar. Most people—journalists included— picked passionate Serbia to win the Cup. But cool, precise and laser-focused Germany got the job done. German technology, shall we say?

3 Luis Scola, Pau Gasol, Carmelo Anthony and Sue Bird are truly awesome and worthy FIBA Global Ambassadors. They have a great grasp of what basketball means to people and the world, and where it’s going. They speak from the heart.

4 The Philippines proved it can host an event of this magnitude very well.

5 Luka Magic is real.

MIKHA FORTUNA and Yvon Bisera are in for a showdown in the South Pacific Classic.

JUSTIN QUIBAN puts in a solid 67 after a 68 in his steady pursuit of a second tour victory.