Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 293 | Wednesday, March 29, 2023

A customer chooses from the display of special cuts of pork meat at a supermarket in Davao City. A shortage of supply in local pork is expected in the coming months due to the African Swine Fever (ASF), which according to the data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), 17 provinces in 10 regions have active ASF cases. Lean Daval Jr.

NICE TRY

VP Sara slams ACT Teachers’ demand for hiring more tutors, get more budget

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said she will never be fooled.

The message was in reaction to the suggestions of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) for the Department of Education (DepEd) to hire 30,000 public teachers and allocate a budget of P100 billion per year for building classrooms.

The vice president said these are “obviously deceptive maneuvers deliberately designed to counter the Marcos administra-

tion’s solution to the problems hounding the education sector.”

“The call could not be coming from a place of genuine concern

MILF reassures commitment to 9year-old Bangsamoro peace pact

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has assured anew the Philippine Government of its commitment to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Both sides signed the CAB nine years ago after 17 years of peace negotiations on March 27, 2014, during the term of the late President Benigno Aquino III.

walk this path with him side by side and with parity of esteem.”

“We offer the strength, dreams and determination of the Bangsamoro people,” said Iqbal, Minister of Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

for the future of our learners and the welfare of our teachers. Instead, it is a call motivated by the group’s fascination for demands and goals that are unrealistic and impossible — placing the government in a precarious situation that will ultimately end in failure,” Duterte said in a statement shared with the media on Monday.

She also stated the timing also betrayed ACT Teachers’ true

Agusan Sur town skirmish leaves 2 NPA rebels dead

Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government forces in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, the military said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said combined troopers of the Army’s 401st Infantry and the 901st Brigades (Bde) were dispatched to Bayugan’s Barangay San Juan after receiving reports of 18 armed NPA insurgents in the area.

“The 15-minute firefight has resulted in the death of two un-

identified NPA combatants and the capture of high-powered firearms and ammunition,” the 4ID said, referring to the predawn clash in Barangay San Juan on Monday.

The recovered firearms included an M4 Carbine rifle, a modified Carbine rifle, various ammunition and magazines, and personal belongings of the guerrillas.

Brig. Gen. Rommel Almaria, 401Bde commander, attributed the operation’s success to the cooperation among various gov-

ernment line agencies and the local government units (LGUs) in the area under the Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).

“Our partnership with the agencies and the LGUs under the TF-ELCAC is the centerpiece of our campaign to defeat the communist rebels,” Almaria was quoted in the statement as saying.

In a separate statement, Brig. Gen. George Banzon, 901Bde commander, commended the Army troopers for “effectively

In a statement furnished to MindaNews Tuesday, Mohagher Iqbal, MILF peace implementing panel chair, reciprocated President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s stance on the Bangsamoro peace process.

In a video message during the CAB’s ninth anniversary commemoration at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Monday, Marcos vowed that the commitments made by the national government under the CAB “will be realized.”

“We in the national government will do our part to fulfill our commitments under the peace agreement and see its full implementation. We shall not waver from this,” he said.

Iqbal said the MILF salutes the President “for his firm resolve and commitment to the full implementation of the peace agreement.”

“In return, we promise the President that we will do everything to fulfill our part of the agreement. We shall direct our people and supporters to cooperate and ensure peace,” Iqbal said.

“Political will be reciprocated by political will,” he added.

Iqbal said that “while there are miles to go before peace is achieved in the southern Philippines, in this journey, we offer the President that the MILF shall

The Bangsamoro region was established in 2019 following the ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM. The creation of the Bangsamoro region is the key component of the CAB. It replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, concurrent MILF chair, declared Monday a special non-working holiday in the BARMM to celebrate the CAB’s ninth anniversary.

In his speech at the PICC, Ebrahim noted that the signing of the CAB “paved the way for correcting historical injustice, systematic oppression and discrimination committed against the proud people of the southern Philippines.”

“Let us all reflect on the progress we have made since the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014 and the difficulties that lie ahead in achieving lasting peace in the Bangsamoro region,” Ebrahim said.

He added that this is an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue and exchanges of ideas toward the goal of promoting inclusive growth, participation and human development in the region.

“Let us seize this opportunity to learn from one another and work towards a better future for the Bangsamoro people. With the

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte says Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is using an obviously deceptive maneuvers deliberately designed to counter the Marcos administration’s solution to the problems hounding the education sector. This is concerning the suggestions of ACT Teachers for the

Department of Education (DepEd) to hire 30,000 public teachers and allocate a budget of P100 billion per year for building classrooms. Lean Daval Jr.

Councilor passes resolution to improve abaca production

DA 11 activates task force in preparation for El Niño

WithEl Niño starting to affect the agriculture sector of the Davao Region, the Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) activated the Regional Task Force to identify vulnerable and non-vulnerable areas in times of drought.

“So far wala pa kay naa pa man ta sa transition period from La Niña to El Niño. Pero activated na ang atoang Regional Task Force para ma identify ang vulnerable and non-vulnerable areas. We will focus more sa atoang rehab interventions sa vulnerable and at the same time maximize the production output ng mga non-vulnerable areas,” Joedel Leliza, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) focal of DA 11, told Edge Davao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has been continuously monitoring the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions in the tropical Pacific.

El Niño (warm phase of ENSO) is characterized by unusually warmer than average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP).

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The final La Niña advisory was issued last March 10, 2023 with ENSO - neutral conditions now present.

“However, based on recent conditions and model forecasts, El Niño will likely develop in July-August-September (JAS) 2023 season and may persist until 2024. With this development, the PAGASA ENSO Alert and Warning System is now raised to El Niño watch,” PAGASA said in a statement.

According to PAGASA, El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected.

“PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the development of this ENSO phenomenon. All concerned government agencies and the general public are encouraged to keep on monitoring and take precautionary measures against the impending impacts of El Niño,” it said. By Maya M. Padillo

Councilor

Marissa Abella, chairperson of the committee of agriculture, aquaculture, and food of the city council, passed a resolution which aims to protect the quality production of abaca.

Abella is pushing for the approval of the “Resolution Urging the Approval of an Abaca Seed program with the Establishment of a Tissue-Culture Laboratory for Abaca Seedlings and Other Cash Crops” that aims to address the concerns of the ab-

aca farmers.

In her privilege speech on Tuesday, Abella cited that the concerns of the abaca farmers started in October last year when NewTech Pulp, one of the major buyers of abaca wrote

a letter to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Philfida) announcing that it will no longer buy abaca fiber in Davao Region as the Daratex variety, which the farmers are growing, are of local quality and does not meet the quality standards of the buyer.

Based on the record of the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO), most of the abaca farmers in Davao City were engaged in FCOUNCILOR, P10

Davao police boosts fight against rape of minors

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) together with the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) and the city government of Davao is boosting its fight against rape of minors with the launching of Oplan KILOS at the DCPO’s Sandigan Hall in Davao City on Monday.

Oplan KILOS, which stands for Kababaihan, Kabatan-onan, Kalalakinhan Igiya Laban Sa Pag-

panlugos, aims to reduce rape cases specially involving minors in Davao City and the Davao Region.

DCPO director Colonel Alberto Lupaz told media on Monday that in 2018 rape cases in Davao City increased and although the cases continue to decrease since then it stayed as consistent top 3 in the city’s crime index.

“With this Oplan KILOS this is

our measure para maibaba ang mga kaso ng rape,” Lupaz said in an interview.

Lupaz said this will be implemented in the barangay level.

He said the program will identify pilot areas where rape cases are high and will choose 20 families to undergo seminars on rape.

“We will together with the barangay mechanism at palaka-

Councilor Marissa Abella, chairperson of the committee of agriculture, aquaculture, and food of the city council, passes a resolution, which aims aims to address the concerns of the abaca farmers in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Diokno: Marcos backs Landbank-DBP merger

FinanceSecretary Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supports the proposed merger of state-run banks Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The matter was discussed during a sectoral meeting held on Tuesday, Diokno said in a briefing.

Merging the 2 financial institutions will create a bank that’s bigger than BDO Unibank in terms of assets, the Finance chief said.

BDO is currently the country’s largest bank in terms of assets as

of September 2022, followed by the Landbank of the Philippines. DBP is at the 8th spot.

“By merging the 2, it will now become the number 1 bank in the Philippines... That’s really the best practice, the biggest bank is owned by the state, globally,” Diokno said.

“The President expressed the desire to merge the 2 to make it

the biggest bank in the country because of the recent financial developments abroad,” he added.

The merger will result in savings for the government of about P5.3 billion per year in the next 4 years. Loans from the surviving entity may also be lower than the current rates, he said.

“As a result of the merger, there will be savings, the merged bank will be stronger. One likely outcome of this is maybe interest rate charged will be lower,” Diokno said.

To date, Landbank has 752 branches while DBP has 147.

MPIC to invest P2B in SP New Energy

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is set to invest an initial P2 billion in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC), seeking to capitalize on the government’s shift to boost the share of renewable energy in the total mix by 2030.

In a filing to the local bourse, MPIC said it will acquire 1.6 billion common shares of SPNEC from Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPH) at P1.25 per share, priced at a discount to the 52-week volume-weighted average price (VWAP).

The agreement, the first

of several, was signed by SPH chief executive officer and president Leandro Leviste and MPIC chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan who will take over as SPNEC board chairman upon closing.

“Our thrust of pursuing renewable energy brings the MVP Group one step closer to fulfilling our mission of creating long-term value for our stakeholders through responsible and sustainable investments,” Pangilinan said.

Further agreements would provide for MPIC to acquire up to a total of 19 billion common

Fitch Solutions eyes last BSP rate increase for 2023 in May

With inflation expected to remain elevated in most of 2023, Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research forecasts another 25 basis points hike in the central bank’s key rates in May, seen as the last for the year.

previous month’s 14-year high of 8.7 percent.

shares or 43% of the total outstanding shares of SPNEC upon the completion of an asset-forshare swap with SPH which would increase its shares to 34.3 billion.

“We are humbled and grateful for this opportunity, and believe that SPNEC now has the final ingredients to realize the value of our developments for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda. SPNEC went public in December 2021, focusing mainly as an integrated developer, own-

FMPIC, P10

Last week, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy-making Monetary Board (MB) hiked by 25 basis points the central bank’s key rates to 6.25 percent for the overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) rate, bringing to 425 basis points the total uptick, from the record-low rate of 2 percent in 2020.

In a report released to journalists on Monday, Fitch Solutions sees inflation to return within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band only in the second half of this year.

“Although the central bank dialed back on the pace of monetary tightening, we still think that the cycle has a little further to run as inflation will remain elevated over the coming months,” it said.

The rate of price increases decelerated to 8.6 percent last February, little changed from the

The report said that since domestic inflation rate remains sticky, “concerns about price stability will spur the BSP towards hiking rates a little further at its next meeting” or on May 18, 2023.

The research arm of Fitch Group said a pause in the central bank’s rate hiking cycle is forecast for the rest of the year as “signs of economic weakness will become increasingly evident in the data.”

It sees economic growth to be around 5.9 percent this year, slower than the 7.6 percent in 2022 and below the government’s 6 to 7 percent assumption for this year.

“We think that the economic slowdown will be driven by lackluster global demand and the lagged impact of domestic monetary tightening,” it added.

The report cited that with the peso still “susceptible to sell-offs in the near term due to a sustained wide currency account deficit”, risks for any hike in the BSP’s key rates is on the upside.

A depositor withdraws from an automated teller machine (ATM) outside a LandBank of the Philippines branch along San Pedro Street in Davao City. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supports the proposed merger of state-run banks Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines. Lean Daval Jr.

Shortage of local pork expected due to ASF

Support for electric vehicle use incentivization grows

Incentivizing the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country in a bid to reduce carbon emissions has gained the support of various mobility and clean air advocates.

“In this day and age, it’s important that we recognize policy and technology solutions are key to ensuring significant and efficient emission reduction in our cities and in national governments,” Dang Espita-Casanova, program manager at Clean Air Asia said in a statement.

“This process we believe should be participatory, inclusive, and highlights the co-benefits of actions so that we are able to engage and enlist support from all actors in the space,” Espita-Casanova said.

Meanwhile, chemist and university professor Abigail Arillaga is backing the move to incentivize the use of EVs to help mainstream their use.

Arillaga said the introduction of EVs to the country can help reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses which are harmful to the environment.

“In the Philippines, sad to say, if we cannot incentivize its use, it will be difficult to persuade others to patronize this product over the traditional one or over the other,” Arilaga said.

The government has issued Executive Order No. 12 series of 2023 which temporarily modifies the tariff rate for electric vehicles and components.

The order, however, did not cover electric motorcycles and other two-wheeled electric vehicles.

Under EO 12, only kick scooters, self-balancing cycles, bicycles, and pocket motorcycles with auxiliary motors not exceeding 250 watts and a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour have zero percent import duties, while electric motorcycles are still subject to a 30% tariff rate.

For his part, Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit urged for the revision of the EO to include e-motorcycles in the tax relief.

Mobility advocacy group

FSUPPORT, P10

Ashortage

of supply in local pork is seen in the coming months due to the African Swine Fever (ASF), projections from the National Livestock Program (NLP) showed.

According to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), 17 provinces in 10 regions have active ASF cases.

NLP projections showed that the shortage would be felt starting April, and would intensify by June.

Nic Briones of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines lamented the government’s supposed lack of support to affected hog raisers, saying it affects

the country’s livestock supply.

Briones said hog raisers in the Visayas have been greately affected by ASF.

“Buong region 6, kasama na Iloilo, Capiz, Roxas, tinatamaan. Tuluy-tuloy na yan, di na yan mapipigil, hanggang maubos ang mga backyard raisers. Ang Cebu ganon din, napasok. Tuluy-tuloy na rin iyan,” Briones said.

Briones said the government must rethink policies in respond-

ing to ASF-affected areas.

He added hograisers must receive P10,000 per culled swine to encourage them to repopulate.

But the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the country has an “enough supply” of frozen imported pork.

It also downplayed the looming shortage, saying this was only based on projects.

“Kung nakikita natin ang projection, talagang kukulangin tayo and that’s the time na sinasabi ko nga kanina, if we have the final figure, then we can say na ilan ba, if mag-iimport tayo, ilan ang vol-

CebPac sales soar 261%, trims net loss to P14-B

Cebu Pacific said on Tuesday its net loss narrowed to P14 billion in 2022 from P24.9 billion the previous year as travel demand increased.

Revenues in 2022 grew 261 percent to P56.8 billion due to higher travel demand for both domestic and international markets,

Cebu Pacific said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

“CEB is ready to move forward with optimism and confidence as we transition from recovery to growth mode. We remain committed to enabling everyone to fly and look forward to welcoming even more

passengers onboard in the coming months.” said Mike Szucs, CEO of Cebu Pacific.

EBITDA hit P664 million in 2022, it added.

Cebu Pacific said its operating loss was also reduced to P11.4 billion compared to the previous year.

Philippine Franchise Association project officer Kat Jereza discusses during this week’s PEP Talks the details of Franchise Negosyo para sa Davao at SM Lanang Premier, Davao City set on March 30 to April 1. Lean Daval Jr.

FSHORTAGE, P10

President

BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

S. PANES Director of Sales

GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

On the suggestions of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) for the Department of Education (DepEd) to hire 30,000 public teachers and allocate a budget of P100 billion per year for building classrooms.

“The call could not be coming from a place of genuine concern for the future of our learners and the welfare of our teachers. Instead, it is a call motivated by the group’s fascination for demands and goals that are unrealistic and impossible — placing the government in a precarious situation that will ultimately end in failure”.

Vice President and Education Secretary SARA DUTERTE

“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” - ANTHONY ROBBINS.

*******

Thousands of flag-waving and placard-bearing Israeii citizens are out in the streets protesting the Netanyahu government’s proposal to institute judicial reforms.

The public outcry started when the majority coalition formed by the comebacking PM Benjamin Netanyahu presented a legislative proposal giving the Knesset the authority to review, amend or turnaround decisions of the Supreme Court if the same jeopardize Israel’s national security, public safety and order.

(Latest news developments say PM Bibi has postponed plans to implement judicial reforms to avert a civil war. Earlier, Israel’s Defense minister quit his post.)

Netanyahu’s two-year absence from the prime ministership has emboldened militant groups living in Gaza and the West Bank to step up pockets

of terroristic activities, making surprise attacks and scoring kills and serious injuries on unsuspecting Israreli citizens (even soldiers) anywhere they are.

Israel is also continuously being pestered by intermittent drone and missile attacks from her northern borders that it says have links with Iran and other sponsors of terrorism.

The restlessness inside Israel is mostly an offshoot from whatever remains of the political opposition that Netanyahu replaced who want to see the Netanyahu coalition fail and fall.

In the guise of preserving democracy and protecting the rights and freedoms of Israeli citizens, the opposition led by ex-PM Yair Lapid and other anti-government blocs is raising the issue that Netanyahu’s judicial proposal will weaken the foundation of democracy and other institutions.

The opposition argues that the judicial changes will curtail the independence of the Supreme Court and create instabil-

ISRAEL IS RESTIVE

ity in the justice system.

Despite the mildly extensive street gatherings, Netanyahu appears to stand resolute on his judicial idea because he views the present circumstances as being critical and vital to quick and sound decision-making viz a vis the threats to the country’s national security.

The dilemma that Netanyahu faces in his native Israel seems to mirror similar circumstances and conditions in the Philippines where a minor sectoral issue, like the Jeepney Modernization Program, suddenly blows up into a huge national concern of alarming proportion and takes the entire government hostage.

Watch out if and when the Cha-Cha train rolls out of Congress.

I can imagine the political opposition - particularly the pro-Cory and the remnants of the Yellow Party - gathering together in massive, angry street protests against those who would boldly tinker with the 1987 Cory constitution.

It will be like a throwback to

the first Marcos administration when youth activism was at its highest and the students were at the forefront of major anti-Marcos demonstrations.

I am amused at these imaginings.

Israel and the Philippines appear to have some things in common.

For instance, we have a political opposition that wants badly to see the present government fall and its people suffer. This, even when the Philippines is just slowly recovering from the crippling effects of the pandemic that had collapsed our economy.

Like some ouster moves that went flat during the Duterte administration, Netanyahu is also wary about the opposition in Israel calling for new elections if his judicial reforms are pursued.

I am also amused at how Netanyahu is able to counter-act effectively the machiavellian strategies of the opposition when they (Lapid and his ministers) themselves were unable to quell and silence the terrositic attacks of anti-Zionist militant groups.

Among all other political leaders in Israel today, Netanyahu is the most capable, the most prepared and the most experienced in meeting present and future exigencies.

He is well-known to all world leaders and has steadily built Israel into what it is today - strong, resilient, prosperous and powerful.

He does not flip-flop over Iran’s prospects of successfuly producing nuclear power and has staunchly declared that Israel will not need to seek US approval if and when Israel decides to move militarily against the latter.

Although surrounded by enemies from the north, east, west and south, Netanyahu, the longest serving prime minister of israel, has ably prepared his country - economically and militarily - to meet unfavorable contingensies head on.

I guess this is one situation we are not in common with Israel. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

From being a long-neglected sector, the Philippine agriculture industry is now up for a major overhaul to become one of the keys to economic development.

None other than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who took on the role of heading the agriculture sector, himself believed that with sound measures to develop the industry’s portfolio, the Philippines can achieve significant upgrades in our local farmers’ quality of life, and consequently, will help boost local food production for the Filipinos.

Close collaboration with the business community will be vital in the fulfilment of the president’s ambitious goals for the agriculture industry.

One conglomerate, in particular, is stepping up to provide much-needed support — the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. led by chair Manny V. Pangilinan or MVP.

In the second part of his interview with context.ph, MVP initially cited the issues that the local agriculture sector faces and what the group is doing to help.

“There is increasing importation of food items into the country. Our ability to grow what we need to feed our people is not there. I think it’s time to address the issues surrounding that and I am glad the President is paying a lot of attention to agri. Agri and aqua go hand in hand. It’s something I feel our group should help in whatever way we can to ameliorate the food situation,” MVP said.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the many issues in the holistic food management system, as MVP recalled the initial problems the country had to deal with such as supply chains and imports clogging up because of the limited mobility to contain the virus outbreak.

Thankfully though, there is an array of solutions meant to unravel the many potentials of the sector. In a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, it was highlighted that a technology-enabled systems-based approach will enable us to move forward toward our goal of food security.

MVP echoed the need for this strategy anchored on both infra and technology. The supply

chain related to food items, he said, should be part of the overall agriculture plan.

“The factor inputs that get into production of food in this country — whether fresh food, canned food or cooked food — we need to have a digital map of where they are procured and where they are eventually sold. Several food items produced locally are seasonal in nature, so their storage is very important, and the logistics and costs of those logistics are also very important.”

Reports have surfaced regarding the new agribusiness portfolio that MPIC had been acquiring — including ventures in the dairy and coconut industries. According to MVP, the group is learning as they go, as these are new businesses to them.

“The main challenge on the agri side is the ability to get into commercial farming where you need significant amounts of land and you have to develop the science and management of large commercial farms.”

Leasing land, like what neighboring countries Indonesia and Malaysia are doing, is the

viable approach, he said.

“We have to put the money to where the production inputs are to produce the food. For staple items, you do need large-scale farming to reduce the costs and make it available hopefully on a year-round basis.”

In MVP’s mind, a new model should be adopted when it comes to the issue of agrarian reform, one that focuses on deploying technology and making agriculture profitable for businesses.

“Let’s look at the new model in this current age, especially our ability to deploy technology both on the growing side of the business and on the logistics side of the business.”

MPIC is aiming to set an example and make agriculture a profitable venture for the business community to follow suit. As he said, “I hope we can be a cowbell investor that we have to prove that this makes sense and this makes profits. If they see that we’re losing a lot of money then why should businesses get into it?”

He recalled a similar situation years ago when he decided to acquire and build the MPIC’s

hospital portfolio with Makati Medical Center, and the more recent acquisition of the dairy firm Carmen’s Best.

As a matter of fact, MVP addressed issues that these businesses were bought to serve as “deodorizers” for MPIC.

“I can assure you that is not the intention, we are serious about this. We are not investing to look good to anybody. So we have to show performance, to our shareholders, to our board, that this makes sense and that eventually, we can scale up to make it a contributor not only to Metro Pacific but to the larger economy,” MVP said.

Most importantly, he said, the investments made in Philippine agriculture are anchored on a fundamental premise. “It is a need of our people. We have to feed our people first, rather than importing what we want to import.”

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.

PH AGRI SECTOR UP FOR A BOOST UNDER BBM’S WATCH

JOE ZALDARRIAGA ESPRESSO MORNINGS

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

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The vivo V27 Series is now available for pre-order in vivo’s e-store nationwide priced at Php 24,999 for vivo V27 5G and Php 16,999 for vivo V27e variant. To know more about the vivo V27 series, visit vivo’s official website or follow vivo on its official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

The vivo V27 Series is also available for installment plans via Home Credit and all major credit cards with zero percent interest. Hurry and don’t miss the chance to see and feel the premiumness of The Aura Portrait Master, the vivo V27 Series in your own hands!

WOW! Fiesta Brings the Festival Feels to Mindanao

Padayon ang “Fiesta Feels” karong 2023 sa Davao City! Even if the Kadayawan Festival is a few months away, every day is a time for Davaoenos to revel in their city’s vibrancy.

Now that one of the country’s biggest and most progressive cities is bouncing back from the pandemic, Davaoenos have every reason not just to celebrate bountiful harvests, but also life’s abundant blessings.

And they do so wonderfully by singing their hearts out every chance they get! May saya ng fiesta sa bawat kanta!

WOW! Fiesta, the first name in world-class videoke entertainment, wants to join in on the fun while tapping the city’s singing talents. After all, this is the city that produced singing superstars KZ Tandingan, Juris Fernandez, Jay Durias and Joey Ayala have a wealth of beautiful voices.

WOW! Fiesta empowers the modern Filipino household with superior home entertainment. It not only offers great value for money, it also has versatile products that can be used for every occasion. WOW Fiesta is distributed by Audio-Video Solutions Corporation, offers a premium line of portable videoke systems and professional audio products. They continue to revolutionize their product offerings to provide

Filipino families with topnotch home entertainment, office and small events experience.

For some exciting news for singing enthusiasts in Mindanao and across the country, the company is introducing the new WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital. With this amazing product priced at Php 26,999, you can sing all

you want with thousands of built-in songs and two digital wireless microphones for a fun karaoke party, anytime!

“As we continue to innovate, we want our Filipino customers and even our prospective customers to experience the fun and enjoyment in singing with a world-class videoke with their

friends and families. With our newest WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital, bringing or singing videoke anywhere in the world is now possible because of its global frequency compatibility. Pinoys can gift their relatives abroad and even migrants can now sing with WOW! Fiesta videoke.”; as shared by Jinefer Cortez, AVSC’s Marketing Man-

ager.

The WOW! Fiesta Advantage

The WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital is loaded with 10,000 built-in and licensed songs which are securely stored internally, unlike with other brands whose songs are stored in the USB or SD Cards. The WOW! Fiesta songs are especially handpicked for your enjoyment, including the latest international hits such as Butter, Levitating, My Universe, All I Ask, Say So, Deja Vu, Beautiful Mistakes, Dance Monkey, 34+35, Blinding Lights, Drivers License, Ice Cream, Lover, Good 4 U, I Like Me Better, Memories; and all-time OPM favorites like Pagsamo, Mapa, Lagi, Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay, Ikaw Lang, Sigurado, Di Ka Sayang and more!

The two Professional Digital Wireless Microphones lets you enjoy the freedom of wireless singing. There’s less of a chance of hearing unwanted noises and interference when you are singing.

Besides the high-quality sound for an all-out singing enjoyment, the WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital has visually stunning video backgrounds all in glorious Full HD 1080p resolution. You can choose from international sites, Philippine sceneries, animations and even customized your videos.

CCC joins Earth Hour in nod to address climate change

The Climate Change Commission PH (CCC) joined this year’s #BiggestHourForEarth campaign to further raise awareness on the needed urgent and collective global climate action.

The CCC took part in the

main switch-off event at Quezon City Memorial Circle on March 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., spearheaded by the Quezon City Government and WWF-Philippines.

CCC Vice Chairperson and

Executive Director (VCED) Robert E.A. Borje shared that, ironically, “an hour of absence of light sheds a light on the collective need to address the climate crisis.”

“By switching our lights off,

we want to be a beacon for all and a signal to all. We want to tell the world that we need to act for our country and our world in the face of climate change,” VCED Borje emphasized.

In addition to raising awareness on climate change, Earth Hour 2023 also aimed to promote energy conservation. In the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, it is estimated that around 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the energy sector.

In the Philippines, the energy sector accounts for 55% of the domestic emissions, with household and commercial energy consumption ranking as the second and fourth highest demand based on the latest National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, respectively.

To respond to the growing emissions, the National Climate Change Action Plan includes ‘sustainable energy’ as among its thematic priorities with the aim of promoting and implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures.

VCED Borje urged the public to take climate action beyond an hour and make it a part of their daily life.

“Panahon lang ang mai-

bibigay natin sa mundo, but the irony of it all, we do not have the luxury of time. Ang climate change ay nararamdaman natin and we need to act together. Tonight, our challenge is to act beyond one hour, at gawin natin ang lahat para ang isang oras na ito ay maging isang commitment at pagmamahal habambuhay, hindi lang isang oras,” he concluded.

Held annually, Earth Hour encourages Filipinos and citizens around the world to switch off non-essential lights for an hour to conserve energy and protect the planet.

In a video message, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. expressed his support to the 2023 Earth Hour.

“It only takes 60 minutes to do good for our future, 60 minutes to take notice and commit to saving Mother Nature, to be united and take action because together nothing is impossible,” said President Marcos.

Earth Hour first took place as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007.

For its 16th year, the Earth Hour put a spotlight on the #BiggestHourForEarth to call on the need to address climate change. (CCC PH)

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intentions. She added that the call came at the height of the NPA-initiated violence in six towns of Masbate that affected over 55,199 learners and 2,815 school personnel.

“ACT Teachers, while silent about the NPA operations, apparently needed to come up with something outrageous to divert the public’s attention away from the damage that the NPA attacks caused to our Masbate learners,” she said.

Duterte said DepEd intends to continue hiring additional teaching and non-teaching personnel this year.

She said DepEd is also set to deploy more administrative officers in schools to complement its workforce and ultimately reduce the administrative tasks of teachers.

She added that instead of solely focusing on archaic and ineffective solutions, DepEd will also tap into available technology to address current challenges.

The secretary said these are part of the reforms that DepEd will put into place to guarantee that Filipino students receive a basic education that is effective as well as promote the welfare of teachers.

“The Marcos administration will not be pressured, hoodwinked, or distracted by groups like ACT Teachers. Our objective is to eliminate elements that contribute to learning losses, effectively implement reforms, and exercise fiscal responsibility by using resources wisely through innovations and mechanisms that will improve learning. Nice try, ACT Teachers,” she said.

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planting the daratex variety, which is also known as fake or spurious abaca and is very attractive to the farmers because of its superior ergonomic characteristics. It also easily thrives in different soil quality, bad weather conditions, and substandard maintenance.

“As compared to the true abaca varieties such as Tangongon, Inosa, which have 55 to 70 percent fiber recovery, Daratex variety only yields up to 32 percent fiber recovery. And while some farmers may have been planting the Philfida-recommended variety Tangongon, the families will have to wait for 18 to 24 months for harvest time to have income. During these times, they have no source of income,” Abella said.

Under her proposed Abaca Seed Program, actions to be undertaken are the inventory and profiling of the affected abaca farmers, short-term provision of food assistance, provision of cash-crop seedlings, cash for work (replacement of Daratex to Tangongon), the establishment of the tissue culture laboratory for abaca and other cash crops, and distribution of seedlings.

“As the chairperson of the committee on agriculture, it is one of my priorities that Davao City can protect the quality production of abaca as this is considered as “sariling atin.” If these problems of the abaca industry will not be addressed promptly, the Philippines may lose its status as the top abaca-producing country in the near future,” Abella said.

blocking the traditional routes of the NPA rebels and cutting off their resource and supply generations in the area.”

“We intend to finish this fight. We shall continue to capitalize on our gains and step up some more to finally defeat the NPA to its smallest formations,” Banzon said.

He said pursuit operations were ongoing as of posting time, while efforts were also being done to identify the two slain rebels. (PNA)

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ninth anniversary of the signing of the CAB, may we all be reminded that this political settlement is not the end of the Bangsamoro narrative but rather a continuation of our lifelong quest for justice, peace and progress,” Ebrahim said.

For his part, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense (DND), expressed his agency’s full support in securing peace and order in the region.

“Rest assured that our agency will fully support the CAB’s implementation so that the dividends of peace and development will continue to be felt,” said Galvez, who previously headed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

Galvez stressed that the defense department and the military shall protect the Bangsamoro region from peace spoilers.

“The DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be the vanguards of peace and security in the Bangsamoro (region). We

sin natin. Right after this we are planning to conduct social investigation,” he said.

He said incidence of rape is high in the areas where informal settlers reside that include Talomo, Tugbok, and Sta. Ana.

Meanwhile, PRO 11 director Brigadier General Alden Delvo said he also saw the rise in rape cases in Davao Region thats why it should be address this properly.

“For all we know nisaka ni siya during the pandemic but post pandemic naman ta karon there is still a rising trend, although, wala na nag number one ang Davao Region for rape cases but I am morally convinced na i-solve natin dahil karamihan na affected ay mga minors. Most of the perpetrators ay fathers or uncles. Nabalaka ko ug maayo ani,” he said.

Delvo said with the said program they are planning to invite different sectors including church, academe, LGUs and probably from the medical sector also to come and join in the workshop.

By Maya M. Padillo

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FROM 4 ume na kailangan natin. Pero for now we cannot declare that,” said Agriculture Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez.

“Mahirap kasi yung may kanya-kanyang estimates. May estimate ang private sector, may estimate ang ating agency, i-harmonize natin iyon,” he added.

shall not allow the spoilers of peace to negate the gains we have achieved,” he added.

er, and operator of solar power projects. Its affiliate Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc. has a service contract for the exclusive exploration and development of a property in Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, MPIC has interests in services and products, power, toll operations, water, healthcare, rail, and logistics among others, through its units Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc., Manila Electric Company, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., Maynilad Water Holding Company Inc., and Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp.

Shares in MPIC were trading up P0.10 or 2.72% at P3.77 and those in SPNEC down P0.01 or 0.60% at P1.67 as of writing.

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“In a risk-off event, the BSP may be forced to hike more aggressively than we expect to defend the currency. Second, if price pressures surprise to the upside, possible due to further supply disruptions, the central bank would likely have to hike its policy rates even further to anchor inflation expectations,” it said. (PNA)

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Electric Kick Scooter of the Philippines (EKS PH) co-founder

Tim Vargas said it is “unfair” that electric motorcycles were not given tax breaks like other types of electric vehicles.

Arillaga, likewise, said that it will be harder to shift to EVs unless the government rolls out monetary incentives for its use along with an awareness campaign of its benefits and comprehensive research on its effectiveness.

She said that while EVs are being explored, the shift to the new mode of transport should be gradual as the country still relies on non-renewable energy sources.

According to the Statista Research Department, the power production in the Philippines is still dominated by coal at 47.6%, other fossil fuels at 18%, and gas at 10.7%, which totals 76.3%.

Various types of renewable energy like wind, solar, bioenergy, hydro, and other renewables make up 23.7% of the country’s total power source.

Clean air advocates have been pushing for the shift to electric vehicles to help reduce carbon emissions in the country as transport is the main source of air pollution and other issues relating to global warming.

The Philippines aims to go full-on electric vehicles by 2040.

The Department of Energy said it is eyeing to boost the share of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country beyond the mandated 5% mandatory share of EVs in public and private sector fleets as it works on the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry (CREVI), which will provide the timeframe for the mandate.

As it works on formulating the EV industry roadmap, the DOE said it is “batting for a faster and broader commercial scale rollout of EVs in the country once the CREVI is approved, as the 10% EV rollout under the clean energy scenario will be increased to 50% by 2040.”

Clippers bounce back with big win over Bulls

LOS ANGELES — Nicolas Batum got all of his season-high 24 points on eight 3-pointers, and

Eric Gordon added 22 points in the Los Angeles Clippers’ comfortable 124-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 as the Clippers rebounded from an embarrassing loss to New Orleans with 20 3-pointers in an impressive outside shooting display led by Batum. The Frenchman replaced ailing Marcus Morris in the starting lineup and produced a spectacular game from the perimeter, hitting eight of his first nine

3-point attempts while Los Angeles ran away in the first three quarters.

See Jokic posts 29th triple-double of season as Nuggets beat Embiid-less 76ers

“It was nothing crazy, just really open shots,” said Batum, who finished one shy of his career high in 3s, set 11 years ago.

“I didn’t have to take a dribble

on any of those shots. I just had open shots, and my teammates made some good passes. It was just good basketball.”

Gordon had his biggest scoring performance since returning to the Clippers in a trade last month, and Russell Westbrook added 12 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. The Clippers finished with a season-high 41 assists, topping 40 in a game for the first time since January 2015.

“When we’re attacking the paint, attacking the rim and playing the right way, we’re a really good team,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “Tonight was a blue-

print of how we should play.”

Los Angeles (40-36) kept hold of fifth place in the Western Conference standings and moved a half-game behind fourth-place Phoenix.

Zach LaVine scored 23 points and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and eight rebounds for the Bulls, who followed up their impressive win over the Lakers on Sunday with a dud.

DeMar DeRozan had 21 points and seven assists in his hometown, but Chicago lost for only the third time in 10 games and missed a chance to pull even with Toronto and Atlanta for eighth place in the East.

“When a team gets into a rhythm, that’s what generally happens,” coach Billy Donovan said. “Tonight we just didn’t do a good enough job all around. ... I felt we gave up too many uncontested 3s, especially early when they started to find their rhythm. And then the ones we did contest, they made, because I think we gave them too many open looks early.”

The Clippers improved to 2-1 without leading scorer Paul George, who is all but certain to miss the rest of the regular season after spraining his right knee in a loss to Oklahoma City last Tuesday.

PH athletes in SEA Games down to 840

The Philippine team to the Southeast Asian Games has been reduced in number in terms of the participating athletes.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed on Monday that the Filipino athletes going to Phnom Penh for the biennial meet are now down to 840.

“From the previously announced 905, it was reduced to

840,” Tolentino said right after the SEA Games torch rally here, adding that this will be the final count.

He said various reasons behind the reduction of numbers like typographical errors, for example, dual entry and wrong entry.

Tolentino, however, said the POC also had to let go of some reserve athletes and those who cannot make it to the Cambodian

capital as their passports have already expired and their renewal process might not make it in time.

Having to let go of such athletes could possibly hamper the Philippine team’s bid to match or even go higher than its fourth-place finish in the overall standings during last year’s edition in Hanoi, the first time the SEA Games were held in an even-numbered year due to a one-year postponement caused

by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“That’s the big challenge: how can we attain the fourthplace standing or better than that?” Tolentino said.

Despite losing some slots, it is still considered a blessing as the POC was initially targeting only around 600 athletes going to Phnom Penh.

“Medyo mahirap, but dahil sa fighting spirit ng atleta natin

at saka nadagdagan (It’s somehow tough, but because of our athletes’ fighting spirit and the increase in number) from 600 to 800, we might [still finish in fourth],” Tolentino said.

The POC earlier said 257 sports officials and coaches would join the Philippine team.

The SEA Games will formally begin on May 5, but some events will start as early as April 29. (PNA)

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 as the Clippers rebounded from an embarrassing loss to New Orleans with 20 3-pointers in an impressive outside shooting display led by Ncolas Batum.

STAY RETIRED

Pacquiao urged against ring return, nothing left to prove

Pacquiao is linked to a shock return to the ring in the year he turns 45, two years after confirming his retirement.

Several opponents are negotiating to be opposite to the Filipino superstar. They include the British Boxing Board of Control investigation subject Conor Benn and several household names in the United States.

However, many fans and media figures who have followed the oldest welterweight ruler of all time want a rethink. Despite right-hand man Sean Gibbons heralding the return of the ex-pound-for-pound king, a vast portion disagree with the notion.

Pacquiao has only fought twice in the last four years, one victory [versus Keith Thurman] and one defeat [against Yordenis Ugas]. But sketchy form aside, Pacquiao is seen as far too long in the tooth to get involved.

Those at the top of his division would have a massive advantage if Pacquiao continued his career, not to mention the up-and-comers who would cause him more problems now due to his aging status.

Terence Crawford and Errol

Spence are both well out of reach unless Pacquiao can prove himself all over again. The “Pac-man” would have to face someone in the ilk of Jaron Ennis or Vergil Ortiz Jr, two fighters who would begin favorites to win if pitted against the future Hall of Famer.

They’d give Pacquiao all his slowing body could handle and wouldn’t be an excellent selection for a comeback from yet another long absence.

The Conor Benn fight Benn would be a lot easier for Pacquiao on paper, but sticking to the exhibition formula of his last outing is the order of the day.

The last thing Pacquiao needs is a tough challenge. Many didn’t see that coming from Ugas in 2021. When it did, everyone agreed it was time to walk away.

Two more years are approaching without any significant training or challenges inside ropes. Therefore, Pacquiao must seek solace in his family and make the correct decision.

The Benn seems to be there one minute. However, his promoter Eddie Hearn has said Pacquiao

Boxing legend and record-breaking eight-weight champion Manny Pacquiao has been urged to remain out of the sport after hanging up his gloves in 2021.

Manny Pacquiao has been urged to remain out of the sport after hanging up his gloves in 2021.