Manila Standard - 2024 Dec 24 - Tuesday

SOLONS SCRUTINIZE NGCP OVER ALLEGED LAPSES, UNJUST PRACTICES

By Maricel V. Cruz

PH to buy Typhon missile system

Army chief: MRC to ‘project force’ up to 200-mile EEZ

By Rex Espiritu

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines said it plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system, also known as the mid-range capability (MRC) system, to protect its maritime interests, some of which are being contested by China.

“It is planned to be acquired because we see its feasibility and its functionality in our concept of archipelagic defense implementation,” Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said in a news conference.

“I’m happy to report to our fellow countrymen that your Army is developing this capability for the interest of protecting our sovereignty,” he said, adding the total number to be acquired would depend on “economics.”

The US Army earlier deployed the midrange missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally, and decided to leave it at the Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte.

Laoag airport is not among the nine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. It is, however, near two EDCA sites in Cagayan province –the Camilo Osias navy base in Sta Ana and Lal-lo airport. The missile system can fire the Standard

By Charles Dantes and Rolando Ng

PRESIDENT Marcos yesterday continued to lead the review of certain provisions of the proposed 2025 national budget as a senior Palace official sought to dispel speculation about reenacting this year’s allocation.

Mr. Marcos met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, members of the Economic Cluster, and Secretary of Public Works and Highways Manuel Bonoan.

The Economic Cluster—composed of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan—provided detailed input on the spending plan, which was received in printed form late Friday afternoon.

Last week, the President assured the public that the proposed 2025 national budget will be signed into law before Dec. 31.

“I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” he told Palace reporters,

By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday brushed aside a recent survey showing a slight decline in President Marcos’ ratings, emphasizing that the chief executive would rather focus on leading the country to the best of his abilities instead of bothering with the publicity value of all his decisions.

“True leadership always carries with it the burden to pursue courses of action which are right but may not be popular,” he stressed.

“Public interest is the sole driver behind every executive decision, not the pursuit of high ratings in the next opinion polls. High popularity ratings are the bonus and not the bedrock of effective public service,” Bersamin added.

Pulse Asia’s latest Ulat ng Bayan Survey had shown

By Ralph Harvey Rirao and Maricel Cruz

HEAVY to intense rains are expected in some areas of the country on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the government’s weather bureau PAGASA said yesterday.

In its 5 p.m. weather advisory, PAGASA said the forecast is due to a shear line that is affecting the country. A shear line, according to PAGASA is the convergence of cold air from the northeast monsoon (amihan) and warm winds from the Pacific Ocean (easterlies). This collision of winds can create clouds, rain showers, and thunderstorms.

The following weather conditions may be experienced on Christmas Eve:

• Heavy to intense rains (100-200 mm) - Northern Samar, Albay,

• Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur

• Moderate to heavy rains (50100 mm) - Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Aklan, and Capiz

• The following weather conditions are expected on Christmas Day:

• Heavy to intense rains (100-200 mm) - Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,

• Catanduanes, Quezon, and Aurora • Moderate to heavy rains (50100 mm) - Isabela, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Oriental Mindoro,

A2 NEWS

TF ‘Kanlaon’ pushes evacuations

By Rex Espiritu

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) called for the immediate evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer extended danger zone around Mount Kanlaon, following a Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (RIACC) meeting on Monday on the possible imposition of Alert Level 4.

OCD Western Visayas Director and Task Force Kanlaon chairperson Raul Fernandez led the critical meeting, which included representatives from Phivolcs, PAGASA, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD). The discussion focused on escalating volcanic activity and preparations for a potential Alert Level 4 scenario.

During the meeting, Phivolcs reported alarming findings from a December 12 aerial survey. Ash emissions and

low-frequency earthquakes have persisted since Monday morning, with the ash plume drifting west-northwest, potentially affecting Bacolod City and nearby areas.

ticularly during heavy rainfall.

a decline in the President’s approval rating to 48 percent, down from 50 percent in September, and his trust rating to 47 percent, also down from 50 percent.

addressing concerns over the delayed signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The President announced that his administration is reviewing the approved budget line-by-line to ensure resources are allocated to essential projects and programs.

Mr. Marcos also emphasized the importance of acting promptly on the measure, aiming to sign it before the year ends.

The proposed budget is expected to outline the administration’s priorities for 2025, focusing on economic recovery, infrastructure development, and public welfare initiatives.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez said that there was never any discussion about a reenacted budget.

‘’In the past two meetings that I attended with them, there was never a discussion on that (reenacted budget),’’ he told Palace reporters.

‘’President Marcos Jr. hopes to act on the measure before the year ends,’’ Chavez added.

Section 25 (7), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that if by the end of any fiscal year, Congress failed to pass the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for the ensuing year, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the preceding year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and in effect until the GAB is passed by Congress.

Although the budget was scheduled for signing on December 20, Mr. Marcos indicated that more time was needed to evaluate specific provisions, particularly those added during bicameral discussions.

As this developed, the Clergy for Good Governance held an Ecumenical Prayer Service calling for amendments to the budget approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

In a press conference, co-convenor Fr. Tony Labiao said that their group is seeking the restoration of cuts made on the Department of Education and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation budgets.

“For governance to be good, we need to have transparency. We wished that the budget was created with no hidden machinations. We felt that it could have been deliberated on the plenary and not on the bicam,” he said.

Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

Developed by US firm Lockheed Martin for the US Army, the Typhon has a range of 300 miles (480 kilometers), though a longerrange version is in development.

Galido said the missile system would enable the army to “project force” outwards up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers), which is the limit of the country’s maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“You have to take note of the fact that at 200 nautical miles, there is no land there and the army cannot go there,” he said.

“We need to contribute to this (defense of Philippine interests) by having this platform to be able to assist the primary major service that would focus on maritime and air domain,” Galido added.

Under that scenario, the Typhon platform “will protect our floating assets,” he

Marinduque, and Romblon

PAGASA said that forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas and that impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall.

“The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” PAGASA said.

“PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may issue Heavy Rainfall Warnings, Rainfall/Thunderstorm Advisories, and other severe weather information specific to their areas of responsibility as appropriate,” it added. Meanwhile, tollways operators are brac-

Since June 3, 2024, the volcano has recorded 2,181 tectonic earthquakes. Inflation was observed in the eastern and northeastern sectors starting in July, while deflation occurred in the southeastern and western sectors in late November.

Seismologists recommended mandatory evacuations within the danger zone, warning that volcanic activity could lead to major ground deformation, pyroclastic flows, and lahars, par-

said, a reference to ships of the Philippine navy, coast guard and other vessels.

Galido said Philippine Army personnel have been training on the missile system since it was left by the US after the Balikatan exercises in April.

“We are learning a lot,” he said.

Galido’s announcement of the plan to acquire the Typhon came days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024.

The NSS, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, focuses on four key areas: human capital development, institution-building, efficient use of instruments of national power such as diplomacy and defense, and sustainable growth through economic resilience and legislative support.

For its part, Beijing swiftly condemned the AFP’s decision to acquire the missile system as a “provocative and dangerous move” and warned it risked triggering an “arms race.”

“It is an extremely irresponsible choice for the history of its own people and the people of Southeast Asia, as well as

ing for a 10 to 15 percent increase in vehicle traffic due to the anticipated influx of motorists during the holiday season.

MPT South Corp. said it expects 10 to 15 percent vehicle traffic increase this holiday season, particularly with the opening of the new Segment 2 of Cavitex to and from Sucat.

“Same with CALAX as more travelers are expected to vacation in Tagaytay-Nasugbu area,” it added.

NLEX Corp. also expected a 10 percent increase in vehicle traffic for North Luzon Expressway, NLEX Connector Road and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway.

In 2024, NLEX recorded an average daily traffic of 334,000 vehicles, SCTEX 78,000, and the NLEX Connector 19,000.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. announced a toll-free initiative for motorists during select hours over the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

PAGASA warned that localized thunderstorms and rains in the coming days could carry ash to Guimaras and other areas. Health officials reminded camp managers to enforce food safety measures, especially during the holiday season, to prevent food poisoning in evacuation centers.

On the part of local government units (LGUs), Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson affirmed the need to enforce evacuation protocols without extending the danger zone to 10 kilometers. LGUs have activated contingency plans and are preparing for worst-case scenarios.

for regional security,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday.

“The region needs peace and prosperity, not missiles and confrontation,” she added.

The presence of the US missile launcher in the northern Philippine angered Beijing, whose navy and coast guard forces engaged in escalating confrontations in recent months with Manila, in the West Philippine Sea.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Galido dismissed the criticism against the Typhon system in the Philippines.

“We should not be bothered by others’ seeming insecurities because we don’t have any plans to go outside of our country’s interests,” he said.

As a rule, however, it takes at least two or more years for the Philippine military to acquire a new weapons system from the planning stage, Galido said, adding it was not yet budgeted for 2025.

It took five years for Manila to take delivery of the BrahMos cruise missile last year, he added. With AFP

Motorists can enjoy free toll passage on the following expressways — NLEX, SCTEX, NLEX Connector, CAVITEX, and CALAX — during the festive hours of December 24 from 10:00 PM to December 25 at 6:00 AM, and again from December 31 at 10:00 PM to January 1 at 6:00 AM.

“Family time is priceless, especially during the holidays. Offering toll-free access is our humble gift to families who wish to maximize their time together,” Manuel V. Pangilinan, MPTC chairman and chief executive said.

MPTC noted that outside of these designated hours, standard toll fees will be applicable.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, motorists are encouraged to have their RFID checked at the nearest Easytrip service center prior to entering the expressways. With Darwin Amojelar

The survey, showing a two and three percent decline in Mr. Marcos’ approval and trust ratings respectively, was conducted from November 26 to December 3 on 2,400 respondents. Bersamin reiterated that effective leadership is grounded in pursuing the public good, even at the cost of popularity. The Executive Secretary acknowledged the value of surveys as “dipstick readings” of public sentiment but stressed that governance success should be measured by tangible indicators such as employment and economic growth.

“As the President’s actions show, we have remained focused on our critical mission of uplifting lives, growing the economy, and securing our future,” pointed out.

The same survey also showed that Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval rating fell to 50 percent from 60 percent, and her trust rating dropped to 49 percent from 61 percent over the same period.

The Vice President’s approval and trust ratings fell by a much more significant 10 and 12 percent respectively, supposedly due to several issues, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds and death threats she made on the President, his spouse and the House Speaker.

Among the four highest officials in the country—President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House—Duterte had the biggest decline.

Pulse Asia President Dr. Ronald Holmes said Duterte’s repeated denial of accusations directed against her did not help raise her public image.

“Her [Duterte] denials do not represent an explanation. Some Filipinos may believe her, but others think that she has a lot of explaining to do,” Holmes told ABS-CBN News in Filipino.

As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomed the latest survey results, indicating that 57 percent of Filipinos have a positive opinion of the Marcos administration’s efforts in responding to the needs of calamity-hit areas.

Irene Dumlao, the agency’s assistant secretary for disaster response management, attributed the favorable approval rating to their collaboration with national and local government agencies during calamities and disasters.

“As part of the government’s disaster responders, we are immensely grateful for the positive opinion and appreciation given by the public. Rest assured that we embrace your favorable rating not just as a badge of honor, but as a driver to continuously improve our mandate,” Dumlao, also the agency’s spokesperson, said in a statement.

“Given that we are touching on sections and articles of the franchise being enjoyed by NGCP, I therefore move that during the next committee hearing, we do a thorough review and we do a thorough analysis of the performance of NGCP with respect to its franchise. So moved, Mr. Chair,” Suarez said.

In amending his motion, Suarez emphasized the need for a more decisive approach.

“May I call on the members to vote on conducting a motu proprio inquiry for the review of the congressional franchise of NGCP. I move a referendum be made on this matter. So moved, Mr. Chair,” Suarez said.

Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez seconded the motion, signaling strong support from lawmakers. With no objections raised, Tambunting declared the motion approved.

The upcoming inquiry will delve into NGCP’s compliance with its franchise obligations, focusing on delayed pro -

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda welcomed the DOH order.

“Byebye booklet. I thank the DOH for making permanent the change we requested in the House’s joint committee hearings on senior citizens’, PWD, and solo parents’ benefits. It’s a long overdue change. Salamat PBBM and salamat, (Health) Secretary Ted Herbosa,” the lawmaker said.

jects, alleged unfair charges to consumers for incomplete infrastructure, and the company’s prioritization of shareholder dividends over public service.

Committee members emphasized the importance of holding NGCP accountable for its franchise obligations.

“The power of oversight is within this committee,” Fernandez said. “We can and must review whether NGCP is living up to the expectations set by its franchise.”

The motion was prompted by allegations of widespread delays in NGCP’s transmission projects.

Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin reported that of the 111 NCGP projects approved during the third regulatory period, only 83 were completed, with 77 of these delayed. Meanwhile, 27 projects remain unfinished, 26 of which are behind schedule.

Garin noted that projects such as the Hermosa-San Jose transmission line have been rescheduled up to eight times, causing significant disruptions.

These delays, she said, have cascading effects, including higher costs for con-

Salceda, a resident economist who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, issued the statement following the issuance of DOH AO No. 2024-0017, which removed the requirement of presenting a Senior Citizen’s Booklet when availing of medicine discounts for seniors.

sumers and disruptions in power supply.

Adding to lawmakers’ frustration was NGCP’s 91.2% dividend payout rate, which prioritized billions in returns to shareholders over infrastructure development.

“Dapat inuuna nila ang priority at ang pagbibigay ng tamang serbisyo sa taong-bayan, hindi ang mga shareholders nila,” Suarez said. Fernandez also criticized NGCP for charging consumers for incomplete projects.

“Is it just and fair to impose and ask the consumers to pay for something that is still not operating?” Fernandez asked.

He continued: “More than P100 billion ang cost ng mga projects na ‘yan. Yet our recovery for that is less than 1%. So what my point here in saying, it may not entirely be accurate that in all cases NGCP is collecting for projects that are not yet useful or being used.”

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) also came under scrutiny for allowing NGCP to include “as-spent” costs in its Regulatory Asset Base,

“During the House hearings, it was brought up that the booklet requirement often causes senior citizens to get denied essential medicines. Senior citizens often forget these documents, or lose them,” Salceda said.

Salceda credited Speaker Martin Romualdez’s efforts for the issuance of DOH AO No. 2024-0017.

“It was Speaker Romualdez’s idea to bring the committees together and make things right for seniors and persons with disabilities,” he said.

The lawmaker said the 20 percent medicine discount, along with the VATfree treatment for a significant number of medicines, has been a lifesaver for many senior citizens.

which permits charging consumers for projects as expenses are incurred.

“Hindi po pwede na ‘yang hindi pa natin ginagamit na mga project eh ikakarga sa taong-bayan,” Fernandez said.

ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta and Commissioner Catherine Maceda dissented from the majority decision, arguing that consumers should only pay for completed and operational projects.

Dimalanta warned that under the asspent position, transmission rates could increase by 12 centavos per kilowatthour over a 12-month period.

However, adopting the as-completed approach, where only finished projects are charged, could result in a refund of over P1 per kilowatt-hour.

“Charging for projects that are incomplete, not yet operating, and unproven efficient is fundamentally wrong,” Dimalanta said, noting that the ERC’s final determination is expected in January 2025.

The inquiry will assess NGCP’s operational and financial compliance with its franchise, established under Republic Act No. 9511 in 2009.

NGCP operates and maintains the country’s state-owned power grid, with State Grid Corp. of China owning a 40% stake and the remaining 60% held by Filipino investors, including tycoons Henry Sy Jr. and Robert Coyiuto Jr. The House committee will invite NGCP officials, shareholders, and other stakeholders to shed light on the company’s performance.

The first session of the inquiry is expected to begin early next year. Meanwhile, a member of NGCP’s board of directors said they would seek a conference with lawmakers to clear up any “misunderstanding” about how they manage the power transmission company.

Francis Chua, also chairman of the Bank of Commerce, noted that NCGP’s private sector management team is “very much open” to suggestions on how the company can be run more efficiently. He also denied a congressman’s assertion that the NGCP management is treating the company’s transmission facilities as if they were privately owned when in fact they belong to the government.

IN BRIEF

Army, cops seize Red guns in Quezon, Bicol

COMBINED elements of the Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division (2ID) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have seized two arms caches of communist revels during separate operations in General Nakar, Quezon and Labo, Camarines Norte.

The raid in Quezon on Dec. 19 stemmed from information about the arms in Barangay Pagsangahan believed hidden by the insurgents. The cache consisted of two rifle barrels, four improvised firing devices, 32 rounds of live ammunition, four shotgun shells, a sling bag, and assorted wires.

Meanwhile, the 201st Infantry Brigade reported that troops of the 16th Infantry Battalion together with the police acted on information from a former rebel regarding the location of firearms buried in Barangay Malibago, Labo, Camarines Norte.

The operation led to the recovery of 2, 307 rounds of live ammunition for various firearms, three rolls of detonating cords, 86 blasting caps, a roll of electrical wire, and three plastic drums.

In a statement, 2ID commander Maj. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr. emphasized that the discoveries mark another blow to the NPA’s capabilities in the two provinces. Rex Espiritu

‘Palit-ulo’ mess ends amicably in V’zuela ALL’S well that ends well. The so-called “palit-ulo” controversy involving a medical center in Valenzuela City has been amicably resolved upon the initiative of Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

Gatchalian said resolution of the case came following dialogues between the Ace Medical Center and the complainants.

Ace Medical extended financial assistance to the tune of P1 million to each of the victims of the alleged lpalit-ulo scam.

One of the victims, a seven year old child, was finally issued its birth certificate. Mayor Wes Gatchalian thanked Ace Medical Center for its voluntary cooperation to help put the controversy to rest.. Meanwhile, the complainant dropped their cases against the hospital in the spirit of the Christmas season. Ralph Harvey Rirao

Navy seizes P300m smuggled cigarettes

A PHILIPPINE Navy ship has reportedly confiscated some P30 million worth of smuggled cigarettes off Digos City in Davao del Sur.

The seizure was made on Dec. 18 by crewmen of the Navy ship BRP Herminigildo Yurong who spotted the off-loading of the cigarettes from the M/L ER-Far and M/B QAIREEN onto another seacraft.

“PG906 quickly responded to the situation and its inspection revealed that said watercraft had seven crew, one porter, and approximately 1, 000 master cases of smuggled cigarettes onboard.” Navy said in a statement..

While still aboard M/L ER-FAR, PG906 spotted another watercraft conducting similar activity at the shoreline of Punta Biao, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Rex Espiritu

9 administration bets lead OCTA senatorial survey

NINE of the top 12 preferred candidates in the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) senatorial survey ahead of the 2025 elections were part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration slate.

According to the survey conducted by OCTA Research from November 10 to 16, 2024, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, running on the administration slate, took the top spot with 73 percent of the voter preference.

DIGGING UP REBEL FIREARMS. Army troopers and policemen have separately dug up arms cache buried by communist insurgents remote areas in Quezon and Camarines Norte provinces.

Participants were asked: “If the May 2025 elections were held today, who would you likely vote for as senator?” Respondents were allowed to choose up to 12 candidates.

Ben Tulfo, media personality and independent candidate, followed closely in second place with 66 percent.

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, also backed by the administration, secured third place with 63 percent.

Re-electionist Senator Christopher Go, running under the PDP-Laban party, garnered 52 percent to take fourth place.

Oil firms’ Christmas gift for consumers: Price increase

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Rounding out the top 12 were administrationbacked candidates, including incumbent Senators Pia Cayetano and Ramon Revilla Jr., who each received 49 percent; former senators Panfilo Lacson (47 percent) and Manny Pacquiao (38 percent); Senators Lito Lapid (36 percent) and Francis Tolentino (32 percent); and former Interior secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (30 percent).

Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s sister, garnered 41 percent, placing her in the eighth spot. The survey, which involved face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide, has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

OCD eyes plan on ‘worst case’

scenario to meet super disasters

By Rex Espiritu

OFFICE of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno convened on Sunday a critical meeting to discuss and enhance the contingency plan in response to the recent series of earthquakes that shook Ilocos Sur, raising concerns about a potential tsunami event.

According to the OCD, the meeting brought together various government agencies to tackle preparations for a worst-case scenario.

Nepomuceno emphasized the urgent need to intensify the dissemination of early warning systems and the importance of communicating tsunami risks in layman’s terms to ensure public comprehension.

“We must create a system where, when there is a final warning, the message is clear: run to higher ground, not to evacuation centers. This is crucial for effective response,” he said.

everyone, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about where to evacuate.” In a proactive move to enhance disaster readiness, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) outlined key strategies for tsunami preparedness. The plan underscored rapid evacuation, risk assessment, and public awareness to mitigate potential threats.

Understanding the estimated arrival time of tsunami waves is critical for effective response. The councils plan to utilize hazard maps and collaborate with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to assess risks and refine evacuation protocols. Communities will be educated on tsunami risks through information campaigns, drills, and emergency communication tests.

Identifying and maintaining safe evacuation routes is also a top priority.

The Department of Energy warned last week that oil prices will go up this week due to the stronger dollar versus the peso and the fall of US crude stocks.

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas last week said the expected higher pump prices can be attributed to the potential supply impact of the tighter sanctions against Russia, stoking further oil price volatility and optimism on economic growth and

by P0.75 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday. Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, PTT Philippines, PetroGazz, and Cleanfuel issued separate advisories of the oil price increase.

demand for oil following the interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

He said another factor is the tight diesel and gasoline supply in Asia due to limited exports from China and South Korea but this is capped by ample regional stockpile. On Dec. 17, 2024, oil companies implemented an increase on the price of petroleum products. Both gasoline and diesel have increased by P0.80 per liter, while kerosene has increased by P0.10 per liter.

“We need to rethink our approach. When a tsunami warning is issued, the instinctive action should be to seek higher ground. Many existing evacuation centers may not be safe in this context, and we cannot afford any confusion. Our community must understand this critical directive,” he added.

Director Agnes Palacio echoed Nepomuceno’s sentiment, highlighting the importance of effective information dissemination.

“It is essential that people understand the risks, regardless of whether they felt the earthquake,” she said. “We must communicate this information in a way that is accessible and understandable to

AFP’s Visayas Command (VISCOM) has been awarded the Seal of Excellence after securing its second recertification status under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Transformation Roadmap Institutionalization Pathway (AFPTRIP).

The honor was bestowed during the 89th AFP Anniversary celebration at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. VISCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg personally accepted the award presented by AFP Chief General

The councils aim to map optimal escape paths, test systems like the Tsunami Incident Command System (ICS), and ensure safe zones are located on higher ground or in sturdy buildings. Special attention is being given to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, disabled, and children, ensuring evacuation plans address their specific needs. Evacuation centers will be assessed to accommodate affected populations effectively.

The councils plan to conduct comprehensive risk analyses, conjuring worst-case scenarios such as a magnitude 8.2 earthquake along the Manila Trench. These studies will guide the identification of safe zones and shelters.

Romeo Brawner Jr. VISCOM had an overall rating of 96.43 percent in the recently concluded AFPTRIP deliberation.

“This achievement reflects the collective effort and dedication of every uniformed personnel, civilian human resource, and partner-stakeholders of VISCOM. It demonstrates that excellence is not merely an objective, but a standard we continuously uphold, driving us to consistently exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in our operations,” Reyeg said.

Fight proliferation of fake PWD cards’

By Rio N. Araja

THE Commission on Human Rights on

Monday raised grave concern over reports of alleged proliferation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities.

“As the country’s national human rights institution, CHR remains steadfast in advocating for the protection of persons with disabilities against all forms of exploitation and discrimination,” it said.

The proliferation of fake identification cards for PWDs is a serious violation of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and an affront to the dignity and rights of PWDs, the commission said.

Fraudulent practices such as the use of fake PWD cards undermine the integrity of such privileges and trivialize the legitimate struggles and daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities, it added.

“We commend and support these initiatives (to fight the proliferation of fake PWD cards). They are crucial in safeguarding the benefits and privileges accorded to persons with disabilities while ensuring that resources are allocated to those who genuinely need them,” the CHR said.

Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons grants PWDs with a 20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax (VAT) on certain goods and services.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is now developing a unified ID system for PWDs while the Bureau of Internal Revenue has initiated a national crackdown on the sale and use of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities.

A DAY before the deadline set by law, the Department of Labor and Employment on Monday appealed anew to owners of establishments in the private sector to give workers their 13th month pay.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the department, as well as employees, would truly appreciate the giving of the benefit, which is required under the Labor Code of the Philippines and Presidential Decree 851.

“Just to reiterate my earlier message and appeal for all employers to pay the 13th month of their employees on the deadline set by law which is Dec. 24,” he said in a text message.

“It would have been very much ap-

preciated if payment has already been made. In any case, paying it tomorrow will be a manifestation of their concern for the welfare of their employees.”

Laguesma is counting on the compassion of employers in adhering to what is required by the law.

“In the spirit of the season, I would not want to make a warning but rather appeal to employers who have not yet paid the 13th month to show an act of love and malasakit to their workers by voluntarily complying with the mandate of the law,” he said.

At the same time, the DOLE secretary called on employees who will not receive their 13th month pay after the

Dec. 24 deadline to report the violation.

“In any case, workers who did not get paid can seek the assistance of the nearest DOLE office having jurisdiction in their places of work. This way, their employers can be summoned by the DOLE to appear so that the issue of non-payment can be resolved,” he added.

All rank-and-file employees are entitled to receive the benefit regardless of their position, designation, or employment status, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

For the computation of the 13th month pay, it should not be less than 1/12 of the total basic salary earned by a worker within a calendar year.

By Maricel V. Cruz

GENEROUS tax breaks await businesses partnering with the government on the enterprisebased education and training (EBET) of workers and students to reskill or upskill them on the evolving skills and competencies actually needed by employers, especially those in priority enterprises.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, one of the authors of the recently signed EBET Framework Act, said: “Private companies that will take part in the government’s new EBET program, which aims to sharpen the competitiveness here and abroad of the Filipino labor force, can avail of huge income tax deductions—equivalent to 50 percent of their actual training expenses between now and end2027, and a higher 75 percent beginning January 2028.”

“Businesses extending donations, subsidies or financial aid to TVIs (technical vocational institutions) offering EBET programs are exempted under RA 12063 from paying the donor’s tax, and shall be deductible from the gross income of the donor for that year,” he added.

‘Tax breaks await firms that reskill, upskill workers A TOTAL of 6,262 agrarian reform beneficiaries from the provinces of Guimaras and Iloilo received Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoMs), Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA), and Electronic Land Titles (E-Titles) from the Department of Agrarian Reform over the weekend. Pura Barquilla, an ARB from Iloilo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to farmers to become landowners.

“We are very thankful for this. We will take care of this land to help our family. We thank the government for giving us this opportunity,” Barquilla

said in Filipino. The distribution was led by DAR Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Office Jesry Palmares, with Assistant Secretary for Finance, Management and Administration Office Quintin Magsico Jr., OIC-Regional Director for Negros Island Region Lucrecia Taberna, and Region VI Director Leomides Villareal. The 6,262 ARBs were broken down into CoCRoMs, CLOAs, and E-titles distribution. Specifically, for CoCRoM, a total of P314,661,860.29 of agrarian debts were cleared through the distribution of 7,039 certificates to 5,201 ARBs.

top priority,” said Palma. Joel E. Zurbano OPERATIVES from the Davao Police Regional Office confiscated P3.2 million worth of shabu from two suspects at the Purok 2, Barangay Lacson, Calinan, Davao City.

In a statement on Monday, PRO 11 Director Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete said the two suspects, identified as “Ron-Ron” and “Je-Je,” were intercepted around 12:20 p.m. Sunday while traveling in a white Nis-

HERALDING HOPE. Nativity scenes are on display at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. Norman Cruz

COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS. The NCCA and PhilPost honor four National Artists who turned 100 this year —

J. Elizalde Navarro (Visual Arts, born May 22), Eddie Romero (Film & Broadcast Arts, born July 7), Alexandria Roces (Literature, born July 13), and F. Sionil Jose (Literature, born Dec. 3). Each stamp features a portrait and highlights the artist’s contributions to Philippine culture. NCCA chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo views the commemorative stamps on display at the Metropolitan Theater. Teddy Pelaez

OPINION

The tale of the son

(Author unknown)

TODAY, the eve of Christmas Day, I have decided to recount the tale of “The Son,” the Redeemer of the world and mankind, since it has a profound meaning to all of us.

I know I have recounted this story many times, but I am retelling it for those who have not read it and came late. Here is the story.

“A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had Everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

“When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

“About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock on the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, ‘Sir, you don’t know me, but I’m the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.’

“The man held out his package.”

“‘I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would’ve wanted you to have this.’”

“The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.

“The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.”

“‘Oh no sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.’”

“The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son.

“The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

“The auctioneer pounded his gavel. ‘We’ll start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who’ll bid for this painting?’”

“There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. ‘We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.’”

“But the auctioneer persisted. ‘Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?’

“Another voice shouted angrily.

‘We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the famous paintings. Get on with the real bids!’

—“—

Whoever bought that painting (of the son) would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings

“But still the auctioneer continued,

‘The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?’

“Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son.

“‘I’ll give $10 for the painting.’ Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?’

“‘Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.’

“‘$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?.’”

“The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

“The auctioneer pounded the gavel.

‘Going once, SOLD for $10!’ A man sitting on the second row shouted,

‘Now let’s get on with the collection!’

“The auctioneer laid down his gavel.

“I’m sorry, the auction is over.

“When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.

“Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

A fight for the Filipino table

WHAT happens when the very food that defines a nation’s culture becomes a tool for greed?

In the Philippines, rice is more than a meal—it’s a legacy. And now, with prices soaring and accusations of manipulation flying, House Speaker Martin Romualdez wants to wage war on profiteers. His solution? A massive government task force. But as history shows, such grand plans often come with strings attached. Can this one succeed, or is it destined to crumble under its own weight?

The people’s trust betrayed

The backdrop for Romualdez’s call to arms is stark: a documented oversupply of rice and reduced import tariffs that, inexplicably, have failed to translate into lower consumer prices. Investigations by the House’s quinta comm revealed price-fixing and hoarding among importers and traders. Evidence presented by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda shows a troubling disconnect: rice prices hovering near ₱50 per kilogram, despite the potential for costs to stabilize at ₱35.

Romualdez frames this as a betrayal—not just of economic principles, but of the nation’s collective trust.

“This is not just an economic issue,” he thundered. “It’s a matter of

EDITORIAL

The true meaning of Christmas

TONIGHT, we join nearly 90 percent of the country’s population of 119.1 million in celebrating and reflecting on the meaning of Christmas.

The almost 90 percent are baptized Roman Catholic, 6 percent are from different nationalized Christian cults and another 2 percent form more than 100 Protestant denominations – all believers in Jesus Christ, the son of God.

But what really is the true meaning of Christmas?

Beyond the Christmas carols we have started hearing as from September, fretfulness in awaiting Santa, the now often uncontrollable consumerism, the anxiety in gift-giving and the second collection during Masses in some churches, we submit the true meaning is beyond the hustle and bustle, the rapid active commotion as it were, of buying gifts to please relatives and friends.

Perhaps, more than at any time in the Gregorian calendar, Christians must remember God’s love for humanity, the gift of God’s only son Jesus Christ.

food security and national stability.”

These words are a rallying cry, but can this mega task force deliver on its lofty promises?

Potential Benefits

The proposed task force, a coalition of agencies including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice, aims to root out collusion with inventories, warehouse inspections, and compliance checks.

If successful, this initiative could yield tangible benefits:

Price Relief for Consumers: By dismantling cartels and punishing hoarders, rice prices could drop to levels that reflect actual supply conditions.

—“—

Romualdez frames this as a betrayal –not just of economic principles, but of the nation’s collective trust

Food Security Strengthening: A transparent rice market could stabilize supplies, mitigating future price shocks.

Corruption Crackdown: Beyond

This is the nativity story as told by the Bible and the promise of eternal life

rice, the task force might set a precedent for targeting entrenched corruption in other sectors.

The challenges of change

However, dismantling entrenched systems is no simple task.

The rice industry is a labyrinth where the interests of traders, millers, retailers, and farmers intersect—and often clash. Among the most pressing obstacles are:

Logistical Difficulties: Gathering and analyzing data across the sprawling rice value chain will demand resources and expertise that the government may lack.

Bureaucratic Inefficiency: A multi-agency task force risks falling prey to the very red tape it seeks to cut through.

Political Resistance: The rice trade is a power nexus. Cartels with deep pockets and political allies could undermine the task force through lobbying and sabotage.

Farmers at Risk: Missteps—like aggressive price controls—could unintentionally hurt farmers, especially smallholders already vulnerable to market volatility.

An uneasy balancing act

following Jesus’ great sacrifice, which strongly underlines the story to be one of humility, awe, joy and peace.

—“—

Here lies the true meaning of Christmas: to celebrate God’s fulfillment of His promise of a Savior

Christmas, observed on Dec. 25 every year, celebrates the birth of Jesus, its origin being a life-changing event that unfolded around 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, a story many baptized Christians believe in their hearts. As some canonists and theologians say, Christ’s birth changed history, transforming the manner through which human beings interact with the Almighty.

Romualdez’s initiative could redefine the government’s role in the rice industry. If successful, it might strengthen public trust in government intervention and pave the way for reforms across other sectors. Yet, the risks of unintended consequences loom large: Government-Private Sector Relations: Overzealous regulation could alienate legitimate traders, stifling investment in the rice supply chain. Transparency and Accountability: Without mechanisms to ensure public oversight, the task force risks being seen as another opaque government project.

Sustainability Concerns: Shortterm enforcement must give way to systemic reforms—boosting agricultural productivity, modernizing infrastructure, and empowering farmers. Navigating the tightrope

To steer this initiative toward success, Romualdez and his team must prioritize: Transparency: Open data platforms, public reporting, and whistleblower protections are essential for credibility.

Jesus’ birth fulfilled a prophecy and Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross saved humanity, according to John 3:16 which tells the believers: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

As Christians reflect on the nativity story, they can focus on Mary’s “yes” to God and how believers can also say “yes” to God as faithfully and unabashedly as Mary did.

To understand Mary’s perspective and her story as the Mother of Jesus, they need to remember “Full of Grace” as Mary helps disciples regain their original encounter with her Son. In Luke 2:11 devotees are told: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The Bible verse about the origins of Christmas reminds the faithful of God’s promises: God promised them a Savior from the line of David. As the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, he proclaimed this Truth that God’s only son had been born. Here lies the true meaning of Christmas: to celebrate God’s fulfillment of His promise of a Savior.

Targeted Action: Focus enforcement on cartels and hoarders without overburdening legitimate traders or harming farmers.

Farmer Support: Introduce fair pricing mechanisms and support programs to protect farmers’ livelihoods. Long-Term Reform: Invest in agricultural modernization, improve market infrastructure, and strengthen regulatory frameworks to prevent future manipulation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Include farmers, consumers, and traders in policy discussions to build trust and ensure inclusive solutions.

The final grain Romualdez’s mega task force is more than a policy – it’s a litmus test for the government’s resolve to put the Filipino consumer first. Success could set a precedent, proving that bold, strategic intervention can restore trust and ensure food security.

Failure, however, would reinforce a cycle of disillusionment. As the nation watches, one truth remains: meaningful change requires not just ambition, but unwavering execution. The time for half-measures is over.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024

Jordan FM holds talks with Syria’s new leader Sharaa

AMMAN – Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Monday, Amman said, the latest high-profile visit since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

Images distributed by the Jordanian foreign ministry showed Safadi and Sharaa shaking hands, without offering further details about their meeting.

A foreign ministry statement earlier said that Safadi would meet with the new Syrian leader as well as with “several Syrian officials”.

It was the first visit by a senior Jordanian official since Assad’s fall.

Jordan, which borders Syria to the south, hosted a summit earlier this month where top Arab, Turkish, EU and US diplomats called for an inclusive and peaceful transition after years of civil war.

Sharaa, whose Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) spearheaded the offensive that toppled Assad on Dec. 8, has welcomed senior officials from a host of countries in the Middle East and beyond in recent days.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohamed Momani told reporters on Sunday that Amman “sides with the will of the brotherly Syrian people”, stressing the close ties between the two nations.

Momani said the kingdom would like to see security and stability restored in Syria, and supported “the unity of its territories”. AFP

Women mobilize vs. army exemptions

IN BRIEF

Panama rejects Trump’s threat to take control

PANAMA CITY – Panama’s president Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday (Monday in Manila) dismissed recent threats made by US President-elect Donald Trump to retake control of the Panama Canal over complaints of “unfair” treatment of American ships.

“Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama,” Mulino said in a video posted to X. Mulino’s public comments, though never mentioning Trump by name, come a day after the president-elect complained about the canal on his Truth Social platform.

“Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous,” he said.

Trump also complained of China’s growing influence around the canal, a worrying trend for American interests as US businesses depend on the channel to move goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. AFP

MAS grounds new Airbus jet over safety concerns

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines has grounded its new Airbus A330neo jet just days after its maiden flight because of technical issues, local media reported, another operational setback for the national carrier.

“The root cause is coming from the factory and it is affecting the reputation and brand of Malaysia Airlines,” Chief Executive Officer Izham Ismail was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times on Sunday “Safety is paramount. I will not risk anything on safety.”

Ismail said technical faults with a new aircraft were “not acceptable”, adding: “To me, it’s embarrassing.” The newspaper said plane’s inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne on Dec. 19 was marred by technical issues. AFP was unable to get comment from Malaysia Airlines. AFP

President-elect to ‘stop transgender lunacy’

PHOENIX, Arizona – President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday (Monday in Manila) pledged to “stop the transgender lunacy” on day one of his presidency, as Republicans -- set to control both chambers of Congress and the White House -- continue their push against LGBTQ rights.

“I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools,” the president-elect said at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona. He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports,” adding that “it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” Speaking to the AmericaFest conference in a border state he easily carried in the November election, Trump further promised immediate measures against “migrant crime,” vowed to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and doubled down on his talk of restoring US control of the Panama Canal. AFP

Seoul: 1,100 NoKor casualties in Moscow-Kyiv war

SEOUL – More than 1,000 North Kore-

an soldiers have been killed or wounded in Russia’s war with Ukraine, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Monday.

The new figure follows a report by Seoul’s spy agency to MPs last week, which said at least 100 North Korean soldiers had been killed since entering combat in December.

Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to reinforce the Russian military, including to the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces seized territory earlier this year.

“Through various sources of information and intelligence, we assess that North Korean troops who have recently engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces have suffered around 1,100 casualties,” the JCS said in a statement.

“We are particularly interested in the

possibility of additional deployments” of North Korean soldiers to aid Russia’s war effort, the JCS added.

Pyongyang is reportedly “preparing for the rotation or additional deployment of soldiers,” the JCS said. Intelligence also suggests the nucleararmed North is “producing and providing self-destructible drones” to Russia to further assist Moscow in its fight against Ukraine, it added.

The North was also supplying “240mm rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery” for the Russian army, the JCS said.

Seoul’s military noted that North Korea was aiming to modernize its conventional warfare capabilities based on combat experience in the Russia-Ukraine war.

“This could lead to an increase in the North’s military threat toward us,” it said.

The latest findings align with a report

by the National Intelligence Service, which informed lawmakers that “Russia might offer reciprocal benefits” for North Korea’s military contributions, including “modernizing North Korea’s conventional weaponry.” North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

A landmark defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow, signed in June, came into force this month.

Experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen to acquire advanced technology from Russia and battle experience for his troops.

Pyongyang on Thursday lashed out at what it called “reckless provocation” by the United States and its allies for a joint statement criticizing North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, including the deployment of troops. AFP

Canada’s Trudeau losing support within his party; loyalists want him to resign

OTTAWA – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s support within his own party appeared to falter further on Sunday (Monday in Manila), as former loyalists said growing numbers of Liberal caucus members wanted the premier to resign.

Trudeau has suffered a series of blows in recent days, spurred by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who clashed with her boss over incoming US president Donald Trump’s threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports.

Freeland’s exit, after nearly a decade at Trudeau’s side, marked the first open dissent against the prime minister from within his Cabinet and has emboldened critics.

Ottawa area MP Chandra Arya told the public broadcaster CBC on Sunday that dozens of Liberal MPs wanted Trudeau to go.

Arya was interviewed a day after Liberal MPs from the province of Ontario held a meeting that addressed Trudeau’s future.

Multiple outlets, including the CBC and Toronto Star, reported more than 50 of the 75 Ontario Liberals in parliament declared in Saturday’s meeting they no longer supported Trudeau.

Asked about those reports, Arya said a “majority of the caucus thinks it is time for the prime minister to step aside.”

Anthony Housefather, a Liberal member of parliament from the province of Quebec, told the CBC on Sunday “the prime minister needs to go.”

“We’re in an impossible situation if he stays,” Housefather said, arguing the party would be hammered in an election that amounted to a referendum on Trudeau’s leadership. AFP

BNEI BRAK, Israel – Exhausted by more than 14 months of war, the wives and mothers of Israeli soldiers are uniting in protest against exemptions from conscription for ultraOrthodox men.

For several Saturday evenings, the bridge over a key highway that runs between Bnei Brak, an ultra-Orthodox suburb of Tel Aviv, and Givat Shmuel, a bastion of religious Zionists whose sons and husbands proudly serve in the army, has been the scene of a tense standoff. Ultra-Orthodox residents passed by, some running, as protesters holding Israeli flags and banners shouted through megaphones demanding “conscription for all”. The military has asked for extra manpower in light of the war in Gaza and connected conflicts, while the Supreme Court ruled in June that the state must draft ultraOrthodox Jewish men into military service. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government includes members of two ultra-Orthodox parties, and he has feared that ending the exemption could break up his coalition. The coalition is moving ahead with legislation that would protect the exemption for the vast majority of Haredim (the Hebrew name for ultra-Orthodox Jews, meaning “God-fearing”) from military service.

Political and religious ultra-Orthodox leaders, whose decisions are often binding on their followers, continue to strongly oppose service in the military. They say that prayer and religious study protects the country as much as combat. Military service is mandatory in Israel, but under agreements forged at Israel’s creation, when the Haredim were only a very small community, those who devote themselves to the study of sacred Jewish texts can avoid conscription.

The ultra-Orthodox account for 14 percent of Israel’s Jewish population, according to the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), representing about 1.3 million people. About 66,000 of those of conscription age are exempted, according to the army. AFP

CAR TRAGEDY. A policeman stands next to a makeshift memorial at the site of a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on Dec. 22, 2024. The death toll in the attack two days earlier rose to 5, with over 200 injured, according to the head of the regional government, Reiner Haseloff. AFP

EXCEPTIONAL DISASTER. French firemen repair the roof at Mayotte Central Hospital in the city of Mamoudzou, on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, on Sunday after the cyclone Chido hit the archipelago. Paris declared ‘exceptional natural disaster’ measures for Mayotte, France’s poorest region near Madagascar off the coast of southeastern Africa. 35 people were reported dead and 2,500 injured, officials said. AFP

CONTINUING CONFLICT. Men sit together overlooking a view of tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by conflict by the Hamad Residential City complex in the north of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. The military has asked for extra manpower in light of the war in Gaza and connected conflicts, while the Supreme Court ruled in June that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into military service. AFP

SPORTS

Langers nip Tiger, son Charlie in PNC Championship playo

MIAMI— Golf superstar Tiger Woods was thrilled by son Charlie’s first holein-one, but Team Langer got the better of the Woods duo in a playoff for the PNC Championship family golf event crown on Sunday.

The ace by 15-year-old Charlie Woods at the 176yard, par-three fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando briefly lifted the duo into the solo lead in the 36-hole two-player scramble event.

The youngster watched his seven-iron shot as far as he could, but it took the cheers from the crowd to let him know it had landed some six feet from the pin and rolled into the cup.

A beaming Tiger Woods gave his son a hard hug, then a playful shove in celebration.

“It was a perfect seven-iron, so just kind of hit it,” Charlie Woods told Golf Channel as he walked toward the fourth green. “It was awesome! I didn’t think it went in.”

The elder Woods called it “an unbelievable moment”.

“That two-hole stretch, that was his first eagle he ever made out there on three, and then his first hole-

Parry ends 14-year title wait, wins in Mauritius

PARIS—John Parry surged through the field with a closing 64 to take the Mauritius Open by two strokes on Sunday, claiming his second European tour victory 14 years after his first.

“It’s been a long battle back but worth every moment for this week,” said the 38-year-old Englishman.

Parry started Sunday’s final round five shots off the lead but chipped in for an eagle on the 12th and made seven birdies and just one bogey to finish on 14-under total of 274, two ahead of South Africans Dylan Naidoo and Christo Lamprecht.

“That eagle there just got me a little spark, with a couple of good chances coming up. And I just really didn’t miss a shot coming in so that was really key,” he said.

After birdies at the 13th and 14th, the Englishman took the outright lead with a birdie on the 16th. He then birdied the final hole and waited in the clubhouse as the later starters limped home with their chances of victory already gone.

Eddie Pepperell, the overnight leader, shot a 74 to finish five strokes back in a tie for ninth.

Parry’s previous tour level win was at the Vivendi Cup in France in September, 2010, when he was in his early twenties.

“It’s massive,” he said. “Five or six years ago I was close to giving up golf.”

This year he has won three events on the second-tier Challenger Tour and Sunday’s victory earned him a $200,000 bonus and entry into some prestigious events later in the season. AFP

in-one,” the 15-time major champion said.

After grabbing a share of the overnight lead with a first-round 59, the Woods duo combined for a 57 on Sunday and a record-setting 36-hole score of 28-under.

But two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer

and his son Jason, who were in the three-way tie for the lead to start the day, posted the same score.

At the first playoff hole, Bernhard Langer curled in an eagle putt to seal the duo’s second straight victory in the 20-team event. Langer has now won six PNC titles—four with Jason and two with son Stefan.

Despite the tournament’s laid-back atmosphere, there were plenty of fireworks on Sunday.

Paddy Harrington, son of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, also had a hole-in-one, saying his ace at the par-three eighth was the first of his life.

“I’ve never been as excited,” Padraig Harrington said. “I’ve never hit a shot that I’ve been as excited.”

The event was a chance for Tiger Woods, who turns 49 on December 30, to get a taste of some friendly competition for the first time since he missed the cut at the British Open at Royal Troon.

Woods, whose 82 US PGA Tour titles are tied with Sam Snead for most in history, has said he has a long way to go to be ready to return to elite tournament play after undergoing a sixth back surgery in September.

He also continues to deal with lower leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash, but was able to walk rather than use a cart for both rounds in Orlando, where the rules would have allowed it. AFP

USA, Canada win FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2024

SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico)—USA (men) and Canada (women) win against Puerto Rico and USA respectively to win the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2024 recently.

Team USA (men) steamrolled their way to the final with an unbeaten record. They went up against home side powerhouse Puerto Rico who had lit their way to the final themselves with a perfect record.

It was a high-flying blockbuster finals matchup with both teams rising to the occasion. With scores at 19 - 18 in favor of USA, it was Dylan Travis who called game with a tough two, earning USA Gold in a 21 - 18 thriller.

The Canadian women were their usual clinical self all tournament, going unbeaten on their way to the final where they faced a similarly on-fire USA side.

It was a physical battle between two highly-skilled sides. Canada maintained a slight advantage for the majority of the game but team USA kept answering back.

It was a late two from Abigail Hsu that tied things up, sending the game to OT. However, it would be Canada’s night as former World number one Katherine Plouffe would call game in the clutch, earning Canada

gold with a 19 - 18 win. In the bronze medal games, Canada (men) came back to win against Republica Dominicana 21 - 16. Jerome Desrosiers and Grant Allen Audu combined for 14 points in the tie, continuing on a

SYDNEY—Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Max Purcell has taken a voluntary suspension for breaking anti-doping rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Monday.

The Australian, who is ranked 12th in the world for doubles, admitted to a breach of the regulations relating to the use of a “prohibited method” and had “requested to enter into a provisional suspension on December 10.”

No other details were divulged.

“Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction,” the ITIA said, with the ban coming into effect on December 12.

Under the suspension, the 26-year-old is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised by any of the sport’s governing bodies or national associations.

It means he will currently not be able to play in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January.

Purcell won the 2022 Wimbledon doubles title alongside fellow Australian Matt Ebden and the US Open crown this year, partnered by Jordan Thompson.

Tennis Australia stressed that the breach related to a prohibited method, rather than a prohibited substance.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the breach relates to the use of a prohibited method, rather than the presence of a prohibited substance,” it said in a statement carried by Australian media.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The ITIA is the same organisation that charged top-ranked Jannik Sinner and world number two Iga Swiatek over breaches of its anti-doping programme.

Italy’s Sinner was exonerated after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

He is currently awaiting the outcome of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal against the decision. AFP

hot scoring tournament for the duo led by the experienced Steve Sir. Brazil (women) clutched up against home side Puerto Rico in a back-andforth bronze medal game. It was the talismanic Luana de Souza who drilled a late two-pointer to hand them the lead. The shot would hand Brazil a 1716 win for bronze.

Henry Caruso brought the show to San Juan as he was the hub of team USA’s (men) offense. He put up 26 points across the tournament and led all players in Player Value with 44.5. He earned himself MVP honors, leading the Men’s Team of the Tournament alongside Puerto Rico’s Angel Matias and Canada’s Steve Sir who were both instrumental in their respective sides finishing with silver and bronze. Canada’s (women) Paige Crozon was lights out in scoring for her side. She would lead all players in points and player value, tallying 46 and a whopping 59.3 respectively. She handily won the MVP award, headlined the Women’s Team of the Tournament next to team USA’s Brittney Sykes and Brazil’s Gabriella Soares who were key to their sides success in the tournament.

Zamboanga training hard for fight with Ukrainian MMA star

NOW that Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is fully healthy, she’s back in the running for ONE Championship gold.

The #2-ranked Filipina’s postponed bout against Ukrainian MMA star Alyona Rassohyna has a date. They’ll tangle for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 27 on January 11, 2025, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Zamboanga was slated to face ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex earlier this year, but a torn meniscus put the Thai superstar on the shelf. It also forced Zamboanga to compete for an interim title, something she was supposed to do in October.

But Zamboanga’s own hamstring injury forced her to pull out of that match against Rassohyna. Now healed up, she’s excited to finally get her long-awaited

shot at gold.

“I’m really excited for this fight against Alyona Rassohyna. She’s a tough, skilled opponent, and I know it won’t be easy,” the Filipina said.

“But I’ve been training hard, and I’m determined to bring that belt to the Philippines.”

A win here and her next bout could certainly come against Stamp. Once there, she’ll get the chance to unify belts and be named the undisputed ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion.

But to accomplish that, she must be at her best against Rassohyna, a fighter who alr0 eady owns a win over Stamp.

“To my friend Stamp, wishing you a quick recovery! Once you’re back, I can’t wait for us to meet in the Circle,” Zamboanga said.

“But for now, my focus is on this fight with Alyona and making the most of this chance.”

Tiger Woods of the United States with his son Charlie Woods and daughter Sam Woods walk during the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

Bernhard Langer of Germany and his son Jason Langer pose with their trophies on the 18th green after putting in to win in a sudden-death playo . AFP

Max Purcell

American and Canadian players at the podium

Denice Zamboanga and Alyona Rassohyna

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Karera.Live introduces Dos Letra online game

DOS Letra, an online betting game involving two colored balls racing against each other up and down a narrow winding tube, is now available online.

The game marked months of work, which got kickstarted by four tech innovators who are behind the Karera.Live platform.

Gaming executive Atty. Gabriel Ablola said the introduction of the game marks their commitment to innovation, which was instrumental in bringing the platform to life.

“This marks an exciting chapter in gaming. This represents a new era in gaming,” said Ablola, following a soft launch ceremony recently at the Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in McKinley Hill Village, Taguig City.

Ablola said there are now 16 tech innovators working on improving the content of the platform.

For now, they will just be having Letra Karera, with its colored racing balls, as its main game and attraction.

“We will have more next year. We’re still working on having other games,” added Ablola.

The Philippine Gaming Corporation one of the many entities supporting the platform and its activities.

“This is just the beginning. Soon, we will introduce exciting new titles,” said Ablola. Peter Atencio

De Minaur aiming for better 2025

SYDNEY—Alex De Minaur is coming off a breakthrough year that saw him reach a career-high world number six and the Australian is fired up for an even bigger 2025.

The 25-year-old won two titles last season and made the quarter-finals at three of the four Grand Slams while qualifying for the ATP finals.

A hip injury hampered him through the middle of the year but he is fit and raring to o again at the mixed-teams United Cup this week in the lead-up to the Australian Open from January 12.

“The way I see 2024, it was a breakthrough year, 100 percent,” de Minaur, currently ranked nine, told reporters on Monday.

“I played some incredible tennis, reached a career-high six, reached the end-of-year finals for the first time -but I still think I can do more.

“That’s what I want, ultimately, that’s what I’m working so hard for.

“Never satisfied. That’s what the whole training is for.” He gets his season underway on Saturday at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney against world number 39 Tomas Etcheverry when the Lleyton Hewitt-captained Australia face Argentina.

Britain are also in their United Cup group, with de Minaur potentially playing a decisive mixeddoubles clash against his girlfriend Katie Boulter.

The tournament features 18 teams with ties comprising one men’s and one women’s singles and a mixeddoubles showdown.

“I wouldn’t exactly say I’m thrilled at the thought of playing him again,” Boulter, who also won two titles in 2024 and is now 24 in the world, told reporters.

“He’s a top 10 player who knows how to play.

“Then there’s the personal side of it which is difficult but also great for bragging rights.”

The United Cup begins on Friday in Perth with Kazakhstan taking on Spain and China facing Brazil. AFP

PH youth weightlifters stamp class in Asian Championships

By Peter Atencio

TEENAGERS Aldrin Colonia and Jhodie Peralta led Team Philippines, which won two gold medals as records fell in the ongoing 2024 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The 17-year-old Colonia dominated the youth men’s -49kg class with a total lift of 213 kgs, ahead of Vietnam’s Bui Minh Dao (204).

On the other hand, the 15-year-old Peralta gave the Philippines its second overall gold medal after ruling the women’s youth 55-kilogram class off a total lift of 184 kilos. Peralta was slightly ahead of India’s Koyel Bar (182) and Vietnam’s Luong Thi Than Nguyen (178).

A new record was set when Jyhoshna Sahar of India topped the youth women’s -40 kg category with her 135-kg total, smashing Filipina lifter’s Angeline Colonia’s previous best of 134.

Colonia’s teammate Althea Bacaro settled for the silver at 128, with Vietnamese Hoang Khanh Vy taking the bronze at 125.

Thailand’s Khemika Kamnoedsri claimed the

gold in the jr women’s -45 kg class with a 164 total kilos, ahead of Colonia, who tallied 157. Alexandra Diaz grabbed a bronze medal in the youth women’s 45-kg action, and so did Prince de los Santos in the men’s junior 55 kg.

De los Santos wound up with two podiums, following a silver in the men’s youth 55 kg with his 242 total, behind K. Duong, who set a record lift of 262.

Rosalinda Faustino added a bronze in the youth women’s -49 with her tally of 163, behind Vietnam Y. Lien (177) and Amanova Ogulshat (176). The event featured 237 athletes, with 127 males from 19 countries and 110 females from 16 countries.

Jokic, Nuggets rally for overtime win over

LOS ANGELES—Denver’s NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic shook off a slow start to post a 27-point triple-double Sunday as the Nuggets rallied to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 132-129 in

They took a 111-109 lead on Julian Strawther’s layup with 4:37 left in regulation.

CJ McCollum put New Orleans back in front 119117 with 53.2 seconds left in the fourth, but Denver guard Jamal Murray drilled a step-back basket with nine seconds to go to tie it at 119-119, and when McCollum missed a three-pointer they went to overtime.

Jokic took over in the extra session, scoring Den-

Magic’s Wagner out for season as injury bug bites again

MIAMI—Orlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner will miss the rest of the NBA season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the injury plagued team said Sunday. Wagner was injured in the first quarter of Saturday’s come-from-behind victory over the Miami Heat and had an MRI scan on Sunday that confirmed he will require surgery, the Magic said in a statement.

The injury to the German forward is just the latest blow for the Magic, who have already seen stars Paolo

Pelicans

ver’s first six points as they handed the Pelicans a seventh straight defeat.

“Seems like we just like it that way,” Jokic said of the late heroics needed by the Nuggets, but added: “We should be more hungry.”

Murray also scored 27 points for Denver, and Russell Westbrook added 21 off the bench. Jordan Hawkins led New Orleans’ scoring with 25 points and McCollum had 24.

Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers posted their fourth straight win in impressive style, powering away in the second half to beat the Kings 122-95 in Sacramento. Pascal Siakam delivered a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds and the Pacers put up 70 points in the second half of a dominant victory in which seven Indiana players scored in double figures.

Myles Turner scored 15 points, star guard Tyrese Haliburton and reserve Ben Sheppard added 14 apiece and T.J. McConnell contributed 12 points and 10 assists off the bench.

“We brought it from start to finish,” Sheppard said. “The energy we brought, both the bench and the starters, it was a great team win.” Point guard De’Aaron Fox scored 23 points to lead the Kings, and Domantas Sabonis added 17 points and 21 rebounds, but Kings fans were booing as the team fell to a fourth straight defeat.

“Tough night for us,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “There are going to be nights when you don’t have it offensively, but we can’t give up 70 points in a half.” The Houston Rockets erased a 16-point first-half deficit to beat the Raptors 114-110 in Toronto.

Dillon Brooks scored 27 points and Jalen Green added 22 for Houston, who held the Raptors to five-of-15 shooting in the fourth quarter to finally seal the game.

Alperen Sengun scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Houston, who out-scored Toronto 33-26 in the third quarter to take a one-point lead into the fourth. AFP

Banchero and Franz Wagner -- Moritz’s brother -- sidelined with oblique injuries.

Banchero, out of action since October, is inching closer to a return while Franz Wagner was injured this month and is scheduled to be reevaluated in January.

Moritz Wagner averaged 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game this season, ranking second in total scoring off the bench to put himself in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year. AFP

Members of the Philippine weightlifting team, coaches and o cials are shown here prior to their Qatar campaign. Cirilo Dayao

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound over CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

Moritz Wagner NBA

13,848

Building permits approved in October

P44.39 billion

Value of building constructions

3.87 million square meter

Floor area of building constructions

PSA: Building permits rose 4% to 13,848 in October

BUILDING constructions, based on the number of approved building permits, picked up 4 percent in October 2024 to 13,848 from 13,312 a year ago. This followed the 7.6-percent growth registered in September.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that by type of construction, residential buildings reported the highest number of constructions at 9,003, or 65.0 percent of the total in October. It went up by 5.4 percent from 8,539 in the same month last year.

Majority of the total residential constructions were single-type houses with 6,892 (76.6 percent). Meanwhile, non-residential constructions reached 2,873, down by 2.2 percent from a year earlier. Most of the non-residential constructions were commercial buildings with 1,979.

Additions, which refer to any new construction that increases the height or area of an existing building, and other constructions both contributed 3.0 percent, while alteration and repair of existing structures contributed 8.3 percent to the total number of constructions, respectively.

The PSA said that in terms of value, building constructions amounted to P44.39 billion in October, reflecting an annual increase of 21.9 percent from P36.40 billion in the same month of 2023.

Non-residential building constructions valued at P21.75 billion surged 35.8 percent from P16.01 billion a year ago. Among non-residential constructions, commercial-type buildings had the highest value of constructions at P11.12 billion. Residential buildings amounted to P18.88 billion or 42.5 percent of the total construction value in October 2024. This climbed 19.6 percent from P15.79 billion registered in the same month of the previous year.

Gov’t secures $5.67b in ODA financing for infra projects

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE government secured concessional official development assistance (ODA) financing and grants from development partners in 2024 to finance highimpact infrastructure projects under the “Build Better More” program and other critical development initiatives.

“The Department of Finance takes the responsibility over our people’s money very seriously. Because every peso entrusted to us by Filipinos is a symbol of millions of dreams, efforts, and hopes,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement.

“That is why we make sure that we enter into partnerships with very trusted partners and that the terms of our agreements are very concessional and cost-effective so we can deliver more projects that create lasting

pact for generations,” he said.

The DOF said it signed 12 financing agreements worth $5.67 billion (P333.42 billion) for projects in infrastructure, transport, defense, digital technology, health and agriculture this year.

These include the third tranche of financing for the Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase 1), which is the country’s first-ever underground railway system. Also signed were the financing

agreements for the following infrastructure projects: the Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project; the first tranche of the financing for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project; Samar Pacific Coastal Road II Project; the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project; the New Dumaguete Airport Development Project; the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase III; and Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.

The DOF also sealed financing for the Philippines’ First and Second Digital Transformation Program, Second Sustainable Recovery Program; the Build Universal Health Care (UHC) Program, Subprogram 2; the Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities Project; and the Climate Change Action Program Subprogram 2.

PCC approves Meralco, Aboitiz and SMC acquisition

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said Monday it approved the joint acquisition of power facilities and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal by Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), Therma Natgas Power Inc. (Therma) and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (San Miguel Power). Therma is a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp.

The transaction, considered crucial

for strengthening the country’s energy supply, is subject to conditions designed to ensure fair competition and promote transparency.

Under the deal, MGEN and Therma, through their joint venture Chromite Gas Holdings Inc., will acquire a 67-percent equity interest in South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC), Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI) and Ilijan Primeline Industrial Estate Corp. Meanwhile, MGEN, Therma and San Miguel Power will jointly ac-

McDonald’s closes 40-year-old store on Quezon Ave., opens new one nearby

GOLDEN Arches Development Corp., the master franchise holder of McDonald’s in the Philippines, announced the closure of its store at Quezon Ave. and West 4th St. in Quezon City on Dec. 22. The closure comes a few months after the company opened a new branch just a street away.

“Maraming Salamat! For the countless smiles, laughs, and memories shared at 008 Quezon Avenue Branch.

I am forever grateful. Thank you for being part of my McDo Journey,” one social media user posted.

The old McDonald’s store, located across a new Starbucks outlet, was cordoned off Monday. Posters in the area announced: “Goodbye McDonald’s Quezon Avenue. Kitakits

sa McDonald’s Q.A. Ligaya.”

A modern McDonald’s store recently opened at Quezon Ave. and Ligaya Street, a few blocks from West 4th Street.

Contrary to earlier reports, the closed branch was not the one near the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 station at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Ave., but the one near Times Street and beside the Great Eastern Hotel.

McDonald’s held a farewell event on Dec. 22 to bid goodbye to the Quezon Avenue branch.

“Beyond just a restaurant, McDo Quezon Avenue has been a place where feel-good moments happen and become lasting memories — for its customers, crew, and managers, past and present,” the company said.

quire 100 percent of Linseed Field Corp. (LFC), which operates an LNG terminal in Batangas City.

As a result of these acquisitions, MGEN and Therma, with their 60/40 ownership in Chromite, will control 67 percent of SPPC, EERI and Ilijan Primeline, while San Miguel Power will retain a 33-percent stake in these entities and acquire an equivalent interest in LFC.

The PCC, however, identified potential competition concerns, particu-

larly regarding the risk of coordination in the national power generation market and the possibility of market foreclosure in power supply agreements with distribution utility companies (DUs).

In response, the ultimate parent companies – Pilipinas Enterprise Management Holdings Inc. (PEMHI), Aboitiz & Company Inc. and Top Frontier Investment Holdings Inc.—submitted voluntary commitments on Oct. 18, 2024 to address these concerns.

HOLIDAY TREAT. Okada Manila treats 40 children from New Faith Children’s Home and Agape Orphanage Foundation and young cancer warriors to experience the holidays at the PLAY Kids’ Club. Okada Manila through its Okada Green Heart program reaches out to local communities and supports meaningful initiatives.

POWER retailer Manila Electric

Company (Meralco) assured its customers of its readiness to respond to any possible electricity service concern that may arise during the holiday break.

Meralco said in a statement its crews and personnel would be on standby 24/7 even on Christmas Day, to keep the lights on for its 8 million customers and help ensure a bright and accident-free celebration.

“We are reminding our customers to do their part in ensuring a bright and merry holiday season by practicing electrical safety. Rest assured, contingency measures are in place and our crews are on standby ready to respond to any concern on our electricity service,” Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said. Meralco also cited several electrical

safety tips for the holiday season including unplugging Christmas lights and other appliances when not in use.

It reminded customers to inspect Christmas lights before reusing. For those who are re-using Christmas lights, check for cracked, frayed or damaged lights since these are potential fire hazards, it said.

Power users are advised to avoid using nails and thumb tacks when installing Christmas lights. Using nails, thumb tacks and wire staples can damage Christmas lights and create fire hazards. Use light hangers instead which are available in hardware and home stores, it said. It warned against ‘octopus’ connections. Overloaded electrical outlets or extension cords is one of the most common causes of fire incidents.

Benguet Corp. now debt-free after 35 years

PUBLICLY-LISTED miner Benguet Corp. (BC) declared a cash dividend of P0.20 per share of common stock and P0.28 per share of convertible preferred stock, payable starting Dec. 10, with a record date of Nov. 14.

This marks the first time in 35 years that BC will pay dividends to stockholders and the first management action after the company became debtfree following the resolution of all its outstanding debts.

The signing of a mutual rescission agreement with regard to its restructured loans, upon approval of the board of directors, ended a three-de-

cade-long debt and mortgage indenture.

The deal was structured with its remaining creditors, Wilshire Business Consulting Corp. and Armstrong Capital Holdings Corp., which opted for direct settlement and leveraging for investment of their respective debts.

“The termination of the 1993 Debt

Restructuring Agreement and Mortgage Trust Indenture is the culmination of management’s long and hard struggle to free the Company from its outstanding debt liabilities that have for more than 30 years subjected it to hardship and constraint of operation,” said BC president Lina Fernandez.

This year’s positive development on the debt issue relieved the company from the negative restrictions of the restructured loans that have limited its ability to grow in the past and to deliver on its promise to bring value to shareholders.

Now with improved creditworthiness and a clean balance sheet, BC can resume capital market activities and engage investors in undertaking new projects and expansion of existing operations that will create new revenue streams for the company and will hopefully lead to future dividend payouts.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks surged past the 6,500 level Monday, leading to a possible Santa Claus rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped 128.53 points, or 2.01 percent, to close at 6,534.91, while the broader all-shares index advanced by 51.40 points, or 1.40 percent, to settle at 3,727.23.

“Philippine shares finally bounced back closing at 6534.91, up by 2.01 percent as investors prepare for the last trading week of the year,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said. The recent rebound in the local currency against the dollar also boosted market sentiment. The peso closed at 58.45 against the

US dollar Monday, up from 58.81 Friday.

For the remainder of the week, investors are waiting for the release of key US economic data including the consumer confidence report and the durable goods orders report.

On the local front, it will be a relatively quiet and shortened trading week, with the November budget balance set for release on Dec. 27.

The Philippine equities market will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, respectively.

Value turnover reached P3.992 billion, with 110 advancers vs. 72 decliners and 53 unchanged issues.

Foreign investors were net buyers, with net inflows amounting to P255.8 million. With AFP

NOWADAYS, tariffs are in the forefront of public discussion in this country and in the U.S. Intense national discussion is in progress as to why tariff-reducing Executive Order No. 68, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. early this year, appears to have failed to bring down the prices of most varieties of rice.

In the U.S., President-elect Donald Trump is rocking the world trading system by announcing a tariff of 10 percent on all imports into the U.S. and higher tariffs – 60 percent in the case of China – on the exports of several countries. Tariffs are serious business. They are – to borrow a line from a Vice-President Sara Duterte press conference – “no joke, no joke”. Tariffs have a very broad impact; they affect domestic consumers, foreign and domestic producers, foreign and domestic producers, tariff-imposing fiscal system, bilateral trade relations and the structure of the international trading system.

A tariff is essentially a trade tool; it is intended to promote and protect a country’s external trade.

A tariff causes damage to the trade of an exporting country and under the rules of international trade law – the domain of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – a tariff may be legally imposed only when there is evidence that an exporting country is engaging in unfair or competitivenessenhancing conduct, such as providing subsidies to its exporters. In such situations, an importing country is entirely justified in harnessing the defensive capability of a tariff. As the regulator of world trade, WTO reviews whatever the setting of a tariff is justified by its rules.

A tariff is not, and should not be used as, an instrument of monetary policy. For instance, it should not be used as a measure to bring down

The what, why and wherefore of tariffs

The second reason relates to what economists refer to as the incidence of tariffs and taxes. The principal question that economic policymakers ask – or should ask – themselves when imposing a tariff or tax is, who will end up paying it?

Recent discussions in and outside Congress about the state of the domestic rice market have led to the suggestion that rice prices have not passed on to consumers the benefit of the 20 percent tariff rate reduction but, instead, have kept it for themselves.

the price of a particular commodity or to combat inflation generally, which has been the intent of E.O. 68.

A tariff is disruptive of trade and production patterns and thus should not be tinkered with. If the tariff for a commodity is set at a certain level – 35 percent, in the case of rice – there must have been a good economic reason for such a setting. Protection for the Filipino rice farmer was the reason. With a 15-percent tariff rate, the alreadybeleaguered Filipino rice farmer now has considerably reduced protection.

If rice had to be imported in order to reduce the unhappiness of rice consumers – and to protect the hides of the concerned government officials – the importation should have been done at the pre-E.O. 68 tariff rate of 35 percent. For two reasons, that would have been a more economically rational route to take.

The first reason is that the Treasury, not the importers, would have been the beneficiary of the imports. The importers paid 20 percent less tariff from their transactions. A cash-strapped government - aren’t “idle” funds of agencies being commandeered by the Department of Finance? –could have made use of that 20 percent.

With E.O. 68, the economy has ended up with a triple whammy: no price relief for consumers, reduced protection for the Filipino rice farmer and reduced revenue for the Treasury.

Tariffs are the opposite of competitiveness; an industry or a company that can compete in the world market does not need tariff protection. Because its industries should be competitive, a country should deploy the tariff tool judiciously. There is a tendency for tariff-protected industries to stay in their comfort zones and not strive to become competitive. This is not to say that there is no scope for the provision of tariff protection. Economically deserving infant industries can be given tariff protection, but periods must be set for the infants to grow up.

U.S. President-elect Trump announced that his administration would impose a tariff of 10-percent on all imports into the U.S., with a special tariff of 60 percent on goods from China and 25 percent on goods from Canada and Mexico. Such

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila Electric Co. assures its customers of its readiness to respond to any possible electricity service concern throughout the holiday break. Seen in the photo are Meralco personnel conducting maintenance works.

MAIDEN CALL. East Java Multipurpose Terminal (EJMT), International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in Indonesia, welcomes its first container ship since commencing operations at the new deep-water terminal in mid-October. The XinYi Glass made its inaugural call to Indonesia on Dec. 14, selecting EJMT for its container

BUSINESS

Department of Tourism (DOT)

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco leads the ceremonial hot air balloon flight on Dec. 13, 2024 at the Clark Parade Grounds, marking a breathtaking highlight of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Central Luzon. The event brought together PEP delegates, local chief executives, establishment owners from the Clark Development Corp. and officials such as Clark Development Corp. chairman Edgardo Pamintuan and LIPAD president and chief executive Noel Manankil.

RE certificate trading to begin on Dec. 26 with market launch

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said the trading of renewable energy certificates (RECs) will start on Dec. 26, 2024, marking the full commercial operation of the Renewable Energy Market (REM).

“The full commercial operation of the REM is pivotal in advancing the country’s clean energy transition,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla in a statement.

RE certificates are market-based instruments representing one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity

generated from eligible renewable energy facilities, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.

The REM provides a platform for trading these certificates, enabling participants to meet their renewable energy compliance obligations under the renewable portfolio standards (RPS).

It is a cornerstone mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, designed to drive the development of renewable power projects and bolster the country’s transition to clean energy.

“It supports compliance with the RPS, fosters investment in renewable energy, and ensures a robust framework for sustainable energy trading,” Lotilla said.

The RPS is a market-based policy requiring mandated participants, such as distribution utilities (DUs), to source a portion of their energy supply from eligible renewable energy facilities.

The annual incremental RPS requirement for grid-

Bacolod City gov’t completes first of 4-building housing project

BACOLOD City became the first local government unit in the country to hand over to target beneficiaries a completed 4PH housing building.

Led by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the event marked the turnover of Building 1 of the Asenso Yuhum Residences in Arao to Bacolodnon families.

The 4PH program, launched under President Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) initiative, aims to address the nation’s housing backlog. Bacolod’s precedent-setting achievement demonstrates its commitment to provide affordable and sustainable housing for its people.

Buyer-beneficiaries of Building 1 are the first to occupy units under the 4PH program. Documentation is underway for additional beneficiaries slated to receive units in Buildings 2, 3 and 4.

The success stems from the collaboration of the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA), led by Ma. Victoria Parrenas and private sector partner WRS Holdings Consortium.

The consortium includes Scheirman Construction Consolidated Inc. and RS Realty Developers Inc., setting a high standard for public-private partnerships in housing.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), under Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, played a vital role by providing subsidies to reduce housing costs for beneficiaries. This financial support reflects DHSUD’s commitment to equitable access to quality housing.

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), led by its president Marilene Acosta, also contributed by extending development loans and fast-tracking documentation.

GREEN LIGHT John Jester Fajardo

GROWING up, I didn’t notice any poverty markers in the province because life there is simple. However, as I entered my teenage years and studied in Metro Manila, I clearly saw the distinction of the social classes that exist in the Philippines.

I noticed that a large proportion of the country’s wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a few families or corporations, while millions of Filipinos, particularly in rural areas, continue to live in extreme and abject poverty.

This inequality is perpetuated by an education system that often does not reach the most marginalized communities, inadequate healthcare services, and limited access to economic opportunities, particularly in the countryside.

The Philippines also struggled with political instability, corruption, and ineffective governance, which further impede economic development. Even though there have been programs designed to alleviate poverty, such as conditional cash transfers and microfinance initiatives, these have often been undermined by systemic inefficiencies and corruption at various levels of government. In my experience, these initiatives are usually just for show and a way

Yuchengco unit energizes new solar plant in Nueva Ecija

THE Yuchengco Group said Monday it energized the 19.6-megawatt-peak San Jose solar power plant in Nueva Ecija, which started exporting power to the Luzon grid on Dec. 21, 2024. The facility is owned by San Jose Green Energy Corp., one of four special purpose companies under Yuchengco-led Rizal Green Energy Corporation (RGEC).

RGEC is a joint-venture between PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC), the renewable energy (RE) holding firm of publicly listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp. and Japan’s Taisei Corp.

connected areas was raised from 1 percent to 2.5 percent in 2023.

Renewable energy was projected to supply 11.4 percent of the total power demand in 2024, underscoring the critical role of the REM in achieving compliance.

Around 285 participants, including generators, distribution utilities and end-users are anticipated to register with the REM.

The DOE projects that REC trading would significantly contribute to meeting RPS requirements and stimulate growth in renewable energy capacity.

Lotilla said the trading and usage of RECs would become more frequent as renewable energy demand continues to grow.

The DOE said the launch of REC trading represents a major step forward in the Philippines’ commitment to energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

“The San Jose solar plant is the second utility-scale solar plant we put on-line to the grid this year following the successful export of power last Nov. 12, 2024 from our Dagohoy solar plant in Bohol. But it is the fourth new RE facility PGEC has switchedon this year following the partial commissioning of our 13.2 MW Nabas-2 wind power project in Aklan last April 4, 2024 and the 360 KWp Mapua Malayan Colleges of Mindanao rooftop solar facility in Davao City last July 8, 2024,” said PGEC vice president for commercial operations Maria Victoria Olivar. “These new RE facilities not only enlarge and spread PGEC’s power operations across the country but as significant will increase our future revenues,” she said.

PetroEnergy said in a statement the San Jose facility would generate about 29 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually from more than 24,600 units of 670 Wp and more than 4,500 units of 675 Wp Trina PV panels. Alena

What poverty?

to garner voters when the election season comes near.

Education is often seen as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, access to quality education remains a distant dream for many Filipino children. Public schools, while free, are often overcrowded, underfunded, and lack essential resources. In rural and marginalized areas, schools may be located far from students’ homes, making it difficult for children to attend regularly. Even when they do attend, many students lack the support and materials they need to succeed, resulting in lower educational attainment.

The lack of quality education limits the employment prospects of the new generation. In a rapidly globalizing world, the skills required to compete in the job market―critical thinking, technical knowledge, language proficiency―are often out of reach for those in poverty. As a result, many young Filipinos are trapped in low-wage, informal, or seasonal jobs, where they are at risk of exploitation and poor working conditions. The cycle of poverty becomes even harder to break when the young generation is left without the tools needed to build a brighter future for themselves.

Education is often seen as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, access to quality education remains a distant dream for many Filipino children.

This is why I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and privilege upon reflecting on my circumstances. I am fortunate enough to attend a prestigious institution, something many people worldwide may not have the opportunity to do. Not only do I have the financial resources to pursue this education, but I am also in a fortunate position where I do not have to constantly worry about meeting my basic needs.

This contrasts sharply with the reality faced by many people in developing countries, where daily struggles for food, shelter, and safety are all too common. In this context, the fact that I can focus on my studies without the looming concern of survival or

financial instability feels like an immense blessing. It serves as a powerful reminder of the privileges I enjoy and motivates me to approach my education with a deep sense of responsibility and appreciation.

The poverty that continues to plague the Philippines is one of the greatest challenges facing the new generation of Filipinos. It affects their access to education, healthcare, social mobility, and mental and emotional wellbeing. However, this should not be seen as a hopeless situation. The cycle of poverty can be broken with collective effort, political will, and a renewed sense of solidarity. The new generation has the potential to transform the Philippines into a nation where all people, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the opportunity to live lives of dignity, opportunity, and fulfillment.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He can be reached at john_jester_fajardo@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, or its administrators.

BALLOON FLIGHT.

Bacolod City sets a precedent as the first local government unit in the country to hand over to target beneficiaries a completed 4PH housing building.

Green lane projects key to hitting investment goal

By Othel V. Campos

THE Board of Investments (BOI) said the pending green lane projects will help it meet its target of P1.75 trillion investments by 2025.

“As of Dec. 20, we have 173 certified projects with a total estimated cost of P4.5 trillion, of which 56 percent are foreign-owned. Even if only half of these projects register with the BOI, we are confident we will meet our target of P1.75 trillion in investments for 2025,” said BOI One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI) director Ernie delos Reyes

PLDT, labor group sign new CBA

By Vito Barcelo

THE labor dispute between the Manggagawa ng Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas (MKP) and PLDT Inc. was resolved, with both parties signing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering a period of three years, according to Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

The order signed by Laguesma adopted the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by the two parties earlier this month, formalizing the settlement of the CBA deadlock.

The dispute, which escalated into a deadlock despite initial conciliation efforts, was brought under the jurisdiction of DOLE.

The agreement includes provisions on employee benefits, amendments to certain CBA provisions and postMOA obligations.

“We are happy that your discussions resulted in an agreement. There is no substitute for an agreement mutually entered into by the parties,” Laguesma said in his message.

“There may be times when you experience disagreements, but it is essential to keep communicating. This signing is merely the formalization of discussions that produced mutually beneficial agreements,” he said.

The management said the dispute settlement process and continued dialogue with the union enabled them to better understand and address the needs of the around 9,600 employees forming the company.

He said the BOI does not put too much premium on whether uncertified green lane projects would register with the BOI “for as long as we are able to provide the services, that would already make us satisfied with our kind of service.”

BOI executive director Bobby Fondevilla said certification, which focuses on high-impact projects, provides investors with the assurance of more streamlined processing, including personalized support to address issues that may arise during project development.

Most certified projects are concentrated in the renewable

energy and food security sectors, with a notable emphasis on large foreign-owned investments such as the Charoen Pokphand Group, a global leader in integrated food production.

Charoen Pokphand also expressed its willingness to support local entrepreneurs, even offering assistance for small businesses without requiring a franchise agreement.

Fondevilla underscored the importance of effective coordination between the BOI, the Department of Energy (DOE) and other government agencies to ensure timely project approvals.

BSP lists fines on violations of fund transfers

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) listed specific penalties for violations of its realtime gross settlement (RTGS) system to ensure consistent and efficient enforcement.

The BSP-operated Peso RTGS facilitates the efficient settlement of large-value fund transfers between financial institutions and retail payments.

“A clear, fair, and transparent policy on penalties and sanctions is important in maintaining the participants’ trust in the Peso RTGS and in gaining their support for its orderly operation,” BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr., said in a statement.

The BSP Memorandum No. 2024039 dated Dec. 11, 2024 lists fines for all offenses when using the Peso RTGS, including the suspension of the participant’s privilege, such as availment of the BSP’s lntraday Settlement Facility or participation in the Peso RTGS itself.

The BSP said it may impose monetary penalties, sanctions, or both, depending on the gravity of the offense committed by RTGS participants, which include banks, non-banks with quasi-banking functions, non-bank electronic money issuers, financial

Cebu Landmasters eyes P5b in sustainability bonds in 2025

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CEBU Landmasters Inc. (CLI) plans to raise up to P5 billion from the offering of sustainability-linked bonds in 2025.

CLI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the registration statement for the sale of up to P3 billion sustainability-linked bonds, with an oversubscription option for another P2 billion.

The bonds will be issued as second tranche from CLI’s P15-billion bond shelf program approved by the SEC in 2022. The bonds will have tenors

Federal Land names Banzon new president as it prepares for 2025

GT CAPITAL Holdings Inc. (GTCAP) on Monday reported key changes in the leadership in property arm Federal Land Inc., with the appointment of Jose Mari Banzon as new president effective Jan. 1, 2025.

GTCAP said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Federal Land’s current president William Thomas Mirasol was appointed as vice chairman of the company, concurrent to his role as president of Federal land NRE Global (FNG), a joint venture between Federal Land and Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co Ltd.

The company said the change in the leadership in Federal Land comes as the property firm enters 2025 with renewed optimism for sustained growth. Banzon served as executive vice

president and general manager of Federal Land from January 2006 to 2013.

He joined SM Prime Holdings Inc. in 2013 and was appointed president of property arm SM Development Corp. (SMDC) in February 2020. During his stint with SMDC, Banzon was responsible for expanding the property firm’s portfolio into new formats and markets. He rejoined Federal Land in 2024. Mirasol played a significant role in Federal Land since joining the company in 2019. With over 31 years of real estate management experience, Mirasol has driven Federal Land to unprecedented success and solidified its position as a multi award-winning property company. Jenniffer B. Austria

of three years due 2028 and five years due 2030,

CLI said the planned bond sale obtained an exemplary credit rating of PRS Aa plus, with a stable outlook, from the Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings).

According to PhilRatings, obligations rated “PRS Aa” are of high quality and are subject to very low credit risks -- a very strong indication of the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment.

A stable outlook indicates that the rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next 12 months.

PhilRatings said it considered CLI’s

sound management and strategy, with a sustained competitive advantage in the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin).

It also noted the company’s sustained earnings growth, adequate interest coverage ratios despite a more leveraged capital position and substantial land bank for future development.

CLI’s net income rose 7 percent in the first nine months of 2024 to P2.3 billion, as revenues jumped 9.2 percent to P14.1 billion.

It launched P8.2 billion worth of projects with 1,664 residential units from January to September. These new project launches are already 89 percent sold-out, indicating high demand for the company’s products.

market infrastructures and clearing switch operators.

The memorandum enhances the policy on RTGS penalties and sanctions in the Manual of Regulations for Payment Systems (MORPS) by providing more granular regulations. The MORPS details rules that govern RTGS participants.

It identifies three types of offenses including violations of specific operational requirements not related to reports; non-compliance with the payments system’s reporting standards; and all other violations of the Peso RTGS Rules, applicable laws and BSP-issued rules and regulations as well as a combination of violations or multiple commissions of the same violation.

The BSP said it would consider all relevant circumstances and factors, including the nature of the violation, probable impact of the penalty on the participant’s financial condition, and overall effect of the violation on the Peso RTGS operation.

IN BRIEF

of cooperation

THE Philippines and Hungary held a progress assessment of their bilateral relations, with the intent of exploring new avenues for economic collaboration.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Allan Gepty noted during the 6th Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) from Dec. 2 to 3, 2024 an increase in bilateral trade between the Philippines and Hungary.

“We

DIGITAL MONCADA. Moncada Mayor Estelita Aquino and Bangko Sentral Pilipinas (BSP) Regional Director Noel Neil Malimban (second and third from right) lead the town’s launch of Paleng-QR Ph Plus on Dec. 3, 2024 at the Moncada Public Market in Tarlac. The program aims to promote e-payments in markets, public transportation and other businesses via QR Ph, the national standard for quick response codes.

WORKPLACE CULTURE. Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS) Philippines, the global capability center and microcosm of the global insurance and asset management leader Sun Life, receives several prestigious awards. As an exemplary employer, the organization was certified as a Great Place to Work and cited as one of Prosple’s Top Employers for Fresh Graduates.

DIGITAL ECONOMY. Darius Delgado, chief commercial officer at Globe, speaks at a fireside chat at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit Manila. Delgado says the digital economy holds immense growth potential

action from key stakeholders.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

MPIC, Maynilad

METRO Pacific Investments Corp.

(MPIC) and Maynilad Water Services Inc. are collaborating to spearhead a large-scale reforestation initiative through the “Plant for Life: Save the Ipo Watershed” program.

The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on November 8, 2024, highlights the aligned goals of both organizations to make a meaningful impact on the environment. Over the next three years, the initiative aims to reforest and care for 25 hectares annually within the Ipo Watershed, a vital water source for Metro Manila.

It also seeks to provide an additional source of income to the Dumagat community living inside the watershed by engaging them as reforestation partners. By the end of 2026, the project will restore 75 hectares of forest, contributing to the sustainability of the watershed, creating livelihood opportunities, and enriching biodiversity.

tie up to reforest Ipo Watershed

The initiative leverages the strengths of both MPIC and Maynilad. MPIC, committed to producing measurable outcomes in sustainability, will provide manpower, financial support and logistical assistance for the reforestation project.

Meanwhile, Maynilad will take the lead in technical implementation, identifying optimal planting sites, sourcing native seedlings and monitoring the program’s progress.

“Our partnership with Maynilad is a tangible example of how collaboration can lead to impactful solutions for both the environment and the communities that depend on it,” said June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, MPIC’s chief finance, risk and sustainability officer. “This program mirrors the value of taking deliberate actions to secure our natural resources while strengthening community involvement and environmental stewardship.”

Maynilad’s Plant for Life program aligns the efforts of private corpora-

SGS Philippines, PLDT Enterprise secure environmental partnership

SGS Philippines Inc. (SGS), a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has teamed up with PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT Inc., to strengthen their communication capabilities and champion sustainable business practices.

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to integrating environmental responsibility into their operations and strategies.

Recognizing the growing urgency to address electronic waste (e-waste), SGS has made sustainability a cornerstone of its business strategy.

In collaboration with PLDT Enterprise, SGS has implemented ewaste bins in its facilities, ensuring the proper disposal of outdated and broken electronic devices. The initiative is aligned with SGS’s broader mission to minimize environmental impact while promoting responsible business practices.

“At PLDT and Smart, sustainability is a commitment and a responsibility we uphold in every partnership and initiative. The collaboration with SGS Philippines is a concrete step towards building a circular economy by addressing the critical issue of e-waste management and empowering businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations,” said Melissa Vergel De Dios, first vice president and chief sustainability officer of PLDT and Smart Communications Inc..

“Together with SGS Philippines, we aim to create a positive impact that extends beyond our respective organizations, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for all,” she added.

SGS managing director Cresenciano Maramot, said sustainability was integral to SGS operations.

“By partnering with PLDT Enterprise on this e-waste project, we are not only enhancing our efforts to ad-

tions, government entities and civil society to support vital conservation work.

“Maynilad’s Plant for Life brings together the private sector, government and civil society organizations towards the common goal of protecting critical watersheds, preserving biodiversity, mitigating the impact of climate change, and bringing positive change to the communities we serve,” said Roel Espiritu, vice president and head of Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency Division of Maynilad.

“With MPIC’s support and partnership, Plant for Life will continue to deliver results that make a difference in safeguarding our planet and empowering the people we serve,” he added.

The program extends beyond restoring the Ipo Watershed. It actively engages local volunteers, generates livelihood opportunities and raises awareness about the importance of environmental protection in surrounding communities.

Gov’t finalizing NbS outline vs. climate change

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to finalize next year a framework that incorporates sustainable solutions in state policies to fight climate change, protect the environment and preserve natural resources.

The DENR said it would complete its draft nature-based solutions(NbS) framework for the country in 2025 and replace the current general Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) principle in place.

“The DENR has undertaken initiatives to institutionalize NbS. We are developing a mother policy to strengthen NbS integration within the department,” said DENR Undersecretary Analiza RebueltaTeh,

“With support from UNDP, we are finalizing the Forest Carbon Policy Roadmap and conducting NbS stocktaking studies to map the current landscape of NbS implementation across the environment and natural resources sector, non-profit, and the private sector,” she added.

The DENR official made the commitment in a recent forum with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Canadian government that tackled NbS and the crucial role of ecosystems in achieving mitigation and resilience from climate change and biodiversity loss in the Philippines.

Elenida Basug, director of the DENR Climate Change Service, said NbS must interoperate within an ecosystem of policies, such as in the Philippine Development Plan 2022-2028, the National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050 and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) 2015-2028.

UNDP Philippines deputy resident representative Edwine Carrie also said the Philippines cannot discuss the climate crisis without

Enterprise’s

Sun Life Foundation enhances mangrove conservation in Samar

MANGROVE conservation in Eastern Visayas received a boost as Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) and ABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ABS-CBN Foundation) launch the Integrated Mangrove Citizen Science and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative.

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that act as carbon sinks, fish nurseries, livelihood sources and natural breakwaters, yet they are rapidly disappearing.

The project, made possible by funding from global financial services company Sun Life Canada, aims to improve mangrove conservation by supporting community-based social enterprises and equipping locals with tools and techniques for enhanced mangrove management.

“Protecting mangroves is more important than ever given their role in mitigating the impacts of climate change,” said Sun Life Foundation executive director Kristine Dianne Millete. “We hope that this project will empower communities to actively care

acknowledging its interconnection with environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

“Given the complexity and interconnected nature of these challenges, interventions must address them simultaneously and equitably. UNDP is dedicated to championing gender-responsive nature-based solutions as a viable and cost-effective approach to combating the climate crisis while restoring and protecting the environment,” he said John Lok, head of cooperation of the Canadian Embassy, noted that NbS defend and restore natural areas such as forests and wetlands that are essential in protecting people from climate change impacts and reversing wildlife decline.

“It uses the features and complex system processes of nature—such as its ability to store carbon and regulate water flows—and provide innovative and resilient alternatives in the context of constrained fiscal capacity. Nature-based solutions also offer opportunities to empower women, indigenous peoples, and their communities to lead initiatives that will tackle climate change impacts,” Lok said.

Canada is funding two NbSspecific initiatives in the Philippines, namelyThe Accelerating Green and Climate Finance (AGCF) project, implemented by the UNDP, and the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solution for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS) with the Forest Foundation Philippines. UNDP Philippines News

PH e-vehicles cut greenhouse gas emissions

FIRST OF 2 PARTS

AT DAWN, Dorothy Mae Dumawal strolls past a fleet of electric threewheeled vehicles charging at a government-owned parking lot in Pasig City, Philippines. In a short while, the vehicles, which belong to Philippine Postal Corp., will set off on mail runs across bustling Pasig City, part of Metro Manila.

and Biliran

for mangroves while sustainably reaping the benefits these ecosystems provide.”

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Roberta Lopez-Felicianostressed the importance of collaboration in the initiative. “The project would not happen if we didn’t have the right partner and the right people in place. Having partners on the ground supporting the initiative is crucial,” she said.

The project involves collaboration with three community organizations from three sites: the San Juan by the Bay Service Cooperative (SJBSC) in Barangay San Juan, Sta. Rita, Samar; the Barobaybay Mangrove and Marine Conservationist Association (BMMCA) in Barangay Barobaybay, Calbiga, Samar; and Naga, Rawis, Villa Corro, Looc Mangrove and Fisherfolk Association (NARAVIL MFA) Inc. in Barangay Looc in Cabucgayan, Biliran.\As the philanthropic arm of life insurer Sun Life Philippines, the Sun Life Foundation supports holistic initiatives that promote health, education and environmental sustainability.

“Before this charging station, our drivers had to rush home whenever their batteries ran low,” says Dumawal, who manages the fleet. “Now, they can simply stop here, take a short break while charging and continue serving our community.” The vehicles are among 30 deployed in Pasig City under a project led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). That effort is part of a larger push, funded by Germany’s International Climate Initiative, to speed the rollout of electric motorcycles and threewheelers in nine countries across Asia and Africa. (To be continued) UNEP News

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chief finance, risk and sustainability officer June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (left) shakes hands with Maynilad Water Services Inc. vice president and head of quality, sustainability and resiliency division after formalizing the partnership.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Julia Barretto to kick off 2025 with three major projects

Shticks

Joseph Peter Gonzales

ACTRESS Julia Barretto is set to start 2025 with a bang as she takes on three exciting projects: What Lies Beneath , Hello Heaven , and Artista Academy She is particularly excited to begin working on What Lies Beneath under ABS-CBN, where she will collaborate with a talented cast that includes Bela Padilla, Janella Salvador, Charlie Dizon, Jake Cuenca, Jameson Blake, and JM de Guzman

“I’m looking forward to this project, which has a unique and exciting storyline. Since and after the pandemic, I’ve been doing love stories, so this will be a refreshing change. I’m excited to work with the Kapamilya team on this series.”

As for her other projects, Julia shared her enthusiasm: Artista Academy is equally exciting. It will be my first time hosting a reality show, and I’m thrilled. With Hello Heaven, I’m excited to work again with direk Antoinette Jadaone . I previously worked with her on Love You to the Stars and Back seven years ago with Joshua ( Garcia), so this will be our second project together. We’ve always talked about working again, and now we’ll get to do that for an extended period since Hello Heaven is also a series.”

Julia is also proud of her role in Hold Me Close , her entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

“I’ve seen the film, and it gave me a different feeling. That’s the magic of direk Jason Paul Laxamana —he takes you into a world he’s created. I’m so thankful to be part of this amazing film. I think you’ll understand once you watch it. The whole family can enjoy it, as it’s rated PG,” Julia said.

A new digital banking platform, VBank, was recently launched with the goal of promoting financial inclusion among Filipinos. The platform is the brainchild of senatorial aspirant Luis “Chavit” Singson, who personally attended the launch at the “Blackout Festival” at the Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Quezon City.

Comedy Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas , VBank’s brand ambassador, also attended the event and urged the public to support the initiative.

“VBank is a transformative tool to address the financial exclusion of many Filipinos. It’s practical and beneficial for everyone, especially in today’s digital age,” she said.

Manong Chavit emphasized the benefits of using VBank.

“Around 70 percent of Filipinos still don’t have bank accounts, which makes it difficult for our economy to grow. With VBank, we want to include everyone financially,” he explained.

VBank, paired with a VCard powered by Visa and Mastercard, is a safe and convenient option for users.

“The VCard can be delivered directly to your doorstep, eliminating the need to go to a branch,” he added.

“We plan to collaborate with local government agencies to roll this out, aiming to make financial services more accessible to all Filipinos.”

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

CRISANTO Aquino ’s My Future You , one of the official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, could pull a big surprise come “Gabi ng Parangal.” This film is well-made, with a solid plot, and features strong performances from its lead actors.

It’s worth noting that My Future You faces off against films with more ambitious themes and complex plots, but that’s part of its charm—its simplicity. What I expected to be a straightforward teen romcom turned out to be a beautifully written film filled with twists, heartfelt moments, and lessons that linger. The supporting cast is memorable, though they never overshadow the lead stars.

Starring Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, My Future You is Regal Entertainment’s best film in recent years. The story flows logically, is easy to follow, and delivers that “kilig” feeling, even if you’re not a FranSeth fan (though you might become one after watching this

Despite the common stereotype that love teams are often overly sweet or cliché, the film showcases Francine and Seth’s acting talent in a more serious and There are several scenes that

SHOWBIZ

In ‘My Future You,’ ‘kilig’ knows no timeline

showcase the acting talents of this young duo, but one, in particular, stands out. In a moment where Seth has no dialogue, his eyes well up with tears, and his lips tremble as he prepares to embrace his adoptive parents. That moment alone shows his growing depth as an actor.

The chemistry between Francine and Seth is undeniable. From simple exchanges to more emotional scenes, the two bring their characters to life with authenticity. Whether face-to-face or through a computer screen, their on-screen presence is magnetic, and their “kilig” factor is undeniable, making their partnership one to watch.

Seth is charming and convincing as a romantic lead, while Francine’s grace and heartfelt performance captivate viewers. Their scenes together bring smiles, sighs, and even a few tears, proving their potential as a love team.

Regal Entertainment made a good

decision when it stepped away from its usual holiday lineup of horror and drama to present a charming story that explores time travel and family values.

The story follows Karen (Francine) and Lex (Seth), who meet through an online dating app. They live in two different timelines, 15 years apart, but their connection is made possible by a comet.

As they grow closer, Karen asks Lex to change key moments in her past to prevent her parents’ separation. However, each alteration in the past brings unforeseen consequences, changing their futures in unexpected ways. In one final attempt, Lex hopes to set things right, but some events may be beyond their control.

My Future You premieres tomorrow as part of the 50th edition of MMFF. Completing the cast are Christian Vazquez, Almira Muhlach, Peewee O’Hara, Bodjie Pascua, Mosang, and Vance Larena

‘My Future You’ showcases Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin’s undeniable chemistry and incredible talent in acting

Actress Julia Barretto

‘My Future You’ stars Seth Fedelin (left) and Francine Diaz

‘My Future You’ follows the story of two people who met through an online dating app but are 15 years apart

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Piolo Pascual joins ‘Denim Revolution’ this holiday season

By Nickie Wang

THIS holiday season, Lee Jeans Philippines invites everyone to discover versatile pieces for every style in the “For The Love of Denim” collection. Actor Piolo Pascual , with his easygoing nature and vibrant personality, is the ideal ambassador for the brand and its new campaign.

With over 135 years of history, Lee Jeans is celebrated for its craftsmanship and classic style, which are visible in its Fall/Winter 2024 Men’s Denim Collection. The new collection – designed for comfort and style – features key items such as Lee 101+, denim jackets, and everyday pieces from Lee Originals.

Pascual was introduced as the new face of Lee during an event that included a performance by him and his band, a meet-and-greet with fans, and a preview of Lee’s latest collections. The event also highlighted Lee’s holiday campaign, “For The Love of Denim,” which encourages people to rediscover classic denim pieces.

The Fall/Winter collection includes lines like Lee 101+, known for its premium denim and great fit, Lee Originals with its comfortable basics, and Jacket Attack that offers signature denim jackets and outerwear. Leesures combines workwear with style and function.

Pascual’s personal favorites are the Ramone Jeans, the Reversible Jacket, and the Lee logo tees.

“Denim is timeless — it’s part of our everyday lives,” Pascual said at the launch. “I’m honored to represent a brand that’s been part of fashion for generations. Lee is about being true to yourself, and I’m excited to be part of this journey.”

THE latest episode of “58 Days ng MilyongMilyong Pa-Premyo,” hosted by Jourdan Sebastian , has shattered records, reaching over 1 million views nationwide.

Premiering on Dec. 15 with 226,000 views, the milestone marks the show’s highest viewership to date. This success reflects the hard work of “Team Chavit Singson.” What began as a small social media initiative has quickly become a nationwide sensation, offering daily excitement and joy to viewers. The online game show, known for its vibrant format, rewards 58 lucky winners with P5,800 in daily cash prizes, alongside a grand prize winner selected through an ascending multiplier for P58,000.

In a heartwarming moment, contestant “George” from Quezon Province almost missed his chance to win after missing a message from the show’s organizers. However, Chavit Singson , a senatorial candidate from Ilocos Sur, personally awarded him the grand prize, underscoring the importance of tuning in for life-changing opportunities. George plans to use the prize money for his daughter’s medical treatment.

Singson’s generosity didn’t stop there; he also gave an early Christmas gift of P5,000 each to lucky live audience members. The show continues to gain traction, with Sebastian encouraging viewers to engage with Luis Chavit Singson on social media, download the VBank

GLOBAL retailer Uniqlo brings together design, style, and comfort in its 2025 Spring/ Summer collection released in collaboration with JW Anderson. Set to launch on Jan. 17, the new collection introduces a “Modern Preppy” theme – a good mix of classic styles with contemporary designs and vibrant colors.

“This season’s collection features classic items like oxford shirts, denim jeans, polo shirts, and hoodies, reimagined with careful attention to detail to ensure the perfect fit,” designer Jonathan Anderson said of the new collection.

Key pieces in the collection include women’s oxford shirts in white, blue, and striped patterns and rugger polo shirts in bold pink and yellow. These items feature a short, boxy silhouette.

The Miracle Air blazer, a preppy staple, is crafted with high-performance materials that are lightweight, stretchy, and quick-drying. Accessories such as bags, socks, and neckties are also available in playful, bright colors. For men, the collection includes moderately roomy polo shirts, available in four styles and 13 colors, made

Lee Jeans Philippines’ billboard featuring Piolo Pascual in various denim pieces

Actor and Lee Jeans Philippines brand ambassador Piolo Pascual during the preview of the latest collections

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024

C4 LIFE

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Luxury living meets inspired design

By Abigail Adriatico

DESIGNING a home is no small feat. From deciding the desired ambiance for each space to selecting the right elements to bring that vision to life, creating the perfect home involves many intricate steps.

For those aspiring to craft their dream luxury homes, Tile Gallery provides an extensive range of high-quality surfaces, furnishings, and fixtures from renowned luxury brands worldwide. With the opening of its new showroom in San Juan, the brand takes its commitment to helping homeowners a step further by showcasing its finest selections in a space designed to inspire. The showroom’s thoughtfully arranged floors feature a variety of offerings from its catalog, allowing

customers to explore each room and envision how the pieces can transform their own spaces. One of the brands featured is Olivari, a 110-year-old Italian company renowned for its premium door handles. Crafted in the brand’s factory in Borgomanero, Italy, Olivari offers a wide variety of designs, including collaborations with world-renowned designers and architects such as Gio Ponti, Ferdinand A. Porsche, Joe Colombo, and Angelo Mangiarotti all available for viewing.

Tile Gallery’s showroom features the various offerings of brands in its catalogue

For floor and wall tiles, Atlas Concorde offers a vast array of cutting-edge luxury porcelain tiles, cementing its status as one of the industry’s leading brands. With decades of technological innovation, the brand provides tiles suitable for

both residential and commercial use, offering diverse designs that range from bold and colorful surfaces to timeless minimalist styles.

In the realm of furniture, Meridiani stands out in Tile Gallery’s catalog for its unique approach to home design, interpreting the home as a dress to be worn. Its collection of sophisticated pieces, crafted from luxurious materials, is displayed to highlight both its distinctive style and functionality, embodying the brand’s dedication to high-quality craftsmanship.

Meanwhile, a dedicated section for bathroom furniture and fixtures showcases the offerings of Ideagroup and Zucchetti.Kos, both of which feature pieces that exude luxury and comfort for one of the most essential rooms in any home. Ideagroup’s furniture aims to embody a concept

Beverly Hills, Clarins, L’Occitane, Mario Badescu, and Malin+Goetz. Popular products like Anastasia’s Cream Blush Stick and Clarins’ Lip Perfector Glow will be available for a fraction of the price, while L’Occitane’s Immortelle Divine collection promises luxurious skincare benefits. Mario Badescu’s Radiance Kit offers a quick skincare fix for a glowing complexion, and Malin+Goetz’s Dark

that enhances customer well-being by providing comfort and relaxation while maintaining an appealing aesthetic. Its collection creates inviting and durable bathroom environments, with bespoke solutions offering designs ranging from modern and minimalist to regal and traditional. Zucchetti.Kos delivers luxurious taps, mixers, and other bathing products, ensuring high quality, precision, and innovation. With over 90 years in the industry, Zucchetti offers innovative taps and mixers in variations to suit any bathroom, while Kos provides spa-like bathtubs and shower enclosures, promising a relaxing and opulent experience.

As Tile Gallery approaches its 20th anniversary, the brand continues to grow, bringing luxury Italian brands to the Filipino market and offering sophistication and premium quality to every home.

“It’s been incredible to see how Tile Gallery has now grown into a trusted source of premium designs for Filipinos, and the opening of our San Juan showroom is the perfect way to mark our approaching twentieth anniversary,” said Kenneth Hing one of Tile Gallery’s founders. In addition to its new showroom in San Juan at Gallery 7, 191 A. Mabini St., Tile Gallery also has a location in Bel-Air 2, 221 Nicanor Garcia, Makati. For more information about Tile Gallery and its catalog, email inquiry@ tilegallery.com. ph or visit tilegallery.com. ph.

Rum eau de parfum add a festive fragrance to your holiday season. For the little ones

Shoppers can also find great gifts for children at the sale, with toys from Little Tikes and school essentials from TINC. Little Tikes’ Princess Cozy Coupe and T-Rex Truck are perfect for sparking kids’ imaginations, while TINC offers fun, vibrant school supplies such as lunch bags, water bottles, and pencil cases. For babies, Piccolo Bambino provides ultrasoft muslin blankets and bibs, ensuring comfort and care for little ones.

The Rustan’s Endof-Season Sale will be available at all Rustan’s branches, including its newest showroom in San Juan, as well as online.

THE holiday shopping season just got even better as Rustan’s launches its highly anticipated End-of-Season Sale on Dec. 26. With discounts of up to 50 percent across a wide range of luxury brands, this is the perfect opportunity for shoppers to indulge in some retail therapy or check off those last-minute Christmas gifts. Rustan’s offers exclusive promotions both in-store and online at www.rustans.com, with shoppers able to enjoy special deals on everything from women’s dresses and men’s wear to beauty products, kids’ essentials, and home décor. In addition to the discounts, FSP members can earn five times the usual FSP points for in-store purchases made exclusively on Dec. 26. The sale includes curated selections from renowned brands across various categories: Fashion highlights For women, Rustan’s End-of-Season Sale features a range of stunning dresses from top brands including Bardot, Self-Portrait, Ronny Kobo, and SIMKHAI. Whether you’re looking for a bold, eye-catching piece like the Verona Sequin Dress from Bardot or a timeless, elegant option such as the Lace Midi Dress by Self-Portrait, there is something for every occasion. Also on offer are SIMKHAI’s Mischa Marble Dress, known for its sophisticated marble print, and Ronny Kobo’s edgy Aria Dress. Men can also elevate their wardrobes with polished, versatile pieces from Benjamin Barker, Hackett, and Psycho Bunny. Whether you need sharp, work-appropriate attire or casual, preppy designs, these brands have you covered. Tropical escapes For those planning a tropical getaway, the sale includes tropical resort wear from Natori and footwear from Arezzo. Women can

Jungle Garden shoes by 4CCCCEES add a bold, adventurous touch. Brands such as Sorbet Island and Seafolly offer S N A P S H O T

Pre-Christmas wedding magic Edrick Bryan Paguio and Jade Karen Echevarria tied the knot in a chic and elegant ceremony on Dec. 21 at the Pasig Cathedral. Surrounded by close family and friends, the couple celebrated their union during the festive holiday season. The pre-Christmas wedding marked the beginning of their journey as husband and wife. Holiday shopping just got 50% more festive

Dresses from brands like Bardot, Self-Portrait,

The facade of Tile Gallery’s showroom in San Juan

Meridiani’s unique furnitures are some of the pieces prominently displayed at the Tile Gallery showroom

Some of the floor and wall tiles offerings include those from tile brand Atlas Concorde

Zuchetti.Kos’ fine selection of taps, mixers, and bathing products are on display at the showroom

Pieces from Benjamin Barket, Hackett, and Psycho Bunny are perfect for men looking to elevate their wardrobe