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JANUARY 5-11, 2024 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages

T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

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Marcos vows to ‘build better, more’ in 2024 DATELINE USA

by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed that the government will “build better and more” this year.

In a pre-recorded New Year’s message, the president said that he looks back on 2023 “pleased” with the administration’s accomplishments.

“Your government’s New Year’s resolution is to fully work towards giving efficient and devoted service, which will be the key to improving life for

us all,” Marcos said. “We look forward to the new year with a pledge to build better and more. We have set high hopes for the days ahead, and we know that these can only be achieved with hard work.”

The president also promised to keep the nation united in the face of new challenges.

“No doubt the coming year will bring its fair share of new challenges. But these we have weathered before, like the great tribulations our forefathers defeated, and as a proud inheritors of this indefatigable spirit, we, too, shall overcome,”

by tina g. SantoS

LA County reinstates mask mandate at health care facilities

Inquirer.net

There have been increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in LA County over the past week

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States expand health coverage for immigrants as GOP hits Biden over border crossings A GROWING number of states are opening taxpayer-funded health insurance programs to immigrants, including those living in the U.S. without authorization, even as Republicans assail President Joe Biden over a dramatic increase in illegal crossings of the southern border.

Eleven states and Washington, D.C., together provide full health insurance coverage to more than 1 million low-income

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Asean ministers worry over rising South China Sea tensions

Los Angeles County has reinstated a mask-wearing mandate for staff and visitors at health care facilities following the rise in COVID cases. The health department said it was possible that at least part of the local increase in transmission is driven by new COVID-19 strains gaining dominance in Los Angeles County, including JN.1, a newly emerging strain descended from BA.2.86, an Omicron lineage.

File photo

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County has reinstated a mask-wearing requirement for staff and visitors at all licensed health care facilities in light of an upswing in coronavirus metrics, officials said Saturday, December 30.

The county recently entered the “medium” level of COVID-19 hospital admissions, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Over the past week in Los Angeles County, there have been notable, yet not unexpected, increases in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” the Los Angeles

he said.

He reported that in 2023, his administration built 33 specialty centers, over 2,000 classrooms, and seven additional co-chain facilities.

The government also facilitated investments in renewable energy with a total potential capacity of around 121,000 megawatts and completed eight water supply projects, Marcos said.

“We also completed eight water supply projects, with 147 additional water projects being implemented in preparation for next year,” Marcos

BLACK NAZARENE MERCHANDISE. This couple prints and sells Black Nazarene-themed 2024 personalized calendars in their shop along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Wednesday, Jan. 3, ahead of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. About 2.5 million devotees are expected to join the procession or “Traslacion” on Jan. 9.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

MANILA — Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have expressed concern over escalating tensions in disputed areas in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, and called on all the parties involved to exercise restraint and pursue a peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

“We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region,” the top diplomats of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc said in a statement late Saturday, Devcember 30 also issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The statement came after China and the Philippines in recent months traded accusations over a series of maritime run-ins, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited the need to change the country’s approach since diplomatic efforts were headed in a “poor direction,” he said last month.

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PH, US hold joint patrol in West Philippine Sea

by Faith argoSino Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States commenced the first joint patrol in the West Philippine Sea this year, which was to last until January 4.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday, January 3 said the two-day bilateral event will consist of “passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, Officer of the Watch maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations.”

“The 2nd maritime cooperative activity marks a significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States. It also demonstrates our progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-

class armed force, as we carry out our mandate to protect the people and the state,” AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, Jr. said in a statement.

According to the AFP, Philippine and U.S. assets have arrived in the West Philippine Sea and performed advanced maritime communication exercises and completed “division tactics, an exercise to develop their confidence in maneuvering near other vessels.”

The AFP added that it also deployed four Philippine Navy vessels, a search and rescue multi-role helicopter, and an antisubmarine warfare capable helicopter, while the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) used its navy vessels, a cruiser, two destroyers, and multiple combat aircraft. n

Virgin Island in Panglao, Bohol is a popular destination among local and foreign tourists.

Photo by Leo Udtohan

Recovering tourism industry exceeds target, draws over 5.5 million visitors in 2023 Pacquiao ‘ready’ to PH outstanding debt balloons to P14.51 trillion fight Mayweather again in 2024 u PAGE 3

by ZeuS legaSpi Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines’ outstanding debt climbed to a record of P14.51 trillion as of the end of November 2023 due to the net issuance of domestic securities, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday, January 3.

In a statement, the national treasury said that the debt stock increased by P27.92 billion where 30.91% are from external debts while 69.09% are from domestic borrowings.

The end-November debt level was 0.19% percent higher than

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by lanCe agCaoili Inquirer.net

MANILA — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao seeks to face rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a rematch in 2024.

The former eight-division world champion on New Year’s Eve announced during the Rizin 45 mixed martial arts event in Saitama that he will have a “big fight” in Japan this year.

Rizin chief executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara revealed that Pacquiao will be facing Mayweather nine years after last facing Stock photo of a peso money bill.

Philstar.com / Jovannie Lambayan, File

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MANILA — The Philippines’ tourism industry has been recovering faster than expected since taking a hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday, January 2.

In its year-end report, the DOT said that the country welcomed over 5.4 million tourists in 2023.

“A total of 5,450,557 international visitors entered the country from January 1 to December 31, 2023,” the DOT said.

It added that among the 5.4 million visitors, 91.8 percent

(5,003,475) were foreigners, while 8.20 percent (447,082) were overseas Filipinos.

Target exceeded This figure is around 650,000 more than the DOT’s projected 4.8 million international visitors for 2023.

In 2022, the Philippines welcomed around two million visitors, 73 percent of the, foreigners.

In early December last year, the DOT announced that it had breached the five million mark for foreign tourist arrivals.

“Annyeonghaseyo” Its yearend report added that South Koreans accounted for 26.41 percent of the total

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JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

From The FronT Page

Marcos vows to ‘build better, more’ in...

PAGE 1 said, referring to the threat of El Niño.

He cited government assistance programs, including college scholarships and livelihood grants, as well as welfare programs that are meant to help people “graduate” from poverty.

The president said these programs serve as government support for Filipino skilled and talented workers that will serve as ladders to fulfilling their dreams.

“This is the reason why we continue to

give support to our farmers, from seedlings to fertilizers to fuel, because their sweat alone should not nurture the crops they grow in feeding the nation,” Marcos said.

“We will continue to purge the government of rules that slow the delivery of public services because when projects get delayed, progress is denied our people,” Marcos said.

“And this commitment to efficiency and service will extend to documents and licenses, because service delayed is also service denied,” he added.

Meanwhile, the president reminded Filipinos “that great things are always possible so long as we keep the faith in each other, in our nation, and in God.” “I am one with those of you who are fervently praying that the coming days will be filled with hope brought by prosperity for all,” Marcos said.

“And as long as values that bind us keep us united in our collective pursuit of shared progress, we will succeed. Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas,” he added. n

PH outstanding debt balloons to...

PAGE 1 the P14.48 trillion in October 2023.

The country’s domestic debt at the end of November posted a total of P10.02 trillion which is 1.23% higher than the previous month’s P9.9 trillion.

The BoT attributed the increase in domestic debt to the net issuance of government securities worth P171.091 billion while principal payments amounted to P45.14 billion, which resulted in net payments of P125.95 billion.

The treasury also said that the rise in debt was somewhat reduced by about P3.87 billion, as the Philippine peso strengthened and had an impact on domestically held foreign currency-denominated securities.

External debt, on the other hand, amounted to a total of P4.48 trillion is 2.06% lower than the end-October’s debt of P4.58 trillion.

The treasury said that the country’s external obligations were lessened due to the government’s net repayment of foreign loans amounting to P1.08 billion and “favorable foreign exchange movements.

On the other hand, total debt guaranteed obligations declined by P7.86 billion or 2.18% month-over-month to P353.14 billion as of end-November 2023.

The treasury attributed the drop in guaranteed debt to the government’s net repayment of both domestic guarantees amounting to P1.21 billion and external guarantees amounting to P3.50 billion. (By Ian Laqui/Philstar.com) n

Pacquiao ‘ready’ to fight Mayweather again in...

PAGE 1 each other in what was dubbed the “Fight of the Century.”

Sakakibara asked the Filipino boxer if he could fight Mayweather this year and the latter answered: “I’m ready.”

“Thank you so much for inviting me here again. I’m sorry for the last time that we promised that we were going to fight this year, but like Sakakibara-san explained,” said Pacquiao, who had promised to have an exhibition match against a Japanese fighter during his 2022 New Year’s Eve appearance but it didn’t push through.

But the 45-year-old retired professional boxer promised something bigger to the Japanese crowd. “[This] year I hope to see you here in Japan again with a big fight against …” said Pacquiao before Sakakibara quipped: “Floyd Mayweather.”

“Floyd Mayweather, yeah.

I thought you didn’t want me to say that. But I’m excited for that. Thank you for always supporting Rizin, and thank you Sakakibara-san,” he added.

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during his appearance in the Rizin 45 event in Saitama, Japan.

Both Pacquiao and Rizin didn’t disclose the full details of their possible rematch as Mayweather’s camp has yet to respond to the announcement as of posting time.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather’s bout was held in May 2015, which broke the pay-per-view records.

Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision and unified

the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and World Boxing Organization welterweight championships.

The American boxer hung his glove unbeaten in 50 bouts in 2017, while Pacquiao retired three years ago when he decided to run as president in the May 9, 2022 elections but he lost.

Pacquiao last fought against South Korean YouTuber DK

Inquirer.net photo

Yoo in his first exhibition match by unanimous decision in six rounds last December 2022.

The former senator has another exhibition set in April against Thai Buakaw Banchamek.

Mayweather already saw action in 10 exhibition matches but his last in June against John Gotti III ended up with an inring brawl. n

Asean ministers worry over rising South China...

PAGE 1 China, in recent days, has also noticeably intensified its public responses to persistent challenges against its sweeping claims over the South China Sea, particularly from the Philippines, denying and dismissing all allegations made

by Manila in their maritime dispute.

‘Sea of peace, stability’ Asean officials underscored the need to maintain and promote freedom of navigation in and overflight above the maritime sphere of Southeast Asia.

“We reaffirm the need to restore and enhance mutual trust and confidence as well as exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, [and] avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” they noted.

The ministers are pushing for a peaceful resolution of disputes, “including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to threat or use of force,” in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

The foreign ministers also reiterated the importance of peaceful dialogue “that contributes constructively to the promotion of regional stability and cooperation in the maritime domain.”

“We welcome the efforts to manage the situations and ensure that peace and stability are maintained. We recognize the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity,” they pointed out.

“We underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety and committed to working towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” the foreign ministers added.

Separate code The officials also welcomed the recent holding of a maritime dialogue between China and the United States in Beijing and the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in California last November.

“We hope that such dialogues will continue to further Asean’s efforts to strengthen stability and cooperation in the region’s maritime sphere,” they said.

“We reaffirm our unity and solidarity and our shared commitment to maintaining and further strengthening stability in our maritime sphere to bring about overall peace, security, stability, and prosperity in our region,” they added.

Mr. Marcos said in November that the Philippines was working on a separate code of conduct with neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam regarding their territorial conflicts in the South China Sea as a broader agreement with China has not been progressing.

Asean and China have worked toward creating a code of conduct in the South China Sea, a plan dating back to 2002, although the regional bloc had already broached that proposal a decade earlier and officially endorsed it in 1996.

But progress has been slow despite expressions of commitment by concerned parties to advance and speed up the process.

Talks on the components of the code have yet to start amid concerns over China’s willingness to commit to a binding set of rules consistent with international law.

China claims most of the South China Sea through a “nine-dash-line” that loops as far as 1,500 kilometers south of its mainland, cutting into the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

It updated its claim last August into a 10-dash line covering almost the entire West Philippine Sea. n

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SC approves procedural rules on anti-terror law MANILA — The Supreme Court on Monday, January 1 said it has finalized the set of procedural rules guiding all petitions and applications related to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which will take effect on January 15.

In a statement, the High Court said that the approved rules will cover all petitions and applications related to detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, travel restrictions, designations, proscriptions and other court issuances meted out in the implementation of the anti-terrorism law.

These guidelines will apply to all individuals or groups who “seek to obtain judicial relief from their designation as terrorist by the AntiTerrorism Council (ATC) and the issuance of any freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as a result of such designation.”

According to the rules, the CA (Court of Appeals) can only issue a preliminary order of proscription within 72 hours of receiving a verified petition if the petitioner has sufficiently established probable cause that the order is necessary to prevent terrorism.

This order allows the AMLC to investigate and freeze the assets of the accused. The CA then holds hearings and decides on the petition within three months. If clear and convincing evidence is presented, a permanent order of proscription is issued for three years.

Law enforcement personnel must also first obtain a written order from the CA before they can

conduct surveillance on individuals associated with terrorism and secretly monitor and collect information related to their communication and activities. The rules specify the grounds, content, and effectiveness of such surveillance orders.

Under the rules, individuals suspected of terrorism can be arrested and detained without a warrant for a limited period as provided by the Revised Penal Code. The ATC can extend this period for up to 14 days, and a designated Regional Trial Court can approve an additional 10 days. The arrested individuals must be informed of their rights, and any form of torture or cruel treatment is prohibited.

Procedures for handling classified evidence related to national security and state secrets are also established under the guidelines.

Additionally, when vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and children are involved, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to protect their rights.

Prior to its passage in 2020, the antiterrorism law was widely contested by civil society and the government’s own human rights commission largely due to its loose definition of terrorism, which raised fears that peaceful dissent and legitimate expressions of opposition could be unjustly labeled as terrorist activities.

After several petitions to nullify the entire law, the High Court in 2021 struck down just two parts that included the overbroad definition of terrorism and the second mode of tagging individuals or groups as terrorists. (Philstar.com) n

States expand health coverage...

PAGE 1 immigrants regardless of their legal status, according to state data compiled by KFF Health News. Most aren’t authorized to live in the U.S., state officials say.

Enrollment in these programs could nearly double by 2025 as at least seven states initiate or expand coverage. In January, Republicancontrolled Utah will start covering children regardless of immigration status, while New York and California will widen eligibility to cover more adults.

“These are kids, and we have a heart,” said Utah state Rep. Jim Dunnigan, a Republican who initially opposed his state’s plan to cover children lacking legal status but relented after compromises including a cap on enrollment.

There are more than 10 million people living in the U.S. without authorization, according to estimates by the Pew Research Center. Immigrant advocates and academic experts point to two factors behind state leaders’ rising interest in providing health care to this population: The

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

LA County reinstates mask mandate...

PAGE 1 County Department of Public Health said in a statement. “While recent increases are significant, they remain considerably below last winter’s peak and commonsense protections are strongly recommended to help curb transmission and severe illness as the new year begins.”

The threshold for the CDC’s medium level is between 10 and 19.9 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 population over seven days. The CDC reported 10.5 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people in Los Angeles County for the week ending Dec. 23.

“Based on the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order posted on December 27, 2023, when the COVID-19 hospital admission level in Los Angeles County meets or exceeds the CDC’s Medium Level, all healthcare personnel, regardless of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, in licensed health care facilities that provide inpatient care are required to mask while in contact with patients or working in patientcare areas,” the department’s statement said.

“In addition, all persons visiting a licensed health care facility that provides inpatient care are required to mask when around patients and while in patient-care areas. This will remain in effect until the COVID-19 hospital admission level in Los Angeles County is below the CDC’s Medium Level for at least 14 consecutive days.”

There were 609 COVIDpositive patients in LA County hospitals as of Dec. 23,

according to state data. That’s up from 259 on Nov. 1, but lower than at this time last year, when the number was over 1,200.

Some of those patients were admitted for other reasons and discovered they had COVID after being tested at the hospitals.

Since last week, the reported daily average of COVID-19 cases in the county has increased by more than 25%, from 495 to 621, according to the health department. Officials said the number represents an undercount due to the large number of home test results for COVID-19 that are not reported.

The department also reported a daily average of five COVIDrelated deaths, an increase from two earlier this month on Dec. 6.

Health officials have said that the great majority of people who die with COVID-19 have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or hypertension.

A week ago, the health department said it was possible that at least part of the local increase in transmission is driven by new COVID-19 strains gaining dominance in Los Angeles County, including JN.1, a newly emerging strain descended from BA.2.86, an Omicron lineage.

JN.1 does not, however, appear to be resulting in more severe cases of COVID-19, officials said.

To protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating this holiday season, health experts recommended the following common-sense precautions: • Wash hands often or use

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Recovering tourism industry exceeds...

PAGE 1 foreign visitors, making them the Philippines’ largest market for international visitors.

Second on the list are Americans (16.57 percent) followed by the Japanese (5.61 percent), Australians (4.89 percent) and Chinese (4.84 percent).

Cashing in Further, the DOT said that the country’s international tourism receipts have surged

to an estimated P482.54 billion in 2023 – about 124.87 percent higher than the estimated P214.58 billion in 2022.

“In 2019, or the pre-pandemic period, the DOT recorded P482.15 billion in international tourism receipts,” it added.

“By 2024, the DOT is targeting a baseline target of 7.7 million international visitor arrivals,” the DOT stated in its yearend report.

Resilient tourism industry Citing the country’s multiple

tourism awards in 2023, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco lauded the tourism industry’s resilience amid setbacks in previous years.

“The indomitable spirit of the Filipino has been globally acclaimed with the Philippines receiving the Global Tourism Resilience Award with our country seen as a benchmark for innovation amidst trials and challenges,” Frasco said in the same report. n

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IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT. At least 156 pawikan hatchlings are released at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Davao City on Wednesday, Jan. 3, the first for this year. The park is a nesting ground for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places.

• Consider wearing a wellfitted, high-quality mask in crowded indoor spaces, travel hubs or poorly ventilated spaces.

• Stay home if you have any symptoms of illness, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, and consider talking with friends and family so they know to be cautious about gathering if they show signs of infection. (Inquirer.net) n NOTICE TO PROPOSERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of San Diego (City) is seeking to receive Electronic Proposals for the below named Request for Proposal (RFP).

The solicitation may be obtained from the City’s website at: https://www. sandiego.gov/cip/bidopps RFP Title: CM for Alvarado 2nd Extension Pipeline Contract Number(s): H2426367, Consultant Fee Range: Between 8 million and 10 million Pre-Proposal Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 10:00:00 AM Proposal Due Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. It is the policy of the City of San Diego to encourage equal opportunity in its Construction and Consultant contracts.

Bids or proposals from local firms, small, minority-owned, disabled, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged.

Consultants are encouraged to subcontract with and/or participate in joint ventures with these firms. The City is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, gender expression, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or disability; and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis.

Proposals shall be received no later than the date and time noted above at: City of San Diego’s Electronic Proposal Site – PlanetBids at: h t t p s : / / w w w. p l a n e t b i d s . com/portal/portal. cfm?companyID=17950.

Claudia Abarca, Director Purchasing & Contracting Department Thursday, January 4, 2024 1/5/24 CNS-3770258# ASIAN JOURNAL

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JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

California is poised to protect workers County awards $42M in from extreme heat — indoors funds for affordable housing THE stifling heat inside some warehouses where workers might spend 10-hour days isn’t just a summer problem. In Southern California, it can feel like summer all year.

It’s easy to break into a sweat and grow tired, workers say. The ventilation feels inconsistent, they say, and workers have testified in a public hearing about nosebleeds, nausea, and dizziness.

In some warehouses, the walk to find a place to cool down is at least half a mile.

“We are in constant motion. Throughout the day, my shirt is soaked in sweat three to four times,” said Sara Fee, a former worker at an Amazon warehouse in San Bernardino, California, who testified before a state workplace safety board in May. “I have been nauseous, dizzy.”

As the climate warms and the threat of extreme heat spreads, California is poised to protect people who work in poorly ventilated warehouses, steamy restaurant kitchens, and other indoor job sites where temperatures can soar to potentially dangerous levels. The state has had heat standards on the books for outdoor workers since 2005, and indoor workplaces are next.

Only two other states, Minnesota and Oregon, have adopted heat rules for indoor workers, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Nationally, legislation has stalled in Congress, and even though the Biden administration has initiated the long process of

establishing national heat standards for outdoor and indoor work, the rules are likely to take years to finalize.

If California adopts its proposal in the spring, businesses would be required to cool worksites below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present and below 82 degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or are exposed to radiant heat, such as furnaces. If businesses are unable to lower the temperatures, they must provide workers with water, breaks, areas where they can cool down, cooling vests, or other means to keep employees from overheating.

“It is only getting hotter every year,” said Alice Berliner, director of the Worker Health & Safety Program at the University of California-Merced.

“Having protections for both indoor and outdoor workers, it empowers someone to feel like they can ask for access to drinking water, and access to a break when they feel like they’re hot.”

Neither workers nor businesses are satisfied with the plan. Some businesses fear they won’t be able to meet the requirements, even with the flexibility the regulation offers. Workers argue buildings should be kept even cooler.

Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure.

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,600 heat-related deaths,

THE County of San Diego has awarded $42 million to nine affordable housing developments that will provide about 872 new homes.

Those selected developments came from a pool of 24 proposal requests totaling more than $89 million for affordable housing across the region. The distribution of the funds was previously approved by the County Board of Supervisors.

Of the nine developments, three will be on county excess land and two on publicly owned land belonging to the MTS. Below is a breakdown of the allocated funds and number of affordable units: • Navajo Family Apartments 7005 Navajo Rd., San Diego Total units: 45 (8 for extremely low income) Developer: Community Housing Works Funding: $2.72 million.

• Terrasini (Mt. Etna’s fourth development) 5255 Mt. Etna Dr., San Diego u PAGE 7 (County excess property) Total units: 95 (10 for extremely low income) Developer: Chelsea Investment Corporation Funding: $7.25 million.

• Spring Street Trolley Station 4250 Spring St., La Mesa Total units: 150 (33 for extremely low income) Developer: Affirmed Housing

Group Funding: $2 million.

• Beyer Boulevard Trolley Village 4055 Beyer Blvd., San Diego Total units: 100 (30 for extremely low income) Developer: Affirmed Housing Group Funding: $3 million.

• Mission Village 213 & 225 W Elder St., Fallbrook Total units: 61 (30 for extremely low income) Developer: San Diego Community Housing Corporation and National CORE Funding: $7.9 million.

• 73rd Street Apartments 5001 73rd St., San Diego (County excess property) Total units: 120 (38 for extremely low income) Developer: Eden Housing Funding: $6.9 million.

• Kindred 1501/1555 6th Ave., San Diego (County excess property) Total units: 124 (63 for extremely low income) Developer: BRIDGE Housing Funding: $4 million.

• Paseo Del Rey Apartments 610 Paseo Del Rey, Chula Vista Total units: 96 (33 for extremely low income) Developer: Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation Funding: $8 million.

• Southwest Village 323, 333-335, 337-338 Willie James Jones Ave., San Diego Total units: 81 (23 for extremely low income) Developer: Related California Funding: $854,322.

County Housing and Community Development Services provides affordable housing opportunities to more than 40,000 people each year through various housing programs and affordable housing efforts.

Since 2017, the county has invested more than $235 million in affordable housing, including using County excess property and its Innovative Housing Trust Fund.

Since 2017, 1,660 new units have opened. There are an additional 2,926 units on the way.

When all the developments in the pipeline are complete, the total number of affordable units supported by the County will reach nearly 7,600. This is expected to provide homes to more than 16,700 people.

The development plans align with the county’s Housing Blueprint (https://engage. sandiegocounty.gov/housingblueprint), the county’s guide and ongoing response to the regional housing crisis.

(Cassie N. Saunders/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

ENGINE CHECK. A driver checks the engine of his passenger jeepney in a terminal in Jordan Plains, Sta. Monica in Quezon City on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has allowed traditional jeepney operators and drivers who failed to join the government’s Public Utility Vehicle modernization program to operate beyond the Dec. 31, 2023 consolidation deadline but only in routes that have few consolidated units.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

States expand health coverage...

PAGE 3 pandemic highlighted the importance of insurance coverage to control the spread of infectious diseases; and some states are focusing on people without legal status to further drive down the country’s record-low uninsured rate.

States have also expanded coverage in response to pleas from hospitals, lawmakers say, to reduce the financial burden of treating uninsured patients.

All states pay hospitals to provide emergency services to some unauthorized residents in emergency rooms, a program known as Emergency Medicaid. About a dozen states have extended coverage for only prenatal care for such people. Full state-provided health insurance coverage is much less common, but increasing.

An estimated half of the people living in the U.S. without authorization are uninsured, according to a KFF-Los Angeles Times survey. That’s more than five times the uninsured rate for U.S. citizens.

Immigrants lacking authorization are ineligible for federal health programs. But states can use their own money to provide coverage through Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for low-income people.

California was the first state to begin covering immigrants regardless of their legal status, starting with children in 2016.

“This is a real reflection of the conflict we have in the country and how states are realizing we cannot ignore immigrant communities simply because of their immigration status,” said Adriana Cadena, director of the advocacy group Protecting Immigrant Families. Many of the millions of people without permanent legal residency have been in the United States for decades and have no path to citizenship, she said.

These state extensions of health coverage come against a backdrop of rising hostility toward migrants among Republicans. The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended nearly 1.5 million people in fiscal year 2023 after they crossed the southern border, a record. GOP presidential candidates have portrayed the border as in crisis under Biden, and dangers of illegal immigration, like increasing crime, as the nation’s top domestic concern.

Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow specializing in immigration issues with the conservative Heritage Foundation, said states would regret expanding coverage to immigrants lacking permanent legal residency because of the cost. Illinois, he noted, recently paused enrollment in its program over financial concerns.

“We need to share resources with people who contribute to society and not have people take benefits for those who have not contributed, as I don’t see how the math would work in the long run,” Hankinson said. “Otherwise, you create an incentive for people to come and get free stuff.”

Most adults lacking authorization work, accounting for about 5% of the U.S. labor force, according to the Pew Research Center. The state with the most unauthorized residents with stateprovided health insurance is California, which currently covers about 655,000 immigrants without regard for their legal status. In January, it will expand coverage to people ages 26-49 regardless of their immigration status, benefiting an estimated 700,000 additional Californians.

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Washington state also provide full coverage to some people living in the U.S. without authorization. New York and Washington state are expanding eligibility next year.

Oregon, Colorado, and New Jersey in recent years began covering more than 100,000 people in total regardless of legal status. Minnesota will follow in 2025, covering an estimated 40,000 people.

While states are expanding coverage to people living in the U.S. potentially without authorization, some are imposing enrollment limits to control spending.

The cost of Utah’s program is capped at $4.5 million a year, limiting enrollment to about 2,000 children. Premiums will vary based on income but cost no more than $300 a year, with preventive services covered in full.

“The pandemic highlighted the need to have coverage for everybody,” said Ciriac Alvarez Valle, senior policy analyst for Voices for Utah Children, an advocacy group. “It will make a huge impact on the lives of these kids.”

Without coverage, many children use emergency rooms for primary care and have little ability to afford drugs, specialists, or hospital care, she said. “I am not sure if this will open the door to adults having coverage, but it is a good step forward,” Alvarez Valle said.

Colorado also limits enrollment for subsidized coverage in its program, capping it at 10,000 people in 2023 and 11,000 in 2024. The 2024 discounted slots were booked up within two days of enrollment beginning in November.

Adriana Miranda was able to secure coverage both years.

“You feel so much more at ease knowing that you’re not going to owe so much to the hospitals,” said Miranda, 46, who is enrolled in a private plan through OmniSalud, a program similar to the state’s Obamacare marketplace in which lowincome Coloradans without legal residency can shop for plans with discounted premiums.

Miranda left Mexico in 1999 to follow her two brothers to the United States. She now works at Lamar Unidos, a nonprofit immigrant rights group.

Before she had health insurance, she struggled to pay for care for her diabetes and racked up thousands of dollars of debt following foot surgery, she said. Under the state program, she doesn’t pay a monthly premium due to her low income, with a $40 copay for specialist visits.

“I was really happy, right? Because I was able to get it. But I know a lot of people who also have a lot of need couldn’t get it,” she said.

OmniSalud covers only a small fraction of the more than 200,000 people living in Colorado without authorization, said Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. But starting in 2025, all low-income children will be able to be covered by the state’s Medicaid or the related Children’s Health Insurance Program regardless of immigration status.

“There is a growing acknowledgement that people regardless of their immigration status are part of the community and should have access to health care in a regular, reliable manner,” Fox said. “If they don’t, it adds costs and trauma to the health systems and communities.” (Phil Galewitz/ KFF Health News) KFF Health News senior audio producer Zach Dyer contributed to this report.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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5

D ateline PhiliPPines Ex-president Duterte may DOH: No COVID-19 surge during holidays seek Senate seat in 2025

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former president Rodrigo Duterte may seek out a Senate seat in the 2025 midterm elections if the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation pushes through, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said on Thursday, January 4.

Dela Rosa, in a virtual interview, said that Duterte’s possible candidacy has been raised by several fellow PDPLaban members, although the former president still has not decided on it.

Dela Rosa and Duterte are both part of the PDP-Laban wing under former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

“Isa ‘yan sa posibilidad, pwedeng mangyari, kasi naririnig ko na ‘yan sa meetingmeeting namin eh, lahat ng mga, majority ng aming kasamahan sa partido ay gustong tumakbo si Pangulong Duterte,” dela Rosa told reporters.

(That’s one of the possibilities, what might happen, I’ve heard anout it during our different meetings, the majority of our co-members in the party want former president Duterte to run senator.)

“And everyone is excited kung tumakbo siya (if he runs), but the final say remains with the former president,” he added.

Dela Rosa, however, clarified that Duterte would not be running for the Senate to seek protection from any possible outcome of the ICC probe.

Dela Rosa and Duterte are among the respondents in the complaints filed before ICC, for allegedly committing the crimes against humanity during the implementation of the war against illegal drugs.

“Hindi naman siguro, hindi naman for protection purposes, dahil hindi naman niya kailangan ng protection pa ‘no, because I am sure this government, the present government is reasonable enough, the former president shall be protected, hindi naman niya kailangan ng additional protection,” dela Rosa said.

(I don’t think that’s the case, it’s not for protection purposes, because he does not need protection now, because I am sure this government, the present government is reasonable enough, the former president shall be protected, he does not need additional protection.)

by Gaea Katreena cabico Philstar.com

“Pero sa kanya (Duterte) lang is siguro, just to make sure na he can still contribute […] towards nation-building ng ating bansa. After his sixyear term as president, baka pakiramdam niya meron pang naiwan sa kanya na pwede pang i-share sa ating mga kababayan na hinahanap-hanap naman ng ating mga kababayan so baka mag-give in siya to that pressure,” he added.

(Maybe for him, he just wants to make sure he can still contribute […] towards nationbuilding of our country. After his six-year term as president, maybe he feels he can still give more and share to our people, which the masses desire, so maybe he would give in to that pressure.)

The senator also noted that the former president has not decided on proposals for him to return to public service.

Last October, several groups who were involved in the filing of the complaints against Duterte sent statements he uttered at his SMNI program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa — that he used intelligence funds to do extrajudicial killings (EJKs) while he was Davao mayor — to the ICC as further evidence. n

Modernization, expansion of 22 airports funded in 2024 budget MANILA – A total of PHP7.5 billion has been allocated in the 2024 national budget for the modernization and expansion of the country’s aviation hubs in time for the projected full recovery of global air traffic in 2025, a lawmaker said on Wednesday, January 3.

In a statement, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said about 22 airports would receive fresh funding under the national government’s 2024 Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program.

“The new funding allocations per airport are itemized in the 2024 General Appropriations Law,” Campos said. “All told, Congress has earmarked PHP7.5 billion this year for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of various airports and navigational facilities, including the procurement of equipment.”

He noted that the country’s main international

gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), will receive the bulk of the budget at PHP1.64 billion for a new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance - Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) System.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have earlier emphasized the need to upgrade the country’s “outdated” air traffic navigation system after the air traffic control glitch that resulted in hundreds of canceled and delayed flights affecting thousands of passengers at NAIA on Jan. 1, 2023.

Campos said a total of PHP1.5 billion has been allotted for the expansion and development of the airport on Pag-asa Island.

According to him, other airports that would

u PAGE 7

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, January 4 that COVID-19 transmission remained low during the Christmas and New Year holidays, dispelling fears of a new surge.

The DOH advised the public against claims of a new COVID-19 wave in Metro Manila, attributed to a physician from St. Luke’s Medical Center, circulating online.

“There is no credible evidence or official announcement from health authorities supporting the assertion of a surge in COVID-19 cases at the mentioned hospital,” the agency said.

According to the health department, bed occupancy for

COVID-19 cases in intensive care units remained low between November and December 2023, reaching a maximum of only 16% and averaging 12%.

Non-ICU bed occupancy followed a similar pattern, peaking at 19% and averaging at 17%. The proportion of severe and critical admissions also remained low, currently at 11% The DOH reported the average number of new COVID-19 cases per day for the week of December 26 to January 1 decreased by 10% compared to the daily average of new infections from December 19 to 25.

“Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally. This is due to Filipinos choosing healthy behaviors and heeding the call for multiple

layers of protection,” the DOH said, as it reminded the public not to be complacent against COVID-19.

Misinformation spreaders warned The DOH called on Filipinos to rely on information about COVID-19 from reputable sources such as the agency and other official health organizations.

“Misinformation can contribute to unnecessary panic and fear,” the department said.

The agency warned that it may file criminal complaints if false claims persist.

There are currently around 5,310 active COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 4.06 million people have recovered, while over 66,000 have died in the country. n

Honeymoon period over?

Satisfaction with Marcos, Sara down

by Janvic Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Even though they still enjoy the approval of the majority, satisfaction with President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte dropped by double digits in several polls conducted last year.

A year into the new administration, which was elected by a landslide in the 2022 elections, Filipinos are also largely dissatisfied with the government’s performance in addressing the rising cost of basic commodities.

In a span of one year, Marcos’ performance rating decreased by 13 points, from 78 percent in October 2022 to 65 percent in October 2023, based on the quarterly “Tugon ng Masa” survey conducted by OCTA Research.

Marcos’ performance rating slightly went up to 80 percent in March, before dropping to 71 percent in July and 65 percent in October.

Comparing the October 2022 and October 2023 surveys, Marcos’ approval went down significantly across areas, with

President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

a drop of 26 percentage points among respondents in Mindanao (from 85 percent to 59 percent).

Duterte, meanwhile, suffered a 10-point drop in her performance rating, from 80 percent in October 2022 to 70 percent in October 2023. It went up to as high as 84 percent in March.

As of October 2023, the vice president’s lowest approval ratings were among respondents from balance Luzon and Metro Manila at 62 percent and 63

percent, respectively (down from 71 percent and 79 percent, respectively, in the October 2022 survey).

The same is true with Pulse Asia’s “Ulat ng Bayan” survey, which showed Marcos’ approval rating dropping from 80 percent in June 2023 to 65 percent in September 2023.

Duterte’s approval rating, meanwhile, dropped from 84 percent to 73 percent.

In terms of trust, Marcos

u PAGE 7

6

JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Continuing challenges

Features

THE year 2023 opened with bad news for the country: chaos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Improving public infrastructure is a continuing challenge for the government. The inadequacy of infrastructure continues to be among the disincentives to investments, along with hindrances to ease of doing business.

These are problems that cannot be cured by Charter change, which the House of Representatives wants to revive this year.

One bright spot for the year was the end of the COVID pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued, however, and the war between Israel and Hamas is threatening to become a wider conflict. As in other countries, global developments have affected the Philippines in its continuing efforts to recover from the pandemic. Supply chain disruptions pushed up food and fuel costs, restraining economic growth. Taming inflation – consistently seen as the weak point of the Marcos administration – remains a challenge for the government in the new year.

In November, President Marcos finally decided to drop his post as agriculture secretary and hand it over to fishing magnate Francisco Tiu-Laurel.

With El Niño seen to intensify in the coming months, Laurel has his work cut out for him.

The past year also saw the creation of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund.

Discussions continue on the exact nature of what is supposed to be a sovereign wealth fund – the country’s first – which is facing a legal challenge before the Supreme Court.

Education is in crisis, as indicated in the

results of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, in which Filipino 15-year-olds ranked in the bottom 10 in math, science and reading. The secretary of education, meanwhile, is herself undergoing a crisis of sorts, with her loss of P650 million in secret funds for 2024 and a widening rift within the UniTeam.

The past year gave human rights groups some reasons to rejoice: Leila de Lima was freed, and the government is studying cooperation with the International Criminal Court in its probe of the bloody war on drugs launched

by Rodrigo Duterte. Exploratory talks are on for the possible resumption of formal peace negotiations with communist rebels. But there is disagreement among civil libertarians on the use of state power against Duterte and his favored broadcasting network, SMNI. And impunity was again highlighted in March in the massacre of 10 people led by Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, with accused brains, expelled congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., still beyond the reach of the law.

Another continuing challenge for the government this year is dealing with the threat

Editorial

Go Negosyo Pilipinas Angat Lahat!

Joey concepcion IT is my opinion that one of the attributes of a successful businessman is a strong sense of ownership of the enterprise. They are hands-on when it comes to running their businesses. This is not to say that they micro-manage; that is counterproductive because it slows down the decision-making process and undermines the confidence of delegates. I am talking about the strong sense of responsibility they have for the future of their business.

I see the same thing in the country’s economic team. They have demonstrated throughout their careers the same devotion to government service a business owner shows to his own company. They have taken on the challenge of seeing to the turnaround of the country’s economic fortunes, to make sure that the Philippines is no longer the laggard of the Asian economies.

What gives me optimism is the fact that the president, like a good leader, knows how to delegate. He runs the country like a company. As the head of a

ManilaTimes.net photo

posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. Despite the daunting challenges, surveys show Surveys have shown that most Filipinos support that Filipinos are again greeting the new year the Marcos administration’s response to Chinese with high optimism. A happy New Year to all! aggression.

(Philstar.com)

Looking to a great 2024 for the Philippines company myself, I recognize that I am no expert in all aspects of the business; that is why I hire people who are.

In the president’s case, he has assembled a very competent and well-respected economic team – among them Fred Pascual at the DTI, Arsenio Balisacan at the NEDA and Ben Diokno at the DOF. They are veterans of several administrations and various economic cycles. He has also wisely decided that he needed someone to align all the efforts and catalyze into action the plans for the country’s economic development. For this job, he chose Deck Go to become the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. It will be Deck’s job to ensure the smooth integration and implementation of the government’s investment and economic policies and programs.

This comes at a good time because headwinds are tapering.

At the height of the RussiaUkraine war, the talk was all about the skyrocketing prices of commodities. But look at things now: commodity prices are down and consumer spending is up.

Forex remittances continue to be a driver toward the last quarter of 2023. OFWs are a formidable force and that is why

we at Go Negosyo pour so much effort into enticing them to put up businesses here. They, much like foreign investors, need to be reassured that competent people are at the helm, and that the Philippine economy remains resilient.

This is a valuable lesson we business veterans try to share with MSMEs. There will be headwinds, but those who are prepared will be able to sail through them. The winds blow different ways and at different times; one just needs to adjust the sails and ride it out. The important thing is to have the fortitude and the knowledge to power through the difficulties.

While there are things that are beyond our control, like the weather and war, things eventually return to normal and settle down. We saw that in the prices of wheat and sugar. We know this first-hand in RFM, when, after commodity prices skyrocketed, they reached a peak and started coming down – enough to restore our margins and improve our profits. With stable prices and a sense of stability restoring confidence, businesses can move on and even invest in expansion, creating jobs for more people.

With this confidence among the bigger companies, brisk

business among the MSMEs cannot be far behind. Sari-sari stores, for example, benefit from stronger consumer goods companies as a robust logistics system and competition among the big manufacturers benefit them in terms of more competitive prices and retailer incentives.

This is why big corporations keep a close eye on the men and women at the helm of the country’s economy.

When we feel that the president has chosen well, we are confident in the decisions they make.

I believe this also manifests in how well the PSAC (Private Sector Advisory Council) is working together. The PSAC was set up early in the president’s term to advise the president on jobs, health, digitalization, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism. Today we are seeing the synergy growing and maturing.

Our team in the jobs sector, all fellow top businessmen, have gotten into the groove of things and we are all fully engaged in the job at hand.

For some of us, the PSAC tasks go beyond recommendatory and extend into execution. I, for example, have Go Negosyo and the MSMED Council, and the PSAC Jobs recommended the creation of the Private Sector

Jobs & Skills Corp. (PCORP) to create a skilled workforce.

These are all initiatives of the private sector. Nobody told them to do it. But being in the private sector has taught us a lesson or two: every project must be seen to its completion. To get things done, you don’t stop at giving recommendations; instead, you have to be part of the solution.

And to make sure things are sustained, you build the structures that make it possible – even easy – to implement. These are real-world solutions acquired through years of practice and even mistakes. Proposals are only as good as the paper they’re written on; follow-through is the key.

And this is where that sense of ownership I mentioned earlier is so important. We must all feel that we have a stake in the country’s future. Perhaps businessmen feel it more acutely because every fluctuation and every disruption is magnified and is directly quantifiable in the daily reports that we receive.

Perhaps the policymakers feel the repercussions more deeply because they know where these come from and how they could have been headed off.

The PSAC will play a big part in how our economic policies move forward because they will

provide support and ensure that the recommendations are implemented. I work together with the secretaries of the DTI, the DepEd and the DAR and I can say that partnership with the government is important in making sure that the program implementation pulls through as envisioned. Without this cooperation, we will all be throwing punches in the air.

There are so many opportunities for the Philippines.

Organizations like the ADB, the World Bank and the IMF remain optimistic and expect the country’s economy to be among the fastest-growing in the region. The numbers show that we are experiencing broadbased growth, and a young, digital-savvy population will be our edge.

Opportunities are with us, but we have to stay confident and reject the pessimism. The government cannot do it alone.

We in the private sector must be there alongside them because we are all in this together.

With teamwork, 2024 will be a great year. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

2024: Marcos’ moment of truth?

Horizons

RichaRd heydaRian THE Philippines is a land of extreme paradoxes, cutting across every major dimension of our collective lives. Ours is a nation that has had the deepest encounter with liberal republicanism among all Asian nations, dating back to the 1812 Cádiz Constitution. Yet, we have elected the most ruthlessly illiberal leaders into power.

We suffered over three centuries of subjugation under Western empires, yet we can’t help looking to the West as our proverbial knight in shining armor. Ours is arguably the most Westernized nation in Asia, yet our political and economic systems are positively pre-modern. We have had almost a century of education

in the global lingua franca, yet our nation suffers from one of the highest rates of functional illiteracy on earth.

We have been posting the fastest gross domestic product growth rates in the region, yet we suffer from one of the highest unemployment and poverty rates in Southeast Asia. Our folks often complain about corruption, the supposed mother of all evils, yet countless voters enthusiastically support rapacious political dynasties election after election.

The list is long, but one of the most perplexing paradoxes in our contemporary politics is this: We have a notoriously conflict-avoidant president, and yet our political landscape is riddled with intrigue and infighting at the highest levels.

By all indications, the muchvaunted “UniTeam,” which bulldozed its way through last year’s elections, is now history.

But what exactly comes next?

In his first year and a half in office, President Marcos confounded both his closest allies and vilest critics by adopting a distinctly “moderate” approach to governance. He dispensed with the worst aspects of his predecessor’s policies, while also shunning any genuinely progressive agenda. Mr. Marcos has been as tough against China as he has been soft on fighting corruption.

He has been as vocal on the international stage as he has been relatively quiet in dealing with media and pressing questions at home.

As historian Lisandro Claudio correctly pointed out early on, the current president is, ironically, a classic postMarcosian Filipino leader: more politician than revolutionary, more traditional than populist, and more statesmanlike than

demagogic.

But, dear reader, make no mistake, the coming year will likely be the most consequential year in Mr. Marcos’ reign.

Conflict avoidance has its own merits, especially on the heels of a populist catastrophe. But excessive caution invites chaos.

If anything, heedfulness is often a luxury.

To begin with, the president will have to make big decisions in the West Philippine Sea, where he faces stark choices. On one hand, he risks confrontation with a global superpower, which also happens to possess the world’s largest naval fleet.

At the same time, Mr. Marcos can’t ignore the sentiments of the supermajority of Filipinos, who want the country to take a tougher stance against China’s bullying in our own exclusive economic zone.

Mr. Marcos will need to finalize our next move on the Second

Thomas Shoal, where a major fortification effort is desperately needed to sustain our military presence, as well as in Reed Bank, where our decades-long energy exploration efforts have been thwarted by Chinese harassment. Both our territorial integrity and energy security are at stake.

On the domestic front, Mr. Marcos also faces hard choices, especially in dealing with the former president and his factotums. Barely two years into his administration, there have been multiple reshuffles at the highest echelons of the national security establishment and, more recently, even rumors of coup attempts against the sole son of the former dictator.

The UniTeam may be over, but Mr. Marcos will still have to deal with the powerful Duterte dynasty in one way or another.

The former president has made it clear that he won’t go gently

into the night. This brings us to the third important element, namely the upcoming 2025 elections, which may end up as a prelude to nothing less than a total overhaul of our political system.

There are growing indications that the ruling coalition is contemplating constitutional change. Mr. Marcos faces the historic choice of creating a new political order altogether should his coalition secure a clean sweep in the upcoming elections. Whatever choice he makes, there will be major consequences for him, his dynasty, and the Philippines.

(Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

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Honeymoon period...

PAGE 5 suffered a 14-point decrease from 85 percent to 71 percent.

Duterte’s trust rating dropped from 87 percent to 75 percent.

Polling firm Social Weather Stations (SWS) had yet to release its survey results on public satisfaction with government officials as of late last year.

The most recent available survey, conducted in December 2022, showed that 75 percent of respondents were satisfied with Marcos.

Urgent concerns Various polls also showed that inflation remains the most urgent concern among Filipinos.

Throughout the year, the Marcos administration consistently received low approval score for its efforts to address the rising cost of basic commodities.

Based on OCTA surveys, satisfaction with the government in managing inflation went down from 35 percent in March to just 14 percent in October.

Meanwhile, dissatisfaction increased from 36 percent to 64 percent.

Out of the 24 issues included in the latest survey, the government received approval of less than a majority on eight issues, up from just two issues in the March survey.

These included reducing poverty and hunger, fighting graft and corruption, reducing the amount of taxes, controlling population growth, stopping illegal drugs and ensuring food security.

Providing quality basic and tertiary education and building public infrastructure obtained the highest approval ratings among the selected issues,

although these also went down by around 10 points compared to the March survey.

Meanwhile, the September 2023 survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed 74 percent of the respondents identifying inflation as among their most urgent national concern, up 11 points from 63 percent in June 2023.

It was followed by increasing the pay of workers, creating more jobs, reducing poverty and fighting graft and corruption.

Right direction?

For respondents of the OCTA surveys, more Filipinos still think that the country is headed in the right direction, although the most recent survey showed a decreasing trend.

From 72 percent in July 2023, only 62 percent said that the country is headed in the right direction in the October 2023 survey. It was 76 percent in March 2023 and 85 percent in October 2022.

Those who think the country is headed in the wrong direction increased from six percent in October 2022 to 20 percent in October 2023.

Still, personal optimism remains high.

The latest SWS survey, conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, showed that 48 percent of the respondents expect a better quality of life within a year, almost similar to the 46 percent obtained in a similar survey conducted in June 2023.

The number of those who expect their lives to worsen in the next 12 months was only six percent, from five percent in the previous survey.

Some 40 percent said it would stay the same, down from 44 percent. n

Modernization...

PAGE 5 get allocations this year include the Kalibo International Airport at PHP581 million; Laoag International Airport, PHP500 million; Bukidnon Airport, PHP320 million; Puerto Princesa Airport, PHP300 million; New Zamboanga International Airport, PHP300 million; Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, PHP300 million; Catbalogan Airport, PHP250 million; Daet Airport, PHP225 million; and New Manila International Airport, PHP200 million.

The 2024 budget will also finance the development of the Candon Airport, PHP200 million; Borongan Airport, PHP200 million; Iloilo International Airport, PHP190 million; Tuguegarao Airport, PHP150 million; Bacon Airport, PHP100 million; Maasin Airport, PHP100 million; Tandag Airport, PHP100 million; Jolo Airport, PHP100 million; Mati Airport, PHP100 million; Surigao Airport, PHP80 million; and Vigan Airport, PHP70 million.

“Of course, we are also counting on the spending to enhance the overall travel experience of passengers,” Campos said. (PNA) n

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

California is poised to protect workers from extreme...

PAGE 4 which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them.

It’s not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors.

In California, 20 workers died from heat between 2010 and 2017, seven of them because of indoor heat, according to the Rand Corp., which analyzed the state’s proposed indoor heat rules.

After a record-breaking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest in 2021, Oregon in 2022 adopted protections for indoor workers that trigger when temperatures hit 80 degrees. Minnesota’s threshold temperatures range from 77 degrees to 86 degrees, depending on the type of work.

The sheer size of California’s workforce, estimated at about 18 million, could usher in changes for the rest of country, said Juanita Constible, senior climate and health advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“As California goes, so goes the nation on so many things,” she said.

California regulators have crafted the indoor rules to complement the state’s protections for outdoor workers. Those say that when temperatures exceed 80 degrees, employers must provide shade and observe workers for signs of heat illness. At or above 95 degrees, they must come up with ways to prevent heat illness, such as reducing work hours or providing additional breaks. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington also have rules for outdoor workers.

The California Occupational Safety and Standards Board, which is charged with setting worker protections, is weighing the regulation that would require employers to cool their buildings with air conditioning, fans, misters, and other methods when the temperature or the heat index hits 82 or 87. Some employees would be exempt from the rule, including employees who work remotely and those involved in emergency operations.

The board is expected to vote on the rules in March, and they would take effect by this summer, board Chief Counsel Autumn Gonzalez said.

Workers say buildings should be cooler than the proposed

temperatures, especially in warehouses, food-processing plants, and other places where employees routinely move and lift.

These temperature thresholds “are too high,” said Robert Moreno, a UPS driver in San Diego who told the board in May that he has spent most of his life working in warehouses. At the proposed temperatures, it’s too hot to sit outside and eat lunch, let alone work inside a building that’s been baking in the sun all day, he said.

“Most of these warehouses are sheet metal, zero to no airflow.”

At the Amazon facility in San Bernardino where Fee worked, company spokesperson Steve Kelly said the building is airconditioned and outfitted with ceiling fans, and workers are encouraged to take cooldown breaks anytime they need to.

“We’ve seen the positive impacts of an effective heatmitigation program and believe all employers should be held to the same standard,” said Kelly, who declined to say whether the company supports the California proposal.

The temperature inside the 658,000-square-foot building hasn’t risen above 78 degrees, Kelly said.

Regulators have acknowledged that some businesses won’t be able to cool their workplaces, such as laundries or restaurant kitchens, where commercial boilers, ovens, and fryers operate, and have offered them the option of giving workers cooldown areas and other relief.

But those solutions aren’t

always feasible, Katie Davey, former legislative director of the California Restaurant Association, told the board in May. For instance, there isn’t room for a cooldown area in many small restaurants, she said.

And lowering temperatures in a kitchen could put restaurants in violation of food safety laws that require food to be heated to specific temperatures, she added.

“We are concerned that the proposed indoor-heat illness regulations may conflict with regulations which affect our ability to heat and hold food to the necessary temperatures to protect the public health from foodborne illness,” Davey said.

California regulators have spent years drafting their proposal, and it appears unlikely they will lower the threshold temperatures of 82 degrees and 87 degrees. Doing so would increase the number of businesses that have to comply and the cost, triggering a new review that would delay the regulation’s release, said Eric Berg, deputy chief of health and research and standards at California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which would enforce the regulation.

“I think that the threshold should be lowered, in general,” said board member Laura Stock, at the May meeting. “But equally, if not, more importantly, is that we don’t hold the process up so that we can get a standard in place as quickly as possible.”

The urgency comes, in part, because of federal inaction.

7

Legislation has stalled in Congress to require OSHA to publish an emergency rule to enact temporary standards for all workers while the agency pursues a permanent standard.

The bill is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House, which hasn’t favored regulations on business.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), a co-sponsor of that bill, said the situation has become dire in his state. In June, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law eliminating existing local ordinances in Austin, Dallas, and other cities that required employers to give outdoor construction workers water breaks.

“As the climate worsens, and as summers get hotter, we should be doing more to protect workers, rather than taking their rights away,” Casar told KFF Health News. “Too often, worker protection rules have been allowed to die a slow death in a prolonged rulemaking process, and we can’t let that happen here.” (Samantha Young/KFF Health News) This article was produced

by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

BACK TO SCHOOL. Parents and guardians help learners of the President Corazon Aquino Elementary School cross the Batasan Road in Quezon City on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The students trooped back to school after emerging from their Christmas and New Year’s holiday break.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

8

JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

ANNOUNCEMENT

LEGAL SERVICES SD#0289

Advertisement for Bids Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: FENCING AT THURGOOD MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY JANUARY 11, 2024, outside the main office of Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 9700 Avenue of Nations, San Diego, CA 92131. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on JANUARY 25, 2024. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/ SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC240779-50-00-00 Fencing at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $225,000 and $275,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: A, C-13, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC24-0779-50-00-00.

SD#0290

Advertisement for Bids Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY AT DINGEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THURGOOD MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, January 11, 2024, outside the main office of Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 9700 Avenue of Nations, San Diego, CA 92131. Upon completion, all contractors will proceed to Dingeman Elementary School, 11840 Scripps Creek Drive, San Diego, CA 92131. Contractors and subcontractors must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically at or before 1:00 p.m. on JANUARY 26, 2024. Firms interested in submitting a bid package must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC24-0780-50-00-00 Single Point of Entry at Dingeman Elementary School and Thurgood Marshall Middle School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $300,000 and $350,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification.

The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B, C10, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC24-0780-50-00-00.

LEGAL SERVICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025207

A&J Diversified Services located at 2883 Buena Vista Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Registrant: a. Julissa Y. Vallejo, 2883 Buena Vista Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. b. Alan G . Vallejo, 2883 Buena Vista Ave, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 This business is conducted

by Married Couple.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/19/2022.

Signature: Julissa Y. Vallejo Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/18/2023.

AJ 1306 12/22/2023, 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, and 01/12/2024 AJSD 1306

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025440

a. Capri Dentistry located at 2378 Poway Road, Suite B, Poway, CA 92064. b. Poway Dental Center located at 2378 Poway Road, Suite B, Poway, CA 92064. c. Poway Family Dental Center located at 2378 Poway Road, Suite B, Poway, CA 92064.

Registrant: Tais Trevelin DM INC, 701 W Beech Street Unit D408, San Diego, CA 92101.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/13/2023.

Signature: Tais Trevelin Lowry Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/21/2023.

AJ 1312 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, 01/12/2024, and 01/19/2024 AJSD 1312

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024354

Dollys Pawsy Dog Grooming located at 826 S. V Ave, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Joanna Sofia Diaz Guadarrama, 826 S. V Ave, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature: Joanna Sofia Diaz Guadarrama Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/05/2023.

AJ 1307 12/22/2023, 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, and 01/12/2024 AJSD 1307

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025701

DL Owl Enterprises located at 4410 30th St. #B, San Diego, CA 92116.

Registrant: a. Lorraine G Hom, 2609 28th Street, San Diego, CA 92104. b. David Brian Hom, 2609 28th Street, San Diego, CA 92104 This business is conducted by Married Couple.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/01/2020.

Signature: David Brian Hom Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/26/2023.

AJ 1313 12/29/2023, 01/05/2023, 01/12/2024, and 01/19/2024 AJSD 1313

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025097

Yard Upholstery located at 1911 J Ave Apt B, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Geovani Arambula Gtz, 1911 J Ave Apt B, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/15/2023.

Signature: Geovani Arambula Gtz Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/15/2023.

AJ 1308 12/22/2023, 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, and 01/12/2024 AJSD 1308

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025722

Taxes Made Simple located at 555 Broadway #120, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Macario E. Martinez, 710 S. San Ysidro Blvd #1659, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2023.

Signature: Macario E. Martinez Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/26/2023.

AJSD 1314 12/29/23, 01/05/24, 01/12/24, and 01/19/24 AJSD 1314

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00053395-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Shamiran Dawood Oshana filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Shamiran Dawood Oshana to Samira Dawood Oshana.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 01/23/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: DEC. 11, 2023 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1302 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/203, and 01/05/2024 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required.

A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 1302

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9023675

a. Master Fix Specialist located at 4725 Mercury St, San Diego, CA 92111. b. PM Solutions INC located at 4725 Mercury St, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant: A PM INC, 4725 Mercury St, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92111.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Changgeun Park.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/27/2023.

AJ 1299 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2023, and 01/05/2024

AJSD 1299

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024638

GL’s Painting Inc located at 3768 Cottonwood St, San Diego, CA 92113.

Registrant: Gabriel Ramon Lopez Arias, 3768 Cottonwood St, San Diego, CA 92113.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature: Gabriel Ramon Lopez Arias Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/07/2023.

AJ 1301 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2023, and 01/05/2024.

AJSD 1301

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9022681

Star Fruit Collective located at 4364 Bonita Road Unit 784, Bonita, CA 91902.

Registrant: Minifig Prints LLC, 4364 Bonita Road Unit 784, Bonita, CA 91902.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/27/2023.

Signature: Charlene Estiva Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/07/2023.

AJ 1304 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2023, and 01/05/2024.

AJSD 1304

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024615

APO Metropolitan San Diego, Service ORG located at 3001 E 19th Street, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: a. Edwin R. Apostol, 3001 E 19th Street, National City, CA 91950. b. Pedrito M. Villaver, 3001 E 19th Street, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted

by General Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/07/2023.

Signature: Edwin R. Apostol Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/07/2023.

AJ 1300 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2023, and 01/05/2024.

AJSD 1300

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024636

Natural Gomez located at 4356 Poplar St, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Juana Gomez, 2017 Valle Vista Ave, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature: Juana Gomez Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/07/2023.

AJ 1303 12/15, 12/22, 12/29/2023, and 01/05/2024.

AJSD 1303

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024658

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice Bonita Point located at 736 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: S&D Legacy, LLC, 2108 N St Suite N, Sacramento, CA 95816.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature: Marijun Dilay Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/08/2023.

AJ 1305 12/22/2023, 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, and 01/12/2024 AJSD 1305

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025337

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025454

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9025630

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9024228

LTEK Diagnostics located at 8580 Avenida de la Fuente Sta H, San Diego, CA 92154.

Registrant: Jose L. Salgado, 1925 F Ave #1, National City CA 91950.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2017.

Signature: Jose L. Salgado Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/20/2023.

AJ 1309 12/22/2023, 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, and 01/12/2024 AJSD 1309

Snap Assembly located at 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Ross Tan, 1286 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Ross Tan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/22/2023.

AJ 1311 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, 01/12/2024, and 01/19/2024

AJSD 1311

Floor Coverings International Of North Central San Diego CA located at 13184 Ireland Lane, San Diego, CA 92129.

Registrant: Charles Le, 13184 Ireland Lane, San Diego, CA 92129.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/20/2023.

Signature: Charles Le. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/21/2023.

AJ 1310 12/29/2023, 01/05/2024, 01/12/2024, and 01/19/2024.

AJSD 1310

Paradise Cleaners located at 6915 #5 Paradise Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92139.

Registrant: Paradise Cleaners SD, 5380 Dressage Drive, Bonita, A 91902.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/01/2023.

Signature: Rex J. Gonzales.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 112/01/2023.

AJ 1315 01/05, 01/12, 01/19, 01/26/2024.

AJSD 1315

SAN DIEGO

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

9

9

JOURNAL Bea Alonzo offers prayers for victims MIFF unveils official poster; of massive Japan earthquake Stars, filmmakers invited to come from Manila JA N UA RY 5, 2 0 24

by Anne PAsAjol Inqurier.net

BEA Alonzo, who was in Japan with her fiancé Dominic Roque when it was hit by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake on New Year’s Day, expressed concern and extended prayers for those affected by the calamity.

“I heard that there was an earthquake here in Japan on Wednesday, January 3, praying for everyone affected and hoping that there won’t be any aftershocks,” she said via her Instagram page on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

It was not immediately known if the couple felt the quake, although earlier posts from them indicate that they were in Hokkaido, which is more than 500 miles from the epicenter in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Alonzo also welcomed the New Year in her post by showing a video of herself skiing in the snowy landscape of Niseko.

“Just like skiing, may we learn to embrace the unknown, may it be gentle slopes or unfavorable terrains. Whenever we fall, remember that we can

Bea Alonzo

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

always get up and power through, no matter the obstacle,” she wrote.

The New Year’s Day earthquake in Japan has killed at least 77 people, as per latest record. According to officials of the cities hit by the quake, more than 33,000 people have evacuated from their homes and about 100,000 houses have no water supply. n

Celebs’ wish list, goals for 2024 MERCEDES Cabral I don’t really have a “wish” this year. I’m aware that whatever I want to happen this year will come true or will happen if I’ll be more proactive in doing things that will make it true. But I “wished” I savored every moment that I had, even the bad ones.

One of my goals this year is to be more aware of the moment.

To be “more present” in the situations given or happening.

Be it bad or good, I’m going to embrace it and just be in it. Take it in … and breathe it all in!

Gina Respall I wish that the things I failed to achieve in 2023 will be fulfilled in 2024.

The year 2023 was not one of the best for me as I slowly returned to live music performing in Manila.

I had a long hiatus (10 years) from performing as I started a job in digital marketing in the UK

Mercedes Cabral Mercedes Cabral/ Facebook

Gina Respall

in 2016. Initially, it was meant to make ends meet while waiting for auditions. I didn’t notice how long my absence became, until I came back to see my mom in 2019. I knew, however, that I shouldn’t give up performing.

Then, COVID-19 happened.

That gave me the time and the

chance to develop more skills in digital technology and also to start my long-awaited recording projects, which I both did! In a way, I reinvented myself to become a surviving artist in the digital sphere.

I then updated my knowledge

Contributed photo

u PAGE 10

THE inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) unveiled its official poster honoring Hilda Koronel, the festival’s Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Awardee (named after the late outstanding Filipino American leader), and representing the best of Philippine cinema.

The poster image is made up of hundreds of stills from Koronel’s movies with Lino Brocka, including “Insiang” and “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” which are considered among the most important works in Philippine cinema. A closer look at the poster, designed by Elton Lugay and Adam Lang, will reveal that Brocka is beside Koronel, a detail that symbolizes the Philippines’ excellent filmmakers and talents.

MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema, has invited the filmmakers and stars behind the 10 Metro Manila Film Festival entries which make their American premiere in the LA festival to be held from January 29 to February 2.

The talents from the Philippines are invited to attend MIFF events, including Q&As and personal appearances at select screenings, at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood and the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard.

The 10 films debuting in America at MIFF, including the biggest winners and most nominated in the MMFF awards ceremonies held in Quezon City last December 27, are: Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang; Lemuel C. Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip” (Christian Bables); Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story)” (Sharon Cuneta and

The inaugural Manila International Film Festival’s official poster honors Hilda Koronel, the recipient of the fest’s Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award. Through the image of Koronel, shown beside Lino Brocka, her acclaimed collaborator, the poster, designed by Elton Lugay and Adam Lang, celebrates Philippine cinema and its talents, MIFF’s main goal.

Alden Richards); Zig Dulay’s “Firefly” (Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell); Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa” (Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero and Cedrick Juan); King Palisoc’s “(K) Ampon” (Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay); Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari” (Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador); Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko” (Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa); Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind” (Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes); and Conrado Peru,

Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo” (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon).

Screenings and events will be held mainly at the TCL Chinese Theatres. TCL Chinese Theatres is located on the third level of the Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

On the MIFF’s closing day on February 2, the screenings

u PAGE 10

10 JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

Minding Your City of San Diego hourly Finances minimum wage will increase to $16.85 effective Jan. 1, 2024 Atty. RAymond BulAon

Increase applies to all employees who work within San Diego city limits SAN DIEGO – Many San Diegans will see an increase in their pay when the city’s minimum wage goes up in the new year. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, employees who perform at least two hours of work in one or more calendar weeks of the year, within the geographic boundaries of the City of San Diego, will receive a minimum wage increase from $16.30 to $16.85 an hour. The change is in accordance with the city’s Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance, approved in 2016.

“With the cost of living rising, this increase could not come at a more needed time for workers and working families,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.

“This increase means a better ability to make ends meet, put food on the table and spend in our local businesses.”

Since 2019, the minimum wage in the city has gone up annually by an amount corresponding to the prior year’s increase, if any, in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index. The ordinance is applicable to all industries

and businesses and there are no exceptions. Tips and gratuities do not count toward payment of minimum wage.

Updated notices for posting at the workplace are available on the city’s Minimum Wage Program webpage. Every employer must post these notices in a conspicuous place at any workplace or job site.

Employees will continue to earn sick leave, either by the accrual or “front load” method, in accordance with the ordinance. Employees may use earned sick leave for all the reasons described in the ordinance, which includes, but is not limited to, time for their own medical care or for the medical care of a family member. Employers may limit an employee’s use of earned sick leave to forty hours in a benefit year.

Contact the city’s Minimum Wage Program at SDMinWage@sandiego.gov or 619-615-1565 for any questions or to file a complaint.

(City of San Diego Release) n

City of San Diego begins installation of new pure water pipeline at Miramar Reservoir Project is part of program that will provide half of city’s drinking water by 2035

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego is preparing to install a new underwater pipeline at its Miramar Reservoir as part of the Pure Water Program. This will be the final segment of a pipeline project that will convey purified water from the North City Pure Water Facility, located off Eastgate Mall, through 8 miles of pipeline to the reservoir.

Completion of the 1-mile branched pipeline along the Miramar Reservoir bed includes pipeline assembly on shore before the pipe is loaded onto barges and permanently installed underwater. Over 1,100 feet of tunneling to reach the reservoir was completed earlier this year, and work is now underway to complete construction of the pipeline at the reservoir.

“The subaqueous pipeline at Miramar Reservoir is a key construction project of the Pure Water Program to help provide for our future water needs,” said Juan Guerreiro, Director of the city’s Public Utilities Department.

“We recently surpassed 40%

u PAGE 11

IS the government after you for unpaid IRS taxes that you cannot afford to pay? Do you get sick to your stomach not knowing what the government will do next to collect what you owe?

Most people think they have no recourse when it comes to dealing with the Internal Revenue Service.

This is absolutely NOT TRUE! Don’t let the IRS take advantage of your lack of knowledge – because they will (it is, after all the, the government we’re talking about here).

News Alert: The IRS just announced this week that it will now go FULL-FORCE again in collecting taxes that you owe!

This was temporarily put on pause during the pandemic and so the IRS was not doing much to collect in the last 3 years. That is about to change so expect to get a collection letter to be in your mailbox soon! What does that mean? That means that if you have ignored your IRS tax problems in the past, you can’t afford to do that anymore. The IRS is a giant collection agency that will not be ignored! They have an arsenal of weapons in their hands to make sure that you pay every penny that you owe. I’m talking about the IRS garnishing your wages, putting a tax lien on your home and other assets, freezing your bank account, and revoking your U.S. passport! You don’t think that can happen to you? Do you really want to find out the hard way or

Tax problems? Don’t let the IRS ruin your life! do you want to do something about it now BEFORE the worst happens?

There are completely legal and ethical ways to put the IRS at bay. What you need is the knowledge about IRS procedures and rules that will help you in fighting the tax man. You have legal rights as a taxpayer but if you don’t know what they are, there’s a chance you’re not getting a fair deal when dealing with the government. These powerful strategies I’m talking about can buy you precious time to save your business, your assets, and your sanity!

Is your tax bill GROWING every day? Believe it or not, the penalties and interest that the IRS is charging you can exceed 20% in some cases! This means that if you can just get some of the penalties and interest removed from your account, you can drastically reduce the total amount of your tax debt. Of course, the government will not tell you this and it is up to you to find out for yourself how this can be possible under certain circumstances.

Ultimately, you want to accomplish four primary objectives when fighting the IRS: 1.

Remove the threat and worry of the taxing authorities taking aggressive collection action against your income and assets.

2.

Seek a reduction in the total amount of debt.

3.

Negotiate a formal resolution to your tax situation that will be the most affordable arrangement given your financial

situation.

4.

Ensure the appropriate steps are taken to permanently eliminate any possibility of a future tax burden.

If you owe the IRS, the State or both and don’t have the money to pay them, I would like to help you resolve your tax liabilities.

My office will work diligently to prevent any enforced collection action such as bank account and accounts receivable levies and seizure of assets. After you hire me, you will never have to talk to the IRS again! As your attorney, I will call the IRS and deal with them directly while trying to find the best solution for your situation. I can help you wherever you are in the United States. How about a good night’s sleep for a change? I know that having IRS problems can be very stressful, but unless you do something about it, nothing will change, and your problems just get worse over time. Call me now for a quick consultation and let’s talk about how we can get rid of your IRS problems forever! *** NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has been in private practice for 23 years and have helped more than 6,000 clients obtain debt relief. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-471-8273.

(Advertising Supplement)

SDPL kicks off new year with winter reading challenge

Readers of all ages can earn prizes during month-long reading program SAN DIEGO – Make a resolution to read in 2024 and join the annual Winter Reading Challenge at the San Diego Public Library (SDPL). This year’s theme is “Where We Come From” and SDPL encourages readers of all ages to explore the history of their family, culture, identity and community.

“The new year is a great time to pick up a new book or revisit an old favorite and the San Diego Public Library is ready to recommend your next favorite read,” said Library Director Misty File photos/www.sandiego.gov Jones. “For the Winter Reading Challenge, SDPL staff has created a wide variety of programs to celebrate the unique experiences of San Diego’s communities. We encourage San Diegans to visit their local library for cultural storytimes, crafts and to find a book they can’t put down.”

The Winter Reading Challenge runs from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024, and is open to readers of all ages. Participants can earn prizes by completing a combination of five books, five hours of reading or literacy-based activities like making a memory

book, visiting a local museum or writing a poem or story. Upon completion, readers will be eligible for prizes, including a drawstring backpack, USB flashdrive and museum passes.

Participants can register online and view a list of recommended books and activities by visiting sandiego.gov/WinterReading.

Registration is also available in person at any SDPL location and participants can visit the SDPL calendar online to find storytimes and book discussions near them.

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www.sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

Top stories from the San Diego County News Center in 2023

IT was a busy news year in San Diego County in 2023. The most widely read and viewed County News Center stories and topics showed the wide range of things that happened in San Diego County. From the County creating more affordable housing and tackling homelessness, to an actual and extremely rare cyclone warning and one of the largest boil water orders in recent memory, there was a lot to talk about.

Here is a look at just a few of the most read and viewed news topics and stories reported on the County News Center in 2023.

Affordable housing As it has been in recent years, affordable housing and ending homelessness were huge stories for the County of San Diego in 2023. The county works every year to create or preserve

u PAGE 11

MIFF unveils official poster...

PAGE 9 will both be at the TCL Chinese Theatres and the DGA, located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. A closing night awards gala, where Koronel will receive the Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award and to be graced by stars and filmmakers, is scheduled.

Tickets, including bundles that offer free tix, are now available at: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/2024-manila-international-film-festivaltickets-771883764117.

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz (chairman),

Ebradu Udarbe (president), Lisa Lew (executive producer), Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants, and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer.

For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog (eilog@manilainternationalfilmfest. com) and Ron Ramores (rramores@ manilainternationalfilmfest.com). n

Celebs’ wish list, goals for 2024...

PAGE 9 in digital art, music and video production programs such as GarageBand, Logic Pro, Canva, Affinity, Photoshop, etc., livestreaming programs such as OBS and the use of digital interfaces, as well as setting up digital marketing campaigns on social media. I saved so much money in production costs and social media marketing when I released my self-penned singles.

Apart from that, I am happy to have helped a couple of artists during the lockdown. I am proud to say that I helped my friend Christine Bendebel, owner of “House Of Tunes,” create Odette Quesada’s single cover for “Growing Up.” That was created out of Odette’s photos she took using her mobile phone while in the U.S. With the right environment to be creative, I really put my head into creating more things.

Then knowing that my kumpare

Pido Lalimarmo (he made me ninang for one of his kids during the time of Artstart’s heyday in the 1990s) of the original group Side A and Artstart had so much content to potentially establish his digital presence, I also offered to create and set up his YouTube channel. All these, I did at the height of the lockdown.

Still hungry for more digital skillset uploading, I didn’t leave out my veterinary background.

I learned to build an app for veterinary tele-consulting.

I initially offered it to some people in the veterinary field.

However, they did not seem to grasp how much potential it had for them during the lockdown.

So, I thought, maybe I should just develop it more for my own veterinary use.

The same template was used initially for a new veterinary establishment, but due to a contract misalignment, I

pulled it out. I have revived my veterinary profession as a general practitioner, and hope to set up my own physical grooming salon/clinic in the notso-distant future.

Come February, it is going to be the Year of the Dragon. I only wish that what I planted these past few years will eventually carry me through to success in music, performing, producing and entrepreneurship in my veterinary field.

The following are my goals for my music career this year: Performing my original music live with my own band; finishing more digital applications; to continue developing my skills as a surviving musical artist in the digital realm; to perform more often than the year 2023; to continue working with other artists. It is simply to be more visible in live public performances than I was in 2023. —Rito P. Asilo n

(818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 • http://www.asianjournal.com

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2024

11

Top stories from the San Diego... New year, new weight loss scams

PAGE 10 affordable housing through numerous programs to help low-income families, seniors, foster kids, people experiencing homelessness, veterans and people with disabilities. Some of those include “No Place Like Home,” the “HOME Investment Partnership,” using countyowned excess property to create housing, and project-based vouchers.

The County News Center ran widely read stories about the grand openings of new affordable homes in San Ysidro, apartments in Alpine, housing units in San Marcos in both July and April, and apartments in Linda Vista. The County also broke ground on several projects.

Those included apartments in Clairemont, a 70unit development in Carlsbad and a housing project in Oceanside — and started building a new complex in San Ysidro.

Seriously…a cyclone?

Yup. In late August, San Diegans were told to batten down the hatches and prepare for the possibility of an actual tropical cyclone — Hurricane Hilary. The storm was eventually downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it drenched San Diego County Aug. 20. But with fears of catastrophic and deadly flooding, Hilary prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue its first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California.

And it became the only tropical storm to directly hit San Diego County in more than 80 years.

Hilary shattered single-day rainfall records that had stood since 1977 across the county, with more than seven inches falling on Aug. 20 alone on Ranchita and Mt. Laguna.

Days in advance the County of San Diego provided free sandbags, offered driving tips and opened its regional Emergency Operations Center.

SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo closed in anticipation; schools closed in its aftermath.

A tornado warning was issued in East County. In all, Hilary caused power outages, road detours, mudslides, fallen trees and canceled and delayed flights.

Still, in the end, damage was contained and County and City of San Diego officials thanked the public for listening to and heeding emergency warnings, staying home and off the roads — all of which reduced Hilary’s

damage.

Boil water order One of the most-read series of County News Center stories regarded the Cal-American Boil Water order that immediately followed Tropical Storm Hilary in August. The county helped coordinate the response to notify impacted cities, provide health and safety guidance and distribute bottled water during the period the boil water order as in effect. And, after the lifting of the order, the county provided businesses with free surveys to report damage from the order.

Boil water orders are issued when drinking water supplies test positive for possible contaminations, often from bacteria or other contaminants that can make people sick. They typically involve small water systems — like wells — and affect small numbers of people.

But the Cal-American Boil Water Order, issued by the company, was notable for its size. The company estimated that more than 17,000 customers were affected from Aug. 2426. The communities included Imperial Beach, the City of Coronado south of Fiddler’s Cove, parts of the City of San Diego including Nestor and Otay Mesa West, and portions of southwest Chula Vista.

Public service Some of the most popular stories from the County News Center in 2023 weren’t about big events or ongoing initiatives.

Instead, they included news, tips and information that ran the gamut of the services the county provides every day of every year — from public health to just plain fun.

COVID-19 still here, get vaccinated Even as we approach 2024, COVID-19 remains prevalent

SCAMMERS follow the headlines — and the seasons. As the new year rolls around, we’re sure to hear lots of “new year, new you” advertising around health and fitness products. But some of those promotions are just scams out to get your money.

Here’s how to spot them.

Scammers often post ads online for things like weight loss pills, patches, or creams. The ads sometimes look like news reports about a “miraculous” new product to help you lose weight without dieting or exercising.

(Except it won’t.) Scammers File photo/www.countynewscenter.com might even steal logos from real across the U.S., the world and news organizations to make their in San Diego County. This week the Los Angeles Times reported that “everyone seems to be sick” and that nationally, COVID-19 remains the primary cause of new respiratory hospitalizations and deaths. In September, county officials urged San Diegans to stay up-to-date with new COVID-19 vaccinations, which were designed to respond to current strains of the virus.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever In November, the county’s Health and Human Services Agency and Department of Environmental Health and Quality reported that a local man had died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever after traveling to Baja California. It marked the PAGE 10 first death in a local hospital completion of Phase 1 projects from the bacterial disease since and we appreciate everyone’s 2014. The disease is passed to patience during construction.”

Shore areas, including picnic humans when they’re bitten by infected ticks. San Diego County and barbecue areas, paths and typically sees one-to-three cases shore fishing, remain accessible a year. November’s widely read during the project. For safety County News Center story talked reasons, in-water recreational about the disease and offered activities at Miramar Reservoir people tips to protect themselves have been suspended during the pipeline project, and boats, and pets from ticks. canoes, kayaks and float tubes Top 10 baby names Who doesn’t love a Top 10 are currently not allowed.

Pure Water San Diego is list? Or babies? Put the two together and readers perk up! the city’s phased, multi-year In case you’re curious, the program that will provide nearly top two names — Mateo and half of our water supply locally Olivia — mean “gift of God” by 2035. Pure Water will use and “peace.” Read about the proven purification technology full list by visiting https://www. to clean recycled water and produce safe, high-quality countynewscenter.com/countyreveals-top-10-baby-names- drinking water. The program offers a cost-effective investment of-2022/.

Stay on top of what 2024 for San Diego’s water needs will bring by signing up and will provide a reliable, for updates from the County sustainable water supply.

There are currently 12 News Center – visit https://www.

Pure Water projects under countynewscenter.com.

(Gig Conaughton/County of construction in the city. When San Diego Communications complete, Phase 1 will produce an annual average of 30 million Office) n

posts seem more real.

If you take the next step and check out the reviews, you might find positively glowing ones.

Which scammers often write themselves or pay others to do it. Same with those dramatic “before” and “after” pictures: Scammers often use stock or altered photographs, not photos of people who used what they’re trying to sell you.

Scammers will say just about anything to get you to buy their weight loss or fitness products.

To spot the scams, keep an eye out for these common false promises: • If someone says you don’t

have to watch what you eat to lose weight, that’s a scam.

• If someone says using their product helps you lose weight permanently, that’s a scam.

• If someone tells you that, to lose weight, all you have to do is take their pill, that’s a scam.

• If someone promises that you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days, that’s a scam.

• If anyone says their product works for everyone, that’s a scam.

Spot one of these scams? Tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

(Ari Lazarus/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC) n

Screen capture from web

City of San Diego begins installation of... gallons per day. Phase 2, now in For more information about the planning stages, will produce the City’s Pure Water Program, an additional 53 million gallons a visit purewatersd.org. day.

(City of San Diego Release) n

12 JANUARY 5-11, 2024 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588